I love the novel of 'The English Patient'; I think it's a profoundly beautiful novel. I love the movie of 'The English Patient'; I think it's a profoundly beautiful movie. And they're totally different. You accept each on its own terms, and that's kind of the ideal. Ayelet Waldman acceptbeautifulenglish share on social
In a perfect world, probably we'd never yell, we'd just be firm and dispassionate. But of course, everyone yells at their children. Ayelet Waldman childdispassionatefirm Change image and share on social
As a parent, the only thing I am absolutely certain of is my own fallibility. Ayelet Waldman absolutelyfallibilityparent Change image and share on social
Before I was married, I didn't consider my failure to manage even basic hand tools a feminist inadequacy. I thought it had more to do with being Jewish. The Jews I knew growing up didn't do 'do-it-yourself.' When my father needed to hammer something he generally used his shoe, and the only real tool he owned was a pair of needle-nose pliers. Ayelet Waldman basicfailurefather share on social
Aborting my baby is the most serious of the many maternal crimes I tally in my head when I am at my lowest, when the Bad Mother label seems to fit best. Rocketship was my baby. And I killed him. Ayelet Waldman abortbabybad Change image and share on social
I wrote three novels in six months, with a clarity of focus and attention to detail that I had never before experienced. This type of sublime creative energy is characteristic of the elevated and productive mood state known as hypomania. Ayelet Waldman attentioncharacteristicclarity share on social
Another parent's different approach raises the possibility that you've made a mistake with your child. We simply can't tolerate that because we fear that any mistake, no matter how minor, could have devastating consequences. So we proclaim the superiority of our own choices. We've lost sight of the fact that people have preferences. Ayelet Waldman approachchildchoice share on social
There's nothing I find quite as annoying as the phrase 'I told you so.' Ayelet Waldman annoyfindphrase Change image and share on social
In every union roles are assumed, some traditional, some not. My husband used to pay his own bills, I used to call my own repairman. But as marriages progress, you surrender areas of your own competence, often without even knowing it. Ayelet Waldman areaassumebill share on social
Gym class was, of course, where the strongest, best-looking kids were made captains and chose us spazzes last. More important, it was where the figures of supposed authority allowed them to do so. Forget the work our parents did molding our minds and values. Everything fell apart as soon as we put on those maroon polyester gym suits. Ayelet Waldman allowauthoritycaptain share on social