It’s interesting to me how I feel about celebrities weighing in on politics compared to how compelled I am hearing them talk about their families.Though I have no tolerance for celebrities waxing passionately about Biden vs. Trump, I do find their takes on parenting and the challenges that come with it interesting. I can’t explain… Read more »

I was told repeatedly to enjoy the early years with my kids because once they get older life will get tougher.There are daily tastes of these harsh realities with our 12-year-old Beckett, who seems to be craving independence in all things but especially with his school work. However, the fact is he requires constant monitoring…. Read more »

Monday was all about the new for Carson — new school, new people, new earlier start time and new routine.Ocean City Elementary was the only school he has known for the last seven years. Though he officially started his fifth grade year at Berlin Intermediate School online a few weeks ago, his first true day… Read more »

Expectations clearly need monitoring with children these days. Our own actions and decisions as parents will go a long way toward keeping our kids’ requests in check.As we talked with Beckett about how he should not expect us to buy or build him a new skateboard ramp (a half pipe) if he gets all A’s… Read more »

Rachel Scott.It was a name foreign to me until a few months ago when I heard my 12-year-old son’s school was looking to present a program called Rachel’s Challenge to students. Rachel was the first student killed in the horrific Columbine High School attack in Littleton, Colo. in 1999. She was just 17 years old… Read more »

I have learned a lot from my kids since the pandemic hit.Most of all I have learned adults need to be more like children when it comes to resiliency. I marveled this week as I watched dozens of students and teachers leave Worcester Prep Tuesday with their facial coverings firmly planted. It was the first… Read more »

I have been thinking this week what’s more difficult – parenting a pre-teen or a special needs child.Each kid in our house comes with challenges, but they are as different as they come.Parenting a pre-teen is complicated. There’s some things going on with our 12-year-old that are mysterious and not always confirmable. We communicate a… Read more »

It was an eventful week for our 12-year-old kid and appears to be an expensive month coming up for his parents.On Monday, Beckett had a teeth cleaning and I wasn’t prepared for what I heard. Because I’m scatterbrained most days, I wasn’t thinking the topic of orthodontics would come up at this appointment.I fully expected… Read more »

Last week’s column about my desire to see my boys back in school brought a variety of feedback.If you are like me your mind is scattered these days, jumping often among subjects and concerns, but there is one thing I am certain of currently. There is a tremendous division currently about three things in our… Read more »

Parenting is mental warfare, but in the middle of a pandemic it’s borderline impossible.An article in the New York Times Wednesday got my attention because it hit on some topics many parents are working through these days.The article, headlined “How to Handle Anxiety Over Back-to-School Decisions,” is written by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, a perinatal psychiatrist.My… Read more »