Mom's Timeout

  Please feel free to send a pile of endless and useless worksheets and projects that mom and dad are going to end up having to help with home with my child every day said no parent ever. For real. I’m fairly certain homework is unnecessary for young kids. I’m also fairly certain the point isn’t to make […]

My children, my husband, and I are blessed to have both sets of parents here in town, actively involved in being grandparents.  As our parents enjoy moments with our children, they often say things like “I remember when…” Our parents are empty nesters these days and they alternate between missing boisterous homes with children and […]

I’m new to parenting a daughter. I always thought I wanted a daughter, but as soon as I saw her ultrasound… I got scared. I was terrified. Truth is, I don’t know anything about raising a girl and I’m totally winging it. Yes, I know I was once a girl myself and I turned out […]

I knew from the moment I found out I was pregnant that it was a boy. Don’t ask me how. It was just one of those things. And lo and behold, I was right. Nine months later, I was blessed with the little guy and all of his boy magnificence. And you know what? I […]

Kids definitely lack empathy. There are just too many things we think are important that they could care less about. Or maybe it’s not a matter of empathy so much as priorities. Eh, sleep is definitely not negotiable. I guess when it really comes down to it, though… Well, that’s my opinion. Apparently, my toddler […]

Every now and again, I manage to sneak up on the little guy before he realizes that I’m close by. And every time, I see him being 100% perfectly well-behaved. ‘Scuse me? I’m definitely starting to notice a trend here. It’s as if the heavens parted and if you’re anyone but me, my son’s a […]

For more years than I can count, I kept a journal. I wrote about everything. Literally. These days, it definitely makes for some interesting reading. Throughout the pages of journal after journal, you’ll find stories of love and life and a look at how a teenager sees the world. Note: Definitely nowhere near the same […]

I got the best photos today! It’s a series of three photos of my kids playing together. These precious photos tell a cute story of my son “reading” to his baby sister and showing her how to play with new toys.  The love in their eyes as they stare at each other is priceless! It’s […]

Toddlers are always doing unexpected things.  Just when you thought you had this parenting thing figured out, the toddler years show up to keep you humble. However, amid all the surprises, there are some things you can count on. For instance, meltdowns and potty training “accidents” always occur in the least convenient places and times…. […]

I’m definitely an advocate of “learning by playing” and I strongly believe the best thing we can do for our kids is to create a lifelong love of learning. I see no need to subject extremely young kids to formal education. After all, we have our entire lives to learn anything and everything we want to. […]

Isn’t it crazy to think about how our toddlers might view the world around them? I will say one thing. I can assure you mine think it revolves around him. No worries, though. That’s part of growing up. At one time or another, we all thought the same. I just find some of the things […]

I’m a food allergy mom. That means I have to be extra vigilant at family gatherings, especially ones focused around food like Thanksgiving. There are foods lurking everywhere that could make my child sick.  So what’s a mom like me to do about the well-meaning relatives who don’t understand my son’s food boundaries? Get some […]

Last night I put my son to bed. I sat on the bed next to him as he fell asleep and stroked his little red curls.  I watched with a knowing smile as he slowly transitioned from talking a mile a minute to the calm breathing of a deep sleep. More than once I thought […]

There’s a lot of talk about kids today being entitled. In an effort to combat this issue, many moms are finding creative ways to help their children show gratitude and give to others. I periodically have my son help me with projects for grandparents to show his gratitude for all the things they do for […]

Toddlers and meltdowns go together like macaroni and cheese.  Unfortunately, they really can’t help it and … sometimes we can’t help but laugh! For instance, my son’s epic 20 minute meltdown last week because I was unable to take the laundry soap back out of the washing machine after pouring it in.  That was a […]

I always thought I wanted a little girl. I spent the first half of my pregnancy convinced I was having a girl. I was shocked when we saw the ultrasound. I was getting a son. I had prepared myself just in case, but I didn’t feel any regret. I was thrilled from the moment I […]

I had a headache again tonight. It could be from sinus congestion thanks to this sudden cold spell. That’s probably the logical explanation. Still, I’m pretty convinced it’s from listening to my son whine and scream about ridiculous things all day.  The constant battle to attempt to reason with my three year old is totally […]

My son is stubborn and fiercely independent. He knows what he wants and he’s determined to follow through. I’ve jokingly said his head is made of cement, not just in reference to his dare-devil antics, but also his determination. A three year old who is certain he knows what is best for him and determined […]

They say kids say the darnedest things. And they definitely do. I always have to laugh at the things my mama friends share on Facebook. If you’re looking for some entertainment, find a toddler. They’re almost always have something hilarious to say. Sometimes the things our kids say aren’t funny, though. Occasionally, they give us […]

Every now and again I think about all the times my mother said she hoped my future child was half as bad as I was. Um, yea… Not exactly what I wanted to hear. You see, all those years ago I had absolutely no idea how much of a handful I was. I was stubborn […]