By Jessa McClureYou've found an irresistible furry companion at your local pet store, breeder or shelter, and decided to make him or her part of your family. While the joys of puppy ownership far outweigh the hardships, there are some issues that can arise when you bring home your new friend.Here…
By Jessa McClure"Can we paint today, Mommy?" While the idea of colored water spilling into the grooves of our dining table and brush strokes ending up everywhere but paper makes me want to run screaming from the room, I know that letting my daughter express herself through art is a good thing.In…
By Jessa McClureIt's dinner time, and I'm once again staring down the table at my two-year-old, waiting, hoping, begging for him to take a bite. But he is skilled at this game of chicken (even though he wouldn't eat it), and he knows how to win. For a second he brings a piece of broccoli to his…
By Jessa McClureWhile the beginning of the school year can be an exciting time for many students who are looking forward to seeing friends and participating in their favorite extracurricular activities, others see the school year as another opportunity to be teased and tormented.These are the kids…
By Jessa McClureI watched family members and people I didn't know file into a room I'd never visit. None of them looked my direction as I sat in the potpourri-scented waiting room of the funeral home with my feet dangling inches from the floor. I knew my grandmother had passed away, but I didn't…
By Jessa McClureI suspect that a pink-clad character in a popular book series was part of the reason she chose it, but my little one was suddenly obsessed with soccer. She was kicking every ball we owned, pointing out soccer balls in cartoons and soon began begging to play.As a parent entering my…
By Jessa McClureDisney music shouted at us from a speaker in the ceiling, barefooted children ran circles around our bodies like they were inanimate objects, and a toddler sat crying inside of an inflatable castle. I looked down at my daughter as she surveyed the scene, and I could tell it was…
By Jessa McClureThe coffee drips slowly into your "World's Best Mom" mug. You rub your eyes and grunt a good morning to your well-rested spouse. You've been up again dealing with your preschooler who just won't go to sleep and stay asleep.Your frustration mounts each night that your child protests…
In our electronic age, it is very difficult to avoid the big bundle of cord spaghetti - you know, that place where all of your cords end up. The very best thing you can do is move forward with a clear system in place to prevent adding to the chaos with new tech devices. Only then can you go back…
By Jessa McClure Your alarm bellows its jarring call, and as your eyes adjust to the still-dark room, you realize another day is dawning and you must get your children dressed, fed and to school before the first bell. It is a daunting task that can be a source of stress and frustration for any…
