Asperger Awareness
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Thursday, February 02, 2012
There’a an interesting article in the New York Times today written by a man who was (briefly) diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in his late teens. Benjamin Nugent, author of American Nerd: The Story of My People, writes that when he was 17, he was judged to “fit the bill” of Asperger’s based on the diagnostic criteria.
And then, he grew up and moved to the big city and suddenly all of his issues sort... READ MORE
Smart Motivation
Posted by Arwen Mosher in News on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
When Camilla was little, a friend told me she’d read (in the book NurtureShock) that research showed that telling children “you’re so smart!” is counterproductive, and ends up undermining achievement as kids learn to overestimate their own abilities while also failing to develop the real confidence necessary to take risks.
Interested, I asked my super-intelligent, lifelong high-achieving sister what... READ MORE
Difficult Discussion
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, January 20, 2012
This weekend for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our parish is having its usual prayer vigil. We signed up for a half-hour time slot. Bryan’s going and I suggested he might take our five-year-old daughter with him.
But I wasn’t surprised when he hesitated. Because, you see, we haven’t explained to Camilla about abortion yet.
We did participate in the local pregnancy care center’s fill-a-bottle-with-coins... READ MORE
Thankful For: Encouragement
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
“And so I tell you, whoever is reading this and needs to hear it. Don’t quit. Retreat, yes. Surrender, never.”
We’re in a season when my husband and I refer to Sunday Mass as “the most exhausting hour of the week,” and this article, “Mass with a Difficult Child,” was exactly what I needed to read. It’s by blogger and mother-of-six (and, I believe, F&F reader and commenter) Michelle Reitemeyer, and it’s lovely.
“The goal is to have antic-free children. We call them mature adults.”
I laughed, I nodded, I felt consoled after reading. I hope you will too.
If God Rested…
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Friday, November 18, 2011
My husband, wonderful man that he is, often says to me, “Why don’t you go take a bath?” Or if it’s the best day of the week (Saturday) he says, “Why don’t you go out by yourself for a couple hours?”
I sometimes tell him no. “I will feel better if I stay here and get more stuff done,” I tell him.
I don’t know why I haven’t learned by now: there is always more “stuff” to get “done.” I rarely stop moving... READ MORE
Which Came First?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, November 08, 2011
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We had a chicken costume in 3-6 months size, and we have two babies, so what could we do but make an egg?
Actually, I wasn’t planning on dressing the babies up at all, since basic non-frivolous tasks take all my energy these days. Kids demand costumes, but babies don’t care, so why bother?
But we only have two babies once. One chance to make a hilarious double costume so we can enjoy the photos for... READ MORE
Sibling Gifts
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, October 14, 2011
Once or twice a year all my siblings and I are in the same place.
Last weekend was one of those times. The six of us went out to dinner for my youngest sister’s birthday. We laughed so hard my stomach ached afterward, but my eyes also welled up a couple times as we shared stories and support and joy at being together.
What a gift my parents gave us in each other.
One of the hard things for me as... READ MORE
So Simple, So Helpful
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Homemaking on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
My mom came and helped for a couple weeks after the twins were born. She was great (as always) but one of the best things she did was give me an idea on her way out.
While here, Mom took over one of my smaller-but-no-less-annoying-for-being-small daily tasks: pouring cups of milk, juice, and water for my children. Camilla and Blaise are thirsty kiddos. I was not looking forward to taking this task... READ MORE
Can I?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, September 01, 2011
A friend of mine mentioned that her five-month-old has recently ramped up his night wakings. He’s her third child, and she’s baffled. Shouldn’t she have the hang of this by now?
I dunno, I told her. I have four kids, and I certainly don’t feel like I have the hang of things.
Later, I realized that’s both true and untrue.
Four kids in, I’ve concluded it’s impossible to “get the hang” of babies in general.... READ MORE
Two for One
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I like to nap with a baby. I lie on my side, snuggle the baby on my arm, and wake up well rested hours later.
Twins complicate this.
Last week my big kids were at my parents’ house, and I was determined to nap with the twins. But the couple times I tried it, I ended up on my back in the bed with a baby on each arm, afraid to move either of them but unable to sleep well myself.
The situation felt... READ MORE
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