I’ve bought 20 boxes of Kwik Stix paint crayons over the years. Probably more. Yes, they’re that good. And that’s why I’m so excited to have partnered with The Pencil Grip, Inc to share my kids’ (& my!) love of Kwik Stix.
This post contains affiliate links.
I’ve found the Holy Grail arts & craft item for your kids (& you—but more on that below). They’re calledKwik Stix Paint Crayons.
Trust me on these.
I discovered Kwik Stix paint crayons a few years ago & it turns out they are one of my best Mom Hacks ever.
You know how sometimes you come across something that is just too good to be true? And then it usually really is too good to be true…? Well, not these.
I’m going to date myself a little bit here, but remember cray-pas? These are kind of like a new & improved cray-pa.
Kwik Stix are the perfect paint/crayon hybrid.
They’re solid tempera paint sticks in the size & shape of a glue stick. The best part? They dry in 90 seconds to a perfect paint-like finish. Oh, and they’re non-toxic, too.
I bought them on a whim when my son was about a year old because they got great reviews online. He loved them. I loved them. And since then, I’ve reordered them 20 or more times.
(Put it this way—I’ve bought them so many times that they always show up as one of my “Order it Again” items on Amazon…along with baby wipes. Do we ever stop using baby wipes? I think not.)
I keep them stocked at my house because we burn through ours and because they make the perfect gift for birthday parties. They’re a great price point & a hit with the kids.
We call them “paint crayons” because that’s essentially what they are. I’m going to tell you why my kids love them & then I’m going to tell you why I as a Mother love them (which is arguably more important, right?).
This is important. Kids love the bright & the fun. They’re not looking for muted colors or a barely yellow sunshine. They want the colors to show up the way they imagine them.
Putting those Amazon boxes to good use.
They are super smooth and glide across the page
My kids love to free-form paint & color & draw whatever they want. Sometimes we use the easel. Sometimes we use construction paper (or if we’re being honest, computer paper). And sometimes I lay out a huge roll of paper & we make giant banners that blanket our entire wall.
That must be one loved Daddy.
When they were younger, we used them with coloring books. We also loved the Thin Stix for that because they’re basically a thinner version of Kwik Stix with a finer point so they work great for staying in the lines. (Side note: We loved these big image coloring books when my kids were 2-4. They come in a bunch of themes.)
Kwik Stix aren’t just for paper.
These are on permanent display.
My kids paint rocks like it’s their job. And our beloved paint crayons allow us to paint the same rocks day after day after day. The paint dries quickly & easily & doesn’t smear all over the place.
I have countless pictures hanging on my fridge & cabinets (because we ran out of fridge space) & I love it. And I have a bowl of painted rocks sitting on our counter at all times. (I’m totally one of those Mamas, can’t you tell?)
Oh, and at Halloween—we paint pumpkins with them! We have yet to carve pumpkins yet (I’m not afraid to admit that is a little too ambitious for us at this point…aka, I don’t want to deal with that level of mess/clean up quite yet if I’m being honest.)
Body Paint, anyone?
Let’s not forget their favorite thing to paint—their bodies. YES, I let them color & paint all over their bodies often. Whenever they’re due for a bath, I let them go for it. Have I lost my mind? No. That’s how washable these are. (and also, non-toxic = YAY)
My kids paint tiger stripes & dinosaur spikes all over their arms, legs, and torsos. Then they paint each other’s backs. Next come cheetah spots. Then stars and moons. You name it, they paint it.
Dino on the loose.
Which leads me to why these deserve Mom Hack-status…
You don’t need brushes. You don’t need water. And there are no spills.
(A friend of mine told me her kid dips his (that we gave him for his birthday, obvi) in water to do watercolor painting. I thought that was brilliant but to be honest, I’ve never pulled out water to use with these because it’s just too easy without it & I’m not about to mess with something that works so perfectly. Same reason I don’t cut the crust off my kids’ sandwiches. They don’t know “crustless” is a thing & I want to keep it that way, ha.)
A Caterpillar Masterpiece
They’re non-toxic.
They’re also nut, egg and gluten free. I do the best I can as a Mom. We all do. And this makes me feel better.
Kwik Stix wash off with zero effort. ZERO.
Ready for the festival circuit.
This is my favorite part. Water takes Kwik Stix paint right off—you don’t even really have to scrub, just a little rub & poof—gone.
So once my kids look like they belong at Lollapalooza or Burning Man I throw them in the bath or shower & they immediately look like they belong at high tea. It’s the biggest win ever for Moms because we get to let our kids paint all over themselves with no worries about the clean up.
And the ease of cleaning isn’t limited to little walking tattoos. I love these modern day cray-pas because when I find a mark on the dining table or the hardwood floor or the kitchen counter, a baby wipe takes it right off. And it was even easy to get some marks off our couch (microsuede FTW). Hallelujah for that.
Kids need to be kids
Kids need to play & get messy & express themselves. This is a way to let their creativity flow while helping your your sanity stay put.
Your kids will think you’re the Best Mom Ever
Soak up the “Best Mom Ever” vibes because your kids can’t believe you’re actually letting them paint all over themselves.
And happily so.
And for all you teachers out there,these are a no-brainer for the classroom. The kids will adore them & you won’t have to think twice about the clean-up or scrubbing tables or floors or walls.
So, buy your kids a box of Kwik Stix. Watch them have a ball with them. Rinse and repeat…aka rinse & reorder them because trust me, you’ll need more.
Check out allThe Pencil Grip, Inc.‘s products on Amazon. *Next on my list to try are Wonder Stix (which write on everything from dry erase boards to windows & are perfect for teachers, too) & their famous Pencil Grips to help my son learn to hold a pencil/marker/etc. correctly!
Want more Mom Hacks? —>Check out why we’re obsessed with the HOMER Learning App (ahem, guilt-free screentime)!
This is the face of a Mom. A Mom who was excited to sit down for a family dinner.
A Mom who cooked the food her family loves because she had the time to that day. A Mom who was looking forward to a family dinner together because her husband was home in time that night.
A Mom who said “Okay, time for family dinner!” only to be inundated with complaints of “No I don’t want family dinner! Not family dinner! We want to watch something!” from both her kids.
A Mom who decided she didn’t feel like forcing her kids to sit at the table & have a nice dinner together. A Mom who took their plates straight to the TV & turned on a show in silence. A Mom who took her husband’s plate to the computer where he was finishing dictations from the day. A Mom who never said a word & sat down at the table by herself. A Mom who got up to get something to drink & turned back around only to find her 5 year old son sitting across from her spot.
At the table.
With the TV show still on in the den, he’d come over without her saying a word about it. And they started a family dinner.
Then little sister came over. And then Dad said “If we’re doing a family dinner, wait for me” and paused all his work & came over, too.
This is the face of a Mom who excused herself and went to her bathroom & bawled her eyes out. The face of a Mom who had been on the verge of crying because she felt so unappreciated but who ended up crying because she felt so loved.
The face of a Mom who got that family dinner.
Mamas, when you feel like you’re failing & under appreciated (which you are), or like your kids don’t listen or respect you, or like you give everything to everyone (which you do)…
Know this: Your Momming is enough. And it’s sticking with them even when you think it’s not. And you are enough. More than enough actually. They’re lucky to have you.
And they know it. Even if they don’t always show it. ♥️
(which they should, but they’re only human)
By the way, family dinner has always been one of my favorite things. Ever. It was when I was growing up and it still is now that I’m a grown up. And, family dinner is important.
Real talk: The Homer educational learning app is the specific reason I got my kids a tablet. No joke.
This post contains affiliate links.
(*Here’s the link to a month of HOMER Learning free in case you want to skip the article. I asked for a discount for all my C’MON MAMA peeps & they gave us an awesome one.)
I swear by this app.
HOMER Learning is the first thing like this I’ve ever shared with yall. I wanted to give it a solid try first, and I’m sold. After using it for 18 months, I can honestly say I believe in it.
At the beginning of the pandemic/quarantine, I was immediately desperate for something to help supplement my kids’ learning since we suddenly found ourselves home 24/7 with no “true” school…& an exhausted Mama. Parents all over were forced to quickly come up with creative at-home solutions for continued learning.
I’d been wanting to try the HOMER Learning app for months but we didn’t have tablets…yet. Welllll, quarantine was the straw that broke that camel’s (or should I say Mama’s?) back & I sucked it up & finally bought iPads…and immediately downloaded HOMER.
My kids are 4.5 & almost 7 and the HOMER Learning app is everything I was hoping it would be—and then some! It’s honestly the ONLY app we have/use, and that’s because:
1) It’s very intuitive to use and the interface & navigation is SUPER kid-friendly (which means I don’t have to oversee anything…at all). Kids can use it completely autonomously, which is a godsend for parents (hellooo, few minutes to finally hear yourself think!) and also builds their confidence because they actually can “do it all by themselves.”
and 2) It covers so many topics that we don’t need anything else. (And yes, it has games! Endless games. But they’re all educational without seeming totallyyy educational. Win Win.)
HOMER is honestly an all-in-one.
HOMER offers elements geared toward reading, phonics, spelling, sight words, math, social/emotional learning aspects, vocabulary, thinking skills…you name it—and every single thing is educational. It also has many of kid’s favorite stories & characters presented in an interactive learning format. I love letting my kids play away knowing that they are actually soaking in endless information & skills.
HOMER is very cognitively enriching and is tailored to each child—which is perhaps my favorite part!
