Learning to Leap

I have a problem.  Not really even a problem, per se. More like a teeny little issue. Hardly worth mentioning, actually. Certainly not bad enough that it needs real attention. I can stop anytime I want.  The only reason I even bring it up is because I MAY have begun noticing very insignificant and probably over-thinking-it flags that I could POSSIBLY be passing on this teeny issue to my children.  Okay, okay. My name is Sharon and I am an inappropriate laugher. I can't help it. Without fail, if I witness someone involved in unfortunate events such as tripping, hitting their heads, suffering MINOR, non-life threatening injuries, or otherwise embarrassing themselves, it just starts happening. A little giggle at first, but before I know it I'm doubled over practically crying and gasping for air due to laughter. You can imagine how helpful this is when trying to be a good parent and model compassion to my girls. Take, for instance, the somewhat unfort

The countdown to summer is upon us. The long, lazy days filled with swimming and cookouts and vacations is nearly here.  As you will recall, when you were a kid this was the absolute most glorious time of the year. Closing the schoolbooks and packing up all the things in your desk to take home was one of the great events of your childhood. You felt proud about the accomplishments of completing another school year and eager to begin your carefree, lovely days of summer. You were on cloud nine with blissful expectation of the next three months. Mothers know about feelings and clouds, too.  The only difference is, instead of being ON cloud nine, sometimes cloud nine descends UPON us, suffocating us in slight despair over what the heck we are going to do with our children for three whole months. Don't get me wrong, we are eager for a break in the crazy schedules of carpool and homework and last minute projects and sporting events, and we really DO want to spend more

There are no secrets once you become a parent. Do these two look like they can keep ANYTHING on the down low to you? I've often felt I should just save my children the time and begin conversations with total strangers we come upon by telling them things such as: *how much I weigh *how long it takes sometimes in the bathroom *how I sometimes use my kids as an excuse to get out of things *that I tell them to go watch tv so I can take a nap And these are just the short list of embarrassing things my children have blurted out without discretion. "We're late because my mom had to use the bathroom." "Mom!  I'm right here! You don't need to get off the phone so you can find me!" (and of course screamed loudly enough that the person on the other end of the line clearly heard every word) Yep. Kids are terrible secret keepers. And it would be one thing if it were just embarrassing secrets about ME that they blurt out. But