Exploiting My Baby : A Blog by Teresa Strasser

A few months ago, I recorded an episode of “The Mental Illness Happy Hour” with host Paul Gilmartin. I’ve gotten so much lovely feedback from those who have heard it, I thought I would post a link here. Also, I understand from social media experts it’s good to update one’s blog quarterly. I must admit, [...]

There’s a social contract when it comes to birthday parties for kids. You can’t just be a recurring guest, enjoying the bouncy houses, gift bags and balloon animals arranged and paid for by other parents. No, you have to reciprocate. Like it or not, there’s a kid pro quo.

“Desitin in my cuticles” is not the first line of a poignant country song, but I keep thinking it should be. No. Desitin in my cuticles is what concerns me when I’m asked the question I get at least once a day: “Are you having another one?” Really, this should not be an annoying question.

Parental shame is a two-way street, and my kid is already pedaling down it — in the pink tricycle he insisted we buy him. Will I embarrass my son? Sure. That’s a given. But that dude is going to shame me, too. Enough worrying about all I have done and will do to make him [...]