Blog Posts by Christene D'Anca

In our house, Daddy is the fun one. Mommy puts the kids to bed, makes them eat their veggies, tells them not to play with this, that and the other, takes them to school, and generally makes them do all the things they "need" to do. Daddy plays with them, makes funny voices, chases them around the house and is, for lack of a better term, the "fun" one.

It used to make me sad because I felt I was not a good parent. So, I tried being the fun one too, but honestly, I realized Daddy is just better at it. He does it just right, and elicits all sorts of squeals and giggles from our children. I realized that that is just how our roles would be, and I have accepted it. As I draw their baths and make sure they have all their stuff together for the next day, Daddy chases them around the living room as the tickle monster.

This does not mean I am a bad parent. I give them what they need in a different way. I see to their basic living needs and teach them important lessons so they don't hurt

I have to confess, I am terrible at keeping things alive. Since I have two small children, I know this may sound scary, but I assure you, I am great with the kids. Plants and high maintenance pets on the other hand are a completely different story.

I once had a fern. It died. Ferns are supposed to be super easy to maintain and extremely durable. I inadvertently killed a cactus. They don't even require water! People give me plants as gifts a lot. Despite my best efforts they never make it more than a week.

So, one day, not long from now, when one of my kids brings home a pet, unless it is a kitty or a puppy, I am terrified of the outcome. I can just see the tears and screaming when their goldfish, which they so carefully named, and loved, goes missing. How many times am I going to have to replace it in the middle of the night? How similar do hamster look? Will they know Buttons is an imposter?

Aside from cats and dogs (of which I have my share), pets can be a lot of

Although my children are far from college age, I cannot help plan for their futures. As any mother, I want what is best for children, so honestly when the time comes I would really like if they were to go to a local community college first and then transfer to a larger four year institution. This is why:

1. Going to a community college first can help them discover what they really want to do. We all have ideas of what we want to major in when we are in high school, but sometimes in our first or second year we find new interests. Most community colleges allow them to explore these options, dabble in coursework for different fields, and identify their goals.

2. Regardless of whether they will attend a four year out of high school, or transfer to one from a community college, they will still have to go through the college acceptance process. However, if they choose to transfer it postpones the process by a few years. Along with number one above, this grants them the

There seems to be common misconception about what breasts are supposed to do. As sexualized as they have become in modern times it is no wonder that a lot of women are confused as to their intended purpose, which is to feed babies.

Yes, breasts are sexy, and depending on preference, the larger the better. However, did anyone stop to think why large breasts are deemed so desirable? Because they imply fertility and large stores of milk once the baby arrives.

I know that some women cannot breastfeed due to not producing enough milk. Or they have some other physical reasons for being unable to. These are not the women I am thinking of for this article.

I do not understand why so many women are completely freaked out by the prospect of breastfeeding. I understand it is a strange sensation. Having done it for two kids now, I have to say it is not like anything I have ever felt, and frankly cannot describe it.

Some women I know cannot handle this sensation, and they choose

I always knew I wanted to have kids. That was never the question, however, I did not always like kids. More specifically I did not always like other people's kids. Now, having two kids, has helped me realize that it was not that I did not like kids, but more accurately, I did not understand them.

I am an only child who was brought up in a very protective environment. Growing up I was pretty isolated. I never came into contact with other little children until I went to kindergarten. Basically I had no real knowledge of how children operate.

Spending each day figuring out how my daughter and son work, what they like and don't like, how they react to different things, has helped me gain a whole new understanding for children. I no longer regard children as these cute little frightening bundles. I communicate with them, wave hello and try to talk to them to find out things like their names and age. I actually started taking interest in other people's children, not just because

Ever since my son was born, the C word loomed in the back of my mind, and we were all too terrified to breathe it. After having my daughter, who turned out to be a complete little angel, I was sure I would be paying for it with my son. There was no way I could get away with having two little blessings who hardly ever cried, and were content practically all the time, sleeping through the night at merely a few months of age.

I had heard all the stories about children with colic. I have friends who suffered through months of prolonged, unabated crying. These babies were inconsolable. For me the worst part is not the crying in itself, but the pang a mother feels when she sees her little one so distressed and cannot do anything to soothe them. This was my biggest fear.

All the books say that colic usually commences around the third week, and I waited, practically holding my breath when the time came. Last night, as my son turned six weeks, I exhaled. He certainly cries more than

Yesterday was the last day of my maternity leave, and I cannot help but reflect on the last six weeks. Spending time with my newborn baby, and his older sister was nothing short of amazing. Having had my daughter in daycare since she was six weeks old (she is currently seventeen months old) I missed out on her growing up. While spending time with our newest addition I got to catch up with her as well. I also got to learn things about her, our new baby, and myself.

1. They really do grow up too fast

I cannot believe my son is already six weeks old today. I swear I just gave birth a few days ago. Six weeks ago? Really??? My itsy bitsy baby now weighs twelve pounds?

2. Nursing is very relaxing

You would think I would have learned this with my daughter, but back then I was a newbie and I was too concerned with doing everything "right" to stop and just simply enjoy having my baby next to me, doing all sorts of cute things while feeding.

3. It is okay if your kid starts

It is one in the morning. My daughter is in bed. She is not asleep. She is screaming her little head off, and we are letting her. My husband and I tried everything. She does not want to sleep. She wants to come out and hang out with us. We want to go to sleep. My husband has work in the morning, and I have a two week old who will be waking up in a matter of minutes for his nightly feedings. Our daughter needs to go back to sleep.

We are letting her cry it out. We have never done it to this extent. We have let her cry for a few minutes in the past, testing to see if maybe she will calm herself down, but usually we give in and go back in her room. Not this time. There is no consoling her, not after this many hours. We have no choice.

I am sitting up in bed nursing my son, listening to my daughter's shrieks and screams coming from the other room, and it is hard. I feel inadequate, and hearing her saddens me. I know it is for her own good in the long run, but what is a mother to