Dedicated to Carrie

Quote of the day:

... it's not like that all ends when you're 18, 41 or 61. It never, ever ends ... there is no end zone. You never cross the goal line, spike the ball and do your touchdown ... Jason Robards, from: Parenthood.

Many years ago a former graduate student reconnected with me. When I had known her as a graduate student she was in her mid-twenties and quite newly married. She was a quiet person, observant and wise for her age, and an excellent teacher of young children because she related well to them by listening carefully and validating their feelings. I was excited to meet her again after some years had passed and I knew she had two children of her own. I thought I would find her enthusiastic and happy to be a parent herself. After the usual hugs and smiles, greetings and excitement at reconnecting with one another, we sat down to drink coffee and eat the cakes or cookies we had ordered. We both had so much to tell each other to catch up with the years that had passed. Before long, she was describing her life to me. She told me of the challenges and difficulties she faced with two small young children.  She poured out her heart to me saying that she wished someone had warned her of how hard mothering would be. She had set high standards for herself as a parent, especially since she had studied child development in her graduate early childhood courses. She found that she was constantly feeling guilty about her feelings of anger and dismay with her young children's behaviors. At one point in the conversation, she turned to me and said, "Someone should write a book called, A Handbook of Guilt for Parents!" We both laughed out loud, she through the tears in her eyes. I became quiet and put my hand on hers. "I'll write it for you one day," I assured her. 

And so, I dedicate this new blog to my old friend and former student, Carrie. I hope to share ideas, memories, struggles, wisdom, and joys I have experienced as a mother, early childhood teacher educator, author, presenter, and consultant. As I embark on this new journey, I welcome your own thoughts and comments, gentle reader, should you wish to stop by.