List/Grid Tag Archives: Mom
Farewell And Hello
Some of you may know that as of April 5th, LIFEclectic will be closing its doors. It has been an amazing experience to write for this magazine and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. I’ve met so many wonderful, insightful and inspiring people. When one door closes, another door or two opens somewhere. That door for me is the launch of my own blog, Melanie Elliott, Mom To The Littlest E. If I…
Parenthood: Early Days
Leaving the house for the first time after giving birth was like slipping into another dimension. I went out of the house for the first time five days after my daughter was born to buy a few button-down tops in hopes of making nursing a little bit easier. My lower back ached and my legs felt cartoonishly heavy. I trudged the streets slowly, bleary eyed and disoriented. I have walked these streets to do my…
If You Had One Word For Parenting, What Would It Be?
I take a parenting class with our son, The Littlest E. It’s like a toddler & me class, there’s individual play and circle time. Then four moms stay back to watch all the kids while the other moms go into a discussion. During one discussion, our teacher posed a question to all of us; if you had only one word to describe your experience parenting, what would it be? Before I answer the question, I’ll…
Are The 2s Really Terrible?
For years I’d heard about the terrible 2s, stories of endless tantrums, inexplicable behavior, screaming, throwing things, and major craziness. I built up this expectation that on the day our son, The Littlest E, turned 2, we would not find him in his crib on awakening, but a little hellion sent to torment us for the next year. The Littlest E turned 2 in July and he is in the thick of what I call…
10 Things I Wish For My Son As He Grows Up
I went to pick up my son from school on Friday and I experienced a moment that will stay for me forever. He was standing on the climbing frame grinning and shouting for joy. He is a wonderful little man – so confident without being arrogant. He resonates joy and because of it he attracts love and affection wherever he goes. He’s just moved classes at school and he’s been thrilled with the newness of…
Did I Need A Life Coach?
I ended my last post, “Financial Ruin…The Snowball Effect,” where I broke my foot after being laid up for a few weeks due to surgery. One of my family members had approached me (for my parents) to see if I would meet with a life coach they had hired for me because they were worried about me. As I listened to this person all I heard was “worried” and “hired.” I remember feeling defensive right…
Financial Ruin..The Snowball Effect
In my blog entry from Monday, September 13, I ended it when Chloe became ill. That was when the snowball began to roll and roll and it is still rolling today. Chloe became very ill and proceeded to miss 24 days of school or nearly 5 weeks well into April this year. When Chloe is ill her dad and I generally have her stay with me vs. going between houses. Chloe just likes to be…
Questions Of Identity For A Transracially Adopted Child
Recently my family and I went to an Ethiopian multicultural fair in Los Angeles that was sponsored by the Ethiopian community. Our 2-year old son, The Littlest E, is originally from Ethiopia and my husband and I felt it was important for us to go and be a part of this annual event celebrating the many cultures of Los Angeles, as well as the Ethiopian New Year (which is September 11th). There is a sizeable…
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