I'm part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation so I've been thinking a lot about mealtime (even more than usual!). Recent conversation on the program's Facebook page has focused on dinnertime mojo and quick meals, and these conversation threads have reminded me that meals are decidedly un-Zen for so many families. Indeed, with two busy parents, a chatty 7-year-old, and a sippy cup banging 8-month-old at our table, meals are not always the most relaxed. This all got me thinking about some of the typical stumbling blocks we face and how we try to address them. I hope the below thoughts are helpful, and I'd love to hear if you have other challenges at the dinner table and what you do to mitigate them!I'm part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation so I've been thinking a lot about mealtime (even more than usual!). Recent conversation on the program's Facebook page has focused on dinnertime mojo and quick meals, and these conversation threads have reminded me that meals are decidedly un-Zen for so many families. Indeed, with two busy parents, a chatty 7-year-old, and a sippy cup banging 8-month-old at our table, meals are not always the most relaxed. This all got me thinking about some of the typical stumbling blocks we face and how we try to address them. I hope the below thoughts are helpful, and I'd love to hear if you have other challenges at the dinner table and what you do to mitigate them!
While I was en route to California this past weekend, I was so happy to have some quiet time to read through more of the Boston Mamas survey comments. Among the responses was a question that fit well both for the Dear Boston Mamas column, and given that I just guest posted at Rookie Moms about what I have learned in having a second child. Of course, a lot of the below would apply to 2+ children as well; if you have additional thoughts to share, feel free to do so in the comments!
Question: How is life with two kids? We are expecting #2 and I know it will be different but how? How are you managing? Is baby #2 on a schedule or on older child's schedule?
Hello everyone -- I hope you've been having a fantastic week! I went off the grid longer than expected due to an amazing trip to California, the residuals of which left me a little loopy (we came in very early off a red eye flight yesterday morning) and also wanting to take a slower, more mindful pace as we re-entered life here at home. I need to take today to square up on various things; meanwhile, if you're interested you can read up on the trip (and see some lovely photos) here, and also, here are a few picks to enjoy this week.
As part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program, I recently chatted with Daphne Brogdon and Caroline Murphy about grocery shopping with kids. I've embedded the video below for your viewing pleasure (it's about two and a half minutes long) and would love to hear whether you find family outings to the grocery store super helpful, utterly exhausting, or somewhere in between. Feel free to weigh in below in the comments or over at the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page (where a very lively convo is brewing!).
Whether or not extreme couponing is your thing, grocery budgeting is top of mind for most families. As part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program, I recently chatted with Daphne Brogdon and Caroline Murphy about tips for feeding families on a budget. I've embedded the video below for your viewing pleasure (it's just over two minutes long) and would love to hear your clever tips for scoring at the grocery store, either below in the comments or over at the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Renee via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas: Hello! I'm hoping to get some input/advice. I'm a mom to a 19 month old girl and I'm pregnant with twins. We do not yet know the genders. Several people have suggested to me that I should have a shower. I always thought of a shower for your 2nd+ kids as greedy and poor etiquette. However, given that we are expecting twins, there are quite a few things that we will need, especially if one or more of the babies is a boy. Do you think there is an exception to the etiquette if you are having twins?
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Janelle via Twitter. Janelle asked me for some ideas for unique baby shower gifts. Having enjoyed a baby shower for Violet earlier this year and given my minimalist tendencies, my preference definitely leans towards practical, but sometimes practical also equals unique! Here are some of my favorite ideas -- spanning practical and pretty.
Through the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series I'm part of via Momversation, it's become clear that dinnertime often involves either battles or bonding for families; to that effect, you can check out a recent video and conversation on how dinner is best characterized in your house. Meanwhile, this conversation thread got me thinking and I wanted to share 5 ways to diffuse mealtime battles. These strategies have been really effective for us and I hope they are helpful to you! If you have other tips, feel free to share in the comments here or over at the video post.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jen via Facebook:
Hi Christine, I just had my third little boy. He is a joy. Although I successfully breast-fed my first two sons, I was not successful in getting my second son to use a bottle (which led me to be resentful towards the end), so I have taken your advice and started my baby on a bottle at three weeks. I was wondering about how often you pump and provide bottles to keep up your supply and still be able to nurse? I've forgotten how I managed with my first son.
