What kind of pregnancy announcement gifts do you give hip grandparents-to-be?
My husband and I recently found out I’m pregnant and would like to tell our families around Christmas. I think it would be fun to get cute Grandma and Grandpa gifts and see their reaction when they open them. My parents are really HIP though — like hippie cool, and would never want a necklace that says “Grandma’s Angels” or a sign that says “What happens at Grandpa’s stays at Grandpa’s.”
What kind of sleepover rules should we establish for our bisexual teen?
A year-and-a-half ago our then fifteen-year-old daughter told me she was bisexual. She asked if a girl she’s experimented with can spend the night as a friend, but we’re not sure how to answer her question.
How can we work pre-kid hobbies into our life with a toddler?
We have a wonderful one-year-old daughter who we love hanging out with, but we find ourselves feeling stuck at home. Neither my partner or I feel that satisfied, renewed or entertained by our weekends as we tiptoe around nap times, clean up after our toddler or each other, and come to terms with the fact that spending a lot of time sewing, home brewing, driving, or vegging out on Dr. Who marathons is very difficult (and not so desirable) with an active toddler. How do you accommodate pre-kid hobbies into post-kid reality?
How are you modeling a grateful life to your children?
There are two words that you’ll probably hear a lot this time of year (especially this week, if you live in the United States): grateful and thankful. The internet is filled with all kinds of artwork and preachy articles extolling you to make sure you’re doing your best to exhibit each both of these qualities — but depending on what is or isn’t going on in your life, they’re not always easy words to live by.
Our friends are adopting internationally — what can we do to welcome their child?
A couple I know are currently in Ethiopia picking up their son — a beautiful four-year-old they are adopting. I have been seeing photos of him and hearing of his arrival for months and am quite excited for them! We all live in a small, rural town, so I’m sure I’ll be seeing them frequently. Are there any suggestions from parents of adopted children, particularly those who have adopted children from other countries, for what would and wouldn’t be helpful to the family?
Is it even possible to decline my work’s baby shower?
I work in a small corporate office and we celebrate birthdays and things, including baby showers. I don’t want a baby shower thrown for me for the sake of being consistent by my co-workers who complained about me, and my family and friends are both planning two already; this would also be a bit superfluous.
How do we celebrate ALL holidays this season?
My family of three is still very young, but we’re trying to beat our own path as best we can. We’ve recently (gently) let go of our religious upbringings, and we’re trying to see things through a broader scope. With the holidays coming up, I’d like celebrate with a more open mind. How do other “offbeat” families out there incorporate other cultures into their holiday festivities to form their own traditions?
In which we all give Licia Ronzulli and her two-year-old a virtual thumbs up
Wouldn’t it be interesting/awesome/so helpful if children could be integrated into the workplace? I totally understand that bringing your kid(s) to work everyday isn’t ideal for some people and/or workplaces, but for those who would want to — Licia Ronzulli may be your favorite person. She’s an Italian MEP (Member of the European Parliament) who made waves two years ago when she brought her infant daughter to work with her. If you heard of her then, you may not realize that she’s continued to bring her daughter to work since then — and there are photos to prove it.