Rhia doesn’t understand For two weeks she has glared at me and repeatedly said “I want to go home.” She complains about the way her new caregivers provide support because it is different from how I supported her. She doesn’t like how they wash her hair or make her...
I am staring at the twinkling lights hanging from my ceiling. Iridescent stars reflect rainbows as they shimmy in the warmth of the heater. More stars drape the doors and windows. I love the effect and wonder how long they’ll stay up before dust makes them sag....
my new classroom: a desk, a laptop and a blue background to hide my messy room Welcome to teaching in 2020. The photo above is my new classroom, which is a corner of my bedroom, where I spent 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. In this little corner, I sat at my desk and...
I helped Rhia pack and then took she and her step-dad to the airport. One of his cousins was getting married, so the whole family was getting together. A big wedding celebration with all the cousins and extended family. Rhia would see her Gran and Gramps and aunts and...
I found Rhia crying in her room. “Sweetie,” I said, taking her in my arms. “What’s wrong?” “I can’t be a princess anymore,” she said. “Of course you’re a princess. Why do you think you’re not?”...
Caregiver or mom? The two are blended into one role when our children are small. As they grow, we let go of small bits of caregiving. They learn to drink from a cup, use a spoon, pull off their own shirt and shoes and brush their own teeth. They become potty trained....
