THE PREAMBLE Sometimes I think I’m funny. Then I read Chase McFadden’s blog, Some Species Eat Their Young, and think he’s funny. Then I come across some writing by my kids or someone else’s kids and think they’re funny. Because they are. And, while Chase and I try to be funny (sometimes too hard), kids […]
humor
When Sisters Act As Mothers
At least once a day, I find myself saying this to Vivian: Sometimes, when I’m in the lecturing mood, I follow this up with this: “You’re his sister. You’re on his team. Defend him.” Conversations like this happen after Vivian alerts me (and scolds William) about not washing his hands, practicing piano with his feet, […]
The Challenges of Showering When You Have Kids
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve read a number of blog posts that refer to showering. Kelly from Dances With Chaos blogged about her 18-month-old being booted out of her gym’s childcare. This unjust suspension took away Kelly’s only chance of showering. Larry from Christian in the Rough mentioned that many of his best […]
Breaking My 10 Parenting Commandments*
As a woman who birthed later than the national average, I had plenty of opportunities to be an armchair parent. By observing an array of friends – some of whom should have used birth control – I saw a range of parenting styles. I witnessed well-meaning parents make not only single goof-ups, but legions of […]
Why Music Lessons Make Me Want To Drink
I have my six-year-old twins in this fantastic piano program: it’s interactive, it’s fun, and it’s instructive. Unfortunately it’s also parented, which means once a week I get to sit through the longest hour of my life. It would be fine if I didn’t have the problem child. Most weeks it’s William, but sometimes Vivian […]
Teaching, Kids and Beauty
Last week, I was invited to attend a Teachers’ Gala at a posh downtown hotel. It included a full day conference where we shared best practices and listened to Dr. Phil McRae’s phenomenal research on trends in education over the next 20 years. The day-long celebration also included a semi-formal dinner. We were told to […]
5 Ways Blogging Is Like Parenting
When I launched this blog 17 months ago, my first post was entitled “How Starting a Blog is Like Having Twins.” Now, 170 posts later, I feel like I’ve been living in Blogville for a while. In fact, because the world of blogging is relatively new compared to when Neanderthals grunted their way around, I […]
Routines, Apples, and Underwear
Most of my at-home evenings look the same. They involve my husband relaxing upstairs, watching his favourite sports team lose (Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Canada’s Rugby Team) and me pfaffing on my laptop in our library, sometimes writing, sometimes tweeting, sometimes chatting with Kelly from Dances with Chaos. The second part of this routine […]
Kids + Cooking with Plastic Food = Entertainment
My six-year-old twins, Vivian and William, have decided to open a restaurant. Vivian is the maitre d’, the chef, the owner, and the waitress. William is the guy who trails after her. Think Remy from Ratatouille, without the influence. So, I’m sitting (which, according to my son, is my best skill) when the basement door […]
The Art of Entertaining Children on a Road Trip
It’s Spring Break, or as I called it last year, Spring Break-down. So far, after four consecutive full days with my kids, I’m still remarkably composed. I haven’t been overly tempted to lock them in the closet, at least not for a long period; I’ve also locked myself in my walk-in closet only once during […]