Impossible to compartmentalize.
Karen is a partner with the international summer consulting firm, Camp Experts & Teen Summers, which has given her opportunity to serve as a big sister to so many moms with which she consults. She loves to share her experiences, mistakes, humor and sensitivity with clients, friends and readers of her blog, LifeMeisters, which is dedicated to living better by being better. She is incredibly proud of her three independent grown sons who are definitely the result of trial and error method of parenting.
Posts by Karen Meister
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on August 18, 2017
I admit it. I took the candy. And at 9 years old, I felt so guilty that under the cloak of darkness, I jumped the fence, crossed the busy street, put the stolen candy in the mailbox in front of...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on May 24, 2017
Wednesday morning, I get a terrified plea from my 60+ year old long distance boyfriend. "I am in a lot of pain. I'm scared. I really want you here. Please fly up. I need you." Not one to panic, I...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on January 9, 2017
The alarms are going off at 5:30 in the morning. As I sleepily walk through the halls trying to identify the source of the noise, I find myself leaving my apartment and entering the hallway air conditioning closet. I unlock...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on October 13, 2016
"I'll take care of it. Don't worry!" That's what I always say, always do, and I know I am not the only mom/wife who says these words. Sometimes, wait, most of the time, it is just easier to do it...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on September 26, 2016
As I complete the 40th anniversary of my freshman year, I am about to return home with the same feelings as I did when I came back for Thanksgiving my freshman year of college. Returning home to my very wonderful and...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on September 14, 2016
Hospital Corners! My counselors at sleepaway camp taught me. I brought my skill home at the ripe old age of 9 and that was it. I now had to make my bed every day. Every day! Get the clothes...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on August 26, 2016
It was an amazing thrill to sing into a microphone again. It has been almost 4 decades since I did it last. OMG! How did I get so old? What did I study in college? I was a business major,...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on July 21, 2016
Well, the summer is halfway gone and I am thrilled with all of the beautiful pictures that I see on Facebook. Kids have big smiles with different types of signs that were prearranged with mom and dad before leaving for...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on June 22, 2016
With tears rolling down my face, I am begging my children never to leave me. What could I possibly do without them for the whole summer? I can't imagine that their lives could possibly be worthwhile without the creature comforts...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on May 4, 2016
Colic is death. I can understand how child abuse happens. A colicky baby is one of the worst times of your life. Especially when the newborn has an 18 month old brother. No matter what you do, try to do,...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on May 3, 2016
Just picture this. You are 50 years old, the baby in the family is off to college, you and your spouse are now the only ones in the house... every day.... And you look at this human on the other...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on April 1, 2016
I still think I'm 18. I have multiple decades on 18. And yet, I go out to exercise, party or participate like I can do it all. A few years ago, I got caught up in the Cross Fit fervor....
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on March 17, 2016
I used to be able to blame it on my kids. I was working (always a home office) and would have to get up mid-task to run carpool, pick up cupcakes for the upcoming birthday party or get the goodies for...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on February 22, 2016
I had just spent the past 5 years either being pregnant or recovering from pregnancy. I had a 3 year old, a 2 year old and a new born. I had no idea what kind of music was popular in the late '80s because...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on February 11, 2016
You are spending all of your days shuttling your kids, most likely in the mini van, loaded with after school snacks. You have researched the best schools, the best after school programs, the best tutors, the best of everything. Everything...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on January 12, 2016
Always be a freshman! That was the mantra in our house. Wake up every morning and shout, "It's great to be alive!" Explore all the new adventures life has to offer, while continuing on the path of achievement. Be responsible....
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on January 8, 2016
Got the news of the gender of my third baby soon to arrive. I walked into my brother's office, took my right foot waving back and forth and he rolled over laughing. If you are too young to know, that...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on December 9, 2015
We are Jewish. Eight crazy nights of Chanukah. When I was growing up, my parents bought us a gift for each night. Wasn't a huge gift, but we got to unwrap something every night. Then on the last night of...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on November 27, 2015
"Do you think you will stay with this job?" This is the young girl in the 9th grade Spanish class who stood up at Career Day. Smack me in the forehead. She changed my life. I get bored when I...
Blog Posted by Karen Meister of Suburban Misfit Mom on November 23, 2015
Daughter, mom, sister, sister-in-law, wife, ex-wife, girlfriend, employer, employee, writer, tennis player, pal, friend, camper, camp advisor, make believe therapist. Who cares... I am just Karen. I always appreciated Popeye's statement -- "I am who I am." No apologies, no applause...
