Stories by Gwen Rockwood
RSSTHE ROCKWOOD FILES: If Shoe Fits
TANTRUMS A PROBLEM
Today I saw a little girl in Target have a meltdown while her mother and grandmother tried desperately to talk her out of it. I felt bad for them because, as a fellow mom, I’ve been on the receiving end of a toddler tantrum, so I know how it feels. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Columnist Recounts Two Proms
NUMEROUS DIFFERENCES FOUND IN EXPERIENCES 22 YEARS APART
Last weekend I went to the prom — but not the kind with all the awkward teenage drama. This one was a “Mom Prom,” a tradition begun several years ago in Michigan by a group of mothers. Women liked the idea so much that the concept spread, and this spring there are more than 40 “Mom Proms” being held across the country, each one raising money for a local nonprofit group. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Large And In Charge
HUNTER KEEPS HOME ‘MICE’ FREE
Last night around 11 p.m., we heard a familiar noise from the darkened hallway outside our bedroom door. It was part moan, part growl and part muff ed meow. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Family Food Fight
PICKING YOUR BATTLES
A parent’s job is complex but, when you boil it down to the bare necessities, it revolves around providing three things: love, shelter and food. The love and shelter elements are pretty straightforward. Got those two covered. But the part about food? Oh, why does it have to be so hard? Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: The Swing Is The New Thing
WRITER FINDS INSPIRATION WHILE ENJOYING PLAYTIME
I know I’m probably too old to be this excited about a new toy, but nevertheless, I am. I’ve got a new swing, and I love it. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Bugged By The Bug
FAMILY FIGHTS OFF VIRAL INVADERS
Tick, tick, tick. My paranoia grows with each passing hour. One by one, all three of my kids have fallen victim to a nasty stomach bug that crept into our house last week. And even though physically I feel fine, I’m mentally queasy about the prospect that the virus might be coming for me next. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Swimming Upstream
SOCIAL MEDIA MAY BE A CURRENT TOO SWIFT FOR SOME
When I was growing up, my best friend and I bounced back and forth between our two houses, so we knew each other’s parents pretty well. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: One Thing At A Time
MULTITASKING CREATES ILLUSION OF DOING MORE
In an ironic twist, it turns out that the hardest thing to do is one thing at a time. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Time To Glide
BIRD SYMBOLIZES FREEDOM OF SPRING BREAK
It’s the first day of spring break, and I did something this morning I haven’t done in more than a decade. I slept — until noon. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Time Out for Mom
LEAVING THE RING FORCES SETTLING DIFFERENCES
When you give birth to your second child (or third or fourth or fifth), the nice people at the hospital give you a gift as you leave to take the baby home. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Life In The Fast Lane
DIET TAKES DETOUR
Perhaps it was the approach of my 40th birthday that made me want to try it. Or maybe it was because my skinny jeans were starting to feel more like a tourniquet. Regardless of the reason, I decided to try the Fast Diet. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Personal ‘Big One’ Is Coming
WRITER APPROACHES MID-LIFE MILESTONE
When I was a kid, my dad’s favorite television show was “Sanford and Son” — a sitcom about a grouchy 65-year-old junkyard owner named Fred Sanford and his adult son, Lamont. There was no Mrs. Sanford in the show because Fred’s wife, Elizabeth, had passed away years earlier. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Tales Of A Quitter
CHILDREN’S SOUNDS MUSIC TO MOTHER’S EARS
Over the years, my mother let me quit a few things. After several failed attempts at sewing lessons, she accepted that the one and only thing I ever produced was a bath towel wrap with a piece of Velcro sloppily stitched to it. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: T Is For Team, At Work And Home
FAMILY ALWAYS THE BEST PLACE TO BELONG
Most parents want certain things for their kids — good health, love, happiness and a strong faith. But sometimes when I’m watching our three kids goofing around together, the thing I wish for most is that they’ll always be on each other’s team. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: After Midnight
MIDDLE-AGE MEANS SLEEP AT YOUR OWN RISK
One of the surest signs of aging is the ability to get hurt in bed — even when all you’ve done is G-rated sleep. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Busy Rhymes With Tizzy
US GLORIFIES NEED TO KEEP DOING
I’ve always been a sucker for great quotes, and I usually find them when I’m surfing around on Pinterest — a website where people “pin” or keep photos, articles and other interesting tidbits they find online. One of the best things I’ve ever found on Pinterest was this quote: “Stop the glorifi cation of busy.” Those fi ve little words reached right off the computer screen and pinned the word “hypocrite” right across my chest. I talk a good game about how much I like and need “down time,” free of appointments and expectations. Sometimes I write about the need to slow down and enjoy the kids and stop rushing around all the time. But the ugly truth is that — like so many people (and you know who you are) — I’m a busy junkie. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: What Happened In Vegas
BIG MILESTONE REQUIRES BIG TRIP TO CELEBRATE
Finding the right gift for your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary is tricky. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, so you want to give a once-in-a-lifetime gift to commemorate it. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Feeding The Beast
PARENTS BATTLE ‘GIMME’ MONSTER
There’s a monster in the house. His name is Gimme, and his attempt to take over the children’s minds is frustrating. Less than one month after Santa’s generosity, the Gimme Monster still can’t stop clamoring for more. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Looking Behind Closed Doors
MOM MAKES STARTLING REFRIGERATOR DISCOVERY
There’s a set of stainless steel doors that get opened and closed in our house at least 20 times a day. And typically when I open those doors, I’m on a hurried mission — to grab the orange juice for the kids or shove a Tupperware dish full of leftovers onto a shelf. In a house with five people, the refrigerator is a busy place. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Squirrel Takes Revenge
ROBOSQUIRREL GOES ON RAMPAGE BEGINNING NEW YEAR’S DAY
On New Year’s Day, we heard the telltale scratching behind the wall in an upstairs closet. We’ve heard that sound two other times during the seven years we’ve lived in this house, so we knew right away what it meant: The squirrels are back. And this time it’s personal. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Scratching the Itch
Every three years or so, my husband Tom gets a certain look in his eye. It’s unmistakable. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: How To Be In The Bee
BOY’S REACTION SPELLS CHARACTER
There are a few things my oldest boy inherited from me that he’s not crazy about — the smattering of freckles across his nose, pale skin that sunburns when we walk past a running microwave and feet that stay at subzero temperature. The gene pool can be cruel at times. Continue reading...
