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Motherhood

NASA JPL Grand Tour space poster

The Underachieving Mom's 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Tiny Human Boys

December 8, 2016 By Jodi

This is my first-ever attempt at a gift guide, and I'll be honest: it's pretty basic. There are a couple reasons for this: 1) you know your kid better than I do, so you probably know what s/he likes better than I do, so who am I to give advice?; and 2) listing a bunch of stuff...

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Fox and bear storytelling card

The Fox and the Bear: Telling Stories

December 6, 2016 By Jodi

You know how some people, when they hear "tell me a story", can rattle one off instantly? With no preparation, no outline, nothing? I am definitely not one of those people. When August asked me recently to tell him a story, I had no idea where to begin (or end). I stammered and said, "I don't...

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My crazy love

Happy 4th Birthday, August!

November 28, 2016 By Jodi

Today my sweet, hilarious, moody, ridiculous, beloved boy August turns 4. When I dropped him off at dagis this morning, most of the other kids and the teachers came to him saying grattis and congratulations. He was enveloped in hugs, and then he lavished dozens and dozens of kisses upon me. What a way to start...

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With August as a newborn

Maternity Leave in Sweden vs the US

November 25, 2016 By Jodi

In my first post about having kids in Sweden, I laid out the basic benefits of having babies in Sweden: generous parental leave; chances for social connection while home with a baby; affordable, high-quality daycare, and more. Now, I want to lay out a theory I'm developing about the benefits of the generous parental leave policy.

Leif painting with yellow

Spending 1-on-1 Time With Kids

November 4, 2016 By Jodi

I'm finally back. I was a bit ambitious to think that I'd be able to get right back to posting on Wednesday, the day after we returned from the US. I was essentially immobilized by exhaustion and jet lag our first day home (I cannot sleep sitting up on airplanes), and just as I was beginning to feel...

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Rocky outcrop in Swedish archipelago

I Abandoned My Family, and It Was Marvelous

October 31, 2016 By Jodi

Today is the final contributor post on Dear Sabrina for this period. We travel back to Sweden tonight, and I plan to get back to my regular posting on Wednesday. Thanks for sticking around during my absence, and checking out the words and stories from my friends. Lisa Ferland is another American mother living in Sweden. I...

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bonfire at night

On Rape, Consent, and Raising Boys

October 12, 2016 By Jodi

Rape, consent, and sexual assault are hot topics right now, with the recent release of Donald Trump's disgusting comments about women and Brock Turner's release from jail after serving a three-month sentence for sexual assault. It's estimated that one in five women in the US has been the victim or rape or attempted rape, and that nearly to one in two women has experienced sexual...

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Twenty week ultrasound picture

Did You Find Out Your Baby's Gender?

October 11, 2016 By Jodi

We had the (approximately) twenty-week ultrasound yesterday, the one where they check the baby's anatomy and size and make sure everything's developing normally. Of course, this is also the ultrasound when you can find out the gender. And we're having...

boy-playing-in-boat-preschool-in-sweden

Preschool in Sweden: the Basics

October 7, 2016 By Jodi

Let me start by saying that I never know whether to use the word daycare or preschool when referring to the place where kids spend their early years here in Sweden. I suppose that's because it's sort of a mix of what we know those two places to be in the US. While I will continue to use the word preschool here, do...

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baby-holding-adult-finger

Kissing boo-boos and bearing witness

October 5, 2016 By Jodi

A couple years ago, when August was learning to walk, we were visiting my family in Michigan. August fell and started to cry, so I picked up him and kissed him where it hurt. He continued to cry as he rested in my arms. My mom, who'd been watching, said, "And there goes forever the...

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About Jodi

I just repatriated from Sweden to the US with my British husband and three young kids. I started this site while living in Sweden to build the conversations and community we've had with loved ones around the world, and to create a space to share thoughts about life, beauty, motherhood, and everything else. read more →

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At bedtime tonight: “Thanks for being you, baby. At bedtime tonight: “Thanks for being you, baby.” “No, actually, thank you for making me.” Does he know I could never have intentionally made him so wonderful? That even if I tried to piece together the best kiddo possible, it wouldn’t be as great as him? That this is true for all my kiddos, that the spark that is them is greater than any vision of them I could ever have?
The wildlife around here! The wildlife around here!
Morning snuggles and puffy eyes. Not pictured: two Morning snuggles and puffy eyes. Not pictured: two cats under the blanket nestled into the bend of my knees.
She is everything I want to be. She is everything I want to be.
Late night painting session. Late night painting session.
Just gonna drop this here and point out that the e Just gonna drop this here and point out that the end of the rainbow is in my play structure. I’m going out for my pot of gold...
Sunday morning scene from my living room. Sunday morning scene from my living room.
Someone turned 4 this week. We gave her a super fu Someone turned 4 this week. We gave her a super fun Fuji Instax camera and I’m loving the mementos lying around the house. And did I mention that my *baby* is 4?! Life, man. Just keeps happening.
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About Dear Sabrina

Welcome! Dear Sabrina is a lifestyle blog for the thinking woman (and man, if men read lifestyle blogs). I hope that visiting this site gives you something to think about, makes you laugh, or shows you something new. If you want to further connect, find me on one of networks below or send an email.
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