Today we’re talking about periods. Specifically, we’re talking about how it can take a while – like sometimes years – for your kid’s periods to become regular. Katie McPherson explains: “It can be normal for periods to be irregular in the first couple of years after they start because of something called ovulatory dysfunction.” Instead of monthly, most kids in that first year or two of irregularity can expect their period every 21 to 45 days, Dr. Streich-Tilles, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine, told her. In short, don’t panic if your kid’s period is all over the place. Just be calm, cool and collected.

Jen McGuire knows what it’s like to be a single mom during the holidays. She writes today, “You are alone for Thanksgiving. Your kids are with your ex-partner for the holiday dinner. All bets are off. That means it’s OK to make a turkey and stuffing sandwich and eat it on the couch in your pajamas by yourself. It’s OK to order a pizza with toppings your kids would hate and eat it right out of the box. It’s OK to sleep in, to say no to every invitation, or to say yes to every invitation. To watch 10 hours of television or go for a walk in the woods or go out to a friend’s house for dinner or check into a hotel with a pool and float the weekend away.” Let her guide you through this weird stage of separation with ease and kindness.