Watching my children develop/find passions, become more themselves, is beyond amazing, one of the coolest, most enlightening - and downright fun - parts of parenthood. My oldest son is OBSESSED with gems and snakes. Yes, rocks and gems (so much so, that one of our boy kitties is named Ruby Sparkles) and snakes and reptiles. Every book from the school library, every writing assignment... cobras and gems. It's amazing and hilarious.
My middle son... Legos and food. Dragons. My littlest son...TBD ha.
It's a joy and a true gift to observe and engage with all these interests and I can't wait to see what's to come.
PS. Fellow Nutcracker party child dancer here too! One of my core memories from my own childhood. And yes, we have my Angelina Ballerina book on the shelf as well :)
So sweet. I am on the other side - one in high school and one in college - and this brings back so many memories. My daughter was obsessed with pink and princesses and "twirly" dresses. Didn't care for dolls at all, but if there was a pink option, that is what she chose. Also loved, loved, loved music. Now she is 20 and dresses in doc martens and flannels every day and refuses to wear a dress, but she is still into music and plays several instruments. My son loved to dress up - I have a picture of him at 4 with my heels on - and was the class clown. Now he never misses a gym day and is a serious, straight-A student. So funny when I think of their phases and obsessions and how so little of it sticks!
I recently "taught" my daughter about pinecones and where they come from. Now all she wants to do in our yard is go pinecone hunting. I'm glad my love for gardens/nature has gotten into her somehow!
Watching them become themselves is so fucking cool. My son asks for Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” at least once a week still—and similarly on repeat, no “this and similar artists” BS. He has so many little quirks that are a combo of my husband and I, and all his own thing. I was always interested in performing but never was able to work through my own stage fright to actually see it through publicly (many a performance took place in the safe confines of my home) and I see him moving toward that. While watching the Grammys this year he was rolling around on the floor, jumping up, arms wide, on the furniture (his stage) and singing. He will dance at the drop of a hat and it makes my heart swell so big I think it may explode. That self-expression, regardless where it comes from, is everything I hoped my child would be able to access.
I adore this - I love the nutcracker too and have secret dreams of taking my daughters to it and hoping they love it! But it’s also okay if they don’t 🩷 My one and a half year old is soooo into Frozen and it warms my heart how often she sings “Wet it gooooo” to herself
My son went through a phase where he was OBSESSED with a red dress. He wanted to be like 'Elinor Wonders Why' and insisted on wearing it everywhere. It made him confident and he was so proud of it. He's grown out of that phase and that dress, but I found it recently and it made me tear up. ❤️
Awwww so sweet! Now as a mom to two boys only, I never ever thought I’d be in this world of monster trucks and hot wheels and Pokémon…alas here I am. And to be honest I’m digging it?! Like I think I have enough feminine energy for the entire house and then some 😂 I always say that you get what you need not necessarily what you want and now I know I needed to be a boy mom. It’s incredible how we grow and adapt and learn to connect with our kiddos!!
Oh my goodness- saving this forever. My super hero loving 4 year old son LOVES the nutcracker (also battle scene was the entry 😅). His third birthday party theme was the nutcracker! We took him to see it this winter and it was pure magic. Perhaps my biggest joy of parenting so far. Sending love
This is so so so lovely! My grandmother gifted me and my brothers a nutcracker every year for Christmas from birth until she passed away when I was 20. My brothers and I would play with them for hours every Christmas season - they would stage full military battles with their respective armies. They definitely fueled our love of the original ballet! And it’s so fun every Christmas season when 74 nutcrackers are unpacked and unleashed on my parents’ house!
