When it comes to making school lunches I sometimes suspect I'm a lousy Mom. I want to be the Mom making the cool themed bento-style lunches, with fruit shaped like flowers and tiny sandwiches shaped like animals. The reality is I'm the mom that goes to head to bed at 1 a.m. and realizes I forgot to make my kids lunch again, and I'm left wondering if anyone at the school is … [Read more...]
Postpartum Depression in the 1950s, my Grandmother’s Story (or A Short History of Postparturm Depression, from 1950-Now)
In 1951, after giving birth to her first child, my grandmother developed postpartum depression. She was diagnosed as having a "nervous condition". Her treatment took the form of electroshock therapy. She was twenty years old at the time. Separated from her family she was sent to a mental hospital in St. Thomas, many miles away from her home. In the meantime, my grandfather was … [Read more...]
The Kindergarten Question – Resolved?
So here I am, sitting up until 1:30 in the morning, pre-filling out the Junior Kindergarten registration forms so that tomorrow morning I can take my daughter to register at the local French Immersion school. We called to arrange a visit last Friday, and dropped in for a quick peek. We wanted to register on the spot, but were told to come back on Tuesday. I wish it were … [Read more...]
Secret Mommyhood Confessions: There Are No Photos
Last monday I gave Rainbow her first real hair cut. Monday also marked the first time that Rocket took a bath in the "big bathtub". Where are the photos? That's what everyone asks. Why aren't there pictures on Facebook? I know. There should be pictures of Rainbow's hair right before the haircut. There should be a smiling shot of me, with scissors in hand, cutting her … [Read more...]
Secret Mommyhood Confessions – Hair Hugs
I have long hair. My which I mean Really Long Hair. Seriously, down past my bum, encroaching on my knees, long hair. I haven't had short hair in at least twenty years. Over the years I have often been approached by strangers who want to talk to me about my hair. I am constantly asked questions, from the frequent and mundane, "Isn't it hard to take care of." (Heck no. It's … [Read more...]
How to make a perfect cuppa…
Morning tea time at my house goes something like this... Decide that I must have a cup of tea and start to head for the kitchen. Children notice I am attempting to leave the room and begin to panic. Toddler attempts to attach herself to my skirt. Carefully disengage toddler and make a dash to the kitchen. Now, why am I in the kitchen? Oh, right, I wanted a cup of tea. … [Read more...]
C-Section Fears and Motherhood Scars
My mom had all three of her children by c-section. The sight of the dark scar running vertically down her belly used to fill me with disgust and dread. I had this irrational fear of having a c-section myself. I can't really explain it. That's the thing about irrational fears, they're not rational. For many years my fear kept me from seriously considering childbirth. When … [Read more...]
Secret Mommyhood Confessions – My Secret Vice {Life}
There is one thing I desperately miss from my pre-mommy days. It's not going out for coffee, or going out drinking or dancing. Though I do miss those things. It's not staying up all night and sleeping in all day. Or goodness, how about just sleeping in (Okay, let's be honest here... I do really miss sleeping in). It's not the one on one time spent with my husband. … [Read more...]
Secret Mommyhood Confessions – Hiding in the Kitchen
I hide in the kitchen to eat treats so I won't have to share them with my three year old. I'm not talking about simply stepping into the kitchen either. I mean ducking into the one corner of the room you can't see from the gated doorway. Almost pressing myself against the fridge so I can eat a my New Years' chocolate, or breakfast pastry in peace. Sometime I'm simply … [Read more...]
Secret Mommyhood Confessions – Snapping
The other day I lost it. I snapped and started yelling at the top of my lungs... at my cat. A few weeks back I was helping my mum clean out my grandmothers house when I found a clear plastic sack full of Christmas ornaments. Lovely breakable vintage Christmas ornaments. While working on decorating the tree I spent some time sorting through the vintage glass ornaments from … [Read more...]