These are days we remember, making memories in the midnight sun with our young adult children. Now that we’re empty nesters, we are adapting to life with children living nearby and “adulting.” It’s a moment in time that every parent appreciates: our kids are successfully making their own lives. And, miraculously, our kids appreciate US…
Many midlife mamas (and papas) struggle with setting boundaries with adult children. From the moment they’re born, our children begin the process of learning and growing that leads to their eventual independence from us, their parents. And throughout their development, setting boundaries helps us manage the tension between holding tight and letting go. When they’re…
With COVID restrictions lightening throughout the country, it’s a good time to share a few tips for navigating long-distance family visits. I’ve just returned from visiting extended family in Oregon, nearly 2,000 miles from my home in Alaska. One of the primary reasons for my visit was to see my mom and step-dad in their…
As restrictions begin to ease in many locations, I thought I would share my tips for planning assisted living home visits. Across the country and the world, the elderly have been perhaps most severely impacted by pandemic restrictions. But as vaccinations roll out and virus cases in many areas decline, visitor protocols will ease. If…
Finding your roots and wings takes on new meaning when you’ve lost a parent. Dad’s been gone just three weeks today and I find myself often untethered, floating, and a bit lost. Still, as I move quietly and slowly through this new phase, I am noticing also a deeper grounding. Fifty seven years I spent…