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The Best Children’s Books You May Not Have Heard Of

December 1, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

Books can be great gifts for children! But there are so freaking many to choose from, how do you know that you’re getting a quality book? There are some books whose titles are household standards, and those are obvious choices for growing your child’s library. But some of my favorite picks for kids are actually hidden gems: not-so-well-known books which are fantastic in their own way. Here are my family’s choices for the best children’s books, though you may not have heard of some of them!

I’ve got categories for authors, babies and toddlers, preschoolers and elementary kids, classics, and even a section for young readers’ first books!

Here are all of my favorites, as a teacher and a mom. Happy reading!
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My Top Picks for Newborns

November 28, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

What should you really get for a newborn? While stores and media try to convince us that there are hundreds of things you just gotta have, the truth is that a baby’s needs are quite simple, and easily met.

Here’s an AP mom’s perspective on the only items you truly should have, either for your own baby or as a gift for new parents. Continue reading

Be Thankful and Teach Gratitude to Your Children- Real Simple Mama

Be Thankful: Teaching Gratitude to Your Children

November 24, 2016 / The Mama / 2 Comments

Gratitude is a wonderful characteristic for a child to have. And sadly, many children these days don’t exhibit it well. But like most other emotions, gratitude must be taught. Here’s a quick list of suggestions for helping your child learn thankfulness this holiday season. Continue reading

The Double-Edged Sword of Mom Guilt

November 21, 2016 / The Mama / 2 Comments

Unwinding in a fragrant, steaming hot bubble bath. Eating a delicious hot meal slowly and deliberately, savoring every bite and enjoying meaningful conversation. Getting a spa pedicure. Peeing alone. Apparently as a mom, I’m not supposed to want those things. Because if I do it means that I don’t love my kids. Mom guilt is real, and it sucks.

I don’t have anyone to blame for this mentality more than myself. Sure society can be a bit of a jackass sometimes, and make me feel like I should always be overjoyed to be trapped in my home 24/7 with my offspring. I don’t earn an income per se (though let’s not get started on the outrageous daycare savings) and I don’t have a “real job.” I mean, all I do is sit around and watch TV in yoga pants, right?

Cue hysterical laugh. Continue reading

I Don’t Have a “Good Baby”… and I Don’t Care

November 17, 2016 / The Mama / 2 Comments

You shouldn’t ask me “is your daughter a good baby?”

I don’t have a “good baby.” She doesn’t sleep through the night, she sometimes bites while nursing, and she puts her feet in my face when she’s in my bed.

And you know what? I don’t care. Continue reading

Why I Love Baby Led Weaning!

November 14, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

I’ve figured out that I’m a combination of a lot of different moms: I’m the super crunchy mom who wants organic everything; I’m the lazy mom who is perpetually wearing yoga pants and the mom bun; I’m the sweet mom who wants to make hand-decorated cookies every week; I’m the strict mom who thrives on consistency and efficiency. Baby led weaning fits beautifully into all of those personas. And my kids are thriving because of it. And I love baby led weaning! Here’s why. Continue reading

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Raising Children with Emotional Intelligence

November 10, 2016 / The Mama / 5 Comments

I want my children to grow up with a healthy emotional intelligence. Simply put, I want them to have a healthy range of emotions, know the vernacular so that they can express those feelings, and deal with unpleasant feelings in a safe way. That emotional education begins when they are still quite young and must happen regularly. Let me give you some insight into what’s working beautifully for our family! Continue reading

Milestones, Leaps, and the Wonder Weeks: A Real Simple Introduction to Your Baby’s Development

November 7, 2016 / The Mama / 1 Comment

Being aware of your baby’s milestones and leaps will save you a lot of worry and stress, as you are able to anticipate and meet their needs. Remember that a baby grows more (physically and neurologically) in their first year, than any other year of their life!

I didn’t even know what a milestone was with my first kid until he was close to a year old; no one told me about it, and it would have helped me so much with my first baby! And leaps? Forget about it! (Oh if I only knew then what I know now, right?).

This text is designed to help parents and caregivers navigate the rough waters of baby development. Awareness of leaps and milestones allows parents to guide their infant through all of the changes, regressions, and new skills which each leap presents. Continue reading

Write An eBook: How to Get Started

November 3, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

I have eight ebooks currently published on Amazon. It’s been an extremely long, tedious process. But I’ve survived! – and I’m actually looking forward to writing more. I figured that I could offer some free advice to anyone who’s thinking about writing ebooks. Not everything went according to plan, and it often seemed like I’d answer one of my questions only to have three more. But at least now I can share my experience with you! Here are my suggestions for how to write an eBook, and hopefully start making some money! Continue reading

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Teaching My Child with Natural Consequences: The AP Alternative to Punishment

October 31, 2016 / The Mama / 0 Comments

My son is an amazing child: he’s considerate, kind, and sensitive. And I knew early on that I would never spank or hit him. But he’s at an age where we need to have an effective, consistent way to correct him and teach him. I’m here to tell you: attachment parenting does not mean that you let your kids do whatever the hell they want. We have high expectations, we are consistent, and we mean what we say. But how we discipline our kids may look quite different from what you’re used to. We use what’s called “natural consequences.” And let me say, it works beautifully. Continue reading