I hope you know how much I love you. I didn’t really sing to you, talk to you, or obsess over nursery details for you. I’ve talked about you a lot, though. I’ve told your big sister over and over how much you love her, and how much she’s going to love you. I’ve taken my prenatals religiously, and made sure to eat as healthy as possible. I’ve gone to all of the doctor appointments, followed directions, and now we’re just waiting.
Waiting to meet you. Waiting to begin our life together as a family of four.
We probably won’t take as many pictures of you, or scramble for the video camera at your every single move. But you know what? We don’t love you any less. We’re just more relaxed now, and I think we’ll enjoy …
Around here, unless you’re three foot tall, covered in red fur, and giggle like a friendly hyena, you won’t get much attention. Apparently, carrying a child for nine months and forgoing precious hours of sleep to feed, rock and soothe her doesn’t account for much when compared to the infectious antics of an exuberant little monster…Elmo.
My kid loves Elmo. I mean loooooves Elmo. It’s crazy. She’s only 16 months old! She pines away for him with a cutely pathetic little whine, “Elmo…Elmooo.” She anxiously points at the computer screen, wanting me to pull up sesamestreet.com. I know it’s my own fault. Obviously, I exposed her to his “furness,” but I had no idea it would go this far.
So who is Elmo, exactly? Born in 1979, his original name was “Little Monster.” It wasn’t until …
As a side effect of my work with Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland to promote healthy media images for girls (which you can read about here) I’ve become more sensitive and aware of just how far advertisers are willing to go to sell their products to young girls.
Take this ad from Sears, for example. It clearly states who the intended target audience is: girls who wear “junior” sized clothing. Now some may argue that girls in their late teens and early twenties (and beyond, but that’s another issue) wear junior clothing, so this ad may not be inappropriate.
But for those of you with tween daughters, you know that this is the image they look up to. While you’re browsing through the children’s section, they’re stealing glances at the juniors section, with …
Here’s my cool kid, always wanting to wear momma’s shades.
The question is, do I want her to be “the cool kid” when she’s older? I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. We always want our children to be better off than we were, but I have to admit, I kind of hope she’s a nerd.
Although I got along with nearly everyone in school, I was a tall, goofy-looking nerd (and no, you can’t see the pictures to prove it). And you know what? I think I’m better off because of it. I have more compassion for people who don’t fit in, and I endured many “character-building” situations.
So, what is your hope for your children? That they’re a popular member of the in-crowd or their own unique person, whether that makes them …
A group of lovely young ladies and I meet every Tuesday night for a book study centered around “The Worn Out Woman,” by Dr. Steve Stevens and Alice Gray. We laugh, we cry (well, we will eventually) and together we try to find ways to cope with the whirlwind of life while growing closer to Christ.
We’re all moms, all married, and all yearning to regain our joie de vivre–to be more peaceful, patient and put a little pep back in our step.
One common theme is our perceived lack of “self.” Once you’re a frantic, frazzled momma, what happens to the woman who used to take long bubble baths, spend hours chatting with her best friend or get completely lost in an addictive piece of fiction?
I catch glimpses of her every …