How To Drop Your Kid Off At Daycare

Most of my friends bring their children to daycare during the week. In fact, according to the US Census from 2011, only 20% of children under five are regularly cared for by their parents throughout the week. 24% are with a grandparent and 33% are in daycares. And on average, for children whose mothers are working, kids are in daycare for 36 hours a week. So, daycare of some type is a substantial part of most families' lives.

Let's be clear. I run a daycare out of my home. So, obviously I'm not against daycares. I do, however, wish that the families I serve could spend more time together. Although, I understand that doing so might be an exceptional hardship. I am glad that I can provide a safe, happy home for my friend's children to be at while they go to work.

That being said, I think it is really important HOW a parent brings and leaves a child at daycare.

Kids are not yet adults. This is usually most apparent by their tiny size. But, spend some time with a kid and you'll quickly realize it is their underdeveloped brain that truly defines their age group. Kids just don't think things through the way adults do. This is why we hold their hands in parking lots and keep the candy on the top shelf.

So, what's the big difference between the adult brain and developing brain? The part of the brain that I am most interested in right now is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain where we focus, plan and organize our lives. And this part of the brain doesn't really start to develop until we are four years old! And it isn't ready for prime time until our early to mid twenties.

Now there are lots of places I could go with this knowledge at this point. But basically I am trying to make the point that children see and understand the world very differently from how adults do. And these differences, if ignored, could cause lasting problems.

Let's look at what often happens when a kid is dropped off at daycare. (Warning: This is anecdotal evidence. I haven't actually done a study about what parents say to their kids at drop off... but all parents I have worked with have said something along these lines at some point.)

No matter how often your kid screams at you and throws tantrums, the reality is, you are his/her favorite person in the world. Your kid wants to be with you. Even if you have an awesome daycare provider, your kid would probably choose to spend the day with you instead of going to daycare. This is a good thing :) But, for many families, the reality is you have to go to work and your kid has to go to daycare.

But sometimes your kid REALLY doesn't want to go to daycare. They ask to stay with you, they ask you to stay with them... And then the tears come in. It's rough. No one wants to walk away from their kid in that moment. So, we try to let them down easy.

"Honey, I'm so sorry. I really want to spend the day with you too. I don't want to go to work, but I HAVE to."

We say this with the best of intentions. And it is, generally, true. I'm sure many people enjoy their work, but given the choice to spend time with loved ones, I'm willing to bet that family would win. (again this is all purely anecdotal)

Now here comes the science!

When we say stuff like this to kids, they hear something entirely different from what we want them to hear.

Over the past year I've read some books that have really helped me to understand why I need to choose my words and actions very carefully when working with children.

Bring Them Back Alive by Jose M. de Olivares (Best if you have a kid (or work with kids) who have fallen in with the "wrong" crowd or who are on the path to do so)

Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon (Best if you want a step-by-step how-to guide for resolving conflicts with your kids without relying on the use of parental power, something I will talk more about in a future post)

The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene PhD (Best if you have or work with children who have extreme tantrums or behaviors and you want to improve your relationship with that child and help them find new ways to harness their energy)

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn (Best if you are a human who cares about humans. Essential if you have or work with children)

These books all do a great job of putting you in the shoes of your children, helping you to perceive the world as they do. It really opened my eyes and helped me to see how many of the things I was doing (timeout, punishments, rewards, incentives, bargaining, active ignoring etc.) looked much different to the kids I was working with than I expected them to. And it made me realize that those "doing to" techniques are inadequate at best and dangerous at worst. Now I am honing my "working with" techniques that I have learned from these books to improve my relationship with the children I work with and to have more effective, longer lasting problem solving sessions.

So, what does a kid hear when we tell them that we really don't want to go to work, but we have to?

Kids don't generally have the ability to understand the gray zones or the big picture we adults take for granted. They see things in black and white, yes and no, left and right. Of course we adults know the world doesn't work that way, and our children will find that out soon enough for themselves. But until they do, we need to meet them where they are, or else we risk unintentionally weakening our relationship with our children for the sake of brevity.

