Smoothed Over with Feeling is a collection of short poems and drawings celebrating new parents' strength, complex emotions, and ongoing creativity. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Vanessa Hope Schneider and I take on the impossible task of capturing early parenthood by providing an honest artistic voice.
Early parenthood can be focused and clear, but also overwhelming and murky. As new parents ourselves, Schneider and I offer glimpses—of giving birth, feeding, and long car rides in the backseat—each handled with the regard and wonder they deserve. Smoothed Over with Feeling does not provide advice but instead acts as a mirror to reflect the visceral experience of being a parent— showing the luster and brutality of this period.
The book is an offering of recognition and an invitation for kinship. It elevates the community around a family, with a perforated back cover that new parents can use to create a note of gratitude for someone who has offered support.
When I became a mom to Margaret, everything changed. I had never loved anyone as fiercely and madly as I love her. To honor all the parents out there, we're offering a discount at the People I've Loved shop JUST for Substack readers! Take 25% off anything you want through April. Thanks so much for supporting our small business.
USE CODE: FORMOM25
xo, Carissa
If you want, and you totally don’t have to, let me know what the transition looked like for you? It will make us both feel better… I am super delusional. It was the hardest time of my life, and yet I desperately want to do it again…
This is so special and beautiful
"Was becoming a parent what you thought it would be?" Honest answer - sort of. I knew we'd be busy and I'd be responsible for a lot more. I didn't realize that I'd have my personal time reduced to wee small patches here and there. I also didn't realize what I'd learn. The important follow up question, would I do it again? Not at my current age, no. Our kiddos are grown now. But, yes with a miracle of time travel for my partner and me! I think we both would. Despite that, someday there may be grand-kids. Maybe I'll still be competent to watch them. A guy can dream -