Biography
Follow Amy Dulebohn as she writes about the joys and struggles of being a first-time mother. Read her the third Friday of every month.
Amy Dulebohn
Daughter outsmarts mom in potty training
May 16, 2013
As I was getting ready to write this column, I thought it had its beginnings in April 2012. But, upon further reflection, I realized it more likely began the day in 2010 when my daughter was born. After all, that was when I first started thinking about potty-training her.
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Daughter can't let Mom be out of her sight
April 18, 2013
As a child, I was the stereotypical mama's baby. I was terrified of being out of my mother's presence. I'm told this began when I was a toddler, and continued, until, well, let's just say things were like this for a long time.
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Daughter shows mom how art imitates life
March 14, 2013
For the past few months, I feel like I live in an acting studio.
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Mom admires daughter's compassion
February 14, 2013
A few weeks ago my baby-sitter asked me if I could have a family member watch my daughter for a few hours the next morning. The reason was because she had to take her kids to the dentist, and she thought it would be best if my 2 1/2-year-old didn't have to accompany them.
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Winter night turns into sunny day for mom and daughter
January 17, 2013
When I was a kid, I loved "Sesame Street." I mean, I really loved "Sesame Street." In addition to faithfully watching it sometimes twice every day, I had a multitude of books, stuffed animals and records — I'm dating myself here — based on the award-winning children's program. I wanted nothing more than to visit the actual Sesame Street and meet Grover, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and my other favorite characters.
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Minimal decorations add up to plenty of love
December 20, 2012
I have a 2-1/2-year old child. Therefore, I learned very quickly that it's best to keep things simple.
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Mother loves girl's enthusiasm
November 15, 2012
I'm pretty low key, a characteristic that translates into how I celebrate my birthday.
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Mom sees own shyness in daughter
October 18, 2012
I used to think my daughter was nothing like me.
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Two-year-old is ready to hop on the bus, Gus
September 21, 2012
When I was a little girl, I loved school buses. I've found that my daughter does, too.
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Rain doesn't dampen daughter's first camping experience
August 16, 2012
In the summer of 2011, while some of my acquaintances were on a weekend camping trip, I planned to take my daughter for a night. The idea seemed like a good initiation to “roughing it,” for a not-quite-18-month-old.
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New use for an old footstool kicks bad memories down drain
July 20, 2012
When I was a young teenager in a 4-H club, I made a little footstool with a knitted square pattern on it. I’m so not crafty that I can’t even describe the design properly. I really didn’t even make it. One of my fellow 4-H’ers pretty much knitted the top for me.
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Daughter reminds Mommy to slow down
June 22, 2012
I really hate to sound like a cliche. Yet I think I might have made that statement so often that those words, at least when coming from me, are now cliche, as well.
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Daughter reminds mommy to slow down
June 22, 2012
I really hate to sound like a cliche. Yet I think I might have made that statement so often that those words, at least when coming from me, are now cliche, as well.
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Value of great childcare is without measure
May 18, 2012
When I was expecting my daughter, one of my biggest worries was how to find trustworthy, affordable childcare.
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Daughter might offer a treat for tired feet
April 20, 2012
I don't pamper myself much. But after my daughter was born in the spring of 2010, I treated myself to a pedicure.
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Mommy wonders if 2 really is terrible
March 15, 2012
My daughter turns 2 this month.
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Mom is happy to explain "What happened?'
February 16, 2012
I'm a journalist by trade, but perhaps a little nosy by design. At not quite 2 years old, my daughter seems to be developing some of the same characteristics.
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Girl bids farewell to her special 'Pap'
January 19, 2012
Editor's note: Amy Dulebohn's father, Joe Dulebohn, died Dec. 27, 2011. Following are excerpts from a letter Amy wrote on behalf of her 21-month-old daughter, Joe's only grandchild, for his funeral.
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Mommy cherishes twist in holiday photo
December 15, 2011
At Christmastime 2010, my daughter was barely 9 months old. She had two teeth, could walk around objects as she held on, and had just learned to say, "Mum." She was friendly to everyone and happily sat on Santa's lap and posed for pictures.
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Mother stay positive to fill gaps in parenting
November 17, 2011
How many times can I say it — my daughter amazes me.
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'Say what?' ponders Mom over tot's new conversation skill
October 23, 2011
A couple weeks ago, on a typical Monday morning — the day in which I must be at work hours earlier than usual — I was groggy, and my daughter was awake, but cranky.
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Tot's role-play is eye-opening for mom
September 15, 2011
A few years ago, country singer Rodney Atkins had a huge hit with the song "Watching You." The song told the story of a father whose young son said a "four-letter word," and when the dad asked the boy where he learned that, the youngster responded, "I've been watching you."
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Mom bites her tongue as toddler goes nose to nose with wildlife
August 18, 2011
On a whim last week, my boyfriend and I took his 7-year-old son and my daughter on a day trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax, Pa. Neither he or I were familiar with the park, but it came highly recommended by a co-worker of his.
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Summer's not a bummer for mom, tot
July 14, 2011
Today is July 15, the day that I have heard described as the point when summer goes downhill. Indeed, the days get noticeably shorter and hotter, and it is only a matter of time until the flowers fade and autumnal breezes dust the horizon.
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Kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze
June 16, 2011
Memorial Day weekend and the days leading up to it were hot ones. In fact, May ended with an average high just half a degree shy of the record temperature in Hagerstown for the month.
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Tiny hands tell many stories to new mother
May 20, 2011
My daughter talks with her hands.
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Mom is finally a rock star
April 14, 2011
OK, I confess, I always wanted to be a rock star.
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Mama's little girl grew up
March 18, 2011
Recently, I was anticipating a baby shower for my best friend from college who lives nearly two hours away.
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No need to keep these items under your hat
February 17, 2011
I must give props to my colleague Alicia Notarianni for her story "Dress for the weather?," published in The Herald-Mail on Dec. 20. The story debunked the myth for those who haven't yet gotten the memo: The common cold is caused by a virus — not by not properly dressing for cold weather.
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Big lessons sometimes come in small packages
January 20, 2011
At the risk of sounding totally cliche, it's so hard to believe that I have been a mother to my darling daughter for nearly a year. As January 2011 dawned, I found myself reflecting on how my life has changed in the past nine months since her birth, and about the things I have learned.
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Holiday weekend with baby didn't quite go as planned
December 16, 2010
I was so looking forward to my first Thanksgiving with my daughter.