Teenagers

I had the privilege of going to some great concerts with my 17-year-old daughter, Rachel, this summer. I thought it was a little strange that she chose to take me–her mom–instead of maybe a friend. So I thought I...

Allegedly, the year begins in January and ends in December. That's what our calendars tell us. But to me, the more accurate representation is that the year begins in August and ends in May, coinciding with the school calendars...

Summer vacation is just around the corner, and this extended time off can be a great opportunity for the teenager in your family to get their first job. Our oldest son has technically been “working” since he was 13. When...

“Mom, are there any chores I can do to earn an extra $10?” This is a common question in our house. We're glad our kids have learned that if they want to earn something extra, they need to work for...

I have been parenting for 16.5 years, but only parenting a teen for 3.5 years. I feel really, really confident in the birth to five-year-old range. It took me four children to get there, though. I’m sure by my...

Fall officially begins on September 22, but let's be honest–we've been dreaming of it for months. So grab your pumpkin spice latte and check out our 2017 Ultimate Guide to Fall in Iowa City! To make planning your fall easier,...

Halloween is one of our family’s favorite holidays. Each year we all get in on the spooky fun, from dressing up and trick-or-treating, to Halloween-themed activities. With a family as large as ours, it can be difficult to find Halloween...

I have fond memories of watching TV shows with my family when I was a kid; Mork and Mindy and Happy Days were some of our favorites. Now everyone has their own device, which means that one person can...

School is back in session, football season is here, and Halloween is just around the corner. Fall can be a busy time, but there's also so much to enjoy in our area. Get your calendars ready, and choose a...

Smart phones. Nearly every woman, man, teenager, child, and dog has one. Okay, maybe not the dog, but you get my point. Smartphones are everywhere and used everyday. Mine recently took a “vacation” to my brother’s house two hours...