Experienced Bad Mom

Not Just a Bad Mom, But an Experienced Bad Mom

Adventures in Parental Controls

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I know, I know. Good parents meticulously scroll their children’s devices and set appropriate time limits, parental passwords, and controls on them. But I’m not the Experienced BAD Mom because I’m good at this gig! Now, my husband and I aren’t letting our teen and tween have free reign with their devices. I know their [Read More]

3 Magical Disney World Moments

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For this year’s spring break, my family headed to Walt Disney World. Those of you who have been around the blog awhile know that we are lucky enough to go each year. Thankfully, this year we did NOT see a hawk pluck ducklings out of the Boardwalk Resort pool and eat them in a gutter [Read More]

What Would Erma Bombeck Do?

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I found myself wondering what the great humorist Erma Bombeck would do if she were in my shoes recently. I had just published a humorous essay on the website Your Teen for Parents. It was a “small moment” essay, one that I wasn’t expecting to light the internet on fire, but one that I hoped [Read More]

Quirks at Work

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I wish that writing this blog (or really writing in general) made me one million dollars a year. Cue Dr. Evil, ala Austin Powers: via GIPHY Alas, writing does not pay the bills and I must work for a living. I’ve shared the glamour of my working gig before, but it’s time for an update [Read More]

Enjoy The Sweet Spot of Sophomore Year

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Dear Son: You might feel like this year is no big deal. It’s not your first year of high school, and it’s not your last. You won’t be getting lost in the halls like the freshmen or taking standardized tests for your college applications. Nor will you be waiting to hear about college acceptances. Sophomore [Read More]

Girl Scout Cookies In The Neighborhood

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My daughter, 12, has been a Girl Scout since she was in the second grade. She’s a pro at selling Girl Scout cookies by now. (Mmm, Samoas.) However, this year her troop set a lofty goal: each Scout should sell 90 boxes. I think in the past the most she sold was 60-70, and that [Read More]

A Mom’s Thoughts on Bird Box

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The movie Bird Box was released on Netflix just before Christmas and the internet exploded over it. I admit I was surprised. At this time of year, most people are embracing sweet, dorky Christmas movies on Hallmark. But an end of the world thriller starring a woman? Being a Sandra Bullock fan, I checked it [Read More]

A Wedding, Two Birthdays, and the Holidays

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Whew! That was a busy month. I know that for most of us, December can be both a joy and a giant hassle (sorry, not sorry, Christmas). Our family chucks in 2 out of 4 birthdays in December, too. Which has made me really good at throwing birthday parties during the holidays. It has also [Read More]

Christmas Movies That Aren’t Really Christmas Movies

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It’s time to talk about my favorite Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies. What do I mean by that? Well, there are movies like Home Alone and A Christmas Story that are unabashedly about Christmas. Just like every movie on the Hallmark Channel from, oh, July to December 31. And then there are movies [Read More]

Happy Now

JENerally Informed