This winter season the Weather Channel has begun naming winter storms they deem “noteworthy” in order to “raise the awareness of the public, which will lead to more pro-active efforts to plan ahead, resulting in less impact and inconvenience overall.” And while “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” names tainted by a disagreeable experience tend to stink to high heaven. Full story »

It is tempting to consider childhood as a time of carefree innocence, filled with stuffed animals, blocks, Barbies and trucks. However, children experience a wide and complex range of emotions, including joy, happiness, frustration, disappointment, shame, anxiety and loss.  Full story »

TO: Everyone who has a kid selling something for a fundraiser RE: Cookies for sale! And wrapping paper and nuts and gift cards and… I will be the first person to say that Girl Scout Cookie Delivery Day should be a national holiday. All work should cease so that Americans can sit peacefully and binge on Thin Mints, Samoas,... Full story »

When I was a kid, I had all kinds of toy guns. My favorite was a Daisy Trail Boss Pump Pop Gun, a very realistic looking rifle with natural wood stock that you cocked with a brass lever near the trigger and then shot with a loud pop and a burst of air from the barrel.  Full story »

We are almost 11 weeks removed from Hurricane Sandy (or Superstorm Sandy- if you prefer) and yet a lot - A LOT of damage still remains. In some ways, it feels like it was just yesterday that we were all battening down the hatches to prepare for the worst storm in 100 years . In other ways, it feels... Full story »

The type of education−be it public, private or prestigious−will determine very little, if the student is not determined to succeed.  Full story »

I feel like a condemned man. You see, I’ve always been a proponent of the domino theory when it comes to the cold and flu season in our house. As soon as the first one hits, I know it’s only a matter of time. Full story »

Memo from Mom To: The American Academy of Pediatrics Re: You and your entertainment media studies According to you, “today's children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices.” Seriously, how is this possible, especially on a school day? Our children are barely home and awake for... Full story »

Last week, I came up with a lofty New Year's resolution. I will not watch any of the Real Housewives shows. I am a die-hard Real Housewives viewer enjoying Real Housewives of Orange County, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Real Housewives of New York, and of course, Real Housewives of New Jersey (I do, however, draw the line at Miami and Atlanta). After a day of work, playing mommy, cooking, cleaning and other actual REAL LIFE housewife duties, I love to become one with my couch and let my brain cells get sucked from my head for an hour. Full story »

New Year's Day came so quickly this year, I didn't really have time to make up proper resolutions. I have many, many ideas for change floating around my head which I can't seem to get into words. But I honestly think the reason behind the swift passing of the last 365 days is because of the time I spent... Full story »

How often have you heard exasperated parents begin a statement to their children with the phrase, "Don't make me...!" The statement typically ends with an action the parent feels forced to do by an uncooperative child, like, "Don't make me come over there!" or "Don't make me repeat myself!"  Full story »

I thought I was in control this Christmas. I finished shopping and wrapping with days to spare. And I wasn’t feeling my typical Christmas-Performance-Anxiety. I even had time to stroll around town, grab a hot cider and breathe in holiday jubilance and the snow in the air. I was done! Right? Wrong. Full story »

Instead of relying on Social Security or 401(K)s or my teacher's pension (in which I am mandated to participate) whose solvency seems to always be in question, I have opted to put my faith in the KIDS plan.  Full story »

While old acquaintances are being forgot, new resolutions are being proclaimed. It can get quite confusing which is probably why so many rational thinking adults end up wearing funny hats and playing with paper horns and plastic rattles.  Full story »

Are you — much to your surprise — living in a two-generation household of parents and grown children who haven’t moved out...or have moved back in? It’s an increasingly common living arrangement now, courtesy of the Great Recession. Knowing others are in the same boat doesn’t help much when it comes to navigating such tricky issues as dating etiquette,... Full story »