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tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:/voices/feed/national Mamapedia Voices 2016-06-28T21:16:14Z tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10777451980088737793 2016-06-29T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-29T00:00:00-07:00 The Dance Recital

 Ah, the dance recital. That wonderful day that comes every June where friends and family get to watch what your child has done throughout the year. During the year, we bring them to class and hope they are learning something about the art of dance.

Our kids come out of the studio happy and chatting with their dance friends. Towards the end of the school year, we are presented with sparkly, glittery, frilly costumes that we pray will fit despite having to send the measurements 5 months ago. And let's face it, 5 months for toddlers and preschoolers may as well be a lifetime at the rate they grow! There's practicing with no mirrors, finding your special spots and finally the dress rehearsal. It's the first time we get to see the full routines complete with costume and hair. Cameras and phones are ready to go. Curtains are up, lights are low. Now they dance!

My daughter's recital is this coming weekend and I'm beyond excited.

This will complete her 2nd year of dance. As someone who grew up dancing from the age of 3 and comes from a dance family, I was ecstatic when my daughter expressed her love for dance. Of course, I hoped she would, but never pushed it on her. I also hoped that she would pick up the rhythms and choreography with ease. So as I watched her on stage during the rehearsal, phone recording in one hand, camera snapping away in the other, I was so proud…. More
 Kristen Samson Jackson of "Mommy's New Groove" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14737051655338262529 2016-06-28T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-28T00:00:00-07:00 My Super Mom Kryptonite

 After two kids, a twenty six+ year reign in marriage, a massively apple-cart-upsetting job change and countless other life dramas, I really feel like I should own a hypothetical black belt in the art of "rolling with the punches."

Is my car suddenly DOA as I struggle to get two kids to school on time, in two different places? That will be NO PROBLEMO thanks to my Ninja-like speed dial skills and vast mommy connections.

Wait, did I just pop a run in my nylons the size of the Grand Canyon right as I am walking out the door to The Big Event with no time to change, and no spare pair even if I did have time to change? Easy-Peasey-Lemon Squeezey, baby. I will rock my fab dress with black leggings and look damn amazing doing it.

Although I'd like to keep the myth alive that very little will breaka ma stride, there is one thing that will take the wind out of my sails and leave me curled up in a corner bawling like a newborn. That "something" is any issues/malfunctions with anything tech related…."/voices/my-super-mom-kryptonite" class="more"> More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/12684699741943300097 2016-06-27T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-27T00:00:00-07:00 Sleep Is For The Weak (SAID NO MOM EVER): Instilling A Bedtime Routine

 Editors Note: The following article is a repost with permission from Class Crasher. You can find the original post here

It's easy to let our routines go, especially in the summer. With days at the beach, summer festivals, and family traveling it can be all too tempting to forego bedtime and indulge our kids' wishes for just five more minutes of play! Ensuring that kids get enough sleep is important for many reasons, but it may surprise you how many benefits it has for you as a parent. Eirene Heidelberger is here to explain why parents should stay strong and keep bedtime consistent no matter what. Eirene is the founder and CEO of GITMom, a full-service parent coaching and advice company.… More
 Marylynne Schwartz of "ClassCrasher" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14404033136868786177 2016-06-26T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-26T00:00:00-07:00 7 Tips for Traveling with Other Families

 My family had the opportunity to spend Father's Day weekend in Suncadia in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington with two families with whom we are very close. There were 4 kids ages 2.5 and under and it was the first time we all traveled together. In fact, it was the first time we'd stayed in a house with other babies/toddlers on a vacation and we learned a lot.

 7 Tips for Traveling with Other Families:

1) Assess Lodging Options

We opted to rent a large house for all 3 families to stay in together because we all have small children with early bedtimes. This freed the adults up to drink wine and play Cards of Humanity together while the kiddos slept. It also had a hot tub and was walking distance from a few parks and lots of trails. Most importantly, though, is that there was free wifi!

2) Make Sure there are Blackout Curtains

I cannot stress this enough! The house we stayed at didn't even have blinds, so our toddler was up 2 hours early every morning. Usually our hotels have blackout curtains which allow us to have lazier mornings in bed…. More
 Marcie Cheung of "Marcie in Mommyland" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/18431622019859939329 2016-06-25T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-25T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS - Independence Day: Resurgence

 THE DETAILS:

Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and destruction, and for some language
 Running Time: 120 minutes
 Genre: Sci-Fi Action
 In Theaters: June 24th, 2016
 Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Jesse Usher and Maika Monroe
 Writers: Nicolas Wright, James A. Woods, Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich and James Vanderbilt
 Director: Roland Emmerich
 Format: Standard 2D, film also screening in 3D and IMAX versions.

 THE PLOT:

20 years after the "War of '96," Earth has enjoyed 2 decades of peace and prosperity. Our technology and defense systems have grown by leaps and bounds, but will it be enough when the aliens return with a much, much bigger ship?

CONTENT:

The events of Independence Day: Resurgence move along too quickly for any of the characters to engage in any drug use or sexual activity (save for a couple innuendos), but they are able to pepper their dialogue with a couple four-letter words and assorted other expletives. Although there are undoubtedly countless lives lost, most of the human casualties take place off screen, from a distance, or behind the cover of giant explosions. A few of the aliens are slaughtered more graphically, resulting in the spilling of much slimy goo…. More
 Benjamin Spacek tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16921227294830559233 2016-06-24T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-24T00:00:00-07:00 The School Year Is Over

 One day in the first week of June, around 2:50p.m., there was a moment when every single elementary school teacher in my community was likely to be found at the front of their school waving farewell as big yellow buses carted away students for the last time.

Once the bus loads of students were out of sight, I can only imagine the level of happy dancing and fist bumping that occurred as these same educators silently thought (or not-so-silently) "*Thank Gawd, we made through another school year*."

 I, for one, share their "Thank Gawd its over" sentiment.

In a nutshell, it's been a helluva school year and one I never care to repeat.

 After almost a decade of awesome teachers and exciting school days, this year has been the MacDaddy of Big Sucky Sandwiches for my youngest. It's been a year of academic micromanaging (on the teacher's part-not mine), new challenges, distressing emails and a new diagnosis. This last school year, for the first time in my life, has been the year I have had to work overtime to not "lose my crap" on a teacher…. More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17089216118750773249 2016-06-23T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-23T00:00:00-07:00 Cultivating a Summer Cocktail Garden

 Summer can be a stressful time for moms; between the heat and the kids, sometimes we all just need a delicious drink.

Last summer cocktail gardens kept popping up on my Pinterest feed, so I decided to give it a try. I got down and dirty and planted mints, lavender, basils, rosemary, and lovage among a few other favorites.

 Herbs are great for beginning gardeners; they're often more forgiving than vegetable and fruit plants. Basil and lovage are like babies: they need some attention in the beginning, and then they'll thrive. On the other hand, mint is like a toddler: it wants to be everywhere and anywhere it can get to, and you have to be stern with it or it will take over the garden. I bought established lavender and rosemary plants; they can be hard to begin from seed. They're both more like teens: you check in on them occasionally, see if they need anything and let them do their thing.

So why plant a cocktail garden? Here are three fabulous reasons:… More
 Kathryn Reilly of "Mamapedia" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/5239180974314815489 2016-06-22T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-22T00:00:00-07:00 Orlando: When Terror Strikes in My Own Backyard

 Pulse nightclub on Orange Avenue—the site of Sunday's massacre in Orlando—lies just 20 minutes from my house. My Orlando community can now sadly lay claim as the site of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, with 49 victims and dozens more injured.

With still-fresh emotions from Sunday's tragedy, I watch the names of the victims scroll across my TV screen. I'm filled with both great sadness and relief that I don't personally know anyone who perished.

But I wonder, were they the sons or daughters of someone I know at church?

Did they attend the same college as my oldest son?

Did they work at the same company as my husband?

As a mom of two boys, this too-close-to-home attack horrifies me. As an Orlando area citizen, this unnerves me to the core. If it can happen here—surrounded by family-friendly theme parks in "the happiest place on Earth"—it can happen anywhere.

How do we, as families, overcome the fear so inherent in terrorist attacks? How can we lead normal lives when our world, literally, our own community, feels like it is falling apart around us? How can we even enjoy the simplest of pleasures—like taking our children to a movie theater, a shopping mall or a theme park—when in the back of our minds, we're scared and suspicious?… More
 Lisa Beach of "Tweenior Moments" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/12687587007921455105 2016-06-21T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-21T00:00:00-07:00 10 things I Want My Three Year Old Daughter To Know

 Just as soon as she popped out, turned one, then two, in what seems to be a blink of an eye my little girl has turned three. If I could freeze this moment right now, I would, a thousand times over. But because I can't, here are 10 things I want my three year old daughter to know now she is, well, three.

 To E….

1. I still remember that moment you came out of me like it was yesterday, that incredible moment of clarity of looking down and seeing this tiny blood-stained entity on my chest, crying the gentlest cry on the earth.

2. Our connection is now stronger than it has ever been. When I look into your eyes it is like our souls are entwined and my heart wants to explode.

3. The terrible twos were indeed terrible at times, but I understand now why they were – your frustrations, a mismatch of expectations…but however testing they were – and I am sorry for my misdemeanours in this time – I know now that they really were all worth it because out of it, you have emerged the most wonderful girl.… More
 Talya Stone of "Motherhood: The Real Deal" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9773715765042937857 2016-06-20T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-20T00:00:00-07:00 A Big Helping of Kids' Fashion, Hold the Stereotypes

 Editors Note: The following is a new type of article for Mamapedia. It is intended as a review of a variety of products that parents may find of interest -in this case unique and fashionable children's clothing. Our intent is to raise awareness of some of the more interesting and worthwhile products currently available to parents by sharing one person's honest and personal opinion of these products. Neither the author, nor Mamapedia, have been or will be compensated in any way by these companies and all opinions and choice of products listed were completely unsolicited.

Punky Brewster. Transparent. Sex and the City. Blossom. In art, as in life, fashion is one of the primary ways we express and experiment with our identity. "You are what you wear" means that what you wear can be pretty damn important.

As a grown woman I can wrap myself in Lululemon to prove that moving freely doesn't require looking frumpy, slip into a BCBG dress as a declaration of MILF-hood, or don a black suit to broadcast my intent to get down to business. Doc Martens and stilettos. Skinny jeans and boyfriends. Gore-Tex and leather. I have all these and more at my disposal as I decide and declare what being female means to me…. More
 Gail Cornwall of "Joie de Kids" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14000930059305943041 2016-06-19T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-19T00:00:00-07:00 In Appreciation of Fathers

 This is for fathers: true, loving, caring, responsible fathers.

Not sperm donors, not yearly visitors, but actual, real, in the trenches, hands-on fathers. This is for fathers who see their children every day, and also for those who don't, but whose presence in their children's lives is always felt and always appreciated.

Fathers who realize that money is important and material things are nice but a hug is priceless and a compliment invaluable.

Fathers who understand that they are their son's best example for how to treat a woman, and have set the standard for their daughters for how they should expect to be treated by a man.

This is for living fathers who take the time to provide encouragement and guidance often, and dead fathers who left an indelible imprint on the souls of their children.

Fathers who are not afraid to hug, ashamed to cry, reluctant to ask, or unwilling to try. Fathers who play with their children, pray with their children, and stay with their children, and are as comfortable at the football game as they are at the dance recital.… More
 Danine Manette of "Messages For Joey" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15951962736427335681 2016-06-18T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-18T00:00:00-07:00 No More Tears

"Ok. That's enough now. No more tears, please. Don't cry" …

 Image: Kristen Samson Jackson

 I hear the words leaving my mouth as my little one cries over losing her balloon and watches it disappear into the blue sky. I catch myself and let her cry a little longer. I silently rub her back as she cries about this balloon. I smile to myself because in the large scheme of her life, this won't go down as a historic loss. It probably won't even be significant in a few hours.

So why did I just let her continue to sob over this balloon?

About a month ago, my daughter caught me crying.

She sat down next to me and I immediately tried to cover it up. She asked what was wrong and I responded with my usual, "mommy is fine". She then asked me if I stopped crying because crying was bad. I shook my head. "Well I want to be brave, so I don't want to ever cry" she replied. At first, I thought nothing of the comment…. More
 Kristen Samson Jackson of "Mommy's New Groove" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11249372167517044737 2016-06-17T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-17T00:00:00-07:00 Empathy is Easy. Until it's hard

 It's been two years. Almost to the day, actually.

My second guy was 8 years old at the time and we were on our biennial trek to bask in the glow of that adorable talking mouse and his magnificent tribe. It was our day at Magic Kingdom and in typical Disney fashion the crowds were akin to 4am at Walmart on Black Friday. Just obscene. And not particularly ideal for us introverts, guys, but obviously Tinkerbell sprinkles the joint with feel-good-fairy-dust and her spell makes me blinded to even the most absurd congestion. I mean, a 90-minute wait for a 30-second ride seems perfectly reasonable, right? Ahem.

