My kids are really good eaters. I’m kind of surprised at this, frankly, because I am and always have been a pretty picky eater. And the thing is, we approach food all “wrong,” according to all the parenting advice I ever read. We’ve almost always forced our children to finish what they’re given—unless it’s starch,…
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In Which I Win “THE VOICE”: Van edition (and other Friday Funnies)
Michael, holding a paper back mouse with whiskers on one side: “I’m naming my mouse ABCMouse.com!” Me: “I’m definitely raising 21st century children.” Julianna, holding a baby doll: “Mom, my baby name, is, Dzustin…Bieber!” Me: speechless. Nicholas, at prayer time following an ice storm: “I pray for good roads and a lot of snow.” Me:…
Read MoreCommando Olympics and other Quick Takes
-1- The kids have been entranced by the Olympics lately. Michael calls them “Olymp-kicks.” -2- I’m so glad I blogged about chicken legs a couple weeks ago. Because now when we call her that, we can’t be accused of copying Allyson Felix. -3- Last week my friend Kelley posted this status update on Facebook: Went for…
Read More“Kids in Church,” Part 1
We’re going to do something a bit different today: it’s your turn to talk! A few weeks ago, I asked my Facebook community to share their best “kids in church” stories: the good, the bad, the ugly. I got twice as much as I could use for a single post; hence the “part 1” in…
Read MoreFamily Business, Round 2: Julianna, Nicholas, Michael
More family tidbits today, to hold my place until we get back from the Adirondacks. Up today: Julianna, Nicholas, and Michael. Julianna Oh, Julianna. She has been showing interest in Barbie dolls and imaginative play at last. But it’s causing me a little trouble, because I can’t figure out how much she understands about reality…
Read MoreThe “What Other People Think” Problem
I have four kids, close together, and the reality is that if they’re not hurting anything or anyone, I’m inclined to let them do what they’re doing. Only I worry: what will people think of ME?
Read MoreTime To Breathe
I don’t take enough time off. Which is more than a bit ironic, given how much I twit my husband about checking email and working from home. The great thing about writing from home is that I can do it anywhere, any time, in the cracks of regular life. That’s also the worst thing about…
Read MoreMore Moments of Maternal Pride And Joy (and sometimes giggles)
Alex. Alex brought this home from his gifted program last week. They were supposed to make a list of nine items, three in three different categories, and choose one from each to write a story. He said they had about ten minutes to do it. He was so nonchalant. He didn’t spare a moment thinking about…
Read MoreWhat’s Up With My Babies This Week (a 7QT post)
1: Horse or Purple Unicorn Almost every day, Julianna’s bus driver has a story to share about my daughter when I come to get her off the bus. Wednesday of this week, on the heels of Julianna’s first horseback riding lesson of the year, the story was this: “Julianna told us that she rode a…
Read MoreHow To Get In Trouble With the TSA (WFMW)
1. Travel with a kid who plants his feet and says stubbornly, “No! I WON’T take my jacket off! I WON’T take my shoes off!” 2. Travel with a cute little girl who likes to play hard-to-get. She’ll pretend that she’s walking through the metal detector to you, only to turn around mid-arch and run…
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Kathleen M. Basi 