I had a million thoughts running through my head as I sat in the hospital waiting room. My husband was undergoing major heart surgery, and I was trying my best to stay strong. I knew that I had to; if I gave into my worries, I would be a mess. I think that the very thing that kept me going or that caused me to find strength was my kids. What you don’t realize is that your kids help you to find strength that you didn’t even know that you possessed.
My most despised chore used to be laundry. Mostly because, with three small kids, it was such a never ending story. The monotony of sorting, washing, folding and getting it all away just in time for it to be pulled out and dirtied again was super demoralizing. When our third baby was born we actually hired someone to come and do laundry everyday for a year. True story. It ate up all our disposable income, but I still refer to that year fondly as my “laundry holiday.”
It is always a challenge to get kids involved in meal preparation but we encourage you to turn off the tech and make some beautiful memories in the kitchen with your loved ones. Food is always a huge part of any family tradition, and involving the kids in the kitchen will teach them life skills as well as cutting down your chores. Especially during the busy winter months with short days, snowy activities and homework, mom and dad need all the help you can get.
I know I’m not the only mom who dreams of long soaks in a beautiful spa shower or of spending a quiet evening reading a great book in a whirlpool bath. Of course, when you have young children like I do, the reality is bathroom time is (at best) fast and functional. All the more reason to create a space that is inviting, and maybe even inspiring. Whether you’re in desperate need of more storage, hope to streamline your space, or you’ve simply grown tired of the decor you currently have, you can completely transform your bathroom next weekend.
“Want to have your ears pierced?” I asked Elsa, my newly turned five-year-old. Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head back and forth.
“No, mommy! It’ll hurt. And it seems scary. No, thank you.”
We had discussed having her ears pierced several times. Every time she said the same thing, she was too scared. Every time, I felt a tiny twinge of sadness. I couldn’t wait to buy her earrings, to share my love of jewelry with my little girl.
I’m not sure when I turned into an “old woman.” I mean, I certainly don’t feel old. And really I’m not actually old, just “old” according to my 21-year-old-inner-self. Thanks to genetics, moisturizer and the religious use of sunglasses outdoors, I am more or less wrinkle-free in the face department which means people don’t usually believe me when I tell them I’m 41. 41! That sounds so old to me! Even though I know it’s not. And I don’t like the term “middle-age” either. THAT, makes me feel old.
SATURDAY MORNINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET WILD! Every Saturday morning starting March 5 National Geographic Kids brings you two solid hours of kids educational TV in partnership with Nat Geo WILD.
It’s tempting to shove everything “kid related” into their room and just forget about it. And kids collect so much stuff. The contents of your child’s room should be thoughtfully chosen and edited over time. Less really is more. Here’s some tips for organizing your child’s room.
Many of our readers know that I have struggled with depression in the past, and somehow this winter has been harder than most. Today I gave myself gentle permission for some self care and set out to fix the winter beauty rut.
I’m not a bad mom – really. But I certainly felt like it for the first 18 months with my first son. Our caregiver said she could only stand one day. My best friend – a psychologist – told me that I probably wouldn’t be able to go back to work after a year of maternity leave. And neighbours would avoid eye contact because I’m sure they thought I was neglecting my child. Because he had colic.
