Richard Roeper, go jump in a lake. Okay, that’s immature. But that was my honest first reaction to Roeper’s recent column, “January Jones leads in Gross Moms bracket,” where an unmarried, childless film critic decides to bash dedicated celebrity moms and showcase his ignorance all in one fell swoop. What’s a “gross mom”? According to […]
Posted inPluck
The Feral Child Playground
I have a confession to make. Part of my ideal mothering world involves not interacting too much with my kid on the playground. Now, before you accuse me of being a fun-hating monster (false), or just a jerk who wants to enjoy a latte in peace on a bench (true), hear me out. Since soon […]
Posted inReviews
‘Cabin in the Woods’ Is/Isn’t What You Think
“Cabin in the Woods” is a movie that is a little difficult to review, because once you really get into the details, you’ve totally ruined the movie. There are other reasons besides the twisted plot to enjoy this movie, but it’s that twisty plot that provides a lot of the enjoyment for the first half. […]
Posted inPluck
The Improvisational Parent
Well hello there! Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Liz and I’m making it up as I go. To a certain extent, I think we’ll all admit that this is true of ourselves. But this truth — that we’re basically just winging it — becomes especially pronounced when we become parents. And by “truth” […]
Posted inPluck
The Tyranny of the Perfect Birth
I was sitting across from her at the table with my 2-week-old in my lap when I heard the question. “So, did you have a natural birth?” It was one of those moments in conversations where you’re supposed to reply quickly – no room for qualifiers, explanations or sentences starting with “Well…” Except I didn’t […]
Posted inNews Archive
CAASE Founder Rachel Durchslag on Transforming Chicago’s Response to Sexual Exploitation
Rachel Durchslag founded the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) in 2006 to change the way the city responds to sexual exploitation through education, advocating for victims and decreasing demand. Six years later, CAASE is transforming Chicago’s response to prostitution, sex trafficking and sexual assault. To learn more, go to http://www.caase.org. JV: Why do you do what […]
Posted inMile-High Club
My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)
As I get ready for a life of nearly full-time travel, I’m both thrilled to see new places and sad to be leaving Chicago behind. (I’ll be here on weekends, but it sounds more melodramatic this way.) Every day leading up to my first trip feels like a farewell love letter to the Chi, and […]
Posted inWhat Will You Re-?
April: Time to Remove
I’m a big mover. I’ve moved dozens of times over the past decade, apartment to apartment, city to city, Las Vegas to Chicago to New York to Seattle. “That’s a big move,” the moving guy said to me while he was preparing my quote for that last one. Over the last few years, one of […]
Posted inForest for the Trees
Rotten Lucky Job
Dear Vered, I’m currently employed in a fairly stable, decently paying job. I realize I’m lucky to have a job, but that doesn’t change the fact I really, really don’t enjoy it. I’d like to look for a new job, but don’t want to let anyone at my current gig know I’m doing so. I’m […]
Posted inForest for the Trees
Mom on the Verge of Eviction
Dear Vered, My 17-year-old daughter is out of control. After years of being a good student and generally good kid, she seems to have lost her way the last few weeks. She keeps blowing curfew, just got kicked out of the school play and doesn’t seem to care about keeping her grades up. She says […]