By Tonya Graser Smith and Kate Kovats Being a human is stressful. Being a parent is stressful. Being an employee is stressful. Being a – you fill in the blank – is stressful. Laird Hamilton talks about stress and the risks and rewards of it on his...
By Tonya Graser Smith Each family embraces certain winter holiday traditions. Lighting candles. Baking cookies. Watching “A Christmas Story” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The tradition we’re cultivating in the Smith household: Spending less time on screens and more time on games. Good old-fashioned board games and...
By Tonya Graser Smith As we head into Thanksgiving, I have been thinking about how to raise grateful kids. Here’s the thing: What do I know?!?! Like any parent, I just do my best. I try to pay attention. I try to listen to other parents. I...
By Kate Kovats Newly separated or divorced might not sound like a recipe for a great Thanksgiving. I promise you it can be – even if you are missing family traditions or it’s the first time you won’t be with your children for the holiday. You still...
By Tonya Graser Smith My son, my first-born, started kindergarten a few weeks ago. This milestone made me reflect on Robert Fulghum’s classic essay, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” from the book by the same name. The author calls it his...
By Tonya Graser Smith I want to talk about grandparents. We honored them on Sunday with Grandparents Day – and with good reason. Grandparents are special. Growing up I’ll never forget the 1:1 time I had with my grandparents during summertime visits to New York and Connecticut....
By Kate Kovats I grew up watching courtroom procedurals like “Perry Mason” and “Law and Order,” As soon as my ballerina phase ended, I set my sights on being a lawyer. Fast forward to now, I’m a practicing family law attorney, and there are a few...
By Tonya Graser Smith My sorority prepared me to run my own law firm. Yes, seriously. It’s the truth, and I’m thankful. If you think about it, college is an immersive learning experience. You’re getting ready for your not-so-distant-future career not just in lecture halls, but everywhere....
By Tonya Graser Smith I’m a firm believer in vacations. It’s important to regularly take time to recharge – to disconnect from work and electronics and reconnect with yourself, friends and loved ones. Taking a break makes you better at work and home. It’s a way you...
By Tonya Graser Smith Who knows best? Mom or Dad? Last month we celebrated moms with Mother’s Day, and now it’s time to honor dads with Father’s Day. Of course, we hold Mom and Dad in high esteem all year long. We believe each knows what’s best...