Connect with us: Subscribe to the paper | View the mobile edition | Get daily e-mail news | Get mobile alerts | Share your photos | Report news | Place an ad | Contact us
Family Life
|
Newer stories | Older stories Lisa Brown
Latest South Carolina HeadlinesLatest HeadlinesHelping kids govern themselvesTuesday, June 17, 2008One of the advantages of having a larger family is I get to see some of the natural evolutions in the interrelationships of my children. My family is a little reminiscent of William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" on a much smaller scale. If you haven't read the book, it's basically about a bunch of boys stranded alone on an island who segregate into two tribes, the biguns and the littluns, and fail in attempting to govern themselves. Read story. Oldest paves the way for milestonesTuesday, June 3, 2008Maria, my youngest child, had her kindergarten graduation recently. I was fully prepared to cry. When RJ, my oldest child, graduated from kindergarten 13 years ago, I was a mess. I sobbed uncontrollably. My husband, Mike, made fun of me, and RJ sheepishly smiled at me. When my 8-year-old triplet boys graduated from kindergarten two years ago, I got a little choked up, but I thought I was less emotional because I still had Maria. Read story. Sugar and spice turns out to be a wonderful gift from GodTuesday, May 20, 2008I distinctly remember being in complete denial that I might be pregnant again nearly 7 1/2 years ago. It was right after the Christmas holidays, so clearly my weight gain was attributable to the time of year. I already had a 12-year-old son and 9-month-old triplet boys. Read story. Divorcing friends must stand ground as parentsTuesday, May 13, 2008A person who is very dear to me is getting a divorce after 23 years of marriage. It's a sad story. The last month I've been on the telephone with her and her soon-to-be ex-husband for hours. Read story. When times get tough, this tough family gets inventiveTuesday, May 6, 2008As expected in raising five children, making do with what we have is a common theme in our house. Our creativity is continually enhanced as we come up with unique solutions. Read story. Mom set a lasting exampleSunday, May 4, 2008As a working mother of five children, I would be much more excited to find an inexpensive, healthy, easy-to-prepare dinner recipe that everyone liked than a hundred dollar bill lying on the sidewalk. Lately when I walk into a store, it appears I need to find a hundred dollar bill lying on the sidewalk just to get the basics. Read story. Youthful honesty can be painful for parentsTuesday, April 29, 2008One of the funniest and most terrifying things about small children is that they say what's on their minds and, therefore, completely lack tact. Read story. Children try to stay out of trouble and please their motherTuesday, April 22, 2008Fortunately, my kids like me. I can use this to my advantage in a lot of ways. The other day we were at a baseball game. It was chilly out, so I insisted that my 6-year-old daughter, Maria, wear her jacket. She didn't want to and saw that another little girl didn't have to wear her jacket. "Look, Mama, that girl doesn't have to wear her jacket." I told her that as her mother, I would decide what was best for her and if she preferred the decisions of another mother, she certainly could look for a better mother. ... Read story. Hoping thrifty spouse will agree to plunge into poolTuesday, April 15, 2008One of my 8-year-old triplet boys, Jerrod, has had enough tragedy in his life that one would think he would be a little pessimistic. He's burned himself badly, almost ripped his ear off and had stitches in his head, not to mention countless road rashes. The other day, he was trying to break up rocks with a screwdriver and a hammer. ... Read story. Not all technology is good technology for kidsTuesday, April 1, 2008There are two things my 8-year-old triplet boys are starting to talk about wanting that I'm not considering entertaining: a TV in their rooms and a cell phone. I made the mistake of putting a TV in oldest son RJ's room. I could fill up this article with all the reasons why this was a bad idea. ... Read story. Sick child starts a chain reaction through homeTuesday, March 18, 2008I walked in the door early Friday evening after a week in San Diego. My triplet 8-year-old boys wanted to know what I brought them. Maria, my little 6-year-old daughter, came slowly behind them, eyes drooping, tears running down her face, and cried, "I have the fluuuuuu." My father-in-law told me that she stayed home with him. ... Read story. Continuing those family traditionsTuesday, March 11, 2008Easter and spring break are rapidly approaching. As with all holidays, we have our traditions. Pictures of all five children with the Easter Bunny are as important as pictures with Santa Claus, although this year I'll be lucky if I can get RJ, my 18-year-old son, to stand in the back and frown since he's off to college. ... Read story. Party at home best everTuesday, March 4, 2008My triplet boys celebrated their eighth birthday last month. I am a huge fan of the old-fashioned birthday party. Invite some kids over, have some cake and ice cream, play games and just have fun. One of my friends was telling me about some of the outrageous birthday parties that their kids have been invited to. ... Read story. Money great incentive to live by house rulesTuesday, Feb. 26, 2008Taking care of five children certainly can be a lot of work. My husband, Mike, is all about simplifying our lives and teaching our children to pick up after themselves and do their fair share around the house. But no matter how much we try, it seems that all we do is clean up after them. ... Read story. Teen with a credit card doesn't have to be scaryTuesday, Feb. 19, 2008I was going through my mail last week, and to my surprise, my 18-year-old son received his first piece of adult junk mail. According to the giant colored print on the outside of the envelope, he was preapproved for a MasterCard. Based on what? The fact that he's 18 and breathing? Because he certainly doesn't have a job to pay for any credit-card bills. ... Read story. Newer stories | Older stories |
This is the first in a series of columns by working mother Lisa Brown. She and her airline pilot husband, Mike, are the parents of five children: a 17-year-old boy, 6-year-old triplet boys and a 5-year-old girl.
