• I Grew Magic in My Womb

    Although motherhood is hard, and we all like to share the “realness” of it, I thought I would explore the other thing we feel. I’m talking of the awe, wonder and unconditional love for these amazing beings we created. Every day, my kids see and create magic. Since a poem seemed the most natural way to explore these feelings, here is one I wrote: My son swears the snow Smells of powdered sugar While my daughter dawdles behind Searching for winter elves. I didn’t know that I was growing magic In my womb. I didn’t know that these beings Could…

  • A Betta Fish That Can Dance

    My daughter LOVES (with a capital LOVES) animals. She begged me for a pet for quite awhile. We already have two cats, so it would have to be something small and something my landlord would approve of. I considered a hedgehog but there were several factors that didn’t work for that. The landlord may not approve, the cage would be too heavy, the cats may not be okay with it, the kids may be too loud around it and it was expensive to initially set up. Plus, the care may be too much for a 7 year old, which means…

  • I Thought About Leaving My Baby in A Garbage Can….How to Help Someone with Postpartum Depression

    A little while ago, I was reading one of my favourite blogs, MindBodyGreen, and answered an open call to tell a story about struggles having kids or in the first year. I answered, with the intention to just offer sympathy to these women who are trying and can’t have kids, but ended up telling my own story. I was honoured when they wanted to publish it. My story was about surviving postpartum depression. I think every woman has a bit of depression after having a baby. This is bad enough itself and women don’t often offer up that they are…

  • Things to Consider Before You Start a Day-home

    I took care of a kid for one school year. Originally I was told it would be 2, maybe 3, days a week. No matter how many days a week it will be here are some things I didn’t consider, but should have. The difficult bits……. 1. Have a contract. Oh, but, it’s for friends you say. Oh, but, I like these people you say. Oh, but, verbal contracts are the same as written you say. You are wrong. Contracts do many things. They keep things clear. Humans like certainty and a contract creates certain rules that will be understood…