The picture is a familiar one: a family car in the driveway with the doors and trunk open while all available hands help load in suitcases, bags, clothing hampers, and cardboard boxes full of miscellaneous items: a lamp here, a pile of books there. Mom and dad’s faces betray the bittersweetness of the moment. Perhaps it’s the departure of the youngest (or only) child to college, or perhaps they’re moving out to get their own place, follow a job, or travel. Regardless, the strange sensation lingers that a portion of life which will be forever unreturnable has passed. Empty nest syndrome sets in bringing a whole variety of (sometimes confusing) feelings.

life balance, Parenting, Teens | No Comments »

What age is the right age to buy a first cell phone: It wasn’t a question that factored into our childhoods.  For us the more pressing issue was how to keep track of our friends’ phone numbers, what public locations had phones we could use in a pinch, and what line we would give our [...]

life balance, Parenting, Teens | No Comments »

Money is magic to kids. No toy cannot be captured by a child with their parents’ powerful green paper; however, money has advanced like never before. It comes in the form of thin paper sheets, shiny coins, plastic cards, and, if you purchase online, can be spent by simply using a series of digits. So, [...]

Parenting, Teens, Toddlers | No Comments »

The recent documentary film “Race to Nowhere,” follows the lives of a diverse group of high school students who are struggling to deal with the pressures and expectations of today’s fierce academic culture.  It raises a question absolutely crucial to understand today’s plugged-in, constantly-moving culture:  “What kind of people are we trying to raise?” For [...]

life balance, Parenting, Teens | No Comments »

The holiday that everyone has been hinting at since February 1st has finally arrived–Valentine’s Day. As we all know, Valentine’s is a holiday that can bring out the best in people, and whether you believe this is a holiday for the most intimate of lovers or for anyone with love at all, you’re sure to [...]

Bedding, Parenting, Room Decor | 1 Comment »