Why I’m just not into babies (and I’ve got one!)
I am blessed to have a beautiful, healthy 18 month old daughter whom I love to the ends of the earth, and I show her a lot of love and affection. But I’m just not into being a mum with a baby. Any other parents feel a similarly? I’d love to hear from those who may understand where I’m coming from.
I’m a lot stronger than I thought: 7 things I’ve learned as a parent of two
In the past five years of being a mother, I can say without even an iota of doubt that every day has been an adventurous ride that has brought with it a new set of learnings. From all the late night parties and spontaneous getaways with my partner, to the breastfeeding woes and potty training sessions with my kids, I have come a very long way over the last couple of years — courtesy all the successes and failures.
Here are the top seven things I have learned as a parent of two…
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…
Breast pumps & messy rooms: The newborn photos I wish I had taken
When my son was born I was already a photographer. I knew I wanted and needed to capture these first few precious weeks. So, apart from arranging for a photographer to come and take a few, I also prepared all my gear and resolved to practice taking the most perfect newborn pictures.
What I didn’t know then was those “cute-baby-on-a-white-blanket-curled-up-in-a-perfect-pose” pictures would not be the ones I will treasure in five years time.
Reflecting on becoming a mother when you’ve lost your own
While my husband and I discuss having a kid, I’ve heavily reflected on how my mother’s life and death will translate into my own experience as a parent, and my relationship with my child. I’ve questioned how I can give my child what my mom gave me as hers. I’ve even feared the potential reality of me having the same fate as her at her age. But with this, I’ve realized two very important things within my concerns…
In praise of the “Weird Moms”
We’ve all seen it: tenacious and spectacular women — those whom Kerouac would call The Mad Ones — rounding their edges after their children were born, getting lost in chasing small beasts around with rags and screaming their burning questions about the status of little hands; are they washed or not?! Those of us who occupy the role of Weird Mom have a very difficult job cut out for us…
7 ways smoking weed can make you a better parent
I live in Colorado, where Amendment 64 gave us the right to blaze up for pleasure in addition to medical reasons. That includes *gasp* caregivers of children. Sometimes known as parents. And we’re not alone. Marijuana is legal in some form or another in 23 states and the District of Columbia. With weed as popular as it’s ever been, it’s easy to understand that a vast amount of these users are mothers and fathers. Here are some of the many reasons parents are lighting up…
How to move back in with your parents when you have kids
It was only supposed to be temporary, but long story short, a year later we’re still here in my mother-in-law’s basement. I share my bedroom with my husband and almost-two-year-old daughter, while my son sleeps in the upstairs guest room and plans his eighth birthday. We’re getting ready to move back to the Island but in the meantime I’ve been learning how to share space with two other adults who also happen to be my kids’ grandparents.