Parenting Wars
Do or do not - there is no try. The ins and outs of one of the most difficult jobs on earth: parenting.
A Mother’s Tears: Getting Through a Birth Defect Diagnosis
When I think of a time in which I was completely happy, and, I mean fully elated, it was the moment I found out I was pregnant for the first time. The following 12 weeks were filled with pure excitement and joy. I often found myself daydreaming about the future and what motherhood would be like. I knew already that my baby and I would attend “Momma and Baby Yoga” classes at the local studio, that I would have the most fashionable stroller, preferably a Stokke in limited edition orange, and we would wear matching clothes, just like every single perfect Pinterest picture I came across. Life would seriously be perfect. No, it was perfect.
By ‘Licia Cee8 years ago in Families
Bad Parenting 101
So…I locked my child in the car on Monday. Picture this: a stressful morning, running late, a screaming toddler who doesn’t want to leave his daddy. I fight, like all good mothers do, to get my toddler into his car seat whilst he alternates between lightning rod straight and wobbly toddler jelly and, at this point, I throw my handbag onto the driver's seat. Toddler safely stowed in car, daddy bid farewell, I close the door, and then the sound that shall haunt me for at least the foreseeable future—"LOCK."
By Philippa Robinson8 years ago in Families
Why Kids Need to Play Dirty
Can you remember the magic of picking up wet, cold mud and letting it ooze through your fingers? Mud play was a magic part of childhood. Did you ever used to grab handfuls of dry soil and scoop water to mix with the mud? Next the stones, flowers, and grass would be thrown into the pot and you'd mix the entire concoction with a stick until it looked just right. Mud pies were my speciality. Painting with mud was always fun too, especially on a hot day. I’d use my hands to rub wet mud onto the walls in the garden, making patterns and pictures. In time, it would start to dry, crack, and change colour. There was a great sense of satisfaction I would get from peeling the mud off the walls as it dried. Once I even ate a handful of soil, just to see how it tasted. Earthy.
By Daisy Willand8 years ago in Families
Going to Baby School
Being a first-time mom is a scary thing. You are faced with this great responsibility of keeping a growing person alive for nine months in your body, and then you have to keep them alive when they come out of you as well. It can be a little daunting.
By Samantha Reid8 years ago in Families
The Trials and Tribulations of a Stay at Home Dad
On my first day as a stay at home Dad, I felt like an impostor. I’d spent years watching my wife make bringing up little people look easy; from her boundless patience to her never-ending supply of rainy day games, I was sure I was a painter and decorator to her Picasso.
By Paul Rooney8 years ago in Families
Babies
Let’s be real. Babies are small, they don’t do much... except roll around, poop, and eat. So how do we entertain them? Well... in my last eleven months of parenthood... I have come to one conclusion. You can’t entertain a baby unless you are entertaining yourself. From my perspective, when my son saw me enjoying something and laughing, he would laugh too. See, the thing with kids is that they like to mimic... a lot. They see you eating, obviously you're going to want to give them something otherwise they’ll be going at you trying to grab whatever cookie or snack you have in your hand. Everything revolves around YOU!
By Jillian Daily8 years ago in Families
The Heck With 'Normal' Parenting!
I have been a mother for more then half my life. I have seen just about everything there is to see and experienced more then my fair share of ups and downs. I keep chugging along knowing that what I do is NOT considered "normal."
By Joanne Hawkins8 years ago in Families
The Truth About Being a Mom
They tell you a lot of things when you are pregnant. I mean, A LOT. I could probably write an entire book just based off what other people tell pregnant women, especially young woman. And trust me, as a 20-year-old mother of two under two, I've heard it all! Promise! I can also promise that it is all a giant load of bologna!
By Mckala Shayne Tidmore8 years ago in Families
We Are Who We Choose
Often in life, we look at someone and say, “I’m not going to end up like that person.” Or “I’m going to do better than what I lived.” And saying that might be hard for other people to hear because we can’t undo the past, only make the future better. And those of us who have small children LITERALLY hold the future of the hands. When they fall down and reach for your hand, it is like a silent whisper asking for help. The voice of an angel that is calling out to you and asking your undivided attention. And as a mom of two, giving that attention isn't always easy.
By Heidi Sunshine8 years ago in Families