HOMER creates a custom learning “pathway” with topics & skills based on each child’s age, learning level, & interests (dinos & marine life in our case!). And, that pathway naturally advances & updates as they learn. It grows with them.
I’ve seen big jumps in even just my kids’ vocabulary. Playing outside one day, my 3 year old (at the time) remarked that 2 leaves were “very similar to each other” and I asked where she learned that word. She responded that she “heard it on HOMER.” I also love the history lessons and scientific discoveries they learn about. We would dominate a trivia night on insects. Just try us.
Yes, I love HOMER. But more importantly, my kids love it. And they’re learning like crazy from it—which takes away any screen time guilt.
HOMER is geared for ages 2-8. And just 15 minutes a day has been shown to increase early reading scores by 74%! I’m here for that.
Another thing I’m here for is the fact that the HOMER Learning App has ZERO ads.
That’s a huge plus. Instead of my kids being exposed to endless commercials and ads that I constantly have to skip/manage (or that I forget to skip & then realize they’re hearing & seeing something I don’t want them to), I can give them their tablets, headphones & turn on HOMER…and not think twice about “what might come on.”
My kids are obsessed and beg me to be able to “do Homer.” And I act like it’s a big treat to let them when in fact I’m thrilled they want to.
Because, listen—if I’m going to give my kids a tablet to sit down with, HOMER is 1000% what I want them doing.
And you know what? Now that my oldest is home doing virtual school, I need something to occupy my younger child…and keep her QUIET so I can help him. HOMER Learning has come to the rescue, yet again!
After a year of using HOMER, I loved it so much that I contacted them for a discount to share—& they gave us an awesome discount for C’MON MAMA: 1 FREE MONTH! It’s usually $9.99 a month & worth every penny. I tried it free first, too, and totally fell in love with it. Oh, and you can have up to 4 children (with 4 personalized pathways) on a single membership = a deal steal!
The discount will show up automatically when you click the link & go through the pathway.
Happy Learning for your kids…
…and Happy Moments of Silence for you Mamas—because silence in Motherhood is usually anything but golden.
But when your kids are learning with HOMER, the silence is totally GOLDEN. Enjoy.
And it’s not just me who loves HOMER Learning this much. Check out the amazing reviews for it on Common Sense Media—my favorite website to read reviews written by other parents on shows, movies & apps.
In the 4 years since starting C’MON MAMA, I’ve only “introduced” myself once. I don’t talk too much about myself on here mainly because C’MON MAMA is less about ME and more about US.
We’re all different but we’re the same. And living different versions of the same thing: Motherhood.
But, here goes nothing.
Hi, I’m Mama. 👋🏼 Just like you.
And here are 5 things about me you probably didn’t know:
1. I wasn’t in a sorority in college, but I was president of our National Chemistry Fraternity chapter, and my official title was Grand Master Alchemist. Yes, I was cool. 😎
2. I studied BioChemistry & Psych in college & was full steam ahead for medical school until I had an awakening & abruptly changed my mind. After years of setting myself up for a career in medicine, that decision unnerved virtually everyone around me…except me. Somehow I was sure.
3. Following that about-face I had an amazingly fun run as Jessica Biel’s stand-in & stunt double. It was fun, crazy, exciting & I met all kinds of people, childhood crush included. I got to work with Academy Award winners & music phenoms & lots of amazing people in between. Those experiences brought some amazing connections & opened some incredible doors.
4. I decided to move away and walk through those doors, so I sold everything I owned, rented out my house, signed a lease far away, and packed my car. Then, when I was just a few weeks out from moving, I met my now-husband. I pretty much fell in love with him on the spot. I totally had that “the one” feeling…and I’d been engaged before & never had that, so I knew it when I felt it. I was torn, but I knew I could always move a few months later & see what those adventures held for me…and I knew if I left right then I’d always wonder about him. I stayed. He asked if I wanted to unpack my car so I could actually see out of the back (it was fully packed for a cross-country move), and I said no because if we unpacked my car then I’d be moved in. He said, “Exactly.” So we did and that was that. It turns out it (and HE) was the best decision of my life. 11 years & 2 kids later, I’ve never looked back.
5. I’ve always been a major overachiever with huge dreams & plans. Before I had children, I was struggling trying to figure out what I was going to do and what my mark on the world would be. I’d quit my job in preparation for my big move, so after I met my husband I felt kind of out of place in my life for a minute in terms of what I was doing. It took me a second to find my footing again. But then, I became a Mama, and that answered everything for me. No, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I AM one of those mothers who is defined by Motherhood. And I’m okay with that. Actually, I embrace it. I know exactly what I’m doing now. I know who I am. I know the importance. MY importance. And I know my mark on the world.
Turns out I have 2 marks on this world. And I’m proud as hell of that.
So that’s a little about me. Thank you for joining me on this ride. The wildest, craziest, sweetest ride of all. 🥰
To be fair, my cool had been hanging by a thread for far longer than it should’ve been able to. Like all you Mamas, I’m tired, overworked, & burned out. This pandemic life is hard. I’m simultaneously living some of the sweetest, most beautiful days of my life right alongside some of the most exhausting, trying days of my life. There really aren’t any breaks and there’s really no backup. It’s just us. Which frankly is how I love it, but it’s also what’s wearing me out.
As I helped my kids clean up their rooms, I snapped and yelled at my kids. Louder than ever.
I don’t ever really YELL at my kids and I feel like I am exceedingly patient(ish) in my Motherhood. So when I just let it rip, they were pretty shocked.
And then after yelling at my kids, I shut the baby gate so no one could follow me and ran to my room and just cried. I cried because I was frustrated. At them and at myself. I cried because I was tired. I cried because I regretted yelling. I cried because they’d hurt my feelings by just making every single thing so difficult when I give them the world day in & day out. And I cried because the tears just kept coming, so I let them.
I overheard my kids talking as I tried to pull it together. My youngest went & apologized to my oldest for screaming at him & me. We’ve been working hard on apologizing & also on her not screaming (it’s her go-to emotion), so that was Validation #1: Our kids listen to what we’re trying to teach them, even when they act like (& SAY—she’s sassy, this one) they’re not.
I heard my oldest tell her thank you for the apology. Then they said “I love you” to each other. Validation #2: Our kids love & respect each other.
Then my son told my daughter to go back to her room because he thinks that’s where they’re supposed to be. Validation #3: Our kids follow directions, even when we’re not there to enforce them.
Meanwhile, of course I was listening to all that sweetness & just crying my eyes out.
I felt guilty for yelling at my precious kids, even though they’d driven me to the absolute edge with their fussing, complaints, and not listening—the list could go on.
I finally pulled it together(ish) & went back to see them.
My daughter heard me coming and said “Mama, I know you’re disappointed in me. I’m sorry for screaming and not cleaning.” She hugged me. Validation #4:Our kids have good hearts.
She commented about how I had a lot of “tearses” and then asked if I could help her go to the bathroom, because she’s 3 and also #momlife.
Then I walked in my son’s room. He had cleaned his entire room. By himself. Because he knew that’s what I had wanted from them. What I’d been trying help them with. He’d organized his desk just like I do. He’d made his bed like I do. And he was waiting patiently for me. Validation #5: Our kids really do model what we do & how we do it.
I burst out crying. If I wasn’t already overwhelmed by the emotions that washed over me after yelling at my kids, I sure as heck was now.
That precious little boy—my boy—waiting patiently for his mama to come back after she yelled & ran away from them.
That brave boy who said he cried because his heart felt “crumbled,” but then he realized he knew how to make it “turn red and pink again”—by cleaning up his room by himself & making Mama happy. (I mean, omg. My Mama heart is in pieces.)
That empathic little boy who hugged me & held me as I cried. Who soothed me just like I soothe him. Who kissed me. Who told me exactly what I always tell him—“Sometimes we just need to cry & get all the tears out, & that’s okay. You can cry as long as you want & as loud as you want.”
And guess what? I did.
I cried (or I guess I should say I kept crying). In front of my child. That’s something I never really do.
Then that little boy stood up & said—once again, verbatim what I say & do with them—“Let’s shake it off.” And he started to shake. And then I started to shake it off, too.
And when we opened our eyes from shaking like crazy, I couldn’t help but laugh. Because I was so in awe of this little being who had just walked his Mama through a total meltdown—the only true one he’d ever seen her have. (Did I mention he’s only 5?)
The same way I walk him through his meltdowns, and my daughter through hers.
Validation #6: It works. The way I love them works. And that love feels good.
That day my son made me feel how I make my children feel when I walk with them through the hard moments. He helped me catch my cool after I’d lost it, just like I do for him and his sister.
He eased my guilt over yelling at my kids, just like I ease theirs when they lose control of their emotions & yell at me or each other.
He made me feel better.
In some ways, I’m kind of glad I lost my cool & yelled at my kids. It helped me find something else that I must have really needed: Validation.
That I’m doing a good job. And that the way I “mom” is working.
Because for a few minutes that day I got to feel what my own version of “momming” feels like, and it felt good.
Validation #7: I’m a good Mom.I’m raising kind, smart, loving—and LOVED—children.
And next time they get overwhelmed with their emotions & scream or complain or fuss or cry or just have an epic meltdown, I’ll remind myself of the time I—a full grown woman—did the same thing.
This article is full of the most beautiful & real advice for a Breastfeeding Mom.
Breastfeeding is one of those things that can go a million different ways. It comes easily for some. It’s really hard for others. And for some Mamas, it’s downright impossible.
