At the end of every day, we found ourselves gravitating to the observation deck, claiming the same cluster of patio chairs. We replayed the day’s encounters while witnessing some spectacular sunsets. I don’t remember everything we discussed, but I do remember the feeling of joy in my spirit and how connected we felt. Watching the
Every time my kids asked to watch TV, I had to prepare myself for battle. My 2-year-old should not be experiencing decision fatigue, yet I watched her grapple with the impossible choice of which Bubble Guppies episode to watch every single day. And when she would finally pick, it wouldn’t even hold her attention. Three
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ciara Jones. It has been edited for length and clarity. My daughter recently turned 13, and there were so many ideas we had about how to celebrate. It’s a huge birthday — a big deal for a kid, and we wanted to make it special for
When I started planning our family’s Disney and Universal vacation, I knew it wouldn’t be cheap. Our six-day Orlando trip for a family of five cost about $8,620, including airfare, hotels, theme park tickets, airport transportation, meals, and other travel expenses. So, I started looking for a way to offset some of those costs using
“Hey, great party!” a parent laughed while wiping mud off their daughter’s happy face. My own grin stretched wide as I thanked them for coming and made my way upstairs, dodging kids in animal costumes sprinting down. I made my way to the platform and poked my head into each room until I found my
I got married in April of 2000 after living with my now-ex-husband for several years. At the time, I made a good living from my job in advertising, and like many of my colleagues, I’d been doing freelance work on the side for years. In 2001, my husband and I became proud homeowners, one of