Tag Archives: parenting

Leaving

Posted on April 8, 2022 by advicefrommarta

The other day my dentist asked me if I had plans for the summer. I told him I’d be driving my daughter to college in upstate New York, by myself. He told me that his daughter went to college in … Continue reading →

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Mr. Peabody’s Coal Train

Posted on December 12, 2021 by advicefrommarta

It’s Friday night, and my son is taking the El to a high school basketball game. It is “the big game” with their “cross-town rivals.” The trash talk online is brutal. He is wearing his school colors, a bright orange … Continue reading →

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Roadside Attraction

Posted on August 8, 2021 by advicefrommarta

On the second to last day of our trip we woke up, as we often do, in a Springhill Suites. This one was near the Buffalo airport. My husband is obsessed with his Mariott points and so, although we both … Continue reading →

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Across the Aisle

Posted on October 22, 2019 by advicefrommarta

On Sunday, my husband, teenage daughter and I took the El downtown to the ballet. When we got on a friend I don’t see often was unexpectedly on board and I was excited to chat with her. A few stops … Continue reading →

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Last Night

Posted on May 23, 2017 by advicefrommarta

Last night my 11-year-old hit a baseball. It wasn’t a home run, he was out at first, but he hit the ball. It’s been a struggle for him since he left t-ball for kid pitch. He loves sports, he loves … Continue reading →

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Unexpected Lessons

Posted on March 18, 2017 by advicefrommarta

It’s not a popular statement in “mommy groups” where we’re all supposed to agree that parenting is SO HARD ALL THE TIME but, I’ve occasionally said that the hardest part of being my daughter’s mother was her birth. It was … Continue reading →

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Heroes and Valentines

Posted on February 15, 2017 by advicefrommarta

Most 21st century parents are big on “consequences.” We talk about the consequences of actions, we try and outdo each other to make sure we are allowing are children to suffer the natural consequences of their actions (don’t ever, ever … Continue reading →

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Blame Isn’t the Problem, Social Media Is

Posted on June 19, 2016 by advicefrommarta

I have a theory about how normal people deal with other people’s tragedies.  I’m not a psychologist, but here it is: Step 1: You hear that a horrible tragedy has befallen someone you don’t know. Step 2: You feel a … Continue reading →

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A Good Party

Posted on March 1, 2016 by advicefrommarta

For my daughter’s 8th birthday we created invitations out of popsicle sticks to look like a log cabin. We curled orange peels in to flowers and made a cake with rosewater icing, just like in the Little House books. For … Continue reading →

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Trust Vaccines? Then Please STFU

Posted on January 28, 2015 by advicefrommarta

Kids should be vaccinated. My kids are vaccinated. My father-in-law is a polio survivor. My husband had a dangerous case of chicken pox as an adult. I have lived in third world countries and seen children disfigured by diseases that … Continue reading →

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