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- No! I Don’t WANT to Comment on the Now-Infamous Time Magazine Breastfeeding Cover Story! (But, Okay, I Will)
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- It’s Book-Launch Day! Mean Moms *Do* Rule!
- What Would the Easter Bunny Say? Helicopter Parents Ruin Colorado Easter Egg Hunt
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- Bringing Up Bebe Part II: French Moms Don’t Play in the Guilt Olympics. (Me, Either)
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Denise Schipani
photo by Mark Bennington Photography
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Denise for more than a decade. Every time I assign her a story I walk away patting myself on the back for making such a great decision. I know that she’ll deliver well-researched, creative copy that captures the tone of the magazine, is reader-friendly, and, above all, imparts new and useful information. In short: she’s the best.
--Debra Witt, Articles Editor, Runner’s World
Denise not only pitches great ideas, I can count on her to deliver pieces with her trademark wit and verve, even when it's a quick turnaround.
--MP Dunleavey, Editor in Chief, DailyWorth.com
For several years, I worked with Denise on her Mommy Confidential column in American Baby. Pregnant women and new moms got her girlfriend-y, spot-on, in-the-trenches advice about everything from playground bullies to intrusive in-laws. Denise is an absolute gem and a pleasure to work with!
--Tricia O'Brien, Features Editor, American Baby
From Denise's essay, Dear Karen
"I'm still upset about the last time I saw you. I know, I know, it was more than a decade ago by now. And it's taken me forever to apologize, but just know that all this time, I've not been pleased with myself because of it. I let you down. I haven't even been to your grave yet, and I can no longer keep making the excuse that I'm here in New York and you're buried way up in Maine, near your parents' cabin and that lovely lake."
From Denise's essay, Like a Rock
"...I understand just enough about geology to know that it takes millions of years for carbon, pressed deep in the earth, to turn into diamonds. And I also know that the same earth that produces the sparkly stones is not so solid. It's on the move all the time, giant plates shifting under foot while we pretend it's safe.."
Copyright © 2012 Mean Moms Rule by Denise Schipani.
Design by Ron S. Doyle at Waterday Media, powered by WordPress and Hybrid.
Fascinating blog, Denise! I love it! It’s different, it presents a message that is SOOOOOO needed and SOOOOO unique from a lot of what I hear and see out there…I’ll be back to read more. Keep it up!
Meanmommy,
I think your blog is fantastic, and I must say I LOVE your approach to childrearing! I just stumbled upon your blog today, but so far everything I’ve read suggests that you have your head on straight and you’re raising your kids to have theirs on straight too! I have my own views on childrearing, and if your blog is any indication then I will be a ‘meanmommy’ too! Keep up the good work!
Sheryl,
Thank you! I love it when people stumble on over — I hope you keep reading.
best wishes,
Denise
Huh.
After reading a few of your blog entries, I found myself wondering, “When did I start writing a blog?” It was a bit surreal actually, reading some of the exact topics, that I find myself expounding upon to my friends (and, well, strangers, if they’ll listen).
Glad to know I’m not the only “mean mommy” out there.
Hello, Denise…My wife just insisted that I read your Newsday column on “Bad mom” and we’re both so glad somebody out there finally confirmed what we’ve been thinking (but would never say in so many words) to our daughter in law in the city, who is certainly one of those helicopter parents over our 3-l/2 yr old grandson. In fact, you must know her, based on what you wrote in your column! Crossing a little-traveled Manhattan sidestreet, he must be put in his stroller because God forbid grandpa or grandma could cross him (since they both would obviously be unaware of a speeding Hummer racing to plow the poor kid down!) And if we give him one freakin’ french fry, we get a ten minute lecture on how we could be introducing him to fried foods and obviously ruining his health, longevity, intellectual capacity, and probably sociability!
It never occurs to our daughter in law that somehow, we raised our son (her husband) without getting him killed!
Keep up the hopeless campaign to restore the sanity to child-rearing!
Best,
Jay
Jericho
Thanks Jay! Sometimes it seems grandparents have to fight the good fight. I appreciate you coming to my blog to comment. I’m going my best and I certainly hope restoring some sanity to childrearing isn’t a hopeless fight.
best wishes,
Denise
I think you are right! And I know I have felt completely alone at times in wanting to see school-aged children treat each other with acceptance and tolerance. When a fellow mom working with me in one of my children’s kindergarten classrooms years ago told me her son was super competitive, I thought she was apologizing. But over the years that followed, I watched in disbelief as she encouraged her son to only win-at all costs: rough play and fouls on the soccer field, cheating in class. And in my daughters kindergarten class, a mean girl with a “superior-minded” mom transfered mid-year into the school district. It was like night and day before they transfered and after they arrived! The mood was upbeat before. And fear and mean-hearted games were obvious within one week after! The mom promptly ran for and won a seat on the school board. This mother/daughter team then carved up the entire population of girls in the grade between a cruel and exclusive group who actually believed they were above the school staff and a secondary larger group of “want-to-bes.” With this social structure in place, the entire female population of the grade would target one girl at a time until they broke her. By the time this group reached sixth grade, 5 of the families pulled their girls out of the school, and the staff and PTA formed an anti-bullying task force. It failed because the girls believed they were above it all. I think the problem gets worse when moms who encourage exclusionary play come on campus to volunteer without getting a clear message from the school and teacher about the way the students are expected to treat each other. So many moms on campus is so great, but can also create the potential for the unofficial social messages they may bring to become a contributing factor to the meanness that is becoming more frequent in school. Social curriculum should teach and enforce empathy. This may be the only way to teach parents how to teach, or at least mimic a more acceptable behavior. Thank you for your voice!
Hi Denise,
I tried to visit & “like” your FB page but it kept giving em an error message; did you change it?
I was trying to reach out to get your opinion on discipline/punishment. I have twin boys (turning two in Feb.) and I am at a loss as to what I “should” be doing. Since you have two boys I’ really looking for personal insight & advice. Thanks in advance for your reply! mo(dot)reilley(at)gmail(dot)com All the best!!