Love this. There must be something about the darkness as I’ve been triggered this month in my parenting and am also writing about. Hope you have a super relaxing restful break!
Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth! Empty the dustpan, poison the moth, Hang out the washing and butter the bread, Sew on a button and make up a bed. Where is the mother whose house is so shocking? She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking! Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo). Dishes are waiting and bills are past due (Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo). The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo. Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue? (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.) Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby. Babies don't keep.
This really resonanted with me. My kids are grappling with how to triage the things in their lives, and it's an easy thing for me to forget. I think part of that is down to my not fully acknowledging that one's an adult and one's not too far behind him.
Lastly, I hope you enjoy your time away and that's it's restful and refreshing!
Thanks, Kevin! Yes, it really hit me this fall that we’re really for real transitioning to a different kind of relationship with our kids. It feels a little weird but also exciting! And also unsettling. 😂
Oh man, life sure is wild! I still can't believe your kiddos are adult(ish). 😅 Glad you are all able to navigate this together. ❤️ Happy belated birthday Bryan!
Loved this! Hard relate to all the kid stuff (from the perspective of a former kid, not a parent - LOL!!!!). Congratulations to both of them for their papers! And to you, for holding it together! And happy birthday Bryan!
Lovely to read an update on the book - and yes, I've zoomed in on the post-its and I can't wait to read more. 😁
Your office 'jungle' is gorgeous - plants are sooooo brilliant, and it's great to have so many in your workspace.
Jen, you are such a good mom, indeed, and a great writer to take us on a journey with you and your fam. Rest now. Enjoy good cheer.
Thank you, Sara!
Fun story, thank you for sharing. Enjoy the break! Read ya next year! 🎉
Thanks, Nicole!
wish Bryan a Happy Birthday!
when do you want me to come up and bring a cheesecake (or whatever--your choice)?
Yum!
seriously--let me know when i can come up for a day visit
Parenting win, for sure! Hope you all get some relaxing family time this December
Bryan has a deadline today and I have one tomorrow. After that we are easing our way through the rest of the year!
Love this. There must be something about the darkness as I’ve been triggered this month in my parenting and am also writing about. Hope you have a super relaxing restful break!
Looking forward to reading yours!
Song for a Fifth Child
("Babies Don't Keep")
Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth! Empty the dustpan, poison the moth, Hang out the washing and butter the bread, Sew on a button and make up a bed. Where is the mother whose house is so shocking? She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking! Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo). Dishes are waiting and bills are past due (Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo). The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo. Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue? (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.) Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby. Babies don't keep.
-- Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
in Ladies Home Journal,
1958
Ack! Didn't realize Substack removed all the line breaks; looked good on my phone. There's a New Year's resolution for them, to fix things....
But, you understand!
Happy belated birthday to Bryan!
This really resonanted with me. My kids are grappling with how to triage the things in their lives, and it's an easy thing for me to forget. I think part of that is down to my not fully acknowledging that one's an adult and one's not too far behind him.
Lastly, I hope you enjoy your time away and that's it's restful and refreshing!
Thanks, Kevin! Yes, it really hit me this fall that we’re really for real transitioning to a different kind of relationship with our kids. It feels a little weird but also exciting! And also unsettling. 😂
Enjoy your writing break! Looking forward to more shared first drafts and writing on Zoom!
Oh man, life sure is wild! I still can't believe your kiddos are adult(ish). 😅 Glad you are all able to navigate this together. ❤️ Happy belated birthday Bryan!
Happy holidays!
Loved this! Hard relate to all the kid stuff (from the perspective of a former kid, not a parent - LOL!!!!). Congratulations to both of them for their papers! And to you, for holding it together! And happy birthday Bryan!
Lovely to read an update on the book - and yes, I've zoomed in on the post-its and I can't wait to read more. 😁
Your office 'jungle' is gorgeous - plants are sooooo brilliant, and it's great to have so many in your workspace.