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What I Know Today About Parenting

What I Know Today About Parenting

(Robert edition)

Shannan Martin's avatar
Shannan Martin
Sep 28, 2024
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What I Know Today About Parenting
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Two nights ago, I realized I might have a few things to say about parenting. I’m not comfortable calling this “advice,” because I’ve never had the sense that I really know what I’m doing here. But I might have an insight or two, and maybe what my heart needs right now is some space to process these ever-changing winds. (I process most effectively through writing.)

If you’re curious why I’m choosing to do this now, I’m right there with you. I can’t say for sure. But it seems to have something to do with this guy…

one of my all-time favorite pictures of one of my all-time favorite humans. he was so proud of this pose! I love him forever.

…turning 16 this week.

taken last week at a tennis match. I LOVE HIM FOREVER!

I imagined I’d write something practical, like how we have (imperfectly) navigated tech and phones with our kids. But when I asked if you have any parenting questions you’d like me to address, I wasn’t prepared for every response to be about launching big kids into college and early adulthood. I messaged Emily saying something like, “I knew I was old, but are we all old?”

As I also told her, I am only now, upon reflection and perspective, starting to understand some things about raising little people. I don’t know nothin’ about launching big kids yet! Someone, please, tell me what to do!

This preamble is all to say, I’m going to be writing about a bit more personally in the weeks to come. I’m extremely protective of my kids, so you won’t be getting anything you shouldn’t be getting. I am grateful to have the option to share with a smaller, more invested crew. Thank you for being trust-worthy people.

I am overly aware that not all of us here are parents. Conversations about parenting can be sensitive and difficult for a variety of reasons. I hope none of this feels excluding. I love and appreciate each of you!

(If you’d like to become a paid subscriber and continue reading, you’re welcome to join us! And if there’s something parenting-related you’d like me to write about, just holler.)

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