2023-03-30 16:16
One day, I looked up and realized I no longer had little kids. Neither did my friends. We lived solidly in the realm of tweendom.
The post Where Have All the Little Kids Gone? appeared firs… Read More
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Just BE Parenting promotes non-judgmental parenting and celebrates the beautiful chaos of modern families. Sometimes that means laughing at this fantastic, messy thing called parenthood. Sometimes, it means having a good cry. The site supports the idea that each family is unique, and we all parent in different ways. The sooner we stop judging one another, the faster we can find common ground and raise the next generation of innovators, dreamers, and parents.
2022-02-14 14:56
Confession time: Despite writing a blog dedicated to nonjudgmental parenting, I’ve been judging other parents for the past two years. I’m hesitant to even think about the world … Read More
2021-06-17 20:51
Generation COVID could easily become the ultimate Generation Grit.
The post Generation COVID appeared first on Just BE Parenting Read More
2021-05-10 16:08
Like many parents, I’m often overwhelmed by my to-do list. For every task I cross off, inevitably two more rise to take its place. Yet at the end of a busy day, I’m often left fe… Read More
2021-03-19 20:26
When I stuck my hands in the pocket of my rain jacket this morning, I found three receipts dated March 13, 2020. I sucked in a breath when I realized I hadn’t been out in the rain in o… Read More
2020-08-20 21:18
Tantrums are tough! A tantrum is a toddler's way of physically communicating their undesired emotions. What could your child be trying to tell you amid all that screaming?
The post The Langu… Read More
2020-08-06 19:27
Like many parents, my partner and I agonized over the decision of whether or not our daughters should return to school in person this fall. New Jersey has the advantage of beginning the scho… Read More
2020-07-16 20:04
Sure, when I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I fantasized about carefully curated capsule wardrobes and matchy-matchy stackable storage bins. But I also couldn’t stop think… Read More
2020-07-03 17:59
Was it uncomfortable wearing a mask in the heat at the beach? Yes. But I will continue to wear it each and every time I come in contact with people “outside my circle.”
The post… Read More
2020-06-23 16:09
This summer was supposed to be our most epic bucket list yet. We trekked to the passport office in February in preparation for our first international trip in July. (Ok, it was Canada, and w… Read More
2020-06-08 21:41
In the places I called home, racism blared with shouted slurs between cafeteria tables and revisionist history classes crafted by the Daughters of the Confederacy.
The post Doing My Part to… Read More
2019-06-03 13:18
The emotional bank account concept holds that we run unconscious tallies of “deposits” and “withdrawals” with every human-to-human interaction. Keeping your bank acco… Read More
2019-01-10 16:03
Other moms would talk about the hours-long, sleep-of-the-dead naps their children took, or how by three months of age they were putting their kids down to sleep at 8 p.m. and not hearing a p… Read More
2018-09-08 13:23
I had to back into a police car to recognize that my son needs to live his own life. My son has been entangled with the law for nearly ten years. In a stomach-burning flip, I saw that in the… Read More
2018-08-31 19:25
Last month we got a letter from our school district. Standardized test scores were in, and kiddo hadn’t achieved proficiency in math. Again. This time there are consequences. Come Sept… Read More
2018-08-26 20:43
I’m raising smart girls
Think and speak for yourself girls
There is no box, “I do what I want”, girls
Set yourself apart girls, follow the truth in your heart girls
SMART g… Read More
2018-08-09 18:31
This hike was not about proving what I could do, it was meant to show me what I can be. And modeling that for my girls. I can be gentle and compassionate with myself when I’m having a… Read More
2018-08-08 21:14
It wasn’t at that first moment of separation that I realized what it would be like to have a child in the NICU. It was later, after my nurse settled me into my bed, made sure I was com… Read More
2018-07-26 14:41
Like any neurotic person trying to make a life-altering choice, I’ve researched this topic for over a year, asked everyone I know, and posted my dilemma to the internet.
