When our oldest son turned 17 last month, my husband took the day off from work. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. He was present when each boy was each born and he’s been present for every birthday since (he also takes my birthday off, which is very nice). The night before the big […]
mothering
Why I Love Being A (Brave Ski) Mom
I hate August. I know I shouldn’t. In most parts of the world August is a month for holidays, for family gatherings and for long-standing summer traditions. When I was a teenager, I spent a summer in Italy. Come August, everyone went on holiday. Every shop, every laundry, every professional office: they all sported signs in […]
How A Ski Accident Changed Our Lives
Five years ago today a ski accident changed our lives. At the time, these changes were painful. Five years later, I realize they taught us lessons we needed to learn. The accident involved our oldest son, who was then 11, but we were all affected. As everything seemed to be falling apart, our younger son […]
Turning Kids Loose: When, Where and How?
When our oldest son was six, I lost him. He ducked into the trees while we were skiing and he didn’t come out. When he didn’t come out, I was torn. Should I leave his three year-old brother on the groomed slope and go into the trees to search for him? Should I stay with […]
School, Risk and Bravado: Learning to Think Things Through
For better, or worse, it’s back. School, is back. Fear of The Unknown When our boys were young and starting kindergarten, the first day of school was terrifying. Not for them, but for me. They’d be away from me for THREE WHOLE HOURS. Would they be safe? Would the other children be nice to them? […]