BEING THE ELDEST CHILD - Where you are in birth order related to your sibling(s) seems to have a large impact on your personality. I am the eldest child, and grandchild, on both sides of my family. Being the eldest is daunting. You spend your first years, until your sibling is born, working on training,... Continue Reading →

YCMTSU:  COOKIE DOUGH - As I handed my TEENAGER the beater from the mixer. One:  Yum….cookie dough. Did you make cookies? Me:  [I said nothing.] DISCLAIMER:  You need to know that I have 3 children.  I will call them One, Two, and Three and the first child that I refer to in the story will... Continue Reading →

WHO IS EVIL? -  A while ago, I was called “evil.” In that situation, I took pride in the description because what I had done to “earn” that title was follow the wishes of someone who was sick and then dying even though others did not agree with those wishes. To be honest, I did... Continue Reading →

YCMTSU:  PILLOW - Me:  One, please hand me a pillow. One:  Coming right up! Me:  Where did you learn that? One:  Some funky restaurant. DISCLAIMER:  You need to know that I have 3 children.  I will call them One, Two, and Three and the first child that I refer to in the story will be... Continue Reading →

FATHERS - I have been fortunate to have 3 fathers in my life. The past 10 months or so have tested me (and them) and taught me a lot about my fathers. My stepfather of 35+ years passed away after stepping away, or maybe slipping away, from everything and everyone in his life. He was... Continue Reading →

YCMTSU:  PONYTAIL - My 3 year old will ask me to put her hair in a ponytail (or two) then immediately take them out. WHY??????? DISCLAIMER:  You need to know that I have 3 children.  I will call them One, Two, and Three and the first child that I refer to in the story will... Continue Reading →

Sexual Assault - According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): 1 in 5 women has experienced complete or attempted rape 4 out of 5 women have experienced some form of sexual harassment and/or assault These numbers are staggering. Unfortunately, they are also probably lower than the actual numbers. A lot of women do... Continue Reading →

YCMTSU:  DRIVING – One (elementary school age): I cannot wait until I can drive a car! One (middle school age): I cannot wait until I can drive a car! I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. One (early high school age): I cannot wait until I can drive myself to school! Me (when... Continue Reading →

WHEN MY CHILDREN HURT …I HURT “Motherhood is seeing your heart walk around outside your body and hoping the world is gentle with it.” - Elizabeth Stone. Boy is that an understatement! From their first cry, fall, scraped knee, fall off their bike, hurt feelings, time being bullied, loss of a pet, loss of a... Continue Reading →

YCMTSU:  ADULTING One (after recently turning 18 and having to take care of doctor appointments, etc.): Mom, adulting sucks! Me:  Yes, it does. One:  Does it get better? Me:  The truth? One:  Yes, please. (with a worried look on her face) Me:  No, it does not. BUT, you do get used to it. DISCLAIMER:  You... Continue Reading →