Big mistake.
E… Read More
2018-06-27 00:51
During that fateful ultrasound to determine our baby’s sex, the technician noticed pockets of fluid inside our son’s lung cavity. We were told that our baby was a boy and then, i… Read More
2018-06-18 00:24
I know your child’s birth and the days that followed weren’t like you imagined when you became pregnant. I know that on the day your baby was born, after you blew a kiss goodnigh… Read More
2018-05-29 13:39
I’m pathologically independent. Ok, I made that up, but sometimes I need to ask for help and don’t. The most I come up with is some passive-aggressive statement like “Mommy… Read More
2018-05-16 21:12
Our children have a way of seeing us. Really seeing us. Past the masks we wear and beyond what we say (or do not say). They have a way of forcing us to face the parts of ourselves that we… Read More
2018-04-14 18:12
Imagine that phone call, in which you as parent have to tell your child’s brand-new counselor they’re three years behind the curve.
Now imagine guiding that same kiddo through Of… Read More
2018-03-28 21:31
Before I became a SAHM, I never felt the need to escape motherhood on a daily basis. I understand how ungrateful that sounds. I can’t imagine the agony of wanting children and not havi… Read More
2018-03-06 22:18
Kids are indefatigable creatures. Parents, on the other hand, are not, and it can quickly get tiring trying to think up a new and creative activity for each day. But since spending quality t… Read More
2018-02-20 21:41
If you have a challenging child, the kind who questions just about everything you ask them to do, finds it difficult to transition from one thing to the next when necessary, has a strong wil… Read More
2018-02-11 00:58
I am Mom to a one year old girl, and I’m still learning about the type of parent I want to be. Recently, I have been thinking a lot about gender, and how my actions directly affect the… Read More
2018-01-24 19:29
It took a letter to a bishop and a mountain of paperwork to marry my husband. He’s Catholic; I’m Methodist. Both are Christian religions, so I’m hesitant to even call us an… Read More
2017-12-29 16:40
My son's voice recently dropped from alto/tenor to baritone/bass.
Now I occasionally get these calls from someone who sounds like James Earl Jones. "Would you please bring my lunch box to s… Read More
2017-12-19 18:21
Play is a powerful tool. For children, it helps their minds create connections between neurons, helps them promote development of coping mechanisms, and lets them experience different intera… Read More
2017-12-01 18:18
Yeah… I'm not a "Pinterest mom".
Mrs. Pinterest, you sexy, balanced, thing you. Greeting the day bright and early so that you can implement your new "6-minute ab" routine, meditate fo… Read More
2017-11-16 01:40
As a kid, it always baffled me how boring and controlling grownups could be. Why did everything have to be so serious? Do people just get less fun as they got older? Not me, I thought. I&rsq&hell…Read More
2017-11-02 16:53
Being an introvert during the holidays is a veritable hell. Forget the obligatory office parties and family gatherings, I fear most the packed aisles and endless checkout lines. True, I coul… Read More
2017-10-20 17:16
There was a great tragedy in my family the other day. It came suddenly, while I was sitting at the kitchen table and my kids were playing outside. The idyllic quiet of early evening in the c… Read More
2017-10-15 19:24
I’m not going to bother trying to pinpoint an exact 60-minute span that constitutes The Dadding Hour, because it varies from week to week and really refers more to a chunk of time than… Read More
2017-10-04 17:55
Basically, if you’re the parent of a baby or small child, you’re used to strangers passing out unsolicited advice. So here goes: always have snacks ready, be prepared to lose you… Read More
2017-09-28 18:00
Back in his preschool days, my son was diagnosed with a vision issue that got him a disability label, plus some behavioral issues adding to it. But there is a vast difference between qualify… Read More
2017-09-20 11:41
A baby’s ability to see shades of color develops by five months old. However, I think that black and white tunnel vision merely changes to a moral world view of black and white.
