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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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motherhood

Connections Matter

Ilinap · November 2, 2019 ·

The world is indisputably more connected than ever before. Yet paradoxically, we are also more disconnected. Face to face interactions are replaced by screens with time delay jerkiness and buffering. We don't inherently look people in the eyes, and parents are constantly … [Read more...] about Connections Matter

Tags: be a connection, child abuse, children, connections matter, family, friends, friendship, kids, motherhood, North Carolina, parenting, PCANC

Playlist for Bird’s 16th

Ilinap · September 16, 2019 ·

My baby Bird was 4-years old when I started writing this blog. He just turned 16. I swear, I blinked and time blasted at warp speed. Every damn cliche about children growing up is true. I wish I had enacted more "mores." More playing. More cuddling. More … [Read more...] about Playlist for Bird’s 16th

Tags: Bird, birthday, children, motherhood

Parenting Performance Review

Ilinap · March 11, 2019 ·

There are no performance reviews or report cards in parenting. Generally speaking, in a job we get periodic reviews to let us know where we have room to improve and where we are excelling. In parenting, no such thing exists. I was told once in a review that I "need to learn to … [Read more...] about Parenting Performance Review

Tags: children, family, kids, motherhood, parenting

How Will My Sons Remember Me?

Ilinap · January 9, 2019 ·

I’m afraid my sons won’t remember me as a good mom. Or a happy mom. Their sharp memories, the kind that stick around through therapy into adulthood, are being cemented now. They’ll remember me as a stressed out yeller. My fuse is commensurate to my height...short. I am admittedly … [Read more...] about How Will My Sons Remember Me?

Tags: children, motherhood, parenting

Another Teenager in the House – Happy Birthday, Deal!

Ilinap · June 23, 2018 ·

My Darling Deal, The world is a flurry of shambles right now. I hate having to explain all the insightful and difficult questions you bring home. I don’t have answers to most of the topics you raise. The age of Trump has in many ways robbed you of your childhood and tender … [Read more...] about Another Teenager in the House – Happy Birthday, Deal!

Tags: birthday, children, Deal, kids, love, motherhood, parenting

Happy 14th Birthday, Bird

Ilinap · August 29, 2017 ·

Dear Bird, You know I’m the sentimental type, right? My heart usurps my brain, for better or worse. You might not realize this yet, but you and I share the same constitution. I see so much of myself in you, the good bits and the not-so-good bits. We are both smarter than … [Read more...] about Happy 14th Birthday, Bird

Tags: Bird, birthda, children, family, motherhood

He’s 12.

Ilinap · June 22, 2017 ·

If he had a theme song, it would be You Are the Sunshine of My Life. He was born sunnyside up, after all. This sweet child of mine is tender hearted and funny. He’s also pensive and thoughtful; I can almost see gears clicking in his head as he unravels how things work. His … [Read more...] about He’s 12.

Tags: birthday, children, Deal, motherhood, parenting

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Writer. Marketer. Energizer.



Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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