When we tell our kid we don't WANT to go to work, that's exactly what they hear. That mom or dad does not want to go to their job. But of course, mom or dad will go to work. This now leaves the child to think that mom or dad would rather go to a job they don't even want to be at, than be with their child. "They'd rather go someplace they hate than be with me." That's the black and white interpretation of what the parent said. Needless to say, this can have a negative effect on child's sense of self.

Of course that's not what we want our kids to think! So what can we say instead?

My wife and I have talked about this a lot lately, and she came up with an answer that I really like and I really want to share it with the world.

Kid: Mooooooom. Please don't go. (tears start) I really want you to stay with me...

Parent: You really don't want me to go.

Kid: No. I want you to stay with me.

Parent: I really like spending time with you too. But I've made a promise to my boss to come in to work, and it's important to keep promises.

Kid: (Sad, pouty look)

Parent: But you know what? I've also made a promise to you. I promise to be here as soon as I am done with my work and be present with you until bedtime. What would you like to do after we get home?

I know this takes a little longer than the first response... And I'm not saying that kids will perk up and be totally ok with you going to work that day. But it builds on an understanding about why mom or dad has to go to work. And it doesn't make an value judgements on whether the parent likes work or the child better. Rather it teaches the importance of keeping promises, a gateway to being a responsible person.

Maybe you think your kid is too young to grasp the finer points of the above conversation, and you think you'll start with those kinds of exchanges when the kid is four or five. But I recently suggested this method to the father of a 2 month baby. I feel like the sooner parents get into the habit of hearing their words from their child's perspective the sooner these kinds of conversations will be second nature.

So, what do you think? How do you think your kid would respond to this kind of conversation? Have you ever read any of the books I mentioned in this post, what did you think about them? Do you leave your kid at daycare? How do you manage to daycare drop off time?

I'd be so happy to hear your thoughts, ideas and questions. Please comment and share :)

"That is just THE WORST!"

You're sharing an experience at the grocery store with a friend: "They just didn't have enough lines open for a Sunday afternoon. So I picked one, and before I knew it I was locked in with two carts behind me. Of course the elderly man in front of me had to be extra chatty with the clerk. One of the items wouldn't scan and I heard the clerk say those dreaded words, "Sorry it's my first day, let me call a manager." So I wait. I looked behind me, hoping I could go find another lane, no luck. Finally the manager comes over, fixes the problem and just when I thought I could get out of there the old man takes out his wallet and is $10 short! So he's going through the bags trying to figure out what to put back. The lane next to us opens up, and the person lined up behind the person behind me swiftly moves over. Uhg, it's so unfair. So I wait. Finally that old guy removes enough crap to get out of my way! It was just so irritating! Some people should just stay home!"

To which your friend comments, "UHG! That is just the worst!!"

Or, You're telling a story about that time you hit a turkey with your car causing thousands of dollars of damage and covering everything in turkey guts... That is just the worst!

Or maybe it was when the city double charged you for your property taxes because of a paperwork error and you spent five months and dozens of aggravating phone calls moving up high enough in the bureaucracy to get your money back... That is just the worst!

Or maybe it's what happened to me today?

I've been getting phone calls meant for another person who also belongs to my gym. Apparently she isn't paying her bill and for some reason my phone number is in her file. Now collections companies are calling me too. I finally decided to call the head office and try to get this fixed. I was on the phone for maybe 10 minutes when they finally found the woman's file and told me they were going to work on removing my phone number from her contact info. I wasn't even complaining, and the woman who was helping me said, "I'm so sorry, this is just the worst!"

I had no idea what to say.

This morning I woke up to learn that my first pregnancy was ending.

...

My wife and started a couple years ago to try and adopt. But after so many disappointing situations (the first of which prompted me to start this blog) we decided to try another avenue. My fear of pregnancy and its countless complications is what steered us towards adoption in the first place. I'm 35 now, and I know this is the turning point for fertility, so I decided to put my courage where my fear was and see if I can do this.

