They Say Parenting

Motherhood: What We Don’t Talk About

(Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2019) 12 Comments

It’s so easy to talk about the joys of parenthood—about all the wonderful things our children say and do.

Like when your daughter is reading above her grade level, or when you notice your son understands emotions better than some adults—when he is upset and crying but can somehow verbalize it in appropriate feeling words. Or, when your baby meets a milestone, starts walking, or talking. Or maybe you had a “mom-win” when your child shared well with other children at the public library. This list could go on.

It’s a lot harder to talk about the difficult moments.

Like the other day … read more

Snowplow Parenting: What You Need to Know

(Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2019) 15 Comments

You may have heard of the term, “helicopter parent.” In the wake of the college admission scandal, a term you might not know, “snowplow parenting,” is reemerging in the headlines. This parenting style, which revolves around removing obstacles from a child’s path can actually be harmful.

If you missed this amazing segment on the Today Show, Snowplow parenting: why it’s good to let your kids fail, family counselor, Dr. Argie Allen Wilson, talks about how letting our kids fail isn’t a bad … read more

20 Easter Crafts for Kids

(Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2019) 10 Comments

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this Easter? We have compiled 20 fun and easy activities to try with your kids from some amazing bloggers! Check out 20 Easter crafts for kids of all ages! You’ll find something here for everyone.

Simply click the link below each picture for directions.

Peeps Edible Puffy Paint

Brought to you by Messy Little Monster, this edible puffy-paint craft is a fun activity all kids are sure to love!

10 Reasons Why Parents and Zookeepers Are Alike

(Posted on Thursday, March 7, 2019) 16 Comments

I’m pretty sure being a parent gives us the credentials to be a zoo keeper. Here are 10 reasons why parents and zookeepers are alike.

1. I can clean up poop like it’s my job.

Baby poop, toddler poop, poop where it shouldn’t be, identifying if something is in fact poop—we can do it all.

2. Taming wild animals—check!

Wrangling animals— another check! Sometimes having a baby with reflux is like wrangling an alligator… the kicks, the twists, the arching.

And then there are toddler tantrums… Need I say more?

3. Physical strength and endurance from chasing and constraining toddlers—got it!

If you don’t believe me, try … read more

The Best and Worst Parenting Advice from the Real Experts: Parents

(Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2019) 12 Comments

As parents, we receive a lot of advice. With three kids, I’ve heard it all.

Breastfeed. Supplement. Don’t breastfeed. Rock your baby to sleep. Don’t rock your baby to sleep—it’s a sleep association. Potty-train early. Wait to potty train. Offer baby food at 4 months. Wait until at least 6 months to offer baby food. Don’t yell at your child.

The list could go on.

Some advice is requested, but we get plenty of unwarranted advice too. I am sure the person giving the advice has good intentions, but sometimes this advice leaves me feeling like I am doing everything wrong.

What is the … read more

Alternative Valentine’s Day Ideas for Parents

(Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2019) 10 Comments

Anyone feeling a little down because they don’t think they did enough this Valentine’s Day?

Don’t feel bad!

With Valentine’s Day can come a pressure to do something special for our significant other or for our kids. Where does this pressure come from? Well, even the Encyclopedia Britannica defines Valentine’s Day as “when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.” Not only this, but the Encyclopedia states that “formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s commercially printed cards were being used.” Wow! Just based … read more

10 Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids That Won’t Break the Bank

(Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2019) 8 Comments

Have you heard them say Valentine’s Day is just a “commercial holiday,” a “money-making scheme,” or —my favorite— that it’s “just an excuse to eat chocolate?”

As unbelievable as it sounds, according to this article from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans were expected to spend 19.6 billion dollars on Valentine’s Day last year, which was up from the 18.2 billion spent in 2017.

This may be one of the reasons why some people love Valentine’s day and why some people hate it.

Still, no matter … read more

17 Time-Saving Parenting Tips

(Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2019) 10 Comments

What is it “they say” about time? Time is money. Time is gold.Yep, it’s gold. It is something I always wish I had, but it’s really hard to find.

Sometimes I feel like nothing gets done. With so many interruptions it’s hard to finish any of the tasks I start.

One day while I was in the middle of doing laundry, my toddler was calling for me, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!”

I thought to myself before responding, If I hurry, I can finish folding this laundry really quick. After all, I am almost done.

The next thing I knew, he was coming up the stairs carrying the little … read more

My Mom Life in Pop Song Lyrics

(Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2019) 32 Comments

Much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, music is a wonderful form of art where lyrics can be interpreted in many ways. Lyrics or poetry can mean something entirely different to two people or even to the same person on different days.

Sometimes music makes me feel better. Sometimes it makes me feel understood.

On a rare occasion, I was driving alone in the car listening to the radio [instead of the typical nursery rhymes or Disney sound tracks]. On that day, I had a peaceful moment of clarity where I was able to focus on the music— … read more

Managing Self-Talk As a Parent: Ask Yourself This Question

(Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2019) 10 Comments

They say, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

I disagree. Sometimes words can hurt even more than physical pain.

Let’s say for a second someone threw a rock at me. This is not outside of the realm of possibility with a toddler around. Yep, that would hurt. Or more realistically, let’s say my toddler smacks me… maybe on accident [or to be honest] maybe on purpose. Yes, that also hurts, but the pain goes away.

Now words, on the other hand, can hurt for quite a long time. There are words that were said to … read more