tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post6996996388782489508..comments2024-03-19T05:45:33.244-04:00Comments on the underwear drawer: just the two of usMichelle Auhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04938937923678734252noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-32917257392267069052015-06-29T00:52:27.874-04:002015-06-29T00:52:27.874-04:00You are so lovely :)You are so lovely :)aizdevumihttp://ogre.pilseta24.lv/zinas/100/365148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-46017895910483988692015-06-10T07:40:40.408-04:002015-06-10T07:40:40.408-04:00I think those are Instagram photos!I think those are Instagram photos!Aizdevumshttp://www.bizness.lv/prognozes-rezultati/id/29019/aizdevums-interneta--kredita-evolucijas-virsotnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-90304315438535976582014-12-19T10:40:35.794-05:002014-12-19T10:40:35.794-05:00I know this is over a year old, but I wanted to we...I know this is over a year old, but I wanted to weigh in. I'm a 36 year old grown middle child (4th of 5 kids, to be more specific). Mom always said I was the easy, happy, low maintenance kid. And I was fine. I am fine. I grew up to be a fairly easy, happy, low maintenance adult. I had a fantastic childhood. With very few exceptions, I never felt neglected. I became a doctor (the only one in the family, go fig. But it should be noted that all my siblings are wildly successful in their other respective fields). I got married, I have some kids. Being a middle child definitely shapes the way I parent my own kids because I honestly think a little benign neglect is not a bad thing. Boredom is good for creativity. The ability to amuse themselves, the ability to deal and cope with change - these are incredible skills that we can't really teach our kids, we can only allow themselves to learn. Independence is a great thing. You always seem like a really caring and great mom. There is a very strong possibility that Mac is fine and WILL BE fine. My parents did try to specifically seek out individual time with each kid (good job, mom!) but I wanted to give a shout out to middle children. Sometimes "middle child syndrome" is not necessarily feeling neglected, but realizing that life isn't fair and learning to cope.<br /><br />I once read a book about birth order by a therapist. He said he paid for his practice counseling grown firstborns, he paid for his car counseling the grown youngests, he rarely saw those grown middle children in his office. He said, "They already know life isn't fair. It makes for a very well adjusted adult."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-31231234694304930892013-09-17T21:44:52.557-04:002013-09-17T21:44:52.557-04:00This is a bit random, but are those Instagram phot...This is a bit random, but are those Instagram photos I see? What service do you use to print them out?<br /><br />On a note that's actually related to this post, I echo the comments about carving out time for middle kids. I am one myself and remember feeling left behind as a kid. Thanks for acknowledging it with Mack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-24800473126264651092013-09-15T22:38:53.642-04:002013-09-15T22:38:53.642-04:00As the middle child of 3 siblings, I really apprec...As the middle child of 3 siblings, I really appreciate your blog post and think it's wonderful you're making the effort to spend more time with Mack.<br /><br />I'm in my late 20s now but in the last few years, I've had my father and grandmother each separately say to me that they both recognize that I kinda got the short end of the stick because I was the middle child. It was kind of nice to be acknowledged but sad too.Wellesley06noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-68647523324382390472013-09-14T20:20:14.375-04:002013-09-14T20:20:14.375-04:00Yes, parenthood. It's hard. You're doing a...Yes, parenthood. It's hard. You're doing a great job. My MIL was one of eight. She was second youngest, so #6 of 8. Her father lived a long fruitful life. They were immigrants and settled in the suburbs of a major American city. 'Til this day she randomly talks about how she longed as a little girl for her father to just spend some time with her alone the two of them. All she wanted was for him to hold her hand and walk with her in the neighborhood just the two of them. It never happened. She is a very needy wife. I think the child parent relationship is very important for better or worst. I am fortunate to be a stay at home mom. My husband works insane surgery hours. We are far from family. My "baby" (almost a year old) gets what I thought was "alot" of attention. My oldest is so demanding with her attention (it's usually negative attention). I do notice everyone (myself included) feels more balanced when each child gets a little time just me and that child. So very important to create those bonds. I'm glad to hear others say this will help in the teenage years. Looking back on my own teenage years sounds about right. Can't wait for you to post your NEXT Mack "date". He looks like such a sweet and smart little guy. :) Thanks for sharing. I can totally relate to you and your feelings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-25388199746356733132013-09-13T15:51:15.999-04:002013-09-13T15:51:15.999-04:00Okay, I'm a 28-year old middle child, and I ST...Okay, I'm a 28-year old middle child, and I STILL treasure time I spend one-on-one with my parents. My mom came to visit me last year (just me! not my sister! no one else!) and I think I talked about it incessantly for a month. I'm so happy to read that you're carving out special time for Mack -- enjoy!!!little bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865859400557147372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-86910381151219625922013-09-12T15:48:22.457-04:002013-09-12T15:48:22.457-04:00Totally great, thanks!!Totally great, thanks!!Meadowlark's Mindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14406808070958757621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-54195552879898796052013-09-12T10:14:38.713-04:002013-09-12T10:14:38.713-04:00As a classic middle child from a gang of six, I wa...As a classic middle child from a gang of six, I was JUST like Mack. This didn't ever happen in my past...and yet I survived, but I totally would have loved this!) No kid ever grows up wishing mom had spent more time at work. <br />Love your parenting; love your writing. SO glad you're back. Seems you've found that elusive balance. Kudos. You sound like an awesome mom.