On making the choice to connect, again and again, with my kids
This morning was a rough one. You know the kind where everyone is cranky and just can’t seem to shake the yuckies? The kind of day where everything spirals down down down and you find yourself acting in ways you wish you wouldn’t — yelling, blaming, threatening. Yeah, we had one of those.
Making your own playdough: it’s as easy to make as everyone says it is
So it turns out that playdough is actually as easy to make as everyone says. Who knew? Well, OK, nearly everyone. Despite frequently being told that it was super easy to make, I always thought it would be hard to get it to turn out just right. This is probably because I have a vivid memory of my Mom making a disastrous attempt at playdough when I was a kid. I’m not sure what we did wrong back then, but whatever it was, I was able to avoid it this time.
An age-appropriate guide to using Thanksgiving to talk about Native American history
Thanksgiving is the closest holiday many American children will have to one recognizing Native America. Some of us may celebrate Native Americans’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day, but in public school, media, and pop culture, the story of Pilgrims and Indians holding hands around a turkey is still the official narrative of Native/Colonial interactions.
Anyone would be lucky to adopt: what we’ve learned after adopting two daughters
Nobody is “lucky” to be adopted. I am told fairly regularly that my girls are lucky that we adopted them. People are usually trying to be nice, to compliment me. But something every adoptive family has to deal with on some level is that all adoptions begin with a loss. And no child is lucky to lose their first parents. Loving adoptive parents are great, but we’re not providing something extraordinary for our children. We’re providing them with the thing every child has a right to –- a loving and safe family environment. And they shouldn’t have to walk around feeling indebted to anyone for that.
Emma Artifacts: how one photographer is documenting his daughter’s early years
A lot of people do different things to remember specific times in their kid’s lives. I, like a lot of bloggers, write my son monthly letters and take photos of him on the 27th of every month. Panamá-based photographer Moises Kierszenblat has taken the idea of photos to the next level with one of his […]
Super adorable downtown Dallas family photos featuring Run-DMC and colorful accessories
I’m in LOOOOVE with these photos from Dallas-based Conversation Art Studios. In LOOOOOOVE. There’s extra “UH” in that love! From the little man’s awesome style (RUN DMC!) to the yellow-flower-purple-tank-teal-shoes combo the mom is rocking, this session is one awesome fun fest.
Why having your family photos shot near train tracks looks rad
I’m totally digging this session from Valdosta, Georgia-based photographer Jacquelynn Buck. This family of four (including a mama with purple hair) definitely knew how to rock their photo session.
How I’m overcoming my abusive childhood to become a loving, patient parent
Ah, the bedtime ritual. Oh how I love the constant interruptions of a good movie, dinner or maybe even a make-out session because my little one has decided to defy sleep. Something happens to her sleepy body when I leave her bedroom. My absence acts as an amphetamine for her. I put her down, I leave the room, she gets out of bed. Sometimes she fakes exhaustion to get her little game going, and I fall for her deception every time.