MothersRest

How to raise generous children (and stock the shelves at the local food bank)

Early in my career I was the marketing director of a beloved shopping center. That sounds weird, I know. How can you love a shopping center? But it’s true. This mall has been around since 1957 and it’s the place...

Here’s to the joy of sweet, little destructive boys

“You failed to tell me how destructive small boys can be. Especially to Christmas ornaments.” That was the message of distress dear Sarah sent me, as she shewed away her male youngins from the holiday decor. (By the way, spell...

5 ways to get rid of your kid’s Halloween candy

My daily diet looks like this… Breakfast. Peanut butter toast. And milk with a splash of chocolate milk thrown in for good measure. Lunch. Spinach wrap filled with deli meat and cheese, with a LARGE side of cheez-its. Followed by...

Can we just stop with the book bans already?

Books are windows to peer into another person’s life and understand them better. Banning books that reflect the experiences of people different from ourselves harms all children - and hides the truth.

15 fun, FREE ways to entertain the kids this summer

What are your favorite, FREE things to do with the kids on a hot day? Especially when your little ones start crawling the walls because: BOREDOM. In case you’re at a loss and already SO OVER the pool, I polled...

Savor the moment: It’s back-to-school time!

Motherhood: the days are long, the years are short. So savor the season and enjoy the chaos. And mark this back-to-school time with a new family tradition to celebrate the milestones along the way.

The big lie infertility wants you to believe

Parenting is hard, y’all. Like spin around 5 times fast and try to walk a straight line hard. Sometimes it feels impossible. But you stumble onto the floor, collect yourself and get up. Luckily these little critters are really great...

Amazon PRIME DAY DEALS for moms

It’s Christmas in July! Amazon Prime Day is back with tons of deals, y’all. And it’s technically TWO DAYS this year: July 16 AND 17. You might as well get your actual Christmas shopping done early this year. So you...

Here’s why I’m delaying kindergarten for my kiddo

At 18 months, my son was dribbling basketballs. It was a sight to behold. This kid is athletically inclined. Or so we thought. Fast forward to this spring when, at age 4.5, we stuck him in tennis lessons and on...

10 tips for car-tripping with toddlers

I’m getting ready to stab out both my eyes. From the thought of spending ad infinitum hours in the car with two small children. Yes, I want to go to the beach. No, I don’t want to travel to the...

Drink more, sleep poor (and other truths about alcohol)

Guess what, ladies? Alcohol is a POISON. Because, well, it’s ethanol – which people put into their cars. What the what? For real? I don’t know, but it sounds disgusting anyway. This is just one of the many things I’ve...

Feeling like Mommy Dearest: why you need REM sleep

As a first time mom, I experienced a high level of anxiety. Then I wandered into a dark world. Suddenly, I found myself in a place of rage. Too strong a word? Perhaps. How quickly lack of sleep took its...

I remember the school shooter drills

I don't teach anymore, but I remember the drills. I remember the nervous chatter of middle schoolers as we huddled in the farthest corner, the door locked, the room dark, objects in hand ready to throw at an assailant.

5 signs your breastfed baby’s getting enough milk

5 signs your baby’s GOT MILK. Including: your boobs feel great! And baby’s got wet-noodle arms.

I am a Christian. I love Jesus. And I am pro-choice.

One women's story about changing her mind. About growing up pro-life, then discovering the propaganda behind the pro-life movement.