The Brooklyn Paper: SNA Newspaper of the Year, 2007

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Smartmom Archive

Smartmom’s Xmas

Smartmom: Smartmom’s tree is a symbol — not of the birth of Jesus, silly, but of her acceptance of her family’s new holiday traditions. Comment.

December 22, 2007

Hepcat can’t wait for his 30th reunion

Smartmom: Hepcat gets the invitation — and it makes the younger — but more neurotic — Smartmom question what she’s accomplished in life. Comment.

December 15, 2007

Latkes and life are best improvised

Smartmom: Hepcat makes latkes the old-fashioned way: He improvises. And therein lies a great life lesson! Comment.

December 8, 2007

Celebrations change, holidays stay the same?

Smartmom: A chance encounter with Painter Mom jumpstarts Smartmom’s holiday dread. Comment.

December 1, 2007

Smartmom trots with the turkeys

Smartmom: Smartmom runs in the Turkey Trot — but why didn’t she tell the hubby and kids? Comment.

November 24, 2007

In sickness, health and opera

Smartmom: The Oh So Feisty One gets sick but Smartmom is the one who needs medication! Comments (1).

November 17, 2007

Smartmom, Hepcat sweep aside memories

Smartmom: Smartmom and her hubby finally threw out their old trash. Now, can they preserve their memories? Comment.

November 10, 2007

Death teaches Smartmom some life lessons

Smartmom: Smartmom’s uncle died last week — but should she take Teen Spirit and the Oh So Feisty One to the funeral? And therein lies another great Smartmom psychodrama! Comment.

November 3, 2007

Teen Spirit is her little mushroom

Smartmom: Teen Spirit is coming out of his shell — but did Smartmom have anything to do with it? Comments (1).

October 27, 2007

How about a ‘thank you’ for Smartmom?

Smartmom: Smartmom learns first-hand that no good deed goes unpunished online. Comment.

October 20, 2007

Smartmom and OSFO love ‘Gossip Girl’

Perspective: Smartmom and her daughter are addicted to the new show, “Gossip Girl.” It’s like “The O.C.,” only better (it’s in Brooklyn!). Comments (1).

October 13, 2007

Hepcat learns the secret to long life: fight!

Smartmom: Smartmom and Hepcat are fighting again — but this time, it’s for their health! Comment.

October 6, 2007

A tribute to an old friend

Smartmom: A tribute to Best and Oldest — Smartmom’s best and oldest. Comment.

September 29, 2007

You forgot your pencil

Smartmom: Smartmom follows the supposedly independent Oh So Feisty One to school. And all heck breaks out! Comment.

September 22, 2007

Smartmom is no Blanche DuBois

Smartmom: Smartmom learns to rely on the kindness of her friends, not strangers. Comment.

September 15, 2007

Smartmom’s still worrying

Smartmom: The start of the school year has been an emotional roller coaster for Smartmom. So what else is new? Comment.

September 8, 2007

It’s the last first day for Smartmom

Smartmom: Smartmom and her fellow mom-friends mark the opening day of school. Comment.

September 1, 2007

New doll makes her feel historic

Smartmom: American Girl releases a 1970s doll as part of its “historical” collection. Man, does that make Smartmom is feel old, or what? Comments (2).

August 25, 2007

Smartmom floats a lead balloon

Smartmom: Smartmom takes on the Chinese! Comments (1).

August 18, 2007

Third birthday party is ‘Ducky’

Smartmom: Ducky turns 3 — and all rejoice. Comment.

August 11, 2007

The Hamptons ain’t for kids

Smartmom: Smartmom noticed it first: there was a note on the menu blackboard and in the menu as well that said: It is a condition of service at the Clam Bar that all children must stay in their seats. Comment.

August 4, 2007

In Slope, the sidewalks have eyes

Smartmom: What happens in the idyllic brownstone neighborhood of Park Slope if you see a teenager smoking a cigarette on Seventh Avenue? Comment.

July 28, 2007

Smartmom finds that there’s no escape from this vacation

Smartmom: Smartmom went to Block Island — alone — and did not want to come back. Comment.

July 21, 2007

Why won’t OSFO write?

Smartmom: The Oh So Feisty One has been away at summer camp for more than a week and Smartmom hasn’t received a letter. Not one friggin’ letter. Comment.

July 14, 2007

It’s an Ingmar Bergman time of life

Smartmom: Smartmom has been on a steady diet of Ingmar Bergman movies — and now she knows why. Comment.

