Have a Lovely (Long) Weekend.

I loved the article about freedom. A family member of our’s—a young father—has recently been given a devastating cancer diagnosis. He has short years to live but most go to work to pay for his healthcare rather than spending precious time with his young children. That isn’t freedom. Freedom would be a country that values families enough to have healthcare as a right.

The progressive freedom article feels a bit Canadian….we have the ‘Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ in our constitution, which includes freedom of conscience and belief, aboriginal rights, multiculturalism, equality, etc., with the idea that these fundamental freedoms form the basis of the Canadian identity.

My husband is a night owl and I am an early riser. At 38 week pregnant with our second child I heard that author interviewed on Fresh Air, and had an epiphany! Rather than trying to meet somewhere in the middle and both end up sleep deprived, we’d have night and morning shifts. I’d nurse the baby, pass him off to husband, and they’d pace the halls late at night. Or he’d work with the baby in a carrier. Then come the morning shift, I’d take over. Such a difference from the first baby, where’d we’d switch off every hour, bouncing baby, while shooting dagger eyes as the other one slept. We both got sleep when our bodies wanted it.

A night owl here – always have been, always will be. Sadly, my job starts very early. I’ve gotten used to it, but never feel great the way I do when I can sleep at a time that feels healthy for me. Staying up into the weeee hours, working creatively when the world is fast asleep… aaah …. heaven!

My husband is a Night Owl too, exactly like Alex! I sent him the article immediately and he 100% relates. We always talk about how there is nothing wrong with him there is something wrong with society for not realizing that this it is a strength. He has his own business so can luckily set his own hours (if only we could convince our daughter to sleep in too, lol).

Also I notice that every woman that has posted a conservative comment, you have disabled the ability to reply. Why? These women were respectful. Do you not agree with FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

I hope Anton’s first days of kindergarten are super fun. We’re all rooting for him ❤️

Ack, couldn’t Alex have interviewed more women for that piece? Yikes, the disparity.

This photo is gorgeous, Stella!

Thought the progressive freedom article was interesting, although I did not totally agree with every aspect of it. For a more comprehensive look on the difference between “freedom to” versus “freedom from”, look for it The Handmaid’s Tale. Atwood defines “freedom from’s” as the alleviation of poverty, hunger, and fear, while “freedom to’s” are the rights to free expression, bodily autonomy, etc. In the book, women are given their “freedom from’s” to justify the stripping of their “freedom to’s”. Although the situation is obviously not as extreme, Buttigieg’s progressive freedoms are “freedom from’s”, not “freedom to’s”. Not sure if the new tv series really mentions it, but it’s a big theme in the book.

The article on “freedom” was complete wish-wash and backed up by nothing but “wishes” for an unprecedented sort of freedom. I love Cup of Jo but in the last year the one-sided political spectrum you promote is so sad and so hypocritical. Talk to people who aren’t liberal or extreme leftists. No, they are NOT racist or fascist or any other label the left wants to slander and smear on them! Just try it. Maybe you’ll be surprised.

LOVE the marriage hacks article. I love living in my own stories and have got to break that habit. Came at just the right time.

That photo is amazing, Stella! And after reading all the great reviews, I have to get a copy of The Kissing Hand for my daughter as she starts school later this week. Also- Bananas Three, ahhh the sweetness!

Love the Alex article! I’ve always been a night owl – I can’t tell you how many times (in the words of Jerry Seinfeld) night time Lisa has screwed over daytime Lisa. Just one more episode, just stay up a little bit later …
I now have very clear evidence (thanks uterus!) that there are morning and night people. My first born is a total night owl. He perks up in the evening and would stay up forever if we let him. My daughter on the other hand pretty much falls asleep at 7:30, regardless of where we are, but is wide awake from the moment her eyes open in the morning.

Loved Alex’s story about Night Owls! Thanks for giving me some street cred to share with my boss!! :-)

Alex’s essay about making friends in your 30’s is still one of my very favorites. Especially that line that goes something like, “our friendship was like a rom-com without the rom.” Golden. #hesakeeper

Haha Alex’s article is hilarious!

Alex’s article is great! I can so relate !

I love the night owl piece by Alex. I have so many stories I could tell in this vein…I’ve been a night owl all my life, married a night owl and now we have two night owl kids!!! It’s bizarre when your six- and eight-year-old kids stay up later than most adults, but after literal YEARS of fighting it, I have made peace with it more recently so Alex’s piece was especially timely for me.

Oh wow, “let go of your victim story” clarified so much. Thanks for posting this article. “Oftentimes, you are the one who has issues and you subconsciously choose external evidence to prove what you are afraid of rather than looking inward and critically examining those fears and insecurities. Truth bomb. There it is.” I needed this truth bomb.

I love the freedom piece! For me, freedom is the assurance of a basic good quality of life for myself and everyone around me. Not some bizarre ‘right’ to do whatever I want, regardless of larger implications, but liberty to live a good life, knowing that I and everyone Iin my community have access to live a decent life.

For Anton – watch the HBO series, Kindergarten. It was made in the late 90s, I think? But on constant replay on HBO Family. It’s a nice way for kids to see what to expect…

My students love it when I read this book on the first day of school! For my students who need that extra love during the school day, I draw a heart in the palm of their hand and tell them to squeeze it when they’re feeling like they’re missing their mommies and daddies. They feel so brave when they’re able to squeeze all on their own! :)

This book was great to help my daughter get ready for kindergarten.
https://www.amazon.com/Bindergarten-Ready-Kindergarten-Books-Paperback/dp/0140562737/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536017551&sr=1-1&keywords=mrs+bindergarten+gets+ready+for+kindergarten

The Kissing Hand is such a lovely book! Another starting school book we love is School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex – very funny and charming and great for the Kindergarten set. Good luck Anton!