Ask any new parent what they need and the answer will probably be “more sleep!” When I was a new mother I was so tired that I once tried to nurse a stuffed animal. No one was more surprised than me that I couldn’t get a good latch, except maybe Elmo. I read “The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep” by Harvey Karp, M.D. and wish I’d had this book for my babies. Not that my babies could … [Read more...]
Draft-Dodging the Mommy War
1:20 pm By 52 Comments
Thanks, Time magazine. You have made people absolutely lose their minds with your provocative cover photo of Jamie Lynne Grumet. Instead of getting my recommended daily allowance of Kardashian gossip, now I have to worry about not being a good mom AND put on my judgey pants about Jamie nursing what appears to be an Army staff sergeant. I don’t know if people have flipped their lids because … [Read more...]
Trash to Treasure? Garbage Art with Glad
5:04 pm By 5 Comments
I have some parenting rules that work well for me. One is “Mama never gets mad over an accident.” Things happen, stuff gets broken. I try to keep my cool, as long as it wasn’t done out of laziness or during the commission of a crime. (Do not touch my secret chocolate stash I keep in an antique beer stein!) Still, I’ve had to throw away a lot of nice things over the last twenty … [Read more...]
Is That New Mother Being Overprotective? RSV Prevention.
2:55 pm By 4 Comments
After twenty years of momming four kids, I’d describe my parenting style as very laid-back. A shock to you, I’m sure. At our house we have the five minute rule for dropped food. Heck, if you can beat the dog to it, I’m sure it’s fine. Just dust it off and go for it. I do have a beloved friend who is much more anti-germ than I am. Her kids will never know the joy of saying “Take … [Read more...]
Teaching Kids About Generosity
6:55 pm By 4 Comments
I think I’m a naturally selfish person, but I want to be a giver. And I want to raise my four kids to be people who give more than they take, both with their hard work and their money. It’s never too early to teach your children to be charitable. One way is to divide any pocket money they earn into portions where they spend, save and donate. I like to let my kids make their own money … [Read more...]
