Helicopter parents and the damage they do to their own children is a pet peeve of mine. I have been pulled into the fan blades and watched the wounds inflicted enough to go past avoiding the phenomenon to campaigning against it. I observe silently and hyper-analyze after the fact, but I try to stay out […]
My children know that the answer to this question is usually yes. I don’t care if their friends are always here. I like their friends. I like knowing that the children are safe. I like to hear them giggling in the other room and see them playing together. While I am less enthusiastic about it, […]
Sarah is in Cincinnati with a friend all week. After not hearing from her for a day and a half, I called her friend. Me: “E, Sarah hasn’t been checking in and I’d just like to know how she’s doing.” Friend: “She’s fine of course. Hang on.” Sarah: “Hey Mom! I haven’t called because my […]
Take a penny and some magic Even though your life is tragic, You can throw all your dreams down the well. Although everyday the pain grows You ride unicorns on rainbows, If you throw all your dreams down the well. When your life’s come apart at the scenes And you’ve given up all your dreams, […]
If my children (and dog) could have just one toy in the summer, the water hose would be the winner. They will spend the entire day playing with the hose, taking breaks only to make sure they use every single towel in the house. Water rationing? Drought? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Pretend […]
Sarah’s art summer school camp was in today’s Farragut paper, so I guess we’ll head out and grab a copy since I promised the children a trip to McKay’s anyway. Well, everyone except Tommy. He is unwilling to even consider trading any of his books, so he’s not getting any new (to him) books. Yes, […]
We have generously been given two tickets to see “Sicko” this Friday. Who should go? A. Doug & I – Would require grandparents to babysit. Grandfather would disapprove of our outing, complain about the filmmaker and continue his efforts to Republicanize the children all night. B. Doug & Tommy – Might help with our efforts […]
Sarah leaves on July 3rd for a week of travel, followed by three weeks of flag (and band) camp. She only had one pair of the Soffe shorts that she wears for athletics and I get tired of washing them every night, so we ran out last night to get two more pairs of the […]
Sarah claims to hate politics, but draws what are essentially political cartoons about her classmates and watches Comedy Central’s best hour four times a week. Next year, she begins her career as a high school journalist and I suspect she’ll become even more politically active while continuing to deny any political affiliation. Tommy’s odd filtering […]
Three teenage girls here, two more arriving later. Now we have to make a quick visit to the summer camp art show. Next on the agenda will be giant cookie and pizza. Doug and I won’t retreat to the basement until after dark. Yes, I trust a pack of 14 and 15 year old girls. […]