As per usual we had sufficiently over-indulged on everything the kingdom could serve up and when the sun began to dip low in the sky our crew, and 98,000 of our closest friends, migrated instinctively towards Cinderella's Castle for what was sure to be the most beautiful fireworks display at the ball. We were staking our territory (read: 2-foot square of concrete) for the big show when it hit me suddenly like a hot brick to the face…. More
 Jen Johnson of "Choosing Kind" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6927984521929621505 2016-06-16T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-16T00:00:00-07:00 The Summer Slide: Simple Strategies To Prevent Academic Losses Over The Summer

 Summer is upon us which means all sorts of excitement: hot weather, flip flops, pools, vacations, beaches, parks, watermelon – the list goes on and on! Unfortunately, there is one pitfall to summer: the summer slide. I'm not talking about that playground slide that is ALWAYS too hot (why can't these be produced in a different material that isn't potentially butt burning?) but the fact that most students lose some of what they've learned over the school year during the summer.

I've asked expert Laura Reber to share some concrete tips for avoiding summer slide. Laura is the founder and CEO of Chicago Home Tutor.

 Image: ComicPhonics.com

By: Laura Reber

Estimates vary on how steep the summer slide is but the consensus is unanimous about the fact that a loss happens…. More
 Marylynne Schwartz of "ClassCrasher" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16638913541038211073 2016-06-15T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-15T00:00:00-07:00 Decluttering The Kids

 Our family is lucky, we have an easy kid – generally well-behaved and good-hearted. We skated past the usual terrible twos and fearsome fours. But now, we find ourselves with a 5 year old going on 15. Sass. Defiance. Sneakiness.

Our great kid is testing every boundary.

 Recently our darling child channeled her inner Catwoman and snuck downstairs after bedtime, unplugged the iPad, snuck upstairs, and hid under the covers watching My Little Pony for hours before being discovered. Tears ensued when we discovered the subterfuge. The following evening she Picassoed her carpet with ALL my makeup to make her room "more beautiful". We calmly informed her that we were disappointed and that we'd discuss the consequences in the morning before putting her to bed again.

We woke, enjoyed breakfast, then got boxes.

 "What are the boxes for? Are we going to make a huge fort?"

"You'll see," we replied as we walked up stairs.

 Once in her room, it was time for the conversation. "Sometimes there are bigger consequences for our actions. You have been making a lot of bad choices this week. Today you're losing all the toys in your room." She began to profusely apologize for the prior evening. We explained that some things, like ruining all of mom's make-up, have lasting consequences, and saying I'm sorry isn't enough…. More
 Kathryn Reilly of "Mamapedia" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15091637772924289025 2016-06-14T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-14T00:00:00-07:00 Bad Mommy: Get Back In The Kitchen

 What's the saying? "Men bring home the bacon and the women cook it."

I'm not even sure that is a saying. But, it sure is a sentiment. One that should have died a long time ago.

One that hasn't died.

I love bacon, but the idea that gender defines who should be bringing it home and who should be cooking it, is bull.

First off all everyone should know how to cook bacon, because uh, it's bacon and it's bloody delicious (vegans and vegetarians please don't send me hate mail this applies to tofu bacon or whatever too). But, the stupid sentiment isn't really about actual bacon, it is about who works and who stays home. It's about knowing your place and your role; at least according to some folks.

When my son was born I went back to work when he was 8 days old. I was full time again by the time he was 2 weeks old. I had no choice my first marriage was crumbling and someone had to bring in money, because babies need stuff and that stuff costs money…. More
 Allyson Greene of "Bring Mommy Coffee" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16755492194835824641 2016-06-13T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-13T00:00:00-07:00 Besties

 "She's my best friend," I overhead someone enthusiastically gushing at the grocery store the other day.

At first, the thought of someone being excited about a best friend made me smile. But then it made me kind of sad too. Why? Because I personally don't subscribe to the notion of exclusivity in regards a Best Friend.

In plain English; I don't limit my bestie to just ONE.

I guess I am the odd duck who believes that our precious lives should be shared with multiple besties who bring a wide variety of wisdom, humor, skills and comfort to the table.

Just for craps and giggles, I looked up the term "Best Friend" and here is what it said; "The definition of a best friend is a person who you value above other friends in your life, someone you have fun with, someone you trust and someone in whom you confide. An especially close and trusted friend.

Sounds pretty darn singular doesn't it?

"But how I define the term "best friend" is way deeper, more vast and populated by several amazing people riding shotgun with me on this crazy journey called Life"…. More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10737594417243553793 2016-06-12T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-12T00:00:00-07:00 Pregnancy The Second Time Around

 After finding out that we were pregnant again, I immediately starting thinking about all the things I'd do differently this time.

Of course, I'll still take my prenatal vitamins and go to all my doctor's visits, but there are still a lot of options out there. It's kind of like traveling somewhere you've already been before: where do you revisit, where do you skip and what new adventures would you like to check out?

 REVISIT

Traveling While Pregnant:
 Last time, I traveled to Italy and Hawaii while pregnant and it was a really fun experience. Especially with Italy, I was able to take siestas every day and take it slowly, which helped me really enjoy Italy! So far this time, we've traveled to Vancouver, B.C., Eastern Washington, Disneyland, Suncadia and Portland.

Pregnancy Book:
 I did a photo book about my pregnancy with my first-born Owen and it was really therapeutic and I have looked back on it. I've already started on a photo book this time around, although it's less thorough!… More
 Marcie Cheung of "Marcie in Mommyland" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14047268251009089537 2016-06-11T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-11T00:00:00-07:00 Folk Remedies For The Skeptical Mom

 I respect the granola moms out there, but I'm not one of them. I'm a firm personal believer in things like running to the pharmacy counter whenever I have a cold and asking why two epidurals wouldn't be better than one?

However, I admit that I still use some home remedies that either I grew up with or have been so ingrained in me from my own childhood that they're second nature. Some of these have scientific grounding to explain why they work (others, not so much). Here are the ones that I use on my kids.

Humidifier:

Given that both of my girls were born in the midst of Chicago winters, getting humidifiers for their rooms was pushed by a pediatrician friend. Studies show that they can alleviate dry skin, chapped lips, nose bleeds, and any other symptoms of running a heater non-stop to make our house livable despite the near arctic conditions outside. Humidifiers are also great for colds and coughs since they make breathing just a bit easier. We went with this Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier because it was cheap, easy to fill, and fairly unobtrusive (also cool mist models don't have the danger of burning your child)…. More
 Marylynne Schwartz of "ClassCrasher" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17839017662278336513 2016-06-10T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-10T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS - Warcraft

 THE DETAILS:

Rating: PG-13
 Running Time: 123 minutes
 Genre: Action
 In Theaters: June 10, 2016
 Starring: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper
 Screenwriters: Charles Leavitt, Duncan Jones
 Director: Duncan Jones

 THE PLOT:

The human world of Azeroth is threatened by the invading hordes of orcs, giant warriors from a ravaged world. A brutal war between humans and orcs threatens to tear Azeroth apart. It's up to a brave knight, a plucky mage, a concerned king, an all-powerful wizard, a freed slave and a worried orc to bring balance to this struggle.

CONTENT:

Warcraft is very heavy on the violence with its massive battle sequences. Characters, both human and orc, spill blood of red, green and black. There are scenes of orcs bashing their giant hammers into the skulls of humans and humans driving their swords into the stomachs of orcs. Several orcs end up losing their fingers and hands as they are chopped, burned or blown off. Many human characters meet their end by being slain and having their corpses held in the air by the orcs. Necks are stabbed, bitten and sliced as blood spills out from the wounds. Body parts are ripped out including bones and teeth. As the humans attempt to free the prisoners of the orcs, several innocents are savaged with the blunt weapons of the orcs. Two orcs battle it out with their fists to the death. A one-on-one battle ends with a slice to the crotch and a stab in the back. There is no sex (only one kiss in a vain attempt at romance); a brief scene of childbirth and the language is very clean…. More
 Mark McPherson tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11793688529861935105 2016-06-09T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-09T00:00:00-07:00 A letter to the pregnant lady sitting next to me

Dear lovely pregnant lady sitting next to me,

You tentatively reveal that you are only 10 weeks pregnant! 10 weeks! You share with me you feel like hell. You are already not sleeping. You already feel sick at the smell of meat. You are already wishing this time away.

But no!

Please don't.

For I can not tell you that it will all get much easier. Sure, I can tell you that you'll feel better in the next trimester. But I can not tell you you are about to embark on the most dreamy experience you have set in your mind. Or that you will not struggle as a mum. Or that breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. Or any of this.

How desperately am I trying to keep in all the things you don't want to hear right now?… More
 Talya Stone of "Motherhood: The Real Deal" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14731824022941925377 2016-06-08T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-08T00:00:00-07:00 I'm Not A Perfect Parent, And Neither Are You

 A few days ago something awful happened.

A mother's oversight put a four-year-old in harm's way. Fortunately, the child is OK. But, days later, the mother is still beating herself up at the thought of what could have been. I know this, because it was me.

I was the mother. It was my oversight.

It happened in the middle of the night. I woke to my four-year-old daughter coughing. This happens from time to time, but this time was different. There was something about her cough that caused me to bolt upright from a dead sleep. I was in her room within seconds. She was sitting up in bed, coughing and gasping for air.

It was an asthma attack.

I rushed to the hall closest and pulled the nebulizer and albuterol from a bag, where I had stored them months before. With trembling hands, I squeezed the contents of the small albuterol vial into the chamber as quickly as possible. As I did this, I could hear her struggling to breathe. My heart was pounding, and I felt as though the air was being sucked from my own lungs…. More
 Jorrie Varney of "Close To Classy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/5174059713754890241 2016-06-07T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-07T00:00:00-07:00 Can You Stop Wishing for your Pre-Baby Body After Having a Baby?

 Every time I hear the term pre-baby body, I shudder a bit. Mostly because it's usually a mom saying something to the effect of "wow, I really wish I could get my pre-baby body back."

Honey, I feel you. I loved my pre-baby body. My boobs were perky, I had zero stretch marks and my hips weren't as big as the landing zone for a commercial airliner.

Here's the thing though, I have had two kids.

My pre-baby body is never going to return. I can exercise and get back to that pre-baby weight, but that body is gone. Just like my virginity is long lost and I am officially a married woman. Sure, I can un-marry, but I will still have been married at one point, just as I have had a baby. There are just some things you cannot change. Also, I would rather be married.

It seems that as women when we are comparing ourselves we assume there are other moms who have been unscathed by the birth of their children, but that just is not true. We are all affected. Yes, there are some that are less minor, maybe your friend doesn't have stretch marks, but we have all been changed…. More
 Sarah Jane of "Mom Facts and Food" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6161442995406438401 2016-06-06T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-06T00:00:00-07:00 Mommy I Need You

 It was the wee hours of the morning.

My mind was racing as it normally does when I can't sleep. The night sky still visible; a sign that I should be sleeping, not fretting over finances or my latest work deadline. My quiet time came to an end as a shrieking sound startled me. I looked in the baby monitor and saw my toddler crying. Through those tears, I heard her call for "Mommy". I hopped out of bed and raced into her room, worried that something was terribly wrong.

As I opened the door, she rose to her feet saying four simple words, "Mommy, I need you."

Was anything wrong? No. My almost 3-year-old simply woke up scared and wanted her mommy.

My husband and I try not to let her sleep in our bed, so I offered to rock her for a few minutes. I carried Peyton from her crib to the rocking chair, a spot that was so familiar, yet so foreign to me. That comfortable grey nursery chair was symbolic of the early days when my daughter first came home from the hospital. That chair was meant to rock three babies to sleep, but instead, I rocked my lone surviving triplet as my mind wandered to heaven, thinking of her brother and sister who passed away…. More
 Stacey Skrysak of "Perfectly Peyton" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14136401694401298433 2016-06-05T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-05T00:00:00-07:00 The Makings Of A Scaredy Cat

 My oldest daughter, like myself, is a chicken. However, unlike me, she isn't always frightened by the things I would expect.

Our experience at a mini-petting zoo was the thing that sparked my interest in taking a more scientific approach to understanding fear. The event was targeted at the three to five year old crowd, and at two, she was the youngest participant when I snuck her in (she's always loved animals, and it seemed right up her alley).

All the kids were delighted as the animal caretaker brought out a chinchilla, followed by a chick, followed by a bunny. However, near the end of the show, the animal wrangler gave a sly grin and pulled out a gigantic (at least to me) cockroach and a hairy spider. Every kid in the room shrieked and scrambled away except my daughter who happily pet them like any other animal.

From my vantage point (safely removed from the cockroach and spider), it dawned on me that some fears obviously need to be learned and got me wondering about how that process happens…. More
 Marylynne Schwartz of "ClassCrasher" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16045373563502657537 2016-06-04T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-04T00:00:00-07:00 6 Tips For Reading Chapter Books To Young Kids

 As a life-long book-lover myself, I couldn't wait to start reading books I remembered and loved from my own childhood to my kids. You can imagine my disappointment when at 18months old, my firstborn wouldn't even sit in my lap to look at touch-and-feel books or let me show him the wonder of a lift-the-flip book.

An inauspicious start to say the least.

When the same kid was three years old (and now regularly sat still for a picture book before bed) I decided it was time to move on to the classics. Bless my heart. I have no idea when it's the right time for my oldest kiddo to do anything so my default mode is typically yesterday.

