Last week, my husband and I were watching Our America with Lisa Ling. In an episode titled “State of Sex Offenders,” Ling spent time in Florida, a state with some of the toughest sex offender registry laws in the country. She interviewed men forced to live in tents in the woods due to zoning laws, a sex offender who helps other sex offenders find places to live, a sex offender recently released from prison, and Lauren Book, one of the state’s high profile survivors of sexual molestation and the driving force behind many of Florida’s registry laws.
During the show, I found myself feeling something that as a mother you are never supposed to feel—sympathy for sex offenders.
The science of parenting: Is it safe to play outside?
In this series, I’m examining the science of parenting. In Part One, we discussed the the importance of the quality - not quantity - of time we spend with our kids. In Part Two, we looked at the science on what types of activities can be considered quality family time. In Part Three, I look at how our children spend their time, our perception of those activities, and what the science actually says.
Last week, I took the boys to our local park after school. I had just read an editorial making a strong case for free-range parenting. This quote in particular left me wondering if I give my own children enough opportunities to explore.
The science of parenting: What does "quality time" mean?
In part one of this series, I discussed a recent study that found increased maternal time was not necessary for happy kids. In fact, it was the quality of time - not quantity of time that counts. In this post, I ask what does the science say about quality time?
I'll never forget a conversation I once had with a close friend about being a work-at-home mom. She was bemoaning the hours she spent during a recent snow day keeping her kids entertained by playing My Little Ponies.
I was sympathetic to her plight but told her I couldn't really commiserate.
"I don't really play with my kids," I told her.
The science of parenting: How much time should I spend with my kids?
At least once a week, I have the same conversation. I’ve had this conversation with working moms and stay-at-home moms. It is usually during a meeting or other week night obligation and it always begins with a mommy friend expressing guilt about being away from her kids.
Despite encouragement and reassurance that her kids are fine, I always get the same response, “I just feel like I should BE there.”
You don't wear white before Easter
As a society, we seemed to have very few clothing “rules” anymore. No one wears black for a period of mourning. Women wear pants whenever they damn well please. Very few churchgoers wear hats or gloves anymore.
For the most part, I think this is great. Clothing is a form of self-expression and as such freedom should reign. (Within reason, of course... I’m looking at you dude in a t-shirt at a funeral visitation.)
However, there is one clothing “rule” that I still follow, despite growing opposition.
I don’t wear white before Easter or after Labor Day.
And I’m not sorry.
