Much to my own surprise, I’ve been writing this Substack since January 2021, with some degree of regularity. This substack was born out of the many feelings of the pandemic, but also a collection of observations around needing to collectively pause, question, and often laugh at what parenting is … now….which is a wild ride.
For the most part, I have no specific writing process or publishing schedule, and when an idea furiously comes to mind at an inconvenient time (while driving, in the middle of a meeting, while putting the kids to bed, etc.) then I race to write it down and form cogent sentences out of that idea. However hectic that process, I’m glad to still have a presence here, especially on weeks like this one, which was rough in the most extremely mundane ways.
Anyhow, in honor of 3+ years writing this: AMA in the comments!
Work stuff? Parenting stuff? Book stuff? Writing a substack stuff? Do I exercise? My opinions on fave socks or water bottles or the Kate Middleton situation? If I watch trash TV or my opinions on whether it’s actually important to walk 10,000 steps a day? If I let my children take over my Spotify algorithm? How I really feel about easter or any of the candy basket holidays? How I felt about both my children having lice this week and my fridge breaking? Post your question and i’ll do my best!
Recs-for-almost Spring:
To visit: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden before everyone storms it for cherry blossom season. Daffodils, snowdrops, and crocuses are popping and it’s delightfully quiet (for another week or two).
To watch: One Day, the new show with the wonderful Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall (from White Lotus!), but not One Day, the movie with Anne Hathaway.
To watch: Jury Duty, the docu-comedy where everyone on a jury in a civil trial is an actor except one person. A few eps in and this is really well done and truly hilarious.
Kid crafts: Ada spent her allowance on one of these Diamond Art Kits at Michael’s and if you have a kid with reasonably advanced fine motor skills who enjoys repetitive, tactile activities, and you are ready to welcome 20,000 microscopic beads into your house, this is actually a pretty great and occupying activity that has, at least, captured my child’s attention.
To savor: Loryn Brantz’s Poems of Parenting are so spot on.
To read: Grief is for People by Sloane Crosley for laughing and crying in one big slurp, Good Material for Dolly Alderton which I half listened to on audiobook and am reading the second half in hardcover because I really don’t like audiobooks. (AMA!). Also just picked up Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton which everyone has recommended to me multiple times over (which is newly out in paperback).
To eat: onigiri sandwiches at Tokuyamatcha & Onigirazu in Alphabet City. It’s a thing and IMO it is perfect.
To read: Kathryn Jezer-Morton’s profile of Dr. Becky in The Cut: How Dr. Becky and ‘Good Inside’ Professionalized Parenting. I have a lot of feelings about Dr. Becky but I will refrain until y’all have read this. KJM is my favorite columnist of parenting content and her newsletter is Brooding at The Cut.
To read: “Losing the Way Home: The Irrepressible Uncanny in Hayao Miyazaki” (on Mubi.com) by Kim Hew-Low (also our kids’ amazing longtime sitter)
To see: Illinoise — the Justin Peck choreographed “new kind of musical” that’s a dance, that’s a play. Based on Sufjan Stevens’ album Illinois and brought to life through story and motion. At the Park Avenue Armory through 3/26 and a total delight, whether you’re a Sufjan fan or not.
To wear: Have rec’ed it once but will rec again that the best transitional season layering jacket is the Le Mont St. Michel work jacket.
To play: Strands, the new NYT game in beta. Also generally a big fan of the NYT Games update. Good job, crew.
Recs of the week, pls: What is a good starter sewing machine for a kid? I have one that’s a little more mid-level. Ada knows basics and wants to learn!
Have a nice weekend!
Given the Tulum debacle, what is your favorite place to vacation with kids?
Love your newsletter!! I always look forward to reading them when they pop up in my inbox. And yes, please share your take on the Kate Middleton drama…what do you think is going on?!