Children Archives - MothersRest

Breaking the cycle: parenting with tools you weren’t given

We inherit a set of parenting tools: some useful, some outdated. And we make do. The key is to assess, adjust, and give ourselves grace. And maybe try something new - like these tips - and see what works!

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...

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.

We are the mommas with IVF babies

In my friends and family circle, I am one of 21 mommas who have IVF to thank for bringing kiddos into our lives. As in THIRTY children! And I bet I know a WHOLE LOT MORE FOLKS in this special...

My kid-friendly, rainy day, dance party playlist

Saturday was rainy and cabin-fever-inducing. You know, one of those days where Pinterest can save you with its 50 million ideas for how to entertain the kiddos. But I’m not really crafty. In high school, I was in Acteens. This...

The joys and crazy of two kids under two

Four years ago, I called my sister-in-law and announced we were “ONE AND DONE!” Because sleep deprivation is hell. Also because when our miracle baby turned one, the stomach bug to end all stomach bugs entered our lives. Y’all, this...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...