We were two women on our first cross-country road trip. We did it — we logged nearly 3,000 miles, just my daughter Gabi and me. The whole adventure felt so wildly American, spontaneous and independent. So here I am, with a blog post on how to drive from NY to LA in 5 days. Gabi mapped out a simple, direct …
Moms never really die
Even though my mom left this world in 2010, moms never really die. She’s still with me, in an even better way. Death freed her from suffering. Her passing also freed me, from the tough parts of our relationship. Now, I enjoy her at her best. When I was younger, I didn’t realize our bond would keep growing. If I …
3 things a fun mom never does to her adult child
The other day, I asked one of my classes a simple question: Who is the most difficult person in your life? To my shock, the answer was “mom.” How could that be? These lovely young people vented until I heard their truth. And now, I understand the 3 things a fun mom never does to her adult child. If I …
How to talk to your teen about her clothes & save your relationship
My friend emailed me, desperate. Her first-born child, 13, stormed off to school in short-shorts and a teeny tank top. This, after a huge mother-daughter fight over inappropriate clothes. My friend wanted advice. I was stumped. But when I turned to Facebook friends for help, they responded with inspiring insights that I wish were available when my own daughter was …
5 reasons why I love Madrid
Last November, a 10-day vacation in Madrid made me a fan for life. The city was so welcoming and filled with surprises. The art, the cultural immersion — I was totally enchanted. I also learned a few things about the immigrant experience. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip. To be honest, visiting Spain was never on …
How to double date on a mother-daughter vacation
Vacationing in Amsterdam transitioned my daughter and I to a grown-up relationship. For the first time ever, we traveled as two women with romantic partners in tow. Thankfully, we survived the emotional leap, and the awkwardness of our new reality. From changing diapers, I now had to treat my daughter as an adult, with an, um, private life. And, I …