This afternoon, I had to get my daughter to her toddler dance class. I had to drag my son along with me, because there was no one else to watch him. It was raining, and no one was in a good mood. I was feeling frustrated by an unpleasant pharmacy experience and grumbling about the […]
Parenting
Reading Harry Potter
I’ve been waiting more than seven years for what happened last night. Before putting my son to bed, I opened up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (the new illustrated edition) and read him the first chapter about The Boy Who Lived. It was the fulfillment of dreams. Way back when I was a “young […]
The Question You Should Be Asking About Screen Time
I’ve been struggling to decide where I stand on the question of limits on screen time– not for myself, but for my kids. Although I know many people feel over-connected to their phones, that’s never been a problem for me. I keep my phone in my purse both at home and at work, and only […]
The Role of Martyred Mother is Not Being Played By Me
March is a busy month for music teachers. My husband, who is the sole band director in his high school, has had several big commitments: production week for the school musical; the musical weekend itself; the St. Patrick’s day parade in NYC. Naturally, as a result of his being out of the house more often, […]
Learn Your Family’s Love Language
Last fall, on the advice of the Happier podcast hosts, I finally read Gary Chapman’s classic book, The Five Love Languages. I put off reading it for so long because although I love books that help me know myself better, this book seemed cheesy and unnecessary. I know how to love myself, and I know […]
Maternity Leave, By The Numbers
Numbers of… …Weeks since I last taught school: 114 (includes the summer I was pregnant) …Hours spent nursing: Way, way too many to count …Diapers changed: An average of 6 per day times 730 days equals… about 4,300 diapers. (Okay, Edwin’s daddy and grandparents probably changed about 10% of those.) …Miles pushing stroller on the Rail […]