Children Archives - MothersRest

The lazy mom’s guide to survive elf on the shelf

8 tips to make Elf on the Shelf the easiest part of Christmas. So you can enjoy the holidays.

4 stellar toys for boys (and girls)

Tried and true gift ideas for the boys in your life. For Christmas, Chanukah, birthday, your-kid-is-awesome Day – whatev. I’m pretty sure GIRLS will appreciate all these toys, too. But I’m a boy mom and “toys for boys” rhymes. My...

4 fun things you should know about the Amazon toy catalogue

You guys, I am nostalgic all over the place right now. Who remembers the Sears and JCPenney toy catalogues that arrived during November back in the day? So I got a little weirdly touched when we found the Amazon toy...

We are the mommas with IVF babies

In my friends and family circle, I am one of 21 mommas who have IVF to thank for bringing kiddos into our lives. As in THIRTY children! And I bet I know a WHOLE LOT MORE FOLKS in this special...

The things I’m telling my boys about Trump

The thing about elementary school kids is that they can read. This is equal parts awesome and sucky. Because, even if you’re anti-screen time like me and don’t get an old school newspaper at home, you can’t completely keep your...

My kid-friendly, rainy day, dance party playlist

Saturday was rainy and cabin-fever-inducing. You know, one of those days where Pinterest can save you with its 50 million ideas for how to entertain the kiddos. But I’m not really crafty. In high school, I was in Acteens. This...

4 ways to stop your 4-year-old’s tantrum

4 tried and true (or at least funny) ways to try and stop your 4-year-old's tantrum. Because mommying is hard enough without a small Sith Lord in your life.

The one thing you need to tell your gifted kid

They handed me a list of supplies to collect. Including rubber cement. Because we’d be doing arts and crafts. Do you remember rubber cement? It kinda looks like honey and oozes delightfully off the little brush when you unscrew the...

How to survive 3 days in New York with your kiddos

It’s travel season now that the pandemic is “over.” There are so many places to go: downtown, Europe, the grocery store, the corner deli, grandma’s house. So when I had an opportunity to work in New York City – and...

The joys and crazy of two kids under two

Four years ago, I called my sister-in-law and announced we were “ONE AND DONE!” Because sleep deprivation is hell. Also because when our miracle baby turned one, the stomach bug to end all stomach bugs entered our lives. Y’all, this...

Teaching your kids how to ask for consent

I’m raising white males who I hope will one day get into Princeton University and Yale Law School. (Nah, fingers crossed, they’ll get into state schools.) What’s a mom to do when she’s training up the next generation of the...

Don’t use your cell phone at the table (and other dinnertime rules for kids)

I got in this bad habit when my oldest was born of EATING LIGHTNING FAST – and only things you can grab and go, like pop tarts and brownies and french fries. That kiddo is 6 now and I still...

I bribe my children to go to bed

The boys are old enough to put themselves to bed. They’d prefer to do other things. Like yelling or legos or dance-offs or wrestling. So I bribe them. Who knew that 2 quarters could be magical? And yet that’s all...

How to teach your kid to share

I’m a recovering share-addict. My apologies to all the kids I’ve nagged to death til they shared with my boys. Like the kid across the street with the most awesome toys ever. This post includes affiliate links for your convenience....

Life changes fast. Get ready, new momma.

College graduation is here. How is this possible? I'm celebrating my son's rise to adulthood. While feeling all the feels. Hug your baby tight, new momma.