Jennifer Huffman is a reporter and the business editor of the Napa Valley Register. She's also mom to three daughters under the age of 24. Huffman writes a column about her family called "Surrendering to Motherhood" which runs every other Monday.
Portland College Girl started her second year of college a few weeks ago with a new set of classes – including organic chemistry.
“Dear Mom and Dad:
I spent my birthday lounging/lurking around a local resort spa and it was the best three-and-a-half hours of my summer.
The Huffman middle daughter just turned 22. To celebrate, my husband suggested we take her out to dinner.
For the past three weeks I’ve been on a mission.
Your blood pressure is borderline too high. And so is your cholesterol.
Three of us Huffmans visited Denver Girl and Guy for three days and I came home with two things: a new typewriter and a new appreciation for oxygen. Sea level amounts of oxygen.
Why don’t any Huffman children want to pose for pictures with their mother? I mean I only GAVE BIRTH to them. No big deal.
It’s only been two weeks since two out of three Huffman girls have been home for the summer and we’ve already hit the tipping point.
I always wanted to be Nancy Drew.
Some Huffman family traditions are going to hell in an Easter handbasket.
I did not want to write a column about spring flowers.
Dear Huffman daughters:
Parents of teens – feel like you’re losing your mind? Teens harshing on your mellow? Are the 13-to 19-year-olds in your life driving you batsh*t crazy?
It’s been nine months but we Huffmans are still totally gaga over our new puppy.
This February, I made 15 valentines and mailed them to 15 strangers across the U.S., plus a lone Canadian.
Our cat is fat.
All three Huffman daughters now each have a boyfriend. Gulp.
After the youngest Huffman left the nest for college in Portland I acquired a pen pal.
I’m so glad the Elf on the Shelf never found its way to our house.
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I went to Marshalls the other day and bought three outfits. For a dog.
What’s the best way to run a half marathon?
Colorado College Girl has a new pet: a baby hedgehog.
Last week Oregon College Girl came home for a one-week fall break.
We don’t hear from Oregon College Girl too often, but when we do, I’d describe the exchanges as usually one of the following:
Before the Youngest Huffman left for college, we told her there was one thing she needed to get rid of.
Well, we did it. We dropped off the Youngest Huffman at her new college in Portland, Oregon.
Remember how I wrote how the Youngest Huffman is leaving for college and we can’t wait to get rid of all her stuff?
We had my dad’s funeral at the end of July.
The youngest Huffman is about to leave for college and Mom and Dad are already planning on getting rid of all her extra stuff after she moves out.
It’s only been three weeks but we Huffmans are already obsessed with our new chocolate lab puppy, Penny.
There is a new puppy! In my house!
I’m all for parenthood. No duh: we have three daughters.
Well, Colorado College Girl (Graduate Edition) has done it again.
It was the day before he oldest Huffman’s college graduation and only one last hurdle remained.
My dad hated being in the hospital. He liked being at home, sitting in his comfy chair, watching PBS and reading the newspaper with Joey the dog nearby.
Guys, my dad’s not doing so good. Or not doing so well. Whatever, grammar police.
When it comes to our kids we moms usually don’t like surprises.
We have exactly seven weeks until the last Huffman daughter graduates from high school.
Last Sunday, I did not run my third Napa Valley Marathon.
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It’s been nine weeks since our dog died and I can’t stop obsessing over dogs.
On Super Bowl Sunday I did something a mom hardly ever (i.e. NEVER) gets to do: spend all day on the couch watching TV.
I recently discovered the greatest thing the world.
You know that song “Hard Candy Christmas”?
Future Jennifer has BIG plans for 2018.
On the first day of Christmas my family gave to me…
Pick me up early at school on Wednesday, said our youngest daughter. I’m getting my senior pictures taken and you need to hold the light reflector thingee.
Two weekends ago I went on a mom/runner getaway to the Monterey half marathon.
What are you doing Sunday night? asked the youngest Huffman.
My grandma’s house burned down in the fire.
My husband and I were in Lake Tahoe for an anniversary getaway this past weekend when his cell phone began buzzing and beeping in the middle of the night early Monday morning.
If our luck holds, by this time next year us Huffman parents will have three daughters in college – all at the same time!
Don’t tell the Huffman daughters but I’ve been hocking their old trinkets, jewelry and other castoffs at Jackie’s Consignment and the cash is rolling in!
All three of our girls (17, 20 and 23) were home this summer. It was kind of like a Huffman Hokey Pokey.
We just celebrated our one-year anniversary at our new offices at the Register and I’m still pinching myself.
We moms have come to reluctantly accept that after their first year of college, most of our college kids have flown the coop.
When we moms are feeling particularly Super Woman-like, sometimes we get inspired to act out Super Woman moves.
What’s the worst part about a blissful, soul-soothing eight-day trip to Maui?
It all started on a trip to my favorite place: Target.
I’m a bad daughter: I bullied my own mother on Mother’s Day.