I Brake for Moms

Spirits flare on Independence Day in a war over chairs

Spirits flare on Independence Day in a war over chairs

You can set up chairs at An Edmonds Kind of Fourth parade the night before. But it’s not so simple.

Spirits flare on Independence Day in a war over chairs
Keep your kitchen cool this summer with Instant Pot meals

Keep your kitchen cool this summer with Instant Pot meals

This stay-at-home mom loves the “The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook” by Carrie Forrest.

Keep your kitchen cool this summer with Instant Pot meals
This former teacher defends the scheduled summer vacation

This former teacher defends the scheduled summer vacation

The parenting trend for an “unscheduled summer” gives kids the opportunity to be bored for 10 weeks.

This former teacher defends the scheduled summer vacation
Do you have an air purifier? Prepare for a smoky summer now

Do you have an air purifier? Prepare for a smoky summer now

This mom spent the family’s vacation budget on air purifiers, HEPA filters and tower fans.

Do you have an air purifier? Prepare for a smoky summer now
Our children aren’t the only ones who are growing up

Our children aren’t the only ones who are growing up

Her 14-year-old son’s high school orientation was an evening of reckoning for this mom.

Our children aren’t the only ones who are growing up
My grandfather helped liberate Europe from tyranny on D-Day

My grandfather helped liberate Europe from tyranny on D-Day

He won the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his heroism. It was up to my grandma to tell his story.

My grandfather helped liberate Europe from tyranny on D-Day
Let’s Make Art: At-home painting lessons for the whole family

Let’s Make Art: At-home painting lessons for the whole family

A subscription watercolor kit with online tutorials turns into affordable Mommy and Me art classes.

Let’s Make Art: At-home painting lessons for the whole family
How an IKEA couch held up for this family of four — plus a dog

How an IKEA couch held up for this family of four — plus a dog

After five years, the cushions have become saggy and lumpy. But the slipcovers mean it can be cleaned.

How an IKEA couch held up for this family of four — plus a dog
The mysterious case of the garage door with a mind of its own

The mysterious case of the garage door with a mind of its own

“It’s a good thing I have a guard dog with me,” she told their miniature poodle.

The mysterious case of the garage door with a mind of its own
Your Mother’s Day Report Card

Your Mother’s Day Report Card

Sharpen your pencils, and get ready to grade yourself. Your Mother’s Day report card is waiting.

Your Mother’s Day Report Card
Child, whatever you do, please don’t practice the recorder

Child, whatever you do, please don’t practice the recorder

Do you remember the lyrics to “Hot Cross Buns”? If not, you will soon.

Child, whatever you do, please don’t practice the recorder
Lighthouse parenting: Guide and help them get their bearings

Lighthouse parenting: Guide and help them get their bearings

This style of parenting has two main principles: give unconditional love and let children fail.

Lighthouse parenting: Guide and help them get their bearings
Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp

Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp

Jennifer Bardsley was one of 20 writers to speak at this year’s Teen Author Boot Camp in Provo, Utah.

Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp
Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp

Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp

Jennifer Bardsley was one of 20 writers to speak at this year’s Teen Author Boot Camp in Provo, Utah.

Does your teenager love to write? Send her to boot camp
This Edmonds traveler prefers flying out of Paine Field

This Edmonds traveler prefers flying out of Paine Field

It took her just 10 minutes to get through airport security at Snohomish County’s new terminal.

This Edmonds traveler prefers flying out of Paine Field
Parents deserve time-outs too — especially during the teen years

Parents deserve time-outs too — especially during the teen years

Here’s an exhausting metaphor for you: Raising a teenager is like running 97 marathons in a row.

Parents deserve time-outs too — especially during the teen years
Processed vs whole foods: Helping kids evaluate what they eat

Processed vs whole foods: Helping kids evaluate what they eat

Her Girl Scout troop was earning their Staying Fit badge. In front of them were 10 snack items.

Processed vs whole foods: Helping kids evaluate what they eat
Coming home from a long vacation is part of the journey

Coming home from a long vacation is part of the journey

When you return from Hawaii to find yourself locked out of the house, vacation is officially over.

Coming home from a long vacation is part of the journey
In case of emerency: Why you should pack yourself a go bag

In case of emerency: Why you should pack yourself a go bag

If you needed to leave your house in a hurry, could you do it?

In case of emerency: Why you should pack yourself a go bag
When you email your teenager, but they would rather get a text

When you email your teenager, but they would rather get a text

Today’s communication problems between parents and teens seem to be getting more about technology.

When you email your teenager, but they would rather get a text