THE AWKWARD MOM

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Category: current events (page 2 of 4)

5 Quarantine Gifts We Don’t Want to Lose

April 25, 2020 / / 4 Comments
Reading Time: 4 minutes

quarantine gifts

Here in Colorado, our shelter-in-place ends in a matter of days, yielding to reduced prevention measures. As we celebrate a homebound birthday of my most extroverted child today, I’m reminded how tough these weeks have been for him–resulting in some signs of stress. He opened his quarantine gifts sent by Grandma and Grandpa, and we’ve got a cookout, and all-family games of hide-and-seek and kickball on the docket.

I think, too, of my friend waiting to finally grieve her husband’s passing in community.  I long for worship services in person. For fear to subside. read more

The Stressed Parent, & Your Brain on COVID-19

March 22, 2020 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 6 minutes

COVID-19First week of COVID-19 closures: a week of strange dreams.

Once, I dreamt I was driving in the dark, but my headlights kept flipping off. I kept protesting that I could hit something.

Another night, I was unprepared for a trip to a writer’s conference I wasn’t sure why I’d signed up for–but my editor was there, anticipating I would have great things to say. I’d forgotten shoes, blouses, my computer charger. read more

Coronavirus: Tips to Talk to Kids

March 13, 2020 / / 2 Comments
Reading Time: 5 minutes

kids coronavirus family

So maybe like me, you got the automated notice from the school yesterday that your kids–surprise!–have an extra week of spring break next week, because #coronavirus.

And maybe like me, a member of your family braved Costco this week. Or maybe you now possess a weird amount of toilet paper–which according to a meme I saw yesterday, is now the bottom rung of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. read more

Girl, You’re Strong: The Allure of Rachel Hollis

October 15, 2019 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 2 minutes

fierce women Hollis

I’ve thought about it a lot lately–as a woman, as an author.  What is it about Rachel Hollis that makes her the dark chocolate of hundreds of thousands of women?

For most of 2018, her Girl, Wash Your Face was among the top 10 bestselling books in America. It now sports over 10,000 Amazon reviews (80% are over 5 stars)…and her sequel’s Amazon’s #13. read more

Imperfection, Image-management, & Your Insta Feed

September 6, 2019 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 5 minutes

instagram image

This week I’ve been noodling a lot on 5’2″ powerhouse Rachel Hollis. So you would have find me nestled in a (digital) pile of articles, photos, and from an author’s standpoint, a bit of healthy intimidation. This woman’s a machine.

Hollis is a brand manager, social media maven, and owner of several companies. Her book, Girl, Wash Your Face, sold over 800,000 copies in 2018, plopping it in the top ten books sold in America last year…and she just released another. read more

Does the Idea of “Sin” Hurt Our Kids?

June 25, 2019 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 2 minutes

sin kids harm

It was the kind of article that makes you mentally cover your face with your hands. And then, bite your nails with the grimace still on your face.

And her words still rattle me. (They should.) read more

Is it Respect if Women Don’t Want to Be Respected?

May 22, 2019 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 2 minutes

respect women sports

So I confess. I’m still totally #oneofthose moms of teen boys and a preteen girl, asking the boys to hold open the door for females, or help carry heavy stuff.

Maybe I’ve watched Kate and Leopold too many times? Or maybe I just think there’s something good about mutual regard–and about typically “stronger” parties using their strength to serve. read more

The Tech-Wise Family: 13 Next Steps

May 8, 2019 / / 2 Comments
Reading Time: 7 minutes

Anyone else feel like they’re constantly fighting the tide of tech in their homes?

No, I don’t want my kids to arrive at college like a bat out of you-know-where. I want them to know how to responsibly handle tech as a tool for growth and entertainment. But this also means my husband and I are constantly seeking to add to our wisdom about protecting them. read more

Guest Post: Bill Cosby–And Our Secret Selves

January 4, 2019 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 2 minutes

My 9-year-old was ready to spend his screen time. But you know that feeling, stumbling around to find quality television for an elementary schooler?

In a blast from my ‘80s past, I delighted to find The Cosby Show on Amazon. (I mean, sort of. Now there’s this niggling in my mind, as if I missed something in those eight years of regular Thursday nights, my chin propped on my palms as I lay on the shag carpet.) In a few minutes, I could hear my son giggling from the next room. “Mom! You’ve gotta come see this part!” We chuckled together over Theo and Rudy, and over Dr. Huxtable imitating a woman in labor.

My son’s enthrallment was only three weeks before Mr. Cosby was led somberly in handcuffs from a Pennsylvania courthouse, prison-bound following his conviction of sexual assault. Like so many, I groaned at the disparity: Perfect, hilarious TV family. Lurid, devastating real life. read more

Best Posts of 2018!

December 27, 2018 / / 0 Comments
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Blogging can be a little too much like having an imaginary friend.

Picture sitting at the smallest table at your coffee shop. (I’m having a seasonal special with half of the pumps, decaf. …Because as someone told me, with natural enthusiasm like mine, I should remain uncaffeinated. You?) read more

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