Last month we went to a fertility doctor, bought blue eyed sperm and let a kind and overly optimistic doctor inseminate me. Last week we found out I was pregnant. And a couple days ago I started bleeding.

So, today, hearing someone tell me that a few short, polite phone calls is, "the worst" just made me stop.

That phrase has bothered me for a long time. Usually when someone says it to me I respond with, "No, genocide is the worst."

When I was in sixth grade the book Number the Stars opened my eyes. Then two years later the Rwandan Genocide terrified me as I came to grips with the fact that genocide is alive and well in my world. I guess that's why, in my book anyway, genocide is ACTUALLY "the worst."

I have friends who have tried for years to get pregnant. Some had to go through really invasive procedures to make it work. And for some it never worked.

http://weburbanist.com/2011/10/16/image-nation-50-nifty-forced-perspective-photographs/

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that perspective is important. I'm really sad now. I feel empty. I feel lonelier today, than I felt yesterday.

But I know some very important things:
- I am safe.
- My family is safe.
- It's possible for me to become pregnant.
- I am loved.

This is not the worst.

My Wedding Speech

A couple weeks ago I got married! And I had this plan to give this great, public speech all about my new wife and how awesome she is and how much I love her and I was really looking forward to embarrassing her in front of a TON of people. But at the reception everyone was having so much fun (myself included) that I really didn't want to put a pause on the festivities... so I will give my speech here. This way I can embarrass her in front of even more people!! :)

Here it goes...

I want to give you all a little history of me and tell you why I decided to get married. It's not often I get a captive audience, so I am totally taking advantage of this!

When I was in my twenties I made the "noble" decision to not get married until marriage equality was a reality. I'd tell people that I had friends who couldn't legally marry their love and that just wasn't right... So, yeah... it had nothing to do with my own internal struggle! <wink>

My wife was not my first girl crush. But all those other crushes faded with time. So I never really had to deal with this part of who I am until a few years ago. When I first met Shockin', my wife for those of you who don't know her, I was instantly smitten with her... That's really the only way to describe how I felt at the time. She was teaching me crossovers and I felt like the luckiest person in the world to get this special one-on-one time with this beautiful, intelligent, kind, gifted skater...

Oh yeah, I felt super important! Kinda like how my teammate Hater felt when she sat next to Marc Maron at the radio show ;) .. (I wanted to put that line in my speech cause it's important to involve the audience in what you are saying... if they feel like they are are part of your story, they will stay engaged longer... and I also hoped it would make Hater laugh!)

So, I figured Shockin' HAD to  have noticed me ogling her at some point, and as we became closer friends I thought I had to tell her something otherwise she might think I "liked" her! Now, anyone who knows me well knows I SUCK at lying. I mean, except when I'm lying to myself ;) Cause I'm practically an expert at that! But lying to others... I just can't do it... The truth just eats it's way out of me. The last time I thought I could lie to someone I was about ten years old... and my mom TOTALLY saw me riding my bike in the street. Getting caught felt so awful that I just couldn't do that again! So thanks mom ;)

So, with all these braincells of mine, I decided that it would be best to tell Shockin' that I was intimidated by her... (This is where I would look at my new wife with a skeptical expression) Intimidated by HER...

For those of you who know my blushing bride she's about as intimidating as a kitten, off skates that is. You know... in retrospect... that was actually a really good lie!!! Cause she must have been so thrown off by my statement she'd have no idea it was a lie! The thing that actually intimidated me was the way I felt when she was around. So, you know... we did the next logical step... we moved in together! :)

So, I said earlier that Shockin' wasn't my first crush... I've had lots of crushes. And that experience has brought me the knowledge that there always comes a point in every crush where I discover The Thing. The Thing is that quirk, hobby, activity, vocalization, tick, or affirmation that makes me think, "Oh... yikes... nope, this person is NOT for me." To my knowledge, every single person I have ever had the privilege of getting to know well has The Thing. And it's different for everyone, and it's always something that I know would eventually drive me mad if I were to chose to be with that person for eternity.

