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Archive for the ‘New parent worries’ Category

#2: Eat Well, Together

Posted in Childhood development, New parent worries, Peace at home on June 24, 2013| 2 Comments »

Yogurt Goatee

Yogurt Goatee

To eat well is to live well. Each family defines eating well differently. For some, the menu is all organic; others serve Kraft mac-n-cheese and Mott’s applesauce, happy that everyone is together. Some use their best dishes; others set the table with well-loved chipped plates.

While there are many differences, one thing is similar: Families who eat well together are thoughtful about mealtime. Eating is a time to pause during the day and appreciate family and friends. For children, it’s a time to learn manners and the art of civil conversation. It’s a time for parents to show respect for their children, to nurture their body, mind, and soul.

Of course, wanting to orchestrate a gracious meal and actually creating one are two different things. The learning curve is steep. I have often felt frustrated and depressed over too many haphazard meals of clumsy prepping , survival snacking, and never finishing a healthy meal due to the constant getting up for a paper towel, for Jack’s spoon flung to the floor for the tenth time, for my water glass, and for . . . why am I standing again? Then there’s the endless sweeping of crumbs, wiping down sticky fingers, and scrubbing mushy bananas off the high chair tray. It’s easy to give in to constant chaos, claiming it the new norm for a stay-at-home mom with a toddler underfoot and a new baby on the way.

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Cultivating Peace

Posted in Faith, New parent worries, Peace at home on May 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Starburst honeysuckle

Starburst honeysuckle

Expecting our second child is exciting. I look forward to witnessing our little one learning and growing, cooing and laughing over the simplest things like pink honeysuckle, dog sneezes, and belly kisses. On the other hand, I’m anxious about double the tantrums, double the poopy diapers, and quadruple the Cheerios crunching underfoot.

But that’s reality. It must be accepted and appreciated. Eighteen months into motherhood, I’ve learned that for every hectic moment, in which I think seriously, is this my life?, a wonderful moment follows, in which I thank God for this is my life!

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They’re Young Only Once

Posted in Childhood development, Faith, New parent worries on October 15, 2012| 2 Comments »

Since Jack learned to crawl nearly three months ago, our lives have been very different. Before he became mobile, I could build blocks and read Pat the Bunny with him. Then, I could sit back and read a novel, or at least a paragraph in a novel, and write, or at least a few sentences in a journal.

Now that he requires more careful watching, more is demanded of us, especially of me as a stay-at-home mom. The advantage is that as Jack develops into the wonderful little guy God has created him to be, he interacts with me more, and I witness his personality come into being. When my husband comes home at the end of the day, he is excited to hear the daily play-by-play.

The disadvantage is the personal sacrifice. Me time is relegated to Jack’s nap time and an hour or so in the evening―not much time to finish a novel, take a ballet class, do an at-home facial, watch Modern Family, organize closets, and do whatever it was I did before baby.

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Sending Our Children into Dark Days, Dark Nights

Posted in New parent worries on July 25, 2012| 1 Comment »

Jack at play

Like many, I am shocked and saddened by the shooting in Colorado on July 20 at a movie theater. I follow the story in bytes and headlines. I cannot bear to continue listening and reading. Fear and terror overcome me when I think of my innocent child growing up in a world with anger, hatred, and evil.

At 8 months, Jack has never even had a bruise. His newness is radiant ― smooth cheeks, downy hair, dimpled knees, tiny feet. His world is ABC blocks and teddy bears, “This Little Piggy” and “This Little Light of Mine”, finger puppets and board books.

Must he grow up and know of shootings, wars, bombings . . .? Will he be caught in a line of fire? Will tragedy explode at his feet?

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Why I Need the Church: Top 10

Posted in Faith, New parent worries on July 18, 2012| 2 Comments »

Michelangelo’s Pieta, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

10. Thank goodness for multiple Mass times. Feedings, diaper changes, meltdowns, teething, and naps laugh and cry in the face of routine.

9. There’s nothing like the radiant sun shining through a majestic stained glass window to cast golden highlights on the crown of my head, which has not seen salon highlights in months. But when I go to Mass, no one knows, and I lavish in the compliments about my hair color. Is it wrong to say thank you?

8. Forgiveness

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What’s Black, White, and Green All Over?

Posted in Childhood development, New parent worries on July 8, 2012| 2 Comments »

It’s playtime. I spread out Jack’s bright play mat, which has over 75 activities according to the packaging advertising. I place Jack on the mat and strategically arrange his hanging toys. Googly-eyed Owl is positioned at 12 o’clock. Squeaky Squirrel is stationed the east. Two large board books stand sentinel to the north and south.

I analyze the situation. Black and white images support visual stimulation. A garrison of textures supports tactile learning. Toys are ready for deployment when Jack’s neurons start firing. I bring in the dog for back-up. Cowboy is a brown and white springer spaniel with a soft coat. Roger that.

Jack blinks at Owl. Five minutes pass. He is still blinking at Owl. I grow nervous. He might not have enough stimulation. I consider painting the white ceiling in case he looks away from Owl. I can’t have him stare at white space, and, heaven forbid, think of white space? He’ll never get into Harvard! He’ll never get a job! I’ve read all the baby books. Why is this mission failing?! (more…)

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