I've been keeping a little secret over the past year. While working away behind the scenes of Modern Parents Messy Kids, I've also been planning a deluxe trip half-way across the world, in Bali, to celebrate my 15th wedding anniversary.I've got lots of stuff I could share about this trip... where we went (and why), how we ended up completely circumnavigating the globe (Seattle to Tokyo to Singapore to Bali on the way there, and Bali to Dubai to Seattle on the way home), and how we did … [Read more...]
Spring Dessert: Creamy Strawberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Growing up, my mom always did such a fantastic job bringing the whole family together with all the classics for Easter brunch.We always had deviled eggs, ham, scalloped potatoes and an assortment of salads. But, she would change up the desert and we loved it. Sometimes she would bake a cute Easter bunny cake. Other times she would make something with seasonal ingredients.This year Easter is falling a little later in the calendar, which means strawberries are now in season. When I … [Read more...]
Favorite Find: CleanMyMac X
Thank you CleanMyMac X for sponsoring this post. Ranked as the “App of the month” on Product Hunt, CleanMyMac X is an all-in-one package to awesomize your Mac and make it run just like it did on day one. #CleanMyMacXLike many of us, it doesn't feel like an exaggeration when I say my Macbook is my life.I use it to organize my family, to do my work, and for my kids to do their homework. So when my Mac starts giving me signs that it could be at the end of it's life, it's also not an … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: 5 Words for When Your Child Struggles Academically
My kid recently bombed a Big and Important Test. It happens to all of us at some point. I certainly bombed a test or two in my day. OK, let’s be honest, I’ve bombed plenty of tests—and not just the written kind. I’ve gotten Fs—note the plural. I’ve been fired from a job. Backed my car into more than one inanimate object. Been divorced not once but twice. My life is salted with screw ups of various gradations. I generally don’t need someone to help me feel bad … [Read more...]
Parenting Hacks: Our #ParentingPlaylist for Raising Teens
It’s probably an understatement to say raising a child from birth to adulthood can be a rollercoaster. Once you graduate out of the toddler years, things appear to be smooth sailing. You have a child that no longer needs their diapers changed, can communicate well, and is, hopefully, learning to be more self-sufficient by the day. Things can start to get a little wobbly, once again, when your child goes from the double digits into numbers that contain the word 'teen.' As a … [Read more...]
How First Alert 10-Year Sealed Battery Alarms Saved My Sanity!
Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. First Alert 10-year sealed battery alarms offer hassle-free protection that helps keep your home and family protected for a decade! #LiveWithA10 When we sold our last house 5 years ago, we had to jump through a lot of hoops to get through the process of listing, appraisal, inspection, and closing. One of the things that stuck in my mind the most was our real estate agent telling us we had to make sure to have both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide … [Read more...]
Parent Hack: Healthy Shamrock Shake
Around my house, everybody loves a good smoothie. We like to sneak in vegetables when we can, especially when no one can taste them!Spinach makes the whole smoothie green, but is 100% tasteless.This got me thinking about the shamrock shake that everyone looks forward to this time of year. Couldn't I just use spinach instead of green food dye?And wouldn't I be mom of the year for sneaking in another serving of vegetables?I started tinkering with the smoothie basics; … [Read more...]
Rainy Day STEM Activity: DIY Geoboard
Looking for an engaging and educational activity that will appeal to a broad range of children? I highly suggest a trip to your neighborhood hardware store. With just a few simple materials you and the kids can quickly create a classic toy that's been sparking children's creativity for over 60 years: the geoboard.To start, pick up a sheet of peg board (the perforated board that's often hung on a garage wall and used to store tools) as well as some nuts and bolts. Peg board … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: The Best Thing I Did For My Mental Health Was Relax My Cleaning Standards. A Lot.
I thought I was being wise by installing carpeting that matched the dog. No one could see how rarely I vacuumed, unless they looked closely. Then my baby started crawling, and vacuuming became important. Really important. I spent a lot of time vacuuming regularly. Then I had a second child and bought a dark red oriental rug. I was in over my head.It became readily apparent that I did not have the skills or discipline required to both raise my kids the way I had … [Read more...]