Among the clubs no one wants to join, one of the least desirable is the Young Widows Club. One mother of three small children found herself in that club at the ripe age of 31. She discusses the challenges of residing in the Widdahood -- from the logistical (anyone know how to operate that snow blower?), to the emotional (when most of the other widows' grandkids are the same age as your kids, it's hard to find people who can relate).
America's losing its educational edge -- we're slipping behind other countries in math and science. Educators and policy-makers are contemplating what we can do to regain that edge and make future generations competitive in the global workplace. In a recent contribution to the Washington Post, Bill Gates discusses the need to research exactly what it is that makes a good teacher good, so we can see what works, reward it, and teach those skills to other educators.
There's something about motherhood that seems to permanently set our internal scorecard to LOSE. Wherever we turn, we see some mother who seems to be doing it better (or at least some part of it better). Her house is cleaner, she never screams, the snacks she serves are always healthy and organic, etc., etc., etc. Deep down we know that there's always some imperfection there, some challenge she faces. How do we stop comparing and just accept our own imperfections?
Uggh, scientists have discredited the "Five-Second Rule" -- you know, the rule that says it's OK to pop a dropped food item or binky back in the mouth as long as it was on the ground for less than five seconds. If you think you're disappointed, just think how much more disappointed those of us are who thought it was the 10-Second Rule.
When preparing for a baby's arrival, people expect to shell out more cash on baby-related needs: diapers, formula, child care and so on. But what about some of the other expenses, the ones no one warns you about -- like increased utility costs due to the extra laundry and higher thermostat settings? And that's just when they're babies. Wait until the Mommy & Me class fees kick in, or you face down the cost of four airline tickets every time you want to take a vacation.