In the past three days, I’ve learned that nothing—nothing at all—can simultaneously motivate and irritate my children quite like a chore chart. The first two days were not smooth. There were wails of “I don’t understaaaaaaand” and “what do I do noooooow?” and “does 30 minutes mean THIRTY MINUTES?” And then they just…started doing their […]
No Means No: Teaching Children About Consent
We were walking through Target one afternoon last week, before Brock Turner and his victim’s statement became trending topics. Emma was being kind of rambunctious, chasing her brother in and out of the clothing racks in the children’s department. He wasn’t feeling great. He’d finally had enough of her playing. “No means no, Emma! Stop […]
Kindergarten Mom
Let’s just get a few things cleared up before I begin my little vent here about being a kindergarten mom feels like I’m always flying blind. (Always.) 1. I’ve had wine tonight. Not so much that I’m incapable of forming a complete thought but just enough so that I’m feeling saucy. 2. I love school […]
Just a White Girl
I remember the very first time I realized I was just a white girl. And I don’t mean in the sense that I became aware of my skin color and how it differed from that of my darker skinned friends. I mean the first time I became aware that I was JUST a white girl. […]
Dads, Don’t Date Your Daughters
There’s a video making the rounds on Facebook right now about a husband who’s about to go on the most important date of his life…but not with his wife! SCANDALOUS! He gets all dressed up and a friend asks if he’s nervous. “Yes!” he says, as he ties his tie. “It’s been a long time,” replies his […]
5 Things Children Need From Parents
Any time a new movement hits the Internet, conversation inevitably erupts about the soundness of said advice. When the #banbossy campaign hit Facebook, I saw chatter on both sides of the argument, but what I saw most of all was a disconnect about what, exactly, our boys AND our girls need from their parents. While […]
What I Want My Children To Know
There’s been so much discussion and argument and anger on the Internet this week, discussions which I’ve been unable to keep myself from joining. And the only thing I can think about–the thing that makes me speak up–is how much I love my children. Love is what this all keeps coming back to for me. […]
How to Tell If a Show is for Boys or Girls
I let my son watch “girl” shows. I’m not ashamed to admit that at all. I don’t subscribe to the notion that television shows are made for girls OR for boys. If a television show is made for KIDS it’s made for boys AND girls, regardless as to whether there are flying ponies or men in […]
Parenting: You’re Doing It
I just spent entirely more time than I thought I ever would reading a viral, ranty blog post about the way we should be raising our kids and commenters who said that how not doing it that way is the cause of the decline of civilization. Complete with a “disclaimer” that we all parent differently […]
Love What You Love
Joshua and I spend the morning drive to school talking. About anything and everything. Usually Sonic the Hedgehog or Toy Story. This morning’s conversation made my heart sink a little. “Mama, what song is this?” “This is the fairy godmother song from Cinderella.” “Mama, do you like Cinderella?” “I do.” “I like Lightning McQueen. Mama, you […]