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-15538400478368429702013-09-11T22:05:42.000-04:002013-09-11T22:05:42.000-04:00That is so adorable. I was an oldest kid but all I...That is so adorable. I was an oldest kid but all I remember is the stricter rules, not any extra attention! I'm LOVING that you're blogging more again-you are one of the funniest writers I've read and I hope that getting to spend more time with your family (notice that I didn't say working part-time, I know this is still a full-time job!) has been working out for you all. Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-90161248782719077412013-09-11T21:17:21.082-04:002013-09-11T21:17:21.082-04:00This post was so sweet. It also makes me wonder wh...This post was so sweet. It also makes me wonder what the heck I'm going to do one day when I have kids. (First one's on the way! Yay for research year during a general surgery residency!)Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15964055222528849019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-82323884691030589412013-09-11T19:56:37.467-04:002013-09-11T19:56:37.467-04:00Love this. I think I'm going to follow in you...Love this. I think I'm going to follow in your footsteps and start having some special days with my younger son.Marnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10229284437469953114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-34017569938590591152013-09-11T19:00:15.183-04:002013-09-11T19:00:15.183-04:00Oh wow. I really liked this whole Cal/Mack thing, ...Oh wow. I really liked this whole Cal/Mack thing, but I really LOVE that you are back to writing more! Also my son is 22, and daughter is 15. She's needy, he has always been way too independent and I let him be. I wish every day I had let him be more of a kid, and less of a responsible big brother. So good on you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02421880355211693386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-52608713802006097012013-09-11T17:23:26.244-04:002013-09-11T17:23:26.244-04:00Blink and he'll be gone. Nina, too. I know peo...Blink and he'll be gone. Nina, too. I know people always say this, and I've been hearing it for the past 16 years since I became a mom, but somehow it didn't really dent my psyche at the time. Suddenly I'm having a bit of existential crisis about the little time left before my babies are gone. How come it felt like this was how it would be for as long as you can imagine?! Why didn't I have like 15 kids, spread over 30 years, so I could, you know, never have to move on from this phase of my life?! And what the heck is there ahead that compares to how awesome being a mom raising my kids? I hope there's something, because in less than five years I'll be home alone while The Hubs is überoccupied with his first year as a "real doctor" (post fellowship) and my little birds have flown away to college and whatnot. I suppose there will be some nice things about it (eg: instead of working really crazyproductive flights that get my hours in as quickly as possible so I can get back home to my kids, I can do those cushy layover trips in tropical places.), but all the sudden the thought of how quickly that future time will be upon me is causing me angst. I love every stage of mothering...there are sweet aspects of every age. But I can't imagine being a grandmother is as wonderful as being The Mom. So, trying not to be too clingy now. But yeah, good you're keying into this now. You've still got some time. ♥Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637947893196880480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-60537703438723341432013-09-11T16:35:13.507-04:002013-09-11T16:35:13.507-04:00That's great that you're planning special ...That's great that you're planning special time with Mack. I recently read the book Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/458479.Siblings_Without_Rivalry<br /><br />And in it, it recommended that it was important for each child to get one-on-one time with each parent somewhat consistently. In our child psychiatry lecture, they recommended each child have at least two hours of special time per week with each parent within which to do what the child wanted to do that was fun for the child. This was recommended to be discipline and lecture free time, and sibling free time. Other books recommend going on a trip with teenage children one-on-one as the child gets older. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-35744122474110742712013-09-11T15:34:36.426-04:002013-09-11T15:34:36.426-04:00awwwwwww this made me tear up.awwwwwww this made me tear up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-23654452166843468512013-09-11T14:53:01.724-04:002013-09-11T14:53:01.724-04:00You rock. Out loud. Carry on.You rock. Out loud. Carry on.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01904865512131912504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-34909837532901304762013-09-11T13:05:51.017-04:002013-09-11T13:05:51.017-04:00You appreciate this now, but let me tell you, you ...You appreciate this now, but let me tell you, you are really going to be glad you are taking this time with him when he's a teenager. There is nothing that makes for easy teen years as the relationship built when they are small. It seems to be the make or break line with a lot of kids.Lisa https://www.blogger.com/profile/09324961653370110887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-37308168507907372582013-09-11T11:07:48.977-04:002013-09-11T11:07:48.977-04:00Love the blog! Glad you are getting some free time...Love the blog! Glad you are getting some free time from work to spend with Mack. Looks like you are doing an excellent job with parenthood. I can relate to Cal because I was like him as a child and I think I turned out just fine. I actually have a drawing of me and my husband I sketched without our faces! micaelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06890696226946008444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5779260.post-30453725545775687792013-09-11T11:04:46.377-04:002013-09-11T11:04:46.377-04:00Awww I love this! Your kids seem so sweet. :)Awww I love this! Your kids seem so sweet. :)MS4https://www.blogger.com/profile/05428096056335163130noreply@blogger.com