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Monday motherhood: the light, the bushel

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My view from lunch yesterday, just because.

I have little interest in explaining my continued absences from Daily Cup of Jo because I’ve too often told you I’m back, and then just as quickly gone away again. That’s unreliable, and immature. Except today, it’s Monday Motherhood and the two issues are related. So forgive me and...hello again. I’ve feigned maturity over the years. It’s been useful, especially when I’ve desired treatment as an adult. But inside, I’ve known the truth – that I’m mostly faking this grown-up thing because I … [Read more...]

Wednesday’s top ten: car and driver

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Driving.

(This was supposed to be Tuesday's top ten - alliteration and all that - but things are crazy around here.  You don't care, do you?) Goldie will be driving before long and so when we’re in the car together, I try to impart the wisdom of the road.  She’ll learn plenty in Drivers’ Ed, but there’s so much knowledge to gain by simply taking the wheel, unless Jesus takes it first. My mantra to her is and will continue to be, “Your job is to get from Point A to Point B as safely as you can, not … [Read more...]

Friday fodder: social media, activism, and relativity

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#bringbackourgirls

By now, most of you have heard or should know about the 276 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram in April.  Ramaa Mosley, a Los Angeles mother, used social media in the last few weeks to get the word out by starting with a hashtag - #bringbackourgirls.  Today, not only can Michelle Obama be seen holding up a sign with the hashtag written upon it, but her husband, our president, has sent American troops to Africa to help the Nigerians find their missing … [Read more...]

Wednesday words on parenting: psychobabble and raising the perfect child

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Mother Teresa

When the girls were younger and another mother would say, either to them or to her own child, “Use your inside voice please,” it had the same effect on me as hearing nails on a chalkboard.  I’d cringe, often visibly.  To a lesser degree, I’d shiver after hearing: It’s a teachable moment. Boundaries. In a restaurant, turning to a 3-year-old: What would you like to order? How did it make you feel after Susie took your toy/poked you in the eye/spat in your food? Gifted, as in, My … [Read more...]

Tuesday’s ten things, because I’ve been away so long…

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jack the dog

…and none of these deserve their own post. Separation of church and state – fine! – but most Americans celebrate Easter or Passover and they fall within the same time frame this year, April 14-22, so what the hell are all these school districts thinking scheduling spring break in March?  Goldie goes to Catholic school and so is off late next week and the week after.  Bun Bun and Miss T attend a secular, libertine, hedonistic institution that has turned their back on God and family, so were … [Read more...]

Wednesday words on the swagger wagon

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the swagger wagon

I’m saying goodbye to the swagger wagon after 12 years. Did you see “Castaway” with Tom Hanks?  He anthropomorphizes the volleyball he names Wilson.  His are reasons of loneliness.  My reasons for turning the minivan into something more than just a car have to do with child rearing.  The denim blue Toyota Sienna I’ve been driving since 2001 has been my co-parent.  Wait, why are you laughing?  I’m serious. Who can say how much the seven-seater influenced our lives?  I’ll try.  Because of … [Read more...]