4/11/2011 Better than feeling like the prettiest girl at the ball is feeling like the best mom in the world! I had a splendid day with my daughter yesterday—one of our Sunday “dates.” I honestly thought it was going to be a bust because she overslept for work and ended up being an hour late. I figured she’s call me and tell me that she was going to need a nap after work, which automatically derails any plans we might…
4/7/2011 It figures—after being so frustrated with my daughter and what she DOESN’T do, she goes and DOES something lovely that makes me forget all about it. She has the gift of a close, warm relationship with her grandmother, my mother, and she fully appreciates it—and yesterday , she showed it in all its glory. My mother, a passionate movie lover, invited me to see one of the film festival films with her. I begged off because I was just too…
4/5/2011 “I love you with all my heart. I can’t wait until we move into our new house. We’ll have so much time together.” That is a recent text from my “troubled teen.” I put that in quotations purposely—that’s what a mother will wait a lifetime to hear, and when she does, she forgets the past in an instant. She tells me these types of things quite often, and I truly believe that’s how she feels. However, there’s a part…
3/31/2011 You can sometimes find us: Eating Middle-Eastern food at our favorite restaurant. Going places we went to when they were children to see how they’ve changed. Talking about how great they have it compared to other people. Talking about how special their relationship is with their Nana, and how they knew her when she was young and fun. Watching Jersey Shore and Teen Mom and making fun of the cast. Listening to the morning radio show antics and analyzing…
3/30/2011 My older daughter never had the same issues as my younger one with depression or hyperactivity or even rebellion. Her problems arose in college. She noticed that she was having trouble finishing her work or paying attention to lectures. I thought maybe she was too interested in her social life or her classes were boring. But then we noticed that she was unable to finish one conversation before starting a new one, then would forget what she was talking…
3/30/2011 My girls don’t really mind my company at times. I’ve been known to be fun—as long as we’re doing what they like to do! We’ve found some common interests—though I’m happy just spending time with my children when they’re amenable, lucid, open, or just plain willing to indulge me in a few minutes of their time. When I really think about it, we’ve actually smiled, laughed, or just plain enjoyed ourselves while doing these activities: Shopping for them: clothes,…
3/30/2011 This is a really sensible, albeit liberal, article from an Ann Landers column from a long time ago. It’s been shared and modified a hundred times, but it’s still interesting stuff. Thought I’d pass it on. 6 Things for Parents of Teenagers to Stop Doing (and what to do now instead) “When this column was first published nationally a few months ago, I got many many letters thanking me for writing. I did get one letter from an older…
I’ve spent a lot of time talking and fretting over my younger child with all the problems, past and present. Sure, she’s been a major focus of my parenthood, and the subject of this blog, but I’ve realized that it’s not fair. Leaving my first born out doesn’t paint a complete picture of my mothering skills, my life, my younger daughter’s life, or our family in general. First born is the closest thing to an angel that you’ll ever get….
1/31/2011 A weekend that wasn’t too bad—possibly even good. I was busy with my friends all day Saturday and my daughter had the day off from me (and from any responsibilities). So it was a win-win situation. I went skiing and she watched TV and dyed her hair black. We had our usual Sunday together, which started off with me being the grumpy one for a change. Her cats scratched at my door and jumped on the doorknob to try…
1/19/2011 My dear daughter has been back at home for about a week now and it’s actually been a little difficult for me. Not that I don’t love having her around or know in my heart it’s where she belongs, it’s that she brings a storm with her. She’s not depressed anymore, so I’m not talking about a black cloud that surrounds her, I mean life just doesn’t seem orderly. She keeps odd hours, her room is a mess, her…