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TAGGED : mary jo podgurski

Teachers weigh in on career quandary

The responses I received to last week’s column from teachers were inspiring. Here are a few. Thank you for your response to the 18-year-old who had second thoughts about teaching. You were respectful and honest. I want to add to your words, if I may. I came to teaching later in life. My ...

Graduation bittersweet for many

Q. I graduate soon. Is it normal to feel this sad? During the pandemic, all I could think of was finishing high school. I thought of school as drudgery, as something to endure. Since then, I found sports and theater, which is a bit of a contrast. I love both. I’m not going to play pro sports ...

Column on miscarriage inspires response

Last week's column on miscarriage inspired responses. Here are two of the most poignant. A popular meme asks people to be kind because one never knows what another person is carrying. Losing a pregnancy is one example of an invisible grief/loss. A perinatal loss includes an early pregnancy ...

Pregnancy loss traumatic no matter the age of mother

Q. I’m writing this to you on Mother’s Day because this day is so hard for me. Fifteen years ago, I was a pregnant 16-year-old. I remember telling you about the pregnancy before I even told my mom or my boyfriend. Then less than three weeks later I lost the baby. I remember your comfort. I ...

Guide adolescents through puberty with honesty, love

Q. I think I’ve been asking you questions longer than anyone else! We attended your childbirth class – our daughter is 44. When she was 10, I took her to your class about growing up at the hospital. It was a wonderful class and it helped open the door to communicating with her through her ...

Handle breakups with dignity and respect

Q. 1: I liked your column about breakups, especially since I just went through one. I have a question for you. What kind of person breaks up a day before the other person’s birthday? We went out for six months. My gram said, “that’s nothing,” but six months was something to me and I ...