Giving New Meaning to Parenting

Prior to all this, I had a plan.
I would be nearing 30; I would be alone. I would not want to miss out on motherhood; so I would get pregnant and have a child on my own.
That was my plan, to be a single mother by choice. I decided that around the age of 20. [...]

Damp auburn hair. Blue
butterflies stamped on her cheeks,
nose, didn’t wash off.
“I miss my childrens
in Russia!” our daughter wept
at lights-out. Again.
Older than her brother,
she recalls the orphanage—
and, maybe, life before.
She learns directions, moves
furniture, decorates,
to control her world.
Butterflies on arms,
my son sleeps with books, all closed
except for Pirates;
Knobby knees at chin,
pj’s and pull-up thrown off.
His boy-doll’s nude, [...]

Do you ever get bored with food? I get bored with food. And yes, you may call me a picky eater. Or maybe… I’m a fad eater. I get hooked on one recipe or another and enjoy it for a while, then I don’t want to make it [...]

I’ve been closely following the current, and historic, economic situation we find ourselves in. As a parent, I see a specific parallel that is close to my heart: Accountability vs. Abandonment.
With regard to our economy, we’re going to put an enormous amount of tax dollars towards rescuing foreclosed homeowners. We’re holding them accountable, and we [...]

This past week I’ve read numerous posts describing bloggers’ feelings on fall.  Personally, I love it.  I love the cool crisp air.  I love wearing jeans and a fleece.  I love being able to run outside and not worry about the dreaded Runner’s Gut.  However, there are a couple of drawbacks.  The first is that [...]

It’s a statement that is made often without a second thought. My father-in-law said this often after we’ve had a nice dinner out with our twin girls. “You should be so proud that they are so well behaved in public places,” he’ll say. And, yes, we are very proud that MOST of the time they [...]

My daughter began attending pre-school at a local church this month and it’s working out really well. I have to admit that I was worried that it would interrupt school with my older son, because her class is in the morning when we are usually doing school work. Quite the opposite has happened.
I called the [...]

This week is the start of school, and I’m approaching it, as always, full of hopes and dreams about organization and fewer battles over homework.  I know the inevitable tension will come into play soon enough, but I am enjoying these few moments of unbridled optimism, and trying to find ways to make it [...]

I remember my brother (8 years older than me) standing on the shore of Depot Pond in all of it’s serene glory, taking one deep breath, and belching out the entire alphabet. It was a sound to behold, most often followed by roaring applause. (He is, after all, one of 7 children.) The [...]

Parents get to hear many wonderful sounds: a baby’s first word, “Mommy!” or “Daddy!” said in a happy squeal after you’ve been away, a child’s gleeful laughter when being tickled.
And then there are the not-so-wonderful sounds, the parenting equivalent of that gagging noise your dog makes just before she throws up on the rug. [...]