It Takes Two To Tango*💃🕺
Issue 44 is after Issue 43
Welcome. Today is a good day for a newsletter, don’t you think?
I parent in sprints—two days mom, two days dad, five days mom, five days dad. My ex was out of town last week, so I parented one kid full-time (the other was away at Farm Camp).
Divorce from a child’s perspective sucks. I understand how Yuckersville it is to grow up bouncing between homes. I did it. Now that I’m an adult, I see how grown-ups have a more pleasant experience of the whole thing. a) We don’t bounce and b) We evolve into more who we are. The kids have it waaaaay harder.
While my kids are with their dad, I have space to do things full-time parents don’t. I recognize that. I appreciate it, as well as the variety of scenarios all of you are in. They’re ours—good and bad.
I enjoy the time single-parenting affords me, as well as the special time I get uninterrupted with my kids. The balance works for me. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I’m sure my kids wish it were otherwise, but I hold it as my role to present my best self to them, even if it means living separately from their dad.
Listen, Dear Reader, make enjoyment a priority—however, and whenever, you can.
It’s your duty!
Welcome New Friends
As of late, I’ve received many new newsletter subscribers. I want to thank you for having me in your inbox. I’m honored you’ve given me your 👁👁. This publication is a two-way street. You’re encouraged to comment, write questions, crack a smile, whatever my newsletter compels you to do—do it.
Last week’s issue was simply too long. You’re lucky you missed it. I wrote about my skill of understanding people, reading their behavior, and all that jazz. Then I gave a book review of a series I’m reading to my daughter called Lemony Snicket. I told you about the 12-hour Walk I’m doing this weekend and a number of other things on my mind.
Given this, I figured I’d share some oldies but goodies from weeks past. If you know me well, you’ve read every issue; you’re one of my favorites—you can close your computer now. Put down your phone. Do something with this time. I’ll catch you next week.
The rest of you, come along—let’s have some fun.
Quick, Draw!
I have a game for you that’s so simple; you’ll wonder if it’s actually a game or some other public database housing millions of doodles by millions of people who are aiding in machine learning.
With 20 seconds on the clock, you draw the object you’re told to draw. The goal is to get the machine to guess what you’re drawing. If it does, you feel satisfied. When it doesn’t or guesses incorrectly, you chuckle.
It’s good ol’ fun for the whole family.
Play it,learn about it, but for God's sake, engage with it.
Deep Thought
Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel own Wetzel’s Pretzels. How does Rick Wetzel’s name rhyme with the food he’s become known for 🥨?
Almost nothing rhymes with Wetzel, except pretzel. It’s silly, no? Have I given you something to ponder? I sure hope so.
Silly thoughts like this deserve to see the light. We must move our ideas and feelings for new ones to grow. Say complete nonsense from time to time. It’s liberating.
RIP Olivia + Kids Do the Darnedest Things
Friends, when I was a wee one, my step-sisters introduced me to Olivia Newton-John. When they’d say her name I envisioned three people: Olivia, Newt, and John.
Kids.
When Owen was a wee one, he’d sit at the dining table with one leg hanging off the side of his chair. It drove me bonkers, and I’m so sorry it did. Once he had the words and wisdom to share why—he revealed he’d sit that way because he envisioned it was the way people sat while driving excavators. 🚜
He wanted to be an excavator driver, so he’d pretend he was by sitting that way. How much cuter is that explanation than the one I assumed at the time (which was that he was messing with me)?
If only parents (me) understood in those moments—there’s a reason for all your child’s behavior, and it’s likely not just to piss you off.
I try and remember this story when I’m frustrated by one of my kids’ behavior. We don’t have to like it, but we can respect that they have a version of reality that’s all theirs (even if it’s wack).
Drawn Together
Wendy MacNaughton has a delightful YouTube channel called “Draw Together” with drawing videos for you and your kids.
But the title of this section is "Drawn Together.” As in, this piece of art was drawn together by Emma and Simone.
A fun way to hang with the kids while you’re at a restaurant or on the beach waiting for camp to start is to draw an abstract picture by taking turns adding elements to the art.
We drew this in the sand this morning. I added wings. She added legs. I added a snake tongue. She added a SpongeBob body. And on and on.
Just another honest-to-goodness family activity. Enjoy!
You’ve reached the end. Your prescription: Express a random thought. Move your mind. Until next week…
* New readers, my newsletter titles are equal parts random and considerate. Each week it’s a toss-up. I wanted you to know.