Last summer, my teen turned 16 and got his driver’s license. It was definitely a rite of passage for him–and me! He also got a used car, not because his dad and I are bajillionaires, but because we found a car that fit our price range. Now our teen could drive himself to hockey practice, [Read More]
How to Survive Being Housebound with Teens during Coronavirus
How do you survive the coronavirus pandemic with teens? I’m not talking about the virus itself (check out the CDC for real facts), rather being housebound with teens for three weeks. Yup, my kids, ages 16 and 13, have no school or activities here in Michigan until at least April 6. They don’t have homework [Read More]
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Teens Are Like Cats: Let Me Count The Ways
It was 11 am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Humming a little ditty about Jack and Diane, I opened the blinds in my teenage son’s room. As the sunlight streamed in, I changed both my volume and my tune, belting out Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi in hopes of waking my sleeping son. [Read More]
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Why This Mom of Teens Can’t Shop Alone
Flush with cash from my recent birthday, I strode through the mall. I had no strollers to push or play spaces to visit like a decade ago when my kids were little. Nor was I dragged into stores selling overpriced joggers or anything with emojis and sequins like last week while shopping with my teen [Read More]
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Ok Gen X: Thinking about the 70s and 80s
Last fall my teenage son started using the phrase “Ok Boomer” just about every day. “Hey, don’t forget to take out the trash,” I’d say. “Ok Boomer,” he replied. “Time to go to church! Let’s get in the car,” I’d mention. “Ok Boomer,” he replied. Like most Gen Xers, I was offended by his reply. [Read More]
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The Christmas Breaking Point
“Do you think he’ll like it? I’m really worried he won’t’ like it,” my twelve-year-old daughter asked me from the doorway. I jumped from where I was sitting in front of our family computer. I closed down a window where I had been tracking a gift for her. It was shipped late, and wouldn’t make [Read More]
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Give Your Teen the Gift of an Experience This Holiday Season
Did you watch Gilligan’s Island growing up like I did? Then you’ll remember Thurston Howell the Third and his wife, Lovey. I was channeling my inner Thurston and Lovey last year when I wrote this holiday post below for Your Teen for Parents. That’s because the site wanted a list of experiences that you can [Read More]
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7 Reasons Why I’m Giving Thanks for My Teenagers This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday that gets better as the kids get older. Sure, those turkey drawings traced around pudgy preschoolers’ hands were sweet. So was hearing my elementary schooler talk about the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock. And watching the little ones dine at the kids’ table at Grandma’s house was adorable, too. But Thanksgiving [Read More]
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Take a Walk in Detroit
My family of four took a walking tour of Detroit last month. It was fun and educational. If you come to Detroit, here’s why you should take a walk, too. More than bad headlines Before the Detroit Youth Choir rocked it’s way to 2nd place on America’s Got Talent this year, you didn’t hear many [Read More]
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I’m the Mom Who Doesn’t Want Summer to End
It’s that time of year. Social media is flooded with pictures of kids going back to school. And usually there is at least one viral picture or video of a mom dancing gleefully or lounging with a cocktail beside the pool while the kids are off to school. I get it, I do. I’m not [Read More]
