Big Little Wolf's Daily Plate of Crazy

I find myself stranded again. The car zipped down the street at noon yesterday, with my elder son behind the wheel. There was a brief exchange over a hastily planned camping trip in the mountains with friends. It’s a considerable drive, I’m sans vehicle for the weekend, but I said yes.
My kid ran errands for [...]

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He’d managed to get his dirty clothes washed. Finally. But it took a phone call to his grandparents who live about an hour away. I imagine my son convincing his grandfather to fetch him, driving from their small town to the big city, and then back to their home for a family weekend of discussion [...]

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It isn’t just about romantic relationships, though these are the most obvious examples. Opposites attract, and often thrive. Consider the couples you know – their physical or behavioral differences. Their widely divergent backgrounds.
Now think about the facets of your own personality that you like the most, along with the traits you love in [...]

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Your credentials, please?

Parenting may be a profession – and certainly is, in my view – but there are no guarantees, no cap and gown after years of study. No diploma. No certification. Just a physician handing over a squalling little creature that owns your heart. And then it’s off to the races, figuring it [...]

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Those who provide the comforting advice that “one day, your kids will know what you gave up for them” are well-intentioned, and even kind. What parent doesn’t want to believe that appreciation will come for all our efforts, at some point in the future?
But I question the premise, the concept of eventual “justice” when [...]

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I was not where I wanted to be. In the car, weary, and heading across the city. At rush hour.

My son was next to me in the passenger seat, navigating by two maps printed off Google; we were trying an alternate route to avoid tie-ups, but some were inevitable. I was leaning against a [...]

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Teens in. Teens out. Teens in. Teens out. Frazzled nerves, fridge empty, more driving, less sleeping. STOP! Now! Somebody get me out of here!
Parenting Tips for Stress Busting
Parenting tips? Sure. I’ve got a boatload. And thus far, without pharmaceuticals.

One petite padded room, with shelves for my designer footwear
One power strip for my laptop [...]

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My teenage son must have fallen asleep very late, and without actually going to bed. In other words, keeling over in the midst of an assignment.
His door was open this morning, when I went to tap lightly at 7:30am, to wake him. His easel was set up next to his small desk – a self-portrait [...]

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Do you consider yourself a confident driver, but not reckless? Skilled at night, and smart in treacherous weather conditions? Yet you squirm when you’re not behind the wheel, right? Good driver, bad passenger.
So what does that say about you?

Need to lead?
Are your driving habits one more sign of how you conduct other areas of your [...]

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Shopping online? Caveat Emptor.
Discount designer shoes? Replacement peripherals for your computer at a low-low price? Who doesn’t love a bargain? But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Last summer, I was thrilled when I discovered an online boutique for purchasing a variety of fashion items, including brand name footwear, presumably from [...]

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