Sibling Gifts
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, October 14, 2011
Once or twice a year all my siblings and I are in the same place.
Last weekend was one of those times. The six of us went out to dinner for my youngest sister’s birthday. We laughed so hard my stomach ached afterward, but my eyes also welled up a couple times as we shared stories and support and joy at being together.
What a gift my parents gave us in each other.
One of the hard things for me as... READ MORE
When the Youngest "Grows Up"
Posted by Lynn Wehner in Family on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
My baby sister turned 40 yesterday. Many blessings to you in this birthday week, Lisa!
She’s the youngest and I’m the oldest of our siblings. Her hitting this milestone is — well, it’s just plain weird. I don’t know who feels older — her, me, or our dad. There’s probably going to be a whole lotta denial going on for a little while.
I remember how adorable she was when she was a baby. I remember when... READ MORE
Savoring Our Siblings
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Family on Wednesday, September 15, 2010
This recent article at CNN entitled “Siblings Still Pushing Your Buttons?” came to my inbox with perfect timing today. You see, it’s almost time for my mom’s birthday and the five of us kids have been busy organizing this year’s “Chip In” gift for the world’s best mother/nana. I won’t go into details, since the almost-birthday-girl is a regular F&F reader. But suffice it to say, I have amazing... READ MORE
Big-Kid Baby Talk
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, September 03, 2010
My son was a late bloomer verbally, but he’s finally having an explosion of language and we are loving it.
“Up!” he’ll shout, then swipe his chest with his hand and add politely, “pee?” and we applaud and exclaim at his cuteness. (And pick him up, of course.)
When he’s trying to worm his way out from between a piece of furniture and the wall, he’ll get my attention by yelling, “Tuck! Tuck!” and as... READ MORE
First-born Fun
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Friday, August 13, 2010
I am the oldest child in our family. My husband is the oldest in his. When we were pregnant with our first baby, I was so worried for him—the oldest child born of two oldest children.
Turns out, I had nothing to fear! According to this study, first-born children get an advantage in the brain department.
Birth order within families has long sparked sibling rivalry, but it might also impact the child’s... READ MORE
No One Beat Me Up
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, July 22, 2010
“If I had to use two words to describe my childhood,” my sister said the other day, “they would be: pink belly.”
I was unloading the dishwasher and almost dropped a handful of forks. What?!? Pink belly? What was she talking about?
Apparently, “pink belly” is a game wherein the perpetrators hold down the victim and smack him on the belly until it turns pink.
I am the oldest of six children, and Tirienne... READ MORE
Her Brother, the Dog
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Wednesday, June 09, 2010
When I had one child, I was fascinated by her. I loved watching her grow and learn, watching her personality develop. Then I had another child and I was excited to have the chance to have the same experience with him.
And it turns out that having two children is more than twice as interesting as having one. Because there’s one unique child, and there’s another unique child, and then there is the relationship... READ MORE
Small Ones Who Smack
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Thursday, May 27, 2010
Our daughter Camilla was about fourteen months old when she started hitting us. She’d smack us in the face, almost gleefully, then watch carefully to see how we’d respond.
We thought she was too young for real discipline, so we tried training her instead: when she hit, we’d hold her arms by her sides and count down from ten. She quickly learned that this was the consequence of hitting, and she didn’t... READ MORE
We'll Miss These Days
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Friday, May 21, 2010
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My youngest sibling is about to graduate from high school, and he’ll be going away to college this fall. My parents are about to be empty-nesters. Compared to a decade ago, their house seems quiet these days.
I, on the other hand, cannot go to the bathroom without a child pounding on the door.
Parenting young children is physically demanding, and life is busy for us. I always say that I bend over... READ MORE
One-on-One Time With Your Kids
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Wednesday, March 31, 2010
As some of you know, I have been a weekly guest on the Son Rise Morning Show for a couple of months now. Every Friday at 6:50 am EST, Brian Patrick and I chat about all things related to Catholic family life.
You can hear my latest interview, about making sure all of your children receive the individual attention they need, by clicking on the player above.
(On Friday mornings, you can listen live online... READ MORE
