Because parenting is an exercise in adapting to change

Thumbnail image for Because parenting is an exercise in adapting to change October 24, 2011

The boys know our block well and, like homing pigeons, once we hit it they fly the rest of the way. I see their new khaki pants patched etched against the sky – smudges of speed and delight at the sound of their own hammering feet and hearts and breath racing the sidewalk home. A [...]

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Maybe the best way to get over yourself

Thumbnail image for Maybe the best way to get over yourself October 12, 2011

I like sleep. I like spending hours reading books, alone, in perfect quiet, in a pool of sunlight on a late fall afternoon. I like a clean and tidy house. I like to eat food while it is still hot. I like clean clothes. I like to brush and style my hair in more than [...]

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For when the walls are closing in

Thumbnail image for For when the walls are closing in September 6, 2011

He comes to find me in the dark. Eyes squinted against my bedside lamp, he whispers, “Mama. Mama I gotta be by you.” Bad dreams and hot summer nights drive him out of his bed, down the hallway and into mine. And I, I who crave space like oxygen at the end of some days, [...]

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Balancing the happy ending

Thumbnail image for Balancing the happy ending September 5, 2011

The lovers in movies kiss in shades of intimate sunset. Wind and light and time stand still for them. Their moments are filled with space to breathe and exhale and savor. They hold hands. They look long and deep into the insides of each other’s eyes to interpret what lingers there. They read one another [...]

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How to love a mean kid

Thumbnail image for How to love a mean kid August 22, 2011

Jackson didn’t invite the mean boy in his class to his birthday party. He wanted to. He took the invitation to school. He put it in the boy’s cubby. But when I came to pick him up later the white envelope and “Come Kick with me at my Tae Kwon Do” party invitation were back [...]

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How to spot the extra in {the every day} ordinary

Thumbnail image for How to spot the extra in {the every day} ordinary August 4, 2011

I’m home. I’m full. And even though it was 4am when I finally stumbled tired suitcase in the door of our little white house to find that sleeping baby girl and wrap myself around her, I made it home and that’s all that matters. Travel is fun and wonderful even when it’s exhausting. To me, [...]

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What you can see when the power’s out & the light’s just right

Thumbnail image for What you can see when the power’s out & the light’s just right July 6, 2011

{The power’s been out most of today. But this post has been on my mind. I wrote it a year ago. And this boy will turn six soon and we’re planning a special coming-of-age milestone this weekend for him. You boy mamas, how do you bear it? Having arms that miss them more than they [...]

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For when you’re tempted to just lose it with your kids

Thumbnail image for For when you’re tempted to just lose it with your kids May 11, 2011

The bacon sizzles hot and fat in the pan. The microwave sings alongside and dust motes dance in the sun along my window frames. Me and the house exhale loudly. The morning tornado of boys has been safely delivered to preschool, the baby is sleeping and other than Kenny Chesney on the radio I’m alone [...]

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Remembering to like your kids, and not just love them

Thumbnail image for Remembering to like your kids, and not just love them May 5, 2011

It’s late. Only 9pm. But so late. The night shift will soon begin and the day shift with bathtimes and teeth brushing battles has only just begun to wind down. I slink away for a bit to steal some quiet and maybe some few moments of sleep in between shifts. But they find me. Small [...]

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Yes, I’m *that* kind of mama

Thumbnail image for Yes, I’m *that* kind of mama April 28, 2011

As in, when I dropped my kid at preschool his teacher took one look at him and said in a panic, “but…..today is picture day!” To which I calmly responded – “Yes, I know. I also realize that Jackson is wearing the exact same outfit as yesterday – but it was the motorcycle shirt again [...]

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