So, I had hoped that living with Shockin' would let me know what The Thing would be with her. So, I waited. I observed. I queried. And I waited some more. This was sooooo strange. Even with friends I had no crush on I was eventually able to discern The Thing in them. But I couldn't seem to find it in the woman I now happily call my wife. This brought me to the conclusion that it is now time to get some counseling, because, through all my efforts, this crush wasn't going away.

I started journalling and working with a counselor to find a way to be me and be okay with me. I don't want to turn this into my coming out speech. But even with the amazing supportive group of friends and family I have, it was not easy to tell the world that my heart beat faster anytime Shockin' walked into the room.

I want to read to you a page from the journal I was keeping at that time. I'm reading this because I think it's pathetic in an adorable and hilarious way :)

"Yesterday Shockin' had plans to go to Hater's to do Laundry, and she waited to go till I got home... She also invited me to C&T's for the goodbye Nate brunch... I don't really know Nate but I know I like the idea of Shockin' wanting me around. Tonight she was feeling sick so she skipped D&D. She waited in the kitchen while I cooked my dinner then ate her leftover pizza for dinner as we sat on the couch chatting and vegging out. We talked about Darien Lake and she said she'd want me in the same car as her on a roller coaster. She called me her derby twin. But I was busy getting lost in her eyes so I didn't let myself be aware that I'm probably insane... I listened to her breathing when she dozed off... I must be insane, cause I wanted to listen to her breaths more than Invader Zim... I'm enjoying being insane right now."

I wanted to read that to you so that you could see what I see. That even something as ordinary and typical as eating pizza and breathing is beautiful, when it's the person you love that's eating and breathing.

So, I knew I was in love... but how did I know she was the right person to marry?

I love a good argument. I love to throw my knowledge around like sharpened flail. And I LOVE being right!

One day, shortly after we started dating, we found ourselves engaged in a disagreement. The particulars of the situation are not important. What is important is that my words had sharp edges and I threw them around carelessly. Shockin' left the "conversation" and went into her bedroom... It sounded like she was crying, and she was visibly upset.

Usually at this stage in the game I consider myself the winner. I was able to get the other person to eat their words and they are the one who became the emotional mess... so I win. But, for the first time EVER, I didn't feel that way. I actually started to panic a little.

I didn't understand this feeling, but a very clear thought came into my head at that moment. I realized that I care more about Shockin' than I do about winning.

(Pause for dramatic effect)

That, was a really big deal. Of course I went right in and apologized and told her that her feelings are more important than my big words. And over the next few years I practiced putting those words into action. I haven't been perfect, but I plan to have many years to practice :) To me, she is more important than winning.

So, long story short... Once I realized how important Shockin' was to me I knew that I had to ask her to marry me. And I'm really lucky that she said yes :)

... Now as some of you know, There were some people who were invited to our wedding who chose not to come because of their religion. It was very hard for me to hear these RSVPs from people I care so much about. As a nonreligious person it is very difficult for me to understand the perspective of these friends and family members. After much thought I have come to my own understanding of their situation. From my perspective I see that their god loves and accepts based on a certain set of conditions. So, since that belief is so foundational with them, I feel I cannot fault them for showing me the same conditional acceptance and love.

But, I look around here and I see all of you. And I feel the people who wanted to be here, but couldn't. And I just wanted to thank all of you for you unconditional love an acceptance. Words cannot do justice to the kind of happy you all make me feel. Thank you for being part of our day, our lives and our world.

<3

Engaging The Discord Of Life

It's been a while.

A lot has changed.

In February, the second to last post I published, I wrote about my frustrations with illness and my determination to get better. After three months of lingering in sickness the doctors finally decided that I had pneumonia and gave me some antibiotics. I spent the next two months struggling less and less to breathe, until I finally felt healthy. And then, a month ago, I broke my elbow.

