(I want to preface this by saying my problems are of course absolutely nothing compared to what Palestinians and especially Palestinian parents must go through. I am only expressing these feelings in case there are others who feel similarly and don’t want to feel alone).

I have little kids. For over a year and a half now, I cannot shake this feeling. I don’t really know what to call it. But I cannot accept that my kids have this happy, comfortable life while there are little kids just like them being tortured to death under rubble, in fire, and by IOF bullets. Why am I in this position while Palestinian parents are in theirs? How can reality be this warped? I look at my kids, I can see them experiencing what thousands of kids in Gaza have had to endure, and my brain kinda shuts down. And in those moments it’s actually hard to be around my kids. This isn’t all the time - most often I’m able to be a good, present parent. But in that state it’s like I don’t want to be reminded that children even exist in this world.

It’s like, sometimes when my kid is laughing I can only thing about how there’s another kid half a world away who is screaming in pain, or experiencing terror and sadness in a way I cannot comprehend.

I was raised as an evangelical Christian. The main reason I deconverted years ago was I could not accept the idea of eternal conscious torment in hell for all unbelievers. I could not accept that that was how the universe worked. That was nearly 15 years ago. I hadn’t even thought about it much until these last 19 months. But I recognize the feeling since it’s all coming back. I see kids being tormented and killed, and it’s like my brain cannot accept this is reality.

Seeing that little light inside my children, and know that thousands of little lights are getting snuffed out… I don’t know, I just don’t have any more words or tears.

How's the family?

Wheres small business owner Hooper supposed to dump his trash? No wonder the air smells "sweet"

Don't vote for liberals kids

Shout out to all the commie mommies today!

How are your families, how have you been?

My SO was going to use some cash our kids got easter egg hunting to buy some kid supplies. I always put the cash I open in cards for the kids in their piggy bank.

She admits she always uses that cash to buy them stuff.

I admitted that I thought we were both filling their piggy bank.

She has requested that I ask "the communists [you] talk to" what they do (haha).

Bare in mind, this really only applies to kids who have no concept of money. Obviously, we both agree once they have that concept, its theirs to do as they please.

(This isn't a heated disagreement BTW just a funny revelation)

How are your families, how have you been?

Linked thread put the bee in my bonnet.

Richter

A few weeks ago I disposed of the last of my 3yo’s heart medication. They don’t take anymore. I mean my partner and I haven’t given it to them in two years. It’s no longer part of their treatment. Their treatment plan, in fact, ended about two years ago. For all intends and purposes they have a clean bill of health. But the medication has been sitting in the back of the fridge, like a splitter that was never pulled out. 

The liquid medication, Amiodarone, is a thick syrupy elixir. Our pharmacist said it was okay to dilute and flush it, which seemed uh…not good for the environment. Amiodarone is hard enough on the human body. When they were taking it, our then 8 month old couldn’t go out in the direct sunlight for more than a few minutes for risk of sun poisoning. Among other side effects to their eyes and liver. It is potent and costly and, given to an infant, inevitably ends up on your couch. Can’t imagine what it might do to a river system. 

Our 3yo’s next cardiology appointment is in a year. After that it might be two years. Then maybe not again until they’re a teenager. My partner and I always talk about getting rid of the Amio. That it’s just a reminder of our trauma, not theirs. They don’t have any memory of it. We’ve never wanted our 3yo to grow up with a sense that they’re meek and fragile. That their defining characteristic is some event that happened to them before they could remember anything. They know they went to the hospital, they know they had a sick heart. More importantly they now that dozens of doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to heal them. Sure, they know these things and act differently. They play doctor differently than other kids, insisting on blood pressure cuffs and echocardiograms. That’s what their cardiologist does. They wear a mask with us to the store, are aware of people who are sick, wash their hands regularly. My partner and I sometimes wonder what unknown traumas they endure. It’d be unfair of us to carry on a token from back then in our fridge.

We’d long since taken down the milestone ECG charts from the cork board. The NG tubes are tucked into a box with other hospital memories. We’ve stored all the photos from the hospital, all the ones from immediately before  and after, on a shared drive. There are some hand-me-downs our 1yo never wore, some toys they’ll never play with because those are hospital toys. All those reminders, big and small, are just as compartmentalized as the trauma in our minds. Therapy and consoling each other when we remember helps too of course. But the Amio stayed in the fridge and became almost like a background texture. 

