Not unlike what I do as an editor, I like to suggest articles of interest to my children, who are 15 and 11. Sometimes it’s because I know it’s a favorite topic of theirs, and other times, in truth, it’s because I wish it were a favorite topic of interest or inspiration—like an intellectual version of sneaking veggies into the macaroni and cheese, like brain food.
With my daughter, the 15-year-old (pictured here), I recently shared a delightful vignette from the New Yorker about a Manhattan teen who is, by far, the youngest member ever on her local Community Board. I’m not sure if I was hoping it would inspire, or merely be of interest, but either way, when I brought up the article at dinner, my wife pointed out that we actually know the girl—or at least we knew her when she was toddler and she and Elena had playdates.
The coincidence has another pleasant personal wrinkle: Her mom, whom my wife used to work with, has been a regular reader of this column from the start—and has been gracious in her occasional feedback.
I guess I’ll soon find out how regular when I see if she responds to this note before I decide to surprise her with a link to it.
There’s a special delight in sharing serendipitous moments with parent friends with whom you started the journey with—especially when the news is good. Please, check out the New Yorker piece HERE.
After the coincidence, I thought this: One day they’re breastfeeding, and then before you know it, they’re staking out positions on the “free the nipple” movement.
Eric Messinger is the editor of New York Family. He can be reached at [email protected]
