I’m Cool With You, Pinterest Mom
So you wave that hand-stitched, hand-dyed, quilted, embroidered, bedazzled flag, my Pinterest Mom friend. And when you see that look on my face as I survey your bounty of homemade gloriousness, know that’s not judgment or criticism. That’s wonderment and pride in you for what you’ve made, as well as a big helping of gratitude for you sharing what you’ve made with me. Because you know damn well I’m taking a slice of that cake.
5 Simple Ways to Teach Your Children to Reduce Waste
My children are pros at wasting things. One of their favorite nap-time activities is to take sheets of printer paper and cut them into minuscule pieces that I find for days. They don’t color on them — they just cut them up, and then throw them away. When school starts, they bring home reams of paper, covered in “art” that will be treasured for approximately five seconds and then cut into tiny pieces. The same is true for toys. They are joyously acquired, and then quickly forgotten about. Water is left running, lights are left on. Don’t even get me started on the food I throw out every evening. You get the picture.
Don’t Tell Me I’m Amazing — Tell Me to Stop
Because sometimes we need to be told to stop. Sometimes it’s not OK to keep pushing. Sometimes it’s OK to say, ‘I can’t do this.’ But nobody tells us to stop. Everyone tells us we’re amazing and asks how we do it and applauds us and throws confetti as we slowly drive ourselves ragged into the ground.
3 Favorite Fall Soups :: An Instant Pot Recipe Roundup
All of a sudden, the school year has begun, the leaves are starting to change, and I’m putting on a sweater. This is the time for apple picking, for yard clean up, and for fall soups. Yes, soup! As the days start getting shorter and the temperatures start dipping, I find nothing more comforting than a bowl of soup. And as a mom of two trying to get dinner on the table after a day at the office, there is nothing more comforting than my Instant Pot — my amazing set-and-forget, one-appliance wonder.
5 Hacks Every Mom Needs for a Play-Doh Mess
Truthfully, I dislike Play-Doh. I loathe slime. I’m that mom. When I’m at a kid’s birthday party and I see Play-Doh in the favor bag, all I can think is, ‘What a mess this will make!’ But I do see the value in creative play with sensory-friendly toys like Play-Doh, so we’ve persisted. And I’ve learned a few hacks along the way.
My Son Takes Dance, and It’s Awesome!
Like, he really LOVES it! He loves the recital and performing on the big stage. He enjoys the choreography and often reminds his dance teacher if she does the wrong step. He is constantly dancing at home. And if his teachers put music on at school for indoor recess, he will dance there too. It gives him joy and pride. He knows and loves his ‘dance girls.’ We are truly grateful for dance and this studio. They even allowed my son and my daughter to perform a short duet last year to a song my son composed on his iPad. I mean, how cool is that!
When Mom or Dad Has Cancer
Two years ago, when a persistent cough and mild chest pressure turned out to be a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma tumor the size of a dollar bill compressing my husband’s airway, we joined that club. My husband was 31 and I was 32. Our children were 4, 3, and less than 1. Welcome to the cancer club.
Best Boston Day Trips With a Baby
Now that we’re heading into fall, all we want to do is soak up the nice weather. As a Boston mom, there’s so much to do in the city! But when you have an 8-month-old who doesn’t do a whole lot yet, where do you go? Here are some of our favorite Boston day trips for mom and baby.
Four Ways Starting My Own Business Helped Our Family
Let’s be honest — raising small children can suck the life right out of you, making it seem like the worst time to start a business. Ironically, I found it gave me back the energy my kids were draining from me. Having to problem solve, explore my creativity that had felt locked away, and learn new skills to run my business created a spark in me to keep working, even after a long day with the kids.
