I have a confession. This happened a few years back, during this same wondrous holiday season, when in place of peace and joy, I was feeling overrun, defeated, exasperated.  Parenting wasn't quite "working out" the way I'd hoped. I was worried (apparently more than he was) that my eldest was running outta time to shape up and make the cut (i.e., Santa's "nice" list). Despite repeated warnings that "Santa is watching," the thought of falling on old Saint Nick's "naughty" list didn't seem to phase my willful child. I, on the other hand, was troubled. What's the point of telling kids that … [Read more...]