Best of 'Think of the Children'
Discover more from Think of the Children
Best of 'Think of the Children'
Or, my response to winter break overwhelm
I’m drowning in the end of winter break, the week in February where schools close for absolutely no reason that I can discern and there is never anything to do (unless you can afford to fly to Florida). In lieu of my usual newsletter, please enjoy this ‘Greatest Hits’ playlist of some of my favorite interviews and essays from the past few years:
Essays
Bummer Summer (June 2021): It’s been two years since I wrote this, and summer still seems impossible to navigate as a working parent. Themes include: those Facebook memes about playing outside until the streetlights came on/drinking from the hose; my love of spreadsheets; and, as always, our individual and collective relationship to care.
Anything Can Happen If You Let It (July 2021): Watching my daughter perform in a community youth theater workshop of “Mary Poppins Jr.” provided a surprisingly rich text upon which to reflect. Themes include: anxiety; the lie we all want to believe about parenting/being like Mary Poppins; and why Mr. Banks was so crabby.
Taking the ‘Fun’ out of ‘Fundraiser’ (October 2021): It’s Girl Scout cookie season again (hmu if you want to order some!) so I am once again reflecting on this annual rite of capitalism with a grim sort of resignation. Themes include: my ongoing desire to participate in mutual aid; the awkwardness of selling things to your neighbors; and mild skepticism about some aspects of Girl Scouting in general.
Notes from the School Pickup Line (September 2021): I’m so glad that my daughter can ride the bus home this year! Themes in this piece include: the lies we all tell when we’re supposedly working; the insanity of our children’s constant need for supervision; and my constant, never-ending time blindness.
Interviews
Shannon Carpenter: Talking to Shannon, author of “The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad,” was a real hoot. I loved hearing about the adventure trips he takes with another family, and all his dad hacks for making parenting just a little bit easier. (Why didn’t I have duct tape in my diaper bag?!) (Listen to Shannon | Read Shannon’s Q&A)
Melinda Wenner Moyer: I loved Melinda’s book, “How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes,” so much, and continue to enjoy her newsletter as well. It was great to hear her take on what kids need from us when they’re having big feelings, and to hear what gives her big feelings as a parent! (Listen to Melinda | Read Melinda’s Q&A)
Helena Andrews-Dyer: To use some education speak, “The Mamas” by Helena Andrews-Dyer was both a window and a mirror for me. The book offered me a view into Helena’s experience as a Black woman raising Black daughters in her D.C. neighborhood — all things I’ve never experienced. At the same time, I related to a lot of Helena’s ambivalence about combining kids and a career. (Listen to Helena | Read Helena’s Q&A)
Fresh content to come next week! In the meantime, I’m counting the minutes until the school bus arrives tomorrow morning in as casual a way as possible. If you have snow where you are, I hope you are safe and warm!