Navigating life as a (second)wife, (step)mom, and (frazzled)bear with inappropriate laughter and near-perfect hindsight.
It was just a few weeks ago that a friend of mine called to chat and suggested that she run away from home with no forwarding address. Been there, thought that. Who hasn’t? We can all admit an urge to flee from our children occasionally, can’t we?
A controversial Monday thought: I think we do, as women, have a responsibility for how we project ourselves and, as a result, how men look at us.
Deer, raccoons, and other reasons why I have rescinded this year’s application for “Favorite Parent.”
We are failing an entire population while we bicker over bullets. Admittedly, it is easier to point to the weapon than to expose failures in our own homes.
I know we are all supposed to be offering odes to our college-bound children. I know, as we see the “time to move out!” pile grow taller, we are supposed to fully lean into our feelings of sadness and despair and question how, exactly, we will move on with an empty bed in our homes. It’s just that I am having other, more happy feelings, as well.
I don’t mean to brag, but I did finally learn to cook. When I first moved in with my instant family, I would look at whichever box I pulled out of the pantry and think, “Okay, serving size, 4oz…so…what, make four of those?”
This is why I cringe when people look at me with a suspicious eye roll when they hear I am a stepmom. Only a stepmom. It must be so easy to only be a stepmom. Oh yes. Bonbons and fancy wines. What I want to say is, “You think you have emotional fallout? Try life as a stepmom. So easy.”
Between Zack getting his driver’s license, a lifeguard certification, a real summer job.... WHY IS THIS CHILD TESTING ME??
Parenting is hard. Why do we do this? No, really. I mean, I know the Hallmark answer...but, really, why?
We aren't paying for college. We have never had "cover all costs for higher education" on our list of must-dos. We aren't interested in borrowing from our own future to fund our children's (adult) present.