In the historic decision by the Supreme Court to recognize that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage, Justice Kennedy said that marriage is especially important to couples raising children: “Without the recognition, stability, and predictability marriage offers,” he wrote, “their children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser. … [Read more...] about Gay Parents Good Parents
Natural Family
Because of Our Giving
There is only one lap now, Still four strong arms to hold two young bodies, But only one lap for sitting As mine grows larger with expanding life. But we have hugs: Blue hugs – soft with kisses, Red hugs – firm and squeezing, Purple, pink and green hugs. We always stay in close touch. And we have smooches and cud … [Read more...] about Because of Our Giving
Your Community of Mothers
From time to time a weary mother plops down on the couch in my office looking like something the cat dragged in. I soon discover that she has been running on fumes. She sleeps five hours a night if she’s lucky, and her slumber is usually interrupted by a child visitor climbing into her bed and thrashing about, making peaceful sleep something she can only dream about. For s … [Read more...] about Your Community of Mothers
Motherhood Saved My Life
Since I was 12, I've struggled with an eating disorder. I don't really remember a time when thoughts of food and my body image didn't occupy my mind. The history of my eating disorder is complicated—like many fragmented pieces of a large intricate puzzle. I could fill a book with the origins and details of my struggle but that's not what I'm writing about here. Over the ye … [Read more...] about Motherhood Saved My Life
Attachment Parenting
Here is a talk I was to give at the Attachment Parenting, International's recent conference at Notre Dame. The shutdown of flights out of Chicago that weekend made it impossible for me to attend so I filmed my talk and sent that instead. Here below are the text of the talk and the video. It’s profound to think of the significant contribution that Attachment Parenting, I … [Read more...] about Attachment Parenting
Why Anger is Normal
Even if you understand the importance of building your child's self-esteem, and try to consciously use effective communication techniques, it is still easy to say things you wish you had not said in the heat of the moment. Why? Because you get angry. Anger is a part of life. Anyone with young children knows that for tempers to have flared several times before breakfast is … [Read more...] about Why Anger is Normal
My Osteopathic Shaman
Noah is one year old. He enjoys torturing Gwen and me by climbing onto the headrest of the couch and walking back and forth like a tightrope walker. One evening, midtightrope, he took a misstep and started falling. As he slid between the wall and the couch, I dove onto the couch to catch him. I got him, but I landed in a very awkward position, arms extended, and I couldn’t get t … [Read more...] about My Osteopathic Shaman
The Healthy Family
That love is the foundation of healthy families is no secret. Of course we love our children, but love is more than a feeling—it is a commitment, an action. It is the successful translation of love from feeling into action that explains why some families work and others do not. Ross Campbell, in his book, How to Really Love Your Child, reminds us that the only kind of love t … [Read more...] about The Healthy Family
Profile of a Mom of Courage
I am the African-American adoptive mom of two sons—one Caucasian and the other African American. I am trying to raise them equally in a world full of inequality. As a foster mother for years, I’ve watched many children come and go from my home. NATHANIEL Nathaniel, who is white, came to me when he was a little over a year old. I was living in Maine and it was assumed th … [Read more...] about Profile of a Mom of Courage
Here is Why I Vacuum
Some days suck. Like yesterday for instance. My toddler immersed our cordless phone in water, swallowed a marble and caught the cat’s tail in the fridge. My five-year-old rejected her pancakes as too crunchy, applied eye shadow to most of her body and cried inconsolably because all of the pink crayons were ‘naked’ without their wrappers. It was 9:45 in the morning. I don’t ha … [Read more...] about Here is Why I Vacuum