Adventures In Motherhood

"We are the only kids that don't have smartphones at school!” insisted my four children when we moved to Oregon two years ago. Even my 1st grade son had children in his class with the latest and greatest smartphones at that time. I recall a similar conversation from my own childhood revolving around getting a corded telephone for my bedroom. New technology, even greater challenges; flipping awesome! Having moved halfway across the country at the start of my daughter's 8th grade year in middle school, we were keenly aware of her need to build social relationships ASAP. When she named every known child her age with a smart phone, we quickly realized that she was quite possibly the only 8th grade student in Oregon and Colorado without one. Having experienced traumatic family moves during my formative teen years, my daughter knew I was an easy sell, and my three younger sons began their campaign as well. Fortunately as parents, we had Bill Gates on our side. How can childr

I imagine 6 th grade back-to-school playground discussions on the foursquare court planning after school activities turned to guns. My 11-year-old son admitting to friends he’s not allowed to go to Graham's house because of your unlocked weapons. I imagine another boy, Solomon, claimed his mother felt the same way. I imagine your son told you about Solomon and your ego took over. This would explain why my son burst through the door crying the second week of school. “ Graham’s no longer allowed at our house mom because his dad is mad at you for telling Solomon’s mom they had guns! ”  Hell yes I told Solomon’s mom last June why my son couldn’t play at your house! I would never lie.  I imagine Graham was bragging when he took all the boys into your bedroom with the unlocked weapons during his birthday party last year, my son later confessing the truth. I’ve since learned to begin play dates with safety conversations about allergies, pets, guns…”

Bowls full of crock-pot dinner, facing a 40-minute commute in traffic, I didn't know what to expect as we piled in the car last night without screen time devices. Surely bitching and moaning, touching and arguing would ensue, and not just with my husband. "Boredom is good!" my husband and I agreed. Optimistic, I hoped for the best. Forced Family Fun (#FFF) time together giving back during the holiday season. What could go wrong? I decided to mix it up this year, volunteering the six of us as a team packing food and fun at the Oregon Food Bank. Donations of allowance to charity and serving pie and turkey at the Salvation Army in years past were too predictable. I prayed my children would step up to the challenge. "Why don't you tell the brothers about your day?" I asked my 15-year-old daughter trapped in the middle of the car. "Perhaps they can problem solve your dilemma." I was having a hell of a time figuring out the situation myself; saving f