Helping Our Children Write Original Stories: Julie Lyles Carr

Parenting books intrigue me.  I have several of them scattered on shelves and in drawers throughout my house.  I think it’s because I’m very aware of some of my parenting pitfalls, so I need all the help I can get.  Also my heart tells me it’s one of the most important jobs I will ever […]

The Importance Of Looking Back On Your Story

On a recent trip to my parents’ home, I spent several hours sorting through two drawers full of memories.  There were photographs of my sister and me that documented our time as infants all the way through college and into our adult lives.  There were school class pictures and report cards.  There were pictures of […]

Flipping the “Play Switch”

We were on our way to school drop off at 7:30am.  Simply getting in the car on time with everything we need and with our teeth and hair brushed can be a challenge.  Now realize it’s a Monday in April with less than two months to go in the school year.  We see the summer […]

What Tourette Syndrome Has Taught Me

My son has Tourette Syndrome, a neurobehavioral movement disorder causing motor movements, or tics, he cannot control.  And that’s just what is obviously visible on the outside.  Many children with TS deal with obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and various learning disabilities.  The Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas estimates up to 1 in […]

Christmas after San Bernardino

As I put the final few ornaments on my Christmas tree, it seems terribly wrong that the room is full of sound from law enforcement officials giving yet another update on the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.  The investigators, the journalists and all of us watching have plenty of questions.  However it was my […]

My Back To School Hopes

The first day of school is another version of News Year’s Day to me.  As parents we have so many new hopes and plans as our children enter the classroom.  We hope for that perfect all powerful teacher that will connect with our kids in a way that will make them brilliant and talented.  We hope […]