• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

Little Me, May 13, 2000Ten years ago today, I got married. In a church, with all of the trimmings. My wedding cake had more ruffles than my dress. “Happy anniversary!” my ex-husband said merrily this morning, on the phone, as we discussed kid details. We’re still co-parents, though no longer spouses. I kind of want to celebrate, but feel hemmed in by what’s expected of me–or that nothing’s expected of me. I’m maybe supposed to feel bad. Mournful. I did have a verklempt moment, but overall, I feel happy. I love being a mama to my two children. I never would have moved to... read more

• Last updated 5/12/10 by Jennifer Margulis

“You’re supposed to be spending the day with me,” Etani said, tears springing into his eyes. “Not talking to other people.” Etani, who’s six, and I were walking along Siskiyou Boulevard. The baby was on my back, gurgling happily. I had picked him up from school at 1:30 p.m. and we spent the afternoon doing research for a food-related article I’m writing for the New York Times. Etani’s “research” included a Mt Fuji at a restaurant downtown: green tea ice cream with chocolate syrup, mandarin oranges, and whipped cream flecked with coconut flakes. But now we were in a... read more

• Last updated 3/20/13 by mamazee

9:15 am. This morning, so far, is perfect! I woke up before the alarm. Nathaniel climbed in bed with me to cuddle. We got to talk about how it’s never okay to pee in the sandbox at school *eyeroll* since I found out that he and his friend did that recently. Not having to wake him up is always a treat. He doesn’t like to emerge from sleep unless it’s his decision. Honorée put together a mini Ravensberger 3-d globe puzzle while she had her cereal. She was super psyched that I brought home Bink’d temporary tattoo “earrings” since she really wants to get... read more

• Last updated 7/9/10 by Mothering Editorial

My happy and spirited 3 year old son loves to be outside. He will now exit the house and run down the sidewalk, despite many talks about having me come with him or staying where I can see. I do not want to chase him, scare him, or lock him inside. But I have a baby too and can not always follow him at a moment's notice. What should I do?  Dear Parent, Your child seems passionate about being outside and you are right to want to honor his direction. When we ask children for what they cannot do, they learn to ignore our instructions because they must follow their own... read more

• Last updated 7/9/10 by Mothering Editorial

Hi Naomi, My 2 1/2 year old daughter is naked most of the time at home. Recently an acquaintance came over for dinner. The next day she emailed to say that my daughter should wear clothes when company comes over, so as not to "incite the pedophile in all of us". I have no plans on making my daughter wear clothes when she doesn't want to (she does happily wear clothes when we leave the house), but I am interested in what you have to say on this topic.    Dear Parent, If you wish for your child to feel free to stay naked in the house, you need not restrict her,... read more

• Last updated 3/30/13 by mamazee

He was just telling us that he’s lived for 30,000 years, and he has 100 jobs. It’s so hard to find good boys’ clothes for grade-schoolers. I love that (Olive Juice) vest and his skinny (Polarn O. Pyret) jeans! Photo by Laura André. Subscribe to the Mothering.com Blogs Feed This entry was posted on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 1:25 pm and is filed under review on the run, stranger than fiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently... read more

• Last updated 5/11/10 by Mothering Editorial

By Harvey LiebermanWeb Exclusive I saw a most unusual woman today, traveling into Manhattan on the commuter railroad. I stood near her and her three children, two boys and a girl, all of us jostled about as the train rushed into the city. Where she boarded, I cannot be sure; judging from her style and the quality of her clothes, I'd guess she came from one of the more prosperous Long Island villages. The kids were between three and eight years old. A dirty-blonde-haired girl, a bright cutie, was the youngest. The boys, outfitted in heavy winter coats and coordinated... read more

• Last updated 9/5/10 by Mothering Editorial

My almost 4 year old has starting using words that I would rather not have him say all the time. The first one is stupid, which unfortunately he heard from me, as it occasionally slips from my mouth. He often says it when he is frustrated and he will call whatever he is upset with stupid. The second is poopy/poop/ect. He loves to talk and sing about this and replace words with poop I worry because words are so habit forming and once a word has entered one's vocabulary, it is difficult to get it out. I feel like I've lost the battle on stupid, in that regard. ... read more

• Last updated 5/6/10 by Mothering Editorial

I am the mother of two boys, ages one and three, and a step-mother to a ten-year-old boy who stays with us on some holidays and for eight weeks in the summer. He is so difficult. He has been kicked out of two schools and suspended several times for violent and sexually inappropriate behavior. He has done some horrible things to my sons. He hurts them, trys to feed them things like used motor oil and dog feces, makes them watch while he breaks their toys, etc. After his last visit, my son described in his limited speech an act of sexual abuse. No one wants to help... read more

• Last updated 4/7/13 by AdinaL

I awoke last night to darkness. Not the room, in this case, but my sense of things. You know that dark night of the soul feeling you can get in the wee hours when you’re sure* that all is lost and you’re alone, inadequate, a failure, etc? Times like this I long for reassurance from someone who knows more than I do, someone I can trust to tell me everything is OK. I want Mom. But not my mom. (For starters, I wouldn’t want to freak her out with my freakout.) It’s more like I want the idea of Mom.** When we talk about the empty nest, we tend to focus on... read more