MothersRest

Why bedtime is a whacked out game of Bingo

We’re potty training little brother right now. Which entails saying things like, “You’re a big boy now!” This is met with wails of protest from the bigger boy in the house. Who likes to remind us that’s he almost 4....

You think the terrible twos are terrible?

The terrible twos aren’t actually a thing. I know a few of you in the midst of it now want to fight me. Seriously, y’all, 2-year-olds are the bomb. It’s the horrible THREEnager you need to fear. This post includes...

Percocet isn’t your only option when dealing with postpartum pain

Let’s talk about Percocet. Maybe it’s the angel of light for you. For me? It’s the devil. After my C-section with baby #1, the nurses gave me Percocet. Then I vomited (and cried). A lot. So they gave me Zofran....

The secret to get your kid to eat more veggies and fruit

One year for Christmas, my ingenious sister-in-law gave me this fancy blender. Because new moms need blenders. To make baby food. You know, like, soupy purees, where avocado and peas and broccoli all look exactly the same. So if baby...

The two things I know about Jesus

“Mommy, why did Jesus have to die? I wish he was still alive.” And so it begins… You know what? Jesus wants us to love other people and to be kind. If you do those two things, it’s like Jesus...

We have toddlers and no TV

We’re one of those weird families that avoid the TV like the plague. The other day, my oldest said: “Mommy, I know how to turn on the TV. Do you want me to show you how?” In other words, yes,...

4 bizarre things the kiddos (probably don’t) need

There are things your kiddos DO need. Like broccoli, the occasional bath and 12 hugs a day. Then there’s all the junk you can buy for them online. Take my hand. (Think of it as a virtual hug. Because mommas...

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...

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.

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...

Need an excuse for a girly wine date?

It’s that most wonderful time of the year. But shouldn’t EVERY DAY be the most wonderful time of the year? And shouldn’t we view life as the most wonderful present we get to open EVERY DAY? Especially if that present...

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...

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...

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...