My Dad kissing me on my wedding day
parenting Archives
Readers chime in on divorce conversation
A recently got an email from a fan. Well, she may not be a fan anymore since I wrote a blog saying that you shouldn't be staying married just for the sake of the kids if you are miserable in your relationship. While I try not to get upset with differing opinions, this woman's email to me was totally out of line. You be the judge, since I'm posting her email, (along with my response) in this post.
Hey Parents- get off your cell phone at dinner!!
I like to have a "date night" with my son at least once a week. Whether we hit a deli or go for Chinese, I always love spending time with my little man one on one. This means, no phone calls, and giving him my complete focus for about an hour. It's something we both look forward to.
So why is it so hard for other folks to get on the bandwagon?
Staying married for the kids- not always the best choice
I was recently on the phone with a friend of mine. She's been teetering on getting a divorce for two years.
"How's it going?" I asked.
"Eh," she said. "I think I need to keep the family together for the kids sake."
"I think that's a terrible idea," I said.
Let me tell you why....
Happy Father's Day
As I wrote about earlier in the week, this is a tough day for someone who lost their dad on Father's Day. But there are plenty of things to celebrate. Whether you have a father or were raised by your mother, honor those parental figures today. Take a picture and savor them later. Here are a few of my favorite fathers. Enjoy.
Anniversaries are bitter sweet
June used to be my favorite month. Between weddings, Father's Day, and family birthdays, the Weigels were always celebrating. But that all changed when my dad Tim Weigel died on Father's day nine years ago.
Getting married? Make it a destination!
I recently went to a destination wedding in the Bahamas for one of my oldest family friends, Armen Jr. It was a beautiful place, surrounded by clear blue water. Having been to my share of weddings over the years, (most of them for my own parents,) I now know that getting married in a far away place is the only way to go...
The push for cell phone warnings on packaging
I recently was forwarded an article about a Maine politician pushing to get warnings posted on the packaging of cell phones warning about the radiation dangers of over exposure. So why aren't more people talking about this? Because just like with tobacco giants- people are afraid to tattle on these companies- I mean there's MONEY to be made- so why care about exposing people to cancer?
Kids see things we don't
The other night I was tucking my son into bed.
"Look, Mom!" He said.
"What?" I asked.
"The Angel," he said, pointing to the sky.
Laughing baby cures everything
I reconnected with an old friend recently, and she told me that thing that helped her through a very rough patch was Monty Python's Flying Circus.
"Laughter is the best healer," she said.
She's so right.
Could using intuition be the next wave of healthcare?
I've had the pleasure of interviewing best selling author Dr. Judith Orloff several times. She is a medical professional who also happens to be an intuitive healer. When she was growing up, her parents didn't encourage her gifts so she would "fit in". Now, she's "out of the closet" so to speak, and encouraging others to tap in to their "Second Sight".
Write your kids a letter- NOW!
Today, my son turns four. It's hard to imagine my life without him. I told him that many times today, all to be told, "Move Mommy- I need my fiyah twuck!"
So in this digital age- where everything is texted and tweeted- I am going to take a minute to write him a note. I will print it up and put it somewhere safe for him to read someday. I suggest you do the same...
Are your kids gifted or intuitive? You are not alone!
Do your kids have imaginary friends? Maybe they get anxious in crowded places? Do they walk on their tip-toes? Maybe they even talk to dead people? Then you need to be at the Wilmette Theatre tonight for a very important event.
Holy week can be dangerous, dammit!
On this "holy week"- I'm staying busy with the usual: Snacking on chocolate, enjoying the warm weather and trying to figure out what the hell a bunny has to do with the birth of Jesus. But today- my good mood was briefly dampened by a snotty twenty-something who almost killed me.
The Healthcare debate- would Jesus be covered?
I recently had a friend tell me he is "De-Friending" any of his friends on facebook if they are FOR this Healthcare Bill. I'm sure we've all had people we know forward us emails to sway us to their beliefs. So how do we handle this? What is the answer? How can I stay "spiritual" when I want to punch some of these people out?
Give up control- and "allow"...
I was talking to a friend yesterday who was having a rough day- computer troubles- work concerns- kid birthday parties stress.... basic life stuff. I too was worried about things. Mainly trying to get my son up for school. We haven't been able to get him ready for school lately without having to issue several "time-outs". (Some people talk about "the terrible two's- but for us, it's been "the terrible three's"!) And with the time change- I was sure he would be tired and confrontational.
As I plopped in to bed, I looked up at the ceiling before grabbing one of my 20 woo-woo books from my night stand and said, "What do I need to hear?"
Three things you need to know this holiday season
If you want to be spiritual for the holidays, I have a couple of ground rules... They're pretty simple and I've already seen several people I know and love break them. Of course, in my attempt not to judge for the month of December, I am torn whether or not to share... but for now, I will say this is guidance...and not judgment.. (You buying this? Cuz I'm not sure that I am..)
