| Category: Columnists |
While Mom's @ Work
When Duty Calls
By Chag Holland
I had jury duty last week. Once upon a time, being a stay-at-home parent excused you from this activity, but a year ago the courts decided that the twelve bucks they pay you for each day of service would pay for adequate childcare. Apparently, none of...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Motherhood: The New Competitive Sport
By Dana Tuszke
One of the advantages to working from home is that I am able to spend more quality time with my son, Dawson. One of the disadvantages to working from home is that I often spend too much time with my son.
With my husband working outside the home 40+...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Maternity Leave: A Working Mom's Dilemma
By Dana Tuszke
My friend, Kay, and I are both pregnant, and our due dates are within days of each other. We were due on the same day for about a month, but I seem to be growing the Monster Baby, and my doctor has since moved my due date to October 22nd, less than 15...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
To Work or Not to Work, That Is the Question. Again.
By Dana Tuszke
Now that I'm half-way through my pregnancy, people are getting more daring about asking personal questions. I understand the curiosity. Everyone wants to know what we're having (a boy), what name we've chosen (not telling) and whether or not Dawson, our...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Give Me Back My Groove
By Dana Tuszke
You know that feeling you get when you're on top of your game, the bliss you experience whey you know you're managing every part of your life (work, marriage, parenting, housework, etc.) successfully? Yeah, that feeling. You remember that,...read more |
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| Category: Columnists |
While Mom's @ Work
Helpless Wanted
By Chag Holland
I have read a lot in the press lately about mothers and fathers becoming stay-at-home parents because they have lost their jobs due to the poor economy. But what about us stay-at-home parents who are going back to work part-time in order to make up for...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Work vs. Motherhood
By Dana Tuszke
Just after Valentine's Day I discovered I was pregnant. After two years of trying to conceive, this is a welcome blessing. My husband is elated, my son is very excited about his soon-to-be big brother status, and I am filled with emotion. Damn hormones.
I'm...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
While Mom's @ Work
More Carrie Than Cinderella
By Chag Holland
I'm the type of guy who suffers from romantic visions. As an important or anticipated event nears, I play the entire thing out in my mind, each time with grander details and results. Because of this, I'm usually disappointed with the actual event.
My...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Didn't we almost have it all?
By Dana Tuszke
A few weeks ago my son had his first "snow day" of the school year. Granted, he's only in preschool, but he was still excited that he got to stay home and hang out with his mom. As luck would have it, I didn't have to work that day and little...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Didn't we almost have it all?
By Dana Tuszke
A few weeks ago my son had his first "snow day" of the school year. Granted, he's only in preschool, but he was still excited that he got to stay home and hang out with his mom. As luck would have it, I didn't have to work that day and little...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Homeschool Rock
Aren't You Worried About Their Socialization?
By Dana Loesch
"How will they learn to get on with other kids?"
"How can you stand being cooped up all day like that?"
"Aren't you worried about their socialization?"
Those are the questions I'm asked the most by those unfamiliar...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Homeschool Rock
Aren't You Worried About Their Socialization?
By Dana Loesch
"How will they learn to get on with other kids?"
"How can you stand being cooped up all day like that?"
"Aren't you worried about their socialization?"
Those are the questions I'm asked the most by those unfamiliar...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Learning to Let Go of My Holiday Expectations
By Dana Tuszke
The holidays are here, and while I'm excited about spending Christmas with my family, I can't help but worry about all the stuff that needs to be done. Did you catch that part about all the stuff that needs to be done? I sometimes wonder if I put too...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Homeschool Rock
Why I Homeschool
By Dana Loesch
My husband, Chris, and I first entertained the idea of homeschooling while I was still pregnant with my firstborn. I spent the years leading up to preschool researching about the different methods and curricula. I preschooled Liam at home as a sort of...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Homeschool Rock
Why I Homeschool
By Dana Loesch
My husband, Chris, and I first entertained the idea of homeschooling while I was still pregnant with my firstborn. I spent the years leading up to preschool researching about the different methods and curricula. I preschooled Liam at home as a sort of...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
What's for dinner? Got me.
By Dana Tuszke
It's five o'clock. You've just finished work. Now you must pick up the kids from daycare and get home in time to make dinner. You're half-way home when you realize you have no idea what's for dinner. What to do? Other than panic of course?
