Recent Work
It’s Too Important to Stay Quiet: A Conversation with Jennifer Weiner for Literary Mama
When Jennifer Weiner’s face popped up on Zoom for our scheduled interview, my inner fangirl screamed. Weiner chuckled and then apologized to me for having rescheduled our appointment. Her down-to-earth honesty drove the conversation. Although Weiner is a prolific and...
We’re All Stretch Armstrong Dolls: A Conversation with Jessica Grose
I was compelled to read Jessica Grose’s Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood (Mariner, 2022) based on the title alone. As an American mother who raised young children in the United Kingdom for four years, I couldn’t put my finger on the...
Was I the Worst Mother Ever?
An article for Psycom.net. Summer camp had just begun, and it was the first hot day of the year. The air outside looked wavy. I strapped my baby daughter into her car seat and kissed her chubby cheeks. Chelsea was impish and just shy of one year. She looked up at me...
10 Fun and Nostalgic Gifts Just for You
An article for Psycom.net Remembering the past can spark joy and help us feel calm and connected. Treat yourself to a walk down memory lane (we dare you not to smile) with these ’80s and ’90s-themed goodies that bring all the feels. Read the Entire Article on...
Meet the Staff for Literary Mama
The Growth is in the Fear: A Conversation with Julia Haart
Julia Haart is the CEO, co-owner, and chief creative officer of the talent media agency Elite World Group. She was the creative director for La Perla and started her own shoe brand a week after escaping from her ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism, known as “Yeshivishe” or...
The Santa Scheme: How I Kept the Magic Alive for Another Year
“Mommy, the internet said Santa is fake,” my eight-year-old child cried over the phone as I drove back from my teenager’s soccer game late last year. Apparently, a quick Google search had yielded the answer: “As adults, we know Santa Claus isn't real, but many of us...
What Happens if Anxiety Goes Untreated
Chronic, untreated anxiety is linked to panic attacks, depression, substance abuse, brain fog and other serious issues. Don’t put off treatment. Here is what to know. Read the Entire Article on Psycom.net
Face the Monster: A Conversation with Tiffanie Drayton
Why Can Anxiety Increase at Night
What might be causing your nighttime anxiety and how to keep it in check, so you can get some sleep. If you wake up at night or have trouble falling asleep, you aren’t alone in your misery. You might be experiencing nighttime anxiety, a condition that affects people...
Why Are Teens So Tired? How to Amp Up Sleep and Fight Exhaustion (Your Teen for Parents) WD Award Winner
Last school year, my 16-year-old kept super late study hours. When I popped into her room to say goodnight, I’d find her analyzing class notes with her friend over FaceTime. I’ve long accepted that her high school study habits differ from mine, so I allowed this...
Connecting to Find Her Voice: A Review of Zibby Owen’s Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature
Zibby Owens’s memoir, Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Literature, is the tale of an award-winning podcaster, publisher, and media company CEO weathering hardships that many of us have faced — the loss of loved ones, suffering through depression, and navigating a...
On Being a Teen Sleep Advocate: A Conversation with Lisa L. Lewis
In 2016, Lisa L. Lewis, a parenting journalist and mom, wrote an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times called, “Why School Should Start Later in the Day.” It struck a chord with readers so much that it caught the attention of California State Senator Anthony Portantino....
An Interfaith Family Story: Feeling Left Out at My Daughter’s Bat Mitzvah (Your Teen Magazine)
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why this is happening,” I sobbed in front of the bat mitzvah tutor as we prepared for my daughter’s ritual transition into Jewish adulthood. My teenager’s eyes widened. “Mom, stop.” But I couldn’t stop crying. As an Italian Catholic, I felt...
I’m not ready for my Jewish child to stop believing in Santa
“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet,” I said. “There’s misinformation out there.” I typed Loch Ness Monster into her iPad search bar and flaunted the results. “See? Supporting evidence about Nessie’s existence either way.” She wiped her tears. “Is Santa...
Our Family’s Interfaith Break-Fast Features Bagels and Lasagna
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE ON KVELLER “Happy Yom Kippur!” my mom shouted on speakerphone to my fiancé and his family. “Thank you,” they said. “Mom, Yom Kippur isn’t really happy,” I explained. We were staying at my future in-laws’ Long Island home, and everyone...