Three was way too early for my son to sit through, let alone understand most of the content I was trying to read to him. I let it go for a while but we picked it back up again sometime between the age of 4 and 5. By this time I also had a 3 year old and an 18 month old, and although they didn't sit still and listen attentively, they toddled around us and picked up on the fact that books were exciting and this extended reading time was special…. More
 Katie Leipprandt of "Crazy Joy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/13180600226400239617 2016-06-03T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-03T00:00:00-07:00 Mothering

 Hi, friends

Yesterday offered an unanticipated free moment to STOP and do nothing more than sit on my back porch. So, I took it. Because when the universe opens her hands and says "here is a quiet minute just for you, my dear," always and forever SAY YES.

And, guys, it was glorious.

I admired the sun as it slowly melted behind trees and I took deeper breaths and I closed my eyes to soak in all the familiar. It sounded and smelled like summer nearing and even now just reflecting on it I can't stop with all the smiling. Has anyone ever dumped a warm load of bath towels fresh from the dryer over your body when you were feeling chilly? Yea, summer's big return is JUST like that to me. Warm and comforting and cheerful and GOOD LORD SUMMER DON'T EVER LEAVE US AGAIN. Pretty please.

As I sat there fading in and out of my rock solid intent to meditate, my mind stumbled onto this whole mothering journey. It is also one of seasons, right? But, instead of roughly four there are, let's say, THOUSANDS of them. I mean, give or take. Many, many seasons. And higher tides to weather and more storms to wait out and bigger sunrises to marvel at and don't even get me started on the earthquakes and toddlers, er, I mean TORNADOS, you guys. And all the marvelous and humbling and blissful and sometimes agonizing ways that these seasons intersect, often moment to moment…. More
 Jen Johnson of "Choosing Kind" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15577359653091475457 2016-06-02T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-02T00:00:00-07:00 5 Tips for Moving with a Toddler While Pregnant

 I would like to start by saying that I don't recommend moving while pregnant or dealing with a toddler.

I certainly don't recommend moving while managing both!

Moving is one of the most stressful things to do and it's amplified with pregnancy and toddlers.

We bought a home in new construction last year and had plenty of time to purge our belongings, pack up and list our house. At least that was the plan. We found out I was pregnant about 3 weeks before we were to close on our new house. Since I had a complicated pregnancy last time, we were both worried about me lifting anything, which really slowed down our packing process.

The pregnancy had the most impact on the move. I was in my first trimester and not only was I exhausted but I felt sick on and off. Not only was it difficult to keep my toddler fed and entertained as I couldn't move from the couch, but I had the constant nagging feeling that there was so much packing to do.

Being pregnant was still easier than managing a toddler, however. If you've ever tried to do a task with a toddler, you'll know that it takes three times longer to accomplish anything…. More
 Marcie Cheung of "Marcie in Mommyland" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/12358195043822272513 2016-06-01T00:00:00-07:00 2016-06-01T00:00:00-07:00 Thank You: An Open Letter to My Childs Teacher

 Every year I go through the same thing, excitement, worry, and hopefulness about the new school year. As the year goes on I grow more and more attached as I learn more about those in the classroom. Then, as the school year comes to a close, I have mixed emotions – I'm happy for the break and look forward to easier mornings and leisurely afternoons but, at the same time, I am sad to move on to the next school year with new faces to learn.

I am not talking about the separation from the children in the classroom, but instead the teachers. I am not a teacher. I could not be a teacher. I do not know how to teach, I do not have the patience to teach, and I am a teensy bit a germophobe. Instead I am a mom to two little girls who have had the privilege of having had some fantastic teachers. And at the end of every school year I am sad that these amazing people will not be in my kid's lives anymore.

To all the teachers out there – Thank you. Thank you for teaching our children how to read and write, how to add and subtract. Thank you for teaching about the world around us, for telling them about how our bodies work, how plants grow, how the weather works…. More
 Gina Stout of "Stage Too" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17943871016669609985 2016-05-31T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-31T00:00:00-07:00 5 Apps That Would Make Parenting Teens Easier

 You know what's hard about parenting teens?

Everything.

From bad attitudes to self-absorbed behavior, teens push parents to the limit on a regular basis. Throw in struggles with motivation, grades, part-time jobs, chores, and time management, and family conflict just bubbles to the surface like hot lava.

Did I mention bad attitudes?

Someone needs to create a few smartphone apps that would make parenting teens easier. Let me get the ball rolling with a few ideas:

1. Teen Translator

Tired of trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind your teen's mumbles, one-word answers, glazed-over facial expressions, slammed doors, silent treatments, negative body language, and eye-rolling? Just record a three-second video clip of your teen "communicating" and this app will first break down the psychological, behavioral and emotional barriers your teen throws at you and then decode everything for you in easy-to-understand language. It's kind of like SnapChat for parents, but practical…. More
 Lisa Beach of "Tweenior Moments" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16000603511587143681 2016-05-30T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-30T00:00:00-07:00 Deliver Me From Prom Queen Purgatory

 Twenty some years later, and I still have trouble getting the words out of my mouth…

I was the prom queen.

Not that a lot of people are asking these days, but you know what I mean. Actually, there's even more to the story, because at my school, the prom queen was also designated as the high school representative in a state-wide beauty pageant. And guess what…

I was also the pageant queen.

And at the risk of sounding like an announcer on an infomercial, might I take it one step further to let you know that…THAT'S NOT ALL! Along with winning prom queen and pageant queen, you also get this free gift…

I was the homecoming queen as well.

It's starting to get obnoxious, I know. And the worst part is that I don't even really know how it happened. I had absolutely no poise or grace, and the only two items in my make-up bag were chap stick and eyeliner (not much has changed, by the way). Shouldn't beauty queens have a little bit more to offer?… More
 Jen Redmon of "Brave Guinevere" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/13742111949876166657 2016-05-29T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-29T00:00:00-07:00 What If Authentic Grace Became My First Response?

 I watched the struggle going on just outside the ceiling-to-floor glass windows, as I stood behind the counter of my job at the fancy fine jewelry store.

The child, a little preschool girl in pigtails and a light pink dress, simply could not wait another moment. I saw her face distort in shame as a puddle formed on the tile floor beneath her. I saw the look of embarrassment on her mom's face, mixed with the uncertainty of what her next action should be.

She was laden with shopping bags, diaper bags and all manner of other bags a mom with young children always carries. She pushed a giant stroller with another little one inside. She looked weary and like she was about to cry too.

Bless them, they had almost made it. The public restroom was only about 200 feet away.

Maybe it was the hormones coursing through my own first-time pregnant body. I was only a few weeks along. I reached under the counter and found a roll of paper towels and a trash can. I asked a co-worker to call the mall custodial staff, and I stepped just past the entrance to help the poor lady who was trying desperately to calm the now hysterical little girl…. More
 Sasha Johns of "Middle Places" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6142569053665165313 2016-05-28T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-28T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS - Alice Through The Looking Glass

 THE DETAILS:

Rated PG for fantasy action/peril and some language
 Running Time: 113 minutes
 Genre: Adventure
 In Theaters: May 27, 2016
 Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Sacha Baron Cohen
 Writer: Linda Woolverton
 Director: James Bobin

 THE PLOT:

Regretful and headstrong Alice finds herself back in Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter is even more insane than usual, mourning the loss of his family. In order to save his quickly deteriorating soul, Alice is told she must manipulate time itself to find the cure. Can history be rewritten, or does time heal all wounds?

CONTENT:

Many adaptations of Lewis Carroll aren't afraid to incorporate some of his darker subject matter, and although it veers widely from the source material, Through the Looking Glass is no different. The characters and story deal with life and death, and the dangerous places the mind can go. Our protagonists are frequently in peril from forces both understood and difficult to comprehend. No actual violence is portrayed on screen, but these scenes and the tone of the film are sometimes delivered in a frightening manner. The movie is free of drugs, sex and profanity, although several mild insults are hurled about…. More
 Benjamin Spacek tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16252305792181796865 2016-05-27T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-27T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS - X-Men: Apocalypse

 THE DETAILS:

Rating: PG-13
 Running Time: 144 minutes
 Genre: Action
 In Theaters: May 27, 2016
 Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Olivia Munn
 Director: Bryan Singer

 THE PLOT:

Continuing from the events of X-Men: Days of Future Past, the familiar cast of mutants attempt to blend in with the 1980's. Charles Xavier/Professor X continues to helm his special school for gifted mutants. Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto has settled into the life of a family man. But when the legendary first mutant Apocalypse is resurrected from his grave, the world is shaken as this evil villain attempts to round up his four horsemen mutants and reshape the planet as he sees fit.

CONTENT:

X-Men: Apocalypse features plenty of action, but it's all kept bloodless for what is implied. That being said, there is some very physical violence at play. The most violent being when a wild Wolverine is released from his cage to go on a stabbing spree of attacking soldiers. A few characters are choked during fight scenes, nearly to the point of death. One hero is immobilized by kicking his leg in to break the bone. One key character experiences the death of his family during a barrage of bullets. A villain is killed by being impaled with metal beams and having his body disintegrated. The adult language is fairly light with very little cursing and one beat-punctuating curse. The sex is kept low-key as several characters experience love from gazes and touching of hands, though the characters of Storm, Psylocke and Archangel wear some slightly revealing outfits…. More
 Mark McPherson tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6200912177160060929 2016-05-26T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-26T00:00:00-07:00 The Unexpected Things That Make Motherhood Great

 "I will never make my kids clean their rooms!" I shouted as I slammed my bedroom door.

Bold statements about my mothering-prowess littered my childhood. I knew from an early age I would grow-up to be a COOL mom. My kids would never have to eat vegetables or follow silly rules.

As it turns out, motherhood is a little different than I expected it to be, and I do make my kids clean their rooms, and eat their vegetables. Although, I'm relatively unsuccessful at both.

Motherhood is something you have to experience to truly understand.

I had no idea the absurdities my own mother faced trying to keep me in line, until I became a mother myself. Have you seen the episode of Friends where Rachel makes the English Trifle? (If you haven't, you can watch it here.) For me, that's motherhood. There's a lot of good stuff in there, with a little bit of weird stuff you weren't expecting.

When I used to think about the type of mom I would be, I never saw myself ranting like a lunatic while my offspring ran pant-less through the living room, but here I am…. More
 Jorrie Varney of "Close To Classy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10479291068217360385 2016-05-25T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-25T00:00:00-07:00 Eight ridiculous thoughts that crossed my mind when I was giving birth

 Like everything else in life, the long road of pregnancy comes to an end at some point… And labor takes over.

The thought of going giving birth can vary from one woman to the next, depending on how anxious, ready, excited, emotional, petrified, controlling (etc.) she could be.

Looking back, my perception of labor was that it was just a phase, like an in-between status that transitions from pregnancy to motherhood, and I prepared myself for it to ensure the process went as smoothly as possible.

I even had a secret birth plan that I managed to implement almost on cue (partly because I was lucky, and partly because my daughter is so fabulous she made sure mom was happy). Some of the points that are worth sharing include the fact that I was hoping to deliver during the daytime, to avoid adding more stress on a sleep-deprived-anxious-future-mom, on top of everything else that I had to go through. I was also hoping that the process would start with contractions rather than with my water breaking, as the simple thought of it freaks me out (don't ask me why, it just does)…. More
 Ghada Karam of "Confidential Mommy Talks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/7229419113540812801 2016-05-24T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-24T00:00:00-07:00 An Open Letter To Everyone On A Plane With A Toddler

 Ahhhhh flying with a little snotty sproglet toddler. Whoever is worried about flying with a baby really has no clue yet because trust me that's a doddle compared to flying with a toddler. And to all those p***** off people who happen to be on a flight over the next few months with a toddler sitting near you…this one's especially for you!

 Dear fellow passengers,

Right now, you're probably in one of either two camps. The first – total utter blissful ignorance as to the ways of a toddler, looking all gooey at my toddler frustratedly trying to get their seatbelt on because you are yet to embark on the crazy journey that is parenthood. Yup, I bet you're thinking…ahhh what an adorable cheeky monkey! Yes, that's because you've only just sat down in your allocated seat. Let's check in again later yeah?

OR

you are an old git never been there, or who has never wanted to have kids (hey, I don't blame you), or is trying to forget you ever went there, wondering who on this airplane you can bribe to not sit anywhere near the toddler, particularly if you are sat SMACK BANG IN FRONT of the toddler.… More
 Talya Stone of "Motherhood: The Real Deal" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11566986712681086977 2016-05-23T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-23T00:00:00-07:00 Our Kids: The Great Imitators

 One of my biggest fears when I found out I would be having a little girl was BODY IMAGE.

Recalling my own struggles growing up surrounding body image, I feared that my daughter would eventually be consumed with how her body was perceived by others.

Was she too short?

Was she too fat?

Was her skin not clear or her nose too big?

It made me sad to recall these same questions in my youth and even sadder when I think of how much harder these younger generations have it. They are exposed to more "celebrities" constantly snapping pictures of their perfectly made up faces and scantily clad beach bodies. They get to grow up in a world where it's standard to take a picture of yourself and plaster it all over social media for your friends to see and get the desired approval.

This type of thought process, the need to be accepted, however, is part of growing up. No matter when or where we experienced those apprehensive adolescent years, they proved character building. These experiences are a rite of passage. They help us realize that the important things in life extend far beyond a pretty picture…..or at least they are meant to. But not at age 4!… More
 Kristen Samson Jackson of "Mommy's New Groove" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17633616885725855745 2016-05-22T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-22T00:00:00-07:00 Why Junk Food Is NOT Banned In My Home

 I have a wide variety of junk food items in my kitchen.

