Parenting
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31 Hours
It all started fourteen years ago with one question “Where’s the closest post office?” I was standing in the parking lot of, A Happy Beginning Nursery School wondering who this bubbly stranger was. Little did I know at the time but I had just met one of the most influential people in my life, a strong woman who has taught me about happiness, people, friendship and parenting. My dear friend, Elena. There was an instant connection between the two of us and from that first meeting arose a group of friends organized by Elena, that we still lovingly call, “The Playgroup.” Back then we would meet at each other’s houses…
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Kids, Cars and Chaos
Look for the gems hidden in the sands of time. Thursday and Friday of this past week were so busy the large McDonald’s coffee I drank before school on Friday left me wondering if they had made a mistake and given me decaf. By noon I was dragging and I had promised the students’ lunch with me in the classroom. I pulled out my travel mug of green tea and my Greek yogurt loaded with protein and played charades with the kids marveling at their energy after an equally long week. I had one and half more hours, two fall projects and a math lesson to complete before the end…
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The Bad Wife
“I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.” I saw this poster hanging on the wall at my son’s school. The amount of effort I put into something directly affects the outcome. This pertains to work, family, friendships, everything in my life. I remember once when I was young, I was asked to sweep all the fall leaves from our driveway. I wanted to play football with the neighborhood boys, not waste my day sweeping. After a short time, I asked my father if the drive way was “good enough” in hopes that he would set me free from my bothersome chore. His reply was “Did you do the…
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Be The Wall
They’re big, full of life, curious, fearless, and they watch your every move with inquisitive eyes. Life with teens can be unpredictable, exciting, frustrating, and awe inspiring – all in one day. There was a time when the thought of having a teenager, especially a girl, put me into a panic. How was I going to parent a teen? It didn’t seem like that long ago since I was hanging out with my E-town friends at Friday night football games. Decorating the ladies room at our school district education building is a poster that reads-Be The Wall, the teen brain is still developing into the early twenties. Be the wall.…
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Works in Progress
Yesterday was a day of firsts. My son wrote his first song and my daughter had her first driving lesson. Some days, like the day they were born, are etched in my memory forever. Yesterday was one of those days. Standing alone in a hospital Body is in control Calming my young mind We will be fine. Holding her in my arms Eyes staring into mine Love, intense, blankets my fear Mom, that is me Sixteen years of practice vanish like a dream. “Just get in the car mom, I can do this.” My eyes open to the brave person she’s become. Mom, that is me. Surrounded by friends and…
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Thought For the Day
Inspiration can burst through my lazy thoughts when I least expect it. This morning I was chatting with my daughter over a bowl of Wheaties FUEL. It was the crack of 9:30 am and son was still asleep. Gone are the days when I used to hear “Mommy!” and crawl out of bed wishing for just one more hour. I had been up since 6:30 editing Mystic and enjoying the silence. Daughter and I were discussing life when out of my mouth popped-“There’s a difference between feeling you deserve something and feeling you’re blessed to have something.” She agreed. Still in editing mode, I went upstairs and wrote it down.…