“Your magazine is so serious!” a mom called to tell me on the phone today. Her not-so-subtle criticism came in an almost accusatory manner, as if I was blaming her ability as a parent by presenting only parenting issues that were troublesome, controversial, and difficult.
“Parenting is not all that serious, also” she said. “Sometimes we just let things happen without thinking about it so much. Put something in there to make me laugh. My life is serious enough as it is!”
I told her I appreciated her feedback, and explained that the magazine was trying to bring to the forefront issues that families don’t normally talk about. But I did agree we needed more lighthearted content, and so asked her, “What are some ideas you have?”
“Hmm, let me do some research and get back to you. I’ll surf around.”
How strange that although she was so insistent there were lighthearted aspects of parenting I needed to highlight, she herself needed to go find out what those were on the Internet.
Why is it that it’s the simple things, the funny things, the light moments of our lives that are hardest to find?
But to avoid making even this more serious than it needs to me, I’m going to stop here.
I hope this issue has a few pieces that will make you smile, if not ‘LOL’.
