DC Metro Mom

I’ve always thought it was funny –interesting/funny AND funny/funny- that no one has written a book about baby books. It would be so helpful to compare and contrast all the pages upon pages of sleep training methods and scheduling advice. Have you ever met anyone who said, “Yes, I followed the ______ book and life with my infant has been easy ever since.” Me neither.   And I talk to a LOT of parents. It seems that most parents take a pinch of Ferber, a dollop of Weissbluth and a serving of Sears and sometimes still come out confused.

When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart with a preschooler? Have you ever sat down and had a conversation with a three, four, or five-year-old? If you take the time and ask the right questions, you might be surprised by a child's depth and ability to express his or her thoughts.

In anticipation of Mother's Day, I asked twelve amazingly perceptive two, three, four and five-year-olds to answer the question (in one-on-one conversations), “Why Is Your Mommy Special?” Their answers are good reminders for parents to slow down and appreciate the small moments. Children just want your time and love (and an occasional treat). They don’t seem to care what you buy them or even how many places you take them to each weekend. What seems to matter most to these toddlers and preschoolers is spending some time playing and expressing love.

You cannot approach selecting a daycare provider in the same way you shop for a car.

When I had my first son 13 years ago, I was a 21-year-old college student. Being a stay-at-home mom was not an option and frankly was not something I was ready or willing to take on since I was focused on starting my career. So, I needed to find daycare for my son. But, what did I know about finding daycare? Nothing.

“Crying it out Causes Brain Damage?” – Parental Urban Legend or Scientific Fact?

Now it's one thing to have to wake up in the middle of the night with your child. Luckily (knock on copious amount of wood), Henry never wakes up in the middle of the night. So, I go to bed at 11 planning on waking up at 7 or whenever the babe rises. Good deal.

It's a whole completely different thing to have to wake up in the middle of the evening, night, morning, naptime with your baby monitor. As a mother, I didn't sign on for taking care of a sweet baby boy and an *sshole baby monitor.

Let me explain. We have the Angelcare monitor that detects motion. We bought it as a recommendation from friends who have a young son. They said it was the best thing they owned. It was especially nice once Henry was born considering he spent the first week of his life in the NICU with breathing problems.