Just like the young midwest farmer who recently won the lottery, every so often, we (stumbling in the dark while simultaneously praying for success) parents get lucky and hit the jackpot too. Putting the children in charge of the cash for our family vacation to Hawaii was exactly that. Yes I know, I said “parents” hit the jackpot ……so how come the kids got the cash?        
 
 
     Whether eating mom's lipstick, or grabbing cleaning products off shelves at the grocery store, kids are simply born to explore.  Tragically, such natural childhood curiosity contributes to nearly 300 children under the age of five drowning in pools each summer in the US alone.  Another 3,000 are hospitalized for submersions. Regardless if you are a long time pool owner, or simply visiting a neighbor's for the afternoon, update your summer safety skills by reading the 10 quick tips provided below:
 
 
   I have a girlfriend who refuses to take her children to see Disney movies because she is certain Disney has it in for mothers.  Since she is not a paranoid type, I asked her one day to explain her bias.  She started naming films from the 40's to the present; Bambi, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White, Dumbo, the little Mermaid, Nemo.  In all of these films the mother either never exists or is brutally murdered in the first few scenes. Ok, I thought, so there does appear to be a pattern but does Disney really have a grudge against moms?  Who was left to care the for the underdog of these stories?  How did these young characters survive? 
 
 
     For years I thought I did a pretty good job of brainwashing my daughters to spoil me on Mother's Day.  Hand written poems were especially appreciated and my tears the ultimate compliment.  This year, however, we did something entirely new. Before I share the glorious details, please permit me to catch you up on a bit of additional family history. 
 
 
     Spring is in the air and sport registration packets are complete, equipment purchased, practices scheduled.  Let the games begin!  This is the first year that my children actually "tried out" for teams.  They both play Lacrosse (picture ice hockey on a field), thanks to their father who is passionate about the sport and waited "years" to bring them into the fold.  I suppose every  parent who was an athlete has a certain dream of their own children following in their footsteps.  They may even pray for a college scholarship or, on occasion, fantasize them becoming the next Michael Jordan. Our son, age 8 and in his third season, is a strong player and made the A Team as anticipated.  Our daughter, age 10 and in her second year, is a good player and tried out for the A Team as well.  I didn't think she was ready and secretly prayed she wouldn't make it.  Was that a fair thing to do? 
 
 
     One morning, when my youngest daughter was five, I received a call at my office saying she was "missing".  Close friends from Germany, who had three children themselves, were visiting and I'd consequently given my regular babysitter the day off.  "Oh Alexa is probably just hiding under one of the beds as a prank"  I attempted to reassure them.  "We've checked the entire house, she is missing" they repeated again in an anxious tone.  "When was she last seen?" I asked. "Out in the front yard watching Dominik [their pre-teen son] skate.  Dominik came in but he did not bring her with him.  When we went outside to find her, she was gone." 
 
 
     A few months ago my nine year old daughter Ally and I went out to lunch with my aunt.  We were just about to place our drink orders when Ally looked up and said "Auntie, you should order Root Beer."  Not a big fan of soda, my aunt bit her lower lip and said, "Well Ally, I haven't had a Root Beer in a long time, maybe I should just get an iced tea."  Not one to back down, Ally stated boldly, "No Auntie, you should get the Root Beer, it will make you feel like a kid again!".  Her determined commercial endorsement bowled not only us over, but also everyone at the table behind us.  We ALL ordered Root Beer.   
 
 
     New Years always invites us to consider what we can become this year that we were not previously.  (Thinner, smarter, cured of empty nest syndrome, etc.) So, having quarantined myself at home today with a head cold, I decided to make good on a long promised threat to turn my college age daughter Ari’s room into an office.  My younger daughter,  who will also move into a college dorm next year, is responding by playing her music extra loud as if to remind me, “I’m still here MOM!!!....”
 
 
     A woman returned home from work one evening and, as she set a bag of groceries on the kitchen counter, noticed a letter written by her 16 year old daughter Julie.  The two of them had argued that morning so she figured it was some type of apology.  Never in a million years did she anticipate what was written.