My son left for college at 18. Smart kid. Great grades. Scholarship. We were so proud. Three months later, he called in tears. Overwhelmed. Failing classes. Couldn’t manage his time. Didn’t know how to handle conflict with his roommate. Had no idea how to budget the money we sent him. I realized we’d prepared him … Read more
My daughter was four when she didn’t want to hug her grandmother goodbye. My first instinct was to say, “Don’t be rude. Give Grandma a hug.” Then I paused. Was I teaching her that she had to accept physical affection even when she was uncomfortable? That manners mattered more than her right to say no? … Read more
“Mom, I need some space.” Those words hit me like a truck. Space? From me? I’m her mother. I gave her everything. But my daughter wasn’t asking anymore. She was telling me. And her tone made it clear: she wasn’t just setting a boundary. She was building a wall. I didn’t understand. I’d sacrificed so … Read more
Something felt off. My daughter had always been outgoing. Talkative. The kid who bounded through the door after school bursting with stories. Then she stopped. She’d come home, go straight to her room, barely speak at dinner. “Just tired,” she’d say. “School’s stressful.” I wanted to believe that. It would’ve been easier to believe that. … Read more
Ever feel like your family is loving you to death? I mean it in the truest sense. The nonstop closeness, no personal space, everyone involved in everyone else’s life constantly. Love feels incredible, yet love without limits drains energy. It’s curious how boundaries exist at work and with friends, but with family, even imagining them … Read more
My daughter was fifteen when she told me she had a boyfriend. My first instinct? Panic. Lock her in her room. Ban all boys forever. My second instinct? Pretend it wasn’t happening. Maybe if I didn’t acknowledge it, it would go away. Neither response was helpful. Or realistic. Teens will be interested in dating regardless … Read more
I stood in the bathroom at 10 p.m., door locked, craving a few minutes alone. My husband knocked and asked if I was okay. The kids were asleep, dishes still in the sink, laundry half-folded. We hadn’t had a real conversation in days. All I wanted was a moment where no one needed anything from … Read more