This year, I finally found the mystery man who helped me on 9/11
I ran blindly, trying to flee. My mind screamed at me to escape, to jump into the bay. And then there was David. CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE ON THE INDEPENDENT “I won’t let go of your hand. I promise,” David said as the first building roared and imploded, encasing us...
How to Apologize to Your Kids the Right Way—And Why It’s Important
My first-grader had a recent school vacation that, in normal years, would have been a welcomed respite. But thanks to COVID-19, it meant five unstructured days with my seven-year-old while I worked. One afternoon, I suggested she start a pastel portrait as I snagged a...
How to Explain the Passover Story to Kids
As the Catholic half of a Judeo-Christian interfaith couple, I learned a lot about Passover from my late mother-in-law because Passover's themes held great significance for her. As an educator and a feminist, she taught me that anyone can find relevance in this...
Living in the Moment this Christmas Eve
Preparations for “The Eve” spanned days when I was a kid, as they had for generations. Grandpa Tony invited everyone to his Italian pre-Christmas feast. Born into a family of 12 during the Great Depression, he couldn’t afford much. But Tony Mascolo of Coney Island...
How to Explain the Story of Hanukkah to Kids
The first night of Hanukkah 2020 is December 10, and this year more than any other is a great opportunity to take extra time to teach your family about the Jewish holiday that celebrates the power of light and miracles. "Hanukkah" means dedication in Hebrew, and the...
7 Menorah Crafts for Kids You’ll Want to Keep Forever
From Legos to seashells, these menorah crafts make great keepsakes and use simple materials you probably already have on hand. Get tips for making them, plus our favorite store-bought menorahs for kids. Looking for a fun way to discuss the Hanukkah story as a family...
Kids Can Learn to Rap From Home with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Freestyle Love Supreme Virtual Classes
During quarantine, my daughter and I had an incredible experience learning to freestyle through Freestyle Love Supreme Academy. Now the improv troupe is offering virtual summer classes for kids and teens. Click here to read the article on Parents.com PHOTO CREDIT:...
I Tested Positive for COVID-19 When I Went Into Labor And Here’s What Happened
When doctors told me I tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital, I was shocked. My entire birth plan had to be altered and welcoming my first child was nothing like I imagined. By Donna Magliato, as told to Holly Rizzuto Palker CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN...
WDC 2020 Award Winner – I’m High Risk for Coronavirus, So How Do I Proceed Once the Country Opens?
Even as social distancing rules loosen, life is far from returning to normal, especially for parents with preexisting conditions, pregnant women, and parents home with newborns who are at a higher risk for becoming severely ill from COVID-19. Erin Blute's doctors...
WDC 2020 Award Winner – This Is What Working With a Virtual Doula Really Looks Like
From prenatal Zoom sessions to FaceTiming from the delivery room, the pandemic has changed how doulas work. But by keeping communication the focus, new parents can get the guidance they need no matter the mediums required. In pandemic times, some hospitals'...
I’m a Mom and a Teacher, and I’m Struggling to Homeschool My Kids Just as Much as You Are
I'm the resident drama teacher at a local preschool, and my young students learn best when we're having fun. Whether we're pretending to be zoo animals or cleaning up, we make magic a few mornings a week. Then I go home and try to be a good mom, or at least that was...
WDC 2020 Award Winner – My 6-year-old has calmed me during quarantine
“This is the worst thing that will ever happen,” I cried. An atomic-sounding roar erupted from the World Trade Center’s south tower as it collapsed. I was a few blocks away, and I knew I had to escape from the real-life Godzilla movie in which I was an unwitting...
Interview with Brenda Janowitz
Brenda Janowitz knows how to write relationships. The Grace Kelly Dress, her newest novel, is told through three points of view. Each woman's story takes place in a different decade, but all of the women have a connection to the same wedding dress. In addition to...
In Need of Joy – The Writer’s Circle Journal 10th Anniversary Edition
“No joy.” I slumped in my home office, groping outdated-school forms, Marie Kondo style, with tears of frustration in my eyes. I’d been playing catch-up this whole year instead of purging, and I’d amassed enough junk to fill every crevice in my home so I embraced the...