A quick glance of the inventory reveals things like potato chips, choco-chip cookies, ice cream, a variety of cheeses, instant noodles, macaroni, chocolate syrup, candies, chocolate bars, juice packs and many such "junk-food-ish" eatables stashed in my kitchen.

Don't get me wrong, I do try to direct my 4.5-year-old to the right kind of food all the time. And to be fair to him, despite his continuous "NO hungry" status, he does not discriminate between different food items during meal times and eats almost all kinds of vegetables, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy etc. So, giving him a treat once in a while does not seem like the harbinger of ill health to me.

Of course, I do tell him what will happen if he eats too many chips or sugar-laden treats frequently, but banishing them from my home is something I would never like to do…. More
 Daisy Suman of "Fertile Brains" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/4737559352750440449 2016-05-21T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-21T00:00:00-07:00 Son, This is Really Why I'm Angry...

 There are certain things that can definitely get a parent so riled up, so frustrated beyond words that it becomes close to impossible to resist the urge to blow up and be impulsive. Sometimes it's just so much easier to give way to a visceral reaction, rather than be rational and take a pause…

It was a typical school day afternoon.

My son Noah was walking home from the bus stop and unknowingly, he dropped his jacket on the ground. One of the boys walking behind him called his attention and let him know that his jacket was on the ground. When Noah turned around to pick it up, he saw another boy "Q" just walk all over his jacket. It was obvious to Noah that Q did it on purpose because as this boy walked all over his jacket, he muttered the words "step, step, step", as if it was nothing, or worse, that it was something entertaining. Q neither paused nor made any effort to avoid stepping all over my son's jacket. He just kept walking away as if it was garbage to be ignored…. More
 Joy Page Manuel of "Catharsis" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14763900247424172033 2016-05-20T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-20T00:00:00-07:00 A Conversation Between A Tween Girl And Her Mom

 Hey Mom.

Hi there.

I'm your tween and here are some things you should really know about me.

I'm your mom and here are some things you should really know about me.

Things are changing within me that I don't understand.

Yes, I know that you are changing.

I need you to understand but don't ask me a ton of questions.

My mom super powers tell me to ask you a ton of questions but my heart may not be ready to accept your answers.

I am trying to figure out if you want my advice, or should I just shut up and listen.

When you do ask, just listen to me cause there are times when I don't want your advice, just your ears and time.

That's good, I want that to continue. I'll ease up on the questions.

In my mind, I want you to be there for me, but I can't make my mouth say the words.

I can tell when you're really hurt though, your voice changes and you immediately start talking the minute you get in the car…. More
 Tiffany Benyacko of "Unrehearsed" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14843825654595911681 2016-05-19T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-19T00:00:00-07:00 10 Things I Do With The Laundry That Threaten My Marriage

 Here is a list.

It's a LAUNDRY list if you will, of things I do with clothes, things that threaten the love and civility of my marriage:

 Photo: Pete Wilgoren

1) I routinely overstuff the washing machine (heck free space is wasted space and wasted space is useless space so stuff stuff stuff until that sucker is FULL)

2) I always mix everyone's clothes together (sorting it out up front would take time and patience I just don't have so pile it in.. potential shrinkage of prized garments is just a risk you take.. your fault for not separating it… not mine)

3) I wash dirty towels with dirty clothes (towels are easier to fold and make an impact on looking like something has actually been done so I pad my laundry total with towels)

4) I never check the pockets. You leave stuff in there then it's YOUR fault (and when I DO find random cash.. I apply the international rules of finders keepers which means it's mine, all mine (diabolical laugh))… More
 Pete Wilgoren of "Dadmissions" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10176730709759426561 2016-05-18T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-18T00:00:00-07:00 How To Survive The Baby Days: Find Your Tribe

 This is a story of a confused new mom who was in trouble.

She was blindsided by the quiet and suffocating loneliness of motherhood's first year.

She was shocked at how, despite thinking she was so busy, in actuality, the days were endless. By 10 a.m. most days she felt despair creeping up around her shoulders, as she wondered how she and her baby were going to pass the remaining hours until bedtime.

This is the story of a new mother who would feel relief in needing groceries, as that mundane errand gave her and baby something to do, gave her an opportunity to make a dent in the day and remove at least an hour out of the time she was responsible for entertaining her son.

This is the story of a mother who felt immense guilt, to the point of making her physically ill, as she faced the reality that she didn't love being a stay-at-home mother, as she had expected.

After 24 hours of grueling labor, walking the hospital corridors, getting in and out of a warm tub, and hearing her husband say, You can do this over and over, her first-born baby was extracted from her body with the help of multiple medical professionals. 90 minutes of pushing helped—but to be honest, they had to pull him out just as much as she pushed. From the get-go, neither of them really knew what the hell they were doing as mother and son…. More
 Karen Johnson of "The 21st Century SAHM" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16573352514465103873 2016-05-17T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-17T00:00:00-07:00 A Simple, Happy Life

 This may be the happiest I've ever been.

I feel like I've finally settled into myself…into the Life I Was Meant To Have.

I can stop—probably for the first time ever—truly stop and collect myself. Stop the noise in my head, when I need to. Stop the frantic-ness that can be Me.

I have created this day-to-day life where I am outside a lot. In a bathing suit. Barefoot.

 My yard is filled with palm trees constantly threatening to drop concussion-inducing coconuts. I fall asleep on especially windy nights to palm fronds hitting, swishing, lulling.

My boys are almost always sun-kissed—their long manes lightening with the sun. Vitamin D, this family is certainly not lacking.

I listen to country music now—a lot. I find it soothing and it makes me smile.

My back patio double doors are often open.

I do yoga and I meditate on pavers warmed by Saturday morning sun, overlooking the turquoise water of a pool that is quite worn—everything but fancy…. More
 Liz Aguerre of "...but then I had kids" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17642577909770420225 2016-05-16T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-16T00:00:00-07:00 10 Ways Being an Older Mom Rocks

 You thought you would be done having kids by 30, but, instead, you didn't start until you were at least 35. Or fate stepped in and you found yourself with a baby again at 40, whether by surprise or fully planned.

No matter how it happened, you are an older mom (anyone who has a baby at age 35 or older). Not only are you old enough to have babysat the other moms in the PTA when they were in elementary school, but you fear the day that you'll be mistaken as your child's grandmother. And what bugs you most about the latter is the fact that some people you went to high school with are grandparents, so you know it isn't an unreasonable assumption.

Being an older mom can be a challenge at times, especially during the baby years when your older body can't deal with sleep deprivation as well as it could in your 20s. However, despite how hard it can be at times, there are at least 10 ways that being an older mom rocks…. More
 Denise Geelhart of "Adventures of a Jayhawk Mommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9192669276073689089 2016-05-15T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-15T00:00:00-07:00 Are Earplugs This Generation's Bike Helmet?

 When I was growing up, we did not wear bike helmets, sunscreen, or even seat belts. And kids often sat in the front seat of the car! Today this behavior seems crazy, given what we now know about the risk of concussions, and the permanent damage to our skin that comes from too much sun exposure. Our parents didn't know the risks, and so they could not protect us. I am sure that today's generation of parents is making similar mistakes in different areas, and that our children will one day look back and wonder why we did not protect them from these dangers. Importantly, there is one risk that we know about and can take action on immediately — and that is to protect our children's hearing through the use of earplugs.

We live in an incredibly noisy world, and one that seems to get noisier all the time.

Whether it is going to a rock concert, a large sporting event, or even many restaurants, noise levels are often so high that they can cause hearing loss. And hearing loss is permanent. There is currently no cure, although Hearing Health Foundation and others are working on one for those that would like one. BUT protection options are readily available, such as wearing earplugs or earmuffs…. More
 Shari Eberts of "Living With Hearing Loss" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14619204238002421761 2016-05-14T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-14T00:00:00-07:00 Becoming Mommy

 When did it happen?

When did going out on a Saturday night turn into a pajama party with a toddler, a bucket of popcorn and Tangled for the 50th time? When did I forgo visiting my favorite boutique clothing store to shop in Gap Kids instead?

When did it happen for you?

When did you start becoming mommy? When you held your baby? When you felt him kick?

Sometimes I look at old pictures of my life BC (before child) and miss those memories and those experiences. The traveling and the late nights out and the carefree spontaneity. But most of the time, I smile at the experiences I had and wonder when the switch was flipped from independent, carefree and confident woman to a mom with no time, no rest and no answers but filled with more love than I thought possible.

Becoming Mommy started as soon as I spotted the 2 pink lines on the First Response back in September of 2011.

I was away for the weekend and remember that on Friday, I was still just me. I was looking forward to a weekend of cocktail mixing, unhealthy eating and relaxing. My husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for a few months and the control freak in me had been taking ovulation tests like a mad woman to make sure I didn't miss my optimal window. That Saturday was a great day and everything I had wanted for my weekend away. When the sun went down, I began to get ready for the evening's festivities. I went into the bathroom to freshen up and saw the ovulation tests in my toiletry bag. So before I did anything else, I took one. In the back of my mind I knew it would show I wasn't ovulating, but I had grown so accustomed to taking them over a large window of time as not to miss anything in case my cycle was all over the place. As I waited for the results, I washed my face. I patted my face dry and glanced down at the test. It said I was ovulating. How was that possible? Did I calculate it wrong? Wow, my cycle was really messed up! I left the bathroom and told my girlfriend about the test. We both chalked it up to a faulty test and I continued getting ready. She walked into the room a few minutes later and said to me, "Maybe you're pregnant." She had looked it up and found articles about how a positive ovulation test could sometimes mean you're pregnant. Now there is so much out there on the internet about pregnancy tests and whatnot that it's hard to really believe anything as everyone is different…. More
 Kristen Samson Jackson of "Mommy's New Groove" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/13545201198386446337 2016-05-13T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-13T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS - Captain America: Civil War

 THE DETAILS:

Rated: PG-13
 Running Time: 147 minutes
 Genre: Action
 In Theaters: May 6, 2016
 Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, William Hurt
 Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

 THE PLOT:

The United Nations, frustrated with the collateral damage of the Avengers, seeks to control this superhero team with a new accord. Tony Stark/Iron Man, troubled about having too much power and not being able to save everyone, is eager to sign. But Steve Rogers/Captain America feels differently as he knows being under U.N. control would change his plans of finding his friend-turned-cyborg-soldier, Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier. Captain America goes rogue and assembles his team of heroes to recover Bucky before the Avengers and the world governments can get to him first. The battle lines are drawn for a war of heroes versus heroes with a sinister force orchestrating it all…. More
 Mark McPherson tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16096746350162804737 2016-05-12T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-12T00:00:00-07:00 This Is What We'll Remember

 She wanted a ride on the merry-go-round. Of course. We line up while she hops from one foot to the other (this is called waiting patiently). When it's her turn she and her Daddy dash off to find a horse.

I watch, but I'm not really seeing.

Then there's this moment as the merry-go-round spins, and I'm struck. Tinkly music swells through the air and sunlight strikes the strands of gold in her hair and I love her.

There has never been day of her life when I haven't told her I loved her. But every so often it's a break-your-heart love, a love that cracks you open, fills you up and makes you realize how deeply and utterly in love you are.

Part of me wishes we could stay here, in this moment.

I want to tell her: We could stay here and I could always be your Mummy, I could always watch the smile tiptoe from your lips to your eyes and down into your hands as you throw your arms out wide and shriek 'wheee!' in the rushing wind. I wish the farthest the world would take you away from me is the other side of that merry-go-round, and that it would perpetually bring you back. I wish you would always seek me out, eyes roaming through the other people who are waving to their pieces of their hearts riding on painted horses. You see me, you have one hand gripping a cheap golden rod and the other waving frantically. For me. Half your joy in this ride is for yourself, but the other half is sharing that with me…. More
 Kitty Black of "Playing With Fireworks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11957574251181309953 2016-05-11T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-11T00:00:00-07:00 Love Chose Me

 My son is one of the bravest people I know.

That seems like a weird thing to say about a 5-year old, but it's true. My husband and I adopted him from China when he was three. In one afternoon, his life was completely turned upside down and sideways… and so was mine.

 He woke up one morning in familiar surroundings. He'd spent his very last night in the orphanage that was the only home he knew. The woman who'd cared for him since infancy probably told him how grand it would be to have his own forever mommy as she helped him dress – but when you've lived your life in a room filled with rows of cribs, you don't grasp the meaning of family. Or forever.

Later that day, he met a loud redhead who spoke a funny language (that was me). After a flurry of paperwork and rushed goodbyes, the lady from his orphanage left, taking the last shreds of familiar with her. Forever…. More
 Jill Robbins of "Ripped Jeans and Bifocals" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/8851639269207638017 2016-05-10T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-10T00:00:00-07:00 If You Wouldn't Say It To Your Mom -Don't Type It

 I like most of the world sat in awe, watching #MoreThanMean and listening to uncomfortable men read Mean Tweets sent to two sports reporters Julie DiCaro and Sarah Spain. I saw the men hesitating and visibly shaken, and immediately I became emotional.

Have I ever been harassed?

Well not anything I would like to share publicly, but the sad answer is yes. And I'm so thankful these two brave women enlightened the rest of the world on what happens to not just sports reporters, but most women in the media.

#morethanmean

 !!