These breastfeeding tips are for every mom.
For the Mom who wants to breastfeed. For the Mom who is nervous about breastfeeding. For the Mom who loves breastfeeding. For the Mom who doesn’t like breastfeeding. For the Mom who doesn’t make enough milk. For the Mom who has an oversupply. For the Mom who doesn’t have support. For the Mom overwhelmed with (unsolicited) opinions. For the Mom who breastfeeding comes easily to. For the Mom who finds herself unable to breastfeed. For the Mom who doesn’t want to stop. And for the Mom who can’t wait to stop.
For ALL those Mamas who just welcomed the biggest joy of their life into the world. ♥️
This is for you.
This post includes affiliate links.
If you’re reading this, it means you are thinking about nursing or already doing it. So, here is an amazing compilation of tips & advice for breastfeeding moms…straight from your fellow Mamas. These are the things they wish they’d known. The things they wish someone had told them. The things they’re telling you.
This is Part 3 in my “Best Advice for Moms” series.I should actually sayourseries—notmyseries.Because this advice is straight fromotherMamas.Other Mamaswho are not me.
And in case you’re just joining in now, here’s the deal: I asked thousands (literally) of my “Mom friends” (via@cmon.mama) for their best breastfeeding tips & advice.
My favorite part about this series is that it’s totally “For Moms by Moms.” It comes from all of YOU.
AND, if you just want to see all the breastfeeding must-have items & nursing faves in one place to help you keep track of everything you need (all the things Mamas recommended below + my tried & true faves),click HERE. Everything is Amazon Prime-able cuz I know all about that #momlife.
*Also, heads up: you can use your FSA/HSA on breastfeeding items.
Part 3: Best Advice for a Breastfeeding Mom
In no particular order:
Breastfeeding as I comment….If it’s what you want to do, don’t give up. If something’s not right, get help. Pediatricians don’t know everything. See more than one lactation consultant. Tongue ties are real (and a real pain). Babies breastfeed A LOT. Drink lots of water. Find a show to binge watch. 🤪
This bonding is second to nothing.
It’s absolutely okay and normal if your baby wants to nurse all the time. It doesn’t mean you aren’t producing enough milk—it’s what newborns do! Also, don’t be afraid to unlatch & relatch multiple times until it feels right & you get a good, deep latch. As my lactation consultant said, “We’re breastfeeders, not nipple feeders!”
OWN IT. I decided right away that if I was going to make it work, I needed to ignore being uncomfortable with other people seeing us nurse. So around family & friends, just own it and keep that baby comfortable. If someone is bothered by it, that’s their problem, not yours.
The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Baby will fall into a groove around 4 weeks and by 6 weeks, both mom & baby will be pros. Daily resources until 6 weeks—Motherlove nipple cream, nipple shields for flat or chapped nipples, microwavable heating pads, and disposable bra pads (then switch to Bamboobies). Use a thick bristled comb to push milk towards the nipple in a hot shower to get the milk clumps out those first few days & anytime you feel a clogged duct.
Biggest thing—baby naturally knows what to do, so with a little coaching from a softly-toned Mama, baby will figure it out.
My advice for a breastfeeding Mom is to offer one bottle a day, just before bed or in the middle of the night. This will allow you the luxury to sleep while SO [significant other] gets bonding time & bonus—you get the confidence to know that if you need to be away from baby, they will be ok with someone else caring for them for a few hours. Nipple confusion is a myth. Babies love the boob & will always come back for it!
Nobody really tells you how challenging breastfeeding can be—i.e., painful. Get yourself a support system either way to help you when it’s a struggle. Family, friends who have nursed babies, or LLL people.
It is the most amazing bonding experience! Don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy. Even for an experienced Mama it is work to get established, but so very rewarding on many levels. Both Mama and baby benefit from the best health possible, physical & emotional satisfaction, ease of preparation, eco-friendly, quicker return to pre-baby (ish) body, and last but not least, it’s free! One more thing…Mom gets to eat & drink lots of yummy food!
You might not be able to breastfeed.No one really tells you that.And it’s not your fault if you can’t.
My advice for a breastfeeding Mom is to find a good support group. I’m part of a Friday afternoon breastfeeding support group with a bunch of women & we have HV’s (health visitors are to the UK what lactation consultants or midwives are to the US) drop in & 2 peer supporters. Not only has it been great for making lovely mum friends all with small babies but it’s really helped me through latch issues, advice on cracked nipples & helped guide me through mastitis, Plus it’s just lovely to all sit round & chat whilst breastfeeding our babies. 😊
Some days all you will do is feed & hold your baby. That’s not only enough–it’s everything.
If you cannot make enough milk to satisfy your baby, if your mental health is deteriorating, if you feel like a human pacifier who doesn’t sleep—it’s OKAY to pump a bottle. It’s OKAY to switch to formula. Baby needs Mom for a lot more than milk, and if you’re breastfeeding successfully but feeling like a shell of a person, you CAN stop. It’s not giving up, it’s doing what’s best for your family, it’s not embarrassing, or taking the easy way out, it’s remembering that sometimes FED is BEST and I really wish someone would have told me that.
Make sure you are comfortable. Lie down, sit up, pillows for you & baby. Do whatever you need to be comfortable. Watch something, read something, listen to something. Babies take a lot of time & patience, so you can take a moment for yourself, too. If you want to do it, don’t give up. The hardest one for me was my 3rd. 🤷🏽♀️🤱🏽
It’s going to be ok if you don’t end up breastfeeding for whatever reason. It’s not for everybody and it doesn’t mean you’re less of a Mom or love your baby any less if you don’t breastfeed. Also, enjoy the time with your baby while you feed them, bottle or breast. Sometimes we sit there thinking of what else we could be doing, like chores, but you’re providing your baby with nourishment. You’re bonding with your baby. They are that little for such a small amount of time—relish it. They grow up up to be mean, ungrateful teenagers. 😞 Not all, but mine did.
If you plan to breast feed know that it may take a little bit for milk to come in & producing only 1-2 ounces at a time in the first couple of months is usually the case.Too often women put too much pressure on themselves & think they can’t produce enough.Your body produces more the longer you do this & the more your child feeds.
My best advice for breastfeeding moms is the beginning is super hard so hang in there. Even baby #2 had a learning curve, but it gets so much easier & is the best once you BOTH get into a rhythm. Ask for help. It’s not easy, but it’s totally worth it. I am also happy I pumped while on leave b/c I now have a freezer stash so I don’t have to worry if I have a day where I get less or accidentally spill a bottle, etc…
Get comfy, Mama. I loved these days.
It’s amazing how much time you spend breastfeeding—especially the first couple weeks. I created comfy stations around my house with comfortable chairs, WATER, snacks, blankets, chargers, etc., so i never felt trapped or unprepared. Hydration is key!!! I was home alone most of the time, so having what I needed at an arm’s reach really helped in our breastfeeding journey.
Everyone says you have to work at it, but it’s not the kind of work we are used to. You can’t power in to breastfeeding. You can read all of the helpful books and blogs, and you can KNOW how to do it. But that’s not the kind of work it is. It’s a work that requires determination & relaxation simultaneously, and we are not wired like that. We solve problems with strategy & action, and the strategy & action for breastfeeding challenges is: relax and try it again. (Yes, the same thing you just tried.) Then relax and try it again. (Because eventually, it’s going to work.) Get comfortable, relax, and try it again. Over & over until it starts to work. And then it works, and then you’re doing it. In the meantime, keep going to the LC, use formula if you need, and be as kind to yourself as you are to your baby. You’re both new to this jam, even if it’s your nth baby.
My best breastfeeding tip is to bring nipple balm to the hospital! Bottom line, start using it before you think you need to. Chapping & irritation happen faster than you think, but if you apply after nursing each time it really helps it not get too bad. (I love Bamboobies nipple balm!)
Take a deep breath—baby is learning how to eat too. It isn’t easy but it’s so rewarding to see them plump up those first few weeks.
I wish someone would have told me that not making enough make didn’t make me a failure. I felt so much pressure when my daughter was born and my body could not keep up.
Breastfeeding is HARD and doesn’t come naturally (at least it didn’t for me). Before giving birth find a great Lactation Consultant that will come to your home. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE IF: you have low supply, you use formula, you can’t get the baby to latch, your baby prefers a bottle, etc. And, REMEMBER, fed is best. Do what’s best for you and your family!
It’s lovely bonding & rewarding & biologically normal and it’s a wonderful way to nurture your baby. It also requires a lot of painful sacrifice & it might not go easily & your boobs might not be able to work as you hoped, which leads me to—Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all or nothing.We do not have to choose between formula or breastfeeding & be viciously in one of two militant camps! I’m still breastfeeding my 20 month old & he (& my firstborn) needed a supplement of several ounces of formula or milk from other sweet Mamas with every single feeding until he was about 1. No, I couldn’t physically exclusively breastfeed, but I kept it up anyway because I wanted the benefits for us, & it was still good! I fed my baby the way I could, and that was enough. I was made to be my baby’s Mama, and breastfeeding is just one way I mother him. ❤️
The best advice for a breatfeeding mom is this: Find a lactation consultant. They are an amazing resource & support. Get some nipple cream & Soothies gel pads. If you can hang in there the first week or two, it gets better and is totally worth it. When you’re done, for whatever reason, it’s okay to quit. There are things you can do to boost your supply (get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, eat oatmeal, etc.) but it’s also okay to supplement with formula.
