by Betsy McMillin I am raising four girls ages three to fifteen, and I am scared. Cautiously optimistic, yet wary and scared. Every day I, along with countless other parents of young girls, face obstacles that  interfere with raising…

by Betsy McMillin Okay Parents. Time to face facts. According to many studies, you have a favorite child. Never mind that studies don't know you or your kids or your family unit. Chances are pretty good that whether you are able to admit…

by, like, Betsy McMillin I, like, was going to be, like, late for class? So I like, hurried and I totally, like bumped right into Mr. Smith? My books and papers went, like, everywhere? I thought I was going to, like, get detention! Sound…

by Betsy McMillin It is September. That means school is back in session and it is time, across the country, for Curriculum Night. Working hand-in-hand with our kids' teachers and principals is one of the most important things we, as…

by Wilson Diehl When I imagined having kids, I always and not-at-all-secretly wanted to have a girl. I emotionally prepared myself for sons well before I started having babies—before I’d started having sex, come to think of it (late…

By Kristina Lakes I am the mother you shun in Wal-Mart. Your disapproving eyes flit from my unbrushed hair to focus upon my four-year-old son, who is dressed in a long-sleeved, fatigue shirt and tight, black-wool leggings, even though it’s…

by Betsy McMillin My five-year-old son and I were playing Star Wars charades. Again. Same thing, every time.  He played out some scene or action. I, with little emotion, tiredly went through the few characters I knew at the time: Luke.…

by Wilson Diehl We just returned from a mini-vacation with friends who have a daughter the same age as ours wherein we drank some wine, played in the sand, ate tons of berries, sang many rounds of “Take me out to the ballgame,” polished…

by Betsy McMillin One thing I have always hated as a parent is the nay-sayers. The oh-so-wise veteran parents, who upon seeing my bulging belly, or with little ones in tow say, "Oh... just wait!" followed by some horrid tale from the…

by Betsy McMillin The other day I was singing to my two-year-old, and my oldest was listening.  When I finished she said, "Those aren't the words to that song" to which I explained that yes, those were the real words. I had made up other…