Category: Smile
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Parents of five-month-olds got it made
One parenting joy is the ability to bitch about the difficulty of raising a (insert age of child here). New parents struggle to stay sane while caring for a helpless, poop-machine. Toddler parents contend with tantrums, crayon murals and picky eating. School-age kids bring constant questions and whining. And, the…
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5 more parenting-inspired shows: Netflix edition
I have few loves in life, my husband, my kids, and, of course, my Netflix. Give me a night with Francis Underwood or the ladies of Litchfield any day. And, while those shows are fantastic, they don’t always reflect the everyday mundane reality of parenthood. Just like I offered some…
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Beyond the toy aisle: 5 nontraditional playthings kids will love
We have all seen the videos of the toddler, ripping open the brand new, expensive toy, only to cast it aside and play with the box for hours. Whether it’s a cardboard box or some old newspaper, kids can turn almost anything into a plaything. For parents on a budget,…
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Big boys and bunk beds
“I want to get a bunk bed,” my four-year-old exclaimed, out of nowhere, one morning during breakfast. “Huh?” I thought. I must have misheard him. Let me back up for a moment here to explain that while my oldest technically has his own room and own place to sleep (a…
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Lucky penny
This story describes handling a medical situation involving a child ingesting a foreign object. Some language might be offensive to some readers. Also, every child and situation is different. Please consult your doctor if you need medical advice. “Mama, I swallowed a penny!” So began the series of events leading…
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Stop bitching about how much better being a kid used to be
Being a kid in the 1970s, 80s or 90s was so much better than today, or so says countless essays, listicles and Facebook rants. We played in the street, stayed put until dark and used our imagination instead of iPads. Our parents were stern, but still gave us freedom to…
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Break the rules, not their spirits
My mother often calls me, “Miss Law and Order,” not because I work in the legal field, but because, from a young age, I tended to always follow the rules. If my family played a game together, you can bet I observed everyone’s moves closely, lest they attempt to cheat.…
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Play in the rain
Rainy days were awesome at summer camp. We put on our least favorite clothing (hopefully for our parents’ sake), find an open space in the middle of the field and plunge on to our bellies. Sliding through the mud we didn’t care how wet and filthy we became. We were…
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5 reasons why you need clear knee mom jeans
I’ve never been much of a trendsetter. And I’m certainly not keeping up with what’s on fleek now that I am a mom. Every once in awhile, though, something so awesome comes along to stop me right in my yoga pants. Enter the “Clear Knee Mom Jeans” from Topshop. Now,…
Maybe I'll Shower Today 