Category: Parenting
-
Evelyn’s first day of kindergarten
J: How was your first day of kindergarten? Did you cry for Mami?E: Just a little bit in the morning. A boy cried all day. I told him his mami is coming soon. J: What did you learn?E: Nothing. I just played. J: Did you make any friends? What are they called?E: Ummm… colleagues. E:…
-
Decisions
It was almost easier when everyone was ordered to follow the same rules. The uncertainty and confusion at every level is mentally exhausting. 25 out of 27 parents attended the parent-teacher conference for the beginning of the school year. Our 3 year old kids are entering the the kindergarten system and it is terrifying. Our…
-
Lessons
Some things need to be learned the hard way… even if it’s not really that hard. We told Ivy to put covered shoes on, just in case she want to ride her bike. She politely declined. Nope. She was certain she won’t ride her bike. “At all!” Even Jackie tried to persuade her, as she…
-
“That’s not true!”
Miss candor here, Jaclyn “Speak-her-mind” Altmann, contradicted me when I told the bride at her wedding that she was happy to attend her bridal shower. She said outright: “it was so boring, I didn’t enjoy it.” Well, it was a zoom party for a bride to be. Neither girl had ever attended a themed party,…
-
Responsibility
Parents need to learn to bluff. And take risks. And often, take a seat back and give time and space. Yesterday Jackie peeled 1kg of potatoes. She was so excited to do it. Two days ago I showed both girls how to peel potatoes and carrots and we made soup together. They subconsciously seek every…
-
Perpetually
Whoa. Parenting is on my mind. A lot. This is the season in which I find myself. My predominant love language is acts of service. What a blessing that is, to combine my natural tendencies with my husband’s quality time and physical touch, expression of love. And gifts. We don’t speak exclusively one language. We…
-
Unconditional love
It’s an Intertwined confidence that I feel. I’m otherwise comfortably humble, self conscious, and I enjoy a sense of invisibility. So I find my strong belief in my own lovability strange. Where did it come from? How was it built so sturdy and long term? What is the correlation between confidence and humility? More specifically…
-
Trust and Truth
Yesterday we discussed about disciplining. At length. Jackie loves these philosophical conversations, situational, theoretical and practical. we reminisced about a time when Jackie said we are the most strict parents. And no other parent scolds their children as much as we do. Understandable sheltered perspective. I never saw other parents angry at their kids growing…
-
Testing our resolve
Down the rabbit hole I go… She said, as a matter of fact, that in two days she goes back to her foster mom. Why? I ask intruigued.Because I want to. She responds nonchalantly. Context is everything. And if I recall correctly, last time she said she wants to go back, we’ve had quite a…
-
Attention
Both girls will have a different childhood experience, no matter how much we would try to make it even. Jackie had us to herself for 3 years. Evelyn has a sister to share childhood with. The other day jackie told me though tears, that she feels we don’t give her as much attention anymore. The…
-
Tears
I sent Ivy to bed late afternoonFor her afternoon napAs she got more restless, and goofy and clumsy.She stomped over to her room, plopped on the bed and proceeded to cryHer sister said loudly: “oh boy! Why are you moping about now?” Very “sisterly” of her.“I cry because mommy is upset with me” she responds…
-
As a mom of two
I asked a few friends if it’s harder or easier to have a second child. All of them said it’s definitely harder for a while. But that shouldn’t deter someone to have more kids. At home, both my girls snuggle more, and want my attention and company. But when they are asked who plays more…