Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Parenting”
Ever since my second son was born, I’ve been in a “loaves and fishes” season of writing. I write when my sons are napping, or after they’ve gone to bed, or while they’re in childcare at the YMCA. I have an hour here or an hour there, but almost never a long stretch of time. These writing sessions are small and …
From the day Isaac was born, he looked just like his dad. I lost count of the people who said to me, in some variation, “You’re lucky you gave birth to him, because he’s ALL Ike!” Now that Isaac is getting older, people direct their comments to him instead of me: “You look JUST like your father!” I really don’t …
For many of us, life is like one giant mirror. You see the world as a reflection of yourself. What people think of you, how people treat you–it’s all information that shapes your self-image. The way your parents raised you, the way your spouse loves you, whether your peers include you, whether your boss promotes you–it all informs your view …
When I was in 9th grade, I had a conversation with a teacher I will never forget. He taught British lit, but he wasn’t your stereotypical English teacher. He was big and muscular. He was gruff. He coached the football team. He was from somewhere up north, and he had that tough “Yankee” edge to him. He was sarcastic, funny, …
Hey y’all! I have been so anxious to get on here and tell you about the newest member of our family: Coen! It’s hard to believe Coen has been with us for a whole week–he was born February 16–but he is just the best. Super cute, super easy, super cuddly–our hearts are full! For those of you who prayed for …
It wasn’t long after we found out we were having another boy that I began to field this question from people: “Do you think you’ll ever try for a girl?” This question makes me laugh, because it’s sort of like asking, “Do you think you’ll try to win the lottery?” Not that girls are the equivalent of winning a prize, …
A few weeks ago my son did something he had never done before. In our kitchen there are a few cabinet doors that are not yet baby-proofed. Of course, my son knows exactly which cabinets they are, and he targets them every morning. Normally I notice when he is headed toward a cabinet and I brace it shut with my …
Around 2am this morning, Ike and I woke up to the cries of our son. Although Isaac normally sleeps through the night, he is currently cutting four new teeth AND he’s having a growth spurt. Once we realized he would not settle down on his own, Ike hopped out of bed and disappeared into Isaac’s room for what seemed like …
For reasons I don’t entirely understand, my son hates his high chair. I mean, HATES it. When we put Isaac in his high chair, he acts as if we are strapping him in to a Medieval torture device . He planks his back, sticks out his bottom lip, cries uncontrollably, and works every last one of our heart strings. That …
Before my son was born, I wouldn’t have described myself as a baby person. It’s not that I disliked babies; on the contrary, I thought they were great! But I wasn’t totally comfortable with babies or small children. Or really larger children, for that matter. I didn’t know the best way to hold them or interact with them. Especially in …
