“Sugar,” he said, his Kentucky accent flooding my heart with warmth, his serious expression straightening my posture, “Never forget your roots. Never go so far that you can’t remember how you got to where you are.” My granddaddy was a man of few words. But man could he say a lot in those words. I […]
parenting
Parenting free of fear (even when your kids begin to drive!)
I felt like an idiot crying my ever-lovin’ head off in my kitchen. Thank God no one was home. What is wrong with me? I cried out, startling the dog from her nap. I kept staring at the text that had just come through letting me know it was time to schedule my son’s behind […]
An Easy and Powerful Way to Connect With Your Child
My 15 year old son sat crossed legged in the middle of my bed as I dug through our fire safe. I was looking for his birth-certificate and social security card—documents he would need to take to the DMV the next morning to get his learner’s permit. Our fire safe contains a hodgepodge of items: […]
Once upon a time there was a father….
Once upon a time a there was a little girl who lived in a large kingdom. The kingdom was full of many exciting things and many beautiful people. And yet the little girl often felt scared, unsure, and hesitant. She was a very quiet little girl, surrounded by noise and chatter. Day after day she […]
Aren't We All Still A Little Like Teenagers?
I used to be scared of teenagers—even when I was one. And in full disclosure I still can get intimidated by them. Whereas preschoolers and elementary kids can be easily impressed with you simply because you are older and therefore, in their minds, an expert on things, teenagers are not. A teenager’s motto seems to […]