Search Results for: blog can we have a little more optimism please

I Can Take a Little Criticism

I fully acknowledge that I am a work in progress—especially as a parent. Even with a couple dozen years under my belt, there are days when I feel like a complete novice. This doesn’t mean that I don’t take my own advice and try to trust my instincts and have some compassion with myself—but I have had to learn how to take a little criticism when it comes to my parenting. Interestingly enough, a big hunk of that criticism comes from my kids. My kids are constantly letting me know now what they will and will not do “when they … Continue reading →

Let’s Find Reasons to Smile

There are days…okay, WEEKS when it dawns on me that I probably haven’t smiled at my kids in I don’t know how long and I know that they haven’t smiled at me either. We go for days grumbling, scolding, and looking disapprovingly at each other. I can’t help but think that a little smiling might make all the difference and change the vibe in our house instantly… When my children were small, I remember the advice was to “catch them doing something good”—while that can still work with the teenager, they aren’t nearly as likely to beam and glow and … Continue reading →

Finding Excuses to Hug

My kids are not so snuggly any more. We’ve moved through what I hope will be remembered as the snarkiest years of teenagehood and they can stand to be in the same room with me. But those snuggly, hugging days are pretty much long gone. Now I have to be a bit stealthier and pay attention to those rare opportunities when a hug is in order. Birthdays are good for at least one hug. Even a teenager is willing to entertain a big birthday hug from the annoying mother. As a matter of fact, any time a gift is given … Continue reading →

Sometimes, I Actually Prefer My Kids’ Company

It seems to be a secret—the fact that we parents actually sometimes (often?) prefer our kids’ company and hanging out doing the family thing to other options. I don’t know why, but people often assume that parenting is overwhelmingly hard and that I must be aching to get away from my teenagers (or, when they were younger—preschoolers, pre-teens, etc.) and do something “grown-up.” Sure, sometimes I do like a little adult company, but to be honest, I often prefer just being with my kids and spending time as a family! Now, granted, I am a parent on purpose. And, as … Continue reading →

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

With all the living and learning that occurs within an ordinary family—it can sometimes seem like family life is all about a lot of hard work and not very much play. Play and laughter especially seem to become increasingly scarce as children get older—silliness disappears, or at least is reserved for time with friends and peers, and acting goofy with mom or dad just doesn’t hold the same appeal it did when everyone was younger. I don’t think we parents should give up, however. I really do think that laughter can be the glue that holds a family together during … Continue reading →

Can We Have a Little More Optimism, Please?

Unless I’m really dragging in the depths of despair—which doesn’t happen very often, I can be an annoyingly optimistic person. My kids have not always been on board with all that optimism and part of their adolescent rebellion has been to counter all my optimism with huge wet blankets of negativity. I’m not sure how much of their negative griping is reactionary, how much is to spite me, and how much is just typical teenage stuff. I’m hoping that none of it is “nature” as I seem to remember they were all three a little peppier and less doom and … Continue reading →