Lisa Smith Molinari, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

The drama of childhood trauma | Lisa Smith Molinari

6 days ago | hanfordsentinel.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

My adult son stopped at the house to bring me a little Mothers’ Day gift. After a while, we began reminiscing about his childhood. “I probably traumatized you,” I said jokingly, fully expecting my son to emphatically deny any trauma, and assure me that I was a wonderful parent who raised him and his sisters with unconditional love, serene patience and thoughtful guidance. “It wasn’t really what you did that traumatized me, but rather how you explained things,” Hayden said.
Putting patience on automatic while parked in the lounge

1 week ago | stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

“Should I have Oreos with my cappuccino?” I considered, settling into the well-appointed auto dealership lobby while my car was being serviced. I had several hours to wait, possibly the whole day, while they figured out my used Audi’s latest issues, so I made myself comfortable.
Deployment mindset fortifies military spouses | Lisa Smith Molinari

2 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

Have you ever had one of those days when everything just falls into place? When nothing unexpected happens? When you get everything done on time? When you end the day with a satisfying sense of accomplishment? Yeah, me neither.
The unintended drama of childhood trauma

2 weeks ago | stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

Parents of the past - and perhaps the present - have resorted to protecting their children through fear at times. (iStock) My adult son stopped at the house to bring me a little Mothers’ Day gift. After a while, we began reminiscing about his childhood.
Don’t mind education gap, but do understand it

2 weeks ago | korea.stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

A million years ago, I was a litigation attorney with a bright professional future and significant earning potential. That was before I married a Navy man and began moving to U.S. states and foreign countries where my law licenses weren’t worth the paper on which they were printed. Despite these challenges, I maintained hope that one day, I’d rekindle my law career.
Deployment mindset fortifies military spouses

3 weeks ago | stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

Have you ever had one of those days when everything just falls into place? When nothing unexpected happens? When you get everything done on time? When you end the day with a satisfying sense of accomplishment? Yeah, me neither.
The family meeting | Lisa Smith Molinari

4 weeks ago | santamariatimes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

“C’mon guys!” I bellowed, “You’re late!” One by one, they appeared at the kitchen table in our Naval Station Mayport base house, each carrying a heavy attitude. My husband, Francis, slumped into a chair. He’d always thought my nicey-nicey family meetings were pure nonsense, a waste of his Sunday leisure time.
Time flies when you’re having a family meeting

4 weeks ago | stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

“C’mon, guys!” I bellowed, “You’re late!” One by one, they appeared at the kitchen table in our Naval Station Mayport base house, each carrying a heavy attitude. My husband, Francis, slumped into a chair. He’d always thought my nicey-nicey family meetings were pure nonsense, a waste of his Sunday leisure time.
My hips don’t swing, but my belly does | Lisa Smith Molinari

1 month ago | hanfordsentinel.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

This week, another 8-week session of the fitness classes I’ve been taking for two years started up. I’ve already skipped the first class using a mild case of spring sniffles as my excuse. Military spouses get used to constant change, so I often get bored with my exercise routine and need to spice things up. Back when we were stationed in Florida and I was tired of power walking on the beach (ridiculous, I know), a friend convinced me to try a Zumba class at the base gym.
My hips don’t swing, but my belly does

1 month ago | stripes.com | Lisa Smith Molinari

Group fitness classes can be intimidating. (iStock) This week, another eight-week session of the fitness classes I’ve been taking for two years started up. I’ve already skipped the first class using a mild case of spring sniffles as my excuse. Military spouses get used to constant change, so I often get bored with my exercise routine and need to spice things up.