Essays

Essays
		Don't Get Me Started on Sippy Cups If I had to do it over again with a baby? No more sippy cups! Or snacks. Or diaper bags. Or... read more here

		Did I Really Need to Have a C-Section? The problem when doctors, not women, make birth decisions. read more here

		Can You Stomach This? Call the American Academy of Pediatrics and turn me in! I bucked the back-to-sleep advice and put my boys, both of them, to sleep on their tummies. read more here

		In Your Words: Girl of my Dreams My daughter was going to be named Margot Mary. The first name we loved for being feminine, not girly; familiar, not overused. The middle name was for my grandmother. As my belly grew, so did my desire to have a girl. Still, I had a feeling that my bump was all boy... read more here

		Losing Friends, In One Way or Another I went to my 20-year high school reunion last year -- reluctantly. Not for the reasons one might expect; high school was actually pretty kind to me....I dreaded showing up in that hotel ballroom and scanning the crowd of classmates for the two faces that I already knew would not be there... read more here

		The Big Lie Why don't women tell each other the truth about early motherhood? I'm setting the record straight: that first six weeks? Hated it. read more here

Columns
		Balancing Santa, Kids & Budget What's a frugal-minded "mean mom" to do when she wants to celebrate the silly season without breaking the bank? read more here

		Saving for College What's a frugal-minded "mean mom" to do when she wants to celebrate the silly season without breaking the bank? read more here

		Mom Advice In my July 2011 column, playdates go awry when one mother ignores her unruly child. Plus, dad wants baby out of the master bedroom, mom isn't so sure... read more here

		Mom Advice In my June 2011 column, I help a fun-loving dad see that life with a 10-month-old isn't all fun and games. Plus, does an 18-month-old "need" preschool? read more here

		Mom Advice In my March 2011 American Baby column, I address a husband more addicted to his BlackBerry than his baby (unplug, please, Dad!). Plus, ideas for entertaining a toddler and a baby, and dealing with a selfish sister. read more here

		Mom Advice In my February 2011 column, I answer a mom worried her husband is jealous of the baby. Plus, how to break out of newborn house arrest and get outdoors! read more here

		Mom Advice In my September 2010 column, we meet a couple who can't see eye to eye on budgeting, and a new mother who's grumbling about her mom's unwillingness to babysit. read more here

		Mom Advice In my August 2010 column, a work-at-home mom wonders why her husband doesn't "get" what she does; a newly-retired father-in-law overdoes the visits; and a friend wonders why her pal with older kids suggests activities that aren't baby-friendly. read more here

		Mom Advice In my May 2010 column: an out of work dad isn't helping out enough at home, and a sister seems anti-breastfeeding. read more here

		Mom Advice In my March 2010 advice column, I address post-baby libido dips, overprotective dads, and how to fit in when the other new moms seem content -- and you're not. read more here

		Editorial: Bad Mom? You Know It! An op ed in Long Island's Newsday describes my cautious optimism that "bad" parenting is back -- replacing a dangerous permissiveness. read more here

		Ask a Mom In the December 2009 column, I tackle rude comments about a chubby baby, reigning in a workaholic husband, and holiday gift overload. read more here

		Ask a Mom In the November 2009 column, I answer questions about a meddling mother in law; leaving the kids with dad while going on a business trip; and dealing with a friend who miscarried. read more here

		Mom Advice In October 2009, I dispense advice on negotiating Grandma's new-baby visit time; dealing with a toddler in her "I prefer Daddy" phase; and whether it's okay to discipline someone else's kid at a playdate. read more here

		Ask a Mom In the July 2009 column, I mediate between spouses clashing over cleaning; offer advice on making mommy friends; and commiserate with a pregnant woman who's too pooped to party. read more here

		Ask a Mom March 2009's column deals with kids behaving badly; no-shows at birthday parties; when family visits...and won't leave; and the classic mother-versus-mother-in-law smackdown. read more here

		Mommy Confidential Smart answers to confounding questions: should I take my infant to a wedding? Why is my husband so tough on our potty-training son? How can I enjoy my winter maternity leave? read more here