Tag Archives: children
Is it Bad-Mouthing to Discuss Ex’s Poor Mental Health?
I have been divorced for five-plus years, co-parenting three kids in a very small town. It has been okay for the most part after a very acrimonious start. Two of the children are now off in college; one is still … Continue reading
See the Light?
“Help Papa get off oxygen,” my toddler prays each night for my father. Before Papa’s Covid-19 hospitalization, my son was admitted with pneumonia. Only 2, he knows the prick of needles, the web of tubes, the tickle of plastic in … Continue reading
My Father’s Many Lessons
It was a Wednesday night around dinnertime when the phone rang. It was my father, Leo. Without any prelude, he said, “I am sorry for anything I might have done.” I said, “It’s OK.” Then we talked about the weather, … Continue reading
Family Boundaries
My son revealed to me that years ago, an older male family member propositioned him to have sex. This apparently took place at a holiday dinner where some heavy drinking had occurred (which was not unusual), and after his father … Continue reading
Baited and Switched
I’ve been planning a vacation with a few friends for several months. The group is a mixture of singles and marrieds, and two of the couples have one small child each. In planning this trip, the parents all said upfront … Continue reading