After taking part in a recent discussion on Twitter with @NTFFC, @feelslikehome and @phdinparenting regarding the fact that we all were experiencing various degrees of separation anxiety about leaving our kids to go to BlogHer, I felt certain that we weren't the only moms feeling this way.

I couldn't tell you how old I was before I realized that the 4th of July was actually a holiday meant to celebrate the independence of the United States; for the bulk of my childhood, I assumed it was a Very Important Day to celebrate the pure hedonistic joy of blowing stuff up.

A child's autism diagnosis can really mess with parents' heads. Media portrayals of children with autism and their adult spectrum-mates dwell almost exclusively on negatives and challenges, so when a parent is told that their child is autistic, they are usually incredibly upset.

Each day the media cloud over Michael Jackson's death mushrooms broader and wider with rumor, speculation, and tidbits of fact. Yesterday morning the big story was that Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's mother, has been awarded guardianship of all three of his children, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. aka Prince; Paris Michael Katherine; and Prince Michael Jackson II aka "Blanket."

Although the cause of Michael Jackson's death is still unclear, and it may be some time before the final cause is known. Sudden cardiac death is suspected, as well as possible prescription drug abuse. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to bring some more awareness to both of these problems. Did you know that accidental death from prescription pain medications is on the rise in this country? It's true. Kathleen Doheny of WebMd wrote Drug Overdose Deaths on the Rise...

I grew up in one house before moving through two dorms, one sorority house, seven apartments and two houses. I know someday my parents will move or move on, and I'll be forced to help with the downsizing efforts. I'm not looking forward to it, mostly because you can accumulate quite a bit of junk in 35 years, but also because I remember the bittersweet memories that flooded me the last time I walked through my grandparents' house after they died. I can't decide if it would be harder to help my parents move while they were living or after they'd died. They might protest less if it happened later.

Any job can be complicated by pregnancy or motherhood, but scientific careers may be in their own special category. Depending on the field, you've got exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, or all manner of microorganisms in the lab; the multitudinous dangers of field work; and the odd and sometimes exceptionally hours required of some experiments or observations in the lab and field.

Several super technology bloggers have joined BlogHer lately. Since a notice of their new blog listing comes to my inbox, I've been busy subscribing to great blogs for the past couple of weeks. I'm really impressed with what I'm seeing and hope you will find our new BlogHers as interesting as I do.

I had an addiction. I freely admit that now. It was an addiction that lasted throughout the entirety of my first pregnancy and for most of the first year of my daughter's life. It was an addiction that I could not shake, even though I had moments of clarity when I knew that the object of my addiction was not good for me. Because even though I knew that it wasn't good for me, knew that it undermined me, knew that it kept me in a state of panic, I really believed that I couldn't go on without it.

My daughter Alex, at 5 years old, has not yet received an allowance -- but I'm strongly thinking that in the coming months, when she officially starts kindergarten, I'm going to start giving her one.This decision has necessarily caused me a bit of consternation:  how much allowance, for example, is appropriate for a 5-year-old?  And how often?

I've heard a lot of arguments against paying kids an allowance in exchange for chores.  Some say the children have to do chores just because they're part of the family. (Yes.) Others say it teaches children to help out just for a reward and not for the joy of helping. (Yes.) I think those things are all true. And I'll still be paying my kid an allowance to do her chores (as long as my husband agrees -- it may be interesting to see his reaction this post).

“You’re such a fun mom!” This was the reaction to the oh-so-impressive Rainbow Cake made by Cate from Sweetnicks when she mixed food coloring into six layers of a cake-mix cake. It's a special way to celebrate occasions large and small. Take a look, you'll think that Cate's a really fun mom, too! Click the headline for a quick look and a link to the recipe.