I read a ton & also clipped the baby’s nails when I breastfed. (*Christina aka C’MON MAMA here for one second. These are the best baby nail clippers – trust me, get these!) I loved the washable nursing pads, Lansinoh nipple cream, and laying down. And I used green cabbage leaves in my bra when I came down with mastitis (per a recommendation from my midwife). My youngest abruptly stopped nursing at 10 months. I used ice packs on my chest to ease some of that pain. Also, it’s okay to have to supplement with some formula in conjunction with breastfeeding. And, ask for help if the baby isn’t latching on. This happened when I was trying to nurse the 3rd child in the hospital.
It will hurt the first few weeks, but then it’s totally fine after that. Nipple balm will get you through! Don’t feel any guilt for needing to supplement. It’s hard to maintain a good supply, especially when pumping, too. Most importantly, feel free to ignore any unwanted advice people give you because you know your baby best, and each Mother/baby relationship & feeding needs are different! Trust your own instincts.
It’s so hard & demanding but also so good for baby & for their comfort and health. Just try and enjoy those sweet moments being so close to your baby and embracing how awesome it is that we can birth them & feed them.
Keep. Going. 🤗 Listen to your body and baby. Sometimes a good latch still hurts but just a little. Count to 30 & if it still hurts, then it’s a bad latch. Use nipple cream like your life depends on it. It prevents chapping and cracking. Breastfeed as soon as you give birth & feed at least every 2 hours or more if your babe is signaling/rooting. It will increase your supply. 💓
Pumping does not yield as much milk as your baby does…so don’t let the amount scare you into thinking you’re not producing enough. Your body knows that it’s a pump.
The sweet snuggles come with those milk-induced comas.
Do whatever works for you and your baby. Happy Mama happy family. 😊 Let’s all be supportive & stop staring at a Mother for not doing exactly what you do. We’re all different!
It’s amazing but if it doesn’t work out, don’t feel ashamed! I couldn’t breastfeed either of my kids & I felt so embarrassed & bullied about it. I love that breastfeeding is beautiful & natural, but don’t think not doing it is the wrong choice ❤️
For Mamas with a low milk supply…don’t listen to the naysayers, you CAN do it. Give that baby all the milk you can & it’s okay to supplement the rest. Find someone to encourage you & cheer you on because you are amazing but sometimes we need a little reminder. ❤️
Best advice for a breastfeeding Mom would be get a good support system in place! I wanted to breastfeed so badly but I had a hard time at first so I would have probably given up if it wasn’t for the support I had around me! I breastfed exclusively! So happy I did. It was worth it & I was proud to not give up!!!
Just feel freedom to ignore advice that makes you second guess yourself. We all need more support and less judging as Moms.
My only breastfeeding tip is, it’s different for every Mama, different with every baby, and do what feels right.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help at any point on the journey! And try not to stress at the beginning. Both you & your baby are learning something totally new!! Don’t worry about a schedule, especially at the beginning. Your baby is growing so quickly & just wants to be close to you. It’s okay if all you do is feed your baby that day. Any day. Every day! ❤️
I had an awful experience in the hospital trying to breastfeed. My nipples were bleeding & sore. I was so emotional because I couldn’t get my baby to stop crying. I felt like a failure. Of course, I had a plan (breastfeed only, no pacifiers until breastfeeding was established, etc.) but that wasn’t working out. I had to learn that it was okay to change the plan. The nurses & lactation consultant were the best at giving advice & support. I don’t know that I would have stuck with breastfeeding as long as I did (9 months) if not for them. My goal was a year but I ended up getting pregnant & my supply wasn’t keeping up with what my baby demanded.
If your pediatrician doesn’t have a consultant at the ready, go elsewhere. Don’t wait. And pay attention to your own health to know the signs that you may need some help.
Although the first few weeks may be extremely difficult & feels like it will never get normal, it’s not gonna be like this forever! Just bite through & you’ll get there!
I wish I had known how hard it would be to stop, physically and emotionally. The hormones rise/dip hit me HARD for about 5-6 months after our last time nursing. Also: the football hold was my golden ticket to a successful start. 💙
Motherhood is everything.
When you breastfeed, make sure you start on one breast & then the next feed start on the other breast & keep alternating. You will be sleep deprived in the beginning so write down the time of the feed & then which breast you started with so you don’t forget. This prevents mastitis. (There are also apps that help you remember which breast you last nursed from.)
It’s not as intuitive as it seems it should be. Get support! If anything feels like it’s not working, even if you’re unsure, just ask for help. It gets sooo much easier with time, baby’s mouth gets bigger & drinking is more efficient. Do what makes you & your baby comfortable. There are no rules! If anyone else cares, that’s their own stuff to deal with—not your issue. Breastfeed when, where, and how you want to. And to whatever age works for you & your babe. No matter what happens, feed your baby in a way that is supportive of BOTH you & him/her. ❤️
When in doubt, latch! Babies nurse for MULTIPLE reasons, whether they’re hungry, over-stimulated, scared, sad…and don’t stress about if you’re making enough or not. If the baby is having an adequate amount of output, then you’re doing amazing. Also, your body makes EXACTLY what baby needs. You cannot “fatten” your milk up by eating more fatty foods. Eat a balanced diet, and trust your body to do what it was intended to do.
It IS hard the first few weeks. But the payoff is amazing!!
My advice for a breastfeeding Mom is to give yourself grace when it’s hard. And when you’re crying watching latch videos because your baby doesn’t know how yet…give yourself grace. After the learning curve it gets better! Drink lots of water to help with your supply. Never be afraid to ask for help—it does not equal failure. All babies are different so don’t compare your journey to another or feel unsuccessful, just do what your Mama heart tells you to do. You can do it!!
My advice for breastfeeding moms is that it’s ok if you can’t/ don’t want to breastfeed. That it’s hard work & doesn’t always work out. That you’re not a failure or a bad mom if can’t or don’t. What’s important is your emotional & mental health & the health of your baby.
Relax. What is best for your baby is best for your baby. Also, the theory/practice of hooking something to the unlatched nipple is brilliant! It really makes you a milking machine! Wish they’d have had the Haakkaa breast pump when I had my babies!!
I nursed one for six weeks ( dried up from one feeding to the next from an unrelated trauma ). I nursed the other one for three years!! Both of them are grown wonderful men & you could never tell which one was nursed. They were both very healthy.
Be prepared to feel like you’re nursing 24/7 for the first couple of weeks because you sort of are! Also don’t be afraid to ask visitors to get you water/snacks while you’re nursing to keep hydration & calories & energy up!
Fill a prescription for Dr Newman’s nipple cream from your local compounding pharmacy before the birth. It’s the best stuff for seriously cracked nipples. And nobody wants to be making phone calls & picking things up with the new baby. No matter how amazing my babies’ latches have been I’ve always had pain for at least three weeks and I’ve always had cracked nipples until then. Then it all just magically goes away. My thoughts are to surround yourself with a good breastfeeding support system, power through for a month & then evaluate. Do what you need to do to keep you & your baby healthy & happy but know that breastfeeding isn’t some magic easy button you just push.
Soak up the just you & them time. Time slows down when you’re breastfeeding. Relish that.
Get Milkies! It goes in your bra & while you’re nursing on one side you put it in your bra on the other side. It’s like a full pump session without any of the work or clean up.
It hurts so much the first two weeks. It is so overwhelming when your milk supply is low. What helped me was drinking tea, eating & snacking every two hours. And hot showers. After you get over that 2 week bump, you become a pro. I breastfed my daughter for 18 months & my son is 1 & we are still going strong. 💪
I struggled severely with breastfeeding my first-born, but with my second it was effortless. Each child & breastfeeding journey is different. Be kind & gentle with yourself as it is another full-time job.
Switching to this manual pump changed everything for me. I got so much more milk out!
You will pretty much just sit & breastfeed for the first 3 months, just know this and expect it.
The new pump, The Elvie, is a game changer…at least it is for me. No more sitting & pumping for 25 or so minutes. It’s wireless. This is especially beneficial if you have a toddler & don’t have time to stop, hook up, and pump like you do with non-wireless pumps. Start storing up your milk by creating an extra pump a day…having stored milk creates your freedom. And nipple cream nipple cream nipple cream the first 6 to 8 weeks of learning to breastfeed. I would write more but I have to go breastfeed again. 😜
My advice for a breastfeeding Mom is to take care of yourself more so that rest is up & milk supply is abundant. I had to do formula + breast with my Preemie twins so also knowing that breastfeeding is much like planning births—you have to accept that what you desire and what may happen will be two different visions. You’re a great Mama who feeds her child & keeps them safe by making those decisions for all of you. ❤️ Oh, and it was super hard to stop nursing—like I couldn’t let go of it & it was HARD!!!!! Some Mamas crave some physical space & with twins lord help me that wasn’t something I recognized while trying to pump and feed and do 500 other things. 🤷🏻
There will be times when you think that it will never stop hurting but one day you will wake up & it won’t hurt at all. There will be times when you are in public & feeling like everyone is staring & you’ve never felt more awkward & then one afternoon you won’t even notice that you’ve just whacked your baby on your boob while starting a conversation with the teenage boy from down the road at a BBQ.
