Segullah

Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured

Had it With Homework

. When my children explode through the door at 3:15 and open their backpacks and folders, I find my blood pressure rising. It’s not just the chaos of the afternoon, the recounting of the day, the voracious snack consumption, or strewn backpacks, shoes, and coats. It’s the homework. I’ll admit it—I am a conscientious objector [...]

When I grow up I want to be a…

doctor, lawyer, fireman, teacher? When you ask kids what they want to be when they grow up you get one of those 4 answers. When I ask the missionaries that revolve in and out of my house for dinner, at least 50% give me the “I have no idea” line. Occasionally, I am impressed at some of the [...]

Pliability, Adaptability, Variability

When Grandma is writhing in pain from cancer– who will hold her hand? When the school calls about Johnny’s trouble with reading– who will spend countless hours tutoring him? When a neighbor goes through divorce and then depression– who will tend her children; who will bring her meals? We will. The Women of Zion.

Scary Teachers, Scary Parents

I have a child who hates school.   He didn’t always hate school.    The kindergartener who upstaged all the other tyrannosaurus rexes loved school.   The first grader whose portrayal of Medusa delighted audiences at the end of the Greek mythology unit adored school.   His first years of learning were joyous and fun.  What happened to my youngest [...]

What He Needs

It was the first time one of my best friends said, “Well, it’s not like you can expect them to give him his very own curriculum.” I stood in silence, my stroller next to hers as we prepared to walk home, batting my lashes, blinking and stunned. I didn’t bother to tell her, “Yes I [...]

A Life Like Mine: World Living 101

My captive children munched on popcorn, and sloppily slurped juice from their thermoses in the backseat of the minivan as we made our way across the George Washington Bridge on our trek south to Virginia. My four-year-old glanced up briefly to cheer the Manhattan skyline (a landmark in the journey) as Bhangra music chimed through [...]

“Your Mom Goes to College!”

A few Sundays ago, a group of us was brainstorming ways we could help the sisters in the ward live more providently in light of the current economic crisis. “Teach them to can!” a person offered. “Create a Relief Society recipe book!” another said. “Tell them to stop applying for secret credit cards and then [...]

Next to Godliness

Becky’s house is immaculate. Not just clean, but a place of wonder. There is no junk, no clutter; dust and crumbs are whisked away before they hit the floor or an unsuspecting tabletop. Her four children are all well-trained to hang up backpacks, jackets, towels; to stow away shoes and dirty laundry; to eat without [...]

All the World’s a Critic

Have you heard the three rules of human relationships? First, don’t criticize. Second, don’t criticize. Hmm, and what’s the third one again?

Pharoah’s Dream

Most likely, you remember this talk of President Hinckley’s, it was just weeks after September 11th, 2001 and given in the Sunday morning session– the session where the prophet speaks to the world. We had a renewed hunger for prophetic counsel that fall and waited eagerly in our homes and halls for his comfort and [...]

Has the counsel changed?

My entire life hinged on a single sentence. “And in your schooling prepare yourself to be a mother in Zion, for this is your role in life.” Less than a page and generic in almost every way, my patriarchal blessing contained just this one startling admonition. I was stunned, humbled, disappointed. Academics were my venue [...]

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