Adaptive. I can’t think of a better word to describe a mother’s role. From the time her belly starts to show to the day her child leaves the nest, a mother is constantly adjusting to new conditions—always molding to her (and her little one’s) environment. Take the attachment theory, for example. For those first few […]
Taylor Thompson
Posted inCulture
Whatever, Mom
27 and counting
At the request of a local Source Weekly reader (and mama-to-be), I’ve compiled my go-to list of motherly tips. “Not parenting clichés,” she specified. “Just simple, meaningful suggestions.” 1.Take it or leave it. It’s the best part about advice. 2. Allow yourself to feel. Elation, anger, heartbreak, confusion—let your feelings happen, but don’t let them […]
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Whatever, Mom
The Love Rollercoaster
Yesterday, I was the greatest mom in the world. Today, I’ll be starring in the dramatic, must-see production of Evil Mommy and the Unlucky Boy Who Never Gets His Way. It’s official. My five-year-old son has fulfilled all height requirements, led me to the front of the line, and dragged me aboard the love rollercoaster. […]
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Whatever, Mom
The No Smoking Signs
About eight years ago, I made a really crappy decision. Scratch that. I made several crappy decisions. But somewhere at the top of that crappy-decision list is the one that I neglected to permanently correct (as I should have) after entering the parenthood club. Now as a parent—the one responsible for selflessly nurturing a young […]
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Whatever, Mom
Brain Training
Every now and then, I find myself pondering over those anti-narcotics commercials I remember seeing as a kid—you know, the ones that warned youngsters just how yolky their brains would look, all drugged up. As a mother, I’m now convinced that the campaign slogan had originally read “This is your brain on parenting” before some […]
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Whatever, Mom
Got Questions? Share Stories!
When I was eight years old, I published my first book, well, 20 pages of “published” material assembled using a confidence-boosting book-making kit called IlluStory. An aspiring author, indeed, I continued my pursuit for the big leagues, trying my hand at fiction a few years later with some lengthy, The-Baby-Sitters-Club-meets-Goosebumps narrative detailing a day in […]
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Whatever, Mom
Between An Easel and A Hard Place
A few days ago, my five-year-old son discovered a piece of his artwork crumpled up at the bottom of my bathroom trashcan. “Mom!” he cried, retrieving and smoothing out said artwork. “I made this for you.” My heart filled with remorse as I looked down at the bright green Post-it in his hand (which, suffice […]
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Whatever, Mom
Learning from the mother of all mothers
She’s the quintessential matriarch… the wisest old owl… the strongest of guardians… And with about four and a half billion years of relevant experience under her belt, I’d say she’s worth our attention. Mother Nature—the ultimate teacher. We’d be foolish not to acknowledge (and apply) her lessons. In fact, it’s probably one of the most beneficial things we can do […]
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Whatever, Mom
Just Take Those Old Records
I don’t consider myself a very opinionated individual, but I’d rather chew on bleach-soaked glass shards while wrestling a rabid porcupine than listen to modern-day radio’s pathetic excuse for music. That said, you can probably imagine the amount of exposure my 5-year-old son has had to the mainstream tunes of his generation… It’s simply one […]
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Whatever, Mom
Preschool Teaching
From the writers and designers to the travel agents and assistants, stay-at-home careers seem to be quite the norm these days. Even for the preschool teacher. Personally, I couldn’t imagine any pursuit requiring bigger cajones than the latter. Which is why I give mad props to local mama Mindy Noe for transforming her home into […]