When Good Is Good Enough
IN THE END, MOM AVOIDS THE ‘NAUGHTY’ LIST
Dear Santa, By now you’ve probably received letters from my kids. Don’t worry about the length of their wish lists. I’ve told them not to expect everything on the list to show up under the tree. A trampoline and a pony won’t fit in our living room anyway. Continue reading...
Fifth-Grade Reality Check
BAD MOODS, BOULDERS CREATE NEW CHALLENGES
Last week, there was a foul mood afoot. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Small Moment, Big Question
CHILD BEGINS JOURNEY TO HIS OWN LEAP OF FAITH
Last night we heard the familiar sound of footsteps on the stairs well past bedtime. From the living room, I heard Tom talking in the kitchen to the kid who couldn’t sleep. Over the years, we’ve heard every “I can’t sleep” excuse in the book — not tired, too thirsty, too dark, monster under the bed — but this time was diff erent. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Imposter Syndrome Strikes
Coffee Seems To Be Key To Adulthood
By now, I expected to feel like a grownup. And sometimes I do, like when we sign tax returns or go to a funeral, which is certainly not a ringing endorsement for adulthood. But most of the time, I feel like an imposter — like a kid who somehow ended up in a grownup’s body and is still trying to figure out what she’s doing. Part of me wonders if it all comes down to coffee. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Barbie Doll Wins Battle Of Wills
EVEN PRACTICAL MOM GIVES IN TO BEAUTY
Here’s an ugly secret mothers try to deny, even to ourselves: Sometimes we buy our daughters a few extra things we probably shouldn’t. Is it because we like the girls more? No. We love all our kids equally. Is it because the girls just need more stuff ? Maybe sometimes they do, but that’s not the reason, either. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Running With Scissors
To Cut Or Not To Cut, That Is The Question
Women are known for our ability to form deep and meaningful relationships. And perhaps no relationship is as complex and multi-layered as the one we have with our hair. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: The Mama Curse
WRITER GETS BIG DOSE OF KARMA
Well, I hope you’re happy, Mom. That mama curse you put on me so long ago is now working overtime, and I am, indeed, “paying for my raising.” For those not familiar with this brand of maternal magic, let me explain. The “mama curse” is spewed out at an exasperating child when the mama is at her wits’ end. There are countless variations on it, but the gist of it goes like this: “One day I hope you have a child who acts exactly the way you’re acting right now! Then you’ll know how it feels.” When my mom hexed me, I was young and just rolled my eyes in the charming way children sometimes do. Little did I know that a mama curse doesn’t kick in until decades later. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Laptops Part Of Circle Of Life
WRITER BIDS ELECTRONIC PARTNER A FOND FAREWELL
NEW-AGE OBITUARY Hewlett Packard Pavilion M6000, lovingly known as “Hippy,” died on a local writer’s desk on Sept. 7, 2012. She was almost 5 years old. After weeks of a lingering, undiagnosed illness, Hippy’s screen suddenly went black, and her familiar hum fell silent. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Columnist Learned On The Job
WRITER REFLECTS ON FIRST ADVENTURE IN THE WORKING WORLD AT AGE 18
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — For years I’ve said the main reason I became a writer is because it’s my only marketable skill. Lucky for me, I’m nerdy enough to like stringing words together and have a genuine interest in prepositions and participles, which comes in handy. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: The Dream Of Clean
WHY WEDNESDAY IS A GOOD DAY
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Today will be a good day. By early afternoon the kitchen and bathroom counters will be clean, the fl oors shiny, and there’ll be fresh vacuum cleaner tracks throughout the house. Every other Wednesday by 2 p.m. life is good and orderly and smells like lemons. It’s wonderful. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Beagle’s Constant Barking Tiresome
WRITER SUSPECTS DOG NEEDS MORE TRAINING
I’m beginning to think although our dog Charlie has been blessed with a superpowered beagle nose, perhaps he didn’t get a great deal of beagle brains. I’d like to believe he’s the smartest dog around, but it’s getting harder to ignore the mounting evidence that indicates otherwise. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: New Phases Of Life Begin
YOUNGEST CHILD STARTS SCHOOL, MOM ADJUSTS TO QUIET HOME
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Suddenly, I’m sitting in a quiet house. The boys have gone back to school, and this time they took Kate with them. Kate, the baby of the family, started kindergarten on Monday, carrying off with her the new Tinkerbell backpack stuffed full of school supplies and waiting by the back door. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: What’s In Your Basket?
