Articles written by Deborah Nies

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About me - Deborah Nies

I am the Madison Tween Parenting Examiner on Examiner.com. I also write two of my own blogs. Wandering Wisconsin with Kids is devoted to exploring fun places to visit with children. My other personal blog examines the trials and joys in raising daughters.

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: My greatest accomplishments: 4 of 162
The Noble Art of Letting Things Slide or Anti-"Accomplishments""Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone." - Lin YutangI totally subscribe to the quote above, but some people would not be comfortable with the concept. I recognize that "leaving things undone" is an art. I do... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): 1 of 17
I consider myself a creative person and I have often thought that to be a true artist or a creative soul, a little mental illness is required. (Think Van Gogh.) Additionally, I have always told people that I aspired to live a life in which others would ultimately label me as an eccentric. But, as time passes, I realize that t... More..
Travel > Travel Diaries & Adventures (Other) Weird travel stories: 7 of 69
Surgery at 35,000 feet in the Friendly Skies Last week we took our annual summer vacation. Our destination spot this trip was San Diego. Our flight at o'dark thirty from Madison to Chicago was uneventful, which is just how I prefer flights in the metal death tube to be. We boarded the plane in Chicago for our four-hour flig... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) What it takes to be a parent: 11 of 75
So, you've decided to have a baby. Congratulations. You have signed up for the world's toughest occupation complete with the lowest pay rate. Not to mention, all of your training will be hands-on, by the seat of your pants.The good news is that parenting is, hands down, the best and most rewarding job that you will ever do in... More..
Style & Beauty > Hair Styles Accepting your natural hair texture: 2 of 13
I Have Naturally Curly HairIt's taken a long time, but I have come to an understanding with my naturally curly hair. I AM Frieda, from the Charlie Brown gang, who told anyone who'd listen, "I have naturally curly hair." That's me, too. People ask me all the time, "Is your hair naturally curly? When I reply, "Yes, it is," I ha... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Writing a journal and thoughts on writing: 4 of 25
Bedtime Journal with your ChildWhen I was pregnant with my daughter, I kept a daily journal to share with her one day when she was older. I continued to update it sporadically for the first two years of her life. It is a tough thing to keep up with a journal. Procrastination sets in...time passes.Recently, I was thinking abou... More..
Sports & Recreation > Sports & Recreation (Other) How sports can help develop life skills in children: 3 of 17
Being Olympian Raising a confident child means that sometimes you need to allow them to fail. Playing sports can teach good sportsmanship and develop self-confidence. My daughter has been a member of a swim team for 15 months. She is a good swimmer, but at her current rate, she will never be Dara Torres. But even though she... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Baby Developmental Stages Assessing "It takes a village to raise a child": 7 of 38
It Does Take a Village"You are a good mom."A few weeks after my Step Mom told me the above statement, I still find myself contemplating it.I do believe that I am a good Mom...I just wonder HOW I got to be one. I certainly did not learn it at my own birth mother's knee. For that is how I think of her - the woman who gave birth... More..
Relationships & Family > Friends & Peers (Other) A very special friend: 5 of 24
That's Just Todd One could never accuse my friend, Todd, of not being in touch with his inner child; it was the "outer adult" thing that often caused him problems. On a typical weekday morning, Todd would stroll into John Deere Credit Company ten minutes early. His still-damp, bailing-twine blonde mane would fly free from b... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Preparing your daughter for her menstrual cycle: 4 of 18
Your "Friend" is Coming to Town?My mother and I never discussed menstruation. One day when I was 13 years old, my period arrived while I was at my Aunt's house. I was completely mortified, petrified and unprepared. The whole period thing was a complete mystery that was talked about in hushed tones, and in strange euphemisms l... More..