What's interesting to me has been the response of those when they actually hear the Mean Tweets. Did people not know this world of vitriol existed? The scrutiny over our appearance, outfits, weight, hair, clothing, and every other thing imaginable? In sports especially, any opinion a woman shares is always trolled and nitpicked. It's funny, these unconscionable people sitting behind and protected by their screens, hurling insults – but would they ever have the courage to say it to a woman's face?… More
 Kristen Hewitt of "mommy in SPORTS" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9395206889903816705 2016-05-09T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-09T00:00:00-07:00 The Harry-Potter-Like Powers of Parents
PART 1

 So I'm out shopping the other day and…wait, back up. Have I really reached the point in life where shopping (which used to mean "fun, leisurely jaunts to my favorite clothing and book stores") now means a quick run to pick up toilet paper, cat litter and drain cleaner?

Anyway, I'm out "shopping" and my cell phone rings.

"Mom, what's for lunch?" asks my 15yo son "P," calling from our kitchen.

(Apparently, I possess the ability to see inside our fridge from the men's sock aisle in Target.)

"Well, I just bought lunch meat and cheese yesterday, so there's plenty of stuff for sandwiches," I say, as I virtually peer into our fridge's deli drawer from five miles away.

"Do we have bread?" asks P.

"I think so," I reply, as I try to juggle my cell phone while sorting through a stack of coupons. "Why don't you check to make sure?"… More
 Lisa Beach of "Tweenior Moments" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6963864296350875649 2016-05-08T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-08T00:00:00-07:00 Happy Mother's Day From the Mother of all Magnets

 Colorful flower centerpieces and a solitary "Happy Mother's Day" cardboard cutout grace the back seat of my Family Truckster as I begin the final planning stages of the Mother's Day luncheon that is soon to occur at my house.

Just to be clear, "luncheon" may actually be a bit overstated. It sounds fancy but the reality is that my only sister and my beloved momma will be joining my family and me at my borderline-tiny-house for a meal of Swedish Meatballs, cheesy hash browns and fudge on May 8th. It all sounds so Minnesotan, doesn't it?

As I arrive home and survey my not-so-tidy mini kingdom, I am also reminded of a joke I heard eons ago. A second grade teacher was immersed in class curriculum that included lessons on magnets and they do. The next day in a written test, she asked this question:

 "My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?"

When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost half of her class answered the question with the word …… More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/18252699712308445185 2016-05-07T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-07T00:00:00-07:00 Sorry I Can't Be A Loving Christian Mom Today, I'm Cleaning Your Room

 I clean my kids' bedrooms very thoroughly one time each year.

I usually get it done before school is out for the summer, but last year I barely got started before the last day of school snuck up on me. As a result, I spent the first part of the summer doing it while all the kids ran wild, ignoring any requests I made because they knew I was focused on the bedrooms.

So, while I waded through my children's excessive worldly possessions day after day, they did whatever they wanted. They watched tons of TV, played Wii, made a wet, sandy mess outdoors (much of which found its way into the house), and left evidence trails of every snack they made for themselves all over the kitchen and living room. Cleaning does not occupy the mind well, so I sat seething and sorting and dwelling on how selfish, spoiled, entitled, and disrespectful my kids had become.

To top that off, I've found that the depths of the mess in a child's room is an archeological dig of all the naughty things they have done over the past few months…. More
 Crystal Foose of So-So Mom tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16087785330379653121 2016-05-06T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-06T00:00:00-07:00 Parenting Like A Warrior

 First off, don't go getting your knickers in a twist because you're downward facing dog over the word "warrior" and thinking, "That's what's wrong with the world! Too much aggression!" At ease soldier.

Parenting is all guts and very little glory.

If you can't wrap your head around this simple wisdom you're probably between the third scheduled after-school activity of the day and fake-smiling in the rear view mirror as you dig in your purse for another Xanax.

All is not lost.

We can train you to be all you can be.

I speak of this today because I know a young mother who is terrified of her children. She's so committed to being 'open-minded' that her brains have fallen out.

What this REALLY is, is that she's afraid they won't 'like' her (And if she keeps up the wussy parenting she'll be right).

First, let's all agree on at least one thing: We love our children so completely that we're usually the idiots.

The problem IS that we are A-C-T-U-A-L-L-Y supposed to know what's-up- Our kids are counting on it (They don't know you don't know what the hell you're doing)…. More
 Cheryl Nicholl of "A Pleasant House" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/8152244698766180353 2016-05-05T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-05T00:00:00-07:00 A Mother's Farewell

 A few weeks after we were married, Billy and I strolled into a coffee house in Alexandria. There on the bulletin board was a sign advertising beagle puppies born on our wedding day. If ever there was a sign, this was it. It seemed serendipitous to start our new life together with a little ball of fur to whom we were forever joined by a sunny day in January. We named him Charlottesville, in honor of the place where we met and fell in love.

Charlie shared our first home, our first months as newlyweds, our late nights and our early mornings.

He took our loud voices and our moves in stride. We cut our parenting teeth on him, learning that when you become a parent, the things you give up pale in comparison to what you receive.

 Photo: Cameron Reeves Poynter

 He welcomed our babies without hesitation, sleeping beside me as I held my newborns, resting his head against theirs, never worried that my love was compromised. Beagles are, after all, pack dogs. There is no jealousy, no territorial affection. For them, more people just means more love…. More
 Cameron Reeves Poynter of "Lucky Orange Pants" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10732435173561139201 2016-05-04T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-04T00:00:00-07:00 I Suffer from Momxiety

 MOMXIETY: noun

A derivative of anxiety.

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with uncertain outcome involving your children.

2:03 am.

The light from my phone hurt my eyes as I checked the time. I rolled over coming face-to-face with my wide awake two-year-old. We blinked at each other as he rested his chubby hand on my cheek.

"Why are you awake, buddy?" I asked sleepily.

His grunts of annoyance did little to answer the question. I felt his forehead for fever, but there wasn't one. I watched him toss and turn restlessly for the next few minutes. He appeared to be searching for sleep, but it wasn't happening. His insomnia soon became my insomnia as he thrashed around with his legs landing on my back and his arm across my face. I began mentally compiling explanations for this unusual night waking.

1. His eczema.

I slathered him in body cream after his bath, and didn't notice any problem areas. And he doesn't seem to be itchy. I crossed eczema of the list…. More
 Jorrie Varney of "Close To Classy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9162315964753444865 2016-05-03T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-03T00:00:00-07:00 When I Was A Child

 Some days, as I am spraying a stain remover on my paint-ridden clothes or trying to get the sand out of my hair, I hear my mom's words coming out of my mouth. "You have to be more careful!" I tell my wide-eyed almost-two-year-old. "Look at what you did!"

I check myself almost instantly. My father's voice reverberates in my head, "Let her be. She's only going to be a child once."

Those two voices: one reminding me to be "proper" and the other urging me to be "carefree," defined my life into adulthood.

Mom was a slave to the clock. Everything was rushed, timely, planned.

Dad, on the other hand, was relaxed, sloppy and spontaneous.

Where she would have her clothes neatly laid out at night for the following morning, he'd be ironing his shirt a half hour before heading to work. It's not that he wasn't organized (he has OCD when it comes to labeling and organizing paperwork), he just had his own pace.

She didn't want my clothes or the walls getting dirty because it meant more work for her. He wanted me not to be bound by orderliness just yet…. More
 Vedavati M. of "The Cultural Misfit" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14285358178102476801 2016-05-02T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-02T00:00:00-07:00 Self-Care and Parents of Small Children

 "How long can this wait?" I ask.

Before answering, she turns off the glaring, operatory light hanging over my face. Mint rinse lingers on my tongue.

"It can't. If the infection spreads in your jaw, it can create an abscess," she responds. Her furrowed brows and stern eyes leave no room for negotiation.

I tighten my grip on the plastic covers of the chair arms, muscles still tense from the metal probes banging against my teeth.

Later, I Google "abscessed tooth." I don't encourage you to do the same, unless you enjoy dental nightmares.

"What are my options?"

"You need a root canal to clean out the infection. It's grown for the last six to nine months in your tooth." She shows me the x-ray image of my mouth to pinpoint the exact location of the infection. My untrained eye notices nothing unusual, but she assures me the unfriendly bacteria
 exists.

I sigh and agree to come back the next week.

Why did I wait over a year to go to the dentist? Considering my history of dental problems it was a poor decision, and the infection in my tooth could have been disastrous. I cannot play the lack of dental insurance card, because we have adequate coverage. There is no valid excuse for my lack of self-care. Actually, there is one excuse…. More
 Billy Doidge Kilgore of "Wrap Daddy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/7152169685658959873 2016-05-01T00:00:00-07:00 2016-05-01T00:00:00-07:00 I'm Flying

 It's that uneasy feeling in my core that momentarily makes me shudder. I try not to sit over the wing, but this time I must have gotten too close. It's grey outside LAX – an uncommonly rainy day in southern California, to be sure.

As the plane gathers altitude and begins to shake, my head swerves from left to right as if I'm stuck on a spinning teacup ride.

I will not get dizzy. I will not panic.

For someone who loves to travel, I despise flying.

 Photo: Jennifer Wolfe

 Each time I enter the stifling cocoon of an aircraft my breath begins to come in short gasps and I watch my hands as the grip and twist and fidget with anxiety.

I scramble for my earbuds, for my book, for anything to relieve the absolute panic I know is about to wash over me. It's inevitable.

I'm flying.

I'm released from the gravity that tethers me to my ordinary, everyday life. It feels like walking a slack line at first; I'm checking and rechecking for a diaper bag, I'm catching the eye of a toddler running away in my mind, I'm scanning for a plugged in teenager about to miss our boarding call. Strangely, they're not there. I'm alone, feeling the float of lift off and gathering life from a new perspective…. More
 Jennifer Wolfe of "Mamawolfe" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9136561309327097857 2016-04-30T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-30T00:00:00-07:00 What Happened When I Tried To Be A "YES" Mom

As a mom, I have become VERY creative coming up with different ways to say "no" to my kids….not right now, let me decide later, I don't think that's a great idea….the list goes on and on.

But after a while, it got me thinking. Why am I always saying "no" to my boys and "yes" to others who are trying to take my time away from my family? So that inspired me to go an entire day being a "Yes Mom" to my boys…as long as they weren't in danger, of course. And I'm not going to lie, we all learned a ton.

Read to on to learn what happened when I tried to be a "Yes Mom."

WHY "YES" WAS SO HARD FOR ME

I have always been a no-nonsense type of person…the strict teacher, the focused business woman, and the firm parent. Does that mean that I don't know how to have fun? Not at all! But if my kids are freaking out in the candy aisle at Target, I will be the one who takes them out of the store to calm them down instead of simply giving in to their demands. When my boys fight taking naps even though they are so tired their eyes are almost crossing, I carry on with our schedule to ensure that they get the rest they need (and I get the break I need as well!). But constantly saying "no" to the people you love the most really isn't fun. So I wanted to do an experiment and see what would happen to our family if it was filled with a day of "yes" to them and a day of "no" to everyone else.

… More
 Amanda Simkin of "Queen of The Land Of Twigs 'N Berries tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6867915014704267265 2016-04-29T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-29T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS? The Huntsman: Winter's War
Editor's Note: The following movie review is a new type of feature article for us. On occasion we will be publishing reviews of this type, which are meant to go beyond MPAA ratings and be an additional resource for parents who are deciding whether or not a current release is an appropriate one for their kids to see.

 THE DETAILS:

Rated PG-13
 Running Time: 114 minutes
 Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
 In Theaters: April 22, 2016
 Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt
 Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

 THE PLOT:

Loving only power, Ravenna, the Evil Queen, betrays her sister Freya. Freya retreats to the Northern kingdoms and begins a quest to raise an army known as the Huntsmen to both protect herself and ultimately address her sister's betrayal. Freya reigns as a true ice queen: without mercy. Betrayed by love, she forbids her Huntsmen from ever falling under its spell. However her two best defy this rule and her justice is merciless. But will the Huntsmen survive? And if they do, will they unite with Freya against Ravenna to save the kingdom from her terrible power?… More
 Kathryn Reilly of "Mamapedia" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17041771543304404993 2016-04-28T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-28T00:00:00-07:00 The 5 Harsh Reality Checks Of Parenthood

 There's nothing like a full on fat reality check to slap us in the face in this word, and no greater do those reality checks comes than in parenthood. Whatever you are thinking before you become a parent, you can bet your bottom dollar you are in for some harsh truths once you become a parent.

Sorry…don't shoot the messenger!

Harsh Reality Check #1

You think parenthood is going to be a beautifully smooth fruit puree….

 Photo: Dollar Photo Club

 Instead it's more like a lumpy bowl of stew with a bunch of unknown ingredients inside which can often taste like this…

 Photo: Dollar Photo Club

Harsh Reality Check #2

You think parenthood is going to be like running through a meadow of flowers, deliriously happy…… More
 Talya Stone of "Motherhood: The Real Deal" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16610270404006969345 2016-04-27T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-27T00:00:00-07:00 The Effects Of Being TOO Busy

 I love to be busy.

As much as I love the idea of relaxing, the truth is, it drives me nuts. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a relaxing day here and there. However, the more things I have going on, the better. I live for the juggling act.

 This characteristic played very well for me in my previous life navigating the corporate world. Multitasking was the name of the game. Being able to sift through the ever loaded email inbox, prepare for meetings, sit on unnecessarily long status calls and complete the actual job you were hired to do all before close of business was a multitasker's dream.