The po… Read More
2017-09-14 14:33
A groundbreaking new study has recently been published which outlines proof of something many children have long suspected but had until now been unable to prove. After years of collecting a… Read More
2017-09-06 17:56
My four-year old loves making herself burp—mouth-gaping, deep-bellied belches that would impress a locker room of teenagers. She smiles after each one, basking in her skill mastery, as… Read More
2017-08-29 11:29
My thirteen-year-old son lives, breathes, and eats baseball. Needless to say, being offered a spot on a travel team last year sounded good – really good. I could give these old bones a… Read More
2017-08-21 10:12
All parents can hope for is to have the opportunity to watch their children grow away from them, to sprout strong legs of independence that will lead them on their own journey.
They must fac… Read More
2017-08-03 14:54
We had a great day at the beach. My daughter loves playing, making castles in the sand. My husband and I both relaxing, barefooted, and walking along the water’s edge with our frolicki… Read More
2017-07-07 11:02
Ah, summer. A time to sleep in, laze about, and…add more job descriptions to my already exhaustive mommy resume. Yesterday, my preschooler followed me into the laundry room where I wa… Read More
2017-06-29 18:08
“It’s a process, not an event.” I heard this about a number of things in my kiddo’s toddler life - weaning, teething, potty training. Now I’m midway through ano… Read More
2017-06-20 10:23
I’m a bit sad my daughter won’t have the kind of carefree childhood I recall. There was a certain magic to being a kid in a world where everything wasn’t served with a side… Read More
2017-06-17 12:47
2). When He Realized His Perfect Child Wasn’t Perfect
The post Three Times My Partner Deserved a Dad Award appeared first on Just BE Parenting Read More
2017-06-12 15:16
Like most adults in my age bracket (and younger), nearly everything I know about smart phones, the internet, social media, and my digital footprint is self-taught. My brother and I sometimes… Read More
2017-05-25 15:30
We all know those parents.
Their perfect offspring never tantrums, learned to read before Kindergarten, kicks a soccer ball better than Beckham, and has artistic skills to rival Picasso.
You… Read More
2017-05-18 16:43
If you are contemplating expansion of your family size, even if reluctantly so, you may also want to take some of the following harsh realities into consideration:
• World over populati… Read More
2017-05-10 23:52
"You mean I have to actually talk to this person?" Not verbally. If used correctly, most parallel parenting communication is done through email.
The post How to Communicate School Progress W… Read More
2017-05-06 00:23
You know those days when the kids' noise level has reached a fever pitch, and all you want — with the passion of a parched woman in the desert — is a little peace and quiet? It's… Read More
2017-04-29 20:14
Apart from what I’ve witnessed at playgrounds, birthday parties, and Thanksgiving dinners, the Mommy Wars rage in my mind. I returned to work only six weeks after my oldest daughter wa… Read More
2017-04-19 10:29
I’ve never given my stretch marks a second thought. After all, they’re not that big, they’ve faded over time and aren’t very noticeable, and besides, I don’t re… Read More
2017-03-31 10:05
There are some things you actually have control over when parallel parenting. Sorry, none of these things involve controlling your ex or children.
The post 5 Things You Can Control When Para… Read More
2017-03-26 20:18
Many children face invisible challenges. From behavioral issues to physical impairments, the path these kids travel to reach developmental milestones requires immense effort — often by… Read More
2017-03-18 17:30
I never know when it will happen. The moments when Time pushes against me. It happened before I had kids, but Time shoves back harder and faster now that I’m watching you grow.
I expec… Read More
2017-03-09 01:41
Birthday parties scare the hell out of me, because I know, deep down inside, despite having identified, finally, so much love and beauty in the world, that I am still not as light as air or… Read More
2017-02-25 19:10
I am the mother of girls. I cannot speak to the challenges of raising boys in modern America. I admit my bias, but I believe it’s possible to lift women, to lift girls, without oppress… Read More
2017-02-16 10:34
If I have a daughter
to share my hands with in tightly woven spaces…
I will tell her all of the do’s
and none of the don’ts.
