It was a perfect Maine summer day. Fluffy white clouds floated lazily across a cerulean sky. The bright sun warmed the earth and a light breeze kept the humidity at bay. The three kids and I packed up the car and headed out to meet a group of families who all had kids starting kindergarten […]
I Used to Roll My Eyes at This
Before I got married, I was a kindergarten teacher. At the end of the school year, it was my job to plan the kindergarten graduation. Although it wasn’t on par with a high school graduation, it was no small event either. The kids all had parts to memorize. We ordered caps and gowns. They marched in […]
To the Weary Mom of Littles
You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed. You can’t remember the last time you shaved your legs. Or ate an entire meal in one sitting. Or slept through the night. You smell faintly of spit-up, have cracker crumbs on your shirt, and baby poop on your pants. You think slobbery kisses from a one year old and ‘I […]
The Truth About Vacationing With Kids
I glanced out the window at a bright blue sky, then looked down at the blanket of clouds below us. In a few more minutes we would enter those clouds and when we came out on the other side, the cold, snowy landscape that greeted us would signal the end of our family vacation. We’d […]
How an Imaginary Athlete Brought Our Family Together
This post brought to you by DICK’S Sporting Goods . The content and opinions expressed below are that of Oh, Honestly. The boys lay in their beds, getting ready to drift off. I’m beside Eli, doing my nightly round of cuddles, when Samuel suggests we play a round or two of “Guess the Person” before I […]
The Simple Reason I’m Giving Up on My Dream Christmas
It was Christmas party season. My husband and I pulled into the driveway of the host’s home, and I immediately had a feeling about what I was going to find inside. My suspicions were confirmed as soon as we stepped through the front door. Christmas music played softly, piped through hidden speakers. Gorgeous garland (Was […]
Snapshots of a Pregnancy Loss
I am the 1 in 4 who has lost a child through miscarriage. Although many of the details of that time are hazy, there are specific moments, snapshots, that remain crystal clear. I share those moments today in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. A torrent of vulgarity shoots from his lips, hitting his target, me, […]
A Plea to Families With Busy Schedules
They sat in front of me as we waited for our kids to finish soccer practice, two moms shooting the breeze. “After this, Amelia has ballet and then we’ve got to run over to the school to pick up Trent’s football uniform. Tomorrow they have swim class right after school, then they’re getting their flu shots […]
Please Stop Telling Me Not to Praise My Husband
Recently I’ve seen a rash of people talking about the double standard of praise aimed at parents. Fathers get praised for everyday tasks, while moms either get ignored for those same tasks or worse, reprimanded. While a dad is a hero for taking his kids out for dinner, a mom might be given the evil […]
The Unthinkable
This post was originally published in November 2012 Recently a Facebook friend has been sharing links that I refuse to click on. It’s not because they are inappropriate or violate some belief I have. It’s because they are links to a blog that a mom is writing about her son; her two-year-old son who has an […]