This post was originally posted in 2017. As women in the United States we can give thanks for the progress that has been made in women’s rights and opportunities. My maternal grandmother and paternal great-grandmothers immigrated to Michigan from Finland. With great effort they raised families while managing subsistence farms. My paternal grandmother wanted to… Continue reading International Women’s Day
Category: Parenting
The Gift of Children: Grandmother’s Perspective
It is good to pause and give thanks for God’s gifts. I am very blessed to have ten grandchildren. It is a joy to spend time with them, to attend games and concerts. I am also called to help them on a life of faith. Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget… Continue reading The Gift of Children: Grandmother’s Perspective
The Hidden Child: Book Review
Whenever I visit the library, I check the display of new books. Recently The Hidden Child by Louise Fein caught my eye. This historical novel, set in the 1920s, tells a story that connects the eugenics movement and the plight of a child with epilepsy. (Eugenics is a theory that the human race can be… Continue reading The Hidden Child: Book Review
The Art of Disagreeing
When my daughter was in grade school, she had a class that involved critical thinking. She was encouraged to think through problems. When controversies occur, we need this kind of skill. As a parent I have tried set an example of working through the issues our family has faced. It is important to be educated,… Continue reading The Art of Disagreeing
A Little Return to Normalcy
My husband and I will attend a football game at the high school tonight. Each marching band member is permitted two guests at the game. Our grandson and granddaughter will be playing trumpet and flute. It is a bit of a return to normal. The past year has been hard on children and teens. I… Continue reading A Little Return to Normalcy
The First Weeks with a Newborn Infant: 10 Recommendations
Childbirth can be exhausting. There are ways to prepare for this time period and ways to reduce stress during the first few weeks after giving birth. In the final weeks of pregnancy stock up on basic household needs and staple items (like we have been doing through the pandemic). During the first few weeks after… Continue reading The First Weeks with a Newborn Infant: 10 Recommendations
Beginning in Detroit
There is benefit in having fresh perspectives. I want to be a life-long learner, seeking truth. Many years ago, I started my nursing career at a Detroit hospital. I worked in the labor/delivery unit, learning the medical aspects of childbearing. When I was expecting my first baby, I was introduced to Lamaze classes. Eventually I… Continue reading Beginning in Detroit
Breathing Patterns for Birth . . . and Soccer?
Last Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon watching my grandson play soccer. It brought back memories of the time my son played soccer and I was an accidental coach. Years ago I wrote a story about that experience. When I first told my family that I was a soccer coach they didn’t believe me. You… Continue reading Breathing Patterns for Birth . . . and Soccer?
Detroit, the Family and Reflections on Racism
My first job as a graduate nurse was in a hospital in downtown Detroit. I worked in a labor/delivery unit with a diverse group of patients. Some women had taken Lamaze classes and some were unwed teenagers. We had a pregnant woman, victim of a gunshot, who was partially paralyzed. The unit had on average… Continue reading Detroit, the Family and Reflections on Racism
Nine Tips for a Young Woman
As a mom, grandmother and nurse What advice would I give to a young woman? Learn about life practices that support your health: nutrition, exercise, rest. Pay attention to the rhythm of your body, because your cycles give insight into your health. Don’t share your body intimately with a young man outside of marriage. Sex… Continue reading Nine Tips for a Young Woman