All of the cans
and none of the can’… Read More
2017-02-07 11:07
Despite the pressures I’ve seemed to encounter every day since my daughter was three-weeks old, I'm not ready to have another child. I'm not through loving my baby with all I got. She… Read More
2017-02-01 02:40
After having my first baby, I struggled with my identity, a lot. We all do, whether we like to admit it or not. I felt like changing diapers in under 10 seconds was all I was good at. It fel… Read More
2017-01-27 13:45
There are so many rowdy little boys like mine in the world. Instead of understanding who they are, people label them the trouble makers or tell their parents they need to be put on ADD meds… Read More
2017-01-24 14:37
Motherhood is a beautiful beast that takes control of you. You learn to defend yourself, to defend your boundaries in a way that you never did before. It's a new power you possess that you r… Read More
2017-01-19 15:00
I still keep two bottles of frozen milk in my freezer behind the frozen waffles and chicken nuggets, despite my daughter being weaned almost two years ago. I know they're expired and should… Read More
2017-01-16 11:32
I called him every year on her birthday, to tell him the same thing. How she was doing, where we were, my unchanged contact information. I considered this an open invitation to our lives &nd&hell…Read More
2017-01-11 22:10
I am having a fight-or-flight reaction to my laundry.
It shouldn't surprise me, really. I'm angry a lot these days. I'm angry about the laundry, sure; there's no better symbol of the Sisyphe… Read More
2017-01-02 14:14
Don’t sweat what to call your kids. All our names are pretty much doomed, anyway. My name is Susan. I’m only fifty-four. But as everyone I introduce myself to can readily discern… Read More
2016-12-30 11:22
Maybe my story doesn’t have to be about sadness and death. Maybe it can be the story of a girl who had great parents, was loved fiercely, and is brave enough to keep going after her wo… Read More
2016-12-28 02:48
Often, parents are expected to be superheroes. They aren’t supposed to make mistakes. They are supposed to be perfect, solid role models, and predictors of the future. There is no room… Read More
2016-12-20 00:15
My mom handles Christmas like a boss. From the gifts to the food to the music selection, we all know to just shut up, stand back, and enjoy the fruits of her labor. Christmas is Mom’s… Read More
2016-12-14 11:44
The novice teacher had originally thought that Brownie was a wonderful idea: teach responsibility, kindness, and what else? She couldn’t quite recall anymore, because making sure that… Read More
2016-12-06 11:11
When will I actually feel maternal, I silently wonder. I am certain I felt it for the ten minutes when he was placed on me. I’m almost sure of it. I remember thinking I created this. L… Read More
2016-12-01 10:55
As I sat at the stoplight thinking of the profound wisdom resonating from the backseat, it made me wonder exactly who is the teacher and who is the student
The post The Christmas Lesson I le… Read More
2016-11-25 13:12
Removing poop from underwear is an entirely different process from changing a diaper. I hope, dear reader, you won’t add this to your list of unpleasant parental experiences. If you&rs&hell…Read More
2016-11-15 16:55
I ran around in circles until I spied an unsuspecting elderly woman basking in the sun. As I approached her, my sobs began anew and I tried to confess what had just transpired: I had nearly… Read More
2016-11-11 00:08
Kids pick up all sort of phrases (and germs) in group care. “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset” happens to be one I embrace. Inevitably, my girls will be at a… Read More
2016-11-03 00:33
Here I am, 18 years old and a lifetime worth of responsibility was placed in my care. I remember thinking, “Nika, you can’t do this. You are going to mess up this child’s l… Read More
2016-10-28 22:41
When did we lose that childhood wonder? When do we go from curious to cynical? From thinking everything is possible, to thinking things are more impossible than probable? When does that chan… Read More
2016-10-23 23:07
As parents, hearing stranger's parenting suggestions are like nails on a chalkboard. On the other hand, my infant daughter, Penelope, doesn’t understand our frustrations, and welcomes… Read More
2016-10-19 11:17
My husband eats everything. I always expect the one thing I look forward to at the end of the day to not be there when I get home, but I have yet to become inured by my everlasting disappoi… Read More
2016-10-14 01:11
Childhood is short. But friendship, true friendship, is worth taking a pause from parenting from time to time. If nothing else, it helps teach children the importance of cultivating relation… Read More
2016-10-10 13:51
I can honestly say, I’m not a great mom. I’m not a bad one either. I’m an adequate mom whose trying hard to be a better one. And that’s ok.
