I’m starting to loathe Mother’s Day
I’ve started becoming a recluse on Mother’s Day weekend. I’m of an age where it’s assumed I am a mother and am generally given a cheery “Happy Mother’s Day” by every retail clerk with whom I come into contact (yes, even though there are no children with me). The issue is that I am not and I, in my over-abundant need to be truthful, feel uncomfortable allowing it to slide with a simple “thank you,” but don’t really want to break into tears and shout that I don’t deserve this particular salutation.
Am I the only consciousness among the flapping meat sacks? The Escalating Volume of Existential Terror
Sometimes, my partner Zack and I do not understand each other. This makes sense, given the complexity and inexact nature of language; I would go so far as to say it is part of The Human Condition. But there’s a particular misunderstanding that we have that I have also seen other people have. I call it “The Escalating Volume of Existential Terror.”
My family is changing, I don’t know what to do about it, and that’s okay
Through single motherhood, relocation from the continent back to Hawaii, custody battles, family drama, building a new relationship and creating our family, job changes, graduate school, and career readjustments, I’ve had very few moments in which I’ve questioned what or how I was doing as a parent. Parenthood has taught me not to expect the status quo — every day is different. Every day brings a new challenge or change, and every day you stretch a little bit more to be the parent you need to be.
6 valuable life (and parenting) lessons that I learned from Disney’s Frozen
Our house, like so many others, has been inundated with the Disney phenomenon that is the movie Frozen. However, after many viewings and even more sing-a-longs, rather than tire of it, I feel like I’m finally seeing it for the deep and powerful parable that it is. Because, like any truly powerful storytelling, the magic comes in hearing these message again and again…
How do you announce your adoption plans?
My husband and I just decided and made the first step to adopt a child. This is a super exciting time in our life, and I’d like to share it with people. But I feel like a simple Facebook post just isn’t the right way or doesn’t do the announcement justice. I’m wondering if any offbeat readers have any suggestions/feedback/or advice on announcing you’re adopting a child?
How to handle awkward questions like “Why did you unfriend me?”
I’m planning a Facebook-friend cull of the people in my friends list whom I don’t feel especially close to. The thing that’s making me put off the cull is the fear of being asked “Why did you unfriend me?” as this has happened during previous culls. What do fellow Homies do in this situation? Do you ignore the messages? Have blanket statements prepared? Tell them the hard truth?
How can light and heavy sleepers share a bed?
Springless mattresses? White noise machines? Pillow barriers?
What are your sleeping hacks for light and heavy sleep arrangements?
Getting real, real fast: The pros and cons of family communal living
My home consists of my husband, my two youngest daughters, their husband and boyfriend, my eighteen-month-old granddaughter, three cats, two dogs, a 75-gallon fish tank, and a lizard. We have cohabitated for a year to become the “village” for my granddaughter. Here are some thoughts on the pros and cons of our communal living situation…