Tonight, that terrific new television show, Women’s Murder Club, airs for the first time – ABC, 9:00 Eastern. My sister and her writing partner happen to be Executive Producers.
The Big Man’s parents are coming over to our apartment to watch, and I’m irresponsibly allowing the Big Girl to stay up late to watch, too. It seems like one of those things she just shouldn’t miss, even if it makes her cranky the next day – like visiting a bookstore at midnight to pick up the last Harry Potter book. It’s an adventure.
When I think back on happy childhood memories, they often involve violations of some usual rule. My maternal grandparents bought us Pop-Tarts. My paternal grandmother let us stay up late watching TV. On Christmas and Easter, my parents let us eat candy before breakfast.
I must say, however, that after reading Po Bronson’s article in New York Magazine about the importance of sleep for children, Snooze or Lose, I’m not going to permit too many of these late nights.
Nevertheless my happiness-project resolutions include “Spread family cheer,” “Take time for fun,” and “Cultivate family rituals and traditions.” Breaking the parental rules once in a while, and building an event into a celebration, seem in this spirit.
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