It’s HARD. It doesn’t come as naturally as you hope, but eventually it gets easier. It takes a lot of time & patience, but it’s so worth it! It’s a superpower that literally fixes everything. It’s so much more than “feeding.” It’s comfort, bonding, healing & protection. People will judge you no matter what. “You are still breastfeeding?” “You aren’t still breastfeeding?” Remember you are not doing it for anyone other than your precious baby & yourself! Find a tribe who will support you with this journey, because you will need it. And as hard as it is in the beginning, it might be even harder for it to end. Good luck Mamas! 💕
There you have it. This is some of my favorite advice I’ve ever heard. It’s sweet and it’s honest. I wish I’d been told every one of these breastfeeding tips when I was nursing my babies.
Now, here is my own advice for a breastfeeding Mom:
You most definitely can & should nurse your babies to sleep! It’s BRILLIANT & I think it’s by design. Both of my kids are epic sleepers now & I nursed them to sleep all the time. Don’t let people worry you about that!
(And while we’re at it, “Holding your baby too much” is NOT a thing. You can’t spoil them by holding them too much. That’s ridiculous. Hold your baby like there’s no tomorrow.)
I nursed my son for 18 months and my daughter for 14. It was hard to stop because it was such a part of our little lives together. And it was something that was just us. You really do spend so much time breastfeeding & just being with them when they’re babies. That time is magical & you never really get that same kind of time again.
Also, I never had a crazy large milk supply & I just kept going and it all ended up great.
And I never pumped & dumped. No way was I going to work that hard to pump just to dump it out, ha! Once my baby was sleeping all night long, I would have a glass of wine (maybe even 2 on rare occasion). I’d pump. And I’d never dump. I’d usually mix the milk from that night with the milk from a night I had no drink just to be extra safe.
Do not worry about people looking. Seriously. People are always going to look. (And this applies to ALL of Motherhood.) They’ll look when they approve. And they’ll look when they don’t. They’ll look when they think it’s sweet. And they’ll look when they think it’s inappropriate.
Oh and one last piece of advice for a breastfeeding Mom—take pictures!! You will wish you had some later. I could only find ONE picture of me breastfeeding my daughter & that breaks my heart, especially since it was something I did all day every day. 🤱 So seriously, take some pics. It’s the sweetest thing.
For a couple of my breastfeeding must-haves & why I love them, click here. (And my whole Baby Registry Must-Haves article is baby registry gold for a mommy-to-be!)
NOW, before you do anything else check out my OG article for New Moms:14 Things Every New Mom Should get Herself. You need the things on this list, Mama. Trust me. Yearssss later, I still love & use them all.
Well, if there’s one thing that unifies us as parents, it’s that we all have to deal with potty-training at some point or another.
And if there’s one thing that divides us, it’s how we go about it. And when.
There’s a lot of hoopla around potty-training.
Like a lot.
Everyone thinks they know the “right way” to potty-train. I’m here to tell you that there isn’t a right way. There’s a way that works for you & your kid. And that makes it right, no matter when or how you choose to do it.
I’ll share our potty-training experiences & my potty-training tips, but different strokes for different folks, y’know?
Especially when it comes to something like potty-training.
This post contains affiliate links.
(If you just want to skip straight to the list of things you need to make potty-training smoother, click here. If you want to know about our very different potty-training experiences with our son & daughter + my potty-training tips, keep reading.)
We have never “tried” to potty-train our kids (well, I tried for about 20 minutes, but more on that below). I have a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. Our potty-training experiences with them were very different.
Maybe I’m the only Mom in the world who feels this way, but I was never in a rush to potty-train. I think diapers are easy & I was never in a hurry to get out of them. Sure, diapers are expensive. But they make up for it in convenience.
My son potty-trained around 3.5+ years old. There were many people who couldn’t believe we hadn’t potty-trained him before then. Add to that the fact that my son is absolutely huge for his age—and always has been. He’s an extremely tall & big little boy. So that just compounded everyone’s surprise that he was still in diapers at 3 years old.
Fortunately, I had a husband who not only supported my desire to not rush potty-training, but who wholeheartedly agreed. He’s a urologist and though he doesn’t do pediatrics, one of his former colleagues is a renowned pediatric urologist—Dr. Steve Hodges. He writes books on potty-training. Literally.
When many of my Mom friends were potty-training their kids around 2 years old using the “3 day method,” I watched and listened. Most of them were successful. I was pregnant with my daughter & not eager to get my son out of diapers, but I decided to give it a try since 1) they made it look so easy and 2) I thought, “Okay, well I only have 1 child now so maybe it’s a good idea to knock this out before I have my baby.”
I tried potty-training for one morning. Actually, if we’re being honest, it was about 20 minutes.
In that 20 minutes, my 2.5 year old little boy listened to me, took off his diaper, peed on the floor and then showed me proudly. He did exactly what I’d asked him to try to do, albeit in the wrong spot. But my reaction broke him. I saw it and said “Oh no, not on the floor honey! We don’t want it on the floor, we want it in the potty!”
Rookie mistake.
Looking back, I still bothers me that I got upset with him on his first try of a brand new thing. A thing he actually had listened to me about and just hadn’t done it exactly like I wanted.
My response crushed him. I saw the disappointment in him—disappointment in himself and in my response—and realized I was stressing my baby out. Yes, baby. 2.5 years old is a baby in my book.
I decided right then we weren’t ready—not him and not me. I held him, he cried, I cried, & then I called my husband and said “I’m not doing this, we’re not ready.” And he said, “Great. I don’t think we should be in any rush.”
God I love that man.
Later he called his friend Dr. Hodges to discuss it & Dr. Hodge’s biggest potty-training tip was not to rush. He pointed out that (save for children with special needs) every child potty-trains eventually. It’s not a race. Dr. Hodges sees all kinds of complications in children that can stem from potty-training too soon & kids not emptying all the way (see: prolonged bed-wetting & constipation, etc.). I’m not a doctor so I’m not going into any of that. I agree with some of it & I disagree with some of it.
Again, I’m not a doctor.
But I am a Mom.
And what I say is this:
What works for your kid, works. If they potty-train younger than most = GREAT! If they potty-train later than most = GREAT!
You do you. Or actually just let them do them.
I have many, many friends whose kids were fully potty-trained by 2 years old. Successfully and perfectly.
I have many, many friends whose kids were fully potty-trained by 4-5 years old. Successfully and perfectly.
When we did potty-train my son, it’s because he was talking about going potty. He was ready. I had a brand-new baby at home in diapers so I wasn’t thrilled that he was ready, but we rolled with it. He did beautifully. He started out sitting down to pee, then started standing up. To this day he usually stands but will occasionally sit to pee (kind of like my husband now that I think about it, ha).
Caveman-style.
He struggled with pooping in the potty at first. This is totally normal. It can be a really scary thing for kids. They worry about it splashing, about the sound it will make, about how it will fall out—you name it. He wanted to wear a diaper to poop, so we put one on him when he asked for it. Then when he inevitably pooped in the diaper, we’d empty it in the potty together & flush it.
One of the best things I bought was the Squatty Potty (linked below—I gotcha). We now own 3 if that tells you anything. Ever notice how little kids will do a little bend or an almost-squat when they are pooping in their diaper? It’s because that angle un-kinks the colon & allows the poop to come out in more of a straight shot.
Yes, we’re talking a lot about poop. But just keeping it real. There’s a lot of poop in Motherhood.
It took one time of him successfully pooping on the potty (while crying the whole time) to get rid of diapers for good. The second it came out he was so relieved & so thrilled that he’d done it. He never put on a diaper again. (We never messed with pull-ups. Or stickers/treats, etc., because we ended up just letting potty-training happen more organically….but I know that works for lots!)
Which meant we had to convert his crib to a toddler bed. Yes, he was 3.5 and yes, he was still in his crib. He loved his crib & so did we. He never once tried to climb out of it & he never once complained about it. It kept him contained & in his room…& happy. He actually cried when we changed it to the toddler bed, though of course he LOVED it immediately.
I already told you I’m not a Mother who feels the need to rush through any of these parenting/child milestones. And I wasn’t lying (obvi). I’m a big believer in the whole “the days are long but the years are short” thing.
So that was him. And this is her:
My daughter was ready to start potty-training when she was 2.5.
Potty-training wasn’t on our radar at all with her because our son was ready later. But, SHE started talking about the potty. Wanting to sit on the potty. She has a big brother & she wants to be just like him. So it only makes sense that she wanted to go potty like him, too. (And quite literally, might I add. That little girl wanted to stand up & pee just like her bro.)
She was ready to potty-train.
So we pulled our tiny toilet back out & just set it in the bathroom for her to try. She started using it. She surprised us how quickly she got it. So much so that she had to wear her brother’s little boxer undies for a few days while I Amazon primed her some.
She still wore diapers during naps & bedtime for about 6 months after she started potty-training.
My son never did that. He went straight from diapers to no diapers, period.But she was happy wearing diapers at naps & bedtime, and so was I. And I was in no rush to convert her bed so that she can get out & go potty on her own. I hold onto the crib years as long as I can because sometimes confinement = sanity (for Mama). Just like her brother, for a little while my daughter still requested a diaper to poop (constipation/hard poops make learning to go in the potty tougher).
My best potty-training tip is not to stress about it. And not to stress your child.
They will potty-train. It might be easy for her. It might be hard for him. She might do it later than you expect. He might do it earlier than you expect.
This is one of those things I think you just have to live your way into.
Another potty-training tip I want to give is this: If what you’re doing isn’t working, stop.
