So I’m More Like Hitler Than I Thought…

August 8th, 2008

A few days ago, I was Twittering from the Emergency Room with my daughter. While it was scary at the moment, the ER docs treated her immediately and everything was eventually fine.

In the meantime, praying and tweeting was all I could do as I held my daughter’s hand while she lay half-asleep and swollen on the hospital bed. People I know intimately in real life, and those I don’t even know their real names, sent comforting sms and tweets of encouragement. It was a Godsend.

I’ve always touted the value of online communities and social networks and the real life benefit they can bring. But now it is official.

I’m one of “those” people.

Posted in Twitter | 2 Comments »

Yarn Coop Anyone?

August 5th, 2008

If you knit, crochet, or spin you have almost certainly dreamed of owning your very own flock of sheep or goats. Unfortunately, living in the City (or even the suburbs) makes it very hard to get in touch with your inner Little Bo Peep. What’s a would-be shepherdess to do?

The Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm Yarn CSA can make your dream a reality! You can purchase a share of our Spring 2009 clip and we’ll take care of all the tedious details (like trimming hoofs, feeding during snowstorms and cleaning all the poopy hay out of the barn.)

Posted in Knitting | No Comments »

Play Nice

August 3rd, 2008

In the column, Shouts & Murmurs, Simon Rich opines about the injustices of childhood in a New Yorker piece entitled, Play Nice:

Zoe: Dad, I’m throwing a party tonight, so you’ll have to stay in your room. Don’t worry, though—one of my friends brought over his father for you to play with. His name is Comptroller Brooks and he’s roughly your age, so I’m sure you’ll have lots in common. I’ll come check on you in a couple of hours. (Leaves.)

Comptroller Brooks: Hello.

Mr. Higgins: Hello.

Comptroller Brooks: So . . . um . . . do you follow city politics?

Mr. Higgins: Not really.

Comptroller Brooks: Oh.

(Long pause.)

(Zoe returns.)

Zoe: I forgot to tell you—I told my friends you two would perform for them after dinner. I’ll come get you when it’s time. (Leaves.)

Comptroller Brooks: Oh, God, what are we going to do?

Mr. Higgins: I know a dance . . . but it’s pretty humiliating.

Comptroller Brooks: Just teach it to me.

This article has been making the rounds on Unschooling lists, as it illustrates the importance of honoring the individuality of each child. Put in this light, anything else is just ridiculous.

Last week, an acquaintance made the “helpful” suggestion that I use her son as a type of peer pressure to coerce my 4 year old into changing his opinion about the validity of daily, afternoon naps.

“It worked for my son. That’s how he was potty trained. Peer pressure — it’s how the world works! (Lots of Laughter)

Whenever I have a problem, I just ask him, ‘What are the other kids doing?’

See, you have to do it too!” (Big smile)

Needless to say, I was mortified.

My mind spun ahead ten years and imagined my now teenage son saying to me,

“But Mom, Johnny was doing ______ (fill in with the parenting nightmare of your choice)! Remember you told me I should do whatever the rest of the kids are doing?”

Still terrified by the scene that had flashed before my eyes, I gave her a weak, obligatory smile and backed away slowly. When she turned to continue on her way, I ran.

Posted in Unschool, Mothering | 1 Comment »