Posts Tagged ‘Parenting’
Children sleeping in their parent’s room: I had strong opinions before I had kids. The results are now in.
The time has come. Prior to the birth of my daughter, I would argue that it was fairly bizarre and unwarranted to have have children sleeping in their parents’ beds for any extended period of time. I expressed opposition to the idea that my children would be spending a significant portion of their sleeping hours…
Read MoreMy latest appearance on Mom and Dad Are Fighting: Discussing violent tragedy with children
I made another appearance on Slate’s parenting podcast Mom and Dad Are Fighting, talking about how to handle discussions with children about horrific tragedies like the terrorist attacks in Paris or the mass shooting in San Bernardino (which was actually taking place while we recorded my segment).
Read MoreIt’s your booger.
I was wrestling with my two year-old son. He was climbing all over me. Squeezing my face. Tickling me. Standing on my chest. Throwing himself onto my head. Then he stopped. Frowned. Pointed at my chest. “Ew,” he said. “Yucky! What dat?” I looked. I saw. “That’s your booger, Charlie. Your giant booger on my…
Read More30 lessons learned from six years of parenting
My daughter celebrated her sixth birthday on Sunday. When she turned two years-old, I posted a list of lessons learned from two years of parenting. I updated that list when she turned four. In truth, I raised a step-daughter for ten years as well, so I’ve been a parent a lot longer than just six…
Read MoreWhen do you allow your child to quit an activity? Also, entering into contractual agreements with your child is insane.
In the Washington Post, Katherine Reynolds Lewis writes about when it’s acceptable to let your child quit an activity and how do you handle the anger that children express when forced to continue with something that they don’t like. She and her his husband have used a strategy that I will call contractual commitment: We…
Read MoreA New Year’s resolution for all experienced parents: Silence the small, sad and stupid. Allow expecting parents to be expectant.
Now that I’ve posted my New Year’s resolutions for 2015, I have a New Year’s resolution suggestion for all parents: Spend the next year (or even better, the rest of your life) telling expecting and first time parents that children are joyous miracles, and that being a parent is a remarkable and rewarding journey. Pour…
Read MoreThe girl rejected her mother’s culinary advances, but the boy could not resist
My daughter shows little interest in cooking with her mother. Perhaps, like me, she doesn’t understand why anyone would want to spend time cooking meals when there are other people willing to do it for you. Even if you’re not married to an excellent chef like me, there are always restaurants, fast food, take out,…
Read MoreCharlie found a whistle. And he was happy.
There are so many great reasons to have children. I think this needs to be said more often, because whining about the challenges of parenting is a popular pastime in certain corners of this country. Maybe every corner. I have theories as to why this may be the case, but I’m writing a book on…
Read MoreTiny windows hurt my heart.
The first snowfall of the year took place on November 29. It was enough snow for my kids to run outside and build a snowman. Other than lifting the middle section atop the bottom section, Clara built the snowman herself, and she and Charlie affixed the eyes, nose, mouth, and other parts completely on their…
Read MoreToday will be one of the hardest days of parenting so far. I know I’m lucky in this respect, but there is still a hole in my heart.
My daughter is sick. Her kindergarten class has a field trip to the pumpkin patch today. She’s going to miss the trip. Last month she was also sick. She missed her class’s field trip to the apple orchard. Thanks to a couple of poorly timed fevers, Clara is missing the first two field trips of…
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