Am I a Grinch or will I find the Christmas spirit someday?
This was our first Christmas in our home and as a married couple. My husband spent almost the entire time talking about all the traditions we were going to start this year and do the same thing every year and how much fun our future kids were going to have and other happy joy joy type silliness. All I kept thinking; I just want to sit on my couch, watch “Downton Abbey,” and forget about Christmas. My question: does all of this make me a Grinch? When I have kids, will I find the Christmas spirit or be even worse?
Throw this birthday party: Superheroes and Monsters
For my daughter Em’s second birthday we decided to go with a monsters and superhero theme. Em loves monsters and I really love the idea and concept of celebrating the primal animal creature that is generally outcast by society and misunderstood for its difference. Our family celebrates difference, so why not celebrate monsters? I also was super excited to celebrate and make room for the toddlers exploration of the “hero” archetype. We all have our own particular super strengths and I’m all for advocating the idea that we are all our own hero.
Pregnant belly, puppy, and lots of ink (plus, a dad-beard that wins the internet today)
Tattoo artists Rebecca and Brandon are happily expecting their first human child (they already have a dog) within the next few weeks, and recently asked photographer Ashlee Newman to document their pregnancy. The two chose a goooorgeous wooded river, and brought their fur baby along for the session.
How can we smoothly move in with my mom with babies of our own?
My husband, my two kids, and I are getting ready to move back into my childhood home. We’re so excited to get into a larger, safer (better hood), cheaper living situation, but there are some worries on moving back in with my mom… mostly for my husband.Have any of you guys had to making the “moving in with the in-laws” change?
The night I gained a life and almost died
I almost died on a quiet New Jersey highway when my son was just that little speck of two-week-old cells taking hold inside. It wasn’t the exaggerated, “Oh, girl, I died when I saw him at the bar,” or an “Isn’t that sweet little jacket just to die for.” It was almost very, very real. It was the almost-died where tiny lights flash in your eyes, the air smells different, your ears echo the sound of tires and the breath of the person sitting next to you over the sound of the blood sitting still in your veins.
STFU: How can I deal with one family member who always ruins holiday parties?
I’m slated to host Christmas Eve at my home again, and last year it was fun… except for one uncle ruined it with snarky comments and flat-out negativity. He bitched about the food, the tackiness of the decorations, and the gifts people gave.
At the time, I was more concerned about hosting duties and making sure my family was having a good time, so I just tried to roll with it. Nobody in the family had the guts to say anything, except to talk about it after he left.
This year though… fuck that, I don’t want any of that shit in my house.
How do I keep his horrible attitude in line in my own home?
What happens when your personal photos go viral and you get attacked online?
We’ve talked about what happens when your wedding goes viral and people hate it. But what happens when your personal photos go viral and people seemingly hate YOU. Offbeat Empire reader Barbara Reggio left this insightful comment on our Offbeat Bride post…
Has anyone gone back to their maiden name after marriage?
I got married a year ago and changed my name. Now, after a year of honest reflection, I can say that I don’t like it. I’m currently putting out feelers on resuming the use of my maiden name and in the process, I am running into tons of negativity. Have any of you out there stayed married but went back to your maiden name? How did you handle any criticism or negative feedback? Did you feel better once it was done?