Why I Didn’t Make a Sign for My Son’s First Day of School

September 29, 2016August 27, 2018 / Shannon Brescher Shea / 5 Comments

Two years ago, I made a controversial parenting decision. On the night before my son’s first day of preschool, I chose not to make him a “first day of school” sign. For that matter, I’m not making one for his first day of kindergarten next week either.

As I said on my personal Facebook page: “I was going to make a sign for [my son] to hold on his first day of preschool tomorrow. But I fell asleep in his room while trying to get him to sleep and woke up at 10:40. And now it’s 12:30 and it’s still not done. Maybe next year!”

My friends cleverly suggested a few work-arounds. “You can do it this week and say you forgot!” or “You can use Photoshop!”

But I didn’t take a single one of them.

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Reflections on my Lenten Fast from Social Media

April 11, 2016 / Shannon Brescher Shea / Leave a comment

So I went on a social media fast for Lent & want to write about it for my blog. But I've been messing around w/different writing formats (1)

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

And so thought it would be interesting (or maybe just annoying) to write it on social media itself. So here's what I learned during my fast:

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

1) I used social media very mindlessly. I was shocked at how often I felt compelled to check for "just a sec" and had to stop myself.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

2) I had become a bit addicted to feedback, to where it was unconsciously feeding my anxiety. Not being able to check mentions or stats…

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

Was frustrating at 1st, but then freeing. It was possible for me to try new things (like link round ups) and live w/the uncertainty!

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

3) I genuinely missed my friends. As a parent of small children, there's no way I can hang out w/friends during the week.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

I also have a lot of friends who are geographically distant. While it can be harmful, it also serves an important purpose in my life.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

4) I can't turn off social media completely. I manage 2 FB pgs (for my bike advocacy group & my church), plus it's a major part of my job.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

Despite the fast, I actually downloaded and played around w/ Snapchat and Periscope to prepare for a job interview.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

5) So like my previous Lenten fasts from blogs, it was valuable to take an extended break from social media, but I'm not giving it up.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

Finding the healthy role for social media was v. valuable. I'm on it a ton now, w/not much else to do while nursing, but I can put it down.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

Like any good fast, it helped me break my negative habits associated w/ it, particularly an over-dependence on it for self-affirmation.

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

Have you ever fasted from social media? How did it go?

— Shannon (@storiteller) April 10, 2016

My Best of Twitter 2015

January 13, 2016 / Shannon Brescher Shea / Leave a comment

I know I’m behind the curve posting my best-of yearly posts the second week of January, but we had a surprisingly busy two-weeks off Christmas holiday. All of that gift-wrapping, food eating, museum visiting, and Internet browsing doesn’t just do itself. As you may have noticed, from the sidebar, I’m on Twitter, posting @storiteller. Most of the time I post links to articles on social justice, bicycling, and other political issues, with a smattering of parenting commentary. However, as not everyone is on Twitter and there’s just so much traffic, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite tweets about parenting this year. (Yes, it only goes back to June – I guess I tweeted so much that Twitter cuts off by that point.)

My toddler son was saying "take bus" as I was putting on his shoes and still is while we're in the car. My little #transit advocate.

— Shannon (@storiteller) June 20, 2015

Our house is ruled by a small communist dictator who demands everyone must have the same thing all the time. #parenting #toddler

— Shannon (@storiteller) July 25, 2015

Sometimes I feel like I live in an episode of @sesamestreet. "True starts with the letter T!" "Where we come from, this is small talk!"

— Shannon (@storiteller) July 25, 2015

You've reached a new level of reading children's lit when you're #shipping characters in it. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) July 28, 2015

I hate when adults say kids are crying/yelling "just for attention." That's why adults do most things too, just more quietly. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) August 1, 2015

My toddler asked for seconds of vegetable curry tonight. Made with squash from our #garden! #parentingwin

— Shannon (@storiteller) August 26, 2015

Of course, later on, he also had a meltdown that he couldn't jump on our bed anymore. So that also happened. #parentingfail

— Shannon (@storiteller) August 26, 2015

My son is convinced that Sophie the Giraffe is a cow and I can't really disagree. She looks awfully bovine. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) September 11, 2015

If my son is feeling particularly lazy, he sings the ABC song as "A B C W X Y Z." #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) September 13, 2015

Instead of sleeping, my son is complaining to his animals that my husband wouldn't allow him to eat chocolate cake for snack. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) September 15, 2015

Awesome time @baltimorecomics as the Guardians crew! #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy pic.twitter.com/iu2cSopWpd

— Shannon (@storiteller) September 27, 2015

My two-year-old loves clinking glasses and shouting "cheers!" He's like a tipsy socialite with milk. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) October 3, 2015

My 2-yr-old had my husband running into his room with a blood-curdling scream. His reason? "I made a weird song!" Oh dear. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) November 12, 2015

My two-year-old requested to buy broccoli at the grocery store today. I suspect there's something wrong with him. #isheanalien?

— Shannon (@storiteller) December 1, 2015

My son doesn't quite get the idea of an Advent calendar. He's already opened all of the little doors. Oops. #Christmas

— Shannon (@storiteller) December 5, 2015

I have become That Emotional Mom. I could barely read the last page of The Polar Express because I was so choked up. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) December 8, 2015

Although I do feel like this after I give my toddler a bath. Props to you, Mei. #pandacam @NationalZoo #parenting pic.twitter.com/FZjch9GStf

— Shannon (@storiteller) December 15, 2015

"I want to drink some wine," my two year old said at dinner. He's already been around the grandparents too long. #parenting #Christmas

— Shannon (@storiteller) December 20, 2015

Talking to a tantruming toddler feels like negotiating with terrorists on a smaller scale. One wrong move & it's all over. #parenting

— Shannon (@storiteller) January 8, 2016

Talking about #DonaldTrump being next Goldwater & my toddler says "Trump goes in & out of water." Makes as much sense as anything else.

— Shannon (@storiteller) January 13, 2016