My Journey Between Christmas and Hanukkah
Click here to read article on NEWSDAY This year, Christmas Eve and the first night of Hanukkah coincide, which is very rare. My family is excited. The moment I kissed Jeff’s freckled mouth on the dance floor of a Washington, D.C., club, I was electrified. He was a...
I Worked with Jennifer Hudson’s Weight Loss Coach. Here’s What I Learned.
CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE ON RACHAEL RAY EVERY DAY “I’ve struggled with weight my whole life,” Liz Josefsberg said while opening her laptop to show me photos of herself 65 pounds heavier. It was my first appointment with the celebrity health and wellness expert and...
My Marinara Sauce Helps Bridge My Family’s Easter-Passover Gap
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON RACHAEL RAY EVERY DAY Although I’m an Italian-Catholic, I’m very aware that Passover is just around the corner. Since I married my husband and we decided to raise our children in his religion, I’ve embraced celebrating the...
WDC 2019 Award Winner – Women Share Tales at ‘Stories Around the Table’ – Profile on Karen Ludwig
Click here to read the article on NEXT AVENUE Actress and teacher Karen Ludwig wants women to raise their voices Before #MeToo became a hashtag and before The Moth’s uber-trendy StorySLAM hit the literary scene, there was uber-honest Karen Ludwig’s storytelling group...
A Horrible Mother
Click here to read the article on Brain, Child Summer camp had just begun and it was the first hot day of the year. The air outside looked wavy. I strapped my child into her car seat and kissed her chubby cheeks. She was my third so I’d learned to take the time to do...
Em Shotwell’s Newest Story Releases Today
Magic Spark, featuring THESE ROOTS RUN DEEP, by Em Shotwell Magic Spark on Amazon.com --> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776ZP5ZX Only 2.99 or FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED! “These Roots Run Deep” by Em Shotwell: Spitfire, New Orleans weather girl, Cheyanne Murphey has...
Pitch Wars and Other Writing Accomplishments
Pitch Wars and Other Writing Accomplishments in 2017 My manuscript was showcased in Pitch Wars 2017. It is a significant writing accomplishment and I'm proud. If you haven't heard of Pitch Wars yet, then I'm sure you will learn more about it this year. Pitch...
Interview with Jessica Strawser
Click here to read the full interview for Literary Mama Jessica Strawser works literary magic from two distinct angles. As an author, her debut novel, Almost Missed You, was recently named to the shortlist of Best New Fiction by Barnes and Noble and is a PopSugar...
A Letter to My Daughter as She Enters Middle School
Click here to read the piece in full on Sammiches and Psych Meds Important Notes for Middle School “How was middle school orientation?” you asked the other day when I returned. The look of hope in your eager eyes, my sweet girl, was so pure that I had to...
Don’t Miss Almost Missed You – Q & A with Jessica Strawser, author
Click here to read Q & A in Brain, Child Mag Holly Rizzuto Palker Interviews Jessica Strawser on her debut novel, Almost Missed You. ALMOST MISSED YOU by Jessica Strawser, is an intriguing novel involving a husband and two-year-old son disappearing while on a...
Article published in Kveller
When I learned my husband’s company was relocating us from New Jersey to London during my energy-filled second trimester, I was elated. We made a bucket list and travelled nearly every weekend to dramatic places like Venice. I was due in December so once mid-October...
Vision Board and Happy New Year – 2017!
My Vision Board The other day I noticed my vision board wedged behind the printer in my office. Although I ‘see’ it every day, I don’t really ‘see’ it. So, I stole a moment to read the inspiring cut out images and words. I created it over a year ago when I attended...
Book Review: The Dinner Party – published in Chocolate and Chaos
Holiday gatherings are always fodder for secrets to emerge and family dysfunction to run rampant. Long Island novelist, Brenda Janowitz’s fifth novel, “The Dinner Party” (St. Martin’s Press - 286 pages) humorously portrays a suburban Connecticut Passover dinner. The...
The Writer’s Digest Conference 2016-My Takeaways
Where else but The Writer’s Digest Conference can a writer find access to so many industry experts in one place? I have yet to find another event that offers the same value. Of course I enjoy the benefits of my standing writing group and I constantly take classes to...
He Wasn’t Just a Dog, He Was a Family Member
Read article on Huffington Post here “Please keep calm,” said our British pet sitter, “Quigley has run off in the wood but we’ll find him.” We were American expats living in the UK and we were visiting home for the holidays. We hated leaving him behind for the same...
