Tweens Archives - MothersRest

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...

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...

Here’s why your kiddo needs chores

Raise your hand if you LOVE CHORES! Okay, okay, you hated them as a kid and you hate them as an adult. Also, you wanna give your kids a magical childhood free from drudgery. If you’re lucky enough to have...

Sorting through the mess of life (and cleaning up the playroom)

Cleaning up the playroom is like eating an elephant - the kids have to do it one bite at a time. This applies to everything we moms sort through daily: bills, laundry, pets, work. Here are 6 tips to help...

Believe me, it’s possible to raise respectful and thankful tweens

Does your middle schooler say PLEASE and THANK YOU? Are these manners important to you? Here are tips to teach your kid how to show respect and practice gratitude - daily.

Here’s why you might need to pay the TUTOR TAX this year

Are you hiring a tutor (because: remote learning)? Definitely consult a tax expert. Unless you wanna pay under the table and call it a day.

How to entertain your kiddos when you’re under quarantine

I GOT THE J&J VACCINE!! Which means I can crawl out of the hermit hole I’ve been hiding in for the past 12 months. It’s not really that easy. Getting the vaccine doesn’t suddenly make the virus disappear. It doesn’t...

How I persevered over the mean girls

That day in 8th grade is forever etched in my memory. Here are 5 lessons from dealing with mean girls. I'm stronger than I look. You are, too.

How to throw your daughter a PERIOD PARTY!

I remember the day distinctly. I was 12. It was Thanksgiving. My cousin was in town. I told no one. Fast forward 3 months later when it happened to my cousin. She got a dozen roses and dinner out on...

It’s a mad, mad world. Don’t let them win.

Be brave, y’all, because the world is a little off-kilter right now. Cherish the mundane moments with your children when life feels chaotic. The kids cannot begin to understand the turmoil and pain gripping our hearts these days.

46 ways to celebrate the BIDEN HARRIS election

We can all use a little something to celebrate these days, amiright? How ’bout BIDEN HARRIS DAY?! The boys made me mark the occasion, otherwise known as Inauguration Day, on our new 2021 calendar. And they have been counting down...

The things I’m telling my boys about Trump

The thing about elementary school kids is that they can read. This is equal parts awesome and sucky. Because, even if you’re anti-screen time like me and don’t get an old school newspaper at home, you can’t completely keep your...

How to keep the HANGRY monster at bay (hint: your kid needs food)

Tell me you’ve been there, too. When it’s 10am and it’s snack time. And everyone seems totally fine, totally into Barbies or science or whatever. So snack time comes and snack time goes. Sans snack. All is calm. Until it...