This came in from Smarty Ashley, who has been on a Smarty sabbatical for WAY too long now, we miss you girl:-) Thanks, Ash, for making me smile & sob at the same time!
My Walker lost his green frayed lovey in a Target Midtown parking lot two years ago. It was left in the kiddie cart near the steering wheel. I drove back and searched high and low to no avail. If anyone has seen him, please let me know!
School has started and I have officially moved into my car. I thought I spent a lot of time in there this summer with all the driving to and from beach vacations but nothing compares to now. Two kids, two different schools, two different start and finish times. Throw in various after school activities and my car turns into my mobile home. I feel like I am always looking at the clock to see exactly how late I can actually leave the house and still make it to carpool on time. Do I want to be first in line or 184th? Do I want to chat with my friends or blow in at the last minute having the teacher stare at me like I just grabbed the last cookie at snack time?
The times they are a-changing, just like Bob Dylan first sang in 1964. Scratch that. The times have changed, people. Big time.
Back in my day, ribbons/medals/trophies (and even the lowly certificate) were awarded for “placing” in a competition, with the coveted trophy usually being reserved for the upper echelon such as first place.
Even certificates were a big deal; like at the end 10th grade when I was selected from my 10th grade peers as “Biology Student of the Year”. This high honor was only deemed certificate worthy, and now that I think about it, I should call my high school and demand a trophy for this esteemed accomplishment.
I was talking to a mother whose daughter participated in tryouts for a sports team. Her daughter made the team. However, her friend’s daughter did not make the team. Guess what happened next? The mother complained that it was unfair and the school folded like a lawn chair and let her on the team. Sound familiar? It’s a classic case of “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease”.
I married into a very Southern family. You’d think that wouldn’t be a big deal given my dad is a native Charlottean, and I’ve always lived here. But, (big BUT) my mom is from Chicago, and although she moved here in high school, she could not possibly know all the “givens” that a multi-generational Southern mama would know – there’s nothing wrong with that, but it means I had a small learning curve when I got married (I mean, who doesn’t?).
My mother-in-law is a true Southern lady. She’s from eastern North Carolina, and is a genuine “Steel Magnolia.” She’s funny, strong, sweet, and loyal. She has a million friends and zero enemies. She managed to raise four boys who actually still call home. She also happens to be turning 70 today and deserves a little recognition!
By Ted Claypoole
Co-author, Protecting Your Internet Identity: Are You Naked Online?
In our introductory post, we introduced the concept of your child’s interaction with the Internet as similar to a child’s interaction with the ocean. Both are dangerous places that children can benefit from. Respect for harmful elements of the ocean or the Internet is mandatory, while a paralyzing fear of either one is counterproductive.
Just like you watch your kids with less intensity as they become more familiar with the ocean and more able to judge its dangers, your family Internet policy should similarly be dictated by age, maturity and familiarity.
Last month on The Huffington Post, funny-as-all-get-out mother and blogger, Melissa Sher, advised on “The 23 Things I Think New Parents Should Know”.
This gal has my sense of humor and I heart her for it. Never met her, and likely never will, however I admire her funny-ness from afar.
My only regret of motherhood (so far) is not having the wisdom and quick wit to say #7 and #9 to anyone who asked me those idiotic questions. Happy guffawing, Smarties!
The 23 Things I Think New Parents Should Know
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