My sweet baby Jane came into the world 7 years (and 4 days) ago. I had some pretty naive ideas about motherhood then. I thought she'd never wear pink. (By day 4 she had on her first pink outfit. She hasn't turned back since.) I strongly opposed princesses and damsels-being-rescued in any format. (Jane's 4th... Continue Reading →
Is Love Really Enough?
How My Partner & I Completely Fell Apart After His Transition Photo Cred: RM Lathan When Simon transitioned, I knew — knew down in my bones — that this would be better. For him. For our family. For our daughter, Jane. But that knowing clashed directly with my belief about who I was — defined largely by being a lesbian. I couldn’t... Continue Reading →
Resilience
“We are going to move away from the only home you’ve ever really known,” we said. “Okay,” she said. “We know that you’re leaving behind friends and family. It’s okay to miss them, and it's okay to cry.” “But I will get to live in the same place as my best friends. And their moms.... Continue Reading →
You Don’t Like the Buzzer?
When I signed Jane up to play basketball this winter, I had no idea how much I'd learn. And my learning had little to do with the game itself and much more to do with resilience and joy and kicking perfectionism in the ass. Our family belongs to the YMCA. Consequently, at the tender age... Continue Reading →
Nourishment for the Body & for the Soul: Fighting Shame & Anxiety
My seeming unwillingness to eat in high school drove people berserk. My friends constantly tried to bribe me with food from Chili’s, IHOP chocolate chip pancakes, the occasional Big Mac. I took a bite of a few fries (sometimes). Or I’d just languidly sip soda while they ate. I weighed 90 pounds; a strong gust... Continue Reading →
Finding Balance
She waits for her turn on the balance beam. My heart clenches. She’s only four years old; the beam stands as tall as her head, and she is afraid of heights. In fact, she asked to quit gymnastics because of this very beam.