Two weeks ago I was lying in the bathtub quite literally minding my own business when my ten-year-old came in and made herself comfortable on the toilet (seat down, fortunately). “Mom,” she said. “I heard that when girls get older blood starts coming out of their vagina. Is that true?” And … [Read more...]
Raising My Daughter In The Shadow Of Her Sister’s ADHD
The brothers and sisters of children with ADHD are sometimes referred to as “ghost siblings.” Ghost siblings often seem invisible in comparison to the other child whose behaviour can include impulsivity, strong emotional expression, and hyperactivity. My ghost child is constantly getting the … [Read more...]
Dear Daughters – You Shouldn’t Care If I Work Or Not
Hey little gals, Did you know that ever since you were born, I’ve been devouring as many parenting articles as I can? I really believe that knowledge is power. It’s why I’m adamant about you practicing your reading every night. So since you were wee, I’ve been reading and reading. About sleep … [Read more...]
I Can’t Help But Take Sides When My Kids Fight
When I'm waiting in the car for my kids after school and I see them walking towards me, one at least 10 strides ahead of the other, I know there's going to be trouble ahead. Like many families, my kids can be best friends one moment, then bickering and arguing the next, oftentimes over the … [Read more...]
My Teenager Is Perfect To Me, So Why Can’t She See That?
As a young woman, I hated going to the hairdresser because I didn’t like looking at myself in a mirror for an extended length of time. Funnily enough, as I have gotten older, and am definitely more wrinkly, it doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it did when I was a teenager. Back then, I never … [Read more...]
In All Fairness…
One of the first things you realize when you have your second child is that now the game is all about fairness. Or if not fairness then at least equity. This hit me like a ton of bricks when I was nursing my minutes-old second daughter and addressed her big sister by her then-nickname. I think I … [Read more...]
Gamma
My mom was here all week, visiting from the flatlands, and it was glorious. We drank five lattes a day, sampled goods from all the local bakeries, shopped, got my house a little less crazy-messy, and had a jolly ol' time.She is such a wonderful blessing to me and I love her to bits. Thanks for the … [Read more...]
Tucked In
It was my mother's birthday this week and she announced that the only thing she wanted was a night with her two daughters. My sister recently moved hom from Edmonton, Alberta, so you can see why this idea was appealing to her. The three of us dressed up, had a lovely dinner out and amazing … [Read more...]
What Ever Happened to Feminism?
I often wonder what has happened to feminism. Several incidents have brought it to mind again. One is that my daughters want every stuffed animal and book character to be a she. Most of us naturally refer to a creature without an obvious sex as a he. For example: teddy … [Read more...]
Dispatches from Home
That's a picture of me and my nearly-six-year-old daughter, drawn by same. It's the most common theme of her prolific artwork: pictures of me and Mommy. And each one is lovingly inscribed: "to mommy". Most days I enjoy the tributes, give them a few days on the fridge honour roll, and then help them … [Read more...]