When I graduated from high school, I thought I was finished with that chapter of my life. But recently, things that I did in high school that I never expected to do again have started to creep into my existance: 1. yell at boys from moving cars In high school, way back before smart phones or cell phones for that matter, my friends and I would communicate with boys by yelling out of car windows. And today, even with these technological advances, I still find myself cruising … [Read more...] about 12 things i did in high school that i never expected to do again
being a parent
it’s okay to be bored #10yearsaparent
I never dumped a bucket of ice over my head. And I've never hopped on to a social media campaign that involves holding up a handwritten sign (until now, see picture). It doesn't mean that I don't think the issues at hand are important. It just hasn't been my thing. But when a fellow blogger sparked a conversation about sharing real experiences about mothering and creating a network of support for mothers that might be struggling or feeling alone, something inside me connected. And so here we … [Read more...] about it’s okay to be bored #10yearsaparent
seven bad habits that will not make you friends #10yearsaparent
I haven't met a mom yet that isn't on the lookout for friends. Parenting can be a lonely, solitary endeavor and sometimes you just need to connect with other parents. But sometimes, we are so bad at making a connection. We want, we crave, the connection and it just doesn't come. I blame these seven habits. I am guilty of slipping into each and every one of these. I'm not any better than anyone else. But every once in awhile, just for the goodness of humanity, I try to stop, take a breath … [Read more...] about seven bad habits that will not make you friends #10yearsaparent
the myth of the good mother #10yearsaparent
Seeing as this time of year is often referred to as awards season, let's acknowledge that there is not an award for Mother of the Year. We might hear the term thrown around on the playground when a child is eating Cheetos out of the sandbox or on Facebook when a child chooses to fully express themselves in the Target line, but the reality is, there is no such award. There isn't an awards ceremony. There isn't a red carpet. There aren't any fashion police. Because there is no such thing as … [Read more...] about the myth of the good mother #10yearsaparent
five picture books you should recycle immediately #10yearsaparent
I am a book lover. I love picture books. I love reading to my kids. Stacks of books from the library are the highlight of my week. I never get sick of Go, Dog. Go! (Go around again!) or watching Curious George get high on ether or helping that little bird find his mother. I tear up every time Mike Mulligan retires MaryAnn to the town hall basement. But there are a handful of books that I think should be retired from circulation. These are the books that I've hidden from my kids at bedtime … [Read more...] about five picture books you should recycle immediately #10yearsaparent
parenting amnesia – it’s real people #10yearsaparent
This is the last installment of #10yearsaparent for 2014. I'll be back with more wisdom and insight from my vast knowledge of parenting January 9, 2015. The other day I was getting ready to leave my yoga studio, and I experienced a flare up of parenting amnesia. I overheard a conversation between two women about infant sleep. The mother of the infant was distraught about everything–her unsleeping child, her husband's reaction to the situation, her own exhaustion. Like every first time … [Read more...] about parenting amnesia – it’s real people #10yearsaparent
in the land of legos #10yearsaparent
When I walk into my basement, which looks like an inner circle of Lego purgatory with half finished abandoned creations, overturned bins, loose pieces covering every inch of floor, I have the intense urge to brand the word sucker right across my forehead. We have too many Legos.* For five years, more than half their short lives, my kids have been asking for and receiving Legos for every birthday, Christmas and grandparent visit. For five years, I have been buying storage bins, finding … [Read more...] about in the land of legos #10yearsaparent
don’t talk about other people’s kids #10yearsaparent
It's going to happen to you as a parent. First, you will hear someone talking about your kid. And you'll have to stifle the urge to go all mama/papa bear on them. He's so tall. There's no way he's actually seven. Then, you will find yourself in a situation where you will feel compelled to talk about someone else's child. Oh yeah, that Timmy, he's a handful. He can't keep his hands off my Tommy. Or even worse, the ole' judgement masked as false concern. I'm so worried about … [Read more...] about don’t talk about other people’s kids #10yearsaparent