Tell me what topics you want to hear about
Also: midterms, podcast recs, and spicy crunchy goodness
October is our family’s month of both logistical and emotional chaos due to a rollercoaster of celebrations, over-sugaring, and extreme anticipation of Halloween. Our month roughly looks like: father-in-law’s bday, sister-in-law’s bday, anniversary, a fall fest somewhere, brother-in-law’s bday, Julian’s bday, another fall fest somewhere, mother-in-law’s bday, my birthday, a pre-Halloween party, actual Halloween… then… Ada’s birthday (November). Deep breath.
In lieu of a longer newsletter this week, I’m here with two requests:
Midterms are coming: It’s 3 weeks until the midterm elections and polling is very depressing! Dr. Oz and Herschel Walker should not legitimately have a chance, but here we are. Turnout for midterms is historically low and without more turnout Republicans will almost certainly win the House + Senate. The implications of this are vast, whether we’re talking about climate, abortion, or gun laws. So check the situation in critical Senate competitions, get the word out, encourage people to early vote, understand your state’s voting timeline, and vote.
P.S. In New York, early voting starts October 29th. It’s my birthday! Early vote for my birthday!
P.P.S. Also in New York, Election Day (November 8th) is Ada’s birthday! Vote for her birthday! Trump was elected on her first birthday and let me tell you — what a f*cking doozy.
Let me know what you want to hear about: I’d love to hear if there are topics you’re interested in this newsletter covering, whether they’re about parenting, parenting-adjacent, or random kid-related topics spinning in your brain. They can also be not about parenting at all.
Recommendations:
To watch: Bad Sisters on Apple TV, which twelve people have already probably recommended to you, but is great (so far). It’s about five close-knit sisters and the mysterious circumstances surrounding one of the husband’s deaths.
To listen: We Were Three, a three episode podcast series about a small family torn apart by COVID, vaccines, lies, and misinformation from Serial Productions + NYT. Both host, Nancy Updike, whose voice is a soothing balm, and the narrator Rachel are amazing anchors for the storytelling. Take a long walk and binge the whole thing.
To listen: The podcast, Death of an Artist, about the life and tragic death of artist, Ana Mendieta, her husband, the famous minimalist sculptor Carl Andre (suspected in her death), and the art world dynamics leading up to and surrounding her passing.
To listen: Thresholds, a series of conversations with artists and writers about transformative experiences that have shaped their work. I love this prompt and these converastions, hosted by Jordan Kisner, are so good. In particular, I’ve really enjoyed the convos with Leanne Shapton and Eula Biss (so far!). Will write more on some of the a-ha moments from the Eula Biss convo in coming weeks.
To read: I wrote a few pieces for the The Strategist: “7 Actually Nice-Looking Toy Kitchen Sets” and “The 9 Best Kids’ Playhouses (That Won’t Take Over Your Living Room), According to Parents.” Thanks to everyone I talked to!
To see: The Madeline Donahue show, “Strange Magic,” which is loosely about parenting, at Hesse Flatow, up through November 5th. I discovered Donahue’s work on IG and am psyched to see these IRL.
To eat: the congee called “spicy crunchy” at Maya Congee Cafe in Bed-Stuy, which I ran three miles to in the cold rain to satisfy a craving. Soft egg, crunchy shallots, hot sauce. Need I say more?
To eat: All the eggplant dishes at Soothr in the E. Village, which has all-around delicious food, but the Roasted Eggplant Salad with shallot, mint, puffy rice, and a fried poached egg (didn’t know this was a thing) was a real hit!
To play: Julian is a fiend for any type of building toy, the fewer rules the better. He’s also obsessed with magnets. So, this Clixo set of bendable, modular, magnetic components has been a huge hit so far.
See you next week.
I am really curious about the transition from toddlerhood to school age children!
I am also curious about how parenting impacts your relationship with your parents and your relationship, but that might be too personal to share!
October being Pregnancy and infant loss awareness month