Nov252016

little girl smiling

When the Sh*t Hits the Floor: The No-Man’s Land of Potty Training

Removing poop from underwear is an entirely different process from changing a diaper. I hope, dear reader, you won’t add this to your list of unpleasant parental experiences. If you’re lucky enough to know the poop is there, you may be able to channel your inner bomb expert and shimmy down your kid’s undies without dropping the turd on the floor. Of course, that’s assuming your toddler doesn’t do a little wiggle right at the end and fling it onto your foot or the wall or an unsuspecting sibling in the area. If you happen to have a cold or otherwise fail to notice the heaping pile in your kid’s drawers, you get to do the honors of flinging shit onto your foot or the wall or an unsuspecting offspring in the area.

Nov152016

baby in stroller

A Stranger’s Compassion Meant the World to One Mom: “There, There Now”

I ran around in circles until I spied an unsuspecting elderly woman basking in the sun. As I approached her, my sobs began anew and I tried to confess what had just transpired: I had nearly killed my baby! This kind stranger hugged me and patted me on the back whispering the universal words of comfort, “There, there, now.”

Nov102016

upset

You Get What You Get, and You Don’t Get Upset

Kids pick up all sort of phrases (and germs) in group care. “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset” happens to be one I embrace. Inevitably, my girls will be at a birthday party where someone else gets the last chocolate cupcake or the green balloon they really wanted. It’s only natural to feel disappointed when you see something you want and receive something else. And for things like cupcakes and balloons, the phrase works well.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be thankful for what you have.

This week, as I’ve watched the fallout from the presidential election, this phrase came to mind.

Nov22016

Young Girl

Motherhood At 18: A True Story

Here I am, 18 years old and a lifetime worth of responsibility was placed in my care. I remember thinking, “Nika, you can’t do this. You are going to mess up this child’s life. You have nothing to give her.” I was too scared to even pick her up.

Oct282016

Amazed girl

How the Wrong Change Led to a Moment of Childhood Wonder

When did we lose that childhood wonder? When do we go from curious to cynical? From thinking everything is possible, to thinking things are more impossible than probable? When does that change?