August 9, 2021

Here we go again

This time he is heading to a house with four housemates. More stuff. I’m a bit less sad than last year. I know he will survive and thrive. I watched him be responsible last year. Plus, it is the full college experience now. No covid mess! But it is still hard. Because I know it isn’t ever the same. Not really. He changes. We adapt. He “visits” home – on holidays and summers. When he’s home, he misses school. Ouch. Does he miss home when he’s at school? Doubtful. He’s having too much fun. But neither did I. That’s life. […]

Day to Day Graces college days 39 sec read
September 26, 2020

Strength for the Hard Days

We are in the throes of missing our college boy around here. He plans on coming home for his birthday. Last night my husband looked at the calendar and said, “Three more weeks?! That’s so long!” This is typically the time when the parents of the newly-flown struggle. Their kids are settling into their new environment. They don’t call and only text if they want money! They may not answer our calls or texts. (Which does nothing for our overactive anxiety.) And if your child is in boot camp, you may not even be allowed to call! Even now, the […]

Day to Day Graces family life 3 min read
June 20, 2020

Summertime, Covid-style!

(I hear MC Hammer singing that title, don’t you?!) Well, here we are – longest day of the year, true beginning of summer. It feels a bit flat around here. No vacation, many things are closed or restricted. I’m trying not to be bummed out, but some days it hits me. And our teens are especially prone to moan “I’m bored!” So let’s make plans for our stay-cation, shall we? Yes, I know the whole spring felt like a staycation, but work with me, people! Choose a few from below and do one or two or three each day. Some […]

Day to Day Graces family life 1 min read
August 23, 2019

Mom Guilt Not Required

I had a bad mom day last week. Have you ever had one of those or is it just me? I was tired and, out of my weariness, I was sarcastic to my twenty-something. Not in a funny sarcastic way but in a “getting in a dig” kind of way. Not my best moment. Then I was over-the-top unreasonable with my youngest teen. There are rules and there are expectations. Then there are impossible standards to be met. That’s where I was. The thing is, I enjoy my children, as a rule, during the summer. Early in the Texas summer, […]

Day to Day Graces family life 2 min read

Jennifer Goolsby