My Life is Full
Please click here to read on Sammiches and Psych Meds I am a mom. A wife. A friend. A daughter. A teacher. A writer. I try to be so many things to so many people that when I stop to think, I sometimes come up feeling like I am nothing much to anyone. My life is full....
My Writing Retreat
The Scenario My family sent me for a writing retreat as a gift for Mother’s Day last year and it was a total hit. I had such a fulfilling adventure that I indirectly reminded my husband how much I appreciated the gift again this year as Mother’s Day drew near. Since I...
Color Me Mine – A Review By My 10 Year Old Daughter
guest post by my 10-year-old daughter Color Me Mine is one of my favorite things to do. I love going there with my family. It isn’t just painting a vase or something. When we go it is family time. We talk, laugh and help each other. I love Color Me Mine. If you...
One in One Hundred – February is Heart Month
guest post by Christa Frankos Duggan In my heart, I thought what happened to us was one in a million. But, we are much less unique than that. We are one in one hundred. I realized my life had changed after I was in the recovery room from having an emergency C-section....
‘Bringing Sexy Back, Quickly’ posted on Mommy Effect
I used to rock the hell out of sexy, I swear. But for me these days the thought of Valentine’s Day conjures up feelings of stress as I wonder where sexy has even gone. Call it having three kids, a husband who travels on a weekly basis, and zero time to spend on...
Suspend Your Inner Critic
My almost ten-year-old looked out the window this morning, mesmerized by the snow. She breathed it all in for a few moments - the peace, the quiet, the wonder. Then she suspended her inner critic and said, “Mom, if I jumped off the rooftop of the swing set into the...
You Can’t Parent Happy
My friend, Irene Macmillan, an inspiring blogger and a wonderful person wrote this post about parenting in our generation. It certainly gives me, the quintessential Gen-Exer, pause to think. Please click here to read YOU CANT PARENT HAPPY Irene Macmillan Law graduate....
David Henry Sterry’s Chicken: Self-Portrait of a Young Man for Rent
I must admit, I was initially drawn to read the memoir, CHICKEN: SELF-PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN FOR RENT because I met David Henry Sterry at a Pitchapalooza in Montclair, NJ. He is one half of the infamous duo, THE BOOK DOCOTORS, who run the event. I was also drawn to...
Happy New Year – 2016!
2015 brought many things to my life for which I am happy and thankful. It also brought some sadness as I'm sure it has for many. FAMILY AND FRIENDS I am mostly thankful for health and good fortune. I am amazed by my children as I watch them grow and embrace life. I...
Gun Violence – How do I Talk to My Kids?
“If anyone ever comes into your school and uses a gun — play dead.” My kids looked at me shocked at what I’d just said. “I’m serious, pretend you were shot and play dead so the bad guys leave you alone.” That’s what I said. Good or bad, I needed to say it. I stiffen...
Duffy Books Giving Tuesday Helps all Kids to Enjoy Access to Books
Ten years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, I read in a parenting magazine about the importance of reading to her every day. I learned about the higher literacy rates amongst children who were read to often. It is in my nature to take advice like this to...
Mad Libs Live! Review Originally Posted on Mommy Effect
by Holly Rizzuto Palker Click here to see it originally posted on Mommy Effect Book and Lyrics by Robin Rothstein; Music by Jeff Thomson; Choreographed by Robin Levine; Directed by Austin Regan; Produced by Ava, Max & Peter Cane Off Broadway, New Musical Runs...
Teaser for Mad Libs Live! Originally Posted on MommyEffect.com
Mad Libs – The New LIVE! Musical TEASER ON MOMMY EFFECT We are pumped here at Mommy Effect for the premiere of Mad Libs – The New LIVE! Musical. We can hardly keep our dictionaries closed while waiting to experience this new interactive family musical inspired by the...
‘Lost Dog’ Guest Post on DorriOlds.com
This is a guest blog post on DorriOlds.com Lost Dog: Feeling Loss When a Dog Goes Missing “Please keep calm,” said Tamara, our British pet sitter, “Quigley has run off in the wood but we’ll find him.” We were American Ex-Pats living in the UK and we were visiting home...
