It blows my mind that there are currently women alive who weren’t born with the right to vote. And yet today, women in the U.S. not only have the right to vote, but there’s a woman on the ballot for the top ticket. No matter where your political affinities lie, that’s rather remarkable, don’t you … More Voting and Legacy
Any parent-to-be can’t help but worry (at least a little) about the great unknown of transitioning from one child to two. In addition to logistics like sleeping arrangements, meltdown management, and nap juggling, there are the uncertainties of adding another person into the family dynamic. As one parent explained it, you’re not just adding one … More Being a Big Sister
This is Lupita Nyong’o. You may know her as the Oscar winner from 12 Years a Slave. But it was her speech on beauty that many of us found more Oscar-worthy—especially us moms already battling the pretty princess phenomenon with our little girls.
“What? You’re not going to find out the baby’s sex? I couldn’t do it!” That is the single most common response I get when people ask me what I’m having. So let me clarify: It’s not that I don’t want to know. I don’t want others to know. At least not yet. From the moment … More It’s a Boy! It’s a Girl! Who Cares?
I recently encountered a video (see below), which contained some rather startling facts about TV and movies for kids age 11 and under. For every one female, there are four males. The males get the action parts, while the females stay home. Females make up only 17% of crowd scenes. Hmmm. That’s funny because, last I … More Where Are the Girls?
For my daughter’s first Halloween, Sue set the bar very high with Amelia Earhart. Once the torch was handed to me, I continued the theme of Inspiring Women in History costumes. In 2011 there was Marie Curie, and the next year we finished the trio with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (Appropriately enough, it was an election year. … More Strong Females in Literature Costumes: Carmen
Has anyone else been bothered by the rash of stories in the news lately, highlighting what appears to be a growing public acceptance of sexually based brutality? Now, I know on this blog, I normally focus on inspiring, live-your-best-life stuff (and will continue to do so), but as a mom of a daughter, I feel I … More Sons and Daughters
As a progressive, free-thinking mom with a daughter, I’m always looking for girls’ toys beyond the traditional options, like Barbie and Disney princesses. Not that there’s anything wrong with those (with some exceptions), but why limit burgeoning imaginations to such a small field of options? Research shows we shouldn’t. Same holds true for boys. That’s why I’m thrilled … More Top 3: New Toys for Girls
Sue had a thing for Jamie Lee Curtis. She respected her, related to her. And the more I learn about Jamie (and myself), I do, too. It started with this, a magazine spread where Jamie insisted on two pictures: one glammed up and airbrushed, one stripped down and real. It was Jamie’s idea, not her … More Inspiring Minds: Jamie Lee Curtis
Even before I was ever pregnant, I was adamant: I did not want to know the sex of my baby. I’ve always been bothered by the gender identities imposed on kids as young as infants, and I figured, “That will all come soon enough. Might as well let the baby be itself in untero.” Plus, I’ve … More Girls’ Toys: Oh, the Horror
My Castle Heart Publications 