Reconnecting with my family by changing the way we do dinner
As children, eating dinner with our families was a nightly occurrence, but as adults we seem to have fallen out of the habit. About a month ago, we decided to try an experiment: one day a week, each one of us would commit to making dinner for the family. We’ve been incredibly pleased with our arrangement, which has led to some unexpected benefits…
Stuffed Animal Hospital: an indoor toy wash activity for rainy days
As spring weather of intermittent cold peppered with rain continues to downpour in our area, I struggle to find indoor appropriate activities for two plucky (bored and fighty) toddlers. I’ll spend afternoon coffee breaks Googling indoor activities to keep the stir-crazy levels to a slow mix rather than the full-blown pulverize we get once the kids have been held in weather related house arrest for more than a day or two.
3 age-appropriate ways to talk to kids and teens about media portrayals of sexual assault
I have this super awesome talent for thinking of the perfect thing to say hours later. A talent which is not in any way useful — unless you have a blog. In which case you can blog about it and get it all out. So here are three possible, age-appropriate, conversations you can have with your children about rape that I came up with.
How can I make a hospital room feel less like, well, a hospital room?
My mother passed away last month pretty suddenly due to complications of Lupus. I did not realize how much of a difficulty just being in a hospital room would be. As much as I would love to have a home birth, at this point I would say it is just not possible, so I need to make this room seem as “homey” as possible.
Mother’s Day gifts that say “I love you like a mother”
Mother’s Day is coming up. Now, I really love my future mother-in-law. She and I get along well and I have a few gift ideas in mind. But… do I get her something? And if so, what? Is there etiquette to this cuz there is no Hallmark Card for it.
What geeky methods can I employ to tell my partner we’re having a baby?
My husband and I have recently started trying to create a little baby geek all of our own! It dawned on my this morning that when the time comes for me to pee on that little stick — it seems my life revolves around peeing on little sticks these days — that he will be at work, so I will know a good 10 hours before he gets back.
How can I ask non-intrusive family planning questions?
Before, I didn’t get it. I didn’t think it was a big deal to ask if or when a couple was having kids. I didn’t realize the impact that merely being asked questions along these lines can have on someone dealing with personal decisions. I’ve actually apologized to a couple people for my past ignorance. But now I have a new problem: since these questions are off limits, I have no idea what to say!
Tips for breastfeeding a hospitalized baby
My baby was seven weeks old when he was hospitalized for the first time, and he was either not nursing, or not nursing well for two-to-three weeks. There were many times when he wasn’t allowed oral nutrition at all, and I pumped. The third time he was hospitalized, however, was really difficult.