It seems like shelves are immediately cleared to make room for composition notebooks, washable markers, and #2 pencils RIGHT after the last firework explodes on July 4th.   Back-to-School season starts earlier every year and it always catches me off-guard.  It’s been a family routine for almost seven years, but shifting from free-form summer days to school year organization is STILL one of my greatest mom-challenges.  I’ll use the “H” word.  It’s appropriate here.  I HATE it. [Read more…]

Parenting a tween or teen can feel like navigating an emotional mine field.  The strategies that worked beautifully in elementary school are suddenly useless as your daughter enters middle school and high school.   She is starting to find her voice, her independence, and her strengths – and that can be very scary, for both of you.   Despite her wanting-to-fit-in-and-be-independent attitude, your daughter really DOES want to stay connected with you.  The “connection” just looks a little different as our daughters get older.  It’s not quite as simple as taking a “Mommy and Me” dance class, but it’s just  (if not MORE) as much fun. Read on, rockstar mom.  You’ve GOT this! [Read more…]