Gifts for a friend going through a divorce, separation, or break-up
The first few weeks of a separation can be fucking intense. The grief, the loss, even a sense of physical pain… it’s weird that something so common is so awful! Offering your ear is the most important thing you can give to any friend experiencing a profound loss or recovering from a trauma, but we get it: sometimes you want to give something more to offer your comfort. Of course you know your friend and their interests best, but here are our suggestions for great gifts for grieving friends.
Unexpected self-actualization from parenting: How my baby forces me to do things that are good for me
I’m new at this whole parent thing. Though I read about it and listened to other parents for years, I’ve been surprised by parenthood’s unusual joys. Your baby lighting up at the sight of your face is heart-expanding, but I expected it would be. What has surprised me is not the love that I feel, but the way such a tiny creature forces me to do the things that are good for me — the unexpected self-actualization from parenting…
Seeking gender-neutral kids books
Despite knowing the importance of diversity in our kids’ lives, we live in a mostly white, hetero-normative neighbourhood. So we have to use books to introduce them to a wide variety of people of all shapes, sizes, colours, and lifestyles. Are there any kids’ books with a diverse set of characters that do fun things while just happening to be gender-neutral or gender-bending?
12 cute but not eye-roll-cutesy baby shower thank you notes
Here’s the question: “My little guy is due in July, but I’m already starting to get shower gifts. I want to be prompt with the Thank You notes, but pretty much all “baby” notes are cutesy — which is fine, but not me. Do you have any recommendations for notes that are still baby-based but not so saccharine?”
Here’s the solution…
How to identify and remove toxic people from your life in 3 steps
Pruning negative, toxic people from your garden of friends and family is essential, basic self-care, and never something you should feel bad about doing. But how do you know if someone is truly toxic, and not just having a bad moment? When do you know when it’s time to finally cut ties, and how do you go about it? Here’s how I do it…
How do you know if you’re child-neutral or child-free?
My husband definitely wants kids in a real, much more immediate sense than I do. I’ve never dealt with pangs of baby crack, but I do enjoy the company of children in certain doses. I have a toddler niece and nephews whom I love a lot, but I’ve never felt gooey for babies. I realize that just about everyone who thinks about becoming a parent questions the decision. But is there a point when you know that being child-free is truly what you want, and it’s not just cold feet?
Being The Backup: The one who gets the text when no one else is available
If someone is constantly telling you how much they miss you, but finds time weekly to spend with other people they just met, can’t find time for coffee, lunch, a quickie — ANYTHING with you — then it’s clear how much you and your time actually means to them. You aren’t even really a friend to them let alone a lover. Finally, it becomes clear: You are The Backup. You are who they go to when nobody else is available. So, fellow Backups, what are we supposed to do? Should we just smile and be happy that someone wants us, even if we are their last possible choice?
How do you have adult time when living in a small space with a kid?
My partner and I just moved into a 600-square-foot cottage with our one-year-old. Although there’s technically a separate bedroom, the wall doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling. So it may as we’ll be a studio for sound purposes. Is there a magic equation for living in a small space with a kid? Will we ever have sex again? And what can I do when I just really, really need some personal space?