parenting – Page 3 – Pretty Good Ugly

December Blues

I think it’s an exceptionally difficult time to be a human. People are really struggling. We were running on empty before, then emergency reserves, then fumes and now? Who knows how we keep going. In the face of corruption and greed and violence. In the face of planetary destruction and no response by the powersContinue reading “December Blues”

December Blues

Advent in the 2020s

One of the strange and wonderful things about aging is realizing which traditions you want to hold on to and which ones you can release. Lighting the advent candles is something I’ve held onto. Hope is such a strong, gritty, determined thing. And more light and warmth is almost always a good thing. After allContinue reading “Advent in the 2020s”

Whispers of Autumn

It’s starting— the weather’s shifting, coughs are getting deeper, green is fading to gold, and I get to wear scarves. GAME ON. California catches a lot of flack for “not having seasons,” which we do, they’re just kinda chill about it. Nothing too extreme. (Until everything catches fire again but shhhh) Our neighbor’s tree isContinue reading “Whispers of Autumn”

Ancestors in Waiting

In our little kitchen nook I’ve created a family tree. Names and dates and photos with twinkle lights draped around. A little altar of sorts. Tonight, kidlette sat next to it, drinking her warm water before bed, and suddenly she burst into tears. “I will be so sad when you die! Who will take careContinue reading “Ancestors in Waiting”

Cruelty, Callousness and COVID

So, it happened. My family caught COVID last month. We had a sense it was heading our way when cases started appearing in our child’s kindergarten class. She had a bit of a sniffle so we tested her at home and it came up positive. That was a Sunday. We cancelled plans and pulled herContinue reading “Cruelty, Callousness and COVID”

Parenting in End Times

I’m learning that I’m rarely alone in my feelings or my thoughts, however isolating they may feel. So I’m wondering if there are others out there who struggle with raising a child amid the climate crisis. Within ten years the world may change so much we are in unending catastrophe. My girl will have justContinue reading “Parenting in End Times”

Lessons in Unlearning

My child is six. She has lived a short period of time and yet has learned so much. She tells me that the sun is a star and that blood is made in our bones. She also asks a LOT of questions, like are mosquitoes REAL, and what about dragons? Her world is full ofContinue reading “Lessons in Unlearning”

Caged, Curious, or Free

I have lived my life in a cage built of rules, close quarters with a lot of requirements.I yearn to raise a free daughter, I imagine what that would look like. I encourage curiousity, letting her wonder and wander,Saying yes more than no because after all, why not? I ask her to notice and sheContinue reading “Caged, Curious, or Free”

Divorcing the Shoulds

I’ve lived under the weight of Shoulds for as long as I can remember. The “supposed to” Unspoken and unspeakably high expectations. Through the last decade or so, I’ve been breaking free of the Shoulds.Liberating myself bit by bit,Loosening, though not breaking my shackles. The external ones were easier to see, “Don’t Should on me!”Continue reading “Divorcing the Shoulds”