One would think this trait would also prove to be a positive characteristic when I became a mom. However, it's been a great flaw.

I am a stay at home mom, wife, fitness instructor, blogger and occasional baker. The days are usually filled with running my daughter to her school and activities, cooking, cleaning, creating choreography for my classes, blogging and any other craft or task that needs to be completed. Usually I'm running on all cylinders. It's tiring and sometimes overwhelming, but my multitasking skills definitely help. As I stated earlier, I love being busy! And it's true, with this "job", the busyness is constant and the rest waning. The former me would be reveling in the juggling act. However, as the days seem to get busier, I've begun to realize that the desire to be busy, is not a mother's friend. The simple reason? If you like to be busy, you're missing some precious moments…. More
 Kristen Samson Jackson of "Mommy's New Groove" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15634223688533213185 2016-04-26T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-26T00:00:00-07:00 Don't Wish Away The Years

 I remember a friend telling me at my baby shower, "don't wish away the years because you will wish away all the good stuff too."

I remember her words so clearly, it feels like just yesterday. Here it is five years later and I see how hard that advice is to follow. I can't tell you how many times I have wished for my babies to "just go to sleep!" or wished that potty training, or this picky eating phase would "just be over already!" In those moments it was too hard to see what I was wishing away.

 My babies waking up in the night was the only time I had to snuggle them one at a time while their twin was asleep in another room. Now, I miss those precious early morning moments of feeling a tiny, fuzzy head snuggled under my chin. I miss the sound the rocking chair made in the late night hours quietly shushing us back to sleep. I miss holding those tiny bundles against my chest with their arms around my neck, the scent of their hair and the tiny wisp of their breath on my neck…. More
 Roxanne Ferber of "The Whatever Mom" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/18288701854726815745 2016-04-25T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-25T00:00:00-07:00 Tweens and Periods

 If you were brave enough to actually click this link and get this far, you must be the mother of a pre-teen daughter.

 If you are a dude who clicked on this headline thinking this is would be a lesson in punctuation, I am going to say "menstruation" and lose you right…about….NOW.

Ladies, are you still with me?

I know this is an edgy topic but, we've all "been there," yes?

The moment in life when Mother Nature first lets our young adolescent bodies know that it's time for our Monthly Gift. This "gift" is called many code names and phrases including "a visit from Aunt Flo," "The Mighty Red River," and "Leak Week." In my house it's called "shark week" as in "Oh Gawd. It's Shark Week AGAIN!"

I won't go unto the uber gory details, but this "monthly gift" oftentimes doesn't feel like one. It's also hard to educate our daughters in a positive way about this healthy part of growing up when you really want to share that it is an annoying, messy, style-cramping (emphasis on the "cramping") inconvenience that occurs like clockwork every month until you're at least 50…. More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6850206301885366273 2016-04-24T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-24T00:00:00-07:00 How To Avoid Planning the Biggest Event of Your Life

 I got married at city hall. I wore a white leather mini dress and white leather boots. I was going for an 'Amy Winehouse retro look' but ended up more 'boozy Nancy Sinatra'.

Afterwards, we had a barbecue in our backyard. My lawn caught fire which I expertly handled by drinking copious amounts of tequila. I'm told I ran around the backyard in various states of undress, but I have no memory of that. It was pre-camera phones.

Thank God.

I love to throw big parties, although admittedly, it's been a while. I provide excessive amounts of food and alcohol, make an 8-hour mixed tape that whips the crowd into an orgiastic frenzy of dance, and pray that no one pees in my living room.

What I can't do – or rather, what I loathe doing – is plan events like weddings. I got married at city hall precisely because I'd rather set my teeth on fire wearing a denim bucket hat and film it for YouTube than worry about center pieces and invitations.

This is where "you do you" comes in. I'm sure there are scads of people who wouldn't devote an entire Saturday to hunting down a Partridge Family lunchbox, like I did…. More
 Samara Rose of "A Buick In The Land Of Lexus" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16331509752138104833 2016-04-23T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-23T00:00:00-07:00 Prince & The Raspberry Beret

 I grew up at the height of Prince's popularity. Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette: they were all in my childhood sweet spot. And I'm here to confess, I didn't get it back then. I didn't get HIM. I had immersed myself in classic rock. I was the guy in middle school with the jean jacket that had patches on the back of The Doors, The Who, and the Rolling Stones. My boom box was stuck on the rock station. Prince was stuck on the dance station. I didn't go there.

As I grew up and became a DJ, I broadened my musical tastes. I HAD to. I was playing for other people and what THEY liked, not necessarily what I liked. Prince was in the middle of his New Power Generation era… Diamonds and Pearls and such. We'd play college throwback nights and "1999" was a big one. We were only a few years away after all so why not party like it. I graduated college and Prince became the artist formerly known as Prince. I worked in radio. My musical tastes broadened even more. By now I liked bits of everything INCLUDING Prince. Wow I never realized how he could wail on the guitar. He could play…. More
 Pete Wilgoren of "Dadmissions" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17948483158609821697 2016-04-23T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-23T00:00:00-07:00 Why I Let My Kids Win

 Whether we find it particularly enjoyable or not, part of being a parent is playing games with our kids. Candyland is only the beginning. Right now in our house, every surface is covered in Pokemon cards. I'm telling you, these things must multiply while we sleep. The more you clean them up, the more you find in every corner.

In Pokemon, each player has a deck of cards with different characters and they battle until one player defeats the other. I had a hunch that I would earn major cool mom points if I had my own deck of Pokemon cards, so during one of my almost daily Target runs I picked one up. I was right. Coolest mom, immediately.

!
 Image: Erica Roth

 The game employs quite a bit of strategy and planning ahead, things my eight year old daughter is just starting to get the hang of and that are still pretty hard for my five year old son. He knows what to do with the card in front of him, but he hasn't quite grasped the planning ahead part. When I play with him, I usually play my cards or bend the rules in a way to let him win, and he's happy and proud…. More
 Erica Roth of "Ponytail Mama" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14587745234596462593 2016-04-22T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-22T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS? The Jungle Book
Editor's Note: The following movie review is a new type of feature article for us. On occasion we will be publishing reviews of this type, which are meant to go beyond MPAA ratings and be an additional resource for parents who are deciding whether or not a current release is an appropriate one for their kids to see.

 THE DETAILS:

Rated PG for some sequences of scary action and peril
 Running Time: 105 minutes
 Genre: Adventure
 In Theaters: April 15, 2016
 Starring: Neel Sethi, the voices of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito and Christopher Walken
 Writer: Justin Marks
 Director: Jon Favreau

 THE PLOT:

A family of wolves adopts a young boy named Mowgli after he is found alone in the jungle. When the fearsome tiger Shere Khan threatens the entire pack, the "man cub" must undertake a perilous journey to escape. Along the way he meets animals both friend and foe, but must decide for himself where his true destiny lies…. More
 Benjamin Spacek tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6823340577074249729 2016-04-21T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-21T00:00:00-07:00 The Heartbreaking Last Wish That's Impossible To Ignore

 "Wait…don't go."

It is barely a whisper. I'm just outside the room, my hand on the door knob pulling it closed, but I freeze. Silence. I'm suddenly unsure whether I heard anything at all.

"Mommy?"

"Just one more hug?"

I've been listening to these last-minute bedtime requests for so many years I can't remember at what point they became part of the routine of tucking my children into bed.

"I have to go potty again."

"Can you leave a light on?"

"Can I have a drink of water?"

All requests I've been able to dismiss/fulfill quickly and make my exit. However, the request for one more hug gets me every time. I often wonder if maybe they're on to me having found the loophole in the bedtime routine. I'm a sucker for a hug and we've all had that day where we can use another hug.

As the sun is replaced by the light of the moon signifying the end of another day, we lay in bed reviewing the day's events and briefly relive the feelings of the emotional roller coaster we didn't buy a ticket to ride. Yet there we are, the clickety clack of the track adding to the anticipation of the rise and impending drop we face with both excitement and dread… More
 Leah Vidal of "Little Miss Wordy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16966208787801505793 2016-04-20T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-20T00:00:00-07:00 4 Lessons My Daughter Learns from our Daily Routine

By playing outside, she learns the value of exploration.

My daughter loves the outdoors, and when the nice weather settles in for the spring and summer, she can't get enough of it. Her curiosity and eagerness definitely shows as she explores the backyard, the sidewalk and our surrounding neighborhood. She adores the nearby park and loves walking the sidewalk to and from our home.

I know some parents find it a daunting task to supervise their children while playing. In fact, some can't wait until they're old enough to be sent outside without their care. And sure, playing outside independently or with other kids, warrants more peace and quiet in the house, but it brings me joy to be able to explore with my daughter. Being outside with her allows me to witness her curiosity first hand. Discovering the world one experience at a time is not only a great bonding experience we can have together, but it also teaches her the value of being inquisitive—to question, explore, and determine. Whether it's the leaves turning colors in the fall, or finding a winged creature at the corner of our yard, it's a valuable lesson for any child to have… More
 Maria Filandro of "Collecting Moments" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15045053853106241537 2016-04-19T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-19T00:00:00-07:00 I Dreamt of You When I Was Pregnant

 When I was half way through my pregnancy, I dreamt of my daughter running towards me, and something about her face in that dream stayed with me till now.

But before we get carried on, let's get a few points straight: I don't believe dreams have a premonitory meanings. When it comes to dreams, I believe in the psychological approaches as their foundations make more sense to me. But my convictions stop here, as I never try to obsess about the practical definitions of any dream that I've had (life is much more fun than that!).

Dreams for me are just dreams, short and simple.

The night I had dreamt of my baby, I was staring at pictures of my husband and myself when we were kids, trying to figure out what my baby would look like – a pleasurable temptation that all expecting moms have tried.

And at that point in my pregnancy, I had already seen a clear 4D picture of my baby's face, and I kind of knew what to expect: well-defined lips, big cheeks, rounded face (and you can imagine that I stared at the video of this ultrasound over and over again to review every one of the different expressions that was recorded on that day)…. More
 Ghada Karam of "Confidential Mommy Talks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17277713170806669313 2016-04-18T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-18T00:00:00-07:00 Equal Pay and Why We SHOULD Be Ashamed

 It started as a joke on Facebook. "Shaming" was something funny that involved pet owners sharing a photo of their naughty dog wearing a confession sign like. "I ate a whole bar of soap when mommy was gone. Now when I fart, I blow bubbles." "Dog shaming" was funny as heck and soon led to pet shaming as everything from cats to jackalopes were caught on film confessing their dastardly deeds. But within a year the whole online world was popping with people looking at the flipside of, and taking stands against all sort of, shaming.

 Soon the fun and light-hearted dog shaming became quasi-angry "fat shaming" or "mom shaming." I believe the whole "mom shaming" thing stemmed from other women giving other moms the side eye and making them feel "not enough" because little Raindrop wasn't wearing her Baltic Moon Stone necklace properly or hadn't yet become a yoga master by age 4. The underlying message was/is somewhat clear and something along the lines of, "Stop making us feel bad for being who we are"…and I totally get that…."/voices/equal-pay-and-why-we-should-be-ashamed" class="more"> More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10648545210877149185 2016-04-17T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-17T00:00:00-07:00 Oh, the Stories I Will Tell Your Kids

 Oh, the stories I'll tell your kids
 Sitting on the front porch one day
 Your kids will be waiting
 To hear what I have to say…

 About:

The late night feedings.

The temper tantrums just because the sandwich was cut in a square instead of a triangle.

The shenanigans in kindergarten that almost resulted in serious counseling.

Getting the write ups about how you talk too much during class.

The detention slips you forged with my signature…and watching you try to erase it as your teacher and I watched.

 With both of my kids growing up, currently, 19 and 10, my husband and I decided that we would start building a treasure chest of the current things they do and say. These are things that have a tendency to annoy, astonish, anger, humor, otherwise kid stuff that they don't understand how it affects us as parents…. More
 Tiffany Benyacko of "Unrehearsed" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/8882289732017782785 2016-04-16T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-16T00:00:00-07:00 Surviving the Summer Car Ride

 Flying today with a family can be pretty pricey; that means we usually hit the road to visit distant relatives or far-flung destinations.

But traveling by car can present its own challenges: namely the "_Are We There Yet_?" soul-grating question asked every five minutes.

During long car rides we could just hand over the iPad or put on a ton of movies, but we try to save that as a last resort. Trust me, we enter the car with a fully charged iPad and a wide selection of movies. But before we give up and hand over the technology, we try to exhaust some fun family favorites first.

1) Tried and True Vintage Games

In a world defined by Wi-Fi, introducing kids to the car games we grew up with can sometimes be a great way to pass the time. And besides, if you're traveling to the great outdoors there's no better time then now to cut the electronic cord. Some games might take a few minutes of prior planning and printer ink; but any prep time is better than the ear-wrenching whining demanding to know the destination arrival time. So take a breath and introduce your kids to these classic games:… More
 Kathryn Reilly of "Mamapedia" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10806058433451982849 2016-04-15T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-15T00:00:00-07:00 The Age of Collecting

 I was officially initiated into my eldest's collecting stage one random morning in the not-so-distant past. There was nothing particularly special about this weekday, and would ordinarily not have been worth mentioning, but for one fateful choice- my fortuitous decision to do some laundry.

