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
parenting mistakes
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
i hope your kid’s a loser #10yearsaparent
My sons just wrapped up a losing season of flag football. And when I say losing season, I don't mean more losses than wins, I mean all losses and one tie. Their team played well. They improved tremendously. They put their hearts into it. The games weren't blow outs. They were close. Their team was in it the whole time. Each game could have gone either way. They could not get a break. As a parent, when you see your kids trying so hard, playing so well, having fun and holding their … [Read more...] about i hope your kid’s a loser #10yearsaparent
birthday parties are for suckers #10yearsaparent
Ever since my ninth birthday when I hid under my bed because everyone was paying attention to Lani Ouzts instead of me, birthday parties have been events to dread. My one regret as a parent is that I didn't have a birthday party strategy in place from day one. I didn't set a precedent about what to expect in this realm. When the invitations to other kid's parties started rolling in, there was pressure to do things a certain way–as in have birthday parties. If I had made a plan upfront, I … [Read more...] about birthday parties are for suckers #10yearsaparent