If what you try causes stress, stop. If you need to quit & try again a full year later like I did, do it. Don’t be swayed by what everyone else around you is doing. Do what works for you. And yours.
And my last potty-training tip: Be prepared for comments from others.
Whether your child potty-trains earlier or later, someone is always going to have something to say. I can promise you that. There’s definitely some judgment when it comes to potty-training. Prep yourself for being able to brush it off because you’re the Mom and you know what you’re doing (because even when we don’t, we do).
Oh, and if your preschool/daycare pressures you, don’t bend to it. Schools are in the habit of pushing & stressing about potty-training. Your kid is yourkid. Not theirs. Stand up for what you want.
I have a friend whose daughter potty-trained really young & the school wasn’t “prepared” to have a child that young going to the potty. So they had to switch schools. I think the original school should’ve been more flexible & accommodated this little girl who was ready to use the potty. They have since made the necessary changes.
And then I have another friend who got berated by her daughter’s school for not being fully potty-trained by the time they thought she should be (2 years old!). One day, when her child realized she needed to go potty but was outside on the playground, she went off to a corner by herself, pulled down her panties like she’d been taught, and went. I applaud her for that. So did her parents. Her teachers did not.
You can’t win. At least that’s what it feels like sometimes. And it’s definitely what our kids feel like sometimes.
So there you go. I have 2 kids and had 2 very different potty-training experiences.
There was no “one right way.”
Both of my kids are potty-trained. Both are happy. And besides those stressful 20 minutes that one time, both potty-trained with no pressure.
Now, here’s all the shit you need for all the shits. Just kidding, my mom would kill me for saying that. But it was too perfect & I couldn’t resist. Here’s what you need:
Potty-training List
(items that made potty-training as smooth as possible for us):
Small Starter Potty: This one looks like a real potty & I really think there is value in that. It looks just like a smaller version of yours. It also makes a flushing sound, which kids LOVE to do. (Seriously, you’ll have to put a cap on the flushing in general cuz they’re obsessed). We only got one of these because we transitioned to the regular toilet as soon as they showed interest (see below).
Travel potty FTW.
Toilet Training Top: This is a total must-have. We have 3—one for each kid’s bathroom & one for the bathroom by the kitchen. It makes your toilet “their size.” They love it because it keeps them from falling in & makes them feel very secure. It’s super easy to clean & super easy to take with you on a trip or to Grandma’s or wherever.
With both kids we let them start in the small potty linked above, and the second they started wanting to go on the real potty we were all for it. So much easier (zero clean up) & makes it much easier for them to go on public toilets, too, because they’re used to it.
Squatty Potty: I’d say this is our other true must-have. Like the toilet top above, this is something my kids used every single day (& still often do!). It helps them poop so much more easily because it gives them a way to “bear down.” It doubles as a stool for them to climb onto our full size toilets, too. It was a game-changer for us.
Books: We didn’t go heavy on reading potty-training books. But both our kids love Daniel Tiger & this Daniel Tiger potty book is one that they both freaking loved. They can push a button to make a real flushing sound. I do think this book helped them be excited about the potty. The only other one we got was this Potty book because the “Yummy Yucky” book from the same author was one of their all-time faves.
Travel Potty: With my son, we honestly just let him pee on the pavement between the car doors if he needed to suddenly go potty. So I never needed a travel potty. With my daughter, we did that a couple times with me holding her while she squatted but it’s too hard to avoid getting it on her panties or shoes, so I wised up & bought a little travel potty & it has been AWESOME. I keep it in the back of my car & she goes right in the trunk. (And if I’m being totally honest, so do I. I use it all the time. Maybe it’s all the coffee I drink. Maybe it’s a leftover side effect from labor.) Then we pour it out, wipe it out, and voila! Done. We use it every single time we’re out & about.
If you have a little girl I highly recommend getting one to keep in the back of your car. If you have a little boy you can either be one with nature like us (ha) or perhaps be a more respectable human being and get one. Runner ups: this super simple Ikea one or this one.
Fave girl undies: THESE. I tried a few types and these are the clear winners. Adorable designs, super soft & thick without being too thick, no elastic to cut into them. Size up.
Thing I didn’t know I needed but actually really like: these toilet seat covers for when you’re out & about. I grew up putting TP on the seat in public places & did the same thing for my kids. BUT, kids love to hold onto the sides of the potty or prop their hands on the back (especially in public places because they feel like they might fall in), and the TP doesn’t cut it. These cover the whole thing & then you just toss them. I keep them in the diaper bag. Will I ever stop carrying a diaper bag even though there are no longer diapers in it?I think not. (I actually carry a diaper backpack that I freaking love & will never give up.)
Mom Potty-Training Pro Tip: These prune pouches. Seriously, these things are MAGIC. I used religiously FOR YEARS when my kids were struggling to go. They are a total mom-hack & I’ve been tempted to try one on more than one occasion. They’re just prunes + water. We kept these on hand 24/7. My kids would actually ask for “a purple pouch” when their tummy didn’t feel right. Kids get constipated. It’s a thing. These work. (And trust me, there’s so much to be said for making it easier for kids to poop, especially when they’re potty-training.)
Probiotics: It seems like it makes sense to share these here. Love these—gut health is important (especially when/if your kid is taking antibiotics. Or if they just came back from their grandparents’ house, ha.).
*If your child is on the bigger side or later to potty train (my son was both), these booster padsare a MIRACLE. At 3+ years old, his diapers would be soaked & overflowing. They couldn’t contain the amount of pee he had overnight. I found these booster pads & at night you just stick them in the diaper where they pee (make sure they don’t stick out the top of the diaper). They worked wonders & bought us probably 6 more months in diapers than we could’ve gotten with just diapers alone (his diapers were so full they were soaking through his PJs).
Questions about potty-training? Leave them in the comments. Already tackled potty-training? Tell me what worked for you & what potty-training items you loved.
Want more Mom Hacks & Tips? —> Check out why we LOVE the HOMER Learning App (ahem, guilt-free screentime)!
As another Mother’s Day has come and gone, scrolling through any social media platform can be painful. For some, it’s a painful reminder of their mothers in heaven. For others, it’s a painful reminder of the longing they feel to be mothers themselves.
But for me, it’s a painful reminder that I am a daughter of an unloving mother.
Society turns a blind eye to the idea that there are, in fact, unloving mothers.
It seems taboo to be alienated from your own mother. To have an estranged mother. Even more so when you’re a mother yourself. When you become a mother, you innately begin to understand all your mother sacrificed for you, the love she held, the hardships she faced. Right?
But what happens when one’s idea of motherhood doesn’t fit the narrative? What happens when motherhood doesn’t come with love, compassion, or empathy?
There are mothers who can’t love.
For the longest time, I thought my mother’s behavior was just alcohol abuse. At some point during my teenage years, I thought maybe a personality disorder. Her sister was schizophrenic so I was aware that something could be hiding underneath the surface.
I used college as my “exit ticket.” I chose the college that was farthest away while still being considered in-state tuition. The distance may have been the best thing for me. I met people from different walks of life. I met my husband who comes from a healthy, loving, family. It wasn’t long before I started picking up on the fact that my family wasn’t “normal.” I knew I had a “strained” relationship with my mother, but it still felt like something else was off. Turns out what I knew as “normal,” was actually abuse.
It didn’t matter how old I was, or what life event was happening… it was always overshadowed with so much pain. Once I became pregnant with my first child, everything changed. I guess it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. My eyes were finally open.
I had grown up with a revolving door of disappointment and betrayal. The lies and deceit that followed the death of my father at 15 didn’t open my eyes. Being a pawn to an abusive stepfather didn’t open my eyes. Having my mother ruin my credit before I even knew what credit was didn’t open my eyes. But once I knew I was about to be a mama, my eyes were wide open.
I was accustomed to having a manipulative mother, but now that I had a baby on the way, it just felt different.
She hated the name we picked. She wanted my baby to look just like her. She refused to attend my baby shower, claiming she was in the hospital for cancer treatments. None of our relatives knew about this mysterious cancer. None of her friends knew. I called every local hospital in her area, all of which had zero record of her. The lies began to snowball. She claimed she only had 6 months to live. Once I stopped returning her calls, her claims of 6 months turned into 3 months.
Turns out, it was all a lie. Every bit of it made up to turn the attention away from the baby and onto her. This wasn’t the first time. Any big life event (my graduation, bridal shower, wedding) all had to be overshadowed by HER life crisis.
I will never forget the day the doctor told me I was having a little girl. I cried… and they were not tears of joy. The only thing I could think was “How am I supposed to raise a little girl when I had such a terrible example to go by?”
I made the choice to completely cut my mother out of my life. It wasn’t easy but I knew that the remainder of my pregnancy didn’t need the additional stress. I was so crushed by the lies and deceit. It was time to do some serious soul searching.
I started researching books on daughters with estranged mothers.
I desperately needed someone to relate to…something to let me know I wasn’t alone. My friends and my husband’s family tried so hard to be supportive, but they simply couldn’t relate. Finally, I stumbled upon a disorder known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Let me preface this by stating, I am no doctor. However, a lot of what is described by NPD really struck a chord with me. I started ordering books by clinical professionals, particularly books aimed toward daughters of Narcissistic abuse. I was completely floored.
I spent months reading these books. Months putting together pieces of my childhood that I had locked away in a closet. There was just so much abuse that came to light upon reading these books. John Newton’s Amazing Grace couldn’t fit more perfectly. “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
You see, it wasn’t me.
