Page 22 - Parents Magazine (December 2019)
P. 22
LET’S GET REAL
WE NEED TO TALK.
Taking the High Road, just like my own. To show her
anything other than empathy
Even If It Kills Me would be antithetical to
everything I try to model for
my own kids.
by JENNY MOLLEN
Baz’s sister rushed up
to my sister, and they began
A WRITER friend shared this chatting. I stayed about a
classic saying with me: Fate block away until Lazlo broke
leads those who follow it and free from my arms and went
drags those who resist it. The charging in their direction.
same is true of motherhood. Jason appeared just in
We can fight it, but it will time, swooping up Lazlo and
change us nonetheless. making awkward small talk
In my life before kids, there with Baz and her parents.
weren’t many consequences Eventually, I had no choice
for the things I did and said. but to join them. I could tell
As long as I was able to weave she didn’t want to speak to
my antics into a wacky me, and I tried to honor that.
adventure, I was typically The truth was that I didn’t
rewarded for them. This deserve to be spoken to, and I
was especially true in my understood her feelings fully.
relationship with my I never thought I’d feel
husband’s ex-girlfriend, Baz. comfortable being an adult.
My obsession with Baz Maturity seemed boring
was the foundation for most and the high road too arduous
of my comedy on Twitter and to trek. But kicking and
the inspiration for not one screaming, I’ve changed.
but two chapters in my first A week later, I sent Baz this
book. In my younger years email: “Baz, I know I can’t
(read: most of my 30s), I did take back the past. But I want
drive-bys down her block, kids, making the two of them,” my sister assured me. you to know that I’ve grown
posted pics of myself in cute them “mom friends.” And shortly after, there she up a lot since we knew each
outfits I hoped she’d stumble It was our second-to-last was, standing on an adjacent other. As a woman and
across while googling me, and day on the island and the corner looking back at me. a mother, I only want to lead
reeled her into interacting older boys wanted to see a I was Captain Ahab and she with kindness, and the girl
with me by finding things of movie in town. I waited out was my Moby Dick. that I once was, was not kind.
hers around our house and Lazlo’s nap and arrived at My heart started racing I know that I hurt you, and
gifting them back to her. the theater about a half hour as I tried to think of the best for that I am deeply sorry.”
Though cautious, Baz always after my sister. Once I’d way to handle the situation.
seemed to respond to my high parked my car, she ran over Unlike the old Jenny, who
jinks, which only egged me and banged on my window. would have stopped at
on. But this is not that story. “Jenny! It’s your lucky nothing to harpoon Jason’s
Just before the start of day!” she exclaimed. “Guess former flame, I felt guilt
this school year, Jason and I who I just bumped into? Baz! and shame over the chaos I’d
rented a house on Nantucket And her entire family!” previously caused.
for a week and invited my I hadn’t seen Baz for a good Baz held hands with her
sister, Samantha, and her six years. I knew she was daughter, a little girl roughly
family to join us. Samantha married and had heard she’d the same age as Lazlo, as they
has three boys, two of whom had a baby, but I was no cautiously crossed toward me.
READ MORE JENNY
are the same ages as my sons, longer up-to-date on her life Her past involvement with Jenny Mollen has two sons COURTESY OF JENNY MOLLEN.
and an avid Instagram
Sid, 5, and Lazlo, 2. Her the way I’d once been. my husband was instantly following @jennymollen.
She’s the author of two
eldest, coincidentally, goes “They’re walking around irrelevant. She was a mother best-sellers, including I Like
to school with Baz’s sister’s Main Street. You’re gonna see now, with responsibilities You Just the Way I Am.
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