parenting Archives

The Process

Posted on January 5, 2015
by Aimee

As Dex grows up, it feels like every day we find a new way to communicate with each other. If you have kids, you will remember those early days when every time you turned around there was another milestone. That is why many of us started blogs, to capture all of that. Entering teenhood is another renaissance - but the milestones are so subtle, you have to squint to see them. Dex has a big project that is due this week, something that could frankly change everything in our lives. He has been a bit lackadaisical about it and we've been teetering on that parental edge where you don't know when to push, when to cajole, or when to let them do what they do - pass or fail. It's a big project. I keep reminding myself he is only 12. The pressure these kids have in middle school is astronomical. But if he wants this, he has to get it done.

Parenting To Yourself

Posted on December 16, 2014
by Aimee

Bryan stayed home with Dex for the first two years; it's always given them a special bond. I have never been jealous (OK, maybe just a little), but I have always attributed their ability to get along to time spent and compatible interests. Not to…

Talking To My 11 Year Old Son About Ferguson

Posted on August 18, 2014
by Aimee

Our son will be 12 next month and for the most part, except for his premature beginnings, his life has been relatively stress free. As parents, we try to keep it that way, but we also feel it is our job to tell him about the world. We've always shared news at age appropriate levels. He's known about September 11 since very early on, especially since his birthday is close to that date, but in general terms. His school has been great; talking about tragedy with increasing detail as his maturity grew. However, we have been at a loss how to explain the happenings in Ferguson, Missouri, this week. Yes, we told him what happened to Trayvon Martin. Yes, the legal system failed Trayvon as much as the vindictive racism of George Zimmerman. But in Ferguson, there are so many things I can't even believe, how do I explain it to my kid?

Empowering Tweens To Stand Up For Themselves

Posted on July 10, 2014
by Aimee

Dex is at summer camp in the park again this year. It's had its ups and downs this time around, partly because he is at the upper age limit for the camp. He still loves hanging with his friends, swimming, crafts - all that summer camp stuff. But he is getting really frustrated with the methods of some of the counselors, who are treating them like kids half their age. Recently he got in trouble for something and was sent to time out. Fine, except they never really explained what he did wrong. Partly because it's a big camp full of kids running around like maniacs in the sun, but partly because they just don't seem to understand that the older kids will want to have more explanation.

Summer

Posted on June 11, 2014
by Aimee

One thing they don't tell you about being a parent is that summer returns. Especially when your child gets into the tween years and runs around the neighborhood with their friends all day. I remember the joy of the last day of school so distinctly.…

Explaining cursing and foul language to children

Colorful Language

Posted on April 16, 2014
by Aimee

That's the term Dex uses to refer to cursing. "Colorful language." I am not even sure where he picked it up, but he is not very fond of it. "He is annoying. He uses colorful language all the time." The funny thing is, I have quite the potty mouth myself, although I have tried hard over the years to curb it in front of Dex. And generally, we have not made cursing an issue around the house. We have always talked about it in terms of consequences.

Top Twitter People in Denver & Colorado

Posted on March 26, 2014
by Aimee

Everyone is posting their first-tweet and who-followed-them-first in celebration of Twitter's 8th birthday. Mine was a very benign "what is this thing about" type of comment in 2007, mainly to follow all the people I knew in Denver who had joined. All these years later I have found so many real (and imaginary) friends via Twitter, here in Colorado and around the world.