Category Archives: scars

Adoption Reading and Resources: The Primal Wound

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

A few months ago, Gorilla Girl was having a hard time in school — major meltdowns, tantrums, and what her teachers describe as “hoarding” — of paper, scraps, class toys. They were concerned partly because Gorilla Girl seemed to hoard … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, expectations, family, motherhood, scars | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

“Reprehensible”

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I’ve been trying not to pay too much attention to the anti-choice rhetoric spewed by the right and by Republicans, but this recent spate of attacks on women has me more depressed than ever. I try not to pay attention … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, gender, motherhood, scars | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tell me about your tattoo

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

One of the most memorable lessons of 7th grade is the “Interview and Experience” Project.  We assign students to identify, contact, interview and “experience” a slice of someone’s life. The person they choose needs to be different from them in … Continue reading →

Posted in art, connection, education, experience, growth, identity, inspiration, lessons, loss, memory, motherhood, scars, tattoo, transformation | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Mean girls

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Because I visit Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl so frequently in their classroom, the other kids are starting to pay more attention to me.  They wanted to know my name, and as I explained in a previous post, I allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in education, friends, gender, identity, motherhood, names, scars, teaching | Tagged , | Leave a comment

In praise of honesty: the complexities of adoption

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition, released Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption in late summer 2009; Simon and his wife adopted two girls from China.  A friend told me about the book, suggesting … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, growth, identity, motherhood, race, scars, transformation | 12 Comments

Wear it proudly

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It will be better by the time you are married — this it what my mom uttered each time I got a scrape, bruise, or sprained an ankle. I spent much of my childhood playing tackle football with boys in … Continue reading →

Posted in expectations, gender, identity, memory, motherhood, scars | 4 Comments