As the first-ever Pandemic Mother's Day of our lifetimes approaches, you may be wondering just how the heck you can celebrate the mothers in your life when you shouldn’t really be leaving the house or interacting with others right now due to COVID-19. I’m a mother of four, social distancing in our home with my husband, kids and two smelly dogs. And I’m here to offer some ideas and tips for making sure this Mother's Day still feels special. Ask her what she wants If you’ve never straight-up asked the mothers in your life what would make them happiest on Mother's Day, this is a FANTASTIC … [Read more...]
Home Office Goes from Calm to Chaotic with Hostile Family Takeover
Back in late February, when most of the population still thought coronavirus came from a Mexican beer, a friend shared a jokey tweet from an online magazine editor. He wrote that the most frightening aspect of a pandemic that forced people to stay in their homes for 90 days would be that “the only ones to survive will be freelance writers.” It’s now Day Numbersomethingorother of The Great Sequester, folks. It’s the end of the world as you know it, but I feel fine. This “new normal” COVID-19 created is generally not much different than any "old normal day" I’ve had for the past 16 … [Read more...]
Chaos and Creation: Becoming a Father During a Snowstorm
Jerusalem’s snowstorm of the century began with a toast. My mother-in-law, Jean, was visiting us, and I had bought a bottle of her favorite local wine and a bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion. As Jean and I partook a second glass of a delicious pinot noir, my wife, Debbie, was hit by a pint-sized rocket. “It’s OK," she said. "The contractions are far ... ahh!” Our unborn daughter's hand had left a deep imprint on Debbie’s belly. In the seconds following that monster contraction Jean moved with all the swiftness of a cheetah. She called for a taxi, packed up Debbie’s hospital … [Read more...]
Babysitting Little Brothers: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
My 5-year-old stares at me, not really comprehending what this means. Unless it’s candy or a shot to my balls, he doesn’t have much use for it. But my 11-year-old son, he knows exactly what it means and his face falls. “Dad …” he begins. “No,” I say. “Don’t dad me. Don’t even begin to think I’m changing this. Your mom and I are going to see a movie and your sister is babysitting.” “But …” “No buts.” He looks at me hard, and his lips go tight. But then he accepts it. My wife looks wonderful today. She smiles in a way that she did before we had children. It’s more carefree, … [Read more...]
How Much Does a Divorce Cost? Constant Work Helps Keep Marriage Alive
"How much does a divorce cost?" I asked myself this when my wife was pregnant with our second child, Justice. I even Googled this very question. I don't remember what the answers were, but I knew they weren't for me. A divorce was going to cost me money, a divorce was going to cost me time, and a divorce was going to cost me my family. When my wife was pregnant with our first child, Journey, pregnancy was a new experience for both of us. It was such an exciting time. I was all in and completely connected with the entire process, from the second my wife's said "I'm pregnant" all the way … [Read more...]
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