The all American work ethic, destructive enough by itself, also packs a gender double standard that strip-mines the natural resources of both parents. It has taught us that as their earnings and success increase, men become "more manly," while women become "less feminine." This perverse cultural dynamic gives fathers an incentive to stay away from their families and kill themselves at work, while coercing mothers to limit their career commitment, which in turn limits their wages and shortchanges their families.

Friendships aren't perfect and yet they are very precious. For me, not expecting perfection all in one place was a great release.

Friends seem to be like aspirin; we don't really know why they make a sick person feel better, but they do.

When the president of the United States flicks the switch to light up the Christmas tree on the White House lawn, that house ceases to be an American symbol; it becomes a Christian symbol.

I feel about mothers the way I feel about dimples: because I do not have one myself, I notice everyone who does.

We mothers are learning to mark our mothering success by our daughters' lengthening flight.

A family stitched together with love seldom unravels.