My husband and I took a road trip for my birthday in 2008 to go see Hearst Castle and the Monterey Aquarium. What I didn't know at the time was that I would want to spend MORE time checking out the incredible natural beauty of Big Sur and less time at Hearst Castle (which is pretty pricey) and the aquarium (still…

Growing up, my single mom always insisted on eating our meals together with the TV off and praying together before going to bed.

I have failed miserably on the eating meals together part. I get home so late that we have to sit our two oldest down right away to eat and to keep them from playing swords with their forks,…

Here's what I hate most. People who glare at me when one of my boys does anything even remotely untoward. It gets me so flustered that I end up reacting more angrily than I normally would have. I always feel so bad in that case — because its not my kid's fault some stranger is an asshole — and it has happened multiple…

The few times my husband and I were able to go on big vacations, I planned the hell out of those things. Don't ask me to explain why, but it's part of the fun, anticipation and build-up for me. But my husband is a relaxer and I'm a go-out-and-do-something kind of person, so I compromise on vacations by planning just…

This totally reminds me of a Friends episode. "We should go out to dinner...someplace nice."

I feel like you should either have a regular column on Jezebel about the blind dates set up by your mom, or just write a damn book. Your accounts are so damn entertaining.

I don't know if you'll see this since I finally got around to reading this like a week after it was posted. But I just want to say that you should carefully consider whether its worth it to pursue the amount your landlord withheld. My first time renting a place, which was really just a room, was a disaster. My…

I absolutely love this post. Now I need to find a copy of Aesop's fables to read to my boys.

<blockquote>A8 "Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together" We are individuals, but accomplish more together</blockquote>

I second this. In fact, I was trying to figure out if there was a way to sneak my 4-year-old, going to be 5 on Jan. 1, into kindergarten this year. Alas, California's cut off is Sept. 1.

I admire you so much for baring your soul here. Fantastic article.

I have three boys. One of the two things I regret about not having a girl is not being able to share all the books I read as a kid with strong female characters — the Egypt Game (inspired an obsession with historical fiction), Island of the Blue Dolphins, Julie of the Wolves, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E…

I once overslept while working as a reporter covering two time-incompatible beats (early morning biz/politics and late night education board meetings). I got an irate phone call from the managing editor as I rushed out the door and was truthful — I overslept. When I got in, I apologized again and again, but as she…

So I'm home now with my third newborn son. Good God almighty skip the safety gates. Or would anyone like to buy mine? I wasted a precious gift card buying this thing and we have never used it. None of our kids have fallen down the stairs yet.

I am using an infant car seat that I first bought for my now 4-year-old on 2010. I wouldn't buy a car seat off Craigslist or anything but I think it's ok to use gear like a car seat if it hasn't been in an accident.

I love old people. I would much rather talk to a grandma/grandpa than most of the idiots I work with. They always have such interesting stories.

I know of a journalist who uses a numeral as her middle initial. She's pretty well known, so well known I can remember her name off the top of my head — Jennifer 8. Lee. It definitely helps her stand out in a world of Jennifers and Jennifer Lees.

Vote: GreatSchools.org

About 3 days after I was discharged from the hospital after having my third son, I literally had three breast pumps — two hospital-grade ones rented to me for a month from the hospital and a regular double electric provided by my health insurance (apparently included in my company coverage).

Being a prick can get you far, I agree. I am in that situation all the time at work, and am told all the time, I just need to play the game the way they do. But I always reply, no thanks...I need to be able to live with myself and I want my kids to be able to respect and like me.