About Me
I am a mom, writer, advocate, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, in-law, outlaw, friend, neighbor, Michigander, Detroit sports fan, moviegoer, music lover, global thinker, and suburbanite of Detroit. I love my husband, children, family, friends, neighbors, dog, country, planet, and Italian-Irish heritage.
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Tag Archives: parenting
Good People, Good Neighbors
I am a lifelong suburbanite of Detroit. With the exception of my college years, I have called this place one hour north of the “D”, home. Despite thoughts about skipping town for something more exciting in say San Diego or … Continue reading
Riff and The Big Hairy Man in the Red Suit
In addition to making my daily 1,600-word NaNoWriMo quota, writing newsletter copy, gearing up for teacher conferences, and dodging snow flurries, my children — Issa and Riff — are talking up a storm about that big hairy man in the … Continue reading
Thoughts About Children and Multiple Choices
I believe in giving my children choices. It teaches them how to make choices; good vs. bad choices; rewards and consequences; and accountability. But, yesterday, I learned a lesson: I detest multiple choice. It is a tricky business that must be taught with care. … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Spirited Parenting
Tagged children, choices, family, Life, Multiple choice, parenting, thoughts
2 Comments
Life Replays: Remembering 2nd Grade
Last night I attended Open House at Issa’s school. She began second grade, Tuesday. My second-grade year began 32 years ago at North Hill Elementary, which is in the Rochester Community Schools District and to the west of where I … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Replays
Tagged Education, elementary school, K through 12, parenting, school, Second grade, Teacher
4 Comments
Saturday Mayhem with Tracy
The sun, moon, and stars aligned last Saturday. My husband, Tracy, and I escaped parenting duty for a few hours of alone time. We opted to check out the Rock Mayhem Festival at the DTE Music Theatre. There we were … Continue reading
A Rant for Today
A part of my brain says I have no business to gripe. There are others nearby and far away with challenges greater than mine. What’s the big deal? The deal is this. What good does it do to keep a … Continue reading
Charming the People: Four Keys to Success
Introducing — Riff — Master Charmer My four-year-old son, Riff is a master at charming people. He doesn’t need much coaching when it comes to endearing me, his dad, grandparents, teachers, bus drivers, teachers, and friends. His adherence to four … Continue reading
365: Do What is Good For You
Walk it out. Talk it through. Take some time to do what is good for you. Too many hours slip away. Days and weeks get checked off the calendar. When will the schedule ever be clear? It won’t. So, what … Continue reading
365: Defiance Test
April 14 – Both of my children test me. Each day, I receive at least one pop-quiz on a range of subject matter. In mid-March, two weeks prior to spring break, my daughter Issa, began administering — without notice — … Continue reading
Posted in Life
Tagged 365, answers, behavior chart, children, choices, classroom, computer games, Dairy Queen, defiance, directions, dirt-pile sledding, disrespectful, exam, friend, friendships, house rules, language, meltdown, parenting, parenting survival guide, pop-quiz, presentation, privileges, problem-solving, problems, rules, school, school rules, siblings, solution, subject matter, television, tell the truth, test, trust, use words, Zhu Zhu pet
1 Comment
Thoughts About Jobs and Parenting
Last night, my husband and I helped my daughter prepare a show-and-tell presentation for her first grade class. The presentation was about the jobs we have, how these jobs help our community, and the tools we most often use to … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Writers
Tagged adaptability, advanced technology, affordable, automaker, build, business owners, calendar, cars, children, class, clean, comfort, community, cook, discipline, electrical engineer, energy-efficient, energy-efficient vehicles, engineer, explore, GM, help, husband, innovation, jobs, learning, love, magic quest, manufacturing engineer, model cars, movies, new business, nightmares, nurture, organize, pancakes, parenting, phone, pizza, play, play dates, presentation, proposals, reduce oil dependence, rockets, save the planet, school, show-and-tell, social skills, teach, technology, thoughts, TLC, trucks, work ethic, writer
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