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

  • Hasselback Potatoes

    Ingredients 6 Medium Size Potatoes2 – 3 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced2 Tbsp Olive Oil30 g ButterMaldon Sea SaltFreshly Ground Black Pepper Method Preheat the oven to 220˚C (425˚F). Put the…

  • Lori’s Menu Plan for the Week of 9/19 – 9/25

    Fall is the grounded-middle child of the seasonal family. With the steadfast optimism of a lifelong friend, Fall lets us review the year thus far before administering a gentle kick-in-the-pants…

  • Today is brought to you by the letter “F”. Do you know what “F” stands for? Fah-Fah. Ooood. Fah-ooood. Food. And that’s what I want right now. But only the…

  • Just Gotta Have Faith

    1. Record in your journal about a time when faith in Jesus Christ helped you through a hard time. 2. Read several talks about faith from recent general conferences. Record…

  • Mom? I have something I need to tell you…. I really don’t like chocolate. I don’t like it at all. Can I have an apple for dessert instead? The 5…

  • On Bushels and Pecks

    The 12 y.o.: Some of this measurement stuff is so ancient. Not metrics, obviously. But I mean what the heck is a bushel? The Mom: It’s 4 pecks. Remember when…

  • Wanna know what I learned in Kindergarten this week? I learned how to count backwards. All the way from 1! The 5 y.o.

  • On Dickens

    The 12 y.o.: I’m reading A Tale of Two Cities. I’m only on Chapter 4, so I’m not sure which two cities the book is about yet. The Dad: It…

  • At least with homeschooling I don’t have to worry about being awarded the “Bermuda Triangle Homework Badge”. Teachers in school give that to you when your homework “disappears” between home…

  • On Extraterrestrials

    The 9 y.o.: What’s that scratching sound coming from Lil C’s room? The 12 y.o.: Well, she’s in timeout. Again. Maybe she’s digging a hole under her door? The 9…

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.