Do you:
a)...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Help Wanted
By Dana Tuszke
For the past few weeks I've been struggling with balancing home and work. As a work-at-home-mom (WAHM), one of my biggest battles is getting my work done and still having time to be wife, mother and household manager, and maybe even enjoying some time...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Help Wanted
By Dana Tuszke
For the past few weeks I've been struggling with balancing home and work. As a work-at-home-mom (WAHM), one of my biggest battles is getting my work done and still having time to be wife, mother and household manager, and maybe even enjoying some time...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
While Mom's @ Work
The Secret Life Of A Stay-At-Home Dad: Deadbeat, Invalid, And Lothario
By Chag Holland
"It always makes me happy to have both parents present at our open house," our daughter's kindergarten teacher told us last year. "We rarely see many dads at these functions."
"Actually," my wife began, "you'll probably...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Is Sarah Palin Willing to Fight for Women Everywhere?
By Dana Tuszke
With the 2008 Presidential Election creeping up on me, politics has been on my mind lately. More specifically, John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, has been the center of my attention. Who is this woman, this working mother of five, who appears to...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Back to Life, Back to Reality
By Dana Tuszke
Summer is almost over. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting darker and many parents are ready to get back to reality. Ready to send their kids back to the life of text books, loose leaf paper and sharpened pencils.
I don't know if I'm...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Work is a Four Letter Word. So is Jose.
By Dana Tuszke
If you've ever worked in a busy office, you know that phones are constantly ringing, fax machines are incessantly beeping and the click-clack of keyboard typing fills every moment of potential silence. It's enough to drive a person to drink (after work...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The View From Here
MapQuest My Life, Please!
By Amy Sue Nathan
When my daughter started kindergarten eight years ago, I spent three weeks looking at the clock. What was I supposed to do with two kids in school full-time? My son was in third grade, so long days apart were nothing new for us – but with both kids...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Money (That's What I Want)
By Dana Tuszke
Last week my neighbor, Shelly, and I were discussing employment and the topic of wages came up. Shelly is an Advertising Sales Representative for a local radio station with an exceptional sales portfolio. For the last five years she has exceeded...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
They Say That Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
By Dana Tuszke
Just after I lost my job, one of my closest friends took it upon herself to call me anytime a position became available at the company she works for. Since I have a background with insurance sales, and my friend works for an insurance company as a claims...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Job Seek and You Shall Not Find
By Dana Tuszke
Today marks the two month "anniversary" of losing my job. I'm not celebrating unemployment, although it's wonderful that I'm no longer in the worrying stages of this unfortunate situation. In the last two months I've submitted countless resumes...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
All Fired Up.
By Dana Tuszke
No sooner than I discussed my frustrations with my job, the company I worked for decided they could no longer keep up with the competition in the Audiology/Hearing Instrument Sales Industry, and axed my position to stop their "financial bleed"...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
All is Fair in Love and Work?
By Dana Tuszke
It's Valentine's Day, the holiday in which lover's express their love for each other (according to Wikipedia), typically with flowers, chocolate and romantic dinners at fancy restaurants, not always in that order of course.
But for those who aren't...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Under the Weather, Under the Gun
By Dana Tuszke
Two weeks ago my son, Dawson, came down with a terrible cold. He was whiny. He wouldn't eat. He was barely able to swallow a few tablespoons of Pedialyte. He was miserable, and I was getting there. Because my husband is the primary bread winner of our...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
To Buy or Not to Buy, Online
By Dana Tuszke
We're halfway to Christmas, and I haven't done any shopping. Okay, wait. Let me be more specific. I have purchased a few gifts for my son and my husband, but I bought them both online.
I didn't have to leave the comfort of my home, or my office...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Red, Green and Yellowing
Pretty (reused) paper, pretty (reused) ribbons of blue...
By Christina Deanne
When I was in sixth grade, my mom decided that we should recycle Christmas wrapping. Before you say what a great environmentalist she was, my mother recycled wrapping paper only because she didn't want to buy any. I had to hand wash aluminum foil until...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
'Tis the Season
To receive the title, families must win the holiday trifecta.
By Kelly Miller
The children are so proud of themselves. We all stand around, enjoying this holiday moment. They have worked so hard, and are proud and pleased at what they have accomplished. We look on in awe; the lights are wrapped in a festive ring, not too tight,...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
A Stigmatism
By Dana Tuszke
When my son was a little over a year old my family and friends began asking when I thought I'd have another baby. I always tried to avoid the question and often gave vague answers. "Someday," I'd say. It bothered me that people were discussing...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Growing Pains
The Autumn Wife
By Elizabeth Thompson
I lowered my window, breathed in the brisk autumn air and enjoyed the fact that I was sitting on the passenger side of our minivan, for once. I listened to my children happily trying to out-talk each other, behind me, and I leaned my head a little to...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Momstumes
By Dana Tuszke
With Halloween just around the corner, I got to thinking about costumes. Dawson is dressing up as a UPS man and he anxiously awaits carrying his bright orange pumpkin bucket so he can ring our neighbors' doorbells and exclaim, "Trick or treeeaaat!"...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Home/Office
Separation Anxiety
By Dana Tuszke
The most difficult part of motherhood for me was never a crying baby, middle-of-the-night nursing, diaper changes, toddler temper tantrums, or even potty training (though I admit, getting a three-year-old to use the toilet isn't a task I'm completing...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Exploding Rats
KABOOM!
