“The Kiddy Pool” Articles

“But that scene with Pam and Jim reminded me of something more, too, of something that holds my marriage together in spite of my shortcomings.”

“The problem with reading the book at age 15 was that I, a privileged idealist looking to books for heroes, could not possibly fathom the losses and regrets that permeated the lives of Daisy and Gatsby.”

“Where most Americans see a juxtaposition of purity and corruption, one that offends our sensibilities, those views of children and smoking are not shared everywhere around the world.”

“While I appreciate the concept behind the Christian princess, Scripture doesn’t talk about God’s children as princes or princesses.”

“… I too had been swept into the magic of Nutcracker’s world, my daughter’s world, where beauty reigns triumphant, conquering us from the inside out.”

“It wasn’t until I stopped to reflect on the way home that I realized what a treasure that toy must have seemed to my daughter.”

“. . . mixed with that fragility is a gracefulness that speaks to the eloquence of a Creator whose handiwork implores us to look around and marvel like artists, scientists, and little children.”

“I think that creative itch derives directly from our origins as creatures made in God’s image.”

“It’s my job to to treat them as whole humans while demonstrating that even if I’m ‘Mama’ first, I’m more than that, too.”

“It’s worthwhile for grownups to consider our own understandings and ideals of childhood, because, after all, when it comes to the kingdom of God, aren’t we called to come as little children?”

“Roiphe misses the fact that motherhood is a calling for many women, and that engaging in it joyfully was supposed to be a valid choice in feminism.”

“Sometimes the work of understanding God’s promises is pretty simple, and reading with my toddler helps me approach the Bible with fresh, childlike faith.”

“I know I’m not perfect; we all get only one perfect Parent, and I’m clearly not it.”