MAILBAG

Parenthood is full of stories, if you have any you would like to share, please send an email to mailbag at sager.ca. Please feel free to use this section as a way to spread any laughter or wisdom you may have acquired over the course of your tenure as a parent. And while Baby Is a Four-Letter Word is by no means an advice book sometimes only another mother will understand the confusion and fear of new parenthood. As a close friend of mine once enquired, "I know I can drink one glass of wine when I'm breastfeeding, but what if I want to drink a whole bottle? Who can I ask about that?" Ask another mother - we may not have the answer, but we'll be happy to share the bottle with you...

BABY IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD

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Thank you for writing this. You can't imagine how much I needed this.

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BABY STEPS COLUMN

A small selection of letters received in response to the Baby Steps column:

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I am a grandmother - both my daughters-in-law had babies last year. I have had such a chuckle out of your columns since you started writing them, as have both daughters-in-laws - your concerns and problems seemed to mirror theirs, and you said it all with such wonderful humour and aplomb! I have often photocopied the articles and sent them to "my girls", as well as the daughters of friends who have also had babies, and it helps them keep things in perspective. So - I shall miss reading them, and wish you all the very best, you have given a great deal of pleasure

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I am the mother of a 6 month old non-sleeper (a boy, up every hour all night long) and reading your column is sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane and makes me laugh, really laugh!!!! It is the only reason I don't let my husband take the paper to work on Mondays.

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I will miss your column very much. I have a 7year old and almost three year old and I enjoy the commonalities of motherhood you have written about. I especially appreciate your sense of humour at the pains of childrearing. Those of us who have experienced the same thing (sore nipples, wondering about nutrition) can have a chuckle, and for those who haven't, well maybe they can have some sympathy. Your humour has probably gone a long way to help those of us who struggle, and give us hope.

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Just a quick note to tell you that I think you're hilarious and I absolutely love your column. I can completely relate to everything you write. Anyways, thanks for the laughs and keep up the great work!!

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I am of course a big fan of yours. I read every story that gets published in Vancouver Sun. Not only do I look forward to reading them but after I am done, I clip them out and put them in my journal. I hope to start reading them to my son one day when he is old enough to understand the meaning of each story. Your last " This season my son gets to share in the magic made me cry because you captured the things that most people forget. I have a 19 month old and I can see the joy in his eyes and I know that this year he will understand more. My Christmas tree is up as of last night. Thank you for reminding us what Christmas is truly about. Festivities and yes presents are very important specially to a growing child. Keep this wonderful reading material coming and I will keep enjoying.

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I'm a 59 year old, just about to be a first time grandmother of twin boys. Your articles are wonderfully refreshing. I'm had many a good chuckle & a few I remember when moments reading your column. Thank you for the great pieces & keep them coming.

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I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say "thank you" for your weekly articles in the Vancouver Sun. Every Monday without fail while my sons (2.5 and 7 months old) are watching either Thomas, Bob, Blue or the Wiggles, I park my butt (and yes it has gotten bigger with baby #2) at the table with a cup of coffee and enjoy 10 minutes or so of "me time" to read your article. Every Monday without fail, I can completely relate to what you have written, and regularly highlight some portion of your article for my husband to read with a "see, I am not the only one who thinks this!!!". I often wonder if my two year old has the same genetic make up as your son - I can't believe some of the stuff you have written - we could be talking about the same kid! So thank you again - I only wish your article was a daily one!

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I have been reading all your columns and want to say how much I have enjoyed them. You are speaking for so many new mothers and you are so honest and so funny too. I am 65 now and a long way from raising a child, but everything you write rings true to all my memories. I am so glad to see such a column in The Sun.

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You are brilliant !!! Your new mommy friends column was gut-wrenchingly entertaining to another exhausted and frazzled mom--ME !!! Thanks again for the biggest laugh this week (other than my 17 month old boy riding a Halloween devil fork in his red PJ's) Keep up the amazing writing --I think you should be required reading for all new moms!

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I just had to take a second out of my day—7 month old insisting on feeding himself (in his ear, of course), up all night with teething etc. etc.—to tell you how much I enjoyed your column in the Oct. 25th Vancouver Sun. Your line about the Bailey’s and coffee had me laughing so hard I feared coffee (minus the liqueur, unfortunately) would come out of my nose. Thanks for writing so honestly about motherhood. You are a hilarious, fabulous voice for mums everywhere.

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I have enjoyed your column 'Baby Steps' in the Vancouver Sun paper. My son and daughter-in-law, who has just turned 40 have just had a baby boy (first child). I think they are going to need help!! Your columns would give them a much needed humorous perspective of what is in store for them. I wonder if you are going to publish the columns in a book form. I would appreciate getting a copy of all these columns since their beginning May 24/04. Will they be ongoing for sometime?

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My wife and I can't thank-you enough for your article "Life with a boy full of unexpected surprises." We totally connected with it, laughed out loud, and most importantly, felt better about both ourselves and our son after reading it. Our son will be three next month, and he is a handful to say the least - he is all the things your article talks about. But what's nice to know is that he is not unusual, doesn't need to seek counselling - he's just a boy! Incidentally, the article was mailed to us by my mother-in-law, who knows all about the "challenges" we face each and every day. Our five month old daughter by the way has been a piece of cake! Thanks again.

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I wanted to write to thank-you for your thoughtful, funny and honest column on raising Zach and the "joys" of parenthood. I have a 10 month old daughter and so many times over the past months your column has given voice to many of my new Mom experiences - especially the ones that no one talks about or admits to! Thanks so much. I look forward to the next adventure.

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Hello: My name is H.R. I have never responded to anything that I have read in the paper but I have to respond to your column... baby steps. It is absolutely wonderful. Your words are right on and they hit the mark. Your article on breastfeeding I read when I was in the process of trying to breast feed my newborn and it was not going well. I laughed so much that I cried and than kept on crying!! Your article about the worries for our babies also hit home. I am on maternity leave with a now three month old baby and your articles have been life lines. Why don't we know beforehand how hard this job is going to be? As a career woman previously I really truly had no idea! So thank you from the bottom of my heart... for your honesty and your humour and your words. They are exactly what I need to read. Thank you so much.