Little people have big feelings. They ask questions that their adults are afraid to answer. They require us to use all of our humanity and our compassion to hold brave space for them. And they demand that we face our own fears so that we can hold their hand tightly and walk gently along side […]
Browsing Category: Parenting
Parenting
Play as Our Teacher
Amidst all of the recent turmoil, I remind myself of an article that I read recently about how serious play enhances social empathy. I feel this way about adventure days with my littles. Our latest adventure was visiting the Florida State Fair for some local fun and exploration. I am very aware of our limited […]
Parenting / Social Justice
Mama, is it safe to go outside today?
Yesterday, Henry, now 5 years old, noticed the flag at half-mast on our way to school. “Mama! Look! Oh no. Oh no.” Tears begin to form and his voice quivers and he whispers, “Mama, who died? Mama? Mama? Were they shot, too? Mama! Talk to me! Do we know them? Did someone hold their hand […]
Parenting / Social Justice
“Mama, if I ever get shot…”
“Mama, if I ever get shot, will you hold my hand so I am not alone when I die?” Henry, age 5. I did not realize it would be less than a month since I originally posted this story (Jan 28th, 2018) that I would be re-visiting it again so very soon. Yet, here it […]
Parenting
Toddler Valentine
This is one of my favorite Valentine’s Day pictures. Henry was just barely two years old. When asked, he told the photographer that “my babies are my Valentines.” As their mama, I know that my love will help them feel secure. At this tender age, I know that I am vital for their well-being. I […]
Parenting
My Heart is Cracked
These unexpected moments of pure childhood compassion take my breath away. Recently, poor weather conditions apparently led to a collision between a bird and our car. Henry (age 5) found it caught in the car grill. It was already dead. He began to cry, uncontrollably shaking, until finally he choked out, “This is the most […]
Parenting / Social Justice
Words Matter
I’m still shaken by the recent H&M marketing campaign. Despite the defensive posts that I read about how, purportedly, “Children don’t really understand these things. It doesn’t matter what they wear.” Granted, understanding may be vastly different than the depth of experience and historical knowledge of adults, but my littles are becoming more and more […]
Parenting
Milk Shake Messes
Adventure Day started with a heavy heart. Another crack created by the vengefulness of fear and hate. I could feel the chaos and taste the panic as people waited to find out if it was their loved one that was killed or hurt. This is a familiar I never wanted. And it is familiar for […]
Parenting / Social Justice
Glow sticks, Happy Dust, and Fairy Wings
When I was about 10 years old, my grandfather heard me sobbing and found me under the dining room table reading The Diary of Anne Frank. He gently took me by the hand and led me to the front porch swing where he slowly rocked me until my tears dried. When I could finally find […]
Parenting / Social Justice
Pride To Just Be
A Pride event with four toddlers is a humbling experience. We started of at the nearby playground to get some of the wiggles out before heading to the “Pride Party,” as they dubbed it. They helped select their outfits. Looking at the results, I sort of thought a rainbow threw up on them. They were […]