By Felice Prager
Two days ago, my seventeen-year-old son, who lives in a state of bedroom chaos and confusion, decided, on his own, without prodding from me, to clean his room. Jeff started by taking the doors off his sliding-door closet so he could move more freely around...read more |
| Category: Politics/Society |
A Socially Irresponsible Stroll Through My Neighborhood
Sometimes convenience trumps political correctness.
By Robin Dutton-Cookston
By the time you finish reading this essay, you will think I am a depraved, cold-hearted, unfeeling subhuman. Someone on the level of Monty Burns, J.R. Ewing or Dick Cheney. In other words, some of the things I am about to reveal will possibly offend you.
But...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Hey! It's Dinner AND a Show!
Entertainment in the dining room.
By Angie Weatherly
The husband and I don't get out much. Who in their right mind would volunteer to watch four kids? And God knows we're too cheap to hire a sitter. We've pretty much surmised we'll not have another grown-up outing until we're wearing Depends. At least it's...read more |
| Category: Politics/Society |
My Many Hats
The life of a stay at home working mom.
By Christina Barber
A friend once asked, "How can you do that? How can you be a stay at home mom, get all of that writing done and not go crazy?" My reply was simple. "I don’t. I just go crazy in a different way."
I had been a stay at home mom...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Baby Preschool
A new kind of homeschooling.
By Beth Hering
He needs an art project for school, and he needs one now. How about fish? I cut two out of construction paper and draw in eyes and scales. I think they will do, so I scramble to put them in his backpack. Lest you think I am one of those parents who does...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
TP Proclamation
The transition period starts tomorrow.
By Karen Batka
Dear Family,
Do not be alarmed if you are sitting on the toilet and have found this post-it note in place of the usual roll of toilet paper. The reason for this change of procedure is the result of great strides in my therapy. It is imperative for me...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
What's for Dinner?
There's a balance somewhere between well-seasoned filet mignon and frozen TV dinners.
By Nicole Jacques
“Hey little guy, what’s for dinner?”
My eight-year-old son is ensconced inside a fence of couch cushions on the living room floor. Miniature monsters are ascending the cotton-stuffed barriers and then skydiving into the fortress. My...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Going Domestic
I need a chef and a maid.
By Karen B. Schwartz
"I'm working on spreadsheets; you just have to wash some pots."
This from my husband, Ryan, after I asked him why he no longer did his share of the chores around the house. What set us off was my request, put ever so gently, to please wash...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Tales of Addiction
Do NOT mess with Mom until she's had her fix.
By Amy Hood
It started innocently enough. One half-cup of coffee on Sunday mornings, mixed with hot milk. A once-a-week treat, since I was still nursing. I had gone caffeine free while I tried to get pregnant (seven months), throughout the pregnancy, and for a good...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Mommy Slings Drinks
What can I get you?
By Hope Gatto
I am a mom who slings booze the color of apple juice, topping drinks off with multi-colored straws. I haul cases of Coors Lite on each hip in much the same manner that I carried my kids when they were toddlers. I wash the sippy cups of grown-ups and scold...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
The Bathroom Baby Saga
A different kind of home birth.
By Michelle Foreman Kauthen
I was 7 months pregnant that April, according to my new OB/GYN who did not speak very good English. My husband had left very early for work, so I was home with our three kids, all ages 5 and under, and my brother-in-law who was there to paint for us.
I...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Where Oh Where Can It Be?
Where oh where has that permission slip gone?
By Rita Fiorentino
I spend 30% of my time searching for some irreplaceable, invaluable piece of paper. I haven't timed it, but it seems about right. Permission slips. Book tracking slips. Camp forms. Directions to doctor's offices. Invitations to birthday parties. Sunday...read more |
| Category: Lifestyle |
Constant Vigilance!
One mom’s struggle to keep a clean house.
By Slon Nelson-Bentley
"Constant Vigilance!" is a phrase uttered over and over again by Mad-Eye Moody in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Of course he was crazy, and not quite what he seemed to be, but lately, his catch phrase has become my personal mantra. My...read more |
