Have you heard about this book, 365 Nights? It’s about a woman who gave her husband, for his fortieth birthday, the “gift” of sex every night for an entire year. FYI, it’s not a novel. It’s non-fiction. As in, there really is an actual woman - with children – who had sex with her husband every single night for an entire year. more

From the jaw-dropping opening ceremonies to the incredible Michael Phelps, from the hilarious Bela Karyoli to the behind-the-scenes Beijing trivia, for the last ten days, our entire family has been addicted the 2008 Olympic games. But all of the drama and the glory and the showmanship has especially resonated with my six year-old daughter, whose occupational goals have varied over the years from movie star to rock star to television star to Broadway singing sensation, to her latest – you guessed it – Olympic gymnast. more

About six months ago, my daughter, who was then still five, inquired as to when she would be allowed to get her ears pierced. Without so much as a flinch, I told her that she could do it whenever she was ready. After all, I got my ears pierced when I was really young – three or four, I think – and I know she’s going to get them pierced eventually. I mean, I have way too many great pairs of earrings to pass down to her for her to not get them pierced. more

Whoever said that patience is a virtue had to have been a mother. By far, the most difficult thing about parenting, for me, is managing to keep myself from snapping, screaming, and yelling at my children on a daily basis. more

A long time ago (six years, two months and thirteen days ago, to be exact), I took all of the grand ambitions that I had for myself, and I crumpled them up into a tight little ball. And then I took that ball, and I shoved it into a deep, dark hole somewhere inside of me. And mentally, I labeled that hole, “Things I Will Do Once My Children Are Fully Grown and I am a Bored Empty Nester.” And I forgot about them. I got myself a cushy, mom gig; writing books, writing this blog, consulting on a television show. more

I have eco-anxiety. In case you haven’t heard of it, Eco-Anxiety is the new, trendy neurosis that’s striking urban liberals at an alarming pace.  I first noticed the symptoms last year, after I watched An Inconvenient Truth.  I found myself fervently recycling, trading incandescent lightbulbs for CFLs, and shopping at farmer’s markets on a regular basis.  more

I love the fourth of July. As far as holidays go, it’s my hands-down favorite. There’s no obligatory gift giving, no stressful family meals, no cards to be exchanged, no mile long to-do lists. It’s just beach, barbeque, booze and fire works. And really, what could be better than that? more

The school year has finally ended. Cubbies have been cleaned out, worn out backpacks have been thrown away, classrooms have been stripped bare, and a year’s worth of artwork, class projects, writing journals and worksheets have been sent home. more

There is a woman who calls herself “The Potty Whisperer.” For $250 dollars, you can send your child to “Booty Camp,” where, in four hours, she will teach him to use the toilet. Perhaps you saw her last week, on the Today Show. But don’t confuse her with the Baby Whisperer. more

Whether you were with her or against her, you have to admit that Hillary’s final speech last week was the best one she’s ever given. If you were a supporter (as I was), then you might find this fact somewhat frustrating (as I did). We call it the Al Gore Syndrome in our house – only when it doesn’t count does the candidate show that he or (yay!) she is actually quite likeable and sincere. But, like Hillary herself said, there’s no point in playing the What If game now. And yet…I still can’t help reflecting on her campaign. more