As parents, we like to tell ourselves we are teaching our children. We’re the mentors, the leaders, the guides, helping shape them into independent and functional members of society. Perhaps it’s our ego that keeps telling us this.
Continue reading “Lessons From My Strong-Willed Daughters”
“You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I’m telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming to town.”
It’s Christmastime! People decorate their homes with twinkling lights and colorful displays. Stores mark down prices and stay open late. The celebratory feasts are prepared then eaten. Everyone hustles and bustles to check their lists, then check them twice. Gifts are exchanged (and sometimes exchanged again). Little boys and girls line up in shopping malls from coast to coast anxiously awaiting their turn to meet Santa. The Hallmark channel plays reel after reel of sentimental Christmas movies. Continue reading “Parents Chime in on Whether or Not to Perpetuate the Santa Myth”
Hey there. You there. Yes, you. Do you smell that? As you walk outside your door and take in that scent? That’s right. One more time. Do you feel that? That break in the summer heat? Continue reading “Hello. It’s Me, Autumn”
I’ve been doing some unexpected self-discovery this week. Or, you could say re-discovery. All because of a kid’s movie. That’s right. A kid’s movie. Some of the best lessons in life can be found in these little gems. Our family watched the Trolls movie last weekend. It’s a delightful show about a troll named Poppy who is an undeniable optimist at heart. She, like most of the trolls, loves to sing and dance and hug, and she has an uncanny ability to look on the bright side of everything and believe things will always work out for the best. Continue reading “The Truth About Being Authentic”
Yesterday evening as my 18-month old daughter walked into the living room, whole jalapeño sticking out of her mouth ready to take a bite, I let out a gasp as the realization hit me that our chopping block island was no longer out of her reach. My mind wandered to the knife resting near the veggies where she reached up with chubby little fingers and selected the jalapeño instead. As I asked her to hand mommy the jalapeño, I made a mental note adding to the ever-growing list of hazards I have come to worry over our second child – our wild child. Continue reading “Life Lessons From My Wild Child”
When the girls don’t take their naps, I like to take them for a car ride in the countryside. Some days they’ll sleep in the car. Others they’ll bob their little heads along to the music and watch the scenery with me. Either way, it’s a relaxing time for all. Especially for me since I’ve always loved car rides. There’s something magical about country roads, getting lost on the gravel, no time limit, nowhere to be, just the road ahead, music playing on the radio, losing myself to thoughts and letting my cares and worries fly out the open windows. Continue reading “Henbit Fields and Churchyards – If Weeds Could Talk”
It seems everywhere I look there is someone standing on a platform holding a sign or a microphone. They are pleading their case, trying their hardest to win everyone over to their cause. Not just with today’s ripe political environment, but also with parenting advice. It seems every parent (or non-parent) has an opinion about how you should raise your children. When one mom posts a comedic video about her children’s poop and gets called soulless in backlash, I sit back in awe and wonder what has happened? Where’s the village? What happened to we’re all in this together? Where’s the solidarity? Continue reading “What the World Needs is More of This”
I tend to be a busy person. Always have liked to be on the move, and when I move, I move quickly. Well, that was B.K. (before kids). These past three years, I have struggled to adjust to a slower pace. Such is life with small, cute, but very slow children. While some may say your pace quickens, I feel the opposite. The freedom to just move, to get up and go no longer exists. What took five minutes before (coat, purse, keys, go), now takes half an hour. Coat, purse, keys, diaper bag with diapers, change of clothing, drinks, snacks, games, toys, books, children . . . diaper changes once more before leaving, then returning for the coffee you forgot. You get the idea.
Continue reading “The Magic in the Waiting”
I looked down at my toes and saw one red toenail from the pedicure I’d had five months ago and sighed. Whose feet are these, I thought. They can’t be mine. When did my feet turn into these neglected, sad appendages? I’d once taken great care of my feet. I sighed as thought back to regular pedicures and missed my beautician, who I hadn’t seen in months. These days, If I fit one pedicure into a year it was quite the treat. Continue reading “These Tired Feet”
Have you ever strived to be the perfect parent? You try and try and feel yourself falling short? I do. All the time. The mom guilt is brutal some days. I’m not feeding my children a hot meal every morning, they don’t get organic whole foods every time. I lose my patience and yell. (I mean, I said it three times already and they didn’t listen!)
Continue reading “Parents, You’re Not Screwing Up as Much as You Think”
Pixie Dust and Whiskey 