Sep 29, 2022·edited Sep 29, 2022Liked by Alex Dobrenko`
ha, I love this. This: "Watching your parents with your child also feels like traveling back in time and witnessing how they raised you." Truth. The Horror. It's chilling. Also--my mother in law said, when our son was becoming mobile, "now's the time you need to start locking your cabinets" and I had to reply "o! really? we were actually going to put out little sippy cups of poison and see if he can figure it out...." in law grandparents. oof.
Hi Alex! Not sure you remember me but your subscript popped into my in box. Sounds like you are well and living the good life in LA. Enjoy fatherhood! I still do despite one of my kids being Michael!
This makes me think of my grandma’s favorite phrase, “Would you rather *I NOT CARE?*” when people accuse her of being too opinionated, too pushy, too...much. No grandma, I’m so glad you do. ♥️
Found this via Substack Reads and let me just say...thank you, and wonderful, and I'm both smiling and clutching my chest. My Dad was/is from India (he died in 2020 and I can't quite bring myself to use the past tense when talking about him). I totally identify with so much of what you write (and feel). My kids are grown now, but when I was a new-ish parent, my Dad didn't exactly approve of my parenting, but he also understood that it was a whole different ballgame -- his American kid raising her American kid. That dawning, for both Dad and me, in time brought us closer. He loved being a grandparent in his own quiet, stern, loving way. Your parents sound absolutely marvelous.
but a really lovely essay <3
awww i also love the advice
omg the pic of wilder + gramps is too cute
does it ever get chilly in la tho
okay speaking of abers + fitch and middle school boys, my friend's son was giving away his old sweats from new a+f and wow they fit me great
also that curly hair, WOW
WILDER CAN WALK NOW?!
P(eabody)P(ulitzer)E(mmy), the new PPE
ha, I love this. This: "Watching your parents with your child also feels like traveling back in time and witnessing how they raised you." Truth. The Horror. It's chilling. Also--my mother in law said, when our son was becoming mobile, "now's the time you need to start locking your cabinets" and I had to reply "o! really? we were actually going to put out little sippy cups of poison and see if he can figure it out...." in law grandparents. oof.
how are you so funny and so wise and so compassionate to everyone and also yourself all at the same time, how how how? <3
Cool article! I literally LOLed at so many parts. You're a great writer! :)
This is unrelated, but I wanted to share that I also write on substack, at https://birdfunfacts.substack.com/
It's a blog about nature and birds. If you feel like it, come check out my blog and maybe even subscribe! :)
this rules
Alex, Well-written and insanely wise. xo Mary
Hi Alex! Not sure you remember me but your subscript popped into my in box. Sounds like you are well and living the good life in LA. Enjoy fatherhood! I still do despite one of my kids being Michael!
This makes me think of my grandma’s favorite phrase, “Would you rather *I NOT CARE?*” when people accuse her of being too opinionated, too pushy, too...much. No grandma, I’m so glad you do. ♥️
Found this via Substack Reads and let me just say...thank you, and wonderful, and I'm both smiling and clutching my chest. My Dad was/is from India (he died in 2020 and I can't quite bring myself to use the past tense when talking about him). I totally identify with so much of what you write (and feel). My kids are grown now, but when I was a new-ish parent, my Dad didn't exactly approve of my parenting, but he also understood that it was a whole different ballgame -- his American kid raising her American kid. That dawning, for both Dad and me, in time brought us closer. He loved being a grandparent in his own quiet, stern, loving way. Your parents sound absolutely marvelous.