LA Moms Blog

LA Sparks: The moms dribble and the kids cheer them on

I used to be a Lakers fan, and was happy they won the championship (that was this season, right?). Still, I gave up my die-hard status at about the time I became a single mother. Between work, motherhood, and the personal issues that came with the divorce, keeping track of how many points Kobe Bryant had scored at the last game just didn't remain on my priority list.

I remember when the LA Sparks and the entire WNBA franchise launched about a decade ago. While I cheered on the concept of professional women's basketball, I confess I hadn't previously gone to a game. As a mother, I want to give my girls the chance to see as much that the world has to offer as possible. So I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to take them to an LA Sparks game last week.

There ought to be a law

Being an L.A. family, it's no surprise that we tend to spend a lot of time in the car.

For the most part, road trips are a fairly civil affair. When they know we're going to be on the road for hours to go down to San Diego, or up the coast to NorCal, all is well. We pack snacks, play music and sing, and even have some great conversations.

It's the little trips that can bring out the road rage - and not just in the other drivers, but in those back-seat passengers.

Embracing my Type A personality

A couple of colleagues and I recently talked about how difficult it is to remember all of the things on our list of tasks. Even though school is out, it's almost as difficult to keep track of summer child care hours, field trips and vacations because it's not our regular routine. At work, summer has simply meant that it's hotter outside while inside, we try to remember where exactly we are on each project, which email still needs a reply, and whether or not that meeting is still on.

And all of us have projects outside of being working moms. I write here (with a bi-monthly schedule to keep), I write as an LA Single Parenting Examiner, and I write my personal blog. Oh, and I belong to three - no, make that four - email lists, and three (possibly four) online groups.

Childhood dreams and their parents' realities

I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 12 to "make it" into show biz. Like many to come before, and many to come after, I never quite had my big break, but I had a few tastes here and there. Looking back, and looking forward as a mother with one daughter that loves to be in the center of the spotlight, I'm quite relieved.

We all know that Michael Jackson's legacy is not without its dark spots. We've all read about the various troubles that many childhood stars have had. We blame it on Hollywood, on uninvolved parents, on children growing up before their time, and all of that probably has some truth. Yet there are also some bright spots and beacons of hope for parents of aspiring actors and musicians to turn to: Ron Howard is a great example. Sarah Jessica Parker also seemed to survive it pretty well (for those who might not know, Sarah Jessica Parker starred as the title character in "Annie" on Broadway back in the day), and a few, like Drew Barrymore, were able to overcome earlier struggles. But parenting is not easy for anyone anywhere. Parenting through throngs of fans has to be a nightmare.

A weekend without kids: what to do?

Usually, once (or twice) during the summer, my parents and/or some other loving family members offer to take the girls on vacation. Without me. How lovely! Of course, I love my kids, but every now and then, this single mom needs a break that doesn't include work!

Such a weekend will be coming up in just 7 days (not that I'm counting or anything). And herein lies the question.

What am I going to do? Other than one outing with a friend and maybe a trip to the grocery store, all I want to do is stay home.

I know staycations are now the "in" thing to do, but I've preferred them for years! Of course, I always have lofty ideas on what I'll do while the girls are gone. Rearrange the furniture, go through their clothes and get a Goodwill donation together, vacuum under the beds, go out and see a movie by myself.

Raising Kids without Religion

It scares me to even type those words. I think it used to be easier. When I was growing up, the subject of church or temple didn't come up much outside of auditioning for Fiddler on the Roof. I used to say that a theatre was my church, and no one took offense. I simply wasn't brought up to wonder who prayed to what God, if at all.

Granted, I grew up in Santa Cruz, possibly the last of the hippie towns. Ironically, it was when we moved to Los Angeles (the East side of Los Angeles) where I was bombarded with billboards and bumper stickers announcing that Jesus was coming soon. In junior high, I debated the rest of the class on the issue of abortion. No minds were changed that day, I don't think, but oddly enough, the event somehow brought me closer to them. The teacher thought that maybe I'd earned their respect by holding my ground.

I didn't want to write about the murder of Dr. George Tiller. I didn't want to open myself up to the kind of backlash I saw others getting. I didn't want to slip and say something maybe too personal. I don't think it was just my cowardice that stopped me, though. I think the stage of debate has changed since I was in junior high.

My Cause for the next School Year: Homework

Here in California, it's easy to just focus on the budget problem of our public education system, but there are many more obstacles inhibiting our children from getting the best education possible. For most of the school year, I've been floundering around, trying to pinpoint where I can actually make a positive difference for my daughters.

Of course there's the usual parental involvement. I've become an active member of the PTA and will be serving as the Secretary next year. I've written to my politicians, voted in all of the elections, and even contacted my local school Board members. At home, I ask my daughters about school and make sure they get their homework done. I go to the parent-teacher conferences, and participate in most of the fundraisers. It still doesn't feel like enough.

Remember the single moms this Mother's Day

Every mother raising their child(ren) deserves a little recognition on this hallmark holiday. Sure, it's kind of stupid. Sure, mothers should be treated with respect and love every day. But there is something nice about taking one day out of the year to celebrate the unsung heroes.

Take a look at your morning news programs, and all over the Internet. Mothers are judged every single day for some very difficult decisions they make. We've talked to death the Octomom, the mom who kicked her kids out of the car, and the mommy wars still alight the blogosphere from time to time. There are helicopter parents, and parents who aren't nearly involved enough, and moms have kept therapists in business for years.

My letter to the School Board

What follows is my letter to my daughters' LA School Board. Names have been edited:

I was at the meeting last night, but had to leave early so I could pick up my kids.

I understand that, as was stated by several of you last night, we're all on the same team. So why doesn't it feel like it?

The Unlikely Soccer Mom

My 8-year-old, Riley, just started playing soccer with her after-school program.

I have never pictured myself as a soccer mom. I was raised on musical theatre, and my oldest daughter has followed in my footsteps.

I'm also not big on sports in general. While I can appreciate the concept of teamwork, I find much more value in the performing arts, and have written papers on the advantages of including arts in schools. I'm resentful that arts programs usually get cut first, and sports are last to go. Not to mention, the cost and time and energy. So, no, I have never thought of myself as a soccer mom.

Of course, having kids means that you find yourself doing a lot of things you never expected to do. Yesterday, I attended my first soccer game.