I’m not a parenting expert, but I play a mom in real life. My business card says it all: “Stay-at-home mom who never stays home.” My readers call me the “Jewish Erma Bombeck,” which is the ultimate compliment considering this famed writer made leftover meatloaf sound hilarious.  Lookie here!  My story appeared on Erma’s website.

Plus, if stretch marks and caffeine addiction aren’t sufficient enough qualifications to write a parenting blog, I actually graduated in 1986 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and learned how to squeeze who-what-when-where-why-how into one lead sentence.  Since then, my writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country and blogosphere. “Mishegas of Motherhood” originated as a weekly column in the St. Louis Jewish Light in 2006. I’m also the co-director/producer of Listen To Your Mother, a national series of live readings by local writers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Born of the creative work of mothers who publish online, each production is directed, produced, and performed by local communities, for local communities.

10 More Things About Me

1. I like making lists because it’s easier to write than paragraphs, transitions, and punctuation.
2. I was a featured author in the 2011 St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, which is the largest literary event of its kind in the country.
3. I have two teenagers, and, as far as I know, they never got thrown in jail, got kicked out of school, or got a tattoo. So, I consider myself a reliable source when it comes to raising children.
4. My first “real” job was writing obituaries for a newspaper.
5. I have no sense of direction when I’m driving. I even walk circles inside my house.
6. My column “Jewish Girls Don’t Camp” won a national writing contest and inspired a webisode on the groundbreaking online comedy series In The Motherhood, which reached more than 20 million viewers. I won a free trip to Hollywood and a makeover at a Beverly Hills hair salon.
7. I have more professional portraits of my apricot toy poodle Luci than I do my own kids.
8. I rarely follow recipes when I cook, and it tastes like it.
9. My favorite place to be is the beach, looking for seashells with my family.
10. If it weren’t for my mom, I wouldn’t be here.
11. My writing is inspired by my two teenagers, my husband, and my dog, but not necessarily in that order.
12. I’m better with words than numbers.

Here’s my interview with Virginia Kerr on Great Day St. Louis. (Remember, the camera adds 10 pounds).