Meg St-Esprit

@megstesprit.bsky.social

All views expressed are my own. #bylines NYT, WSJ, Washington Post, The Atlantic, Scary Mommy, Thrillist, PublicSource, City Cast Pgh, Pgh City Paper, and more. 🗓️Events Editor for Kidsburgh.org 🏡Hot Property columnist for Pittsburgh Magazine 💛🖤Yinzer

My firstborn was IN THE AIR, on his first flight without me, on Monday when the Delta plane crashed. After a wonderful week at Disney with the marching band, he’s now safely back home and I can breatheeeeeee.

There are literally not enough journalists employed in the US to cover the bad shit that is happening right now. We are now going to experience the social consequences of a weakened news industry--which are the same as the benefits of a weakened news industry, to those who weakened it.

Stop calling it “DEI.” It’s now a buzzword devoid of meaning to many. Call it what it is. “So, including older people in the workforce is a bad thing?” Or, “Having people of different races share an office space is a negative?” Don’t let them push hate without making them acknowledge it.

Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent. Opportunities are everywhere. Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉

A local guy here in Pa said to me that he “doesn’t like Obamacare but really likes the insurance he gets through Pennie” and it was really fun to tell him Pennie is just what we call our Obamacare here in PA. Dude didn’t even KNOW it was Obamacare he liked.

It is a neverending heartache knowing that some who purport to love my kids are celebrating a president who is harming their wellbeing and diminishing their futures. I don’t know how you let it go. I don’t think it’s possible, when loved ones sell your kids out over the illusion of cheaper eggs.

I prefer even years, but I feel like 2025 gets a pass because 20 is even and 25 feels like a quarter, which fits neatly into a dollar (or a century🤪). It’s not totally rogue — not like a 2007 or 1993 type of situation.

Some love for Bellevue, PA from @megstesprit.bsky.social: “It’s not easy to lean on neighbors (or strangers), but I've learned over our decade in this little town that people are willing to look out for each other, if you open up your heart and let them.” www.businessinsider.com/child-kid-ru...

We didn't see our 11-year-old son at a holiday event for hours. We were never worried about him.

For many parents, letting a fifth grader run free for two hours might be scary, but we trust our kids and the community we live in.

businessinsider.com

Hiding in my butler’s pantry with a Christmas mug full of Diet Coke, while Mariah blares her classic holiday banger and my kids fight over building the Lego poinsettia set — a core holiday memory.

For a decade, we’ve received a Christmas card from Philadelphia for the previous owners. We’ve attempted to use social media to tell them, without success. I’ve become attached to the two boys I’ve watched grow up at the other end of our state. Honestly, when it stops, I’ll be a little bit sad.

My 13yo changed our family Monopoly rules. If you land in jail, you can just pay to get out at any time. “Just like the real world,” he said. “Rich people just buy their way out.”