American Girl Doll When I was 8, my best friend in the world has a Kristen American Girl doll, complete with a ton of extra accessories — including her holiday Saint Lucia dress and gown. In addition, my friend was Swedish and her family celebrated Saint Lucia day and my friend got to wear blonde braids, a white dress, and a holly crown complete with candles each winter solstice. Her mom took pictures of my friend and her matching American Girl doll, and they were a vision of perfection. I am not exaggerating when I say I have never been...
Dear Dads: Football Isn't An Excuse Not To Parent
Before becoming a parent, my weekends were gloriously free. I could sleep as late as I wanted, marathon watch Law and Order: SVU, day-drink with friends, curl up with a book. It didn’t matter because no one relied on me. Now, as a mom of two, ball games, play rehearsals, and my kids’ increasingly rigorous social lives have put a damper on everything I want to do. And that’s fine: I signed up for the whole “Mom” gig, but TikTok user Samantha (@thenyblonde), seems to have found a loophole. The catch? It doesn’t seem to work for everyone. Samantha, a...
Judy Greer In 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' Proves It's An Ode To Moms
Lionsgate I have a few holiday traditions, but my absolute favorite is reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever each year. I always pick it up about mid-December, and while I love reading it to my three daughters, it’s the reading I do alone, curled up with a cup of coffee by the Christmas tree, that really makes the season for me. The book has always been a balm for me, truly helping me with my own faith as a child and teen. But now that I have my own children, I see the story for its real hero: Grace. And...
How Bad Is It That My Kid Mostly Gets Fruits & Veggies From Pouches?
StockPlanets/Getty Images I stand in solidarity with every parent going through a picky eating stage: It’s a f*cking minefield. One minute, peppers are all the rage and I’m buying them in bulk. The next, peppers are absolutely disgusting, and it’s unfathomable that I’d even think about serving them. Pediatric gaslighting — it’s a thing. So, to make sure my 4-year-old gets her produce (and to help me sleep at night), we supplement with a lot of fruit and vegetable pouches. Choosing them at the store is like picking out the most sophisticated astronaut food: Do you want a blend of...