As Society Crumbles, What Can We Learn from the Children?

As Society Crumbles, What Can We Learn from the Children?
What have we adults done to deserve them? The children. The pure, enigmatic, creative, spiritual, insightful, always hungry, and sometimes stinky little beings. The tiny humans that will grow to, hopefully, be better humans than we are. Better adults than we are. If we only gauge our behavior in accordance with how we are reflected... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
April 27, 2020 at 8:18 am
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Heartsick: A Reflection on Gun Violence in America

Heartsick: A Reflection on Gun Violence in America
Two mass shootings in less than two days. America. I am heartsick. My smile belies the pit in my stomach as I look at my 9-year-old daughter frolicking in the water. I am safe in the knowledge that those I love most in the world are all within my immediate purview. “I’m going out to... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
August 5, 2019 at 5:28 pm
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Heatwave in Chicago? We at South Side Coal Energy have the solution! (SATIRE)

Heatwave in Chicago? We at South Side Coal Energy have the solution! (SATIRE)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I originally wrote this as satire. But now I fear that some sly coal lobbyist will use this tactic to garner support for building even more greenhouse gas-emitting, coal-fired power plants. (Taps mic. Clears throat. Speaks loud.) “Members of the City Council, on behalf of South Side Coal Energy I would like to thank you... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
July 18, 2019 at 10:09 am
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The Spider Web of Chicago: A Love Story

The Spider Web of Chicago: A Love Story
Chicago is like a spider web that sticks to you when you’re walking through the forest. It sticks to you and it doesn’t let go. It keeps bringing you back. I’ve left, but I’ve also come back. And I’d be perfectly happy to die here in this city when the time comes. This city with... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
July 9, 2019 at 5:03 pm
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The Birthday Flibbertigibbet

The Birthday Flibbertigibbet
Once upon a time, there were two small children who often found themselves tip-toeing through tiny magical doorways in the walls of doctors’ offices and waiting rooms. Those magical doorways took them to imaginary worlds full of glitter and clouds, unicorns and rainbows, and Abraham Lincoln. Those kids were my twin son and daughter. How... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
June 19, 2019 at 6:41 pm
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On Motivation

On Motivation
Why is it so hard to do anything? The recent article How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation addressed this feeling amongst millennials. But this feeling (I am used to characterizing it as ennui, but perhaps it’s something more) is felt by many of my GenX compatriots as well. I’m not sure if it’s burnout or... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
January 9, 2019 at 3:28 pm
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Student Loan Debt Forgiveness: A Boon to the Upper Class?

Student Loan Debt Forgiveness: A Boon to the Upper Class?
Student loan debt, now approaching $1.5 trillion (which is not dischargeable in bankruptcy), is a burden affecting 43 million Americans. One effort to ease this burden is the Students Over Special Interests Act, a bill making its way through the US House of Representatives. The bill would “forgive the outstanding balance of interest and principal... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
December 15, 2018 at 8:48 am
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Why Your Conservative Relatives Think The Way They Do and How To Communicate With Them

Why Your Conservative Relatives Think The Way They Do and How To Communicate With Them
I don’t think I need to say it, but I will: this time of year sucks if you have Trumpy relatives. If you’re dreading being forced to sit at a dinner table with them, here are a few ways to understand why they think the way they do and some tips about how to attempt... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
November 27, 2018 at 2:05 pm
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A Policy Approach to Preventing Youth Violence: Instituting Universal Basic Income in Chicago

A Policy Approach to Preventing Youth Violence: Instituting Universal Basic Income in Chicago
Violence, as we all know, is an act of aggression intended to cause great harm to another person. Youth violence, committed by 10 to 24-year-olds, is a major public health problem. Every day in America, about 13 young people are murdered. Add to that 1,642 visits to the ER per day by youth injured in... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
November 18, 2018 at 9:18 am
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The Trump Administration Wants to Get Into Your Genitalia

The Trump Administration Wants to Get Into Your Genitalia
The people in charge of our country right now have an understanding of science that does not go much beyond that of a middle schooler. As a result, we get the implementation of policies that not only have the potential to violate basic human rights, but also do not make scientific sense. We see this... Read more »
By BeTheChangeMom,
October 22, 2018 at 2:42 pm
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