Comments for mattblair.ca

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by mike

mike — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:43:08 +0000

Wait till she gets older and the old ladies start talking directly to her – “Dad’s got no idea what he’s doing, huh? Just hang in there, I’ll bring you a lollipop.”

Comment on Cuter than a carrier pigeon by ramanan

ramanan — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:25:27 +0000

Reminds me of Raise High the Roofbeam Carpenters where he talks about writing notes in the bathroom mirror using soap.

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by adam

adam — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:03:14 +0000

Oh! I’m sorry! I could’ve sworn this was my daughter. Perhaps I should run away before you call child services on me for the abuse I am putting her through by letting her cry.

I’ve used this, not when she was crying, because I generally just shot a dirty look, & that worked wonders. But more recently, because I was told I was a awful parent for keeping her out of school.

I have no tolerance for people that don’t mind their own business when it comes to the narrow viewpoints of a father with his child.

In my opinion, the only ones that should be able to get away with this, are grandparents. Friends, & other family are OK as well, as long as the advice is sought out by a parent.

Comment on I think I’ve finally figured out why weekends are so great by Polly

Polly — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:39:40 +0000

I found that the adjustment when my husband went back to work went relatively smoothly. Alexa is an easygoing kid, and we could take here pretty much wherever we went. However, my husband and I have both had a really difficult time adjusting now that I’m back to work after 13 months off. It’s a whole new world of day care drop-offs and pick-ups, work, meals, preparing for the next day, and cramming as much fun time into those remaining minutes as possible.
After two months at work, I’m still trying to figure it out. So far, the best thing I did was hire a once-a-month house cleaner.

Comment on I think I’ve finally figured out why weekends are so great by Liz

Liz — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:03:37 +0000

Hi Matt.

I agree with Leon. Within the bounds of almost certainly temporary (although probably lengthy) exhaustion, it’s pretty crucial for everyone involved that you keep doing as much as you can of what you were doing, especially going out and about – with and without your baby. And it’s crucial to her that you both have a social life, even if that shifts slightly to be more daytime/early evening than before.

Of course, the same productivity you had before will be impossible for a while. For instance, while writing this (at about 8 pm), I should really be putting both children to bed, clearing up from the day, preparing a pack lunch for Alex for tomorrow, ironing Olivia’s school clothes and making sure her after-school club gear is ready and, oh, doing a bit more work because I had to leave the computer early to take her swimming.

By the time that’s done and the house is half decent again, it’ll be coming up for 10 p,.

It’s important, I think, to be realistic, and not to beat oneself up about not doing things (as I always am). It’s a period of time – a few years – that you’ll be giving shape to a little life.

Before you know it, she’ll be three and taking her grandparents to the children-friendly wine bars/cafes you frequent (Alex: “Can we go a white house [aka. Inn on the Beach] today mummy?”.

And she’ll be three and having amazing and funny conversations with you both that will make you go off in peels and peels of laughter. That will feel just as rewarding as any writing or any of your other creative bents.

Comment on I think I’ve finally figured out why weekends are so great by Leon

Leon — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:57:50 +0000

I’m just starting to feel like myself and Leffe is turning two next week. It takes a while, but it’ll get better.

I highly recommend trying to maintain your lifestyle as much as possible. She’ll adapt. For instance, just yesterday after his nap, Leffe asked to go to the “red door”, so off to Fionn MacCool’s we went! #badparenting

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by Johnpapa

Johnpapa — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:31:06 +0000

“thanks, but she’s on a diet”

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by Matt

Matt — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:24:56 +0000

Karen, you’re right. I shouldn’t have let the guys off the hook by omission. Most of the conversations I’ve had with fellow dads – like most of the conversations I’ve had with moms – have been useful and uplifting. But the exceptions are hardly limited to older ladies. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t say that anyone who thinks you’re not doing a great job with your kids can shove it, because of course you are.

Peter, it’s called a diaper bag. Get with the times.

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by Leon

Leon — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:51:21 +0000

Sounds like you ran into my mom.

Comment on Leave me and my daughter alone, judgmental old women! by Karen Milton

Karen Milton — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:49:45 +0000

Old ladies (and men!) really enjoy having opinions about kids they’ve never met. I’ve been getting lectures for many years about all sorts of things, up to and including my pregnancy weight gain, tattooed appearance and marital status. Today I got a talking-to about Aidan’s cell phone, in fact. Some people take ‘it takes a village’ reeeeeeally seriously, and darned if they’re not going to be that village.