As social an animal as I am, I have to admit that I get a little squirrely when faced with the prospect of the "first date" parental chit chat associated with Laurel's playdates with new friends. This week I shared thoughts about playdate drop offs when you don't know the parents. The video is embedded below (it's just over one minute) and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic...whether you agree or disagree with my approach, what age feels right to you for drop offs, etc. Hop on over and share your thoughts at Momversation or feel free to comment in below!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from a friend -- I know lots of new moms have the same question so I'm sharing here:
Dear Christine, I am asking all my friends who have had (or currently have again) newborns: what do you do with them all day? Sometimes I get really bored during the day; is that normal? Does he have to be learning all the time? Is it ok if he just sits there in his bouncer? Going out with a newborn in [my city] is tough! We go out once a day, but nothing too complicated that requires public transportation, not yet. I find myself saying...ok, what are we going to do next? [My son] is amazing...he has such a gentle and sweet demeanor. In the morning when he first gets up we spend about 20 minutes "talking" to each other, then he naps and I shower and we take it from there. Tuesdays are awesome because I go to this fantastic moms group -- just a few, quirky, non-judgmental, amazing women and our babies. We rotate houses and literally stay all day. It rocks.
It was a momentous week, and one that left me -- and many others -- with complicated emotions and reactions regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden. This week Mindy Roberts, Susan Carraretto, and I discussed what kind of message we're sending to our children if we rejoice over Bin Laden's death, whether we feel safer now that he is gone, and how to talk about these issues with our kids. The video is embedded below and you can weigh in on the conversation here or over at Momversation. I'm curious to hear how you are processing these weighty issues with your kids.
It is with immense sadness that I share that yesterday, contributing writer Sarah Feather died following her spirited battle with cancer. Sarah not only offered fashion and lifestyle inspiration here at Boston Mamas and elsewhere, but for the last couple of years she has documented her journey with cancer at The Carcinista with impressive wit and candor. Sarah is survived by her husband Ed, sons Whit and Avery, and countless friends and family who undoubtedly will always remain in awe of her spirit, humor, and impeccable sense of style.
It's been fun to see the family and food dialogue that has transpired as part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program. Today, my second video with the project just launched -- in it, Whitney Moss, Kim Tracy Prince, and I discuss what dinner means for families. I've embedded the video below (it's just over three minutes long) for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to hop over to the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page if you want to share your thoughts on mealtimes and family.
I can't believe it's been one week since Violet was born. She is such a love and Laurel is a wonderful big sister; we feel so grateful every day. And one thing is for sure; it's very easy for the days to slip away -- I feel fantastic and full of energy (compared to how depleted I felt after Laurel's C-section...I even made lasagna yesterday!) and I love snuggling with Violet during the day, and reconnecting as a family after Jon and Laurel get home from work/school. Anyway, a lot of people have been asking about photos. Here are two from when we were in the hospital. I know I'm biased, but isn't Violet the cuteness? She's plumping up nicely; I laughed out loud when I found out yesterday at the pediatrician that she gained 6 ounces in two days. Clearly, milk supply (and demand) is not a problem.
Hello everyone! As you may have gathered from my absence here the last few days, the baby has arrived! It was not a fast journey -- I wish I was kidding in reporting that I endured 58 hours of labor (including excruciating lower back pain during contractions due to the baby's positioning), but I'm thrilled that my desire for a natural birth panned out and that the baby latched right on after delivery. Jon and I were so grateful to the wonderful midwife, doula, and hospital staff that helped us through the process and Laurel is thrilled to be a big sister...she said she doesn't want to leave her little sister's side for her whole life.
I was truly honored when Momversation invited me to become part of this amazing group of panelists, and one of the projects I'm working with them on involves fostering dialogue around family and food, a subject about which I'm super passionate. I'll be participating in a series of these food chats through the remainder of this year; the project is sponsored by Ragú® (who I was thrilled to learn makes organic products, btw), and my first video with the lovely Whitney Moss and Mindy Roberts focuses on tips around involving kids at mealtimes. I've embedded the video below (it's just under three and a half minutes) for your viewing pleasure -- enjoy!
This week on Life.Style, I engaged in a second conversation on work, life, and parenting; definitely check out the episode if you didn't see it live on Thursday. I chatted with Morra Aarons-Mele of Women & Work and Women Online about everything from why the US lags behind other countries on parental leave policy, recommendations for women trying to strategize maternity leave, the modern family juggling act and division of labor, flex options from the employee and employer perspectives, as well as dads, same sex couples, and single parenting. Phew! Check out the episode for full commentary and inspiration, and for easy reference, below are the conversation point links that were shared during the interviews.