One of the hardest parts of parenting is imparting lessons to our children that we hope will stick and carry on through their lives. These are trying times, the height of the holiday season. Consumerism abounds as we substitute the cash register for the altar at … [Read more...] about Merry Consumer
children
Victim Blaming – When an Officer is Not a Gentleman
I imagine the same people who blame the 16-year-old student in South Carolina for her behavior before Officer Fields brutally yanked her from her desk also believe women are raped because of what they wear. Those folks love to blame the victim, even better when said victim is a … [Read more...] about Victim Blaming – When an Officer is Not a Gentleman
It’s Not Her Fault You’re Distracted By Her Outfit
Early in my professional career I experienced what it was to be sexualized in the workplace. The term “micro transgression” wasn’t in our vernacular then. It was the days of business suits and dress pumps. I dressed pretty conservatively since I worked in the financial sector. I … [Read more...] about It’s Not Her Fault You’re Distracted By Her Outfit
My Sons Wrote to Their Senators About Gun Control
Every so often my sons and I write to our elected officials. We voice our concerns over all sorts of things - standardized testing, military benefits, global vaccines, healthcare. Bird and Deal are 12 and 10 respectively and are keenly astute when it comes to social and political … [Read more...] about My Sons Wrote to Their Senators About Gun Control
Only in America
We are whacking away at childhood innocence. Lockdown drills. Active shooter drills. Arming teachers. Guns in schools, parks, playgrounds. My god, what have we done? When Bird gets home from school we have an hour together before Deal scampers in from up the hill. I relish … [Read more...] about Only in America
NC Political Climate as Gloomy as the Weather
I'm sure you've heard by now that the North Carolina general assembly was in session until almost 4:30 in the morning. The legislative session should have ended at the end of June, but the delayed budget extended everything. By "delayed budget," I mean lawmakers could not agree … [Read more...] about NC Political Climate as Gloomy as the Weather
Mothers are Chameleons
Mothers are the chameleons in the wild world of parenthood. We change color like a middle schooler changes moods. Our hue flows easily from green when we envy the mom who’s got her act together to red when our children are disrespectful to blue when we realize how quickly our … [Read more...] about Mothers are Chameleons