Back in 2005, I was asked to consider auditioning for the reality show “Wife Swap,” the premise being that I would visit the home of an uber-cool family that was unaccustomed to my authoritative parenting style, and a permissive and…

November 12th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
Back in 2005, I was asked to consider auditioning for the reality show “Wife Swap,” the premise being that I would visit the home of an uber-cool family that was unaccustomed to my authoritative parenting style, and a permissive and…
October 30th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
It has a long way to go to make its organization’s name a reality, but the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood claimed an important recent victory.
CCFC has for years sought to reveal the truth about so-called educational videos designed ostensibly…
October 19th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
Today’s observation: Is it any wonder our teenagers are confused? They’re surrounded by absurd mixed messages from adults that defy logic and fly in the face of common sense.
To wit: A Georgia school’s ban against religious messages on high school…
October 5th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
Today’s update on America’s culture war comes from the village of Wintersville, OH, population 4, 067. This charming enclave is home to 21 churches, an authentic drive in movie theatre, and perhaps the only high school marching band in the…
September 23rd, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
Through emotional outbursts in virtually every corner of our culture, from the halls of government to popular music to professional sports, famous folks recently have offered up a veritable smorgasbord of bad taste on which to comment.
Summing up: People are…
September 11th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
On the night before school starts, I announce that it’s time to take our walk. All six of us fan out throughout the house to find our flip flops, someone gets a leash for Scotty the Dog, and we set…
August 27th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
I finally had to sit down with my 11-year-old daughter for "the talk." Despite my best efforts to preserve her innocence and protect her from growing up too quickly, I simply had to tell her some important facts of life.
No,…
August 7th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
It’s time to pull out the blood pressure cuff, and I’m not suggesting this as a do-it-yourself health care solution, though by the looks of things, it could come to that. Given the reforms suggested so far, "DIY" may be…
July 23rd, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
“What are you doing? I love that song,” I say to my daughter as she reaches over to change the radio station in my van. “That’s Darius Rucker. He was born to sing country music.”
Best known for his lead vocals…
July 15th, 2009 by Marybeth Hicks
There’s a parenting proverb that says, “Prepare not the path for the child, but prepare the child for the path.” I can’t find the source of it, though I once had a lovely decorative tile with this phrase that I…