If memory serves me correctly, I had actually undertaken quite a few loads of laundry that morning, but all it took was one. One load to remind me that no stage of childhood ever lasts too long and that many of them shirk moderation in their emergence in favor of an unanticipated trial by fire. And that day, even the briefest of glances at my final, scarlet-hued, load could leave any doubt as to the nature of this particular initiation.

Left behind in the dryer were the freshly laundered remnants of a red crayon wrapper, their dry and crackled appearance all the proof I needed to confirm what I already suspected, to understand what had just happened.

What had happened was that I'd missed all the signs…. More
 Sara & Kat Fratticci of "The Mama Bears" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10779227940257595393 2016-04-14T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-14T00:00:00-07:00 Saying Goodbye to Baby Toes

 There are no more toes like this at my house.

 Image: Adrian H. Wood

 I have always been fascinated with the littlest of feet, eager to mark the spot on the fresh blank page of each baby book. Then, as I was filled with a rush of creativity, I would take off socks and paint tiny toes and little feet for Christmas ornaments or parent directed paintings. Evidence of my amateur photography documenting my oldest son's toes adorned with pink nail polish, another son's toes peeking from his baptismal gown, my daughter's toes half in her mouth and my youngest child's toes….Well, if I remembered to take one, it is locked away in a hard drive somewhere.

Soon though I will be saying good bye to the last set of little feet in our family.

The ones that outgrow shoes every month and already are dark with playground dirt on warm afternoons at our community playground, located on the Albemarle Sound and plenty of dirt, sand, and grass to stain once clean feet now grubby with nature. The evening bath water tinged tan with dirt between growing feet and once clean, pink and new remind me of what seems like long ago. I still have a chance to capture a picture of these feet as he's not yet three and his toes still find their way to my mouth and my fingers still elicit peals of laughter as I count each piggy…. More
 Adrian H. Wood, PhD. of "Tales of an Educated Debutante" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11780132844108840961 2016-04-13T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-13T00:00:00-07:00 Lose the "Baby Weight" Now

 I am finally losing my '"baby weight" after having twins 6 months ago. You can too!

So. I'm not talking about burning calories. Or jeans fitting.

Judgment, shame and self-criticism are what I shed – what I am working on shedding – on a daily basis. In our body-obsessed culture it is impossible to escape messaging about how we should look. Expectations and judgments are fancy-free, sticking to us like burs and happy to ride along for as long as we are willing to schlep them.

I challenge you to pluck off some of those burs and study them. Do mirrors always offer a glimpse of your 'problem' area? Does a scrumptious treat have you saying 'cheating' or 'bad'? Your postpartum body looks different than mine, but we can both benefit from losing this kind of baby weight. Which judgments do you want to shed? It can help to have some substitutes for the ones that hurt the most. Below are more authentic and positive considerations for your postpartum body.

1. Feed your baby…. More
 Keren Gudeman of "Mamazing" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/14351852904678490113 2016-04-12T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-12T00:00:00-07:00 What's Wrong With Your Kids -Here's Your Answer

Don't compare your kids to other kids.

Don't compare your house to other people's houses.

Don't compare yourself to other mothers.

We've all heard it. We know we shouldn't do it. But we do it anyway. Why isn't my kid reading at your kid's level? Your kid is already potty-trained? Mine refuses to even try. My kid can't catch a ball, and yours looks like a superstar on the field. What am I doing wrong? What's wrong with my kid?

These are the comparisons we all make. These are the questions we all ask.

But here's the truth.

The kid who can't read yet may be the best hitter on the team.

The best hitter on the team may struggle with math.

The kid who struggles with math may be an artistic genius.

The artsy kid may be dyslexic.

The kid who is dyslexic may spend her free time volunteering at an animal shelter.

The kid who volunteers may have no real friends at school.

The kid with no friends at school may be musically talented.… More
 Karen Johnson of "The 21st Century SAHM" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6076882927495741441 2016-04-11T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-11T00:00:00-07:00 My Resume-Then and Now

 I distinctly remember the moment it hit me many years ago. The moment that awakened me to the fact that my super-businesswoman-persona was fading away and being replaced by a new version of me; a version with mac-n-cheese on her shirt and a 24/7 yoga pants habit.

Back in the day, I was "that girl." The Melanie Griffith-in-Working -Girl-type of ambitious chick that was bursting with goals and dreams. Though I wasn't from Jersey and didn't have big 80's hair, I loved this movie. I think it was because I felt connected to Griffith's character, Tess, who fought her way to the top armed with only a boatload of drive and gutsy girl chutzpah.

Like me, Tess clawed her way to the top with no college degree. Like me, Tess dealt with mean bosses, a controlling boyfriend and naysayers up the wahzoonie. Although I was from a small town that didn't have tons of options for a college-less-but-savvy womanpreneur, I dug my heels in, worked hard and rose in the ranks of the company I was employed with. I was a respected, credible and I kicked bootie and took names daily. I was a case study in going after, and achieving, what I wanted career-wise and my resume reflected just that…. More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "FranticMommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9076561754301202433 2016-04-10T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-10T00:00:00-07:00 6 Reasons I'm Jealous of Pre-Internet Parenting

 There are so few moments in life when you can say, "My parents' generation had it easier!"

In one aspect I think they did. I'm very jealous my parents got to parent young kids in a pre-internet age. Oh how nice it must have been not to feel the constant pressure of the internet experts always telling you what not to do or say so you don't completely screw up your kids!

We didn't get our first computer until I was about 16. It was the start of a completely new way of communicating with the world and it was completely all consuming. Not much has changed in that regard.

Here are the top 6 things I'm jealous my parents NEVER had to worry about.

1. Parenting Experts

Back in the day you had to seek out magazine articles or books on parenting in order to figure out how not to screw up your kids. Now they pop up on every single social media outlet wagging their pointy fingers at you in disdain.

"Don't tell your kids good job or you might ruin their ability to become self-motivated." "Don't tell your daughter she's pretty or she might develop self-esteem issues since you clearly value her appearance above all else."… More
 Erin Johnson of "The No Drama Mama" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16142484053797699585 2016-04-09T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-09T00:00:00-07:00 How To Compliment My Daughter Beyond "Pretty"

 As a dad of twins (boy and girl), I always told myself that I would, to the best of my ability, treat my children equally and not succumb to gender stereotypes or conformity. They wear all colors, not just pink and blue, and they both play with all available toys, whether a baby doll or train.

What I wasn't ready for, however, is how differently society treats them, even in their early age of three. Maybe it's the gay dad thing, the twin thing, the biracial kid thing, or a combination of all three, but people feel compelled to say something (mostly complimentary) to me and my family (without fail).

Don't get me wrong… Compliments are awesome — when someone else notices something positive about you and points it out, it instantly makes you feel good.

Yet, I've observed that gender greatly affects the kinds of compliments my children receive. My daughter gets "hey pretty girl" or the "oh, you are so pretty" every time we are out and about, while my son gets the "charming" or "cool guy" comments…. More
 Anwar White of "SmartKidParenting" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/4998520027922890753 2016-04-08T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-08T00:00:00-07:00 6 Ways to Parent on Two Hours a Day

 I want to start by saying, though I love my kids more than life itself, that I would have a tough time being a Stay-at-Home Parent. And don't even get me started on Work-at-Home Parents, the thought of either makes me want to cry a little bit (ok, a lot). I have so much admiration for Moms and Dads that are able to "stay home" with the kids and remain normal, sane people… much less those that are able to accomplish anything during the day. HOW DO YOU DO IT?

At the other end of the spectrum, I work 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 45 minute commute each way. I drop the kids and dog off at their grandparents in the morning, and pick them up on my way home from work. This means that I am gone for eleven hours a day. I'm literally home with the baby for about an hour a day, and the 5 year old about two hours a day. Not to mention squeezing time with the husband in there somewhere, who works closer to home at least.

So how do WE manage to do it? Keep a loving, healthy, close knit household together on two hours a day?… More
 Jennifer Ostroski of "The Search For Imperfection" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/9854488783825993729 2016-04-07T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-07T00:00:00-07:00 My Shopping Dream Sequence

 Any mom will tell you that, even though we love our kids to bits, there is something invigorating and empowering about shopping ALONE.

Alone as in "no-kids-I-am-all-by-my-lovely-self" shopping.

It's damn near euphoric.

We are better shoppers too. More savvy. More purposeful. We can actually stand, contemplate, and finish a thought thus getting the best deal on which TP based on brand, number of rolls, and footage.

We glide through the store with the greatest of ease. Scoring deals, locating items with no problem, and even walking into the Nirvana of The Clearance Section without being directed by staff who are as harried as we are.

We loiter. We dawdle. We savor.

This of course is the polar opposite to Our Real Selves which is kid-toting and racing through the stores at light-speed. Our child-packed shopping cart transforms to a Land Speeder as we attempt to get through the store quickly and not prolong the agony any longer than we have to.

We do all this while strategically avoiding the Toy Section and The Electronics Departments….thus avoiding Greasy Tantrums/Meltdowns…. More
 Rebecca Flansburg of "Frantic Mommy" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11633852408383471617 2016-04-06T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-06T00:00:00-07:00 The Power Of Motherhood And Friendship

 Last week my son had an art show at school. He was eager to show us all the amazing art him and his classmates had done. While we were there he was also eager to see some of his friends. It was really heart warming watching how other children would come up to him. I watched the look on his face, the way he moved his body and the excitement in his eyes. He kept asking for one friend in particular and the moment that they came face to face was awesome. They both lit up and ran to one another and collapsed in a hug. They lingered there for a moment before pulling apart then started squealing with excitement and soon were off running around like little boys do.

I felt a surge of excitement watching him. I loved watching my child be truly and innocently happy to see his friend. I was happy for him.I know that feeling. I am fortunate to be blessed with some amazing girlfriends in my life. I too tend to linger in my hugs and want to stay in that moment. True friends are a rare breed. I am just lucky I stumbled on many of these women who are a part of me. Even when there are spaces in time where we do not see one another, that never matters…. More
 Crystal Renaud of "Discovering Me In Them" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/13341842567063732225 2016-04-05T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-05T00:00:00-07:00 Hair Brushing

 "Noooo! Leave me a-wone! Go away, go away, don't touch me," the scraggly haired little girl screams as she runs away to hide.

Behind the bedroom door. Under her sister's bed. In her brother's closet. Terrified. Trying to shrink out of sight and become invisible from my view.

I am the little girl's mother. The one she runs from.

This scene haunts me, like an old, childhood fear of being separated from my mother in a department store. My own daughter, sobbing in hysterics, was afraid of the terrible pain she believed was going to be afflicted upon her. She did not trust me enough not to hurt her in this moment. My mere purpose, as her mother, is to protect her; keep her safe from harm and provide unyielding comfort and a safe harbor to guide her through life! Yet, in these otherwise insignificant moments, my daughter looked to me as her persecutor. Her source of emotional agony and mental turmoil.

This horrific event reoccurred inevitably, on a daily basis- like a glorified satanic ritual between mother and daughter. As soon as I would open the bathroom cabinet to gather the hair brushing supplies, my little girl would run off in search of a hiding spot unbeknownst to Mom- The Maniacal Monster of her self-induced waking nightmare…. More
 Kristina Hammer of "The Angrivated Mom" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/12981149637275877377 2016-04-04T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-04T00:00:00-07:00 The Measure Of A Mom

 In the last 5 years, my body has grown, housed, and evicted three beautiful children. I've nourished them with my breasts, held them in my arms, and smothered them with my kisses. Yet there are still moments when I can't believe that this is my life.

When did I become somebody's mom?

It seems like only yesterday I was just a girl driving home from the hospital with a strange, mewling lump in the back seat, my body bent and broken in ways I'd never imagined, and completely terrified about how I would ever be able to live up to that lump's expectations. After all, moms are goddesses; they always know the right words to calm a child, where to kiss booboos, and how to identify at least 14 different kinds of rashes. I knew none of those things.

Five years ago I became a mother, but I was not yet a mom. It would be years before I would have the perspective to look back and wonder when I earned that coveted title.

What is that magical moment we go from a new mother to a full-fledged mom?… More
 Mary Widdicks of "Outmanned" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16977511380720877569 2016-04-03T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-03T00:00:00-07:00 5 Ways My Kids Fail (Miserably) At Getting Out Of School

 If you have school-aged kids, this will all make perfect sense. If you don't, please take notes – this will be on the test one day, before you know it. Best prepare yourself for it, now…

At some point, even your most genius-level teacher's pet will want a day off school. With four kids, I've seen many a tricks tried to get permission granted to skip class for the day. Here are five of the more humorous and creative attempts they have made in their efforts to skip out on the education they take for granted, and my counter-attack strategy for each.