Early on in his illness I had some success hand feeding Chance.

During February one of my cats, Chance, became very ill. After many tests he was diagnosed with cancer. We tried to get him to eat and drink. But his breathing became labored, he lost weight and became very dehydrated. On April 7, 2015 we scheduled an appointment to end his wordly suffering. Near the end of his sickness his sister, Leeloo, became less affectionate towards him. She would hiss and growl when he came near. He smelled like medicine, doctors' offices, cancer and death. I understand her fear. But on that Tuesday I laid in the bed with Chance next to me and Leeloo at my feet. I told her this would be her last chance to cuddle with her brother. Much to my surprise and relief, she came up to us, licked Chance's head a couple of times and snuggled up with us.

Last week we learned that one of my girlfriend's cats, Mckenna, has cancer too.

Mckenna likes small places! (That's usually where the tomatoes live)

It's only been three months since we lost Chance. Though that day seems light years away in my mind, my heart thinks it was yesterday.

Chance's last day with me.

This is when Leeloo came to cuddle with us.

And now my grandfather waits to die in hospice care. He lays in bed, in obvious discomfort, and he just wants to go home. I want to be cheerful and helpful around him, but seeing how much he hates where he is kills me. I know I can't take him home, and I don't think anyone else in my family can. This seems to be one of those things that is just going to suck. It makes me so frustrated. It scares me... Watching my family members die reminds me of my own mortality. Someday I will know my grandfather's discontent first hand. And I'm not sure what upsets me more, seeing my grandfather sick and dying, or envisioning my own deathbed.

Me and my grandpa back when I thought he didn't belong in hospice care.

---

Due to illness and injury I have not been able to participate in the sport I love, roller derby. Derby is my outlet, my stress relief. My team is my home, my family of choosing. Though I can be next to them on the bench, I cannot be WITH them on the track. I have felt isolated, alone, sad, depressed, lost, useless, angry, dejected, indignant, and hateful.

I thought I could coast through all of this. I thought I could handle it. But when I felt hate take hold in my heart, I knew that without help I would be lost.

So, I called my counselor yesterday. She is the person who helped me come out and be me. The person who helped me find the courage to tell my fiancee that I liked her. She was on vacation. So now I'm waiting to heal.

I recently told one of my friends that I feel like my life is on pause.

I don't like feeling like I'm on pause. But I'm also not sure which step to take next. There are many paths in front of me, and because I have been reluctant to choose, I have stretched myself so that I can walk all paths at the same time. This is both ineffective and uncomfortable.

If I walk down one path, does that mean I can never go back? Is this the only time my life will be filled with options... With questions?

Of course not!

But that doesn't make it any easier to pick a path and walk it.

Here are my Known Knowns:

1. I love my girlfriend, I want to be married to her and spend the rest of my life with her.

2. I love playing roller derby, Imagining my life without derby is painful.

3. I want to be a mom, I know our kid is out there somewhere, and I just wish we could find him/her.

4. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many loving people (and pets.)

Here are my Known Unknowns:

1. I have no idea how becoming a mom will change my life, but I know my priorities will have to change, this is the scariest thing.

2. Can I still be me without derby?

3. How much more loss can I take this year?... Do I even have a choice?

4. Can I find a job where I feel completely fulfilled... Or should I find peace with what I have?

5. Am I falling apart, or becoming a new me?

And then there are the unknown unknowns... Those guys are jerks!

So, I'm back to writing. I've missed this a lot. Since I no longer use Facebook, please comment on the blog if you'd like your comment to be seen by me. And if you could follow the blog that would ensure you will see the next post when it comes out. I may or may not find a way to get this out without Facebook... But I just can't go back to that world now. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to go back to that. (But that's for another post!)