Nurture your family this holiday season
So it's that giving time- and we are wondering where, if anywhere, we should donate to charities before the end of the year. I've been honored to be helping with a group called NURTURE since last fall- and if you are passionate about creating healthy eating habits for you and your kids- this is for you...
Eating bananas feeds VIOLENCE!
I always thought that eating bananas was good for me. I feed them to my son all the time. They are supposed to be filled with nutrients- low in calories.. the "perfect" food. As a "spiritual" mom, I will never be able to buy another banana now that I know how many people die to bring them to my Chicago grocery store.
Is judgment acceptable if someone's in danger?
I would like to make an amendment to my "no judging" challenge. If you put someone's life at risk- then not only should you be judged- you need to be STOPPED!
Psychic predictions from a 3 year old
A few weeks ago, my brother Rafer was getting the feeling that his soon to be born son was coming early. While the baby's due date was Nov 19th, in early November, my brother had a hunch it wouldn't take that long. My 3 year old son Britt, however, begged to differ.
Uncle Rafer with his nephew Britt
Kids STILL say the darndest things
My son is at it again. I've written before about the inappropriate phrases that have accidentally flown out of his mouth in public. Well now, he's cracking us up at home too. 
my son Britt
How to stop your baby from crying
My brother Rafer and his wife Tiffany are about to have a baby. Whenever someone you know dives into this adventure, you want to arm them with as much information as possible. For me- I never would have survived without learning how to calm my baby from crying- and that knowledge came from the dvd "The Happiest Baby on the Block."
The top 5 foods to help fend off the flu
I am a big believer that your diet affects your health. It's part of being a spiritual warrior. (Kind of like giving your car a tune up. If you never change the oil- are you really running on all cylinders?) So what should you have in your fridge during this FLU EPIDEMIC?
I'm going to share with you five simple things that will increase your bodies immune system. While it is NO GUARANTEE it will prevent you from getting any flu virus- it IS going to help you stay healthy by feeding your body nutrients it so desperately needs.
I'm going to share with you five simple things that will increase your bodies immune system. While it is NO GUARANTEE it will prevent you from getting any flu virus- it IS going to help you stay healthy by feeding your body nutrients it so desperately needs.
More ghost stories for Halloween
My son was talking again in his room at "nothing..." And to my surprise, he was chatting it up with another dead relative. Just in time for Halloween- here's a ghost story that might not be as startling as "Paranormal Activity"- but it could make your hair stand on end... 
I am not a Doctor!
Here's a newsflash... I am not a Doctor, and I've never claimed to be one. Titles I do feel comfortable with? Mother. Former Journalist turned Author. Spiritual Warrior. I write a blog where I express my "spiritual" opinion, and I give voice to stories that don't get main stream attention...What you do with that information is your choice. 
More Doctor's against the swine flu shot
I stumbled upon a video interview with a retired neurosurgeon named Dr. Russell Blaylock. He lists his concerns about an adjuvant in the swine flu vaccine called squalene, which has been shown to paralyze animals and cause brain malfunctions.
Expert says swine flu vaccine rushed to market
I don't usually watch Fox News- but I was sent a link to an interview showing an expert on infectious diseases saying that he would NOT give the H1N1 vaccine to his kids. Why? Because it was rushed to market, and has preservatives linked to autism. 
Flu death numbers exaggerated by Center for Disease Control
So why is the "spiritual" lady writing about flu shots again? Many people on a spiritual path are choosing NOT to vaccinate their children or themselves because of mounting research that it does more harm than good. Here's some more evidence to get that pot stirred up...
Kids say the darndest things
I have a three year old who is just starting to talk. If you've been through this, you know that every day is a new adventure in their discoveries. So yesterday, I had a moment that I found so hilarious, I wish I could freeze time. But since I can't, I'll write about it instead.
My son Britt saying "cheese"
BPA is bad for everyone- not just babies
So there's been a movement of sorts to get baby bottles made without the chemical BPA- or Bisphenal A- because of it's potential risks for your child's brain development. But it turns out adult exposure to BPA is also quite dangerous, and those levels are much higher than previously estimated.
Music therapy heals the soul
If you are down in the dumps or not feeling like yourself- don't go reaching for the anti-depressants. Try your i-pod instead. Yes- that's right- music is a proven form of therapy and it could be just what you need to get the pep back in your step.
Brain tumor risks increase with cell phone use
The evidence is in...Cell phones aren't as safe as you thought they were. So why are we just starting to hear about this now?
More evidence against getting the flu shot
It's flu season, and you know what that means- everyone is scared and clamoring to get their shots. But in addition to concerns about flu shot ingredients, Tamiflu is so risky, it's banned in Japan. So why are we lining up to take it here in the U.S.?
Minimize tantrums by not feeding kids candy
We all know that a lollipop isn't the ideal food choice for a growing child- but every once in a while, we like to reward them with a little cake and ice cream, right? Well, I'm here to say- if you have an emotionally sensitive kid- this can be a disaster.