Posted Wednesday February 3, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

It seems every generation blames the last for their shortcomings. My parents didn't pay enough attention, my parents smothered me, we didn't have money, we had too much money.... If you look for it, you can probably find fault with any parent who's existed since the beginning of time. Even Carol Brady produced drug-abusing screw-ups who probably blame her freshly-baked cookies and short skirts for their eventual demise.

But it was a recent conversation with a friend of mine that intrigued (and frankly, scared) me, convincing me that my own kids would forever be damaged by my insane desire to be a good parent.

"I know I'm not able to focus and be good at one thing because my parents told me I could do anything I set my mind to," my friend whined.

Seriously? That's your

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Posted Wednesday January 27, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

I'm a working mom. While I experience the blessing and the curse of working from home (I liken it to running a marathon in a swimming pool - possible but takes 50 times longer) I do have meetings and commitments and sometimes have to miss out on time with the kids.

Years ago, my husband and I made the choice that he would work nights. For us, it

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Posted Thursday January 21, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

With every stage of childhood comes a new dilemma. I remember when breastfeeding seemed like the biggest challenge in the world and things like potty training and finding a preschool brought me to my knees. My sisters would giggle as I would pace and stress about whatever stage my kids might be in, thinking "just you wait 'til they're teenagers." Why is it that no one warns you about the seemingly-simple decisions

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Posted Tuesday January 19, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

I grew up in the suburbs. It was a place where public schools ruled and activities like Little League and Pop Warner football filled the weekends. My parents were involved with anything and everything that involved kids; school committee, parks and recreation commission and youth classes at church. It was a time before yuppies and soccer moms and getting your kids into college before they even start kindergarten.
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Posted Friday January 15, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

It was a simple Facebook status that a friend of mine posted.

Dilemma: Birthday party starts in 5 min, but [3-year-old] is still sleeping. Do I wake him and go or let him sleep (while I relax) and miss the party?

We've all been there. Kid's not feeling well... or your day has been a comedy of errors and you want to hide under the covers. The last thing you

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Posted Wednesday January 6, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Sit down for dinner with my kids, and the table will be covered with foods you can only get off a kids' menu at an overpriced chain restaurant. I know, it's totally my fault and I beat myself up constantly. So after five years of kicking, screaming, crying and moping -- all by me -- I finally had enough and decided that the food issues in this house… Read More