I’d wanted a dog. My mom had been through a hard divorce, and she was in no need of extras, not at first. Eventually, that changed. One day she opened the classifieds, and began to search for free puppies. Frisky looked like she might have been half German Shepherd, half Terrier. It was an odd combination, but I didn’t care. It was my first experience to take care of a dog, to sit outside, and talk to her because, in those days, dogs were out more than in. It was also my firs

Something began to happen just before April. Our home life, already busy, went into overdrive. I’d been begging for spring and summer, but, frankly, I started hoping to see January roll back in. I missed the month that keeps it chill, indoors and inactive. Here’s how it started. One boy decided to play baseball. I have no idea what we were thinking because we let him. Next thing I know, even before the season begins, we are driving him to practices, or a bit of D-Bat for some

One of my boys takes guitar lessons after school at the church where I work, so he regularly waits in momma’s office. To keep my kiddo from asking for my phone to see whether Minecraft has updates, I recently showed him a thank you card I received in the mail. Earlier in the day, I had opened the envelope. The card was homemade on orange construction paper. A photograph was taped to the front. It was a picture of a group of children and one adult, each of them smiling widely.

In elementary school, I, along with millions of other children before and after me, loved Maurice Sendak’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are. ” The story is a short text with illustrations of the little boy Max in his wolf costume, making too much mischief at home. As punishment, he is sent to his room, which transforms into a jungle. Max’s ensuing play with beasts and wild things gives him opportunity to explore and take risks in the forest. Perhaps we need to give our childr

During the big-reveal ultrasound that identified our triplets’ genders, the tech announced we were having three more boys. With a ridiculous total of four, we assumed we’d spend hours on soccer or baseball fields, maybe sitting on bleachers, the back of our van filled with sports equipment. How would we navigate the unfamiliar, organized sports for kids that has become the American norm, the meets and weekend-long tournaments? As older parents, scheduled sports were not our e

My children do not believe, as I do, that the first day back-to-school is, for some people, a national holiday. Sadly, parental celebration excludes the amazingly dedicated teachers who show up to greet their new halflings for the year. In acknowledgement and appreciation of these Lions of Education, many parents will volunteer hours in school, including slipping yummy treats into the lounge. While the kids may complain about getting up earlier and the new routine of school,