Meditations on Children from a Childless 20-something (Issue #5)
This week’s theme is children - the kids we were, the parents we had, and the little ones who bring joy and chaos to our lives.
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Today’s theme was chosen because even as a childless 28-year-old, I spend a lot of time thinking about kids. Much of this comes from my fiancé Andrew, who always fills me in on the top-notch gossip of his fifth-grade classroom. Every day truly sounds like an episode of Abbott Elementary! But the best look I ever got into the wild world of elementary school was during the height of the pandemic. The experience of hearing third and fourth graders say the most chaotic things during a Zoom class and trying not to be heard laughing from the other side of the living room in our one-bedroom apartment are memories I will never forget.
And of course, I can’t think about kids without reflecting on my own childhood. I’m a proud only child and often revel in its many perks: extra Christmas presents, attention, and lots of time spent in adult company. At times, I longed for siblings to play with, and peers to grow up alongside that would one day help me care for aging parents, but I’ve learned how to make friends into family and will happily fill the auntie role for my friends’ kids. And as a special bonus, because I was born via artificial insemination, I discovered two years ago that I have two half-sisters who will now be in my wedding as bridesmaids!! Definitely a story for another time, but ultimately I did get the best of both worlds. <3
In the last two years, I’ve also become the bougie auntie to two children under 2 years old, which has fulfilled all kinds of dreams for me, hahaha. And yes, I do want children eventually, but for now, I’m enjoying a child-free end to my 20’s.
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Judy Blume Forever on Amazon Prime
Like many middle schoolers, I definitely had a Judy Blume phase that left the most tender mark on my little child-self’s heart. A few weeks ago I saw the new movie adaptation of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” in the theatre, and absolutely LOVED it. So it feels perfect that Amazon has released a whole Judy Blume documentary that I CAN’T WAIT to watch. Check out the trailer for the documentary here!
Romper: The Humbling Tyranny of the Photos Our Kids Take of Us by Kira Cook
This article was such a cool perspective shift for me as a photographer. I love the concept Cook explores - that perhaps there is a particular value in “unflattering” photos and how they tie us to a present moment that would otherwise be forgotten. And maybe a random photo taken by a toddler isn’t that deep, but it definitely could be. Check it out!
Teen Vogue: Influencer Parents and the Kids Who Had Their Childhood Made Into Content by Fortesa Latifi
As social media ages, so do the children who were raised to star on the platform. And now many of these same kids are speaking out against their influencer parents and the ways their childhood became monetized. This article is a contribution to an ongoing conversation about the ethics and impact of children on the internet. I’m interested to see how attitudes will continue to change, and the impact it will have on future generations.
The Guardian: What Makes Me Happy Now: My Very Old Dog by Gabrielle Zevin
In a newsletter about children, it would be a mistake to not mention the animal children that also bring joy to so many lives (including mine)!!! This piece by Gabrielle Zevin was such a surprisingly sweet read. I love these meditations on finding gratitude, taking stock of small moments, and enjoying our limited time with our pets. Zevin is also the author of one of my recent favorite reads, the novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (a fact I didn’t realize until the end of the essay, although I definitely noted how much I LOVED the writing).
The New Yorker: What We Still Don’t Understand About Postpartum Psychosis by Jessica Winter
This article is an important read, discussing misconceptions about postpartum psychosis and the issues that come with the condition. Winter compiles an exceptional deep-dive on the topic, examining bias in treatment along lines of race and class and how our legal, social, and mental health systems are not set up to support parents with the condition.
Cosmopolitan: Postpartum Psychosis Landed Me in a Psychiatric Ward for 17 Days. Now, I’m Ready to Share My Story. by Ayana Lage
This personal essay on Lage’s first-hand experience of postpartum psychosis puts a real face to the issues discussed in the New Yorker article I suggested above. Definitely a heavy read, so take care while reading, but highly recommend you take some time for this story.
Playlists to add to your music library.
The music I loved in childhood can rarely be topped. The unique combination of legitimate hits amplified by nostalgia carries something extra special. So I made a list of songs I loved as a kid. While not all were appropriate for an elementary schooler, they are all hits proving little me had TASTE!!! Check it out. :)
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
Last year Andrew and I had a date night that I think is perfect for couples with or without children! We added a special twist to our normal movie night, by cooking this pasta recipe from the movie Luca. The pasta was delicious and it was the perfect activity before settling into such a heartwarming, beautiful animated film!
I’m not sure when it happened, but there was a point in my adulthood when I stopped liking chicken nuggets made at home. And I was sad about it! I love how convenient they are, but they just never taste as good as fast food nuggets. So I’ve been on a hunt for an actually good freezer chicken nugget, and I think I’ve found the winner. *These chicken nuggets can be found at Costco, Whole Foods, or Amazon Fresh Food Deliveries and are the answer to my freezer nugget dilemma!!
My nephew turned one this past February, and I got him his own custom song! Mama Sing My Song is such a cool service. They ask some questions about the the child you want to gift a song to, and then write + record a song completely customized to them! I think this will become one of my go-to gifts because the song they created was just perfect!! You can save 10% on your own song order by using my referral code *here! (They aren’t paying me to say that, I genuinely love them and wanted to share the code in case it’s useful to you!).
Thanks for reading, and I hope you stick around for the launch of PS, available right after the signature line 👀
Until next time!
P.S. - A New Phrase for Your Vocabulary - “Chef Boyardee Experience”
Final thoughts, reflections, and vulnerable shares (This is an exclusive section to my paid followers. Thank you for your support!)
There’s a phrase I coined in college that brings me an infinite amount of pride to have invented! It all started on an otherwise normal evening during my freshman year. I was at the grocery store when I saw an unassuming can of Chef Boyardee, perched on a shelf.