Modern nomadic family “world schooling” their way through Turkey
We’ve been wedding photographers for almost six years. In January we decided we need to change our lives… drastically. So we sold everything we own, moved out of house, my photography studio, Leah’s meditation center, and pulled Jonah out of preschool.
Help! My parents want to move near me. What do I do?
How do I tell my parents that having them live that close is stepping on my opportunities for growth and freedom as an adult? What is the best way to explain that living near my parents has to be as much my choice as theirs?
I’m starting to loathe Mother’s Day
I’ve started becoming a recluse on Mother’s Day weekend. I’m of an age where it’s assumed I am a mother and am generally given a cheery “Happy Mother’s Day” by every retail clerk with whom I come into contact (yes, even though there are no children with me). The issue is that I am not and I, in my over-abundant need to be truthful, feel uncomfortable allowing it to slide with a simple “thank you,” but don’t really want to break into tears and shout that I don’t deserve this particular salutation.
My family is changing, I don’t know what to do about it, and that’s okay
Through single motherhood, relocation from the continent back to Hawaii, custody battles, family drama, building a new relationship and creating our family, job changes, graduate school, and career readjustments, I’ve had very few moments in which I’ve questioned what or how I was doing as a parent. Parenthood has taught me not to expect the status quo — every day is different. Every day brings a new challenge or change, and every day you stretch a little bit more to be the parent you need to be.
6 valuable life (and parenting) lessons that I learned from Disney’s Frozen
Our house, like so many others, has been inundated with the Disney phenomenon that is the movie Frozen. However, after many viewings and even more sing-a-longs, rather than tire of it, I feel like I’m finally seeing it for the deep and powerful parable that it is. Because, like any truly powerful storytelling, the magic comes in hearing these message again and again…
How do you announce your adoption plans?
My husband and I just decided and made the first step to adopt a child. This is a super exciting time in our life, and I’d like to share it with people. But I feel like a simple Facebook post just isn’t the right way or doesn’t do the announcement justice. I’m wondering if any offbeat readers have any suggestions/feedback/or advice on announcing you’re adopting a child?
Getting real, real fast: The pros and cons of family communal living
My home consists of my husband, my two youngest daughters, their husband and boyfriend, my eighteen-month-old granddaughter, three cats, two dogs, a 75-gallon fish tank, and a lizard. We have cohabitated for a year to become the “village” for my granddaughter. Here are some thoughts on the pros and cons of our communal living situation…
Kids need to see parents living their passions
“My daughter is so much more fearless than I was at her age. She knows how to lean into her fears, because she’s watched me do it. I think that’s the ultimate story of me starting a company: my daughter is more fearless because she’s seen her mom lean into the hard stuff of pursuing her passion. I want to see that be true for more moms and kids.”