Soldiers serving stateside and overseas have no way of knowing just how much their moms will miss them this Mother's Day.

It’s become obvious to me lately that we’re at a crossroads. The suburban soccer mom lifestyle, long ridiculed by some, idealized by others, is becoming far too expensive for the average family to maintain. Most of us have never been the “ladies who lunch,” camera-ready, “Desperate Housewives” look-alikes with perfect hair and nails in the first place — many American moms hold part-time jobs and juggle a lack of retirement benefits with the investment of time put into our children — but right now, as we speak, the very hallmark of our existence is endangered.

Parenting column: Parents can communicate to teens that their worth and identity aren't found within a group of friends and that you love them for their uniqueness and individuality, not their ability to blend in.

Parenting column: Parents can make an enormous impact on their teen’s chance of finding a job or volunteering opportunity that can teach them about financial responsibility and living up to expectations not set by parents but by the world at large.

Around here, everyone’s getting ready for the Kentucky Derby. It won’t be long until the first Saturday in May, and the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Along with the bright pink tulips and yellow daffodils popping up, we’ve got signs for “get your Derby hat here,” or “Derby party supplies.” Come Derby Day, anyone with a heart will be huddled around a television set at a family potluck, sipping mint juleps with friends, or lying lazily on the couch, dabbing away tears for the memories of Barbaro, Secretariat, and the like.

Around here, everyone’s getting ready for the Kentucky Derby. It won’t be long until the first Saturday in May, and the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.

Parenting column: By engaging teens through music, parents are given a valuable opportunity to peer into the life of their teen.

Parenting column: Most teens interviewed after making a suicide attempt say that they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with.