When Grown Kids Return to the Nest …
Published December 2011: eHow Home
When Grown Kids Return to the Nest
Keeping Your Space – And Your Cool
Article Excerpt:
After your children leave home, it’s likely that you’ve packed up the trophies and posters on the wall and converted their bedrooms into an office, sewing room or even a guest bedroom. Read more »
The Christmas Balancing Act
Published December 2011: eHow Home
The Christmas Balancing Act
How to Spruce Up and Stress Down Your Holiday Cheer
Article Excerpt:
Even though Christmas cards and family portraits portray an image of a season of joy, the holidays often lead many on an emotional roller coaster ride that can easily run off course. From the hustle and bustle of shopping to preparations for family get-togethers, the spirit of the season can dwindle without the opportunity to recoup. Read more »
Put a Stop to Bedtime Tantrums
Published November 2011: eHow Family
Put a Stop to Bedtime Tantrums
Going from Struggles to Sweet Dreams
Article Excerpt:
You know the scenario. It’s time to go to sleep, but your toddler wants you to read just one more book or sing yet another lullaby. And once you’re done with that, she needs a drink of water, but then still refuses to settle down. Before you know it, she’s overtired and unhappy, which results in a bedtime tantrum — and one exhausted parent. Read more »
Happy Parents = Happy Kids
Published October 2011: eHow Family
Happy Parents = Happy Kids
How to Keep Yourself Happy While Balancing the Chaos of Family Life
Article Excerpt:
Too often, parents get caught in a constant whirl of kid-friendly activities, scheduling mishaps and drive-through dinners to meet the needs of their family. A 4 a.m. feeding or daily carpool can drain even the most energetic mom or dad. Read more »
Teasing: When Words Hurt
Published September 2011: eHow Family & Relationships
Teasing: When Words Hurt
Help Your Child Differentiate Between Mean Words and Playful Banter
Article Excerpt:
It’s no secret that teasing is a natural part of life for kids. But when teasing goes too far, it’s difficult for your child to differentiate between mean words and playful banter. The temperament and personality style of the receiver is a major factor in the equation, according to Dr. Fran Walfish, child psychotherapist and author of “The Self-Aware Parent.” Read more »
The School Year: Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster
Published September 2011: eHow Family & Relationships
The School Year: Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster
Help Your Child Handle the Highs, Lows and Challenges of School
Article Excerpt:
When Christine Hammond picked up her first-grade daughter from school one day, she sensed that something was wrong. Her suspicions were confirmed when her daughter cried uncontrollably for 20 minutes while sitting in the car. As a concerned parent of three, Hammond patiently waited for her child to reveal that she did not earn a sticker for the week because she talked out of turn in the classroom. Read more »
The World of Parents and Their Tweens
Published August 2011: eHow Family & Relationships
The World of Parents and Their Tweens
Patience, Understanding and Love Help Children Navigate This Critical Period
Article Excerpt:
The tween years can be an exciting yet treacherous time for a child. Beyond an increased awareness of physical and emotional changes, these 8- to 12-year-olds clinging to childlike innocence are pushed into the world of adolescence. Read more »
Navigating After-School Care
Published August 2011: eHow Family & Relationships
Navigating After-School Care
How to Find the Best Fit for Your Child
Article Excerpt:
In a society where it’s common for both Mom and Dad to work outside the home, the typical 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t afford many parents the luxury of picking up their children from school. Read more »
Beating the Back-to-School Blues
Published August 2011: eHow Family & Relationships
Beating the Back-to-School Blues
Getting Your Child Back into a Healthy Groove
Article Excerpt:
Although the sun is shining bright and summertime is a fresh reality for your child, many schools are ramping up for school sessions to begin in mid-August. At a time when your child is still focused on sleeping in late, hanging out at the pool with friends and camping in the backyard, the thought of returning to school can spark anxiety, fear and the back-to-school blues. Read more »
When You’re the New Stepparent of a Teenager
Published July 2011: ParentUSACity.com
When You’re the New Stepparent of a Teenager
Article Excerpt:
Finding the perfect mix for a blended family takes time. Just as it takes time to warm up to a new friend or neighbor, stepchildren need time to absorb the changes in the family and to evaluate how to approach relationships. And when the stepchild is a teen, an extra set of challenges comes into play. Read more »
About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and instructor, freelance writer, and mom. This site, focused on writing, reflecting, and teaching, strives to tell the stories of the “average” person. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, you’ll find a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration.
Feel free to browse my sample works including feature news, magazine, and web copywriting pieces from the past and present. Check back often for daily updates, blog entries, and additional stories. Feel free to contact me directly at shphilpott@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter. Comments are welcome!
