Becoming Selene: Random Post-Holiday Musings

I don’t have a new submission for you. I’ve just been trying to get the engines started up again after the holiday break that was extended by the unusual snow we got in Atlanta.

I normally like to keep things anonymous and anonymized here, but I thought I would break the rules this time to share some random thoughts and feelings I’ve been having.

So very random. You’ll see.

Reactions? Share them here.

• Holiday shopping for teens and young adults is challenging. Even White Elephant gifts for friends and teammates can be fraught.

• We traveled to another country over the holiday. It’s fascinating to compare and contrast teen behavior.

• Social media and the globalization of apparel means that it can be difficult to distinguish the American teens from their European counterparts in many cities. There were a lot of Chuck Taylors on tween feet in Spain.

• Teens who live in places with robust public transportation systems just seem more independent and individuated than their American peers.

• It’s fantastic to have your kids do their own laundry. You need a system to regulate the time spent on the machines. We are still working through kinks.

• Kids get a certain size and they have big loads of laundry. Especially in winter. Sending sympathy to those of you who live where it’s colder for longer. I am extremely over it.

• I listened to a great podcast on intuitive eating today. It’s one of those where you are reminded that no matter your intent and your effort, you’re going to do things that negatively impact your kids. You just are.

• My senior in high school has completed all of his college applications. This process was stressful in ways I did not imagine it would be and easier in other ways.

• Okay, that’s kind of wishful thinking. It was not easy. Well, it’s easy to second guess all the parenting choices you’ve ever made. There’s that.

• One of the things that is stressful about the college application process is how there’s this shroud of silence around what the kids are doing, what they’re hearing from places, what they want, etc. That means the parents don’t get to chat like they would about other challenges they’ve faced raising kids. So there’s this whole weird vibe. And vital knowledge is not being shared!

• We have one kid with a license and one with a permit. Teaching kids to drive is extremely hard.

• I miss having squishy faces and having them look at me like I was their whole world. Norovirus is going around here, so I will practice my gratitude in this moment and be happy that my children know how to wash their hands well. Bouts with stomach bugs for families of five absolutely reside in one of Dante’s seven circles of hell.

• Our French bulldog is an absolute ridiculous creature. It’s good to have someone in the home making us laugh. Even if he smells.

I’m running a pop quiz right now — just asking people for some thoughts on rules and boundaries around having friends over at your home. Especially romantic partners or would-be romantic partners. Doors open? No hanging in the bedroom? Anything goes? Please share.

A space for motherhood in transition : becoming selene