But in asking him what his body is feeling, the emphasis is on assessing and responding appropriately to his own feelings instead of being informed of his feelings or looking to me and my reaction to figure out if he should be hurt.
The Lions at Night
As we wrestle Lars to get in bed, just to lie still as we read books - something startles me. My mother's voice jolts into my head: "When you become a mother, you will never know a love like the one you have for your children. But you will also have a fear like you … Continue reading The Lions at Night
Toys, Guns, and Fear
Maybe it is also my approach. I can either be fearful - adding to the allure and power of guns - or I can understand the respect lesson - I can address their dangerousness, how guns in real life and guns in play are different, and offer these things in developmentally appropriate pieces to my son.
A Few of Larsen’s Favorite Toys
Too many toys clutter rooms just like too many sensory triggers from toys cause clutter in the brain.
A Love Letter to Larsen’s Dad
While some people have their hierarchies, we have our venn diagrams. While some people climb ladders, we're riding that carousel. I'm grateful for you not expecting me to choose between motherhood and marriage, but instead, you continually seek right next to me the ways parenthood encourages us to find the overlaps and build our love from there.
Learning to Walk
I say it repeatedly: Lars is my guru. He’s showing me how to enjoy my walk. Yet still I fight it. It still tries my patience when he inhibits my mission. When will I learn? When will I understand how to deal with those times I can't handle it when things don't go my way? How many more months will it take me to learn how to walk?
Teaching Kids Real Things
Today was the best trip to the grocery store of my life. Yes, after motherhood it's really the little things! I finally got the nerve to take Larsen's real shopping cart to the smaller grocery store by our house. I did get many stares, but sweet smiles to go with them. I told him … Continue reading Teaching Kids Real Things
Rechanneling Lars’ Need for Throwing
We did it! We bought our toddler a drum set. Shocked? I know. I questioned myself too. I do like a quiet home. But I am totally happy about it. He needed it. He’s been throwing things all the time lately. Sticks, yogurt, books, clothes, iPads. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. While he was speaking in a different language … Continue reading Rechanneling Lars’ Need for Throwing
Husbands and Muffintops
No. Not you. He stands on the scale. “168.5. Up ten pounds and I’ve got a muffin top.” He's an avid cyclist, needlessly worried how light he will be on the bike. These are the last words I need to hear from my husband right now. He didn’t have a baby almost 3 years ago … Continue reading Husbands and Muffintops
Toddlers and TV Shows
Want to know why our toddlers can be mean, bossy, and manipulative? Maybe the media they are ingesting can help you decode their behavior. I hardly let Larsen watch any TV before two. If there were any shows, it was Baby Einstein for a few minutes here and there, but he was never really interested … Continue reading Toddlers and TV Shows
Transcending Motherhood 