Category Archives: Grateful Mama

May 7, 2011 · 1:33 pm

The Talk

I was in New York City on September 11, 2001.  It was a traumatic day and a harrowing time.  Just thinking about it (and writing about it) makes me feel a lump in my throat.  The emotions I feel about it today are just as raw as they were ten years ago.

I’ve had a hard time this week watching crowds of people celebrating bin Laden’s death.   I don’t mean to judge anyone.  I get it.  I understand the pride, the anger, the relief and the feeling that justice has been done.  But I feel a great sense of sadness.  Not for bin Laden.  He was a madman.  But for everyone who has died or suffered because of him and what he stands for and for all the hate that exists in the world with or without him breathing.  

I receive daily Google News Alerts on the topics of parenting and motherhood.  Many of the stories I’ve read this week have been about how to talk to kids about the death of Osama bin Laden.  I couldn’t be more grateful that my kids are too young to require such an unpleasant conversation.  

At two years old, Riley’s main concerns are wasting as many Band-Aids as possible on pretend boo boos and being pushed high on a swing.  Dylan, at age four, might respond to images he sees on television, but he finds Nick Jr. a lot more interesting than Mommy’s news shows on MSNBC.

I can barely find the courage to explain to Dylan that he’s going to see a “feelings doctor” next week.  (This was a suggestion from the therapist.  Another name was “doctor who doesn’t give shots.”  I like that one a lot.)  So I’m glad I don’t have the burden of talking to him about terrorism, mass murder, war or death…for a few more years, anyway.  I know the conversation will ultimately happen – about September 11th or some other tragedy – but I’m a Grateful Mama for any additional amount of time we have to talk about nothing more serious than basketball, dinosaurs, show & share and The Incredibles (Dylan’s new movie obsession).

Have you talked to your kids about Osama bin Laden?

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March 31, 2011 · 3:03 pm

Shout Out

Just when I thought I’d recovered from spring break, Mike left for a weeklong business trip to London.  I’ve been on my own with the boys since last Saturday.  A year ago, these trips terrified me.  Riley was still a baby and Dylan was too young to understand Mike’s sudden absence.  It was just so hard.  It still is, but a year later, the boys are older and more understanding, and I guess I am, too.  I hate to be a Complaining Mama, especially when there are so many other things in the world to worry about, so I’m dedicating this post to everyone and everything I’m grateful for this week.

First and foremost, I’d like to give a shout out to all the Single Mamas in the world.  It is so hard to be the one – the only one – to get up with the boys in the morning, get them through the whole day and evening and then be the one – the only one – to put them to bed.  On some nights, by the time we get to the teeth-brushing portion of bedtime, I want to strangle them with the floss.  When Mike is out of town, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am when he is home to be able to walk away from the madness when I need to.  
Next, my inner circle.  My in-laws and sister-in-law, who live nearby, go into “stand-by” mode when Mike goes out of town and I love them for it.  They’ve come over almost every day this week to distract the kids and me for a few hours.  My parents, who live in Massachusetts, call almost every day, and my friend and fellow Mama, Karen, calls me at least half a dozen times a day to make sure I’m still standing.  As isolated as I sometimes feel, I’m definitely not alone.
Sudafed.  Riley caught a cold last weekend and has systematically passed it on to everyone in the house.  Even Mike has been complaining of a sore throat in London.  The only thing harder than being a Single Mama is being a Sick Single Mama.  Sudafed has been a good friend this week.
Retail therapy.  I know what you’re thinking.  Shopaholic Mama is at it again with the emotional shopping.  Well, I needed it.  I found a sun dress at Macy’s on the clearance rack for $29.99 (original price was over $100!).  I bought it and I’m not returning it.  It was worth every penny and every ounce of guilt!
Dylan and Riley.  Despite the sporadic bouts of wrestling, hitting, screaming, and whining, the boys have been really good this week.  When Riley cries out for Daddy, Dylan tells him, “It’s okay, Riley.  Daddy will be home in a few days.  He loves you and misses you.”  And Riley.  He gives really good hugs and he’s slept until at least 6:30 every morning this week.  My boys are taking care of me as much as I’m taking care of them.
Finally, I need to give a shout out to Mike.  My globetrotting husband is working his butt off for us.  I may be a Single, Sick, Shopaholic Mama this week, but I’m a Grateful one, too.

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Filed under business travel, Grateful Mama, Shopaholic Mama, Sick Mama, Single Mama