Confessions of a College Park Mom

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Spring break ideas for last-minute planners

The last time I planned a vacation for spring break was March 2020. It was an intricately detailed plan: My parents would fly down and stay with the kids, so Forty-Nine and I could head out the next day and spend the week of St. Paddy’s Day in Savannah. It was going to be SO MUCH FUN. Then the calls […]

Confessions of a College Park Mom: The big bangs theory

When Sixteen started getting mail from colleges, I did what any rational middle-aged mom might do: I freaked out and got bangs. Thankfully, I’ve had the same stylist for 12 years — and he doesn’t do impulsive bangs — so we’re working in stages. But I am determined. When a life event makes us feel older, we can embrace it […]

What you need to know before you buy a golf cart

When my parents decided they’d aged out of Florida and wanted to move from the sunny, gated happiness that is Margaritaville back to the frigid Northeast after just one year of living here, I choked out two sentences: “It took me 20 years to get you to move here — please don’t go!” and “Can I have your golf cart?” […]

Confessions of a College Park Mom: It’s the most good-ish time of the year — and that’s adequate

Bring brownies to the school pageant, a white elephant gift to the company party, and Chantilly Grace’s soccer uniform to change into after pajama day Thursday. Hand-address those Christmas cards. And find time to do some shopping — it’s HERE and it’s MAGICAL! Especially if you’re in the throes of parenting, child-ing, working, and being human. If you’re lucky, you […]

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Confessions of a College Park Mom: Mid-life and stand-up: It’s all under control

Greetings from — what I hope is — the tail end of my mid-life crisis. Actually, the average life expectancy of a woman in the United States is 79, so as of my 45th birthday I was five years late to this party, but I’ve always been a late bloomer, so I guess this was par for the course. I […]

License to drive — minus Corey Haim

When my kids started walking, I was not offended, but there is something blatantly in-your-face about milestones I remember hitting myself, like getting my learner’s permit. Was it not, like, last week when I was driving up and down my long driveway all day in rural upstate New York listening to Beck, trying to memorize the lyrics to “Loser”? Little […]

Confessions of a College Park Mom: Simple ways you can practice kindness as an adult

Did you know September is Practice Kindness Month? My kindergarten class talks about practicing kindness all the time — it’s our theme. When you’re a cute five-year-old, there are countless ways to execute random acts of kindness without coming off creepy. The older we get, the more challenging that becomes. For example, one act of kindness my students perform every […]

elementary teacher and student at the beginning of school year

How to start the year off on the right foot with your child’s teacher | Confessions of a College Park Mom

Here we are on the brink of a brand-new school year, sitting on piles of brand-new supplies, a calendar full of events, and hole-and-stain-free school clothes ready to be worn. As far as supplies go, we’ve set the tone for a great school year with our kids. But what about setting the tone for a great school year with our […]

5 things to stop stressing about today | Confessions of a College Park Mom

Last month I turned 45. Here’s a picture from my birthday. I guess there are no balloons that say “Cheers to 45 Years,” so my friends rounded up because that’s what friends are for. I made it my profile picture on Facebook. Soon, people were wishing me a happy birthday and saying things like “Welcome to the 50 club!” and […]

The new YMCA — a full-circle moment | Confessions of a College Park Mom

In the summer of 2012, Fifteen, Thirteen, and Eleven (my sons’ ages, not their actual names — those would be horrible names! — but it’s easier this way) were 4, 2, and not even 1 yet. I was the stay-at-home mom of three people whom it would be very dangerous to leave unattended, even for a moment. It was exhausting. […]


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