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My latest Super Romance, A CHILD CHANGES EVERYTHING, is out this month. This story is so much a part of who I am as a person. Like Lisa Clarke, I couldn’t imagine ever having a baby. I didn’t baby sit very often. I was more interested in sports than dating and marriage. And quite frankly babies meant hours of work in my limited experience. Besides, the responsibility scared the wits out of me.
When my son was born, I discovered that a child changes your life in ways you couldn’t have understood before. Children render you essential in every way. Their need for your love and care consumes you, leaving you wondering what you did with all your free time BEFORE the child arrived in your life.
One of the most amazing things I learned from being a parent is that children see life from an entirely different perspective than adults do. They don’t filter what happens in their world, they simply react in the moment.
They are 100% real time little people.
Let me give you an example. I have a five-year-old granddaughter who lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and I talk to my daughter every day, mostly about her little girl.
When the mood strikes, my granddaughter talks to me as well. How I cherish those moments!
The other day I was chatting with my daughter when my granddaughter interrupted her mother with an urgent request involving more apple juice. When my daughter told her she was talking to me and she’d talk to her later, my granddaughter, without skipping a beat, said, “Put her on pause.”
When my daughter and I stopped laughing, we both agreed that it was a moment worth remembering. A moment that had no chance of coming into existence had it not been for a little girl and a mother who loved her.
So, you see, a child does change so much of how we see life, and how we interact with each other. Where would we be without children?
To learn more about Stella Maclean and her wonderful books, visit www.stellamaclean.com
by Debbie Kaufman
11 comments
Oh, and grandchildren. They change everything again so dramatically! Can’t wait to read the book, Stella. Thanks for guesting with us today.
Stella,
Love my kids….absolutely adore my grandkids. My youngest is now 13 going on 35 and has an entirely different outlook on life from my kids did 25 to 30 years ago at her age.
I love working with kids in my books…they’re so “in the minute”, unlike adults who project way into the future to find things to stress over.
Thanks for being our guest chef today.
Sandy
Stella –
What a charming story about your grandchild (will have to remember to use that – “put her on pause”). I have godchildren who are finally getting up to the point to give me little ones to play with again. I do miss the little ones.
Congrats on your latest book!
Thanks for stopping by, Stella. I totally agree about children. I was like you and didn’t do a lot of babysitting, wasn’t sure what to even do with babies until I had a couple of my own. Now, I’m afraid, I want to hold every baby and kiss every toddler head I see!
Right now I’m working with my four-year-old on the concept of money. She seems to think that all you have to do to buy something is put it on the counter. Present the dress, and it is yours, I guess.
“A Child Changes Everything” sounds like a heart-warming book. Thanks for being with us today, Stella. I don’t have children, so I can relate most to the first part of your post, LOL. But I do have nephews and nieces. I love the “pause” story. Those are memories to cherish.
Thank you so much for blogging with us today. I have two girls who are now in their ’20s and I want grandchildren! First they have to get married.
I can’t wait. Many friends are new grandparents and they love the experience.
Your book sounds great.
Marilyn
Hi Stella! I love this. My son older now, but not old enough to think about grandkids… Oh man, just the thought gives me hives.
I’m one of those who have NO IDEA what we did before we had kids. Now when we get that rare date night, we usually end up talking about the kid or buying him something. We even find ourselves saying we can’t go to this restaurant or see that movie because HE wants to see it/eat there too. It’s funny how all encompassing they are…
Your book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it!
Tami
Stella, what a great story about your grandchild! I love it.
My experience was the opposite of yours in that I babysat a lot as a teenager. After that, I thought I would NEVER have children
I’m so glad I eventually changed my mind. They are a gift.
Stella,
Your new book looks and sounds wonderful. I really enjoyed the last one and I look forward to reading this one. I’ve got four kids, grown now, but I was never a person that was crazy about little kids. I changed my mind with my own. I guess I’ll don the same with grandkids when the time comes.
It was a pleasure to meet you in Portsmouth last fall.
Stella,
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to reading your book.
I don’t have kids, but if they take up more time than when my nieces and nephews visit, I can’t imagine how it’s done. I love the nieces and nephews dearly, but sometimes those tail lights look awfully good going out that driveway.
It’s so great to hear from all of you. And it’s nice to know that you ladies share my feelings around children and grandchildren.
My husband and I are planning to spend three months next year (renting a house near our daughter) so that we can spend time with our granddaughter. She’s so far away and growing up so fast…..
Stella