Aww this article and story is so lovely. For so long I was unsure of I wanted motherhood but things like this make me excited for whatever life and people come into mine over the next few years
The title of your article is not my favorite because it almost certainly leaves out so many parents who do not share DNA w their children. I read through the article and realized you weren’t actually talking about DNA so the title is not representative of this article. This essay did make me think about topic of gender expectations, how we teach our children about the things we love and what shapes identity. Which I appreciate! . I do like yalls substack but hoping for so more depth and inclusion on topics of parenthood
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this comment, Andy. Not to excuse it - but Substack has just introduced a new "title experiment" feature and we actually used it on this article for the first time -- with the DNA title outperforming other options. This was a clear oversight on my part though, and I really appreciate the thoughtful way that you brought it to my attention. We're always learning and striving to be more thoughtful / inclusive around these narratives. Thank you for reading!
Oh wow! Same Nutcracker obsession over here with my newly 3 year old little girl, who has been forcing everyone to call her "Clara" since December when we took her to see the Nutcracker for the first time. Since then we have read, watched, listened, and danced to the Nutcracker every. single. day! As a little girl I also went through an intense Nutcracker phase and listened to a Lambchop Nutcracker tape to fall asleep every night until I wore it out - I have also wondered if there's some Nutcracker gene that I passed down to her 😂🤷♀️ Wish she and your son could dance together! 🥰
At 5-6 my daughter was obsessed with flexibility and contortion. She would set an alarm to wake up and do stretching routines before school and was constantly doing the splits and trying to get a back bend. Now at 7 she is not as interested in waking up early, but so fun to see what grabs their attention as they become their own person!
Watching my children develop/find passions, become more themselves, is beyond amazing, one of the coolest, most enlightening - and downright fun - parts of parenthood. My oldest son is OBSESSED with gems and snakes. Yes, rocks and gems (so much so, that one of our boy kitties is named Ruby Sparkles) and snakes and reptiles. Every book from the school library, every writing assignment... cobras and gems. It's amazing and hilarious.
My middle son... Legos and food. Dragons. My littlest son...TBD ha.
It's a joy and a true gift to observe and engage with all these interests and I can't wait to see what's to come.
PS. Fellow Nutcracker party child dancer here too! One of my core memories from my own childhood. And yes, we have my Angelina Ballerina book on the shelf as well :)
They’re so amazing and unique 🥹 agreed on one of the most fun and enlightening parts of parenthood!
So sweet. I am on the other side - one in high school and one in college - and this brings back so many memories. My daughter was obsessed with pink and princesses and "twirly" dresses. Didn't care for dolls at all, but if there was a pink option, that is what she chose. Also loved, loved, loved music. Now she is 20 and dresses in doc martens and flannels every day and refuses to wear a dress, but she is still into music and plays several instruments. My son loved to dress up - I have a picture of him at 4 with my heels on - and was the class clown. Now he never misses a gym day and is a serious, straight-A student. So funny when I think of their phases and obsessions and how so little of it sticks!
Love this! It’s such a good reminder of how fleeting and to appreciate each phase as it comes — your kids sound awesome ☺️
This is so sweet Aliza!!
I recently "taught" my daughter about pinecones and where they come from. Now all she wants to do in our yard is go pinecone hunting. I'm glad my love for gardens/nature has gotten into her somehow!
I love that Alisha!!! Aw, their little brains are so amazing.
Watching them become themselves is so fucking cool. My son asks for Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” at least once a week still—and similarly on repeat, no “this and similar artists” BS. He has so many little quirks that are a combo of my husband and I, and all his own thing. I was always interested in performing but never was able to work through my own stage fright to actually see it through publicly (many a performance took place in the safe confines of my home) and I see him moving toward that. While watching the Grammys this year he was rolling around on the floor, jumping up, arms wide, on the furniture (his stage) and singing. He will dance at the drop of a hat and it makes my heart swell so big I think it may explode. That self-expression, regardless where it comes from, is everything I hoped my child would be able to access.
The dancing!!! I can picture it 🥹 thanks so much for sharing, Kaitlyn
I adore this - I love the nutcracker too and have secret dreams of taking my daughters to it and hoping they love it! But it’s also okay if they don’t 🩷 My one and a half year old is soooo into Frozen and it warms my heart how often she sings “Wet it gooooo” to herself
Tooo cute! I tried to get my son into frozen too, and for some reason, that one just doesn’t do it for him. Their little minds are amazing!
