A new religion in our American culture is rapidly gaining devout followers. Its followers are typically between the ages of about twenty-two and fifty and there are generally more women than men. This religion does not seem to produce much satisfaction or peace. Many of its followers end up frazzled, stressed, and scrupulous, and find their marriages […]
Why all the moms you see look stressed
The other day I saw a picture on social media of a little girl dressed as a “mom” for Halloween. It wasn’t a flattering depiction. The little girl had painted bags under her eyes and messy hair and she was dressed in a t-shirt covered in fake spit-up. She was dragging a baby doll behind […]
It’s The Breaths You Take Together
As a parent, it is easy to worry about spending “quality time” with my children. We live in a busy world and family time is usually limited. We’re often told that if “quantity of time” is lacking, we can make up for it with extra-special “quality”— activities, outings, vacations, etc. But I’m always fascinated when […]
At the end of the day
I often look at my children and wonder, am I doing enough for them? I’m sure every parent throughout history has asked that same question. But I think our modern hyper-connectivity, especially through social media, poses the question more frequently and dramatically. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused by all the possibilities and […]
A Mother’s Bias
I’m not doing this again. I’ve thought it quite a few times. I thought it through my pregnancy’s complications and annoyances. I thought it as they strapped me to the operating table and started vigorously pushing and pulling on my stomach. I thought it as I first stepped out of the hospital bed and felt […]
When Birth Is Imperfect
My first baby was born “naturally,” but just barely. I had done all the prep— “natural” OBGYN practice, deep breathing exercises, prenatal yoga/massage, three page birth plan. I had watched the enlightening and terrifying “The Business of Being Born” and I knew I didn’t want the big bad hospital corporations stealing my beautiful, instinctual motherhood experience. […]
