Making parenting more fun, easy, meaningful and joyous
Kubla used to have bad dreams a couple times a month. One night he dreamed he was all alone and couldn’t find me or Liping. The next night he was afraid to go to sleep.
When Kubla was two years old, he thought the words for ‘Open it’ were ‘Try harder’. He would hand me a jar to open. I would hand it back and say try harder. He would
“Don’t forget to clear your plate.” Is that really how families want to end dinner? With a chore? That word, chore—makes me think of Cinderella not being able to go to the ball. What do
“I want a cookie” “No. Not before lunch.” Now louder, and whining, “I WANT A COOKIE!” Our family used to fight about sweets at least a couple times a day. Liping and I would fight
It’s time to introduce Kubla to some thinking games. Chess, checkers, Connect Four. I teach him the rules. We play a few games. I warn him what I’ll do next if he makes this move
Like most babies, Kubla loved to drop things and make me pick them up. Like most parents, I quickly got tired of being a baby’s marionette. One day I decide to change the game. Kubla
Kubla won’t fold the laundry. I sit down with him and fold a couple shirts. He plays with his socks. “Kubla, would you please help fold the clothes?” “Don’t want to.” He gets up and
I like to lift weights at home. It saves me a trip to the gym. Three year old Kubla wants to help. I’m afraid he’s going to get crushed by a dumbbell. Liping tries to
There’s an old Samurai saying—Die before going into battle—the idea is to accept death so you can fight without fear. Kubla and I go to the beach. In less than 30 seconds he’s wet and
Three playdates in a row, Kubla bossed and bullied his friend. It wasn’t abating. He needed a positive outlet for his need to control. After the playdate I take him aside. “Kubla, who is the