The Problem With Prosperity

 "Prosperity: The condition of being successful or thriving; especially: economic wellbeing." -Merriam-Webster dictionary

This can go one of two ways:

1. Huh? What's wrong with doing well for myself?
2. Yeah, actually there are MANY problems with prosperity!

Let us examine both of these mental paths.

What IS wrong with prosperity? 

From a very young age most of us are told that we need to make the right choices, and work hard so that we can make a life for ourselves. We are trained to focus on various topics, many of which we find boring, several hours a day through compulsory "education." (Can you smell my bias yet?) We are told that some pursuits are less economically viable than others, "You can't go to college for art! You'll never get a job. How about computer science?!" Yeah... cause that bubble will never burst.

We are surrounded by people who are getting new phones, new cars, buying a different house every 3-5 years, shopping for the latest fashions, filling the living room with piles of presents each December. And we see it all. On Facebook, twitter, instagram, vine and a whole bunch of other social media outlets I know nothing about... myspace? 

Everyone around is doing so well... we need to do better too. We have to buy all organic, enroll our children in a multitude of activities, send them to summer camps, take their soccer team out for ice cream after each game, rent out that bounce house place for all the kids in their class for each birthday, buy new shoes constantly, and keep the labels on the clothes and accessories fresh. Our kids need phones and tablets and game systems so that our house is the "fun" house.

We have to go out to eat with our family, coworkers, friends, neighbors, children's friend's parents... We need to go on cruises and to epic theme parks and far away places and share all those photos so everyone can see that we did it! That we are PROSPEROUS!

And all of this takes one very important thing.

Money.

The reason prosperity is a problem is because being prosperous is an elusive goal.

Having money often makes us want to have more money. Each year we hope for a raise or a bonus or a new job with more upward mobility.

What's wrong with economic success? It breeds a ceaseless pursuit for more.

And yet more money isn't necessarily going to improve our lives.

Almost two years ago I lost my job. A job where I was making VERY good money. And now I make a very modest income. I could make more money. But when I remember the stress, anguish and overall discontent that accompanied my previous occupation I realize how much happier I am with less.

---

Next question. How can there be just ONE problem with prosperity? I mean, look at those lists at the top of the page. The numerous things we do in the hunt for prosperity. It seems like the list of problems with prosperity should be as endless.

Note: I am a citizen of The United States of America. And as such my examples reflect typical experiences of a citizen of my country. I am aware that in other places life is quite different and many of these issues won't apply. Context is important, and I want you to know mine.

I can have pretty much any food item I want, at any time of day, for a low, low price! In the dead of the winter I can have my pick of amazingly beautiful fresh produce from all around the world. In the middle of the night numerous restaurants are open and many deliver! There is even a place a few blocks away from my home that will deliver warm cookies until 3am!

So, what's wrong with this? Easy access to food is good right? At least we aren't starving! Micronutrient deficiency means that even though we are eating a lot of calories, many of us are missing important nutrients. So while many Americans may be well fed, they are also undernourished. We have so many foods to choose from, making the decision to eat the right foods (Which is different for each person) often quite difficult.

I can go to any story and buy a ton of really neat stuff for very little money. There are sale racks year around, the dollar bin, the dollar STORE, membership discounts, rewards points etc. All of these mechanisms make it easier and easier to bring more stuff into my home. 

Yet with more stuff each thing has less value. Or maybe that's just how I see it. I only have enough space in my head to care about a finite number of things. Think about Little House on the Prairie... when Laura and Mary were so excited to get their own tin cups for Christmas. These people had so little, that something we think so little about, was so important to them.

I'm not saying we would all be happier if we lived in an empty cabin in the middle of nowhere dreaming about cups. But the alternative we have created where we watch people de-hoard their house for entertainment is also not ideal.

And it's not just hoarding stuff that is so easy and dangerous. Many people also hoard money. They hoard it while they look for the next great investment opportunity. Because making money become MORE money is the most important thing. (so much sarcasm there fyi)

So. Those are all pretty awful. But this blogger says she has identified THE problem with prosperity. So what, from her dirty-hippie-love-everyone-we-can-do-this-if-we-work-together perspective is THE problem?