All the abuse, the lies, the manipulation, the gaslighting. It wasn’t me. There was never anything wrong with me. I wasn’t unlovable.
Despite my revelations, childbirth was approaching, and I was apprehensive about giving birth without a mother figure. I hadn’t spoken to my mother in 4 months. I had my husband, who is the most amazing man and best supporter I could ever ask for. But society tells you “you need your mama.” That just wasn’t something I could handle. I wanted my baby’s birth to be about her and not overshadowed by my mother’s attendance. Plus, I wasn’t in a place where I was ready to forgive her quite yet.
About a week before my baby was due, I wrote myself a letter. I reminded myself of all the abuse, the heartache, the betrayal. And I reminded myself that I didn’t need her. I was going to be enough for my baby. I didn’t want a moment of weakness to undo the incredible progress I had made in my soul-searching journey. I was finally at a point in my life where I understood and accepted my past and how it had shaped me, but I also strived for a much brighter future.
And then it happened—my baby girl was born.
Everything changed.
My daughter is now almost 3 years old and every day I look at her and think, “I am so thankful God gave me you.” He knew exactly what my heart needed. There’s no way I could ever treat her the way my mother treated me. There’s no way I could never NOT put her first.
As the daughter of an estranged mother, I worried I wouldn’t know how to bond with her—but she’s truly my best friend.
The more open I am about my past has also opened other doors. A distant college friend has transformed into my best friend. Why? Turns out our mothers are so identical that it’s almost scary. Choosing not to be silent about my experience has led me to one of the best friendships I’ve ever had.
I’ve also grown incredibly close with my mother-in-law (I’m blessed, I know). She was in the room the day my daughter was delivered, and she loves my daughter so unconditionally that it makes my heart sing. I have also found solace in finally having a healthy mother figure of my own. I know not all mothers-in-law are pleasant, but I hit the jackpot with mine.
Society tells you: “You need your mama.” For those of us with abusive & unloving mothers, I’m here to tell you: you don’t.
I’m also here to tell you that motherhood can be truly triggering for those of us who come from abusive childhoods.
My daughter is the best thing I’ve ever done. She’s the highlight of my day. But there are moments when I feel so overwhelmed, so tired, so “touched-out” that I can hear my mother in the back of my head. It’s tormenting. I hear myself responding in the ways my mother would have and an irrational anger rises in me. I know most moms have these moments, but for those of us who grew up with unloving or estranged mothers…it hits deeper. We know what it’s like to feel unloved. We get hit with that irrational anger followed by the fear and guilt of “what if I end up just like my mother?” Even just the mention of my mother can send me to a dark place. It’s a work in progress.
So mamas, listen up. You do not have to sacrifice the state of your mental well-being to hold space for someone who brings you nothing but pain.
And you won’t be like your unloving mother. Even when you hear her in the corners of your mind… you. are. not. her.
But mostly…. you’re not alone. Society frowns on being alienated from your mother, and I find that it feels like such a lonely club to be in when it doesn’t have to be.
You are exactly what your child needs. You will break the cycle. You will show your children unconditional love.
None of us are perfect. We all have our days.
But being a daughter of an unloving mother doesn’t make you any less worthy of being a mama.
And your babies are blessed to yours.
Suggested reading for anyone who may be struggling:
This was a guest post written for C’MON MAMA by one of the amazing Mamas in our community. She wishes to remain anonymous, but she wanted to reach other Mamas who may have lived a similar story. We are honored to amplify her voice and perspective.
If you’re interested in writing for C’MON MAMA, contact us. We’d love to hear from more amazing Mothers like this brave Mama.
Did you grow up with an unloving mother? Do you have an estranged mother?
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These Father’s Day Gift Ideas will cover all the men in your life—from husband to your own dad to your son to your brother—and every man in between.
You’re welcome.
Oh, and these are things he’ll actually use.
If the men in your life are anything like mine, they’re tough to buy for! Maybe because it seems like they already have everything they need so it’s hard to find things that they’ll actually use and not just sit on their desk or dresser and never touch again.
I used to give my husband cute, kitchy stuff but it I stopped doing that because 1) it was a waste of money and 2) we’re drowning in stuff like that because we have young kids—I definitely didn’t want to add to the “stuff that serves no purpose” piles, ha. #parenthood
I’m not a minimalist, but I do like to get people things they’ll actuallyuse.
And almost all of these Father’s Day gift ideas are Amazon Prime, which means you’re not late. You’re right on time. 🙂
This post includes affiliate links.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Food & Beverage
Daddy & Me Mug Set: Cutest Father’s Day gift for only $10! Perfect gift for their Dad “from them.” I bought 2 sets so I could have a mug for each kid. I’m giving one of the Dad ones to my hubs & one to my own Dad. Win win.
The mugs are the perfect sizes, too. I’ve been wanting a real “mini” mug for my kids for awhile. And the large one is the perfect size for my hubs who loves ☕ (almost) as much as me.
LegitMeat Thermometer: If your Dad or Husband or Brother or Son or any man in your life who likes to cook/grill/smoke meat doesn’t have a good meat thermometer, voila! Congratulations, you’re done shopping! And I’m not talking about a dinky meat thermometer. Everyone has one of those. I’m talking about a legit one. A solid meat thermometer is uncomparable. Enter the Thermapen.
Wine Stopper: My husband used to love cocktails. Then he loved beer. Now he is Team Wine. This is the wine stopper to end all stoppers. It has an airtight seal, is easy to use, and it legitimately doesn’t leak—even when you lay a bottle on its side. It even fits champagne bottles for when you’re feeling fancy.
Electric Wine Opener: I enjoy opening wine now. So maybe this is a slightly selfish one. But my husband LOVES it. So maybe it’s not. Super easy, super powerful.
It’s so fast & easy that used my husband’s one day (I had given it to him for Father’s Day, of course) and never gave it back. Had to buy him a new one because I flat out stole the one I had given him.
Reidel Wine Glasses: Reidel is the brand. It just is. So no need to look any further. It has the super thin rim and the elegant profile. If he doesn’t have a nice set of wine glasses, get this classic set that can be used for white or red.
Coffee frother: Why does this thing make coffee taste SO MUCH BETTER? We are both obsessed with it. We even travel with it. If he’s a coffee drinker (with cream/milk because it wouldn’t do much for black coffee), he’ll love it.
Pizza Screen: Does he have a Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe? Pizza is our favorite thing to make on our smoker, I kid you not. It took us years to figure out how to get the pizza out of the face-melting BGE. This is the answer. And it’s also so convenient to make the pizza right on it.
Legit Steak Knives: Several years ago my husband was at his friend’s house for dinner & he literally texted me about how amazing the guy’s steak knives were. He totally fangirled over them. “They slice everything like butter.” I kid you not, he couldn’t stop talking about them. So of course the next day I called the friend & got the deets. They are expensive and they are awesome. Def one of the cases where “you get what you pay for.”
Note: Wüsthof has a Classic knife line & a Gourmet Knife Line. Both are great, but the Classic line is the real deal because it’s fully forged as opposed to laser stamped = which means it’s heavier, sharper, and a lot more expensive.
Air Fryer: It’s all the rage. My Dad is obsessed with his. I think it’s akin to how women love their crockpot/instant pot. Calm down. Not that women wouldn’t love this, but the truth is you’ll have a hard time pulling me away from my crockpot. No shame in my slow-cooker game. BUT, I know sooo many men who freaking LOVE their air fryer.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: The Great Outdoors
YETI Backpack Cooler: If you need a WOW gift, this is it. Truly one of the greatest things I’ve ever bought my husband. We use the heck out of it because we have kids & already don’t have enough arms as it is. The backpack style distributes the weight & keeps it from feeling too heavy. It’s our go-to cooler, every time.
YETI Attachable Bottle Opener: Gotta accessorize that pimp cooler. This awesome pull bottle opener latches onto that YETI cooler (& even of their soft coolers). It comes in so handy—no more searching for a bottle opener! (On Amazon here)
YETI Dry Bag: My husband specifically said he needed somewhere better to keep his phone & wallet dry & safe and not just floating around in our enormous beach bag with all the toys & all the sand. It also attaches directly to soft-sided coolers like our beloved backpack one above.
Bluetooth Speaker: This thing is MIGHTY. It’s loud & the sound quality is awesome. It’s also waterproof & holds a charge forever. And the bluetooth connection works great. My husband actually got me this for Christmas and it has taken the place of the much larger, much more expensive bluetooth speaker we used to use. It’s just so much more convenient than pulling out a big bulky one.
If he needs a pocket-sized speaker that still packs a big punch, this one is excellent. We have 2 & use them on everything from bike & golf cart rides to letting our kids jam out to their fave songs. (also available at Target)
Sunscreen Flasks: Alright, this is a useless yet fun one. Totally a novelty item but he’s here for it and has used it on more than one occasion. It’s always a big hit with all the men.
*Up the ante with LED lights. Go for just the ring light or light up the whole board.
Bocce Ball: Another classic. Perfect for the beach or the yard. (Bocce requires more space to play than corn hole, so keep that in mind.) *Target also has a handsome bocce ball set if you want a chicer bag.
The resin set is the classic heavy bocce ball set. This is the one we’ve always had. But, they also have a lighter rubber one that would be easier to transport & better to play with kids.
