Tag Archives: Parenting

Topics relating to child-rearing

The push and pull of three years old

I think it’s great that Penrose feels comfortable taking the initiative to give herself a break. And I don’t want to ignore her when she’s yelling for me. But I also don’t want to reward the part where she’s yelling (and, if I tell her I’m waiting for her to feel more calm before I go upstairs she comes down and starts pulling on my hand, which I also don’t want to reward.)

The disadvantage of being the “preferred parent”

Pen’s friends excitedly lined up at the edge of the pool. When the instructors beckoned them towards the water, Penrose turned from child to koala, clinging fiercely to my leg and whimpering. Five kids gradually entered the pool to practice bobbing and kicking. One child eventually sat with her toes in the water, poking the surface and muttering to herself.