Monthly Archives: January 2012

Sex, Lies & Mommy-Blogging

Posted on January 31, 2012 by elizabeth

I’m glad Mommy blogs weren’t around when my firstborn was a baby. I might have killed myself, quite honestly. I always go a bit crazy after I childbirth as it is–PPD, roller-coaster hormones, sleep deprivation–and I’m fairly certain all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting--toughest job out there | 118 Comments

Send Jewel to American Ballet Theatre

Posted on January 29, 2012 by elizabeth

I don’t normally do this kind of thing. But several of you have generously asked how you can help send Jewel to the American Ballet Theatre summer intensive. I want you to know how sniffy and teary-eyed and humbled this … Continue reading →

Posted in Ballet | 26 Comments

Accepted!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by elizabeth

Jewel received an email on Friday afternoon. : : : : She has been accepted to a summer intensive with one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the U.S.A.: American Ballet Theatre! Needless to say, Jewel is beyond thrilled–and … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting--toughest job out there | 11 Comments

What TO say to someone struggling with their faith:

Posted on January 28, 2012 by elizabeth

“I love you. I’m here for you.” That is all. That is all you need to say.

Posted in RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist | 11 Comments

What NOT to say to someone struggling with their faith

Posted on January 27, 2012 by elizabeth

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!” This nice little cliche manages to be both offensive and dismissive all at once. It assumes the listener has abandoned important aspects of their faith and belittles the honest struggle of re-examining … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist | 77 Comments

Joe Paterno and what legacies are made of (and how World Magazine & Relevant Magazine got it wrong)

Posted on January 25, 2012 by elizabeth

I’ve been reading various posts and listening to commentary on the passing of Joe Paterno this week. Some folks call him a monster. Others (mostly die-hard football fans, I’ve noticed) seem to exclusively focus on Paterno’s winningest football legacy. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Faith, Societal Commentary | 65 Comments

The funny thing about twins

Posted on January 25, 2012 by elizabeth

I read with interest the National Geographic article on twins.  The portrait gallery featuring sets of identical twins was particularly compelling. Although the article addressed identical twins specifically, I found many similarities to my own fraternal twins. Most people cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in Twins!! | 11 Comments

Does building kids’ self-esteem increase their academic achievement? New research says no.

Posted on January 23, 2012 by elizabeth

In schools, self-esteem boosting is losing favor to rigor, fine-tuned praise.  We’ve been doling out so much empty praise in the past decade that even when kids do poorly on tests, they still feel GOOD about their performance. I think … Continue reading →

Posted in TV appearances | 14 Comments

Notes to my daughter on failing well

Posted on January 22, 2012 by elizabeth

Dear Jewel: for one year we’ve scrubbed toilets and polished windows at your dance studio to pay for dance lessons. When your friends saw you cleaning and asked why, you smiled and said: “So I can dance.” I know that … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting--toughest job out there | 20 Comments

Are you a stay at home mom? You must be SO unhappy and unhealthy!!

Posted on January 19, 2012 by elizabeth

A new APA study shows moms with jobs are happier and healthier than moms who stay home with their kids during infancy and preschool years. Yeah, I have a few things to say about that.

Posted in My Videos, Parenting--toughest job out there | 18 Comments