Two years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, my son Nathan was involved in a serious car accident. Due to the severity of his injuries, he lost his entire junior year of high school. To graduate with his friends, Nathan had to attend summer school before his senior year. He also took extra credit hours during his […]
My sons high school graduation Read More »
Thanksgiving 2015 was the worst Thanksgiving of my life. A serious car accident involving two of my sons resulted in severe injuries to my youngest. Thankfully, despite some bumps and bruises, my eldest recovered quickly. Six months after the accident, my youngest’s health has improved significantly. More details about that difficult time can be found
Update My Sons Car Accident: Six months later Read More »
When my son Nathan left the house on that snowy Thanksgiving morning, I felt an uneasy pull in my gut, one of those quiet warnings a mother can’t explain. Still, I trusted that God would be with him and that he would make it safely to his father’s house after brunch with me. I have
A Thankless Thanksgiving Day Read More »
Parenting teenage boys can be a challenge, especially around age 16, a time that is notoriously difficult for many young men. Their bodies are changing, they may feel socially inadequate, and they’re navigating school, peer groups, and often their first experiences with romantic interest. At home, they may become more distant, resist helping with chores,
The Alpha Male: Advice on How Fathers and Teenage Boys Can Get Along Read More »
In the last 30 years, I haven’t celebrated a birthday with my family. I moved to the U.S. soon after college and have missed countless family holidays and special occasions. For my 50th birthday, I decided it was finally time to visit. My son was allowed to miss a week of school so he could
My 50th Birthday in Puerto Rico Read More »
Those who know me would probably agree that I tend to thrive in the hysterical, especially when it comes to my only biological son. The first time he was picked up by his friends and didn’t get home past his curfew, I panicked. I wanted to jump in the car and go look for him.
My 16-year-old First Car Read More »
On a quiet, uneventful Easter Sunday, I got up early and began cooking beef for empanadas, only to realize I didn’t have any dough. I usually buy it from a Latino market, but since it’s far from where we live, that’s a trip I only make once or twice a year. Not wanting to waste
Memorable Moment: Making Empanadas with my Son Read More »
This is not a brag, nor is it meant to suggest that my child is better than anyone else’s. I simply want to share a mother’s story about her beloved son. My son Nathan (Nate) is, in my eyes, an exceptional person. At only 15 years old, he displays a wisdom that seems far beyond
Although my son’s father and I are Latino, at times I feel my son doesn’t fully identify that way. Nathan, born and raised in Colorado and a third-generation Latino may never have the same opportunity to fully grasp the essence of his culture unless he’s exposed to it the way his parents were. When he
Between Boxes and Belonging: Raising a Third-Generation Latino Read More »
Several months ago, my 10-year-old son began struggling in school. Assignments were missing, daily work was incomplete or never turned in, and to make matters more concerning, he began lying to me about it. I knew something had to change. I quickly met with his teachers to identify his challenges and work together on a
When Persistence Becomes Love: Helping My Son Find His Way Back to School Success Read More »