Hats off to all of us for how often we've managed to act like civilized people while running errands with our small children. If it's any consolation, this is a reminder that this is time well spent on several levels, including an incredibly natural way to instill a countless number of values.

Some of us have been blessed with a calm demeanor and yet still manage to give birth to very energetic kids that may have a hard time calming down during life moments that don't go their way. And some of us, ourselves, have a harder time maintaining our calm center when the yuck hits the fan. Yet all of us seem to want our kids to know or learn how to self-regulate. How to keep from exploding when faced with disappointment or a setback.

Here's what makes the most sense to me: The fact that we technically exist because of sex, of one form or another, leads me to rank it's importance as obviously fundamental until further notice.

I can't help but feel that a huge shift in our collective take on public behavior is in order right about now.

Many of us have been conditioned not to feel too many feelings in public, even if we feel them. I mean, like while we're around actual non virtual, in-the-flesh people who are relative strangers. And I can without a doubt see the merit in being tasteful and private. Even more so now that we're actually encouraged to attach an "is feeling..." to each photo we post from each location we visit and each dessert we order as we present them to 1000 of our closest friends. I can see the merit in updating a few norms, both in-person and virtual, and to adding a few filters to our social media behavior so that content leads more towards the meaningful or truly entertaining.

This post is about the thousands and millions of people who utter the words "Sorry" the moment they start to cry.

Maybe this rings true for you, too: If we can continuously feel our partner's deep love for us, and if that feeling is mutual, we can handle just about anything life dishes out. This is not a foolproof statement, but it comes pretty close.

"The responsibility of single-handedly keeping your offsprings’ organs and extremities safe, and doing so on very little sleep, bears little resemblance to the times ahead."

When I was growing up, a few things about the "good enough" parent probably wouldn't go over as such today. Something that stands out for me is the stories I heard from my mother about children coming out to their parents about their sexuality.

Here's a surprisingly accessible introductory tool for your child to see both himself or herself, and to see others.

Note to self and others on taking responsibility for our children's response-ability.

Here's a scenario that may sound familiar. You walk in the door after a long, grueling day. The buffer between you and what awaits you at home is only mild traffic, at best, some last-minute phone calls made from your car, and possibly even a stop at the grocery store for those one or two requested items. Your end game is the time you will finally get to spend in the bathroom.