Award-winning column encouraging parents to tackle the hard stuff. by Mary Follin and Erika Guerrero
Fredericksburg Parent & Family Magazine
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 ASK MOM: Son Born with Down Syndrome and Mom's Not Coping
by Mary Follin and Erika Guerrero Read more ASK MOM on Fredericksburg Parent & Family THE PROBLEM: I knew before my son was born he had Down syndrome, and I thought I was ready for it. Now that he’s 3 months old, I realize I wasn’t prepared at all. He doesn’t do anything that other babies do at this age, and it makes me feel sick inside. (I know, I know. Don’t compare. But I can’t help it!) The hospital put me in touch with a group of other moms who have children with Down syndrome, and they all seem to be coping well, like they’re grateful their kids are the way they are. I keep trying to put on a good face, but (and this is hard to admit) I can’t seem to love him the way these other moms love their children. The very worst part is looking into my son’s eyes. I see so much love in them, and he deserves to see that kind of love in my eyes, too. Please don’t judge me for this. I’m trying to change, but I need help.
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Dad Loses Temper a Lot, Feels Guilty
by Mary Follin and Erika Guerrero Read more ASK MOM on Fredericksburg Parent & Family
THE PROBLEM: Being a dad is hard for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids (I’ve got 3), but I don’t always know how to talk to them—or play with them. When they’re all together, I usually end up getting annoyed (OK, sometimes yelling), because they act so immature. But they are immature—they’re 3, 7, and 9. I can’t expect them to act like adults, can I? Mostly I think there’s something wrong with ME, wondering why I can’t be more patient and just enjoy them. When I look at them at night after they fall asleep my heart wants to explode. Both because they’re so precious to me and because I probably lost my temper at least once during the day. How can I be a different kind of dad?
Teenage Daughter Fears the Worst, Would Rather be 'Right' than Happy
by Mary Follin and Erika Guerrero Read more ASK MOM on Fredericksburg Parent & Family
THE PROBLEM: My 14 yo daughter has an overactive imagination (which I really do love), but it often gets her in trouble. I wish I had a nickel for every time she says: “I’m sure Bridget isn’t going to invite me to her party,” or “I bet Harriet is mad at me for not staying after school to work on the float.” She even thinks her teachers are “probably” not going to like her essay or downgrade her for not speaking up enough in class. And yet, the stuff she predicts almost never happens! And when it does, she can hardly wait to say “I told you so.” It’s almost like she’s created an imaginary world where everything and everybody is against her. As many times as I’ve pointed this out, she says: “I’d rather be realistic than set myself up for disappointment.” Twisted logic to me, but I don’t know how to help her out of it.
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ASK MOM wins parenting media association award!
ABOUT MARY FOLLINMary is the author of TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ and ETHYR, winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the Gertrude Warner Book Award. She is mom to two grown sons and enjoys sharing her more seasoned perspective with parents of younger children.
ABOUT Erika GuerreroErika Guerrero is a freelance hair and makeup artist, Erika K. Beauty, single-mama to one amazing boy, and author of She’s Not Shaken, a blog offering hope and encouragement to women in all walks of life.
ABOUT Suzanne JohnsonSuzanne Johnson, mother of five children and grandmother of eight, is an illustrator, book cover designer, and author of the Realms of Edenocht series.
ETHYR
M.P. Follin Gertrude Warner Book Award Moonbeam Children's Book Award An adventure for kids ages 8-12— especially if they like video games! ASK MOM Archives
May 2023
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