linabranter

High School Hell Begins at Age 10

One rainy late August afternoon, after the kids and I had just emerged from the public pool, hair dripping and that kind of relaxed-tired that you get after a good swim, I ran into an acquaintance of ours that just happened to have a daughter the same age as my oldest. After all the nicetiesContinue reading “High School Hell Begins at Age 10”

Discipline, trust annd constant vigilance

I went to a special meeting for my daughter’s class last night. After a year’s hiatus from the school meeting hell I’ve decided that I can take it, that I am calmer, more mature. That I can deal with those bloody ^&&*%$^%$%#?! parents that just don’t know when to shut up. Okay, obviously, I haveContinue reading “Discipline, trust annd constant vigilance”

Filters: the difference between cool and uncool?

When I was in third grade, there was this kid named Maurice. Maurice had a habit of picking his nose and eating it and not caring who witnessed his indulgence in a little self-produced snack. To him, it was like scratching his head or yawning. He had this silly grin on his face that madeContinue reading “Filters: the difference between cool and uncool?”

Getting off the fence

Being a parent means that you have to get off that comfortable picket fence (the one with the white pickets impaling your ass) and choose a side. It starts as soon as you are pregnant.Doctor or midwife? Breast milk or formula? Cloth or disposable? Then, when they are babies and toddlers you have to decideContinue reading “Getting off the fence”

Free the children! Let them come home alone

We thought about it all last year. It is possible. I am sure they could do it. But a vague sense of fear and trepidation held us back. But what if…no matter that we couldn’t finish the sentence. It was still beyond the realm of possibility. The anxiety of parental backlash alone was enough toContinue reading “Free the children! Let them come home alone”

How long does it take to register your child in swimming lessons?

Well, if you live in Montreal and like to make things over the top stupid complicated, 3 hours. Yep. 3 hours. In a registration period that was only supposed to last 2 hours. But let’s start at the beginning shall we? Every year, all of Montreal’s public swimming pools shut down at the same time.Continue reading “How long does it take to register your child in swimming lessons?”

Ten Going on 20: experiencing the tween years

My head is spinning. No. More like a hive of bees have decided to take up residence inside my brain. Because, as you will know if you read this blog, I have got a 10 year old who seems to have grown up over night. Symptoms include: fashionable clothes, (actually, now that I think aboutContinue reading “Ten Going on 20: experiencing the tween years”

New Kid in School: A primer

Does the feeling ever go away? ‘Cause I find myself sitting in little desks in classrooms surrounded by a gaggle of my peers that I don’t know, all nervous and wondering how to start a conversation without seeming like a total loser. In fact, almost every year since I have moved to Montreal I haveContinue reading “New Kid in School: A primer”

Buffy instead of Bella? Yes please

My daughters came back from their trip to Victoria asking to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After hesitating for a moment (knowing that the only thing that has scared them in the past has been movies with bad production values) I borrowed the first few discs from my library. After watching a couple of episodes,Continue reading “Buffy instead of Bella? Yes please”

Following my Daughter’s Example

So awhile ago, my daughter sent a letter to her favourite author and received a response. It was pretty much the highlight of last year for the whole family- in fact, I still get shivers when I think about it. This came up again during my summer reading program this year, where I inaugurated aContinue reading “Following my Daughter’s Example”