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...

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,...

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.

The big lie infertility wants you to believe

Parenting is hard, y’all. Like spin around 5 times fast and try to walk a straight line hard. Sometimes it feels impossible. But you stumble onto the floor, collect yourself and get up. Luckily these little critters are really great...

Here’s why I’m delaying kindergarten for my kiddo

At 18 months, my son was dribbling basketballs. It was a sight to behold. This kid is athletically inclined. Or so we thought. Fast forward to this spring when, at age 4.5, we stuck him in tennis lessons and on...

10 tips for car-tripping with toddlers

I’m getting ready to stab out both my eyes. From the thought of spending ad infinitum hours in the car with two small children. Yes, I want to go to the beach. No, I don’t want to travel to the...

Feeling like Mommy Dearest: why you need REM sleep

As a first time mom, I experienced a high level of anxiety. Then I wandered into a dark world. Suddenly, I found myself in a place of rage. Too strong a word? Perhaps. How quickly lack of sleep took its...

5 signs your breastfed baby’s getting enough milk

5 signs your baby’s GOT MILK. Including: your boobs feel great! And baby’s got wet-noodle arms.

I am a Christian. I love Jesus. And I am pro-choice.

One women's story about changing her mind. About growing up pro-life, then discovering the propaganda behind the pro-life movement.

How to survive when you’re the Matron-of-Honor (with kids)

Congrats! You’ve “earned” the title of Matron-of-Honor. Is that a nice way of saying you’re old? No, no, no, just wiser. You’ve walked that wedding aisle before – there’s so much advice and love you can sprinkle on the bride....

What Dr. Seuss and autism can teach us about life

One momma's reflections on raising autistic children and what she's learning about the beauty of neurodivergent inclusion in the workplace.

Never tell your kid she’s going to Disney World

I have a rule when dealing with small children and major life events: Never tell them something AMAZING is gonna happen til the DAY OF the event. Because, y’all, anticipation can kill your kiddo. Occasionally I break this rule: Hey,...