Parenting is far from easy, but it is easier with a sense of humor, a dose of perspective and some cold, hard facts. I’m Shannan. I live in the Chicago suburbs with my teen daughter and husband. I’m originally from Ohio and I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and law school. (Go Irish!)<\/p>\n Speaking of work, I’m a recovering attorney who used to handle criminal appeals. I’m thrilled that I now get to write about topics I love and that I can discuss at the dinner table, like travel, food and drink, Disney<\/a> and some random information under the umbrella of facts and trivia<\/a>. (I used to say “useless”, but you never know<\/em> when it can come in handy.)<\/p>\n I’ve experienced motherhood in many permutations – I’ve been married, single and am now part of a blended family. (My daughter calls my husband her Bonus Dad.) I’ve parented in urban and suburban environments. I’ve been a SAHM, I’ve worked outside the home and now I’m a WAHM.<\/p>\n I have appeared on Mamapedia<\/a>, The Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop<\/a>, and Mamalode<\/a>. I’ve been quoted\u00a0the BBC<\/a>\u00a0and have been waiting for them to return to talk about something other than Justin Bieber.<\/p>\n You can find my essays in the anthologies\u00a0The HerStories Project<\/a> and My Other Ex<\/a>. I am a freelance journalist and editor. You can find me at Chicago Parent writing both blogs and articles<\/a>, and at Make It Better magazine.<\/p>\n If you want to hear what I actually sound like, check out this\u00a0 video<\/a> of the reading I did as part of the Listen to Your Mother Chicago 2013 cast.<\/p>\n![\"ShannanYoungerHeadshot300\"](\"http:\/\/betweenusparents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/ShannanYoungerHeadshot3001-1.jpg\")
<\/a>This blog aims to provide those three things. Between Us Parents is a place to find tips that have worked for other parents, and to share the trials and triumphs that come with raising kids, particularly tweens and teens.<\/p>\n