An inexpensive rainy day project: DIY glimmer paint in two steps
I wasn’t sure if my son and I would ever attempt another colorful DIY creation after the Great Rainbow Slime Fail of 2012, but this recipe for DIY glimmer paint seemed too good to pass up. It’s sparkly AND colorful? COME ON NOW.
Born at home: a home birth video
Georgia Brizuela recently filmed the home birth of baby Oliver — and she’s sharing the video with Offbeat Mama readers today.
Operation Orange Balloons: tips for celebrating Halloween in non-American countries
Halloween is an American holiday that very few people in Australia see any reason to celebrate — right up until you have kids. Once you have kids, Halloween is an excuse to dress up and go for a walk.
A stepdad success story
My children don’t share his genes, but you’d never know by watching my dad interact with my two-year-old daughter. He holds her with tender arms and listens to her stories with the contentment of a proud and happy grandfather. When I watch her giggle as he scratches her cheek with his whiskers, I’m reminded that my family is not bound by biology, but by love and commitment, two values that he helped instill in me.
On saying no to a second foster child
For weeks now, I’ve been feeling this slow and steady ache growing — the feeling that I am not doing enough, can never do enough. I know, rationally that most of us only have the time and resources to do a very little bit. But the idea that there are 16,000 foster children in NYC alone, each as unique and precious as my foster son, each needing stable, loving homes both temporary and permanent, actually hurts me when I think about it, makes it hard to breathe. I can do so, so little.
Deciding whether or not to go back to work after my child was born has made me a less judgmental person
In the United States a woman who has a child can take up to 12 (unpaid) weeks off under FMLA. Today is the start of my 13th week. I was supposed to go back to work, but I stayed home. I simply decided it did not make sense for me to return to work.
I skipped my baby shower: how to save money when you’re buying your own baby supplies
There could be any number of reasons why someone wouldn’t have a traditional baby shower — not living close to friends and family is a good one. Logistics may be another; pregnancy is tiring, and finding the time or energy to host a party can be impossible. Then there’s my personal reason for avoiding a baby shower: I just can’t stand the idea.
4 Halloween crafts your kids can make out of recycled materials
I was recently inspired by this list of kid’s Halloween crafts you can make out of recycled materials — so much so that I decided to let my three-year-old try out one of the suggestions.