RECEIPTS SAY A LOT ABOUT PEOPLE
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — I have a theory that check-out clerks know a lot about people. And they don’t have to read tea leaves to do it. That long receipt tape curling out of their cash register tells them plenty. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Heat Wave Brings On Memories
DROUGHT RECALLS WORSE DAYS SURVIVED
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Sweaty greetings from the middle of a heat wave. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Confessions Of A Product Junkie
WRITER GETS FIX ON COMMON PROBLEM
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — One morning as I was brushing my teeth, I heard clattering coming from the shower followed by my husband’s not-so-chipper morning voice. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Paging Dr. Mom To The OR
MOTHER, SON GET LESSON IN FACING DREAD
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — I’ve performed my first successful surgery, and the patient is recovering nicely. I didn’t want to operate but I was the only one here when 8-year-old Jack ran his hand along the wooden banister and got a splinter in his fi nger. Tears and wailing started immediately. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Furry Friend Returns From Brink
PERSISTENT PERCY HAS CLOSE CALL
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Today I’m making good on my word. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Dream Big And Pack A Sharpie
MOTHER REMEMBERS THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM TO GROW
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Often the best conversations I have with my kids happen on the way to somewhere. I don’t remember what errand we were running when my son, Adam, and I had this exchange, but I’ll remember the talk for a long time. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Happy Birthday To Us
HOLIDAY OFFERS PARADE FOR THE SENSES
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Every holiday has its perks. But the Fourth of July is perhaps the best one when it comes to the wild ride it offers the senses. Continue reading...
SCHOOL NEWS
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Arkansas Tech University in Russellville announced its dean’s list, which requires at least a 3.5 grade point average with 12 or more semester hours. Students with a 4.0 GPA are marked with an *asterisk. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Writer Snubs So-Called Shoes
FLIP-FLOPS NOT ALWAYS APPROPRIATE
Recently we took the kids to an amusement park. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Husband, Father Get Ultimate Gift
TOP 10 THINGS THE MEN WERE RIGHT ABOUT
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — One day Tom accused me of not being able to admit when I’m wrong. I told him he was probably wrong about that, but I did take his comment under advisement. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Middle Child Gets High Marks
BIRTHDAY LETTER EXTOLS BOY’S CHARM, HEART, PERSONALITY
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Dear Jack, Eight years ago tonight, we met for the first time. I was the exhausted woman with the lovely epidural drip. You were the very red, very loud newborn who came roaring into the room at 11 p.m. You fi t into my arms like a puzzle piece, and I marveled at your perfect skin and wavy hair. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Is ‘Downtime’ A Dirty Word?
MOM QUESTIONS THE EXTRA IN EXTRACURRICULAR
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — When our daughter Kate was almost 3, I walked into the living room and caught her climbing the wall — literally. She’d scaled a wingback chair and stepped from the top onto a window ledge. Balancing on the thin strip of wood, she grabbed the window casing near the ceiling. When I spotted her, she was hanging by her fingertips, smiling widely at her gravity-defying achievement. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Young Brothers Blaze Texting Trails
MOM WITNESSES A DIGITAL FIRST
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — For generations, parents have been taking note of fi rst steps, first words and first days of school. But today’s parents also witness a whole new breed of “digital firsts” that our great-greatgrandparents never could have even imagined. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Boredom Plan Prepared
LIST OF CHORES AT THE READY
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — There’s a countdown under way. My boys announce it each morning as they bound down the stairs to leave for school. “Seven more days of school, Mom!” Jack called out happily as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Writers Need Thin Skin
KIDS PUT REJECTION LETTER IN PERSPECTIVE FOR MOM
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Today I got a rejection letter for a book manuscript. Continue reading...
THE ROCKWOOD FILES: Dreams Come True
BOY’S WISH FOR NEW WHEELS INSPIRES PURCHASE
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Now that our oldest son has oft cially hit double-digits in age, he’s thinking of his future — his driving future. His 16th birthday is still six years away (thankfully), but suddenly cars are very cool. Continue reading...
