Playful Parenting

Playful Parenting I recently finished this book by Laurence Cohen, and thought it was the best "parenting advice" book I've read. At the beginning, I thought I already did most of the things he recommended, and that I might pick up a few tips, but as the book progressed I found much more good advice than I could have imagined. The area of most use in our household is the discussion of how to deal with the parent who is out of the house all day being rejected by the child upon return. We have had many nights of "I don't want Daddy," and the situation has improved after just a week of trying his techniques.

We have always followed a policy of trying to turn everything into a game, but Cohen recommends a level of play that reaches full-out ridiculousness. It feels funny at first, but wow, it really works. Read the book, try a few techniques. You'll be glad you did.

What We Read Last Night

Pierre Lucy read this to me, and I have never read it to her, so we got quite an interesting tale! As far as she was concerned, this was another book about lion dancing.

Too Many Rabbits by Peggy Parish This one is a fun story, but the pictures are really not too exciting compared to the lushly illustrated books we are used to reading.

Ladybug Magazine She has been reading magazines a lot lately. This particular one had an article about what you call the driver of different vehicles (a pilot flies the plane, etc.)

Mr. Book

My mother is a teacher, and she has long had in her classroom a friend named "Mr. Book." Mr. Book gives the students advice about how to treat him, with pages like, "Don't eat me, I'm not food," and " Turn pages carefully, don't tear me." Lucy got her own copy of Mr. Book, and has learned to treat her books like friends, although if you ask her what Mr. Book says, she'll proudly tell you, "Don't eat me, I'm food!"

The most special books in Lucy's collection are those created by her family. Construction paper, pens, and some form of binding are all that are required, and they really make her feel good. In addition to Mr. Book, she has Lucy Visits California, Lucy's Sleep Book, and Lucy's Alphabet Book.

Sometimes People Call Me Honey

A beautiful morning at the Guggenheim. Sketching the David Smith sculptures. Like a science fiction novel, the same cab driver who dropped us off was waiting at the entrance. He was very sweet, chatting with Lucy and giving her the receipt. When we got out of the car she told me, "Mommy, sometimes people call me honey." They sure do, and in your case it's only because you're so sweet.

Buzz Buzz

Flight of the Bumblebee, running around in circles for 45 minutes. We may never relax. On the other hand, it's an excellent workout...

What We Read Last Night

Lucy read to herself, Clifford's First Snow Day. She wanted to sleep in her igloo tent from Ikea, but didn't quite make it.

Of Big Bird and the Monkey King

Last night I joined Lucy in the bath, and we had a really pleasant long conversation about what she is thinking about: Big Bird. And when can I visit China like Big Bird? Where is the Monkey King? When will Sesame Place be open? I love quiet times like this when we just talk. It made the ensuing 45 minutes of being cold, wet, and pruny worthwhile.