MothersRest

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...

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...

Why you need the flu shot. Especially if you’re pregnant.

My sister was premature. Because my mom got the flu. Not only was she premature, her lungs weren’t fully developed. And they collapsed. I was 10 at the time and terrified. Waiting at my Nanna’s house with my little brother...

The truth about getting your first mammogram

Ok, all you 40-year-old ladies, raise your right arms in solidarity. Welcome to your next right of passage: the annual breast-squishing. Better known as the mammogram. I was supposed to start getting mammograms when I turned 35, but I kept...

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....

Please don’t take my IUD

She nodded at the new baby nuzzled at my breast and then looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you done?” YES! was my reply. Body, mind, spirit all in agreement on that. I had my two little ones...

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.

I ran back to work after my son was born

I was never meant to be a stay-at-home mom. I knew this at age eight. When I asked my own stay-at-home mother what she did all day. I thought it consisted of playing bridge with her friends, eating cashews, arranging...

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...

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.

The one-week water bottle challenge (or how to be an eco chick for 7 days)

I recently let down the neighbor kid in a major way. He made me sign a pledge to stop using bottled water for 6 months. Or was it 6 weeks? I can’t remember. I should ask my boys. They were...

We’ve had enough of your thoughts and prayers

Turn your thoughts and prayers into actions and noise. USE YOUR VOICE! Nothing will change otherwise. And mark my words: change will come. Thoughts and prayers to those who do nothing.

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...