There’s a lot that can be said about the difficulties of parenting young kids. I feel very conscious that my blog tends to be focused on the harder moments. Most likely, it’s because I find writing as a useful tool for processing and reflection. But, there are, of course, great moments. My mom often talks about the good times, how much fun we had when my sisters and I were little. I asked her once if it was ever difficult for her (because it never sounds like it!). “Oh, I cried every day,” she said, implying the difficulty. It’s not that my mom, or other parents whose kids are much older, block out the hard parts. It’s just the memory of the simple love, connection and dependency is much stronger and worth cherishing. I’m here, on any given day, dreaming of getting away for a few nights so I can sleep for 8 hours, wake up at a reasonable time and not have to take care of anyone. My kids are dreaming of spending every minute they can with me. My mom has said to me many times, “you’re th
My kids are toddlers and they have big feelings. Big fucking feelings. Both of them at age 3 and 1 are expressing those emotions on levels that seem absurd to me. One minute they’re running back and forth laughing and screaming with joy together. The next they’re fighting over a toy, and whoever loses acts like their whole tiny life is over. This is normal. It’s normal for toddlers to have big feelings, and it’s absolutely normal that they don’t know how to handle it. And do you know what else is normal? That I don’t know how to handle it. Little Monster An Example… A few weeks ago, I picked up Max and Nico from school/daycare and we had a good time on the long car ride home (30 mins, they get a snack). Once in the house, we played for a while and then I began to make dinner. I told Max he could watch his favorite show - Spidey and his Amazing Friends - while we ate. Sometimes this helps get him to the table and actually eat. When I sat down with them to eat, Max decided he didn’t li