Ten reasons I should write for Babble

Babble is looking for a new blogger to contribute to their blog for parents of kids four and older. I thought I should let them know that I have a four year old, and I like to write about her. And me. And our adventures. Here are ten things the editors at Babble might be interested to know:

1. Every week my tutorial on how to remove a foreign object from a child's nose helps people all around the world. Or at least a few people. But those people seem very grateful when that bead or jelly bean or dried cranberry comes flying out of that nostril. I like to help.

2. On account of Alyce's extraordinary skills and abilities, making it so that she doesn't need to breathe all day long and can instead talk for twelve hours straight, I am never wanting for material. Ever.

3. For example, this morning she watched me getting dressed after my shower and gleefully observed that I am, for lack of a better word, a bit lopsided. Isn't she observant? I could write about the impact of that observation all day long.

4. I am equal part calm, patient parent and part prone to anxiety, am I doing it right, oh my god I'm breaking the children parent. I think this balance is both fruitful and ridiculous. And Alyce is equal part absolutely in love with me and part already rolling her eyes at me. We're a good team

5. Alyce is also an older sister. Since I was raised as an only child I have absolutely no idea what to do with siblings. When they argue over barbie dolls, I find myself standing in the next room curled up in a ball in the corner. I'm a slow learner.

6. Speaking of the younger sister, Shira is almost two. On most days she is so attached to me that I fear she will climb back in the womb when I'm not looking. We haven't made any decisions yet, but both my husband and I want more children. I don't know how we'll make it work, but our family isn't done growing. Alyce has ordered a baby brother and Shira, you can imagine, is in complete denial.

7. Lately I find myself standing in the middle of a lot of change. As I try to navigate my next move, determining what is best for both myself and my family, I'm taking a moment to rest in the eye of the storm. I'm watching my children learn the ups and downs of new surroundings, watching my husband take his own first steps on a new path, and listening to myself, trying to figure out what I want. There are times when the all the unknowns feel overwhelming, but at the same time it is also a bit magical. I'm spending time at home with my girls and dreaming up new possibilities. I know I'll look back on this time in our lives with a quiet fondness, but for the time being I am filled with more of a range of emotions, from complete panic to nervous excitement.

8. Did I mention that we're living with my mother and stepfather? Exactly.

9. I think and write a lot about what it means to raise daughters. I worry about how they will come to understand themselves in a world of princesses, warped body images, mean girls, and generally annoying expectations about what they are, or ought to be, like because they are biologically and socially girls. I wrote a Master's thesis about gender, so both my heart and brain are programed to think about this. I also spend time not worrying about them, and instead just enjoy all the rainbows, princesses, sparkles, acrobatics, and stories that fill their worlds. (And because I spend a lot of time thinking about raising girls, I then start thinking about what it's like to raise boys, because people, gender does not exist in a vacuum. Girls and boys, they both need us.)

10. I like to write. And I like to read what other people write. I was destined to overshare.