by Jocelyn Jane Cox
Welcome to the Chronicles of Parenting by local author, freelance writer, blogger and parent-of-toddler Jocelyn Jane Cox. Read on for advice you never knew you needed and the chuckles you know you really need, tailored to those who live in the Great State of Parenthood.
This week, Jocelyn pays tribute to the original “sharing economy” in which parents have participated long before the Internet made up a name for it.
You ask us so sheepishly
If we’d like some things your kids have outgrown.
We understand your subtext:
You’re trying to make room for other things to own.
The clothes have got holes,
And all kinds of wear.
But we’ll take them, we’ll take them!
And we love how you share.
They arrive in a huge garbage bag,
We rip open with a sense of surprise.
Indeed the treasures inside,
Are almost all the right size.
It’s like Christmas and Birthday,
No matter what time of year.
(And though we know and love you,
We wash them twice due to our bed bug fear.)
The toys are quite rumpled,
And only half-work.
But, anyway, the sound effects they came with,
Would probably drive me berserk.
If you haven’t yet experienced this phenomenon,
Then you will surely soon see…
The best thing about hand-me-downs,
Is that they are so gloriously free!
Someday it will be our turn,
To pass these items along.
We can only hope the new recipients,
Will trump this poem with a celebratory song.
This is all to say THANK YOU for the hand-me-downs that have come our way. We have enjoyed all of them.
Jocelyn Jane Cox is a freelance writer and author. Her 2012 humor book on life in the New York suburbs, The Homeowner’s Guide to Greatness: How to handle natural disasters, design dilemmas and various infestations, is available on Amazon.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JocelynJaneCox.
The Chronicles of Parenting are sponsored by children’s performer, Danna Banana, 
who plays “music for kids that parents can stand.” He’s written for Disney and Nickelodeon and played the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For parties, songwriting, or to learn more about this composer, performer, and Nyack resident, go to DannaBanana.com. Or DanCohenSongs.com.
