As the steam rose off the asphalt in the summer heat, so did our tempers. Entitlement runs deep this time of year, both in my heart and in theirs. The downtime that is inherent in the summer allows our minds to wander toward all the things we don’t have, but wish we did. As the … [Read more…]
Our Favorite Discipline Guides This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Always a believer in teaching our children how to function as adults in this crazy world, I latched on to discipline guides early in my … [Read more…]
The piles were growing with each passing season, and I kept adding to them. As our youngest continued moving forward out of her babyhood, I started to wonder what I should do with all of this baby stuff. When her first birthday passed, and the piles kept growing, so did my cluelessness. What do I … [Read more…]
“What’s it like living with five women?” a friend asked The Engineer one afternoon on the side of the soccer field. “There are a lot of feelings. Big ones. And lots of talking about these feelings.” Wise words, dear husband. And those big ones tend to come from one child in particular. My first-born is … [Read more…]
There are a handful of moments that stand out so clearly in my parenting memory. These are the times when I realize that the next words out of my mouth have the potential to significantly shape my child’s worldview, or, if not on that grandiose scale, then they could certainly shape my family’s trajectory through … [Read more…]
The New York Times had an article a few years back that emphasized the vital importance of a family narrative when it comes to our children developing a strong sense of self. The knowledge that they are part of a bigger whole, and a whole that has had both shining moments, and those not as … [Read more…]
As we approach milestones in our own lives, I’ve found it pertinent to preserve these milestones for our children to reflect upon in the future. Lessons learned in motherhood, memories treasured, values cultivated; these all need to be passed on. Half of my childhood was spent without my father, because he died in a car … [Read more…]
For October, it was fairly warm and sunny, with the leaves not having changed, as we sat on the sidelines of our daughter’s soccer game. It was the kind of game where the girls moved in amoeba fashion after the ball as the coaches encouraged them to pass to each other, with the vain hope … [Read more…]
It was starting to play out over and over again, like a broken record designed to bring my life into rather harsh perspective. Sweet, older lady, who is a total stranger, all smiles and full of merriment: “Oh, Santa’s going to bring you a baby for Christmas!” Me, faking a smile for the 9,000th time: … [Read more…]
Just like many clichés I’ve faced as a mother of so many little girls, one replays repeatedly, especially around birthdays. Everyone wants to know if your family is complete. “When will you have another one?” For the first time, the answer is… “I don’t think I will.” Depending on the crowd, this … [Read more…]