There is an indoor play place here in Shanghai where my kids love to go. Nicknamed, the "slide with the balls" (astutely, as there is slide that dumps into a shallow pool of balls), its is almost always the first place named when asked, "what do you want to do today?" I imagine it's like… Continue reading The Mom Who Cried Wolf
Tag: parenting
I’ve been published!
That's right, an actual, legitmate website (that is not my own or someone I'm related to) is going to start publishing some of my writing. Right now, I'll be writing online articles every other week for Shanghai Family magazine. As you might have guessed, it is geared toward expat families living in Shanghai. I'm hoping maybe I… Continue reading I’ve been published!
When Viruses Attack
When you first have a baby and your a saggy mess of hormones, nerves, and adrenaline, the uncertainty of what you're actually supposed to do with another human being can be overwhelming. So while well meaning friends and relatives and "been there" strangers will try to assure you there is no guidebook to parenting so… Continue reading When Viruses Attack
The Lost Art of Communication
My parents are avid Jeopardy watchers. If there were jerseys and foam #1 fingers, they would have enough for every night of the week. So when I skimmed a US news site and came across an article about a recent Asian Jeopardy contestant labeled a villain, I read more. Apparently people find him annoying. Arrogant.… Continue reading The Lost Art of Communication
Say What?
I was in the bedroom. From the other room I heard a soft crash, then, "Fuck!" Ayi Jiang doesn't speak English and Hunter was at school. There was only one other person in the house…my mischievous, two year old birthday boy. I walked out and he was picking up one of his cars. "What did… Continue reading Say What?
Less is More (Or Less)
When I opened my 3 year old's backpack after school the other day, I found a folded piece of paper and two paper plates that had been glued together and decorated with colored paper and glitter. I could feel my heart rate pick up a bit and for a moment I was paralyzed. Again. I'm… Continue reading Less is More (Or Less)
Relationship Status: It’s Complicated
I knew the day would come. It breaks my heart to think about it, let alone write about it. For three years now, it's been the eye of my stormy days, the oasis in a day otherwise consumed by barren stretches, the much needed commercial break allowing for a trip to the bathroom, my recess.… Continue reading Relationship Status: It’s Complicated
If Toddlers Ruled the World…
Living with toddlers can sometimes feel like being at a frat party gone wrong. Old food crumbs can be found between stained couch cushions at any time, a faint smell of urine seems to permeate from God knows where, and the floor is always just a little sticky. If you have, have had, or know… Continue reading If Toddlers Ruled the World…
Vote for Me!
Well, this is awkward. But... As I mentioned, I submitted an entry into an expat blog contest. The topic was pretty general. Basically, compile some sort of "top list" about your adopted home, or about being an expat, or some combination. They obviously want to drive traffic to their website so to read (and hopefully… Continue reading Vote for Me!
To New Places
I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but last week marks the first time I've taken the Shanghai metro. It's not that I have anything against subways, but I'm using my tired excuse of "but with kids, you know, it just harder." Taxis are cheap and so convenient. And, if I really think about it,… Continue reading To New Places
Kathleen Siddell 