PregnancyFamilyEducation Blogs
Recent Posts
May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day, Skadaddle
Happy Mother's Day, Skadaddle
Every year around this time, some company or organization sends out a press release (in print, radio, Web and TV) describing the “market value” of stay-at-home Moms. The release concludes that “after significant research” (which is really simply adding the average national salaries of bus driver, nurse, office manager, chef, teacher and so on) that the Chief Mom Officer position is worth somewhere around $130–150K. It’s also one of the biggest non-stories produced each year, and I have no choice but to roll my eyes and yawn whenever I see it. [more]
May 10, 2008
Throwing rocks and skipping stones, Skadaddle
Throwing rocks and skipping stones, Skadaddle
From time to time, I’ve been known to complain about the endless “Groundhog Day” cycle that can make up the bulk of our early parenting lives. Routine is especially important for the young'uns, but it gets to be so…routine. But, every now and again, the routine gets a sudden spark of inspiration that can bring new daily anticipation. All of a sudden – the routine becomes so…pleasurable. [more]
May 9, 2008
Some thoughts on motherhood, Professor Mom
Some thoughts on motherhood, Professor Mom
For my first Mother's Day, when L. was just 10 months old, my mom sent me a white T-shirt with "Mom" printed on the front. This was an unlikely gift, actually, for both the giver and the recipient (I'm not a T-shirt person), but she'd gotten the T-shirt for free and I was, after all, a "Mom" finally. I still have the shirt. I keep it folded in my drawer and it's moved with me three times now. [more]
May 8, 2008
Golden silence, Skadaddle
Golden silence, Skadaddle
I just finished a meeting and I have another in a couple of hours. Both are closer to my house than my office. As a result, I now find myself sitting in my living room, sprawled on the couch, laptop ensconced where it belongs (on said lap), dog sitting at my feet and…that’s it. Nobody is home. Just the dog and me.
From time to time there are few things as sweet as being home alone. I’m not talking about the kid(s) being asleep and the spouse out. There are still potential responsibilities in that scenario. I’m talking about being home…alone. The silence is golden. [more]
May 8, 2008
Hindsight (and red shirts), Professor Mom
Hindsight (and red shirts), Professor Mom
About once a month or so I meet for coffee with a group of women from a parenting group. My husband and I are both closely involved with this group, but the coffee mornings seem to belong to the moms. These mornings are not regularly scheduled events, but about once a month someone will send an email out to the group suggesting a meeting at one of the many coffee shops in this area. [more]
May 7, 2008
The Epiphany, Skadaddle With parenting comes a frenzy of epiphanies. They come fast and furious. Whether they come when changing that first diaper (or the thousandth), during a 3:00 AM bottle feeding, or while we’re teaching a teenager to drive, we’ve all had those moments when the world stops and we have that moment....that epiphany.
The Epiphany, Skadaddle With parenting comes a frenzy of epiphanies. They come fast and furious. Whether they come when changing that first diaper (or the thousandth), during a 3:00 AM bottle feeding, or while we’re teaching a teenager to drive, we’ve all had those moments when the world stops and we have that moment....that epiphany.
May 7, 2008
Anatomy of a lost day, Professor Mom
Anatomy of a lost day, Professor Mom
It happened yesterday afternoon--again. Right before I was going to head out to pick up L. from school, Scott put on some music and T. and I danced. She was filled with delightful energy and we held hands and twirled and jiggled together. Earlier, after lunch, we'd snuggled in the hammock, soaking up some together time after a busy start to the week. [more]
May 6, 2008
Bearing gifts, Professor Mom
Bearing gifts, Professor Mom
I was recently invited to a virtual baby shower for a blogging friend of mine who is expecting her second child. I had never been invited to one of these before, although I've attended quite a few flesh-and-blood showers (that sounds kind of gruesome, actually, but I hate referring to the world outside of the Internet as "real life," since I blog in real life and real-life people read what I write). [more]
May 5, 2008
Feeling like a dad, Skadaddle There are those extra “parental moments” that remind us that we’re parents. They might be something as simple as reading stories at bedtime, helping get dressed, changing diapers, or someday helping with the homework. But, perhaps nothing provides more of the “parenting rush” and test of our instincts than caring for a sick kid.
Feeling like a dad, Skadaddle There are those extra “parental moments” that remind us that we’re parents. They might be something as simple as reading stories at bedtime, helping get dressed, changing diapers, or someday helping with the homework. But, perhaps nothing provides more of the “parenting rush” and test of our instincts than caring for a sick kid.
May 5, 2008
Tooth and nail, Professor Mom
Tooth and nail, Professor Mom
On Sunday we had a total of 20 minutes of peace between the two kids. Those 20 minutes took place -- aptly enough, I suppose -- during Family Cook Night. L. was too busy chopping carrots and cucumbers (he even sliced a tomato, which was real progress for him! [more]
