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

Don’t Believe It

November 2, 2011

There’s nothing like having someone scream at you “You’re a bad mom!” to make you question your parenting. Only it didn’t. I knew this lady was completely, unmistakably wrong. Let me back up. This happened a while ago, on a muggy summer afternoon when I was planning to meet a friend and her kids at […]

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The Grinch of Halloween

October 31, 2011

Always one to march to his own beat, Miles decided to dress up as a dog for Halloween this year. But not just any dog—a GREEN dog. You know how many green dog costumes there are for sale, people? None. Not a one. While a friend suggested I spray-paint a regular dog costume green and […]

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How Do You Shake a Bad Mood?

October 28, 2011

Everyone gets in a bad mood now and then. Even my usually sunny 5yo. “I’m just grumpy, OK, Mom?” he’ll say with a huff when I try (and fail) to get him to tell me about his day at kindergarten. Alrighty then. He’s usually fine after a snack and some cartoons. How do you shake […]

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It’s a Boys’ World

October 26, 2011

This thought occurred to me one recent morning as three boys ran around my house wearing underpants on their heads, laughing hysterically: “Oh my god. I have BOYS.” Of course, this wasn’t the first time since giving birth to my two sons that I realized I was surrounded by testosterone. (The third underpants-wearer was the […]

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Is Taking Care of Yourself Selfish?

October 24, 2011

I have issues, my friends. Specifically, more knots in my neck and shoulders than a classroom full of preschoolers’ sneakers. This is how stress always manifests in my body. It’s been pointed out to me by many massage therapists over the years. One Russian lady said in broken English, “This is not normal.” Another one […]

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Texting, ‘Love Notes’ & a Giveaway

October 21, 2011

Now that even my MIL is doing it, I feel like texting has completely taken over. My dad, who routinely books a seat on Amtrak’s “quiet car” to avoid loud cell phone conversations, noted that even the regular cars seem quieter now that everyone’s texting. It’s a strange new world, people. Pls enjoy this post […]

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Constant Comments

October 19, 2011

Recently a couple of friends have started new blogs. Welcome to the blogosphere, JKR and CMcC! This got me thinking about comments, a big topic for bloggers. I’m constantly seeing articles on how to get more comments, how to comment on blogs, and how NOT to comment. Since I consider myself a journalist first and […]

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Challenging Myself

October 17, 2011

I don’t know what possessed me. It might have been bumping into a mom friend at school pickup and finding out she was running a half-marathon this weekend. It might have been one of the kids coming up behind me and pinching my butt. (Hey! Just because I do that to YOU doesn’t mean it’s […]

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Don’t Take a Toddler to a Wedding

October 14, 2011

Man, it’s been a tough week. How about I lighten things up by telling you about last weekend’s wedding fiasco festivities? While this story needs no embellishment, it occurred to me it would actually make a great children’s picture book. I’m envisioning David Shannon-style illustrations. Here’s how it plays out. Don’t Take a Toddler to […]

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Your Story Matters

October 12, 2011

I’m sad today. I got an email from a longtime reader who wrote to tell me she had lost her new baby suddenly. I could feel her pain coming through her words. My heart broke for her. This sad news comes on the heels of critiquing the final essays for my last writing class. One […]