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

Not Ready for the New Year

January 4, 2015

I’ve been trying to figure out why this time of year bugs me. Everywhere, everything is all: New Year, New You! 10 Ways to Make Resolutions Stick! 5 Best Diets to Drop the Holiday Pounds! How to Make 2015 Your Best Year Ever!!! Meanwhile, we’ve barely arrived home from our holiday travels, bags still packed […]

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The Nutcracker: Not Just for Girls

December 19, 2014

“The Nutcracker” is one of my all-time favorite performances to see live. It never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. Growing up, my parents took me to see musicals, plays, and concerts often. As a kid, I performed in an annual Christmas production at our church for years. And I have fond memories […]

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The Santa Situation

December 15, 2014

Parents: prepare yourselves. At some point, it’s going to happen. On the bus, at the playground — somewhere, an older kid is going to tell your child there is no Santa. When they do, what will you say? Our babysitter once poured cold water on the head of a kid who did that. It shut […]

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Flashback Friday: Annoying Things About School Holiday Events

December 5, 2014

So let’s follow up all those deep thoughts about life and song lyrics with some good ol’ seasonally appropriate snark, shall we? It seems like a good time to re-post this piece from my archives. A mom I know told me yesterday that she’s been asked to chip in $90 for teachers’ gifts and class […]

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Wild Horses

December 2, 2014

I have always loved The Sundays’ cover of the Rolling Stones’song, “Wild Horses.” That beautiful, haunting melody popped into my head this past weekend when we took an impromptu family trip to the Maryland shore. A long weekend, a Groupon, and some low-key togetherness were all that was on the agenda. I figured the hotel’s […]

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4 Ways You’re Doing Gratitude Wrong

November 20, 2014

My 8yo son and I are on a mission to save Thanksgiving. Well, not so much save it, but help its image, like a Thanksgiving PR team. We get outraged when we see Christmas decorations up before Halloween. We cheer when we glimpse the stray pilgrim or turkey flag in someone’s yard. We are annoyed […]

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A Moment of Zen

November 14, 2014

He’s saying, “Ommm… my goodness, I’ve never sat still and quietly this long in my life.” What, your family doesn’t meditate in bamboo forests? Then have a peaceful weekend doing whatever it is that brings you joy. Namaste!

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Welcome to Mom’s All-You-Can-Eat Snack Buffet

November 11, 2014

Hi, my name is Abby and I’ll be your server today. Can I start you off with some drinks? Water or milk? And you’d like that in the green cup with an orange straw? Certainly, sir. And for the other gentleman? Before I tell you the specials, may I ask if you finished your lunch […]

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3 Things Kids Have Taught Me About Reaching Your Goals

November 5, 2014

I spend a lot of time around little boys. They’re loud and frequently smelly, but I love ’em. They really get in there and live life in all its messy, painful, imperfect glory. Whether they’re hitting balls or climbing trees or finding new ways to incorporate sticks and rocks into my living room décor, they […]

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