June 30 – July 7, 2007

With graduation, tears

Smartmom: Smartmom attends a PS 321 graduation — and she becomes a blubbering mess. Wait ’til next year, when the Oh So Feisty One graduates! Comment.

June 23, 2007

Tribute to a great lady

Smartmom: Smartmom looks back at a great neighbor. Comment.

June 16, 2007

Public school is best because she’s broke

Smartmom: Smartmom has always been a strong believer in public schools — so no wonder she gets angry when friends leave PS 321 for the supposedly greener pastures of private school. Comment.

June 9, 2007

Smartmom is going on a diet

Smartmom: Smartmom is battling the bulge — yet trying not to teach the Oh So Feisty the wrong lesson about body image. Comment.

June 2, 2007

Teen Spirit gets kitty-cornered

Smartmom: Smartmom finally says “no” to Teen Spirit. Call Mr. Guinness! Comment.

May 26, 2007

Lessons of parenting in a tiny yellow bird

Smartmom: Smartmom sees a rare bird and learns about being a better mother. Comment.

May 19, 2007

Too much on Smartmom’s plate

Smartmom: Smartmom is just too damn busy! Comment.

May 12, 2007

Smartmom & OSFO apart for the 1st time

Smartmom: For the first time in 10 years, Smartmom and the Oh So Feisty One are going their separate ways — and both are looking forward to it. Comment.

May 5, 2007

A mea culpa to stepmoms everywhere

Smartmom: Smartmom learns to stop worrying and love her stepmom. Comment.

April 28, 2007

Once again, America asks: What to tell the children?

Smartmom: Smartmom learns a lesson about how to break bad news to kids. Comment.

April 21, 2007

Trying to avoid becoming Ms. Frump in middle age

Smartmom: Our columnist heads to the cosmetics counter for a midlife spruce-up. Comment.

April 14, 2007

A trip with Diaper Diva brings out sibling rivalry

Smartmom: So, Smartmom and her twin sister Diaper Diva went on vacation together — and the fur flies! Comment.

April 7, 2007

Out with the old, into the bathroom

Smartmom: Smartmom ruffles some feathers while cleaning up the clan’s apartment. Comment.

March 31, 2007

Writing the book on a new haggadah

Smartmom: Smartmom tries out the new Buddhist haggadah. Comment.

March 24, 2007

Help wanted: Hepcat needs a job

Smartmom: Sound the alarm: Hepcat got laid off! Comment.

March 17, 2007

Wanna stay together? Have time apart

Smartmom: Look, Smartmom and Hepcat are NOT headed for Splitsville. They just like some time apart, OK? Comment.

March 10, 2007

Beautiful Smile tells all: Secret of life: ‘Kids, love and God’

Smartmom: Smartmom has an exclusive sit-down with her nanny, Beautiful Smile. Dumb Editor accuses her of double-dipping. Comment.

March 3, 2007

Smartmom takes on Times weasel

Smartmom: Smartmom wants to know: Does New York Times Op-Ed columnist David Brooks know anything about Park Slope? Comment.

February 24, 2007

Smartmom has Fly-On-The-Wall Syndrome

Smartmom: Teen Spirit’s band was playing a “no-adults-allowed” gig. Guess who crashed the party. Comment.

February 17, 2007

It’s that time of year again

Smartmom: Snow was in the forecast. Valentine’s Day was coming (it’s Hepcat’s least-favorite Hallmark holiday). And in the middle of everything, Smartmom found out that one of her paying projects has been substantially downsized. Comment.

February 10, 2007

Feeling the Valentine’s love

Smartmom: The inside story on Marian Fontana’s engagement. Comment.

February 3, 2007

A trip through time at Two Boots

Smartmom: Smartmom goes to Two Boots and starts reeling in the years. Comment.

January 27, 2007

Alternadad is an idiot!

Smartmom: Smartmom goes to Neal Pollack’s reading at the Tea Lounge and finds the humor writer’s take on parenting not that funny at all. Catfight! Comment.

January 20, 2007

OSFO gets a piano

Smartmom: The fingers are flying as the Oh So Feisty One finally gets a piano. Comment.

January 13, 2007

Suburban pals a memory

Smartmom: Smartmom misses her friends that have fled from Park Slope. Comment.

January 6, 2007

Teen Spirit’s New Year’s IM showed a real lack of IQ

Smartmom: Aside from the drunken woman who threw up (and just missed Smartmom) on the A train, Smartmom spent an exceedingly pleasant New Year’s Eve drinking champagne and sparkling cider with Hepcat, the Oh So Feisty One and a gaggle of college friends in the West Village. Comment.
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