My son went through a phase where he was OBSESSED with a red dress. He wanted to be like 'Elinor Wonders Why' and insisted on wearing it everywhere. It made him confident and he was so proud of it. He's grown out of that phase and that dress, but I found it recently and it made me tear up. ❤️
This is the sweetest thing ever, Ellie 🥹
So sweet, Aliza! Love to you and J ❤️
💛💛
Awwww so sweet! Now as a mom to two boys only, I never ever thought I’d be in this world of monster trucks and hot wheels and Pokémon…alas here I am. And to be honest I’m digging it?! Like I think I have enough feminine energy for the entire house and then some 😂 I always say that you get what you need not necessarily what you want and now I know I needed to be a boy mom. It’s incredible how we grow and adapt and learn to connect with our kiddos!!
Totally agree! Who knew I could come to appreciate the battle scene so much?! You sound like an amazing mom 💛
Oh my goodness- saving this forever. My super hero loving 4 year old son LOVES the nutcracker (also battle scene was the entry 😅). His third birthday party theme was the nutcracker! We took him to see it this winter and it was pure magic. Perhaps my biggest joy of parenting so far. Sending love
No way!!! Any fun ideas from the Nutcracker themed birthday party? I see that in our future…
I cannot wait to take my son to the actual production next winter 🥹
Loved this - and the Angelina Ballerina throwback! 🩰
Thank you! The nostalgia, right?!
So much nostalgia 🥰
This is so so so lovely! My grandmother gifted me and my brothers a nutcracker every year for Christmas from birth until she passed away when I was 20. My brothers and I would play with them for hours every Christmas season - they would stage full military battles with their respective armies. They definitely fueled our love of the original ballet! And it’s so fun every Christmas season when 74 nutcrackers are unpacked and unleashed on my parents’ house!
That is incredible! Omg, I think my son would lose his mind if he had 74 nutcrackers at his disposal.
Aww this article and story is so lovely. For so long I was unsure of I wanted motherhood but things like this make me excited for whatever life and people come into mine over the next few years
Aw, this was such a lovely comment. Thank you Kendra!
The title of your article is not my favorite because it almost certainly leaves out so many parents who do not share DNA w their children. I read through the article and realized you weren’t actually talking about DNA so the title is not representative of this article. This essay did make me think about topic of gender expectations, how we teach our children about the things we love and what shapes identity. Which I appreciate! . I do like yalls substack but hoping for so more depth and inclusion on topics of parenthood
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this comment, Andy. Not to excuse it - but Substack has just introduced a new "title experiment" feature and we actually used it on this article for the first time -- with the DNA title outperforming other options. This was a clear oversight on my part though, and I really appreciate the thoughtful way that you brought it to my attention. We're always learning and striving to be more thoughtful / inclusive around these narratives. Thank you for reading!
Oh wow! Same Nutcracker obsession over here with my newly 3 year old little girl, who has been forcing everyone to call her "Clara" since December when we took her to see the Nutcracker for the first time. Since then we have read, watched, listened, and danced to the Nutcracker every. single. day! As a little girl I also went through an intense Nutcracker phase and listened to a Lambchop Nutcracker tape to fall asleep every night until I wore it out - I have also wondered if there's some Nutcracker gene that I passed down to her 😂🤷♀️ Wish she and your son could dance together! 🥰
Ah!!! I wish we could get them together! So, so sweet.
At 5-6 my daughter was obsessed with flexibility and contortion. She would set an alarm to wake up and do stretching routines before school and was constantly doing the splits and trying to get a back bend. Now at 7 she is not as interested in waking up early, but so fun to see what grabs their attention as they become their own person!
That is amazing! Your daughter sounds very cool. I can’t wait to see how my son’s interests evolve as he gets older. Thanks for sharing, Rebecca 💜
Getting to see kids become themselves is the absolute pinnacle of parenting, IMO! Just wait til he's choosing a college! 😉
It is so amazing!!! 🥹 omg, college… I can’t imagine