Scene: Snuggling with 4-year-old in bed before sleepytime A: “Mommy, I want to have bubbies, too.” Me: ”You will have them, when you’re bigger.” A: ”When I’m twelve will I have them?” Me: ”Yes, probably when you’re twelve you’ll have small bubbies.” A: “When I’m twelve will I wear a bra?” Me: ”Yes, you’ll probably [...]
Entries from September 30th, 2009
Duck Wrestling
September 28th, 2009 1 Comment
Ducky is missing. Again. He’s been MIA for 12 hours– small, nondescript, grayish rag that was once a plush yellow baby present. Two years ago Ducky arrived by mail, silky on one side, soft on the other, a sweet duckling head on a flat handkerchief. Now he’s tattered and worn with holes–my toddler wears [...]
Tags: Baby · duck · lovey · Parenting · transitional object
Daddy’s Soap, & other adult stories
September 21st, 2009 No Comments
WARNING: This post contains explicit material that may not be family-friendly. Small children are fascinated by adult stuff. Forget fancy, pricey, age-appropriate toys. My 4-year-old would prefer unlimited access to a roll of Scotch tape and a box of business envelopes than a Playmobile Flower-Fairy Treehouse. “Mommy, I just need a little piece of tape,” [...]
Picky Eater
September 19th, 2009 1 Comment
I confess, my three-year-old eats only white foods. Despite my early efforts to offer a rainbow at every meal, she now lives on yogurt, bread and butter, pasta, tuna with mayo, crackers, and sometimes mild cheddar. My mom friends are shocked but try not to show it. “Have you tried disguising tiny pieces of broccoli [...]
Tags: Parenting · picky eater · toddlers
Current Obsessions
September 15th, 2009 No Comments
Late late summer in Southern Vermont. Gold sun on goldenrod, ten-foot jungle of green corn swaying behind the last beds of basil and tomatoes. We’re thriving on fresh peaches, apples and plums. Perhaps that’s why A. came to find me and confess her first potty experience with diarrhea. After extensive clean-up in the [...]
Tags: Boston Globe · Joanna Weiss · Parenting
Puppets for the People
September 9th, 2009 No Comments
Yes it was paradise in Vermont last weekend. Golden September sun, deep blue skies, banks of pink phlox and purple asters, and the last pulse of summer’s insects. A perfect time to pack up the girls and some snacks and drive up to Westminster West to wander through Gordon and Mary Hayward’s exquisite gardens. Over [...]
Tags: Garden · Gordon Hayward · Puppets in Paradise · Sandglass Theatre · Vermont