As my daughter prepares for her first year of middle school, I am having all sorts of feelings. There are moments when I am excited but anxious the next.

I want my daughter to enjoy and be successful in middle school. I have an opportunity to actively and positively guide and influence her experience.

Parenting older kids has a way of making parents feel as if they are alone. Research shows that parents of…

Disclaimer: I am a rookie at this.

True, this isn't my first time at the rodeo, my son will be 21 this year!

Raising a tween boy, however, does not compare to raising a tween girl.

At least not in my opinion.

Given that I am a rookie at this, I asked other moms who have done what I am currently doing.

I needed reassurance that I would survive with all my mental capacities intact. In other words, survive without anyone getting…

And you thought communicating with your ex was difficult when you were married to him/her!

You also thought that you would have limited communication with him now that you are no longer together.

In the digital age we live in, there are even apps to help you communicate with your ex.

My relationship with my ex, at the moment, has not caused me to need a digital…

So, she has entered double digits. The big 1-0!

With such power of being an official tween, comes great responsibility.

To help my tween on the road through puberty, I've been dropping little hints to make sure she is mindful of her changing body and how to care for it.…

New backpacks are getting worn in.

The new shoes are a bit scuffed.

The mounds of paperwork are flowing in, your hand is probably tired from signing your name so much.

Right in the middle of the pile of paperwork is the notice for this year's Open House.

Ok, don't panic. This is a different year, new teacher and you have a new opportunity to get a new game plan for this year's Open House.

This year's open house is…

Spring break for Georgia students runs a bit late or perhaps I am just anxious to get away.

Spring break for Tween Girl isn't until the first week in April, but it's never too early to start planning out her outfits and other items to pack.

This year's spring…

"Did you sign my agenda?"

"Where are my dance shoes?"

"I need money for the book fair!"

These are all questions that I have heard from Tween Girl as we walk out of the door during an already rushed morning.

With a little bit of preparation and patience (lots of patience), you can get out of the…

She described it with words, such as "chest puffs", "pelvic thrusts" and "arrogant struts".…

She raked leaves reluctantly.

She raced to be first to paint the freshly sanded picnic tables.

She felt empathy while packing food boxes for low income families.

These are a few things Tween Girl has experienced since we started family volunteering.

Volunteering…

Christmas trees. Christmas presents. Christmas custody?

When a couple with children are no longer together, the couple has to decide who will have the children during the holidays. There are some who may celebrate the holidays together in hopes of creating a peaceful holiday for the children. There are others, like me, who are not in a true co-parenting relationship. …

Buying for an in between aged tween has it's moments. Not sure if it's the fault of tweens, you know, puberty and all. With Christmas only a few weeks away, here's my take on some suitable stocking stuffers for tween girls.…

Tis the season to be grateful, fa-la-la-la...

Or bah humbug!

This past year has been a series of tests after tests.

Life tests.

As we enter the holiday season, I am reflecting on everything that's happened this past year: health concerns for both my husband and myself, having Tween Girl gone for an entire month during the summer, College Boy being back home for the summer. All of those things were a handful, I made it through the…

It all started with the Tooth Fairy.

I am lousy at playing the part.

I forget to put the money underneath her pillow.

My latest scene involved me leaving the tooth, which was in a sandwich bag, in the laundry room!

Since when does the Tooth Fairy do laundry? A girl can wish...

This latest spectacle got me to thinking about, not only the Tooth Fairy, but the Tooth Fairy's other friends. You know them, Santa Clause, and…

See this bunch?

You know they are in charge within the first 5 seconds.…

We are not those folks.

Crying at the kitchen table.

Papers sprawled everywhere.

Way pass our bedtimes.

No, it's not tax season.

It's me trying to help my tween with her homework.

Well, that used to be me.

I have my limits and knew that this wasn't…

You know that newborn baby scent?

Yeah, that scent that lives under those rolls of fat under their necks.

If you're the mom of a baby, savor that smell because it eventually leaves their body. And leaves you reaching for the FeBreeze.

Moms of tweens, you already know what I am talking about.…