| Category: Columnists |
Long Journey on a Short Bus
Outside the Box
By Karen Murphy
I have decided that in my next life I am going to be my son. Of all the people I know he is the one who seems to be having the best time.
Eric goes to a special-needs preschool four mornings a week. Other than some cryptic hastily-scrawled daily notes...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Growing Pains
Remembering Virginia Tech and How I have NOT Stopped Worrying, Since.
By Elizabeth Thompson
We each have a special place in our house -- small and cramped as it may be -- where the children and I like to go and disconnect...from each other. I also think it's important that each of my children understand that they can NOT expect to do everything...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Growing Pains
Skating Through Life, Talking Street and Living with Almost Etnies
By Elizabeth Thompson
With school having started I’ve had to finally face the fact that my kids have outgrown EVERYTHING and perhaps consider that we may actually have to, you know, get out of the house!
Thank goodness the mall is air-conditioned, but -- here’s...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Being the Mom
It's my turn to play dress-up.
By Kim Montes
My youngest daughters were playing dress-up one day and I overheard a familiar conversation. “Why do I always have to be the boy? I want to be the princess!” the eldest demanded. “Well, I have to be the princess because princesses always...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Project Runaway
I like shopping... by myself.
By Melanie Lynne Hauser
I’m a girl. (No, really! I know my family doesn't see me that way, but I really am.). And as a girl, I like clothing. I like fashion. I like shopping — when it’s just me, and I have a relatively empty credit card, and I’ve just...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: 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: 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: Politics/Society |
Special Needs of the Gifted Child
Exceptional minds have requirements, too.
By Kristina Ashlock
When we think of a child with special needs, we tend to think of a child who is autistic, has ADHD or suffers with dyslexia. Rarely does the gifted child come to mind. I don’t particularly like the term “gifted”, nor does my 8-year-old...read more |
| Category: Politics/Society |
Special Needs of the Gifted Child
Exceptional minds have requirements, too.
By Kristina Ashlock
When we think of a child with special needs, we tend to think of a child who is autistic, has ADHD or suffers with dyslexia. Rarely does the gifted child come to mind. I don’t particularly like the term “gifted”, nor does my 8-year-old...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Don't Think You're So Important
Get off your parenting high horse.
By Lauri Kubuitsile
Friend got the letter all parents dread. The teacher would like to see her to “discuss her daughter’s behavior”. Teachers don’t write that letter unless they believe your child is one infraction away from the “Big House”...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Don't Think You're So Important
Get off your parenting high horse.
By Lauri Kubuitsile
Friend got the letter all parents dread. The teacher would like to see her to “discuss her daughter’s behavior”. Teachers don’t write that letter unless they believe your child is one infraction away from the “Big House”...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
Growing Pains
The End Of Summer And Resurrection Of A SAHM
By Elizabeth Thompson
"It's quiet -- too quiet!"
I'm reminded of that phrase most often heard in western movies, television and suspense novels – not to mention expressed with trepidation by perhaps every parent of a three-year-old wondering, “What’s...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
Dating the Preschool Parents
What should I wear?
By Juliet Johnson
I wanted my son Nathan to have friends. Whom he likes, I must like. Nathan would do anything to have Michael play with him. His version of trying to play with Michael is to stand next to me and hold my leg. But I know how desperate he is. If it’s...read more |
| Category: Humor |
The IP Guide to Parent/Teacher Conferences
It's that time of year again, the time when we get to take time from our busy schedules, sit in an undersized chair, and listen to a litany of complaints about our children. In our ongoing quest to help Imperfect Parents™ everywhere, we've compiled...read more |
| Category: Parenting |
You Can't Take It With You
I just want to take it. Just this. Nothing else.
By Juliet Johnson
“Can I take this to school today?”
Nathan has a purple beach bucket loaded with a flashlight, a Sponge Bob wallet, stuffed with fake money and old credit cards, three rocks and some crackers. This is how it started. First it was crying at...read more |
| Category: Humor |
Ask the Angry Baby
Ex-wives, temperaments, junk food and public discipline.
I am a single father with custody of my two children but I send my ex-wife money every month to help her with expenses. The problem is my ex-wife buys the kids anything they want. Is this right?
You say mommy's gone, and you are alone with two spoiled...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The View From Here
The True Cost of Education
By Amy Nathan
Summer ends this week, when both my kids pack their backpacks and I pack their lunches and they climb into the car for the mile drive first to the high school, then around the corner to the junior high.
It’s the time of year they dread yet prepare...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The View From Here
The True Cost of Education
By Amy Nathan
Summer ends this week, when both my kids pack their backpacks and I pack their lunches and they climb into the car for the mile drive first to the high school, then around the corner to the junior high.
It’s the time of year they dread yet prepare...read more |
| Category: Columnists |
The Parental is Political
Do you really know what the No Child Left Behind Act is all about?
By Julie Marsh
“I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way”
- “Greatest Love of All”, Whitney Houston, 1985
It’s easy for Whitney to sing about it. It’s even relatively easy for politicians...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: Columnists |
What's the Matter With Mommy?
WHAT did you just call me??
By Kelley Cunningham
The other night I was reading a book about starfish to my youngest. As we counted the starfish’s fingers or whatever they are, he corrected me.
“Mom, they’re not called starfish anymore. They are SEA STARS. Teacher said.”
“Really?”...read more |
