Oh my, I love this! What a beautiful way to look on parenting (and aging). Where were you ten years ago when I needed you most?
That hair-straightening thing - my sister was also blessed with unruly curls and tried straightening her hair chemically. It just went frizzy and looked awful. I used the stuff on my curly fringe (bangs) and it went straight and stayed straight forever, much to my dismay 😫