A lovely poem. It speaks to how incredibly vulnerable our daughters are, and how helpless we feel on seeing their pain. I went through the same things when I was in school, but didn’t have parents who understood or made an effort to connect. I love how you persist, despite the prickly responses. The cereal bowl! Your daughter is so lucky to have you.
Thanks, Mary. My dad wasn't always great at the whole emotional availability thing. But he was on his second family with me and my sister and I think he'd learned a thing or two about daughters at that point. My girl has been one of my best teachers when it comes to just showing up despite the barbs of adolescence. She's always been my hedgehog, but it's worth all the prickles. 💕
My daughter was a hedgehog as well. She’s thirty-nine now, and life has thrown her some enormous challenges. But I can’t imagine a world without her. I kept trying, and often came up short, sometimes overstepped. It’s true that you can’t hurry love. But she’s strong, and I hope I can say that some of that came from me. I listen to her, she listens to me. When I want to help her and she resists, I play the Dad card. It works! We’re a very close family. I know that you’re a great mom. She may have difficulties ahead, but with you on her side, she’ll get through. So will you. ❤️
Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wrap them in bubble wrap and protect them from the world? Instead we get to feel all their hurts like they are happening to us. Parenting is the most vulnerable work there is.
Wow, what a poem! That was so fun and beautiful, Tara. I love that your daughter got to read those words from you, how very special. Uh, my heart!!!
Thank you for the kind words. It means so, so much to me. I showed them to my husband and we both did a little happy dance--I feel so honored to share these stories, and that gorgeous souls such as yourself receive them. Thank you.
Thanks so much for reading and supporting my writing. It means so much. So happy to have found your work here. Looking forward to whatever you write next! 💙
A lovely poem. It speaks to how incredibly vulnerable our daughters are, and how helpless we feel on seeing their pain. I went through the same things when I was in school, but didn’t have parents who understood or made an effort to connect. I love how you persist, despite the prickly responses. The cereal bowl! Your daughter is so lucky to have you.
Thanks, Mary. My dad wasn't always great at the whole emotional availability thing. But he was on his second family with me and my sister and I think he'd learned a thing or two about daughters at that point. My girl has been one of my best teachers when it comes to just showing up despite the barbs of adolescence. She's always been my hedgehog, but it's worth all the prickles. 💕
My daughter was a hedgehog as well. She’s thirty-nine now, and life has thrown her some enormous challenges. But I can’t imagine a world without her. I kept trying, and often came up short, sometimes overstepped. It’s true that you can’t hurry love. But she’s strong, and I hope I can say that some of that came from me. I listen to her, she listens to me. When I want to help her and she resists, I play the Dad card. It works! We’re a very close family. I know that you’re a great mom. She may have difficulties ahead, but with you on her side, she’ll get through. So will you. ❤️
Lovely indeed. I makes me so nervous for all that is in store for my daughters (now, 9 and 11)
Wouldn't it be nice if we could just wrap them in bubble wrap and protect them from the world? Instead we get to feel all their hurts like they are happening to us. Parenting is the most vulnerable work there is.
Oh this poem is so perfect. I really do love it. I know these conversations so well (my daughter is 13). Thanks for sharing.
So glad this one resonated for you. Thanks for being here.
What a wonderful, tender poem! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for reading! 🙏🏻
Love that,
Thank you!
Wow, what a poem! That was so fun and beautiful, Tara. I love that your daughter got to read those words from you, how very special. Uh, my heart!!!
Thank you for the kind words. It means so, so much to me. I showed them to my husband and we both did a little happy dance--I feel so honored to share these stories, and that gorgeous souls such as yourself receive them. Thank you.
Thanks so much for reading and supporting my writing. It means so much. So happy to have found your work here. Looking forward to whatever you write next! 💙
1. Love the poems! My mom still buys me stuff for Valentine’s Day!
2. Thanks so much for sharing my piece! I truly appreciate it and hope you have the best weekend ever.
Your mum sounds lovely. Thanks so much for reading. I hope your weekend is fabulous, too. 💙
Thank you so much