by Jane Becker

I am so middle-aged.

Some might argue that, at 51, I've been middle-aged for awhile. But I feel as if I've just arrived. Here's how I know: About a month ago I went to the store and became engrossed with a beautiful baby. I watched as he interacted with his clearly pregnant mom. I figured her to be about 4 or 5 months along and I felt sympathetic--Wally and the Snapper are 19 months apart. When I bumped into the mom again in another aisle I asked her how old the baby was.  He was 9 months. I nodded knowingly and asked when she was due. She wasn't pregnant.

by Her Bad Mother

I had an addiction. I freely admit that now. It was an addiction that lasted throughout the entirety of my first pregnancy and for most of the first year of my daughter's life. It was an addiction that I could not shake, even though I had moments of clarity when I knew that the object of my addiction was not good for me. Because even though I knew that it wasn't good for me, knew that it undermined me, knew that it kept me in a state of panic, I really believed that I couldn't go on without it.

by Rita Arens

I've heard a lot of arguments against paying kids an allowance in exchange for chores. Some say the children have to do chores just because they're part of the family. (Yes.) Others say it teaches children to help out just for a reward and not for the joy of helping. (Yes.) I think those things are all true. And I'll still be paying my kid an allowance to do her chores (as long as my husband agrees--it may be interesting to see his reaction this post).

by Rita Arens

My five-year-old just got her last round of vaccinations until she's an adolescent. It was not pretty. This was the first year she remembered before we hit the doctor's office that there were shots involved. She also remembered how much shots hurt, how much she loathes them. I found myself explaining, for the first time, why she actually has to have them.

At least to her.

by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

We are adamant about taking Leo on as many excursions as we can, to stores, movies, restaurants, parks, and other destinations. He is an able-bodied and energetic boy, and he likes a good adventure as long as we respect the limits of his tolerance. We want Leo to be a boy-about-town so he gets used to being part of our community, and our community gets used to him.

by Her Bad Mother

This time last year--just over a month before BlogHer in San Francisco--I was on bed rest. I'd given birth to Jasper a few weeks prior, and was laid up with a bad case of birthblasted nethers. I wasn't doing much other than nursing, applying ice-packs, and fretting over whether Jasper's big sister was getting enough attention. Oh, yeah, and I was mentally plotting what I would need to pack to take to BlogHer a few weeks hence.

by Nordette

Not the salt of the earth but the sugar of affluent youth, Abercrombie & Fitch with its image of sexy college prep gods and goddesses is the bastion of unabashed elitism, promoting the perfect clothes, the perfect fit, and the perfect body. It's alleged that this image goes beyond its slick print ads to the brick and mortar floor of its stores from which a disabled employee shouts that A&F discriminates against mortals such as she.

From the UK's Daily Mail:

by momraisingboys

My friend and I were discussing at what age it's ok to drop off your child at say, baseball, while you go and park the car. This would require that your child walk by himself to the game or
practice or to the locker rooms. What do you feel is appropriate?