Growing Up

There's something about this time of year that always makes me proud to be a Southern Louisiana native. Between Mardi Gras, perfectly crisp weather and crawfish season, it just doesn’t get any better. This year, in particular, it’s reminding me why my husband and I chose to come back to Louisiana to raise a family. I spent most of my teen years telling everyone that I was hitting the road after high school graduation. I knew there was more to this world than my Catholic school bubble, and I wanted to experience it all. But situations have a way of changing your plans, and going to LSU for college seemed to be the best next step for me. I...

One of the most intimidating things about motherhood is preparing these tiny humans to grow up and be self sufficient functioning humans of society. As a product of the “no, because I said so” generation, I feel I was left to learn some lessons in less than desirable ways. We knew we couldn't, but not why we shouldn't. So when the time came that we could, we still weren't really prepared for the consequences that came with such freedoms. Recently, in a discussion among friends the topic of makeup came up. It seems both our daughters (age 6 & 7) have a fascination with makeup. And while I don’t love the stuff in my own life, I know that she...

It happened after school, she hopped in the car and started talking as she buckled into her car seat ... This is our after school ritual: she talks, I listen, she talks. She talks about how much she loves her teacher, she talks about her A++ in math, she talks about how she was at the top of the behavior chart. But today she added, “Kody-with-a-K is so bad, Mom! He’s ALWAYS at the the bottom of the iceberg.” I took a deep breath, because a huge mantra in our house is “Be kind & show grace.” But was she showing Kody-with-a-K grace in this moment? Did she know anything about him other than his behaviors in class? I’ll answer for...

Middle school can be such an awkward time for a child. It’s the years that their bodies start changing, acne starts growing, and their hormones are out of control! This is also the time when they typically seek interest in children of the opposite sex. As school dances are quickly approaching (if they haven't already), parents may want to take a minute to give some "cool" advice on how to be the rock star kid at the middle school dance. Know all the cool dance moves. Knowing the coolest dance moves (<-- must click the link) is crucial to thriving at the dance. When there is a dance-off OR when no one is dancing at all, your child needs to be prepared...

It's a new school year, and I feel like I'm on the edge of new territory. We have a 6 year old and a 6th grader, and I can't even wrap my mind around it. Our 6th grader is taller than me, right on the verge of becoming a teenager.  Recently I saw a wall of brochures advertising different types of groups to join, and one of the groups was a "Middle School Moms Support Group." Although I laughed when I saw it, now I wonder if there is one in our area. This isn't about my son; he is truly wonderful. It's just that the middle school years are full of so many incredible changes. I want him to remember...