Real Advice. Real Life.

Straight-talk advice on marriage, parenting, work and the everyday crossroads of life. From a longtime wife, mom, and marketing VP who’s been there. Welcome.

Category: Parenting

  • On Women’s Equality

    The Mom: Just so you girls know, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920 gave women the right to vote in America. Less than a century ago. And in…

  • On Trash & Chores

    What?!! I have to empty all the trash cans AGAIN? Didn’t I just do this last week? Sheesh. The 6 y.o. protesting her weekly chore

  • On the Sorting Hat

    The Mom: If you were the sorting hat, which houses would each member of the family belong to if we lived at Hogwarts? The 13 y.o.: Well that’s easy. I…

  • On the Political Divide

    The 10 y.o.: You know the American Girl doll Felicity Merriman? She’s retired now but she lived in the 1700s, right? The Mom: Right. 1770s Colonial America. Declaration of Independence.…

  • On Bacon Egg Cheese McGriddles

    The 13 y.o.: What’s this? The Mom: It’s called a McGriddle. 2 pancakes, bacon, eggs and cheese. The 13 y.o.: No – I mean what’s this yellow sponge square in…

  • On Freshman Orientation

    The Dad: The large envelope with all your forms. Is that all you are going to bring to Freshman orientation? No pen? Paper? Not even your purse? The 13 y.o.:…

  • On Dogs

    The 6 y.o.: Mom? When I was Mr Darcy’s age, did I think I was a dog? The Mom: No. Why? The 6 y.o.: Well, even though he’s a dog,…

  • On Endlessness

    The 10 y.o.: Endless shrimp? How is that possible? If it has an end date, how is it endless? The Mom: Maybe ‘endless shrimp’ is about the shrimp? The 10…

  • On Class Warfare

    The 14 y.o.: I miss being rich. The 10 y.o.: When were we ever rich? The 14 y.o.: When mom and dad were both working. You might not remember it,…

  • On The Wizard of Oz

    The 10 y.o.: What lessons did you learn from The Wizard of Oz? The 6 y.o..: Ask more questions first. The 13 y.o.: Everyone has an agenda. Even Glinda. We’re…

Scarlett of Suburbia shares personal opinions and general life perspective for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not professional, medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice, and no columnist-reader relationship is created by reading this site or sending a message. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified professional. Submissions may be published, edited for length or clarity, and shared anonymously.