Parenting

Over the weekend my "wife" had to quit to watch her nephew while her sister tutors. And now I am scrambling to find a replacement. My husband just returned to work from paternity leave and so I am back to conference calls hoping my youngest will map and my oldest will play quietly for 15 minutes.

Anna Quindlen, Newsweek Columnist and Author

All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow
but in disbelief. I take great satisfaction in what I
have today: three almost-adults, two taller than I am,
one closing in fast. Three people who read the same
books I do and have learned not to be afraid of
disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who
sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I
choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel
and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more
than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom,

My husband works for one of those Banks discussed in every newspaper this week (not Bear Stearns, but a close 2nd).  Dinner table conversation for our teenage kids has been focused on the economy and what it means for our family so I found this blog in the Juggle interesting.

When the Kids Worry About Layoffs, Your Finances
Posted by Jennifer Merritt
The Juggle

As the lucky parent of a child in the biggest high-school graduating class in history, I found this article very interesting.  Yes, the college application process is time consuming and stressful and nothing like the process I went through, but are people really quitting their jobs to help their kids?  Do employees need OffRamps and OnRamps to guide their 17 year olds?  Read on.

College Admissions: How Involved Should Parents Get?
By SUE SHELLENBARGER, WSJ

The other day I was driving my two daughters with me to Cubes & Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com), when my older one, a proud 2 1/2 year old, said to me "I love Cubes & Crayons." My heart melted. I built this endeavor, flexible office space in tandem with childcare, with parents like me in mind, but also for my children. While my daughter has been able to spout that the "cubes are for mommies and daddies and the crayons are for the kids," for months now, it has been a tough transition for everyone. Being a mom is the most important thing to me.

On-Ramp Mom

Can’t live with them, can’t fire them, can’t force them out…Step Kids, that is. What’s a Step Mom to do?

Eleven years ago I took on the job of a lifetime – step mom to three fully formed, highly opinionated, bereft teenage kids – I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Neither did my husband. And, neither did the kids. All of us were on shaky ground and it quickly turned to quicksand.

This afternoon, on our way home from the math tutor, my daughter C asked me this question: "Who would you have married if you didn't marry daddy?"

At this point in my parenting career I've learned a few lessons, one of which is that after your kids gets to be about six, it's impossible to pull the wool over their eyes. Maybe it's the tone of your voice or your averted gaze when you're telling that "little white lie"--I'm not sure--but somehow they always know when you're not being straight with them.

by Kristin Harad, Owner, VitaVie Financial Planning www.newparentfinances.com.

Okay, I admit it. I secretly think I'm smarter than most of the population. Please don't hold that against me, I truly am pretty humble with the rest of my self image. I know that while I feel 20, I look 40 (yes, its a FOUR before the 0... I'm still getting used to it and hope the more I write it the more comfortable I'll get with it). I realize my rear end has a texture issue. I've accepted that my boobs will slip into my arm pits if I lay on my back while not wearing a bra.

In walks my hunter (normally an investment banker) Saturday afternoon, after a long night with the boys drinking and playing dominoes in Napa at some duck club.  I was okay that Charles abandoned our standing, friday family night dinner.  I was okay that Charles HAD to come home and take a nap because he was up at 4:30 in the morning getting ready for his hunt.  I was okay spending the entire Saturday ALONE with my wonderful children.  I was NOT okay that Charles brought home a duck that was NOT CLEANED and looked like it was still alive!!!