Welcome to the wild and wacky world of thumb-sucking—a journey filled with cunning toddlers, baffled parents, and doting grandparents who just want to help without stepping on toes (or thumbs). If you've ever seen a child suck their thumb, you know this is no small habit. It's an art, a science, and sometimes, an act of rebellion.

I was never a thumb sucker, so I can't tell this tale from the memories of my youth, so it was a quandary when I was thinking about what makes thumb-sucking such a big deal?

Growing up, my grandparents’ annual pilgrimage to Palm Springs for a week at the spa baffled me. Sixty years later, with aching bones and arthritis, I finally understand the healing power of these retreats. Now, as I prepare for a journey to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, I realize it’s about more than soothing aches – it’s about embracing life’s journey and sharing wisdom with the next generation.

Imagine yourself in the future—10, 20, perhaps even 40 years from now. It's your 80th birthday party. Are you sitting in a wheelchair, unable to move freely? Or do you find yourself dancing joyfully with your grandchildren? Which vision resonates more with you? The reality is, the path you take today shapes the life you lead tomorrow. Your choices—the levels of activity you embrace, your nutritional habits, and the amount of rest you invest in yourself—are the keys to unlocking your future. 

Thinking about travel sports for your young athlete? Whether they’re just starting at the young age of seven or competing in high school, it’s a big commitment for the whole family. We’ll break down the biggest benefits and the toughest challenges of joining a travel team—so you can decide what’s best for your kid (and your sanity). Although times have changed, this modern grandparent can help you navigate your way.

Hi there, I'm Grandma—though around here, I proudly answer to "Carma." And let me tell you something: I make noise. Where does this behavior come from? When I was a kid, our house was never quiet. We had chaos in every corner—pots clanging in the kitchen, doors creaking open and slamming shut, siblings arguing over who would get up to change the channel, and someone always hollering from another room. And you know what? My baby sister could sleep right through it all. The hum of life became her lullaby. That everyday noise—the comforting kind that fills a home—was just part of my growing up.

While most kids were squeezing in one last pool day or perfecting their end-of-summer tan, I was clocking out of my shift at the family store. That’s right — while my friends spent their summer breaks lifeguarding or flipping burgers, I was mastering the art of organizing shelves and unpacking endless deliveries. Forget campfires and s’mores; I had the distinct aroma of cardboard boxes and dust to keep me company.

It's that time of year again — the leaves are changing, the backpacks are packed, and Catholic school kids everywhere are dusting off their plaid skirts and clip-on ties. While the rest of the world is bracing for the chaos of school supply aisles, Catholic school families have their own unique back-to-school checklist:

Labor Day: that magical Monday when Americans everywhere fire up the grill, slap on sunscreen, and ceremoniously wave goodbye to summer. For kids, it often means one last hurrah before school kicks in. But what if we made Labor Day more than hot dogs and cannonballs into the pool? What if it became a launchpad to teach our kids the value of hard work?