Middle Daughter graduated from high school almost three months ago. Then, the summer seemed to stretch out before us like we had all the time we could possibly want. Now there are only days before she moves into her college dorm. I haven’t really been processing this. I’ve simultaneously been staying very busy … Continue reading Time Capsule
parenting
How to Deal
This is a picture of a closed door. This is very common in my house. I have teenagers. I should write a blog titled “How to Deal with Cranky Teens.” It could be one of the shortest blogs in history. It could start out like this… “I don’t even know.” And it … Continue reading How to Deal
Old Wives Tales
Remember when your mother told you to be nice to your brother? It's because a gypsy once came to the house, offering to buy you, but your brother wouldn't let her sell you. That one came from a friend, but I can certainly remember a lot of stuff my mom (and grandma and aunts) told … Continue reading Old Wives Tales
A Common Affliction
I believe I suffer from a common, but seldom-discussed condition; I've coined it Parental Attention Deficit Disorder. Not with the Hyperactivity component though. Certainly not that. Anyone who's ever seen me on the sidelines at one of my son's games can confirm that I'm definitely not hyperactive. In fact, once at a basketball practice, I … Continue reading A Common Affliction
Corn Maze
No one wants me on their team for the Corn Maze. The "discussion" goes something like this... Dad: "We're going to the Corn Maze tomorrow! It's going to be so fun!" Me: "Yay! Who wants to be on my team?" Silence. I'm met with silence as my whole family stares awkwardly at the floor, waiting … Continue reading Corn Maze
My Three Words, Teen Edition
I've often said how thankful I am that, as a parent, we (collectively) get to grow into the phase of parenting teenagers... that if I had to learn how to parent teens first, I'd have suffered a nervous breakdown within the first month. Parenting babies and toddlers, by comparison, now seems easy to … Continue reading My Three Words, Teen Edition
Ready, Set, Type
I'm pleased to announce that I've now reached the age that comes with exclusive membership in a club only for parents. Membership in this club includes, but is not limited to, having teens or tweens in your household, immunity to eye rolls, constant use of the word "whatever" (by everyone), and almost daily story telling … Continue reading Ready, Set, Type
Oh, You’re FINE
If you're a parent of children who are old enough to communicate, chances are you've said this phrase to them more times than you can count. Falls, scrapes, scratches, bumps, bruises, bug bites... sometimes our kids complain so much that we become immune to it. It's a parenthood survival coping mechanism, I think. It doesn't … Continue reading Oh, You’re FINE
Ode to a Carpooling Mom
Gas pedal, brake pedal gas pedal, brake pedal indiscriminate rattling metal rattle metal No time for a mechanic Breathe in. Breathe out. No time for panic. Don't. Panic. Just keep driving driving and praying driving and saying Just Get Me There. Up the driveway down the driveway maybe the highway maybe the service way Pick … Continue reading Ode to a Carpooling Mom
Mid-Life Lessons at 45
Yes, that is my age; for anyone whom I did not go to school with, just in case you were wildly curious, but were afraid to ask. I'm not about to claim any ground-breaking revelations here, and I'm not operating under the delusion that everyone will agree with me. But as I no longer consider … Continue reading Mid-Life Lessons at 45
Gretchen L. Mulroy 