Oh, the ironies of parenting. Not twenty-four hours after publishing my last blog post, on finding your kids’ reset buttons, I found myself mentally running through my own checklist, searching in vain for one of my own tricks that would work on a five-year-old who stubbornly resisted each and every attempt I made to help
Reset Buttons Broken? Try Using a Code Word Read More »
It’s one of those days (hours, minutes), and you’re at the end of the rope. You just wish your kid had come with an on/off switch, circuit breaker, or some other way to turn her off. Then you could power her down, reboot her, and start all over with a clean slate. Or maybe it’s
Finding Your Kids’ Reset Button: My Top Ten Hacks Read More »
It’s 1:15 a.m. My husband and children are once again sound asleep upstairs, but I’m wide awake. That’s because a half-hour ago, my dear husband nudged me out of a deep sleep and informed me that Essie wanted me. Translation: Essie had to go potty, and it was my turn to deal with it. No
Toilet-Training Your Monster, Commando Style Read More »
Both of our children have been way ahead of the curve in some areas (mostly academic), but have taken a more leisurely approach in others. Kimmie was nearly eighteen months old before she mastered the art of independent walking, and for Essie that skill didn’t come until the age of sixteen months. And then there’s
On Toilet-Training Your Monster Read More »
Serves 4-6 as a main course; doubling recommended This recipe is a favorite not just of my family, but of every family I know who’s tasted it. And not only is it super-yummy, but it’s another great way to use up leftovers, from leftover cooked rice to random chunks of meat. Moreover, like many of
Family-Favorite Fried Rice Read More »
How to Turn Your Gently-Used Kids’ Gear Into Cash: So you’re overwhelmed by the amount of baby stuff still cluttering your basement – and your “baby” is now in preschool. Or you’ve tried the consignment store route and found the results disappointing. Or you’ve read my other two posts on offloading baby stuff – on
Considering a Consignment Sale Event? Six Tips to Help You Cash In Big Read More »
Tonight I wish to propose a toast, to each and every parent-of-small-children who survived today. Especially those who still have at least one child in diapers. The joke’s on us As I write this, the full moon is still a few days away according to my calendar, but the date is yet April 1 for
Same Poop, Different Day: A Memo From The Trenches Read More »
Kimmie spent most of last week home from school with a fever. Although her appetite for food was way down, and her appetite for sleep was way up, she was otherwise her happy, normal self. So afternoons involved lots of napping and movies, and mornings when Essie was in school quickly became lots of bonding
Less is More, Three Months In: An Update on the New Tidy Read More »
Spring’s pending arrival got you feeling domestic? Have some time to devote to cooking prep this weekend? This strata makes a tasty one-dish meal that was a huge hit with girls and dear husband alike. When I think of strata and its cousin, baked French toast, I usually think of breakfast and brunch foods. But
Recipe: Anytime Strata Read More »
Do you like smoothies, shakes, etc. but don’t have the storage space for a full-sized blender? (Or, alternately, do you detest taking apart all the pieces afterward to wash them by hand?) Do you wish you could make your own baby food from scratch, but don’t have the time? (Or, do you already do this
My New Favorite Kitchen Tool: Our Immersion Blender Read More »
You may have already read my other post about my first forays into the world of cashing in on old baby gear through brick-and-mortar consignment stores. For a while, this system worked reasonably well for me. I offloaded lots of baby clothes and outgrown toys, and made enough money that I was able to restock
Lessons Learned from Baby Consignment Stores Read More »
There’s nothing like a mama with her power tools. If you haven’t yet discovered the thrill of holding that cordless screwdriver in your hands, or of looking with pride at the finished result of your handiwork, trust me – it’s liberating to know that you can take care of yourself in this regard. I first
DIY Shelf Installation: Helpful Tips To Make Your First Project Easier Read More »
What is consignment, and why should all parents consider it? Anyone who’s been a parent for any length of time knows the eternal dilemma of modern parenting. Namely, how to keep from drowning under all that baby stuff, toddler gear, and related paraphernalia you’re no longer using. At some point, containing the clutter and organizing
Thinking About Consignment? Five Tips to Help You Decide Read More »
CSA Produce = Your Easy Button for Veggie-Loving Kids The days are short, the outside temps are frigid, and what you’re going to eat this summer is probably the last thing on your mind. But ‘tis the season for CSA registration; if you haven’t already joined one for the upcoming growing season, now’s the time
CSA and You: Save Money, Eat Better, and Get Your Kids to Love Veggies Read More »
How’d you do on your New Year’s resolutions last year? My New Year’s goal for last year is still an ongoing effort, but remembering to use the Calm Mommy voice when I want my kids to cooperate is becoming more second-nature. My goals for this year center around being more mindful each day, saving myself
Mindful Decluttering: 5 Tips on Decluttering Your Home Read More »
Whenever new people enter a family, things shift a bit. It doesn’t matter whether the new person is a significant other or a newborn infant. New traditions come into being, or get passed on from one family segment to another. The first time my husband and I spent Christmas together, he got a stocking as
What Are Your Family Traditions? Read More »
Are you sick of listening to your kids belt out the theme song from Frozen yet? Do you wish that the singing purple dinosaur had never been invented? Do you prefer some good music for a long car ride over hearing your kids’ dueling electronic toys in the backseat? Do you have a long car
Tunes for Traveling With Kids: Our Top 15 Road Trip Soundtracks Read More »
If you’re spending part of the holiday season in transit, and your entourage will include at least one child who’s not yet fully toilet-trained, you have a lot of potential messes ahead of you, at a time when it’s least convenient. Whether you use disposable diapers, cloth, or something in between, this post is for
Next Time You Travel, Try Diaper Covers Read More »
Even though the first week of December was rainy and dreary in our neck of the woods, the girls and I have had a super start to our month. Part of the credit goes to the fact that I’ve made some very conscious decisions to simplify our lives, both for the holiday season and beyond.
Less Is More: Three Ways We’re Cutting Back and Living Better This Holiday Season Read More »
In an earlier post, I offered four tips on how to pack for traveling with kids, so you can learn from my mistakes and avoid some of the trial-and-error I’ve gone through in trying to streamline family travel. This post will focus on some of the hacks on what to pack that I’ve figured out
What To Pack When Traveling With Kids: My Five Must-Haves For A Better Trip Read More »
