Shoe shopping with a teenage girl: we visit every shop in an enormous shopping mall. Shoe shops twice, some three times, milkshake bar once, chocolatery once, and all other clothing shops at least once. After two and a half hours, we find a nice summer dress, which—of course—she can’t wear this autumn anymore, but it’s … Read more
At last, the long-awaited first kid-free break of the year has arrived. It’s only been a few hours, and I’ve already ticked off my carefully curated bucket list of guilty pleasures: Ripped open a bag of candy as loudly as possible, then abandoned it on the living room table. Went to the bathroom with the … Read more
When I do rarer household chores, like changing lightbulbs, cleaning dishwasher filters, assembling furniture, etc., I often ask my teenage son to help me. I always say, “You should learn to do these things so you know how to do them when you move out to your own place.” I always get sentimental, thinking that … Read more
Flight delayed. Teenager cranky. I pay an arm and a leg to get to lounge with a buffet. I say to my son, “Now eat as much as you want, so we don’t have to buy bad, overpriced food on the plane.” The menu is full of delicious food. Boy takes one slice of chocolate … Read more
After a bad night’s sleep, I get up and start making coffee. While waiting, I think I’ll eat the last ice pop I’ve been saving. Maybe it will cheer me up. Then I notice that the freezer door is ajar. Water is oozing out; everything in it is wet. And there’s no icy pop. The … Read more
English
