A mama finds her voice through her writing.
Power of Two
By Amanda Magee. The years that Sean and Jan had between them, the years that Jeannie had been waiting in the wings, the decades Jan had with parents from a generation that never had the tools to absorb this sort of thing, they all collided in the space in front of us.
Don’t Just Lean In, Leap In
By Shannon Lell. I didn't fully understand the commitment of breastfeeding or even motherhood before I ran head-long with passion into this abyss. I smacked up against consequences I wasn't fully prepared to handle.
Beyond Harry Potter
By Stacey Conner. Why is it so hard to find good books for young boys who are avid readers?
Not Ripe, But Ripening
By Tammy Kleinman. Picking in the orchard, she chooses the ripest berries—the succulent, dripping fruits that drop effortlessly into her palm. I can see her struggling to resist a taste. This is what she wants, and yet, maybe not yet. Maybe she can wait.
Better
By Kathy Glow. Some of what motherhood is to me I chose for myself. I chose to have lots of babies in rapid succession. It’s what I wanted. I even secretly prayed for twins.
Douse with Love
By Shenna Fitzgerald. Our son loves this story, and his questions about adoption have been fairly easy to field. That is, until an innocuous conversation about genetics and blood relations came up with another child.
Primed
By Kate Hopper. Dr. Lanning says something else, but I don’t understand. I turn to her. Her lips are moving, but no sound is coming out. Finally I say, “What does this mean?” It’s a question I’ve asked myself a dozen times since Stella was born, but this is the first time I’ve said it out loud, to a doctor.
Less Physical, More Mental
By Rachel Turiel. Col was heartbroken and mad, and I was called out of my domestic smugness to mediate, to furnish the right words – the ones that would invoke instant empathy and resolution – the ones that I wish were always on the tip of my tongue, but instead, seem to be floating around the next zip-code.
The Undergraduate
By Jennifer Savage. I watched Lucille struggle this week with being left out. The girl/girl business starts early, friends. I stepped in and held her as she cried. A little while later she got stung by a bee and started howling. Four other children came over to check on her and give her a hug.