“You’re risking being branded a bad parent…if you tell a story like that”

Abstract

Emily, Crystal, Katie, and Ashely, you have been responsible for creating some of the best years of my life, no matter the stressors and obstacles put in my way. You have been there for tears of joy and frustration. You have helped me drink beer, wine, and bubbly to celebrate and to commiserate. You have been there to let me vent and to cheer me on. I would have been adrift in this crazy journey, had it not been for each of you. And although I love you all the best, my dear, sweet PhaDies, I must make a special acknowledgment of one PhlaDie-Jenny. You and I combined to create the special entity that is J-Squared in our first year at Iowa. From there it was sealed-together forever, we shall be. I hold you in such high regard, Jenny. I envy your brilliance, admire your heart, and respect your ever-steady perspective. You have saved me from myself too many times for me to count. Your partnership has allowed me to achieve all the things I have while at Iowa. Although I call you my academic spouse, you have become my sister and my best friend. I am unequivocally better because I have you in my life now and am I eternally grateful that I get to have you in my life forever. After completing an entire dissertation about parenthood, I have an even greater amount of respect, love, and awe for my own wonderful parents, John and Mary Jackl. So, to my Mom and Dad: I recognize I have not always been the easiest child-I often need to learn lessons the hard(er) way, and strike out on my own. This probably makes your jobs exponentially more difficult because your daughter is, at times, out of step with the rest of the world. Despite the challenges I bring to you, I always hope to make you proud. I am certainly proud to be your daughter. Thank you for supporting me in my journey through graduate school. This academic world is unlike anything I have ever lived in before, but you taught me the strength and creativity I needed to make this new universe my home. Mom you have always been a prime example of what it means to be a strong, independent woman in a world where women are occasionally vi pushed to the sidelines and silenced. I am stronger because of you, Mom. Dad, you are the reigning King of Stories and Adventures-you are the one who instilled in me, at a very young age, a deep love of stories. As such, it is no surprise to me that I have come to live a life that revolves around narratives. I am struck by the number of times my work makes me feel like I am a kid again, snuggled up next to you, listening as you read and tell me stories. I love you both more than words can say. And last, but not at all least, to my husband, my monkey, my Andrew. I once saw a book dedication that read, "To my husband. I could do this without you; I'm so glad I don't have to." Although perhaps not the most romantic sentiment, this line spoke to me. I might have been able to do all of this without you, but I am endlessly grateful I don't have to. Through all the ups and downs you remain my favorite part of this life. You are the one I hermit the be...