"Stranger Danger" We've all heard it, but is it true? Experts are agreeing more and more that, no, this is not a good concept to teach our children. As I think about this concept in my own life, it doesn't make much sense. I'll easily strike up a conversation with a mom on the park bench, sometimes sharing our life stories and all kinds of personal things. We've never met and she's definitely a stranger, but there really is no danger in this situation. Not all strangers are dangerous and not all strangers are safe, but not everyone we know is safe either. We need to help our kids recognize who can and can't be viewed as a "safe...
It starts at the very beginning. Are they eating enough? Are they in pain? Why are they crying? Are they "normal"? Will this be harmful to them? The endless questions about what is best for our children. We worry about everyone who gives our children a sideways glance, comes a bit too close, feels just a bit "wrong". We worry about them if they don't gain enough weight, if they don't reach a milestone, if they disappear for 2 seconds and we can't find them. Life is scary. The world is scary. It feels as if there is danger lurking at every turn (and in reality there might be...) But we, as mothers, can do things to prepare. We...
Our grocery trips, or any trip to the store for that matter, are completely toy free. No toys, almost ever.
Let me start by saying that I never set out to be the mom that didn't buy toys. I didn't make a vow to myself pre-motherhood. I just simply didn't see a need. I find that I raise my kids based on my own childhood. I think about the times that stood out most to me, the things that truly left an impact. When I'm staring off into space thinking about those days, there aren't many toys involved in my thoughts, just lots and lots of happy times. Lots of laughter, LOTS of time spent together.
Our kids have toys and we do actually buy toys for them...
There are so many things I wish I had known about motherhood before I had children, but I guess it's just true that you can never fully grasp it all until you are there. If there was one thing I wasn't prepared for, it was everything my kids would teach me about myself. Not just how many hours I can go without sleep, how "hangry" I can get, and the absolute longest I can go while listening to a screeching toddler from the confines of a carseat before wanting to pull all of my hair out, but who I am. Like, who I really really am on my deepest level.
It started more when my daughter was born, seeing it all...
Every mom knows that mornings + kids = organized (sometimes) chaos. Today, several of our contributors give you a peek into their morning routines.
Kristen:
I am not good at mornings. At the getting out of bed part that is. I usually have to be forced by either my husband or my son. And while our mornings are never really the same, we have found something of a routine. Our alarm goes off at 5, but we snooze until 5:30—unless our other alarm has gone off and is crying (which is usually between 5 and 6 am). I get out of bed, put on my robe, and head to Sam’s room. My husband gets up, feeds the dog and cats, and takes a shower....
Around Baton Rouge
The Best Coffee in BR is Actually in Ascension
The Best Coffee in BR is Actually in Ascension
Like a lot of moms I'm often in need of caffeine on a regular basis and...
