Wornoutwoman

My kiddo has had a crush on the same girl since 2nd grade.  On the first day he saw her, his smile lit up his face and he instantly began chatting her head off.  She was shy and was unsure about her new school and he made it his mission to befriend her and give her a great first year. In third grade, (I'll never forget this) I was rushing him out the door for school.  He was dawdling ... like he always does ... and his face transformed from everyday kid to a starstruck dreamer.  He smiled and stared out to nothing at all and said, "You know mommy ... I'm going to marry that girl someday and carry her over the threshold in her wedding dress.  I even know who my best men are going to be."  I blinked twice unsure of how to answer, told him that he was very sweet, and continued rushing him out the door for school. In fourth grade, he wanted to start buying her gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or practically any other reason he could think of.  We'd arr...

Last month, a close friend asked me to talk to her eighth grade lit students on the basics of getting published.  I was honored and happy to get the chance to inspire young minds. I expected a few crazy kids, as not everyone is thrilled to talk about books or writing them.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few that were genuinely excited to be a part of the guest lecture. There were a few aspiring writers in each class, and there was enough class participation to create an exciting experience for all. The thing I loved most was the thoughtful questions.  I expected the basics, like ... how do you come up with ideas to write ... what made you want to be a writer ... etc. These kids were insightful and asked things like, 'After editing how much came out of your original story?'  'How long did it take you to finish each book?'  'How did you come up with cover concepts?'  These were deep and thoughtful kids (for the most part...

As a parent, I try to be proactive with certain conversations, like sex, as my child is getting older. I'd rather him hear from his father and myself than at recess, from his peers, like I did (at a much younger age than he is). Sex is something that can and will be skewed by his peers' perceptions, based on how it was told to them (by their parents or a peer) and by what they see in the media. There are a whole lot of confusing messages out there, and I don't want my kid lost in the shuffle. However, that being said ... I don't want to bring something up that he's not prepared for either. Treading lightly is a good thing, as I introduce the subject. That may not be every parent's perspective ... but it's mine. Every child needs to have the talk, but each child is so different and when they're ready for the talk will vary on their social circumstances and their mental capacity to understand. Last week, we were sitting at church with another fa...

Today was a big teaching moment for my boy.  I told the truth about something that put me in a very uncomfortable position. I think we've all been there ... Something happens that could be considered a white lie that if under normal circumstances could slide, because if no one ever knows about it - then you don't really have to own up to it. However, when you're a parent you are always under constant supervision. Little eyes and ears are ever-present, ready to soak in every word you utter and action you display. I've always walked a pretty straight line so that my son would not have to question my motives or actions, but no one is perfect. Everyone messes up...and a smart parent will use it as a teaching moment. Long story short, I told a white lie.  And no one would be the wiser if I kept to myself, except my son knew about it.  And even though I didn't blatantly lie to anyone and it wasn't a harmful untruth, I still did not need to set a low standard ...