On the eve of her son’s birthday, Kate McGuinness contemplates the three life lessons she wants him to learn. This week, my only child will turn 24. His birthday seems like a good occasion to consider a few of the remaining life lessons that I would like to impart to him. The first would be […]
Michael Erard offers his critique of a new magazine for dads. I first came across a mention of Kindling Quarterly, a brand new magazine that bills itself as “an exploration of fatherhood,” via a Facebook post whose accompanying thread turned decidedly anti-hipster and anti-Brooklyn. But a magazine—on paper! (not a blog)—about the adult male part […]
Kerry Cohen responds to Janine Kovac’s piece “Maybe You Are Ready For Kids, You’re Just Not Paying Attention.” I was ready to have children. I was more than ready. Somewhere around 28, my biological clock kicked into gear and I could think of almost nothing else. I had spent the better part of my life […]
(For Kerry Cohen’s response to this piece, “An Open Letter To Janine Kovac,” click here.) You know you want kids, but you’re still not sure you’re ready. Mother of three, Janine Kovac, asks: What are you waiting for? This is an open letter to an old friend of mine. I’ll call her “Doris.” If you’re […]
When professionals told Lynn Beisner she was a good mother, she wouldn’t believe them. She discusses why the best parents are usually the ones who feel most incompetent. I held the large white envelope with trembling hands. In it was the all-important evaluation of my parenting. It would likely determine the outcome of my young […]
Originally appeared on Mamamia.com. Republished here with permission. My wheels fell off this week. Nothing serious and yet still, I lost it. The wobbles began when I noticed I was feeling stressed, overwhelmed and guilty guilty guilty. Such a helpful emotion, guilt. You try to shake off its oppressive stench, but it dulls your senses […]
Dating an older man stripped Tina Rodia of much of her youth and self-esteem. While adults should be free to be in a relationship with whomever they choose, including younger or older partners, I dare to argue that teenage girls should never date older men. However, the hardest people to convince would be the girls […]
Originally appeared on Kiki & Tea. Republished here with permission. I’ve been encouraged to write about what it’s really like to be a stepmother. This is from my experience, from the forums I’m a part of, and talks about what it’s like to be a stepmother while the mother is still around, without any children […]
Sarah Laing is not damaged, she does not find it impossible to form relationships with men, and she doesn’t want your sympathy. She just wants to know why her father doesn’t want to know her. I don’t have any tattoos. I haven’t developed a drug addiction. I’m in a stable relationship with a wonderful man. […]
Lynn Beisner says letting go of forgiveness, not anger, made her a better person. A couple weeks ago in the small hours of a winter morning, I drove my son, Matt, to meet the train that would take him away from me to begin his new life as a full-fledged adult. As we stood side […]
This week’s roundup of our favorites from across the interwebs to help you make sense of men and women. 1. Being A Single Parent Is Many Things. But It Is Not A Failure by Allison Benedikt comprises Slate.com readers’ thoughts on the upsides of single parenthood. 2. One Possible, Troubling Outcome Of Online Dating: More Social […]
Originally appeared on Everyday Feminism. Republished here with permission. The day I found out the baby I was carrying was a girl, I bought a frilly, pink dress. It had taken me a long time to get pregnant and I wanted a girl. Yes, I wanted a “healthy baby” but I was honest enough with […]
