At night, for more than a week, I heard their sounds outside. Laughter mostly. Music occasionally. Fortunately, they have always been considerate about keeping the decibel level down for the old folks in the neighborhood. You know. Those of us over the age of 20. And they were content, sitting around the fire pit, often […]
To Be Or Not To Be: Choosing Your Child By Gender
How could I not be a little horrified when I read this headline? Couple aborts twin boys because they want a girl using IVF. When it comes to the art of headline writing, I’d say that qualifies as a grabber. It caught my attention, provoked my ire, and brought me to this article that appeared […]
Argyles
The clothes make the teen (man) There was the suspender phase. And the bow-tie phase. And the tie-dye phase (which has yet to end). Ripped jeans? Ever in fashion. Likewise, the torn and worn leather jacket. Apparently, one has moved on to a taste for preppy classics: neat sweaters (to my relief) and strangely, argyle […]
Giving Shape to Invisibility
Giving shape to invisibility. I plucked those evocative words from a writer I’ve recently discovered, Wolf Pascoe at Just Add Father, and the reference comes from this: When I was eight, my father died suddenly. My mother never remarried. As a result, a good part of my life has been defined by what was missing. […]
Resolve
Knowing what you want is one thing. Knowing what you need? Quite another. You can’t always get what you want, right? Hey – the Rolling Stones told us so! But New Year’s Eve was all about my son getting what he wanted, and me – not getting what I needed. Yep, I did it to […]
Open to the Future
It’s been quite a year. On every dimension that I value or that keeps this household afloat – emotionally, physically, financially – I will say it again: it’s been quite a year. Last year I dared to write a letter to the new decade, imploring the universe to grant a bit more light. This year […]
Who Do You Miss?
Yesterday was a busy day around Ye Olde Teenage Homestead. And it was a good day – relaxing, entertaining, and both my sons were their usual cut-up selves – the provocateurs, especially when they’re together. What is it about mothers that we become such easy targets for teen teasing? Affectionate barbs and bravado, of course. […]
‘Twas the Morn Before Christmas. . .
‘Twas the morn before Christmas And all through the house Teens were still sleeping, No signs they might grouse When asked to participate In picking up Trails of their messes – The odd glass or cup Left on the couch, On the floor, on the table – (Why can’t they walk to the sink – […]
People Pleasing, Big Bellies, Weird Facts
What better time of year for a story of a ho ho ho big belly? No – I’m not referring to Santa Claus, Saint Nick, or any other variation of bearded man in a red suit. However, while researching sneezing the other day, I ran into the following juicy tidbit. Thank you Guinness Book of […]
Safe and Sound
The expression “there’s no place like home” surely comes into play for our children after a time away, after difficult periods, after challenges that take the air out of their tires – even a little – and they find themselves at last, coming home. “There’s no place like home” is reflected in their comfort, their […]