How can I support my pregnant housemate despite my own fertility challenges?
Our housemates moved in in January of this year for “three weeks”… and they’re still here. This was fine with me until last week when she announced her surprise pregnancy. We’ve been struggling with our own infertility issues, and now I find myself insanely jealous of her and her pregnancy.
What are your favorite non-cheesy Halloween costume ideas for pregnant folks?
This year on Halloween I will be 34 weeks pregnant. Any ideas for a fun or scary halloween costume other than the typical shot-gun bride or pregnant nun?
How my favorite Banned Book shaped my adolescence and adulthood
My point is that I love to read, and there’s something slightly extra delicious about knowing you’re reading a book that has been, or is currently being, challenged in some way. Since I know we’re nearly all bookworms in some form or fashion around the Empire, I thought it’d be fun if a few staffers picked our favorite Banned Book and talked about why it’s important to us. Without further ado… dig in!
Are we protecting our kids from the right things?
Parents don’t want their kids to make unpopular choices out of a feeling of love. And also, mostly, a feeling of fear. We love our kids and we want to protect them. We’re actually required to protect them. It’s part of our job as parents. However, we have the equally important job of deciding what to protect our children from.
Put prizes inside balloons and add a little “pop” to your kiddo’s birthday shindig
You can easily add a little “pop” to your next party or gathering with balloon prizes and treats! There are so many ways to use them, and kids go crazy for balloons with a surprise inside. All you need are balloons, prizes, a balloon pump, and voila — insta birthday success!
Are you a “hard” or “soft” parent?
Ariel’s post on Offbeat Empire about being a hard boss got me thinking: could the same principles be applied to parenting? I’ve always hoped I’d be the kind of parent who is strict in certain ways about manners and trying your best at school and in your hobbies, but I know I’ll be very permissive in other areas, encouraging creativity and freedom in certain ways that mainstream society might look down on.
I want to believe: it’s time for an alien abduction maternity shoot
When it comes to maternity photography, I really dig on sessions that leave you with fifty or so photos of magical baby-on-the-way splendor. Or… I thought I did, until I saw the three photos from this alien abduction maternity shoot produced by digital genius ND Photography.
A middle school teacher’s thoughts about teenagers and Banned Books Week
On top of using banned books as enticement to read, I find them an amazing conversation starter. In discussing why a book was banned, conversations about politics and societies and freedom of speech and value systems and personal freedom and religion and appropriateness spring up in classrooms where before there were only crickets. I always walk away from these conversations impressed by the thoughtfulness of adolescents.