The problem is, that with prosperity comes distance.

Most of us lucky enough to be born to the "right" situation are so out of touch with those who are born to the rockiest of situations. We blame children and families for their economic and educational stagnation. We credit our successes to our own will and grit. All the time ignoring the power that comes from who gave birth to us.

---

I see a world where we work together to build a home for all of us. Where we reach out and help each other when luck kicks us in the face. Where we realize that working for just our own prosperity is working against the prosperity of us.

Imagine a sports team where only three of the 20 players are allowed to practice. What happens at game time? That team loses. But the team that includes all of the players in all of the drills as equally as each individual player's abilities will allow... That team will win. Everyone on that team will win.

Roc City Roller Derby, my league, winning!

Feeling Lucky To Be Sick

This cough has been my recurrent companion for nearly three months now. Perhaps it's bronchitis, or pneumonia, or just some very stubborn pathogen that finds the base of my lungs to be the ideal vacation spot! Either way, it makes breathing stressful, and annoying and makes me sound like an 89 year old lifelong Lucky Strikes addict.

So, of course, I took to Facebook to complain. Because that is the most efficient way to spread misery these days. And perhaps one of the primary functions of social media as well.

I don't really know why I had to write that post. I was sad I hadn't been running (partly by choice, and partly due to the eight million feet of snow outside my door) and I figured this not-breathing-well thing made a great excuse, so I'd let it spread. The very first comment came from a friend of mine, he wrote, "I speak from experience here, [running] is pretty much the last thing you should do."

A note on his experience, my friend has cystic fibrosis. If you are unfamiliar with this condition, and allergic to Internet searches, here is the first sentence from webMD, "Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system."

Life threatening.

When I first met this friend, I was fascinated with his diagnosis, and asked him an excess of questions... particularly the kind of questions new acquaintances generally steer clear of. (My curiosity typically takes precedence over societal norms)

Another quote from webMD, "Recent improvements in screenings and treatments mean that most people with cystic fibrosis now live into their 20s and 30s, and some are living into their 40s and 50s"

I am in my 30s, and my friend is older than me. He and my fiancee have been friends since college. When he popped up on Facebook she and the rest of her college friends were relieved that he was still alive and kicking. At that time I did not know him, and had never heard of CF, so I thought that was an odd thing to say about someone who was obviously healthy enough to go to college... I mean, of course he is fine.

It's so easy to take life and health for granted.

----

I play roller derby (have I mentioned that before? ;) and so I've missed some practices recently, and those I have attended have been more of a struggle that usual. Even without a pathogen that's overstayed its welcome, roller derby practice is a struggle, especially when I allow myself focus on our league's skaters who have such grace and finesse on the track.

It's so easy for me to look at them, and then look at me and wonder why I even try. They spin at will, pop up from the ground before they have even landed, hop the apex like it's nothing and every inch of their character exudes confidence. It looks like they are having so much more fun than I am! It looks like their muscles just do what their told... like they never even get tired or hurt!

Of course that is what it LOOKS like.

These women spend so much of their time, money, effort and soul on being fit, strong, smart, calm and focused. And even though I know how hard they work, it's so easy for me to dismiss that and just say they are innately better than me.

It's so easy to take for granted my own abilities and ignore the fact that I don't even lift BRO!

----

I can, and often do, compare myself to those I perceive as better than me, and use that analysis to justify a quiet castigation of my successes (or lack there of.) And of course that's wrong. Of course it allows me to ignore all the hard work THEY did, which I shirk. Of course it does no good for me, and of course I need to stop.

But what I realized today, is how readily I compare myself to someone who (IMO) walks on water and how rarely I compare myself to someone who's situation I'd never want to be in.

