I don’t write about Nora as much as I used to anymore. A huge part of embracing that whole #ThisIsNine hashtag comes part n’ parcel of what “nine” actually means. Nine is fierce loyalty, intense emotions, and a both-hands-gripped nostalgia for toys we both kinda/sorta know are on their [slow] way out. #ThisIsNine… …Is also tentative requests for more privacy, more autonomy, and more respect. I miss writing about Nora as much as I used to. Since the day she {Read More}
I remember being so afraid. (A birthday story.)
November 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Nora Jane, You are now nine years-old. Nine, if you’re not aware, is a bonkers age. (For me, mainly. I’m sure you’re perfectly fine with it.) I remember nine. I remember arranging my prized collection of porcelain dolls by height and dress and general interest- you know, the collection you inherited and now arrange by height and dress and general interest? I remember watching ‘Quantum Leap’ (a wholly brand-new show) with your Pop and how both of us agreed it {Read More}
#TruthTime, October edition
November 2, 2017 By 2 Comments
Here’s what I’ve learned this month. You’re never quite as alone as you think. When you stand at a front window and stare into the middle distance while eating fistful upon fistful of your child’s Halloween candy in some semblance of pajama/work at home attire, you will appear to the casual passerby on the street like an absolutely terrifying (and confusing) apparition. (“You heard about THAT house, right? They say she died with fun-sized Baby Ruths clutched to her chest…”) {Read More}
Saying “nope.”
October 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I have this fantasy. Stick with me, here. It involves having an automated email response set up for one whole day, the kind that knows how to accept emails I’m excited to get from family, friends, and work ops that’d be fulfilling, and filter out the multitude which are weird, offensive, stupid, unpaid, unpaid AND unethical, ask for my help getting the unpaid and unethical stuff “to the right department,” or follow up to my “that won’t work/that’s not a {Read More}
Summer wins & fails- so far
July 20, 2017 By 1 Comment
Chicago Public School kids are officially done with their first month of summer vacation- and it was a looong time in the making. (Looking at you, everyone else who was frolicking in sprinklers by, like, May 12th.) I’m usually pretty hard on myself in terms of idealizing summer and then smacking that right up against Actual, Humans With Children Summer. But once we got the kitchen up and running again and all three children firmly home, it seemed…easier, somehow, to {Read More}
Promoting STEAM with “Project MC2” & the #StreamTeam
May 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I’m super-duper happy to continue the convo this month about what the kids are learning- and from whom. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and gadget-happy kids are entirely my own. *** Half of parenting is instilling important values in your kids. (The other half is yelling inane things from either the top or bottom of any given stairwell. “Trucks aren’t for nostrils!” et. al.) And I’m not going to lie; raising {Read More}
Two types of children: Chicago activity edition
March 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: I love working with Chicago-based companies to find the very best in kid-friendly, body n’ brain-stimulating activities all across town. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and stubborn children are entirely my own. *** Windy City Ninjas Let’s lay it all out on the table, shall we? Even though I have three children, I only have two types of children: One is the kind of kid who shies away from newness, believes wholeheartedly in stranger danger/”Mom, can I sit {Read More}
Hey, gang, let’s put on a show! (With Netflix & the #StreamTeam)
March 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Disclosure: As a member of Netflix’s Stream Team, I get to have a stupid amount of fun and pretend it’s all for the children. Although I’m compensated, all thoughts, opinions, and felt creations are entirely my own. (Okay, fine, the kids helped.) *** Remember back in the day, back when Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, et.al were all about Putting On A Show? (I’m not saying it’s back in MY day, but it’s definitely in my mental Filofax of cultural {Read More}
