Abby Off the Record — The scoop on life, writing & raising kids

A Cute Kids’ App and Counting in Spanish

September 13, 2013

If your kids are anything like mine, they love the iPad. Mine fight over it the minute their dad brings it home from work. My 7yo is trying to convince us he needs his own iPad mini. (He gave up on the iPhone, I guess.) Dream on, kid! I’m lucky if I can grab it […]

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Life Is Tough…

September 11, 2013

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Looking back on Sept. 11, 2001: “Where I Was That Day.”

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Helicopter Parenting and Killer Hippos

September 9, 2013

One of my favorite movies of all time is a documentary called “Babies.” The almost wordless 80-min. film follows 4 babies in different parts of the world from birth through their first year of life. The most striking thing about it, to me, is that it shows you how a baby growing up with, say, […]

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How to Not Have a Back-to-School Breakdown

September 6, 2013

This week the new school year was in full swing for my kids. And you know what that means, don’t you? If you answered, “Lots more free time for moms!” you clearly aren’t one. If you answered, “Way more work for moms!” welcome to my world. My to-do list the other day included: filling out […]

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This Is How I Feel Every Day

August 30, 2013

My husband sent me this YouTube video because it’s the story of our life: I always say if we ever split up it will be because a third party came between us – his iPhone. Of course, he’s no more addicted than most of the world. I did have to laugh when we were on […]

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Hand-Me-Downs: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em?

August 28, 2013

When I was pregnant with my first baby, a mom friend of mine came by with several boxes of baby clothes. “You may not want any of this stuff…” she said, almost apologetically. Are you kidding me?! Adorable, barely worn Gymboree and Baby Gap outfits? Snowsuits and sun hats? Extra blankets and crib sheets? Bring […]

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My Annual Back-to-School Organizing Binge

August 26, 2013

There’s just something about back-to-school time that sends me into an organizing frenzy. That’s why I’ve been madly purging art projects and paperwork, recycling half of the bazillion magazines I subscribe to, and scouring Pinterest for home organization ideas. Feast your eyes on this site, people. I’m totally doing that bench/basket thing in #11. Especially […]

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Yes, I Throw Away My Kids’ Artwork

August 23, 2013

I am sure this is going to come up with their therapists one day, so let’s just get this right out in the open now: yes, I sometimes throw away my children’s artwork. I am That Kind of Mom. I used to feel really guilty about this in the beginning when I only had one […]

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5 Myths About Small Children

August 21, 2013

We just got back from a whirlwind tour of the grandparents’ — both sets — before school starts next week. I can’t help but feel like the minute our car pulled out of the driveway, all of them were thanking God and wishing they had just stuck to Skype. Oh, they love their grandkids and […]

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Summer Is…

August 19, 2013

…Campfires and bug spray. …Sunblock and salty air. …Sandy feet and damp swimsuits. …Hot pavement and cracked vinyl. …Seagulls and sand crabs. …Cold beer and steaming lobsters. …Long days and cool nights. …Terry cloth and sweatshirts. …Melted ice cream and water from the hose. …Long-forgotten smells, sounds, sensations, remembered. Relived. Savored. LAUGH O’ THE DAY: […]