Those who provide the comforting advice that “one day, your kids will know what you gave up for them” are well-intentioned, and even kind. What parent doesn’t want to believe that appreciation will come for all our efforts, at some point in the future? But I question the premise, the concept of eventual “justice” when […]
The other side of town
I was not where I wanted to be. In the car, weary, and heading across the city. At rush hour. My son was next to me in the passenger seat, navigating by two maps printed off Google; we were trying an alternate route to avoid tie-ups, but some were inevitable. I was leaning against a […]
Taxing
Yes, it’s that time of year. Dammit. Pulling papers together. Searching through piles for receipts. Shuffling through forms and instructions to take care of taxes. Funny that we say things are “taxing” when they are endlessly wearying. As language usage, is that the chicken or the egg? Tax season When tax season rolls around, I […]
Stress Busting Parenting Tips: Grand Central, Empty Fridge, Locked Door, More Coffee
Parenting teens? Parenting tips…
Where’s the funny?
I’m ransacking the cerebral files, the dream bank, the piggy bank. Hell, I’d empty the sperm bank if I had one around and thought it would help me crack a smile. I’d shake shake shake as much as I could from any of those vessels, to collect a clinking coin or drizzly drop of humor. […]
Kids say the darndest things!
Kids will be kids Care to go for a truism to start your day? In the name of world peace and global inter-connectivity? Then start with kids. And in that light, here’s my oh-so-self-evident observation, based upon 36 hours of hosting a teenager from Latvia in our hybrid little American homestead. The bad news is: […]
Colonel Mustard in the Library with a … Mop?
Help! The Latvians are coming!
Latvian Update: Can You Spell PANIC?
I have a vague recollection of agreeing, last evening, to host a 17-year old from Latvia, for two weeks. Did I imagine it? My body is worn (violins please), my sleep is pocked (cue the violas), my financial situation is right in keeping with the National Debt (are we up to a quartet yet?) but, […]
I’m not dead yet, but I must be certifiable
So my kid is up at 4:00 am, Friday morning. Yes, this morning. In the kitchen. Which of course wakes me up, after four blissful hours which possibly could have extended into five. I’m a light sleeper no matter what, and these days, that’s an understatement. So I pad out to the kitchen (10 steps […]
Full spectrum parenting: Can we do the same for ourselves?
My teenage son must have fallen asleep very late, and without actually going to bed. In other words, keeling over in the midst of an assignment. His door was open this morning, when I went to tap lightly at 7:30am, to wake him. His easel was set up next to his small desk – a […]