The best parenting lesson I ever received came from my dad. The lesson was delivered long before I became a wife to one and a mom to three. I was five. Back then, family trips to Eisenhower Park were one of my favorite things to do. No visit was complete until we visited the pigs at the park’s small petting zoo. Whenever my two younger sisters or I dared to get a little … [Read more...]
Three Indispensable Tips for Every Parent
I adore my children and can’t imagine my life without them. But parenting is one tough gig. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Read all the child rearing books you want. Take every parenting class available. But it’s still a job that is a learn-as-you-go process. What worked yesterday with one kid may be an utter failure today with another. With … [Read more...]
How I learned to Feel the Force
Like most people, I don’t like admitting my mistakes. Especially when it comes to how I deal with my kids. That’s not to say I don’t make errors regularly, because I do. But sometimes I screw up in a way that really sticks with me. New Year’s Day was one of those days. It started off well enough. I was impressed that my husband and I managed to follow through with our plan … [Read more...]
My Daughter is More Than a Word
When my son Tom was eight, he needed a tooth pulled. Or as the pediatric dentist we went to said, “wiggled out.” “Mom, that means he’s pulling my tooth out, yes?” “Yes, Tom.” Then the dentist went to give him a shot of “silly juice,” which would make his mouth feel “funny.” “Mom, that’s Novocaine, right? And, my mouth is going to feel numb, right?” “Yes, … [Read more...]
Some Days
Some days raising a child with significant special needs means witnessing miracles. Simple things that most parents would take for granted become landmarks. If Lizzy answers me when I ask her what dress she would like to wear, or spontaneously lets me know she likes the strawberry ice cream she is eating, that’s a big deal. Some days it feels as if my heart is being torn out … [Read more...]
