Erin Perry O'Donnell » Archive
The girl next door
Whenever I see the black Dodge truck parked in front of my neighbor’s house, I go ahead and set an extra place at our dinner table for Lucy* — our off-the-books foster daughter. Lucy is our neighbor’s granddaughter. Pat’s house is her second home and, by extension, so is ours. She’s expected to help put away … Read entire article »
Filed under: Other People's Kids
The family that serves together
Around the time all the good Halloween candy was gone, I decided this was the year to dial down the Christmas gift-a-lanche. Seriously. Hell or high water. I mean it. I always mean it. We’re on a tight budget. To top it off, I had just quit a full-time job. I don’t even know how we … Read entire article »
Filed under: Slouching Toward Adulthood, Undercover Learning
Too old for Santa?
How old is too old to still believe in Santa? I’m thinking 9. That’s my son’s age, and this is the year he has, reluctantly, begun letting go of the Santa myth. Secretly, I am a little relieved about his newfound skepticism regarding the Jolly Old Elf. He’s been on the fence so long I have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Practicing Mom, Slouching Toward Adulthood
“I really hope that’s a raisin”
Life is full of surprises when you’re a parent. So is your house. Heading into the 10-year mark of my career as a mom, I have learned to take many things in stride: shoes left in the bathroom, bikes left in the driveway, broccoli left on a plate. I don’t overlook them; they just don’t surprise … Read entire article »
Filed under: What Can Shock Me Now?
A Lifetime of Firsts (not Fists)
I wasn’t a strict baby-book keeper. Predictably, with each successive child I slacked off a little more. The raw materials are saved; the final product is just not final. So we’ll call them keepsake boxes. I say, it doesn’t matter how you document the special firsts in a child’s life as long as you have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discipline, Practicing Mom, Rookie Mistakes
Why I’m an Amateur, or, Does This Sound Dirty?
I had a great new idea bubbling over in my head and I couldn’t wait to share it with my husband. “My blog — the one I keep saying I’m going to start — I have a name for it!” He put on his “Honey, that’s great!” face and asked me to share. I paused for … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fails, Practicing Mom
About Erin
I've been a writer a lot longer than I've been a mom. I'm still learning at both. This blog is where I let off a little personal and creative steam. Over here you can find my freelance writing portfolio.
I'm also in love with my new role as co-editor of Kansas Women Bloggers.
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