San Diego subcultures
Moonies, Asian refugees, boxing aspirants, craftsmen, Chabad Jews, future ballet dancers
Various Authors 8:30 a.m., Oct. 20
Kid Stuff
Best of Anne Albright's Kid Stuff columns
Intimate writing about life as a mom
The case for motherhood Unlike a lot of my classmates, I don’t practice law anymore. I stay at home with my kids. On a good day, I’m happy about my decisions. I wouldn’t trade Johnny’s ...
Road trip to Washington State
We would drive to Mt. Shasta the first day
We’re getting ready to hit the road. This Thursday at 4:00 a.m., I plan to herd my five children into our loaded Ford E- 350 van and head north toward Seattle. We’re vacationing this year ...
The big screen
“I didn’t like that movie. I want to go home.”
We don’t go out to the movies very often. After last Monday, I remember why. Jack and I have taken our kids to the movies in what Ben calls a “feeater” exactly twice. The first ...
Mad Mom
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR BREAKFAST?” I bellowed.
Last Saturday I got mad. I don’t get mad very often. I’d been building up to this particular tantrum for the past few months. Jack has been busy. Jack’s always busy. Since the first of ...
Beneath Cleopatra's dignity
Mother's Day at Costco
My expectations used to be higher for Mother’s Day. When I was a young mother with only small children, I believed the world should stop for the mid-May holiday. In the weeks leading up to ...
Knott's Berry Farm's scary waterfalls
Like Disneyland but not as fancy
Every time I do something new with my kids, I feel a little older. Last Christmas, Jack’s parents sent us a check for $200 with a note that read, “Please use this gift to do ...
Strep strikes hard
Christmas is two weeks away.
Tis the season…for strep and high fevers and mopping vomit off the bathroom floor. I’m feeling a little melancholy this year. Like the song at the beginning of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sad and slow. ...
Old heartthrob at Legoland
I never became the real girlfriend
On my 12th anniversary, I ran into an old friend. Sitting on a low wall at Legoland waiting for three of my five children to emerge from an exhibit, I saw Brian walk past. He ...
Billy Blazes
2003 Cedar and Paradise fires — seen from Escondido and San Marcos
The last Sunday in October, we awoke to the smell of smoke and an ochre sky. Jack dozed. I followed Johnny and Ben downstairs. “Can I play Bionicle website?” Johnny asked. His thick chestnut hair ...
Goodbye Baby
Jack's face was wet again with tears.
Friday evening, my unborn baby slipped from my body in a mess of blood and pain and disappointment. The day had not started out well. I awoke Friday morning to find I’d begun spotting. I ...
Pregnant on Prozac
Studies were all over the place
On Mother’s Day this year, I will be nine weeks closer to being a mother again. My husband Jack is thrilled. My five kids are ecstatic. I am filled with joy and nausea. Two and ...
Rebecca started stealing all my skinny clothes
She wears things that I love
A slow migration has begun in my house. About six months ago, my oldest daughter, Rebecca, started borrowing my clothes. Rebecca has borrowed my clothes before. To play dress-up. Over the years, dresses and suits ...
Ash Wednesday
"I see the Pope"
The liturgical year rolls around. In each of the 13 years that have passed since I came back to the Catholic Church, I have lived the Church’s year like a shadow of the secular year. ...
We didn't have a street address in Pine Valley
Rain and wind and long ago
I took my children on a trip to my past. Friday after Thanksgiving, I herded Rebecca, Angela, Johnny, and Ben into our van. Lucy, who had awakened with a fever, stayed at home with my ...
Anne takes Prozac
"Mommies just need to go to the doctor sometimes”
Where are we going, Mommy?” my oldest son Johnny asked me this past Friday morning. We had already dropped Johnny’s three older sisters — Rebecca, Angela, and Lucy — at school. We had driven home. ...
