Writing

The Case for Bribing Kids to Memorize Poetry The New York Times
An hour of Minecraft for memorizing a poem by Keats? That could work.

Hey, Who Plays the Cello?The New York Times
The impact of an unexpected role model

Hosting Refugees Has Taught My Family What America IsSlate
It’s easy to feel depressed about our country these days, but our guests give me hope.

Making Memories, the Old Fashioned WayThe Washington Post
Why I make old-school photo albums in this digital age.

A Muslim and a Jew Decorate the Tree – The Boston Globe Magazine
A refugee teaches me about a Baghdad Christmas tradition.

My Husband and I Have a Great New Way To Bond – The Ethel
Ah, midlife insomnia.

The Surprising Joy of Hideous Maternity Clothes Salon
My mom saved her old maternity clothes. For me.

The Counterintuitive Method That Cured My Insomnia – Elemental
What to try when all the sleep hygiene in the world isn’t  working

The Secret Life Brain, Child
We were a couple of overwhelmed, exhausted new mothers. I thought our friendship would last forever.

What ‘Savoring Each Moment’ With Your Kids Really Means – NY MetroParents
Only when my babies were teens did I finally understand what “enjoy them while they’re young” really means.

Should I Clean My Teen Son’s Room?ParentMap
It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it…or do they?

My Husband Calls Me ‘Madame Lasagna.’  Boston Globe Magazine
After almost a quarter century, our goofy couple nicknames still have a nice ring to them.

Insomnia and Anxiety: the odd couple that kicked this woman into gear Headspace
In which I learn that thinking positive is not just a bunch of hoo-ha.

Rocket ScienceFull Grown People
Money, marriage, and my first job interview in 17 years.

Strangers on a Plane The Boston Globe Magazine
Getting help for my fear of flying from an unexpected source.

Beautiful – Brain, Child (PDF)
What to do when a three-year-old boy wants a dress?

Sleep to Wake Full Grown People
The New York Times called this one “a magnificent meditation on how insomnia steals you away from your life and your family.”

Why I Regret Letting My Teen Sign Up for an AP Course The Washington Post
The whole point was a regimen of tests while hurtling from the prehistoric era to the 21st century.

My Hero (the other) Chuck Norris The Boston Globe Magazine
As far as I’m concerned, my stepfather is the real action hero.

Marry Me Again The Boston Globe Magazine
A small ritual for each time we reunite.

A Nun at PurimThe Forward
Is it disrespectful to don a nun costume?

My Kids Don’t Love to ReadThe Week
I’ve made my peace with it.

‘Swallows and Amazons’ ForeverThe Washington Post
Why a now-obscure children’s novel is still great summer reading

Teaching Hitler With SongOZY
At my Waldorf school, history meant long-dead kings–until one substitute teacher changed everything.

Out in the Woods, Away Out ThereFull Grown People
Love makes us do crazy things. Like get nearly eaten by bears.

The Baby Corps Full Grown People
How I used Peace Corps recruitment lingo to make my parents an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Under the KnifeFull Grown People
Medical memoirs and TV hospital dramas weren’t my best preparation for surgery, after all.

If At First You Don’t Sukkah SucceedKveller
Despite my lack of crafty cred, I become strangely obsessed with building a festive harvest hut.

A Soft Place to FallTogether Magazine.
A new baby, round-the-clock nursing, a tight budget, and a never-forgotten gift. (this one takes a minute to load… wait for it.)

A Little Stranger Brain, Child
A medical drama with a very weird twist.

Mad About SportsBrain, Child
A bookish, sports-hating mother gives birth to a natural athlete.

Why I Won’t Miss My Kids at Summer CampSpring St.
…and other parenting truths

Confessions of a Mother-ReaderMamazine
Maintaining my bookish identity while mothering a toddler.

I Took Fashion Advice From Louisa May AlcottDame
…until a sisterly makeover provided some va-va-voom

What a Stressful Medical Test Taught Me About AnxietyPurple Clover
It was the phone call we all dread.