Tag Archives: toddlers
The Aftermath
Tantrums are not forever. Tantrums are not forever. Tantrums are not forever. This is what I repeat to myself when I’m smack dab in the eye of the storm. I’ve gotten better at resorting to this mantra over the past year, which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that she […]
The Red Bandana
Things are not always hard. But sometimes they are. Sometimes, your child will dangle her newly-acquired red bandana out the open window of your moving car. At three and a half, she has just acquired the ability to reach the button that opens and closes the window. And yeah, you could lock it, but this […]
Eating the Elephant
For a long time now, I’ve likened writing to therapy. It’s a cheap way to get my thoughts in a row, to temper the negativity of my life with the positivity. Through writing, I’ve learned new things about myself that I otherwise might not have ever uncovered. I’ve analyzed problems and worked through complicated, conflicted emotions. Writing […]
To Miss C on Her Third Birthday
Dear Cee, Happy birthday, my girl. Today, you’re three. You’re also sick. Like, 103°-fever sick. We had planned for weeks to take you to the zoo today to celebrate your arrival to the World of Three, but instead we’re going to take you to the doctor. We’re also pretending that I’m staying home from work because […]
Threading the Needle
This evening I was in C’s room with my sewing box. She has a pile of clothes that have needed to be mended for awhile, and since I was off work today because of the snow we got last night, I figured today was the day that I would finally get to this task. C […]
Cee Says the Darndest Things
So, it’s been what feels like a billion years since I gave a real update on C. She’ll be three next month (I know, right?!) and she’s starting preschool this Wednesday. On Thursday, she’s going to the dentist for the first time. Out of these things, she’s most excited about the dentist. Go figure. Cee […]
Your toddler doesn’t care if you’re on your period, and here’s why you shouldn’t either.
Of all the character traits that don’t serve me well as a parent, my reluctance to take myself less seriously is probably the worst. I had had a pretty crappy day. I overslept a few minutes, I ran into traffic on my way to work, and within an hour, I could tell that it was going to take […]
Parenthood: It Doesn’t Get Easier
There is this interesting phenomena that occurs about six months into your stint as a parent. You’ll be sitting there, covered in spittup and running on the fumes of a microwaved cup of coffee that you made last Tuesday. You’ll reflect on the fact that you no longer bat an eye at the idea of […]
Why I’m Giving My Daughter Presence This Christmas
“Mommy, put your phone down. Pway with me.” Those were the words that made me reassess who I am to my daughter. When I first moved to Chicago ten years ago, I remember reading an article in the back of O Magazine* where Oprah, while shopping, recalled overhearing a kid repeatedly ask her mother to […]
Strap In
Tonight I sat in the bathroom with Cee as she sat on her potty. We do this pretty much every day, although I’ll admit that my potty-training skills leave much to be desired over the weekends. We sat and we waited. And waited. And waited. After 25 minutes, we packed it in. The last time […]
The Waiting 