A goodbye and a welcome
Categories: Media
On the dashboard of the software that powers ParentDish, there's a little box that tells each blogger how many words and how many posts he or she has written.The dashboard tells me tonight: you have written 527,463 words and 1854 posts. That is a lot of words; that's an unfathomable amount of posts.
I started writing here to supplement my income when things were tight financially during my maternity leave with my infant. My son was just a tiny baby, not yet walking, not yet talking. This blog has taken me through Nolan's first steps, my many parenting blunders, and provided me with perspective and sustenance during what was certainly the most emotionally wrenching year of my life. During my tenure here, in the beginning, I was my fiance's partner -- now I am just my son's Mother. We're doing so well, our hearts are full, I'm on a journey of learning to be a better parent.
Your comments, over the years, have helped immeasurably. I consider many of you friends, and sometimes I lie awake in bed thinking about Anji's suggestion or Meagan's words of solidarity and your sharing has helped me be a better Mother -- and in many instances, a better person. Even some of the crazy trolls have helped -- I've grown a thicker skin, become more secure in my own convictions and strength.
This is a slightly long winded way...
of saying goodbye. I've decided that I need to start writing less, take yoga classes more, shut down the computer and slip through the summer forest dusk with my son's fingers wrapped in mine . I need to stress less about one more post, one more headline, and soak up more of the fading light of Nolan's smallness.
Thanks, all of you, who've read and commented on my posts over the last two years. I appreciate you more than I can properly express. I'll still be around the blogosphere, undoubtedly popping up here and there. If you want, leave me your email address and I'll let you know where I'm at so we can keep in touch. I'm around here for another week, but mostly behind the scenes rather than on the writing frontlines.
Oh! And one last, highly important tidbit: the fabulous Susan Wagner will be returning to ParentDish as the new Lead Blogger. And if you know anything about Susan, you'll know I'm leaving you in absurdly capable hands. One light fades, another dawns -- treat her gently for me, OK?
Recent Posts
- Image of the Day: Blur (5/16/2008)
- Stay-at-home mothers as temporary workers (5/16/2008)
- Shania Twain and husband divorcing (5/16/2008)
- Product Recall: Tumble Tower Infant Rattles (5/16/2008)
- Mother in deadly MySpace hoax indicted (5/16/2008)
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. I am a bit of a lurker, and I don't even have kids (!) but I love this blog, and I love your entries. Your posts about those singular moments with your son are amazing, and are some of the best blogging posts I've ever read. I especially miss Debauched and Disheveled (any chance that'll make a reappearance?) -- and I'll definitely miss your presence on PD.
Best of luck on your journey, and hug that son of yours just a little tighter for me.
Posted at 1:56AM on May 10th 2008 by Nicole
3. Good luck with whatever you end up doing! I read PD in bloglines and really only click through for your writing (though I am not a commenter because I read while nursing...) I'm sad to see you go. It was nice to read a fellow Canadian! I'd love to know where you end up!
Posted at 1:59AM on May 10th 2008 by muchmorethanamom
4. Sad to see you go. Your blogs about Nolan were always interesting to read. Thanks for all the good reads!
Posted at 3:18AM on May 10th 2008 by ninainindia
5. Say it isn't so! I don't really comment here but I come searching for your posts here everyday! I can appreciate you wanting to enjoy every second with precious Nolan, you will be so missed :(
Posted at 7:50AM on May 10th 2008 by shortirox
6. Kristin, no I need you to stay how will I know I am not the only person who has a child like I do, everytime you wrote about Nolan and the things he was doing and how it affected you, I felt like a weight was lifted because I wasn't the only one. This really sucks way to ruin no only my Saturday but Mother's Day j/k but really I feel like my friend just told me she is moving clear across the country, no bueno.
Posted at 9:18AM on May 10th 2008 by Lauren
7. I'm with you Lauren! I'm a single mother of a going to be 2 year old little girl, and half the time I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing or if her crazed toddler outbursts are somehow a reflection of my parenting. 'weight off the shoulders' is the perfect description of her posts. I've gotten particular comfort in her 'toddler tantrum in public' posts. It's so nice to know your not alone when at the time you just want to crawl in a hole.
Posted at 3:17PM on May 13th 2008 by Miranda
9. Good luck in all you do. I've always enjoyed your posts.
Posted at 11:11AM on May 10th 2008 by Katheryn
10. Noooooo! Oh so sad for me, but glad for you. Happy transition and best wishes for your future endeavors!
Posted at 12:35PM on May 10th 2008 by CLM
11. Wow. I'm really going to miss you here, but I totally understand.
Too many changes here at PD in such a short time - no good at all.
Posted at 1:38PM on May 10th 2008 by the goddess anna
12. Good on you for understanding your needs and how they intertwine with Nolen!
You will be greatly missed here! Good luck and Godspeed and all that Jazz. Remember to dance, because to Nolen, you have beautiful rhythm and you are a won derful dancer!
Posted at 1:57PM on May 10th 2008 by Michelle
13. Kristin, I'm breaking my silence just to wish you well.
You were by far my favorite blogger here. In a not-freaky way, I love you and wish you the very best in all your endeavors, personal and otherwise.
Posted at 2:21PM on May 10th 2008 by SKL
14. I have really enjoyed your posts. Thank you and best of luck.
k8e
Posted at 2:50PM on May 10th 2008 by k8e
15. Oh, my. I'll miss you Kristin. You were my favorite blogger here (even though I was a lurker and not a commenter). I can't say as I've been pleased with the AOL buyout, and this will undoubtedly knock ParentDish off of my list of frequented sites.
I wish you and Nolan all the best in your future endeavors.
Posted at 4:24PM on May 10th 2008 by girdtmom
16. I'll miss your posts here but I'll continue to read your posts elsewhere. ;) As for the need to draw back and enjoy your son more, I understand because I'm trying to do the same. Thanks for all your hard work here on PD! =D
Posted at 7:59PM on May 10th 2008 by Keri
17. See what potty training does! ;-)
Sorry to see you go. Our boys are the same age and it was always nice to read about Nolan's latest escapades.
Posted at 9:32PM on May 10th 2008 by daphne
18. As our kids are just days apart in age, I've always read your posts with interest. It always made me feel better that you're were going through a lot of the same things that I was.
Good luck with all that you do, and please check in here once and awhile. I'll be sad to completely lose touch with what is going on with you and Nolan!
Posted at 10:33PM on May 10th 2008 by Molly
20. Hi Kristin: I am a lurker as well. You are my favorite blogger, I am sorry to see you go. Best of luck to you and Nolan!
Posted at 11:00AM on May 11th 2008 by Jessica
1. Oh, Kristin. Oh.
I get it, the need to pull back. I really do. I want you to know that I've found such solace in your words (in different places I've been fortunate enough to stumble upon your online permutations), such identification (although we've lead different paths), and most of all such hope and insight, and love in your words, that I am deeply sorry to see you go. But I do understand. Sending you thoughts of peace, and balance, and hope to see you around some more.
Posted at 1:46AM on May 10th 2008 by oregoncoastgirl