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An interview about parenting, featuring—wait for it, because it might shock you—me

April 9, 2013

An interview about parenting, featuring—wait for it, because it might shock you—me

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I was recently invited to do an interview with Nest&Launch, a new site devoted to exploring the world of mid-stage parenting. 

It was a really great opportunity for me to put into writing my philosophy for parenting. I only wish I had that I had taken this approach much sooner in my life with children. 

I've written about the work I've done on my marriage in this space, but I didn't expect to learn so much about how to be a better parent during the process of marriage counseling. And not just a better parent, but a parent who works to give my children what they truly need—acknowledgement, competency, limits and love. I only have them under this roof for such a short time. Every day is an opportunity to do what is needed. I don't always hit that mark every day, but more and more often I find that I do. 

You can read the interview here. Nest&Launch is a site I plan to continue to check in with. I think they've got something special starting up over there.

Here's to parenting in the mid-stage years.

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Comments

  1. Gaele says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:59 am

    I really shouldn’t have because I really have no time to spare but I took the time to read the article… it resonates so much… I spend way too much time working at home (I’m a teacher and I have to grade papers and prepare courses at home) much to my kids’dismay who are growing up in front of me and it sometimes strikes me, as if I had been blind for a while… I need to keep this in mind. Thanks Cathy

    Reply
  2. Teal says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:53 am

    More please!

    Reply
  3. Christine F. says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:02 am

    awesome article. I really like your parenting philosophy.

    Reply
  4. kate_always says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:36 am

    I’ll read that site again, glad to find resources for mid-stage parenting. What an apt title for this phase of life. Your comment, about being aware of time as we all get older, aptly describes our family situation.

    Thanks for the perspective!

    Reply
  5. audrey says

    April 9, 2013 at 11:54 am

    Great interview Cathy, thanks for sharing! My husband and I were just commenting that we’ve had a really easy ride with our two teen boys, but lately it’s been a little dicey. My 17 year old son is going to jr. prom with a date, but they are also going to dinner pre prom with a group that includes some bad characters. So we’ve been discussing strategies with him to avoid bad situations. And we’re still negotiating the after prom party … ahhhh. But thanks to your advice, I realize that I need to spend less time worrying and more time appreciating that he is an awesome dude.

    Reply
  6. Jen Higgins says

    April 9, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I loved your interview and the idea of a parenting blog for parents with older kids! My daughter is 9.5 and an only child. She’s not so little anymore and is maturing into a really cool person. I just don’t identify with the “Mommy Blogs” that are about diapers and preschool and and how crazy life is with littles, but Nest & Launch is just perfect for the stage of life we’re entering. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  7. jen s says

    April 9, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    Crazy great article CZ!! I need to start doing more of this with my 9 yr old – before she gets to be a teenager and I’ve lost the time in between… Thanks for the heads up!

    Reply
  8. Kim says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    What an awesome and inspiring interview. Your whole interview resonated with me. I also took the time to explore the blog and can I just say WOW! As a parent to an 18,15, and 12 year old and a just turned 6 year old I think I will be checking in with Nest and Launch frequently. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Abby P. says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    Loved your interview! I’m very fortunate that we have a family business, and we not only live with our 20-year-old son, but work with him, too. Ditto for our 16-year-old son when he’s on school breaks. Our older son’s girlfriend (love her) somes for lunch sometimes, too. We’re so lucky! Gotta remember to listen to them more and try to understand them, as you mentioned. Sometimes when you’re together a lot, you forget to do that! Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  10. J3SS1C4 says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Love this interview, and I don’t even have kids!

    Reply
  11. Annie (the other Nest & Launch gal) says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    Cathy, many thanks for this terrific interview and for being so open and generous in sharing it. You are every bit as cool and generous as we imagined and hoped. Viva las mid-stage moms! : )

    Reply
  12. Tara says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    Cathy, I LOVED THIS. And I love the idea of this blog. I really feel like the teens get the shaft on the internet and I appreciate that they are focusing on them in this way.

    Reply
  13. Karina K says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Such a great article on parenting!!!

    Reply
  14. Miriam R Kaye says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    loved it! thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  15. Joanna says

    April 10, 2013 at 5:49 am

    What a great article, and what a great blog! Thank you for spreading the news! Looking forward to more marvelousness from you, and more amazingness from ‘Nest & Launch’. As a mother of 4 ranging from 17 to 23 I’m almost to the end of the mid-stage, and I have missed a blog covering that part too. Your’s was the closest I could find – til now! But don’t worry – I’m not ditching you – just adding ‘Nest & Launch’ to the list!

    Reply
  16. McAmy says

    April 10, 2013 at 6:26 am

    Wonderful interview!!! As a mom with younger kids it is great advice/perspective for things to start to do now. Actually JUST last night at dinner I started asking them what the best parts of their days were. They were SO excited to share. The best part of my day was that neither of them could think of a worst part of their day.
    Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  17. StacyS. says

    April 10, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Thank you for being so candid and sharing this. Some days seem to melt into the next and then one day you wake up and your kids are almost 12 and 10! We’re big rule followers here, but I’ve come to the same conclusion you have that we have to also temper that with enjoying who they kids are as their own people. Our boys are really respectful and just good kids, and I want to make sure they always feel heard and loved for who they are, not who we want them to become.
    Your interview really made me feel proud to keep trying every day to be the kind of mom our boys deserve. Thank you for being so open and honest and your kids are lucky to have you!
    Stacy

    Reply
  18. SarahJane says

    April 10, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    GREAT INTERVIEW!

    Reply
  19. Kendra B says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    What an awesome interview!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  20. Caity says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    Great interview! My first reaction – “Aidan is 17!?!?! How in the world did that happen?” I remember when you were calling her “13”.

    Reply
  21. Margy Eastman says

    April 13, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Great interview, Cathy! My little guy is seven, but I’ve added Nest and Launch to my “favorites.” Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Melissa Shanhun says

    April 16, 2013 at 2:52 am

    Thanks for sharing Cathy. I love that you are sharing your journey with us, and the new site looks awesome 🙂

    Reply
  23. Leora says

    April 25, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    HI Cathy! I am catching up some of your posts that I have missed. I rad and thoroughly enjoyed your article. You have a special gift for being real and for sharing that with Aidan and Cole and with us. Thank you!

    Reply

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