childhood

Christmas ornaments: a history.

Your Life, As Defined By Your Christmas Ornaments

A photo of your long-dead cat, Milo, in a brass Easter egg-shaped frame. Oh, sweet animal, I miss your furballs, you think when you hang it on a low branch. Milo had an uncanny ability to hork on laps when unwanted visitors overstayed their welcome.

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From Left: Me, Sarah, Chelsea

How Three Feisty Little Girls Won Christina Aguilera Tickets 

I’m happy to say that, though it’s been fifteen years since that night, Chelsea, Sarah, and I are still best friends.

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The only thing predictable is that nothing is ever predictable.

The Thing About Normal: When Your Mother Is An Addict

This must be what happens when you don’t really want to talk about something, but you need to. You talk circles around and around it until you spiral right down to the center, and then there’s nothing left to say but the thing you need to say.

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The Trials And Tribulations (And Trauma) Of Getting A Good Haircut

I sat obediently in her chair atop four ancient copies of the Yellow Pages. Crossing my fingers, I prayed Catholic schoolgirl prayers.

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Credit: Thinkstock

“My Daughter Is Too Fat!”: The Dangers Of Unrealistic Childhood Body Image

Parents often confuse healthy eating in children with that of adults. They shouldn't.

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A 14-year-old Syrian refugee in Lebanon holds a photograph of her fiancé. The marriage was arranged by her parents, but the child was unhappy. Credit: Facebook

16 Days Of Activism: Combating The Global Scourge Of Child Marriage

For this year's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the UN Refugee Agency is zeroing in on child marriage.

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Thinkstock

Terminator Tiff: Flash Fiction

I saw my old babysitter at a women’s wrestling cage match.

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Thinkstock

Confession: I Ate Mushrooms, Saw Frozen And Had A Sisterly Revelation 

Millie lowered her voice and asked me if I had plans for the rest of the day. Did I want to make some mushroom tea and watch Frozen in Union Square?

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