This is Mom Life

It's fun. It's hard. Let's do it together.

  • When Everything Changes At Once

    What. A. Week!I’m exhausted. First day of school.First week of school.At a brand new school. Nerves, excitement, smiles—and minimal tears. Total win. This moment has been a long time coming. Last November we first considered switching schools. My son was on board right away. My daughter? Not so much. She was still adjusting from Montessori—three… Read more

  • When Your Kids Act Like Real People

    Maybe They Are Going to Be OK We were on vacation last week, and I had one of those moments — you know the kind. The “Maybe my kids won’t be completely useless members of society” kind of moment. We were having lunch outside on the porch when I knocked over my drink. It spilled… Read more

  • When ‘Hang It on the Line’ Needs a User Manual

    “Hang it on the line.”Five little words. Simple, right?Wrong. Here’s what I got instead:Thrown over the line.On top of already wet towels.Even though there was plenty of space—if he’d just nudged his sister’s swimsuit an inch either way. What I actually meant was:Use the clothespins. Clip the waistband of the shorts, the shoulders of the… Read more

  • From the Skate Park to the Dorm Room

    It’s that time of year. Back-to-school. And back-to-college. I wouldn’t know about that last part. But I can imagine. Several friends and family members are moving their kids into dorms this week. My niece is heading back for her sophomore year. Two friends are moving their freshman sons in for the first time—one has done… Read more

  • Tales From The Too-Late Solutions Club

    Why is it that the most obvious solution takes forever and a day to dawn on us—while we suffer in silence like noble martyrs of mild inconvenience? Case in point: we live in a very old stone house. The kind that’s charming and historic and also seems to run on spite. The first-floor walls are… Read more

  • Braced For It: Our Orthodontia Era Begins

    We’ve officially entered Middle Childhood. And Middle Childhood = Orthodontia. Not for just one kid.  BOTH.  Because why suffer gradually when you can suffer all at once? The dentist told us in October: “April’s probably the time.”By June? “Maybe another six months.”Meanwhile, I’m sitting there thinking: I already set aside the money in my FSA.… Read more

  • I Swear I Did Stuff: A Domestic Mystery

    I spent the weekend being productive.At least, that’s what I thought I was doing. I didn’t lounge. I didn’t binge-watch a single thing. I was busy. I was doing things.Little things.The five-minute tasks you put off until they pile up like a week’s worth of vacation laundry.Nothing flashy—just quiet, nagging nonsense that needed to be… Read more

  • From Excavators to Eye Rolls

    I am lucky to have two healthy children.I’m luckier to have one of each. I’ll be honest—I think I was a little bummed when we found out our first was a boy. I secretly hoped for a girl. But looking back, I’m so glad he came first. I’m as Type A as they come, and… Read more

  • The Years Are Short, But This Moment Was Long

    I had one of those moments on Sunday. The kind they always tell you to savor.Because it might be the last. My daughter was bored.She wanted help being un-bored.But every one of the 50 things I suggested? Hard no. Cue the tears. The whining. The full performance. Normally, I would walk away. Let her figure… Read more

  • You Can’t Cheer From the Sidelines When You’re In the Half Pipe

    I never thought I’d skateboard — then I became a mom. I like to think I’m a cool mom. I’m pretty active with my kids. I do all sorts of things I never imagined I’d do — including one that now requires a helmet, wrist guards, and a strong sense of humility. It all started… Read more