Original Publish Date: June 23, 2011 Our lives have been hectic. My stepfather died on June 5, 2011. He was 79 and in terrible health due to years of massive, addictive smoking. It caused him to have emphysema, heart problems, asthma, and a myriad of other problems. I believe he was on more than 15…
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Again and Again and Again…
Original Publish Date: June 2, 2011 Our story always gets better! So I was having some company the other day and naturally decided to do some housecleaning. The worst room in the house? My 17-year-old’s, of course. She was at work, so I did the usual stuff—picked up the dirty clothes and put them in…
From Juvenile Court to Attorney General’s Office—Big Step in One’s Life
Original Publish Date: June 2, 2011 I think my daughter is a schlimazel—you know, the one who doesn’t do the stuff all the time, the one who it gets done TO. I think it was explained as the schlemiel spills the soup and the schlimazel is the one it’s spilled on. For her, she’s done…
Relapse or Just Plain STUPID?
Original Publish Date: May 10, 2011 I’ll cut right to the chase. I came home, smelled something funny in my house, and saw my daughter opening windows and lighting incense. I couldn’t believe it–my daughter had been smoking pot in my house. At first, I thought I was imagining things, but when I saw the…
Boundaries—They Go Both Ways
Original Publish Date: May 3, 2011 My formerly troubled teen and I have been working so hard on our relationship, which is based on trust and mutual respect—like adults would have. I work like a madwoman to not get angry over the small stuff because it gets me nowhere with her and does very little…
Reality Show Is a Conversation Starter
Original Publish Date: April 14, 2011 I admit it, I’m a fan of reality TV, and I’m a regular viewer of Teen Mom. It’s not that I relate to that program, it’s that there but for the grace of God goes my family. I have two teenage daughters and my “troubled teen” began being sexually…
Best Sunday Ever—A Mother’s Reward for…Mothering
Original Publish Date: April 11, 2011 Better than feeling like the prettiest girl at the ball is feeling like the best mom in the world! I had a splendid day with my daughter yesterday—one of our Sunday “dates.” I honestly thought it was going to be a bust because she overslept for work and ended…
Signs Your Teenager Is on Drugs & What to Do about It
I can honestly say, I’ve been there, done that. Been through the drug ordeal with my daughter. Her drug of choice? Ecstasy. Lovely, huh? I was the last to know, too, because I was too trusting and extremely naïve. I never thought I would be someone who’d be so clueless—I’m smart, a former middle school…
Getting Your Teen Organized…Is It Possible?
Original Publish Date: April 8, 2011 I have a daily battle with both my daughters about organization. I back off most of the time and try to look at their positive contributions—despite anything they’ve ever done or not done, said or not said, they are my life and bring my more joy than I can…
Is Depression Hereditary?
4/7/2011 I was diagnosed as clinically depressed at around 18, my father suffered from depression, and my “troubled teen” is being treated for it. So, I wondered if depression is truly hereditary. Here’s an interesting article to explore that question. Is Depression Hereditary? Written by Faye B. Roberts “Depression runs in the family” or “It’s in…









