Dear Joanne, This year we have less money to spend on gifts this year for our kids and we don’t want to disappoint them. What can we do? Hallie Dear Hallie, What started out as little trinkets from the Three Wise Men has evolved into budget … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: All I Want For the Holidays Is My Retirement Account Intact

Parenting Sucks: How to Deal with Visitors after Having a Baby


BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, I’m going to deliver my second child in a few weeks and I’m already worried about how to deal with the crowds of friends and family who want to see the new baby. When my first was born, I was overwhelmed and … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: Surviving Holiday Travel


BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, Now that Halloween is over, I’m already dreading the holidays. Each year we visit my family during Thanksgiving, and my husband’s family for Christmas. With two kids under the age of 5, the stress of traveling takes … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: Middle School Transition


BY JOANNE KIMES I want to take a break from my normal question/answer format to focus on something much more important: me and my struggles. Me, plus countless other parents who are still dealing with the hell of transitioning to middle school. … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: Taming homework struggles


BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, Now that school is back in full gear, we’re back to having homework struggles. Both of my kids are in elementary school and if it’s this bad now, I can only imagine what’s in store for me down the road as they get … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: Over Scheduling Our Children

BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, Now that school’s back in full swing, it’s a madhouse at our house. Between school, after school lessons, sports, and dealing with homework, we can’t find time to even sit down together as a family for dinner. Any … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks: Discipline Advice

BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, My five year-old son won’t listen to me. If he misbehaves, I threaten to punish him, but he won’t stop and keeps doing it anyway. No matter how many times I warn him, he doesn’t seem to care and does whatever he … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks!: The Great Cell Phone Debate

BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, Many of my daughter's friends have cell phones and she wants one too. What do you think about kids using cell phones? Lisa Dear Lisa, Since you didn't mention how old your daughter is so I'll give you my broad … [Read more...]
Parenting Sucks! Bed Rest and Crying

BY JOANNE KIMES Dear Joanne, My wife is pregnant and on bed rest. What can I do to make it easier on her? Stephen Dear Stephen, I was never on bed rest when I was pregnant, but it sounds like a slice of heaven right about now! Nothing to do but … [Read more...]
Follow My Daily Find