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You've got questions, she's got answers. Be among the first to read Elise Mac Adam's new etiquette guide.
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Zoo Days
No, I'm not actually talking about my household, not that I couldn't be, given the behavior of the local fauna (and flora, for that matter).
I've been silent a lot in recent weeks, and part of this has been due to extreme business, the details of which I'll keep mum on, mostly because they're too, too tiresome and I would end up with a string of comments about unwelcome attacks of narcolepsy. Suffice it to say that I've been hammered in all areas but have nothing at the moment to show for my efforts.
In spite of the lack of results, this period has been incredibly anxiety provoking, but I've hit upon a temporary solution to my nerves that happily doesn't involve drinking before noon, pills or the dread yoga. I've found myself in the right neighborhood with small chunks of time (under an hour) at my disposal and have taken to spending them at the Central Park Zoo. Since I'm a member anyway, these speed visits are cheap and I don't feel any reluctance about buzzing through.
What have I done? I've watched the snow leopards (a new exhibit, a long time in coming) sleep and eye children as if they might possibly taste interesting. It's worth waiting a while (or staging repeat visits) for them to wake up to see their remarkable tails in action.
I've watched morning penguin feedings (ecstatic critters, penguins-- I might cook more if I got this kind of reception for the food I presented) and nearly been decapitated by wild birds in the jungle exhibit.
The harbor seal, who I suspect is often overlooked because he's stuck between the higher profile polar bears and the penguins, is also quite charming, a little fat bullet, spinning around.
It is even pleasant to exchange the odd comment with strangers about the cuteness that disguises savagery in red pandas, and not some imagined slight or the weather or why your kid is a pain.
posted by Elise at 10:32 AM
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The Return of Order
School days are back! At last! And you know how I can tell? There are no more Oreos in the local grocery store (a woman was frantically scanning the cookie aisle with tears in her eyes because they were the primary necessary element in a cupcake recipe). I just needed to get them for bribe purposes (and the organic ones I brought home in a pinch once were rejected, so I wasn't going to try them again).
Today is the first day of school for my children and I know it comes later for them than for you or for anyone else in your experience, but remember, this is still preschool we're talking about. The hardcore start dates won't happen until next year.
But because the summer was endless (and I did discover it was endless for a reason, not just for my own dyspepsia-- this year Memorial Day fell at its earliest possible date and Labor Day at its latest) there is so much restlessness in me and my children. I hardly have the presence of mind to be sentimental about my children growing up because all nostalgia is diluted with impatience-- theirs.
And here is where my children seem to fall into a category: kids who want a schedule. Most children I know really don't care overly about keeping to a pattern of activity. They roll with the punches, enjoy variety. Both of my kids, Felix especially (obviously) really prefer as much structure as possible. They get annoyed with my vagueness, bothered when I have to change plans. They prefer to behave well for other people.
Even the dentist.
In the meantime, what's bothering me? The New York Times. This week they've told parents that one should not praise nor should one withhold it from one's children-- making parents wish they had not glanced at the headline, not because it creates a quandary but because it is incredibly irritating. And then the Motherlode blog decided to rip a question about politeness from the headlines and ask whether children should be taught to apologize. (This is in light of a lot of high profile rudeness antics lately.) And I actually am in favor of teaching children to say things they might not understand (please, thank you, excuse me, sorry) because even if the concept comes later, getting the words out is at least not something utterly unheard of. And I don't mind doing some things for appearances... though I was impressed that at least one child had some sincere pleasure at a dental visit.
posted by Elise at 4:06 AM
1 Comments
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