I'm so grateful I am not homeless.
I'm so grateful I don't work at a job I hate.
I'm so grateful I'm not in an abusive relationship.
I'm so grateful I'm not drowning in debt.
I'm so grateful I'm not surrounded by people who hate me.
I'm so grateful I'm not a rookie skater anymore.
And I'm so grateful I don't have cystic fibrosis.

I'm so grateful that I will get better.

----

So, why don't we readily compare ourselves to those who's struggles are greater than our own?

Is it because it's uncomfortable? Or because THAT could never happen to us? Or because we don't even think about it?

I think it's privilege.

I am privileged to be healthy. And so I take for granted my health, until I feel the pain of its absence.

But I am so lucky that I'm just sick. And I am lucky to have friends who share their struggles so that I can appreciate what I have.

Thank you.

When Socks Attack!

Cats know too well the evil nature of socks. Hence their ever vigilant hunt!

I've recently started a simplicity group with some of my friends. We plan to gather once a month and talk about why this lifestyle choice is important to us and explore ideas about the things we need help with and the things that are working well for us.

At our first meeting, one of my friends declared that this month she hopes to simplify her family's socks. And I've been thinking about socks ever since!

I have always loved socks. I am very specific about the types of socks I like to wear. They need to be as close to 100% cotton as possible, well fitted so they don't side down often, colors I like and when I find socks that are also not made in a questionable sweatshop I am in heaven! But I have the privilege to be picky... I don't have kids!

My friend and her husband have three young children... so with five people and feet that never seem to stop growing, one begins to comprehend the sock struggle. And yet, this friend of mine is not alone, I have another friend coping with the same problem! She and her husband only have one child, but both families still have a basket full of unmatched socks that seems to grow every week. Tie that up with the Google search, "Too many socks" and you will see this problem is omnipresent!

Too Many Socks!

A couple of weeks ago I read an article about a mother who chose to drastically reduced the amount of clothing her family keeps in rotation. She was discontent with the everlasting supply of laundry chores and desperate for relief. That article inspired me to maximize the minimalist potential of my own small wardrobe. Now I have one full size drawer, one half size drawer and a small shelf of clothing in rotation. I still have about two bins of clothes in the attic... and I'm sure half of it will be decluttered soon... perhaps today.

This is where I store ALL of the clothes I currently wear.
On the left you will see my 3 long-sleeve shirts and my 7 t-shirts, then my sweater and my 2 pairs of pants, then my running clothes and derby clothes.
In the middle you see my sports bras and underwear (OMG! Now the world knows I wear underwear!!!) and my socks (running, derby, normal and dress/tights... not sure why I have those)
Finally a small shelf with two pairs of PJs, painting clothes and my reflective vest for running and biking.

I took those pictures today, and I last did laundry about 2 days ago, so some of the clothes are missing... but you get the picture.

I've only been using this minimalist wardrobe for a little over a week. It seems preliminary to talk results, but I would like to share some of my initial impressions. 

- I like how my drawers look, how easy it is to see my belongings and that I only have a few places to look to find them.

- Since I only kept seven t-shirts, I get to wear my favorite shirt every day! When I take today's shirt off the pile I am so happy to see what I will be wearing tomorrow!

- I have DRASTICALLY reduced the amount of exercise clothes I keep in rotation. I am not sure if this will work, but I do tend to air out my workout clothes and wear them more than once... I mean, I'm about to get really stinky anyway, so who cares!

- I also rewear my PJs for a couple of days, and since I plan to do my laundry once every 3-4 days, this should be okay. 

- I love all of the socks I currently own... it makes me very happy that I don't have to wear lesser socks just because my clean ones are waiting in the dirty laundry.

Recently my fiancee told me that she gets a little sad when she opens her drawer full of freshly laundered clothes, pulls our her favorite shirt and then retires it to the dirty clothes basket for the next week or so while we procrastinate the chore of laundry. I like the fact that I have given myself the freedom to be happy with less, by focusing on what I have and love.

What do you think? Could this work for you? I'd love to read some thoughts :)