Kitchen Ranch

Clean Hands Are Lame (or not)

As you know, I recently published The Book of Questions for New Parents.  The book offers a starting point for conversations about parenting and relationships within a family.  

I thought of the book the other day when this happened:

We were all at a playground in Sydney having a lovely time.  Beckett fell, or maybe not, but suddenly he had debris and mud on his hands.  He looked at me and held his hands out as if to say, "What next?"  

I told Beckett, as I gestured, "Brush off on your pant legs, no worries."   Rich looked at me and said, "You are teaching our child to clean his hands on his clothes."  He shook his head with a you don't get it kind of look.  

No, I guess I don't get it.  I think it is absolutely fine to use one's pant legs to wipe dirt and debris off while at a playground.

Like I have mentioned before, in our marriage, the simpliest thing can provoke a major disscussion. This is one of those, we agree to disagree kind of moments.      

As you read this we are sitting on an airplane traveling far from Australia.  Next post I'll be coming at you from Central America.

I did it!

Read more about the book below or jump straight to Amazon: The Book of Questions for New Parents

When we arrived in Australia, I had an idea banging around in my head that I wanted to explore.  As a new parent, I longed for a parenting book that would prompt discussion with my partner and inspire us to establish our own family culture.

Hence, the idea took shape for The Book of Questions for New Parents.   

A lot of the questions in this book are examples of real life discussions that my husband Rich and I have faced. Rich and I have been married for almost 18 years and we have three children: Pixel, Robert and Beckett. In truth, we often disagree when it comes to parenting styles.

A seemingly simple topic like, "Boxed sugar cereal and should we serve it to our children for breakfast," will send us into a heated debate about sugar, processed food, health, and good habits.

 Rich and I have very different ideas and we are not unique. After countless hours chatting with other moms in neighborhood parks and assorted mom and kid hangout spots, people in the same house oftentimes have very different approaches to parenting. 

When it comes to differences, a good conversation can result in a clear solution.

It is my hope that The Book of Questions for New Parents will elicit thoughtful conversations in relationships–conversations that will lead to a resolute understanding, a clarity of purpose and a strong family.