We hadn’t gone to 7-Eleven in a while because of the quarantine. But on the way home that day, we decided to stop by to get my little girl a treat. Excited, my daughter picks out her favorite: a donut with pink frosting. And that day the pink donuts even had...
There is a part in The Sound of Music when the Reverend Mother is the Sister’s Convent tells Maria, “When the door closes, God opens a window.” In a way, this pandemic felt just like that. The COVID-19 quarantine has shut down our schools, community centers, swimming...
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” These words from Admiral William H. McRaven at a commencement ceremony made such an impact that it eventually became the title of a #1 New York Times bestselling book. During this quarantine, I made it a...
We have always celebrated heroes throughout human history. In stories and in real life, those we consider ‘heroes’ have always been the brave men and women who have worked for the benefit of others and the greater good. Since 1868, when it was celebrated as Decoration...
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” -William Arthur Ward Ginny loves to throw tantrums. Her tantrums are a marvelous, artistic display: she opens with a small whine...
Our family recently moved to another country late last year. It was a move from one of the most developed nations in the world to perhaps one of the least developed in the world. This has made for some interesting discoveries, lessons, and challenges, particularly for...
It’s not easy to keep a clean house even when the kids are out for a big chunk of the day. This becomes exponentially harder in quarantine. This meme captures it both accurately and beautifully: “Cleaning the house with kids is like brushing your teeth while eating...
My son announced with a dramatic bellow that he never wanted to play with Emmy ever again. I sighed. Recently the squabbles have gotten worse. When Nina began to play with Theo’s dinosaurs, he carted them away and placed them on top of the cabinet, far from Nina’s...
A common request I hear from parents a lot lately is ideas to offer as alternatives for all the screen time that kids will inevitably ask for. And, to be honest -- it's nice to give kids screen time because it gives them something to do and distracts us from the...