My third grade daughter has been experiencing her first bout of friend drama this school year. One of her closest friends since kindergarten now has a new close friend in her class, and as a result my daughter has been left behind or left out on several occasions. As a woman, I have had my […]
Colleen Cook
Posted inWellness
Managing the Intensity of the Holiday To Do List
Being a mom around the holidays is no “holiday.” Once we cross the threshold of mid-November through the end of the year, it’s a frenzy of additional responsibilities and an added mental load that can feel daunting. Between school closures, holiday parties, babysitters, feasts to prepare, gifts to buy and wrap, decorations to hang, and magic […]
Posted inWellness
Authentic Community or Counterfeit Community?
I used to think that “community” was about the town you lived in. Your community was made up of all of the people, businesses, services, schools, and civic elements that built a city or town. Being “community-minded” meant that you participated in service organizations and supported charities. And, while those things are certainly still true, […]
Posted inWellness
Commentary: When a friendship fades
A friendship that was once significant in my life is fading, and has been fading for some time. This person with whom I was once incredibly close, who was frequently and regularly a part of my life, with whom I shared celebrations and sadnesses, has distanced from me over the past year. I’ve tried to […]
Posted inWellness
Ask Coco: Dining in Peace and Getting Healthy on a Budget
Dear Coco, We go to a decent restaurant and are seated next to an ill-mannered child who likes to scream and throw temper tantrums. How can we get a better table without making a scene? – Just Want Peace Dear Just Want Peace, We’ve all been there. These days, however, I’m more likely to be […]
Posted inWellness
Experiencing joy is vulnerable, but worthwhile
Our family loves to sing. Our girls have the sweetest voices, and they’re big fans of Disney songs, so now and then we’ll put sing-along tracks up on YouTube and pull out their toy microphones and turn our living room into a makeshift karaoke bar. In one of those perfect family moments, I remember looking […]