Bedtime Stories

Ever felt guilty about feeling too tired to read a bedtime story? Promising you will read it tomorrow or rushing through it as fast as you could? We have all been there and felt awful afterward. After all, we are supposed to read kids from infancy to enhance their development and make them smarter. Or so the research says.And all of us can remember that wondrous time as we discovered the world through the magical lens of children's stories and what a strong hold they had on our imagination.

This week in the Washington Post, Michael Dirda reviewed Maria Tatar's "Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood". Fairy tales enthrall, the author says, because they present gripping contrasts between good and evil, beauty and horror which impact the imagination. A bored child is distracted by curiosity and explores these tales. Curiosity then leads to a sense of wonder, a sense, as Dirda notes, that anything is possible. That is an invaluable gift. How many children, blind to this wonder, have grown up to be sad people who have no hope in their lives and can't bring any to others?

Tonight, all promises will be kept. Peaches and Popcorn will get the full set of Eloise's adventures and a bonus Angelina Ballerina!

In Defense of Anxious Mothers

So, are you one of the moms who read everything you could about bringing up your baby while you were pregnant and then almost killed yourself trying to raise your child by the book? Did you agonize over the first tooth, tummy time, pincer action, potty training ...the list goes on? I remember having nightmares about why Peaches was not interested in all the stacking toys I was pushing at her when all the books agreed that she should be stacking like a pro. Well, turns out you need not have. A bunch of books is bashing all those theories and lauding what can perhaps be referred to as "sloppy parenting". Date nights as an escape from child driven days are pathetic, you should continue to be the center of your universe swirling in a maelstrom of passion while the kids get along as best as they can. Yes, it's time to escape the madness and pressure of trying to be a perfect mom but hey, why have a child if it is such a bother? I wonder how willing these cool parents would be if the caregivers they pay to do their child rearing were as cavalier in their approach.

Peaches Graduates!

Peaches graduated from preschool last week. They had the most charming ceremony with all the little grads in the cutest red robes. Mommy could not have been prouder if it was Harvard! The thought of my baby already graduating something brought a lump to my throat but I had no time to wallow in sentiment as a crisis descended. Popcorn, feeling a shade left out, decided to attend in her shiny, hot pink, Minnie Mouse outfit. When this was vetoed ,she tried to negotiate her way to a tiara with a veil, and finally had to be content by going in pink from head to toe complete with Aurora necklace. Peaches was adorable and so eager to perform all the songs with her friends. I am so proud of her!

Summer Fun

Peaches, Popcorn and I went to the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. this Tuesday. Parents, if you are visiting here this summer, you must check it out. It has a wonderful indoor play space for the kids where they get to dress up as firefighter, police person etc and there are tons of blocks and tools to keep them occupied. Peaches, who is a devoted follower of Dad on his home improvement projects, made up a story about all the things she needed to fix in "my" house. Popcorn built a MacMansion to thrill her gaudy little heart.