The post I’m an Adeq… Read More
2016-10-04 09:54
This time around my mom can sit back with all the other traumatized parents, simply enjoying the fact that it isn’t her, and probably giggle a bit that I’m finally getting my jus… Read More
2016-09-28 10:16
Next time I go to the doctor’s office, I’ll sign in and tell them to shoot me a text when it’s my turn, and then head back out to my car to wait.
The post My Mom Car Makes… Read More
2016-09-26 10:06
Gifted evokes images of privilege, special treatment and unearned advantage. The gods of intelligence do not sound the trumpets when a high-IQ child is born. Brain fairies do not descend upo… Read More
2016-09-21 10:21
Today my hubs underwent a vasectomy, and I am faced with the realization that I will likely have no more babies (unless I leave him for a newer model.)
The post I’m Excited My Husband… Read More
2016-09-19 10:07
I know yelling is bad, yet every day I have a difficult time controlling my temper and muzzling my dragon mouth. It’s my greatest flaw as a parent, and has the potential to have a last… Read More
2016-09-15 09:48
I adore teenage boys and girls–specifically the two I have brought into this world and share genetic coding with. But when these teenagers invite their friends to spend the night, my i… Read More
2016-09-13 09:35
“It goes so fast.”
We hear it each time we’re attempting to distract a tantruming toddler in the checkout line in Target or comfort a crying baby in the middle of a restaur… Read More
2016-09-09 09:46
“Does your child have any special challenges I should be aware of?”
Two tiny blank lines staring at me, enough for maybe three sentences if I wrote very narrowly. Yes, Aidan is o… Read More
2016-09-08 09:29
There are great things about having girls. All the fancy, adorable dress-up clothes, all the sweet smiles, bonding over painted toenails, Barbie playtime, and Frozen sing-a-longs. But then t… Read More
2016-09-06 09:28
Like many parents, I worry that my kids and I spend too much of our lives staring at a screen. The Great Screen-Time Battle rages in my household as I try to limit my children’s screen… Read More
2016-09-04 09:25
“Mom, do people have sex when they’re not wanting to have a baby?”
And there it is. The opening for me to have a great conversation about sex with my 10-year-old daughter… Read More
2016-09-03 16:37
I look at the ground and see a few brown leaves have already fallen from the trees. It’s a beautiful day, warm and humid, but I find myself feeling sad because I know summer is nearing… Read More
2016-08-31 10:05
Me: Good night, dear one! I love you!
Son: Good night. (Translation: I adore you, my sainted mother, but my acute self-consciousness requires that I conceal my sentiments.)
Me: Would you mi… Read More
2016-08-25 10:02
I must admit, parenting is a challenge. It’s a challenge to drive a long distance. It’s a challenge to go shopping. It’s a challenge to go out to eat anywhere aside from Mc… Read More
2016-08-23 10:11
When I was in Kindergarten, my brother and I had free range of our entire yard. We often crossed into the neighbor’s grass, playing with the two boys who lived in the house behind ours… Read More
2016-08-19 10:05
I just read a completely brilliant piece in the Huffington Post about vacationing with children and how it is in no way the same thing as vacationing without them. While this is not my stand… Read More
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