How can I balance being a parent and being an artist?
It’s very difficult to be faced with two options: be artistic on cue, or stop in the middle of my inspiration to fix dinner, help with homework, or do a bedtime routine. The end result of all this internal conflict is complete and utter failure at both my art and raising my children in a healthy clean environment. I am curious: has anyone else out there dealt with this conflict? Have you found a solution that’s healthy for everyone?
I love you but leave: evicting a good roommate
I’m a grad student, and I currently live in a flat with another grad student, who’s been living here over a year.
The problem is, my boyfriend will be coming back into the country in a few months and would really like to move in with me. I’m trying to find a supportive, non-pressuring way to ask my flatmate if she can commit to moving out on a particular date so he can move in…How do I work this?
How I’m overcoming my abusive childhood to become a loving, patient parent
Ah, the bedtime ritual. Oh how I love the constant interruptions of a good movie, dinner or maybe even a make-out session because my little one has decided to defy sleep. Something happens to her sleepy body when I leave her bedroom. My absence acts as an amphetamine for her. I put her down, I leave the room, she gets out of bed. Sometimes she fakes exhaustion to get her little game going, and I fall for her deception every time.
Piercing question: I have dermal anchors in my back — should I remove them before giving birth?
I am a first time mama-to-be and I have piercings, as I am sure many other offbeat readers do. The question I am coming up on is about some of my less than removable piercings, namely, my dermal anchors.
May the force be with you: Star Wars-themed family photos featuring Leia breastfeeding an Ewok
The title alone should let you know I am obviously in love with these photos: kids and their mom dressed as characters from Star Wars? A nursing Ewok? YOU GUUUUYS. I was mega thrilled when these shots from Ashlynn Imagery popped up in our Flickr pool, and I’m even more excited to share them.
My female acupuncturist knocked me up — and it was mostly painless
When I first met my acupuncturist in a small Brooklyn practice where a mechanic shop spewed fumes nearby, I took one look at her and hoped she would knock me up. In fact, I desperately hoped she was the one. The one who would know just where to stick those freaky needles for my womb to quiver and totally rock out a life force ready to take the world by storm in 9+ months. I hoped she was magic. I hoped it happened immediately.
When Offbeat Mama met Pushba
For those of you following Offbeat Mama on Facebook or Twitter, you probably saw my excited notes about how I was going to New York to meet my longtime internet obsession, Pushba. When she told me in early September that she’d be heading to New York, I gathered up my frequent flyer miles and flew out…
Cool idea of the week: turn an old bikini top into a doll sling for your toddler
You know all those old swimsuit tops you’ve got lying around? Who knew you could take one and fashion into a perfectly toddler-sized baby sling?? PRECIOUS.