Michelle J

Ostentatious Promises

I just picked up my phone and saw that my horoscope on Co-Star today says: “Don’t make ostentatious promises.” Well. There go all my plans for the day.

Today is the first Monday my kids are back in school. I drop them off, go on a Trader Joe’s run, then come back home and relax a bit. Next I go to the coffee shop, where I hand my writing partner/barista J the Sunday New York Times Book Review, and get an iced coffeeContinue reading “The First Monday”

My Dad

was a terrific dancer. And a very good dad. He died the day after Thanksgiving 2020. He had Alzheimer’s, so I missed him long before he was gone.

Burnout

I get burned out on being a mom sometimes. Then I feel bad that I’m burned out, and try to power through, but then I get more burned out. And then if I keep going, I’m likely to explode. I’m trying to notice the burnout feeling early and take a break before the “about toContinue reading “Burnout”

Consistency and Followthrough

In couples counseling, Alex and I are talking with our therapist about parenting. Our therapist says that when setting boundaries with our kids, the two most important things are consistency and followthrough. Be consistent with the rules, and follow through on what you tell the kids will happen when they follow or break the rules. Continue reading “Consistency and Followthrough”