My daughter hates it when my husband kisses me. Or hugs me. Or dances with me in the kitchen. She huffs in exasperation and always tries to climb between us, saying, "No! My Mommy!" She pushes us apart, rolling her eyes, and is completely disgusted by our physical affection. We think it's hilarious. (So naturally we do it on purpose and make sure she's watching.) I hope it's always like this, with her trying to weasel her way between us as we snuggle and pretending to vomit when we kiss. I'm not sure there's much more I want her to remember from her childhood than that the adults in her house loved each other greatly. My daughter is a child of divorce, and I worry so much about how it will affect her. She was small when it happened, and she and her brother have been incredibly resilient so far. She doesn't remember much from when her dad and I were married, but she's going to remember everything about her stepdad and me. So we're doing all we can to make her memories good ones - including grossing her out when we kiss. I didn't grow up in a demonstrably affectionate family, and I want my kids to...

  If you're looking for gift ideas for a book lover this Christmas, look no further! Here's a list of books I have loved. (Some were released this year, and some are oldies but goodies.) Fiction Choices: Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings - I could not put this one down! Historical fiction centered around slavery in Charleston. Kelli Estes's The Girl Who Wrote in Silk - historical fiction about a Chinese girl's secrets. Fascinating. Page-turner. Loved it. Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale - historical fiction in WWII. I have told everyone I've ever met to read this book. Believe me when I say it's amazing. Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove - an old man alienates and endears his neighbors. I still can't believe how much I liked this one! Kristin Hannah's Winter Garden - the story of sisters who learn about their mother's past when they come together to care for their dying father.   Nonfiction Favorites: Jerry Sittser's A Grace Disguised - perfect for someone who has faced a tragedy and needs a reminder of hope. I wept while reading it. Jessica Turner's The Fringe Hours - for those busy moms who can't find time for themselves. Super practical tips. Sarah...

  When I learned my second pregnancy was with a little girl, I immediately had visions of tutus and hairbows. Parenting up to that point had consisted of Tonka trucks and John Deere tractors, so the thought of dressing up a little girl fascinated me. I left the ultrasound and went straight to the store, needing to buy something pink and prissy to hang in her closet. Today, that little girl is nearly 10 years old, and although I dressed her in pink and placed the biggest bows I could find on her tiny baby head, she did not turn out to be a prissy girl. She is athletic and strong, and she would rather wear running shorts and t-shirts than dresses and tights. Her dark brown hair cascades down her back, and a ponytail has become her signature look. But that dark brown ponytail has become the biggest argument-inducer between the two of us. She hates to condition it, hates to dry it, and hates to brush it. If she had her way, her hair would always air dry and be full of tangles and knots. We’ve gone around and around about it, and every night I find myself asking, “Have you...