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My dear friend, MaryRuth Hackett, with whom I’ve worked for nearly four years over at Blessed is She is . . . a podcaster!! She has a PhD in Psychology and just so much wisdom on parenting. I’ve tapped into that knowledge for years and now you all can hear her thoughts, too! Such a gift. It launches October 2. You can tune in here. In the meanwhile, read this little interview I did with her to get you as excited as I am. 1) Dr. Hackett, how did you come up with the idea of the title of your podcast? We had a great brainstorming session at the dioceses one day with the soul purpose of finding a fabulous title. Parenting Smarts is just perfect for the podcast because we not only talk about the brainy-research side of parenting – that is what the research on child development says about best practices, but we also talk about the realities of how hard parenting is. Parenting hurts sometimes. Smarts has two meanings – both referring to the intellectual AND referring to the pain involved sometimes in parenting. 2) Now you have not only an advanced degree in educational psychology, but also are a parent yourself! Can you tell us a little about how your education has impacted your parenting? One of the comments I would get each semester I taught a Human Development class, was “I wish I knew this when I was raising my children.” Having a basic understanding…
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This is probably a 7 quick takes but I may only have enough steam for 6! Joining up with Kelly and the ole gang because she hosts the best party on the internet. 1) Letters If you haven’t joined the 41, 538! 38,718 Catholic women on the internet who wrote to Pope Francis, I don’t know what’s holding you back. These are women from across the spectrum of politics and social justice, education levels and employment. We are the wide tent of the Church respectfully requesting answers. Please, check it out. 2) Fall It’s sweater weather, on a much lighter note. My favorite very short season. I love autumn in Saint Paul. I love the crisp mornings, brisk walks, and cool evenings. I love that I can go outside without my sweat sticking me everywhere. Fav season but it lasts about three blinks. 3) School The big kids are launched! I cannot tell you how relieved I am to see our first grader loving it up. She has had moments of frustration and exhaustion but she recovers her mood more quickly than ever before and still awakens at the crack of dawn, awakening me too to “ZIP ME UP” a la Lucille Blueth. Our fierce, snuggly four year old will do two mornings of nature school and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with mama and toddler baby sister as classroom “helpers” though how much can I help when I’m prying her dead grip off the easter egg tray? Otherwise it’s…
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It was my best summer as a mom. I finally figured out why. Our days had just enough flow and just enough ebb. We only had a few activities: swimming/tennis down the street and violin for our oldest. We did a few sessions of the rec league gymnastics we signed up for but enthusiasm ran low on that so we just stopped. And that was part of the peace: if something wasn’t working, I had the flexibility to say, let’s not do it anymore. In sharp contrast to years past when I thought we paid so we must go. If it’s taking years off my life, meh! Also: don’t pay extravagantly for anything you aren’t willing to suffer through forcing your children to do. And I’m only willing to stake my claim in violin, so the rest of it: nope. Our amazing babysitter (wahhhhh at college wahhhhhh) took the kids to swimming and tennis lots of days so I could chill with the baby at home. That was an enormous load off my shoulders. She is a gem, literally. We have never had consistent babysitting help and I will always budget for it now. We did fun outings but only when everyone was in the mood and I had the energy. The MIA, the farmer’s market, the library, a dear friend’s horse barn, etc. I am too old to drag children around to have “fun”–again, just nope. Two kids out of four still nap. I covered this in a highlights video on…
Read MoreEdit: I wrote these before the Vigano report came out. I’ve re-written to the Pope, asking him to respond and allow full investigation into the matter. This letter here is most beautifully and respectfully worded as well. There are 41,000+ signatories to date. I wish I didn’t have to write this. I wish our end of summer was all filled with popsicles and baseball. But the findings of the grand jury in Pennsylvania cannot go undiscussed, lamented, cried over. So these are my responses. First to participate in #sackclothandashes led by my friends Kendra Tierney and Bonnie Engstrom on fb and ig. Prayer and fasting and offering things up: the best foundation. Second to writing letters. Here are my letters I’m sending. I share them if you need a template to work from and aren’t sure what to say. Lastly to being committed personally to building up the Church. I’m giving my time to help lead our women’s study group at my parish (and my husband’s contribution is to watch the kiddos while I do it). We’re sending my kids to Catholic school and giving them our moolah. My work for Blessed is She is very meaningful to our whole family, lifting up sisterhood and inviting women to walk closer to Christ in their faith journey through Scripture. For the Priests Dear Father, I am a horrified mother. Horrified by the abuse endured by children at the hands of priests under the shadows of monsignors, bishops, archbishops, and cardinals. Horrified at…
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Well if it isn’t Nell, posting on SUNDAY, for her seven quick takes. Check out what Kelly and the gang have rolling over at her blog. 1. WILD I’m in an adrenaline holding pattern for the Minnesota Blessed is She WILD retreat this upcoming weekend. Seriously, cannot even stop being jumpy about it. We sold out a few weeks back and I’m just so bummed for the people who weren’t able to get their ticket in time. We always sell out at these retreats and this one was no exception. I’m the ground person so the last 8-9 months have been checking my list, talking to Beth, the director of retreats, checking back in with Saint Marks, the hosts, and then telling AA my head is going to explode. HA. Mostly from joy. Thursday we start in earnest getting everything ready and then the doors fling open Friday evening (complete with a trio of my oldest and his two best buddies playing their violins & cello for the ladies as they wait). Laura greets everyone and we eat, listen, chat, mingle, and of course, have Adoration! Saturday morning will be replete with breakfast, hearing a sister talk! confessions heard by over 15 priests from all over the archdiocese! art time, lunch time, more talks by Patty and Beth, dinner time, and then our private Mass with Bishop Cozzens and Eucharistic procession. My mom and sister are running the kitchen, dear friends orchestrating check in, so many wonderful women helping keep…
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Lily Jade was so kind as to send over a complimentary purse. YET, as always, all views are my own (and my fierce competitors for the bag: my girls wearing Whole Parenting Goods). I am a sucker for a good bag, one that can really tote and haul. Long gone are my days of dainty, cute purses. Nope, I need something that’s a workhorse and can handle spills, spits, and squirts. But I also really don’t love the plasticky-diaper bags. I had a few the first few years of babies and always felt like they were designed by some dude out to make me look as rookie mom as possible. Years ago I met the founders of Lily Jade at a blogging conference: they were just as nice as their company seems! Such kind and lovely creative folks, parents themselves who really got it. This Meggan bag is just perfect for me! It converts into a backpack with two snaps, literally, with a thick comfortable strap that loops through the backside. The inside organizer means I’m not fishing forever for wipes or a dry pair of pants. The outside pockets mean I can grab my keys easily. And it makes me feel like a queen to have such a high quality leather purse! If you’re on the fence about purchasing or suggesting someone purchase this brand for you, I own 3? 4? And I will never buy another brand! They wear so well over time. The zippers and pockets keep their…
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