Category: family

Moms of a “certain age” ROCK.

Moms of a “certain age” ROCK.

I’m pretty disgusted at the way the media and a few other writers try to explain how guilty “older mothers” should feel. They portray us as selfish work obsessed driven women who are desperately grasping at the last straws of youth. Give me a f_ing break.

Excuse me? What is their problem? Why can’t they just get over it? Why can’t they mind their own business? My great-grandmother was 44 when my grandmother was born in 1908. Women over 40 have been having happy, healthy, well-adjusted babies for centuries. And oh, did I forget to mention that women over 35 will continue to have SEX with men – and not feel guilty about it.

At 53 I feel younger and more hip than I have in years. No I’m not dressing in stupid looking clothes from the junior department or acting foolish.

The reason I feel young is because I have a 13 year old daughter.

She was born a few months shy of my 40th birthday.

I didn’t delay having children due to my career. I just wanted it to be the right time with the right man.

Yes, I suppose, much to the chagrin of past boyfriends of mine (many of them nice, handsome, smart men) I could have just had a baby on my own but that didn’t happen. I didn’t want to be a single mom. Also the first man I’ll planned to have kids with died. I don’t have to explain that to anyone – and it isn’t anyone’s business.

I had a few infertility issues. No guilt there. I used painkillers during labor. No guilt there. I’m in my 50’s and not even thinking of grandkids. No guilt there.

Nor do I have guilt about only having one child. At least once every few weeks someone mentions how close my daughter and I are. We talk. We laugh. She talks and laughs with her dad.  We’re a tight little family. And so no guilt there either.

I’ve had 5 miscarriages (the first when I was in my 20’s). I have one perfect, wonderful and amazing child. I am happy. No guilt there either.

If you are a good parent, no matter what your age, what your income, what your sexual preference or what your choices in your past life are – screw everyone who questions your judgment or makes you try to feel bad about your parenting choices.

There is nothing to feel bad about if you have a happy, healthy, successful, well-adjusted child with a good sense of humor. Period. End of article.

~ Marla Todd Kings (aka Charlotte’s mom)

My happy well adjusted daughter Charlotte - at a regional artistic roller skating championship - doing what she loves to do (I can't skate, I just glue stones on the dress and cheer. She picked the sport.)
My happy well adjusted daughter Charlotte – at a regional artistic roller skating championship – doing what she loves to do (I can’t skate, I just glue stones on the dress and cheer. She picked the sport.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more on parenting (in a weird offbeat sort of way) visit the blog Vampiremaman.com (musings of a modern Vampire mom).

 

No excuse for abuse

Beware of Emotional Vampires – an important book recommendation.

www.smashwords.com

Short description

Is your boyfriend or husband unreasonably jealous? Women often mistake jealousy for an endearing display of affection without realizing that it can be a sign of something much more sinister. How can you tell when a man’s jealousy crosses the line from simple affection to unhealthy behavior? Can you fix it before it’s too late?

Extended description

Some people think jealousy is just a natural part of being in love, and that jealous behavior is just a man’s way of showing that he cares. But when a man displays jealous, suspicious behavior to such an extreme that it becomes downright ridiculous it crosses the line from a simple expression of affection to unhealthy obsession and mental abuse. It may even escalate into physical abuse.

How can you tell if your relationship has reached the dangerous point? Knowing how to recognize the signs can save you from a great deal of mental anguish and possibly physical injury. In fact, it could even save your life. Learn how to recognize unhealthy patterns of jealousy early in a relationship and take steps to prevent it from becoming dangerous.

The Jealousy Game outlines a relationship with a jealous man from the beginning, when his jealousy is seen as cute and affectionate, through to the end of the relationship, where it has escalated into violence and even life-threatening behavior. It… (Read more)

Adult-content rating:

This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

Silent Nights – Don’t forgot those who are easily forgotten

Click here for the entire story: Silent Nights – Don’t forgot those who are easily forgotten.

I remember when we were all younger and wish I had those times back again.

Do me a favor, and in the next year reach out to someone who is alone. Bring the mail in for your elderly neighbor or make them cookies once a month or books. Watch a movie with someone who is shut in. Call and check in to an old friend. Offer to help and mean it. Even taking someone to the store, the grocery store or Target means a lot. Those simple acts and everyday things we take for granted are sometimes a BIG deal for someone who is alone. I know it isn’t always easy, but that unease will turn to comfort and joy.

 

You Can’t Shatter Me – Dealing with Bullies

This looked like a lot of fun – all of her books do. Tahlia Newland writes Urban Fantasy, YA, Contemporary fantasy and more. I really DO need to get an e-reader soon (Santa?)

From author Tahlia Newland: You Can’t Shatter Me.

When superhero wanna-be, Carly, stands up to a bully, he turns on her, forcing her to battle cutting words, flying hooks, a doubt dragon and a suffocating closet. Her karate-trained boyfriend, Dylan’s desire to stop the harassment sets off a struggle to control his inner caveman. Meanwhile, Carly searches for inner strength and a peaceful solution. Will she find it before Dylan resorts to violence?

This heart-warming magical realism story offers real solutions for handling bullying that will inspire and empower teens and adults alike. 

The biggest, and possibly radical, contribution that this book makes to solving the bullying issue is that it lays out a method of gaining self-esteem on the deepest level, a way to strengthen empathy into love, a force powerful enough to change the way you relate to yourself and to others, and them to you.

 

Keep the families of Newtown in your hearts and prayers

I still can’t even put my mind around the tragic events of today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut .

I don’t know of anyone who is not in shock and feeling the sorrow of the parents and families of those involved.

My heart goes out to the parents, family members and friends of those killed. I can’t even imagine the grief in their hearts and how their lives will be changed.

Every single day – tell your children that you love them.

Tell your children’s teachers and school principals how much you appreciate them.

 

My 13 year old daughter shared this video from Blake Bliss: