Behind the Mask(s)

September 16, 2020 by Heather Reid in COVID, adultlife, family, fashion, friends, kids, momlife

Masks are the most depressing fashion accessory of 2020. In March, when it became clear that we were all going to be wearing them for the foreseeable future, I sewed a few for my kids and me.

A Menu for Change

June 21, 2020 by Heather Reid in adulting, chicago, education, family, food, friends, home, kids, memories

I noticed that even though my cookbook shelf was full, it was dominated by white authors and western-European cuisine. As someone who embraces new food, new experiences, I was embarrassed by the glaring omissions of the culinary foundations of American cooking on the shelf. Time for more change.

The Power of Yes

May 21, 2020 by Heather Reid in adulting, chicago, family, feminism, finding quiet, home, kids

A few months BC (Before COVID), I read Year of Yes, by Shauna Rhimes. The premise is deceptively simple: Despite incredible professional success, the Queen of Shaunda Land felt lonely and unfulfilled. On a dare from her sister, Shaunda spent a year saying “Yes” to everything – speaking engagements, parties, working out, salads, events – and she found her new life surprisingly rewarding and exciting in ways she hadn’t imagined it could be.

I was inspired and energized as she told her story, but as I considered my own life, I felt like I was very, very far away from So Much Yes.

I said no. A lot.

Are You What You Eat?

November 16, 2019 by Heather Reid in adultlife, education, family, food, home, kids, momlife

I have always had my doubts about people who don’t like to eat. Is my son one of those people? Someone who eats the same, monotonous thing every day, for his whole life and doesn’t think twice about it? Who never takes risks, never tries anything new, ever? Someone who eats McDonald’s in France?

The Best Seat in the House

October 16, 2019 by Heather Reid in adultlife, celebrations, family, home, kids, momlife

Friday nights have long been associated with good times: Happy Hours, date nights, movie premieres. Through the years I’ve looked forward to events like those, but lately, my Fridays are more about popcorn and pajamas than pomp and circumstance.

In our home, Friday nights are reserved for movies with my boys, and it’s my favorite thing.

The Hand-Me-Down Blues

September 16, 2019 by Heather Reid in adulting, fashion, home, kids, memories, momlife

My kids have so many clothes.

I’d like to blame my Rockstar-shopping Mom, but she’s really miraculous to behold. If I happen to mention to her that the kids would use an extra rash guard shirt or some variety of pants - like clockwork - a package appears on our porch with said items, and extra treat or two and some paper green anacondas. (That’s a whole other story.)

Of Summers Past and Present

July 14, 2019 by Heather Reid in adultlife, chicago, family, finding quiet, food, guilt, kids

Summer as a parent is a season of extremes; both endless and fleeting.

Exceeds Expectations: A Tale of a Mom's Report Card

May 20, 2019 by Heather Reid in adulting, adultlife, education, family, kids, memories, work

Babies are not good at communication. Beyond malodorous clues, the new little person that I was suddenly responsible for was really terrible at telling me how things were going. For those of us who thrive on positive reinforcement, this was frustrating.

I, Phone: My Dysfunctional Digital Life

March 13, 2019 by Heather Reid in adulting, family, finding quiet, guilt, kids, work, politics

I checked in everywhere. I posted witty updates and tag friends and places. I quoted insightful articles. I was in the maelstrom of social media, and I reveled in the connectivity, the community of it all. I loved it.

Until I didn’t.

Saying Goodbye to Max

February 03, 2019 by Heather Reid in adulting, family, in memoriam, kids, memories, momlife

There’s something of a miracle in each pet that enters our lives. Without Maximus, we never would have found Matty. And without both of them, we might not have been ready to be parents together.