1. Faker, Faker, Belly-Acher

Last night, you put a healthy, happy, giggling child to bed who was walking and talking with no issue. This morning, you have a kiddo walking like a constipated pregnant woman carrying triplets, ooohing and ahhhing with moans as they rub their invisible baby bump. Imaginatively, they have put to good use the fake burping talent your Sunday fun days have been spent supervising the rehearsal of. This sound is supposed to prove how nauseating they feel, scaring you into believing they could retch at any given moment. They won't, though. Suggest to their sibling that you were planning to serve cupcakes for breakfast and watch your full of baloney child beeline for the table; as if the tummy troubles were merely a figment of your imagination, not their own. Miraculous powers those subliminal cupcakes have…… More
 Kristina Hammer of "The Angrivated Mom" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/16209929119230918657 2016-04-02T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-02T00:00:00-07:00 The Truth About Going To The Beach With Kids

 Ahh the beach. The surf, the sand, the sun, the relaxation…wait, did I say relaxation? I meant this:

The Pack up: Load up the car with towels, the EZ up(which isn't easy), sand toys, boogie boards, fins, a GIANT cooler with ice, snacks, fruit, sandwiches(that you woke up early just to make), water, and perhaps beer. Just kidding, definitely beer; hats, sunscreen oh and don't forget the kids.

 The Parking:
 Beach parking is ALWAYS fun. You drive around taking a deep breath as each block takes you further away from the surf. You pray that your parking spot doesn't end up being a 5K in disguise. Once parked, you load up the family with as much crap as you possibly can so it looks as though you're heading out on the Lewis and Clark expedition with Sacagawea by your side rockin' a super cute tankini but no, it's just an everyday trip to the beach with kids.

Trudging along to your prime real estate on the sand, you listen to remarks from your children like "my arms are gonna fall off," "I can't feel my fingers" etc, while onlookers speculate borderline child abuse. When you finally arrive to your destination, you get to drag the "wheeled"cooler in a foot of sand making the "wheeled" feature absolutely pointless…. More
 Sara Pittman of "Happy & Humble" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10905209737721479169 2016-04-01T00:00:00-07:00 2016-04-01T00:00:00-07:00 SHOULD I TAKE THE KIDS? Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Editor's Note: The following movie review is a new style of feature article for us. On occasion we will be publishing reviews of this type, which are meant to go beyond MPAA ratings and be an additional resource to parents who are trying to decide whether or not a current release is an appropriate one to take their kids to see.

 The Man of Steel from Metropolis and the Dark Knight of Gotham finally share the same title and screen. Continuing from the story of 2013's Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice deals with dark themes in a grim tone – much different from that of Marvel's fluffier superhero pictures. Due to its heavier content, it's a far cry from the classic heroism of Christopher Reeve's Superman and even the stoic nature of Christian Bale's recent Batman.

 THE PLOT:

Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) has become bitter with age. After witnessing the collateral damage of Superman's epic fight with Zod, Batman devotes himself to stepping up his crime-fighting tactics and preparing an offense against the so-called hero of Metropolis. But the darker presence of Batman's brutal war on crime has attracted the attention of Superman/Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), currently conflicted with how to stand for what's right in the new world he has shaped. The big instigator of their eventual showdown is the billionaire Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) who stages threats against the two heroes with gleeful anticipation for fight night…. More
 Mark McPherson tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/10388115144353054721 2016-03-31T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-31T00:00:00-07:00 Keeping You Safe

 How do I keep you safe?

You walk around the world in a bubble of faith, a bubble I helped create. You believe in kindness and goodness, and I'm a bit worried you think ducks do actually talk. You lay your head in my lap at night and I run my fingers over the same features I traced countless times the first night you spent in my arms. After hard days, you silently stroke my hair, taking strength from me now just as you took life when your heart-beat galloped under mine.

How do I keep you safe?

You think you're a King. You walk around the living room with a makeshift crown on your head, glued on gemstones already wobbling precariously as you throw your arms out with the pronouncement "I demand BISCUITS!" and dissolve into giggles at your own misuse of power.

You think you're a giant. You puff out your childish chest and tilt your head up high to stomp through the living room "Excuse me," you intonate, standing directly in front of my mildly startled friend, "you're in my spot." My friend moves, and you had no doubt that they would…. More
 Kitty Black of "Playing With Fireworks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/15609418336759513089 2016-03-30T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-30T00:00:00-07:00 Just For Tomorrow

 Last night, I went into my daughter's room to tell her goodnight, but she had already fallen asleep.

As I bent down to kiss her pudgy cheek, I came to an uncomfortable realization. I noticed that her room was clean and her teeth were brushed, but it occurred to me that I had absolutely no idea as to the details of her day, or what adventures she'd had.

Yeah, we'd stayed on schedule and followed our daily routine, I'd made sure of that, but it seemed as though my desire to run an orderly structured home allowed for little to no down time or lighthearted interaction. Staring at her little hands and chipped toenail polish, I realized that this was the very last time I would see her at this size, on this day, in this hour. It was during this moment of painful reflection that I decided I was going to do things totally differently in the morning.

I was determined to make tomorrow a complete do over.

Just for tomorrow, I'm going to wake her up a little bit earlier so that before breakfast we will have time to play, and chase, and tickle, and laugh until our stomachs hurt. I'm going to let her take her time picking out her clothes and hair ornaments, because I know it's important for her to be a creative individual and not a clone of her mother. I'm going to let her choose whatever she wants to eat for breakfast, even if that means last night's leftover pizza, since I know that not having a perfect meal every now and again won't destroy her. I'm going to sit at the table and eat with her, and listen to every one of her stories, even the ones I've heard many times before, and laugh at her jokes loudly and sincerely. I'm going to share a secret with her and hope that she returns the favor. I'm going to ask her about everything that makes her nervous, mad, apprehensive and sad, and tell her my fears as well. And I'm going to talk to her about her friends, tell her about mine, and explain the reasons why I have chosen to keep them in my life…. More
 Danine Manette of "Messages For Joey" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/5401201447004340225 2016-03-29T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-29T00:00:00-07:00 Dear Passengers On That Plane, Let Me Explain

 I know you all wished to have a nice, quiet trip from Dubai to Bangkok, but my daughter had a secret plan to showcase her best talent on that day – a talent that was clearly not appreciated by everyone.

You see, in our last two weeks in Dubai our house had changed enormously: all our furniture and items were shipped to Bangkok and the house looked vast and empty. In my daughter's world this translates to having a new room with nothing to play with. Her crib and favorite toys were gone.

Now, in case you're wondering, yes I did keep some toys for her to play with, but there were just a few of them (small ones that can fit in our suitcases). And of course, we did have a replacement crib for her to sleep in (you see, my daughter's well-being and safety are very important to me), but that new crib was still disturbing enough for her, reminding her that a lot had changed in our house.

And on the morning of our trip to Bangkok, we had to wake her up two hours earlier than usual. Our house was full of people who came to say goodbye and help with the luggage, and for an enthusiastic child this meant a lot, especially that it was still dark outside. I'm sure her little mind was wondering "what is going on today, and why are all these people hugging and kissing me?"…. More
 Ghada Karam of "Confidential Mommy Talks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/6511008789976907777 2016-03-28T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-28T00:00:00-07:00 Why the Road to Hell Is Paved with M&Ms

 Before having kids, I vowed to never be the mom who bribed her kids to do the things they should be expected to do.

After becoming a mom, I promptly abandoned this position and am now a full year into offering my daughter a daily prize for not getting out of bed before 7 a.m. (Am I embarrassed? Yes. Do I regret the luxury of sleeping in until just after sunrise? Not even for a second). Recently however, I ran across a theory called the "Overjustification Hypothesis" that made me rethink my approach.

Basically, psychologists took 51 children who enjoyed drawing and divided them into three groups for a study. The first was told that they would be rewarded for drawing, the second was given a surprise reward after drawing, and the third group was the control who drew without getting a prize. In the weeks subsequent to the study, the first group drew substantially less than the control while the second drew marginally more. The researchers theorized that rewarding children for doing things they would have done anyway made it feel more like work than play. Moreover, the kids might even hold off on the activity going forward unless they're explicitly promised a payment for doing so…. More
 Marylynne Schwartz of "ClassCrasher" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/7530415266183053313 2016-03-27T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-27T00:00:00-07:00 To Angela and Casey, We Found The Book Grandma Got You

 We were in the pediatrician's office waiting to be seen.

You know when your kid is all sick and cuddly and curls up in a ball like they're years younger than they actually are. That was her. She was playing with all the toddler toys, the little magnetic cars, and the twisted wire with the blocks you can move around.

That's when I first spotted it.

Laying inside a box of children's books, just waiting to be read, was the Peter Rabbit Giant Treasury of Stories.

It was the SAME exact one I had when I was a kid.

I read that thing end to end so many times. Heck, my name is Peter and if you find a book about a mischievous rabbit that's your namesake you make sure to keep it close. All these years later, I grabbed the book in the pediatrician's office and asked my sick little girl to come over. I asked her if she wanted to read some stories. While we waited to see the doctor we read Peter Rabbit and how he lost his coat in Mr MacGregor's garden. We read about Benjamin Bunny and how his dad rescued them from the cat. With my little girl still feeling unwell, we shared the reading duties, softly moving through the stories I grew up with one by one…. More
 Pete Wilgoren of "Dadmissions" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/11436724992973537281 2016-03-26T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-26T00:00:00-07:00 Falling In Love With the Father Of My Children

 Dear Father of my Children,

A lifetime ago we sat on my bed and spoke about kids.

My heart was thumping because we'd only been together for six or so months, but I knew I loved you. You said that you found it difficult to imagine the person you'd spend your life with (um, hello, I was right there) but you'd always found it easy to imagine having children. You were right. It was easy to imagine having children, especially our children who would naturally inherit your height, but my sarcasm, my eyes, but your eyelashes (you lucky bastard). The reality was a tad different. I called you the day after we were told to prepare for our third miscarriage, one twin lost and a heartbeat nowhere near where it should be. I was lying on the couch and afraid to move,'Are you ok?' you asked quickly with anxiety cracking your voice. 'We're keeping this baby' I said firmly, on the basis of nothing but hope.

And we did.

You held him, wrapped up in a blanket with the rain pouring down the window behind you. He looked so tiny in your arms but when you handed him to me I said 'F**k he's huge!' You rocked the crap out of fatherhood. We were Team Breastfeed and you only mildly swore when I woke you up to get more cushions so I could change boobs. You baby-wore and could wrap a stretchy like lightning. You held our son and watched terrible, terrible television in the middle of the night so I could grab a few consecutive hours sleep. Mainly, you loved us. Your eyes would light up as you saw us after a long day, sometimes they would dim again as you took in the carnage, but generally you were pretty happy…. More
 Kitty Black of "Playing With Fireworks" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/8510681353233432577 2016-03-25T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-25T00:00:00-07:00 Finding Joy In The "Business" of Motherhood

 There are days where it's easy to get caught up in the "business" of taking care of little kids and the joy escapes you.

Don't get me wrong I love my kids; in a take a bullet for them, lift a car off their bodies, give them a kidney kind of way. I would give my life for them, but there are days I find myself stuck in the monotony of the many daily responsibilities.

 My mental checklist replays each task that needs to be done. Is it enough to check an item off my list, busily moving to the next item or rushing through their childhood to get to some imaginary finish line like bedtime. Every mom knows that bedtime doesn't mean we go off the clock, but instead switch to on-call hours.

 When you stay at home with your kids, the job of taking care of them becomes a very real measure of your time, worth and value. There are no raises or promotions to vie for, unless you count having another child in which case you increase your workload without a change of title or salary. You have to create a measurable value for yourself. You find yourself caring more about the things you accomplished in the course of the day instead of the small moments that flit by while we work through the list…. More
 Erin Johnson of "The No Drama Mama" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/17925456374251454465 2016-03-24T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-24T00:00:00-07:00 I Don't Know About You, But I'm Feelin' 42

 I have to admit it, Taylor. Your song 22 has been playing in my head for months.

Not as an anthem, but a parody.

I've reworded your lyrics and renamed your title a thousand times. Unfortunately, I can't seem to come up with anything that doesn't resemble a third grade math problem….

"22 + 20"
 "Almost half a century"
 "22 add a few"

You see, I'm 42 today. And I have to say that singing the younger, hipper version of your song has made me feel well, a little slighted about life.

You're young. I'm old.

You're dressing up like a hipster. I'm lucky to find an ironed shirt for work in the morning.

You're having breakfast at midnight. I'm serving cold cereal to my family for dinner.

I think you get the picture, here. While you're ditching the whole scene, I'm doing the daily grind. I'm tired, Taylor, and the contrast of your life compared to mine leaves me wanting to pop the top down on my convertible (if I had one) and drive far away from my adult responsibilities…. More
 Jen Redmon of "Brave Guinevere" tag:www.mamapedia.com,2009:Post/12633363762800558081 2016-03-23T00:00:00-07:00 2016-03-23T00:00:00-07:00 How to Raise "Includers"

 The cars in the drop-off line moved exceedingly slow one cold morning, and I tried to keep my patience while silently chanting, "Pull forward!"

My daughters and I were almost to the exit spot when I watched two girls hop out of a minivan. In an instant, I saw a pack of Justice-clad tweens swarm one of the passengers while the other stood off to the side pulling her backpack onto tiny shoulders.

"Who are those girls?" I asked.

"They aren't in my class, but they just really love each other, I guess. They are always hanging on to each other at recess," one of my kids said.

"Are they nice?" I questioned, eager to hear what they thought.

"Yeah, they are really nice when you are around them. It's just when they are in a group, they don't pay much attention to anyone else. Pull up, Mom!" My daughter said this off-handedly, and I could tell she didn't think much of it.

I watched the gaggle of girls walk up the sidewalk arm-in-arm while the other young student sidled slowly behind them, her head cast downwards…. More
 Whitney Fleming of "Playdates On Fridays"