When BE and I were at the market this summer, she asked me about something that might or might not have happened when she was a baby. I responded, “I don’t know, I guess we’d have to ask your first parents.” This kind of comment in our family isn’t unusual. but that day, BE gaveContinue reading “Talking about Adoption with an 8-year-old”
Tag Archives: children
Family in the city
For most of my life, I’ve lived in suburban Detroit, but J and I have always liked cities. For a number of reasons, we recently decided to a buy a place near downtown Detroit. Detroit certainly has a bad reputation, but many people from southeast Michigan know that young people are moving back to theContinue reading “Family in the city”
Please don’t thank me
Over the past few weeks BE has told me several times, “thank you for adopting me.” It gives me a sinking feeling every time. I don’t want her to feel that she has to be grateful, or that she owes me anything. I hope I’m not unknowingly communicating that I expect this. When she thanksContinue reading “Please don’t thank me”
Adventures in eating
BE is a notoriously picky eater, so when J suggested we go to a Japanese buffet for dinner, I was very nervous. I envisioned whining and complaining in addition to her normal restaurant antics. To my surprise, she did very well and even tried something new. As the resident vegetarian, I would have preferred thatContinue reading “Adventures in eating”
Look alikes
Several times in the last week, I’ve been told that my daughter looks just like me, and that it’s clear I’m her mom. Naturally, I think my daughter is beautiful, so this is a big compliment. It also makes me happy to think that we might actually look alike, especially since we’re not biologically related.Continue reading “Look alikes”
Getting what they deserve
I’m a regular reader of Help 4 Your Family by therapist Kate Oliver and one of her posts from April has really stuck with me. In the post, she describes how to respond to a child’s demands. Here’s an excerpt from the post, titled “End the Hassle: Tell Kids what they Deserve“: Kid: Mom, theContinue reading “Getting what they deserve”
A funny typo
At my day job, I’m a writer, and a group of us writers often e-mail each other when we come across a funny typo. Now, I have one that I want to share with you. For the past few weeks, BE has been pretending to be a teacher, saying that she’s practicing for when sheContinue reading “A funny typo”
Mama the grouch
Since becoming a mother, I’ve heard my share of interesting insults. As I’ve written before, when BE gets mad, she likes to say, “I’m not going to be your friend.” But BC, has some truly unique put downs. When he’s upset, he likes to yell (among other things), “I’m going to put you in theContinue reading “Mama the grouch”
Shannon Mackie 