I consulted a friend with knowledge about drug disposals. They suggested soaking charcoal with the medication and burning it in a container. Then dispose of the container and the ashes. I wanted to do that. But I didn’t have time. That is to say that I did actually have time. Plenty of time. Two years and more of time. It could have waited in our fridge longer. I could have incinerated it and done something with the ashes, like incorporating them into ceramic glaze or something, anything to hold onto it. But I put it in the medication drop off bin at the pharmacy. It was unceremonious. And I felt guilty. 

Sometimes I worry that around a corner or behind a door I’ll be back there, in the hospital. Machines and doctors and nurses and monitors and that jeering noise the monitors make when a heart rate is too fast. And my baby, ashen and unmoving, blanketed in wires and tubes, is still there in the past. Where did it all go?

I found this on XHS, its description is:

1986 China Poster

It shows a child sitting on Marx's shoulders. The poster reads: Marx loves children. The poster was published by Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House.

I think I'm going to rotate Stalin out for Marx. This painting is just to good!

https://mlapinski.blogspot.com/2015/12/sesame-street-smart-cookies.html

SMART COOKIES will be a new recurring segment on Season 46 of SESAME STREET (the one premiering on HBO in January).

The segments star Cookie Monster as the rookie agent of a team of crime-fighting cookies called "Smart Cookies." His teammates include leader Chipowski, tech-guy Figby and clue-giver Miss Fortune. In each segment, Cookie Monster learns about self-control and regulation as the team thwarts the dastardly attacks of a villain known simply as "The Crumb."

Wow copaganda and orientalism in my child's Sesame Street? It's more likely than you think

https://xcancel.com/paulkleinfancam/search?f=tweets&q=Sesame&since=&until=&near=

The Smart Cookies drive around in a tactical vehicle that I always imagined as a cross between a cookie jar and the A-Team van. Modeling by Brad Applebaum, surfacing by Stephanie Goldstein and Tim Crowson based on my design. Will there be a toy? (I hope there's a toy) Also fun incorporating kitchen details into the interior consoles.

Cool militarized cop van, hope there's a toy

I love working with this Magnetic team and so much talent and ingenuity went into developing the look for this show. Here's a rundown of those involved:

✍️

free the crumb

Is this jumping the shark? Is this the ouroboros of kids toys? From a toy regularly used to mock annoying kids toys on the show, to an annoying kids toy you can hate in your own home.

Hi Everyone! I struggle sometimes to make my 6 month old baby daughter eat solid food.

What I have tried so far is this:

• Eliminate any distractions such as the TV
• No forcing her to eat
• Try to make her play with the food with her hands
• Always help her to grab the spoon so she can put it in her mouth on her own
• Put her in her baby chair to eat
• Synchronize the feeding time with our own eating time

Despite trying all of these, there are days that she really doesn't want to eat and prefers the baby bottle. Wanted to check with you all if you have experienced the same and see what you have tried so far?

I welcome any feedback!

I send you this well wish from my own bed, next to my sleeping son who farted himself awake, and my sleeping wife. Well before the clock hits midnight here.

Here's to you all! Thank you for showing up to the weekly threads I put out. Each year we struggle in order to try and build a better world for our kids, and it's been an honor to struggle along side you all!

In the last year my youngest started walking and growing his little vocabulary. He is such a card, my little joker. He's developed such a cute personality. So outgoing and ready to interact with people and the world. He clearly loves his big sister and I catch him often emulating her much to her annoyance.

My oldest is becoming a little person, full of silly sassy energy. She is also expressing herself in so many fun ways: through dance, through art, through her words. She cares so deeply about her friends and teachers, always trying to make something for one of them. She clearly cares deeply about her little brother too, even if he annoys her at times. She is so empathetic it leaves me in awe. Even today, after stressing internally about refilling my prescription, she told me "you look a little sad". Which was true, and very validating. I talked with her about why, and she listened even if she didn't really understand.

I know we are a diverse group of parents, with kids of all kinds and ages. I hope for you and yours a year of happiness and love. A year of growth and triumphs. A year full of good memories.

Happy New Year [email protected]!

✌️❤️🧙‍♂️

picture unrelated but it makes me happy to look at

If you don't have kids and reply I might get upset but I'll try to just ignore you

At the Las Vegas Children’s Museum. Teaching them when they’re young that you must work to live.

I talked to my 7 y/o about it. Is that fair? What happens when people cannot work? Should it be that way. I’m a jerk.

Rich as hell... I can't even imagine what it costs. Checked the profile, they mention they have a driver.