Figuring out parenting as we journey along...
Overflowing Calendars
Simple time management ideas for navigating jam-packed family calendars.
Practicing Music: From Nags to Dishes
Inspired by flute-playing cousins on both sides of the family, my daughter decided she also wanted to master the instrument. After renting a flute, she started lessons, faithfully blowing on the mouthpiece day after day until she finally got a tone. Thrilled with her progress, she moved on, learning the fingering of a few notes, and eventually progressed to simple folk tunes. After a few months, though, her initial enthusiasm waned, as she grew tired of holding up the long metal pipe, tapping out rhythms, and running through scales and arpeggios. As the principal financier in this musical endeavor, I had an interest in keeping her going, and grew frustrated when she ignored my reminders about practicing. Nagging only made matters worse. Read more...
Idle No More
As a typical parent, my non-stop days afford me no time to lose. Yet, I often used to find myself waiting idly, as valuable time slipped away. Whether I was delayed at the checkout, sweltered at the kids’ swim lessons, sweated in traffic, or lounged on a bench at the playground (before the children realized I wasn’t on the equipment with them and demanded I play tag or attend to their injuries), I sat, unable to achieve anything except burning a calorie or two while I twiddled my thumbs. Read more...
How the Game of Cricket Cured My Procrastination
My overflowing attic fought back one afternoon when I attempted, unsuccessfully, to cram another piece of unused furniture into its midst. The plywood floor pricked my palms with splinters, and the floorboard insulation tore off in places, sending dangerous dust flying my way, as I shoved stacks of boxes further back into a corner, trying to clear some space. Joining in the rebellion, my daughter’s closet put up a fight soon thereafter, spewing its contents, slapstick comedy style, when I opened the door. Read more...
Coming Soon:
- Battles over practicing musical instruments.
- Avoiding long lines at the post office with screaming children in tow.
Copyright © 2009 - 2017 by Jennifer Kirsch. All Rights Reserved.
