Posts Tagged Under mom bloggers
Teacher’s Hugs a Touchy Subject
My daughter’s elementary school had just let out for summer when I received an e-mail with disturbing news. An adored PE teacher–young, single and charismatic–had resigned after school administrators expressed concern over his affectionate ways with our kids.
One of the things I’ve always loved about our school is its warm, nurturing culture. Both students and their families appreciate, and even expect, hugs from teachers, most of whom are female. In my daughter’s case, at least, I believe that the special bonds she’s formed with her teachers have been as valuable as what she’s learned in class. Continue… »
By Dorothy O'DonnellWild Man
Courtesy,www.castlegar.ca
My husband David loves fishing. I married a man whose Dad would drop him off with his rod, reel, and bait at a fishing spot in Greenbrae and not come back to get him for a few hours. David spends a good part of our summers plotting his next fishing trip. He will search for the perfect fly, make dates with experienced guides, e-mail back and forth to his fishing buddy, and more, just to be able to cast his line in clean waters and catch and release rainbow trout.
Upon his return, I take in his fishing stories with all the interest I can muster as I love fish, but that is when I am eating them. I call him a “Wild Man” as he recounts hiking through treacherous brambles where fresh mountain lion droppings are evident on boulders nearby. Continue… »
By Cynthia RoveroTrust and Gratitude
I have been on a spiritual path for some years now, and one of the things I have been learning recently is how to trust. Trust in a Higher Power, trust in the Universe, trust in myself.
Having gratitude has been an important factor in helping me to trust. Writing a gratitude list every day is supposed to be especially helpful. I say the list in my head rather than writing it down as I’m just too damn lazy! It doesn’t seem to matter though as I really feel like the magic is starting to work. Continue… »
By Claire HennessyA shining example vs. a horrible warning
herdaily.com
My baby sister is about to have her first child. Poor thing. I love her but am having a hard time being supportive as well as not scaring the shit out of her. I haven’t held back my complaints about parenting my own children and can’t imagine why she wants to do it. I am certain that if I had known what was in store for me I would have thought twice, and then gotten my tubes tied.
I suggested they get a puppy but she said dogs are a big responsibility and it would be hard to travel. Hmm…when we go out of town we leave our dog here and have neighbors feed and walk her. My children require more attention than two walks and a half a can of food a day. And you don’t have the option of leaving them in a kennel. Continue… »
By Cathy BurkeThe Harm Reduction Omnivore
Long before Michael Pollan changed the way we think about food, we were influenced by our own resident activist. Our daughter, Emma, then age seven, returned one summer from Marin Humane Society camp proselytizing against animal cruelty and dolphin-safe tuna.
We endured her preaching for a few days, until her hunger for Chicken-of-the-Sea got the better of her. I resumed packing lunch boxes with a sigh of relief, but also with a pang of regret. Deep down, I knew Emma was right. Continue… »
By Lorrie GoldinSleeping Around
“Well, here’s the biggest problem,” I continue as I get in line behind a woman at the local café. “He’s not sleeping with me anymore. That’s what’s really upsetting.”
I balance my cell phone between my ear and shoulder as I reach in my purse for my wallet. The barista nods to me for my order. “I’ll have a medium low-fat latte.”
“I know he’s old and lethargic, but he’s just not himself,” I tell Teresa who I talk to every morning on my way to work.
“How should I know where he’s sleeping? All I know is that he’s everywhere but with me.”
The woman in front of me suddenly turns and stares. What is her problem, I wonder. I glance down at my blouse and make sure I’ve buttoned it straight. I was rushed this morning. Make-up? Did I put any on today? I’ve been known to show up at work without it sometimes. My fly, did I zip my pants? Continue… »
By Marilee StarkLove and Anxiety
I think, therefore I am. I am a mother, therefore I worry. I worry about my children.
There are other worldly concerns in which I can sink my empathic teeth. World peace, hunger, poverty, corrupt governments, health care; I care about all of these important issues. But only after I’m sure the kids are okay.
When our first-born cried as an infant for two straight hours, we searched through the new parents bible of human development, “Your Baby and Child,” by Penelope Leach. We were desperate to find a remedy that would calm her.
There were countless ear infections and weeks on antibiotics after trying homeopathy that, though it would not destroy the immune system, did not work against recurrence. What would those drugs do to such little bitty valves and organs? Continue… »
By Gloria SaltzmanBirth: What they don’t tell you!
When I became pregnant with my daughter, I was a front runner amongst my family and friends, so I had no clue what to expect. I have two sisters, the eldest of whom had sworn off having children and the youngest, being a Buddhist nun, was not likely to give me any support in this direction either.
Looking back now, I realize I had an effortless pregnancy, but at the time I was terrified about what was happening to my body and what the future held. I was in denial for quite awhile, until I went for my first scan.
There, on the screen in front of me, was this wriggly, maggot-like creature, which only looked sort of human. All I could think about was that film ‘Alien’ and the scene where it burst out of the woman’s stomach. Yuck!
As the birth date drew closer, I got fed up with lumbering around like a beached whale, not being able to bend over to pick something up, or put on my shoes. All I wanted was to get the little monster out of me. Continue… »
By Claire HennessyWhat’s for Lunch?
Every day now for years I have packed a school lunch for my daughter.
I’ve struggled with making sure the food is healthy, varietal and yummy. Each day her lunchbox would come home with remnants of what I had so carefully and lovingly put together. She had a request: Could she get a hot meal from school, just like ALL of her friends did?
Hot lunches are pricey. While everything does have a cost, I thought this might actually be worth it. I could save money because I would be preserving my sanity. I looked over the printed monthly lunch menu. Why it was a cornucopia of treats, delights and no work on my part, save for writing a check. Continue… »
By Dawn Yun
