by LAUREN INCOGNITO On a random February morning, I vividly recall staring over my newspaper at my soon-to-be 4 month-old daughter. She was sitting in her car seat, smiling at nothing in particular, sucking contentedly on her teething ring. In that ordinary, benign moment, I was filled with a sense of peace, a shroud of calm I had never known, and I remember thinking that I was an amazing mother. My child was so well-behaved and content; her disposition clearly the product of my skill and Zen approach to parenting. I was convinced that I was the most patient of mothers—far better than those poor schnooks wandering around the grocery store with their wailing babies. “Pay attention ladies, observe my child, observe my parenting prowess,” I glibly thought to myself as I calmly pushed my stroller down the aisle, spiritually centered and shopping for organic apples to make homemade applesauce. I could take my daughter to any restaurant knowing that I could enjoy a leisurely meal. I felt sorry for the frazzled mothers trying to eat while corralling whiny, over-active kids. (I should note: 2010 was the last time I had a cup of coffee without having to nuke it […]
by LAUREN INCOGNITO On a random February morning, I vividly recall staring over my newspaper at my soon-to-be 4 month-old daughter. She was sitting in her car seat, smiling at nothing in particular, sucking contentedly on her teething ring. In that ordinary, benign moment, I was filled with a sense of peace, a shroud of calm I had never known, and I remember thinking that I was an amazing mother. My child was so well-behaved and content; her disposition clearly the product of my skill and Zen approach to parenting. I was convinced that I was the most patient of mothers—far better than those poor schnooks wandering around the grocery store with their wailing babies. “Pay attention ladies, observe my child, observe my parenting prowess,” I glibly thought to myself as I calmly pushed my stroller down the aisle, spiritually centered and shopping for organic apples to make homemade applesauce. I could take my daughter to any restaurant knowing that I could enjoy a leisurely meal. I felt sorry for the frazzled mothers trying to eat while corralling whiny, over-active kids. (I should note: 2010 was the last time I had a cup of coffee without having to nuke it […]