familys

I was a single mom for seven years, and back then, the holidays were always a little financially challenging. I’m remarried now, but only working part-time. On only one full-time income, we’ve struggled to keep up with the higher cost of nearly everything, especially groceries.Our budget for the holidays this…

Cookie baking, decorating, stuffing stockings, building a holiday village scene with Iron Man and Thor action figures — just like a huggable snowman discovered, everyone has traditions for that time of year.We’re a blended family with kids ranging in age from 17 to mid-30s. As our kids have moved from…

As a child, the Columbine school shooting impacted my elementary school experience and beyond. My naivete about safety was instantly shattered. It was the first time I realized that danger could come into a classroom at any moment.Years passed, and I became a mom. As my daughter approached school age,…