Golf Cart Cup holders: When will vehicle manufacturers get the memo that PEOPLE NEED MULTIPLE CUPHOLDERS??!! These are everything. I’m not lying when I say that I ordered 6 different “universal cup holders” to test out on our golf cart that can fit 6 people & legitimately has ONE cupholder. Whoever made that decision should be let go. Anyways, these cupholders are 💯. They don’t budge, even on huge bumps. Yes, they hold the big Yetis. We have 5 of these on our golf cart. 6 people to 11 cupholders is a much better ratio.
Golf Cart Storage Box/Caddy: Turns out our golf cart is actually storage deficient, too. So Amazon to the rescue again. I ordered a bunch of golf cart storage solutions to try (to hold stuff like sunglasses, garage opener, hand sani (we have kids), chapstick, etc. and this one won by a landslide. All the ones that mount with the “strongest velcro or adhesive ever” or whatever … just no. They didn’t even last for a single day in the humidity where we live before falling off. These caddies mount to the bars of your golf cart & come with a bunch of different size mounts so you can use the size that works for yours. We have two on each side.
Cigar Golf Cart Clip: Final golf cart thing. But this is not just a cart thing, it’s a golfthing. My husband only smokes a cigar when he plays golf. IDK why but it’s a thing. He says the “stage 5 clinger is a must.” That’s what this thing is. Gotta admit, love the name.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Around the House/Yard
Airpods: Full-proof gift right here. I’ll admit that I used to think cheap bluetooth ear buds were as good. I was super, super wrong. I finally sucked it up and bought some Airpods. Instantly loved them. Then I bought my husband a pair. He instantly loved them, too. Yes, they’re $$, which is why I never bought them before. They’re worth it, especially if he has in iphone because it just makes it so damn easy! Of course they sound great for tunes (hello gym, bike rides, runs), but the voice clarity for calls is unmatched, too (hello conference calls). *I linked these from Target because most locations have them in stock & you can do Drive Up pickup in 2 hours. BOOM. Done.
Air Compressor: One of my fave things my husband ever bought himself because we use it ALL the time. It inflates car tires, bike tires, stroller tires, sports balls, beach balls, inflatable pools, giant swan floats (just sayin), etc. The best part is you just enter the PSI you want it to inflate to & it does it automatically.
Couch Blanket Big Enough for Him: About 7 years ago my husband said all he wanted was a blanket big enough for him on the couch. He’s a tall guy & all our blankets were like throw blankets. So I got him the king-sized 96×80″ and it’s been the entire family’s favorite blanket ever since. My hubs still uses it almost nightly.
Digital Photo Frame: My husband actually give this frame to ME, bu we are equally as obsessed with it. And if I’m being honest, he probably adds more photos to it than I do. And real talk: It’s a joy to see all your favorite pictures & memories throughout the day. We LOVE it. And it’s both a sweet and cool gift.
Pro tip: A digital picture frame also makes the perfect gift for Grandfathers!! Whether they live 5 minutes away or 5 states away, they will love it. And don’t worry—they won’t have to “do anything” to make it work! It’s
Your Father’s Story journal: I just came across this and think it is the neatest thing. So special. You give it to your Dad & he fills it out to share his life with you. Honestly, the older I get the more I realize I wish I knew about my parents’ lives and history. This is a simple, beautiful way to find out.
Porch/Patio Heater: This is the basic mushroom one you see at restaurants and it’s the best & most reliable. We’ve tried the cool looking ones with fire running up the middle & they 1) don’t put out as much heat and 2) are so finicky. This one works.
Fire Poker/Stoker: It’s a poker. It’s a stoker. It’s cool. It seriously has a built-in air valve that you can use to stoke the fire. It also is extra long so you don’t have to get too close.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: If he ever builds fires, these are a great gift from the kids/grandkids. They’re so handy & the telescoping handle is perfect.
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: GiantProjector Set Up
***If you want to WIN Father’s Day, skip the rest & just get this setup:
We have an amazing outdoor projector setup. It’s EPIC. So much fun for movies, sports & everything in between. It’s honestly the BEST. And sooo easy. I always thought setups like this were astronomical and/or very involved to setup. This one takes about 5 minutes flat. Our kids love it. We love it. Our friends love it.
Below is everything—and I do mean everything—you need.
Projector: I can promise you this projector is unbeatable. (wellll, unless you want to pay 2 or 3 times as much). Its price is in line with all the other projectors in the same echelon but it performs SO much better…and I should know, because I literally ordered & tried 6 different projectors to make sure I got the best. It projects a picture bright enough to see in broad daylight which is nearly impossible to find. (We have the XGA model. It has higher resolution than the SVGA. The WXGA has the highest resolution & is widescreen formatted. I’m very happy with the XGA. I think the brightness is the same on all.)
(We used to have a different projector that just never projected bright enough so we could never use it unless a room was pitch black…and we couldn’t all fit in a closet so it was a no go. So glad we finally got a better one because now we use it allll the time.)
*Pro Tip: We use our firestick with it but you can plug in a phone or computer with HMDI adapter. The firestick is only $30 & just makes it so simple for Netflix, Disney +, Youtube, YoutubeTV (helloooo sports!), Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.
Screen: We have this screen in the 80″ 16:9 configuration. We’ve had it for 5+ years. There is zero setup & I think that’s why we use it so often. So easy. I love this screen so much I can’t express it. It’s slim to store (but long), so easy to use, sturdy, takes 2 seconds to put up & down.
*Here are 2 other options that are more reasonable & get really great reviews that I would look at today if we didn’t have a screen already: Tripod Base Screen, 2-legged Screen
Stand: I went without a stand for years with our old projector. I’d literally just prop it up on books or random boxes & try to get it the right height. I wish I’d bought the stand years ago. It makes it so stable and so easy to adjust for the right height. The legs adjust at 2 different spots on all 3 legs so you can actually get it even on uneven ground.
Long AUX Cable: If you want to hook up to a louder speaker(it has a speaker included but a louder speaker is a game changer), you need an AUX cable. You can use a short AUX cable & put the speaker right by the projector or you can use a long one to put the speaker somewhere else further from the projector. It doesn’t have bluetooth speaker connection (none of the ones I tried did), so you need an AUX cord. (Most bluetooth speakers still have an AUX input so you can likely use a speaker you already have!)
3 outlet Extension Cord: I love this one because it has the 3 outlets I need for projector, speaker, and Firestick. Or just use a regular extension cord & a surge protector. Either way, you’ll need a few outlets right by your setup.
Case: I love having one bag for everything we need for the projector setup. It has little areas for organizing the remotes, cords, etc. The case makes it so easy to protect & easily store & transport everything you need
FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Clothes& Stuff
Father/Kid Matching Shirt Set: A perfect Father’s Day gift. The pizza & fry sets get me every time. (pssst – they have matching onesies for the littlest ones!)
Swim Trunks: Tis the season after all! Tons of great designs, perfect length, so comfy, & look grrreat. This is my hubby’s fave style.
Family Swimsuits: Target just launched a family swim collection and it’s perfect. Would make such a great Father’s Day gift. Coordinating trunks for the boys is my fave part, but they have matching suits for the Mamas & girls, too, so the whole fam can match!
World’s Okayest Dad Shirt: My husband bought this for himself when I found out I was pregnant with our first. 6+ years later it’s still one of his all-time faves. If your man or your dad has a sense of humor, he’ll love this!
The Golf Father Shirt: For all the golfers out there. My husband & Dad both love this shirt. ⛳
Diversified Portfolio Golf Shirt: My husband is going to looooove this. One of my gifts for him this year. Again, for all the golfers. ⛳
Fun Boxer Briefs: You can’t go wrong. You know he’ll wear them. And he’ll love these cheeky (pun intended) designs. I’m partial to the chick magnet ones myself.
Athletic Shorts: My husband has worn the same 2 pairs for 10 years. He recently commented he needed some new ones in the mix. Bingo.
Silicone Wedding Rings: When we got married, I gave my husband a Tungsten ring. Not expensive, but an extremely strong metal and very simple & “manly.” I had it engraved & everything. After several years, he lost it. He’s a surgeon & he has to take it off during surgery, so he’d typically put it in his scrubs shirt pocket during surgery. Well, it fell out somewhere along the way. I bought him another. He lost that one at some point, too. Then I wised up & switched to a silicone ring. He loved it. And then he lost it. So then I bought him 3 for Valentine’s Day one year.
It’s ridiculous, I know. Absurd really. BUT if he didn’t wear it to work this wouldn’t be a problem, so I can’t reallyyyy be upset. I want him wearing it as much as possible because he is 🔥 & want the world to know he is claimed. I wish he’d just get a tattoo already.
Bottom line: this silicone ring is so comfy. He can wear it to the gym. And he can golf in it. He still can’t wear it during surgery, but at least it’s not expensive. This brand is comfier to him than several of the other brands we tried because the edges taper so it’s not as tight or bulky, according to him.
*Pro tip: Free returns on these (thanks Amazon!), so it’s helpful to order a couple sizes to have on hand to try for him & then you can just send the extras back. Also, you can pull/stretch them some before you wear them & that helps it be extra comfy.
**Pro Tip: You can also get a Father’s Day card online—I know, I know. But trust me on this—the selection of Father’s Day cards is amaze (everything from super sweet to hilariously inappropriate) & the prices are better than most store prices for cards! So order your Father’s Day gifts, your Father’s Day cards, and voilà. You’re done. And you nailed it.
Well there goes my whole heart, just walking down the street.
Let’s celebrate the Dads & Father figures. Because they’re important, too.
And he lived Happily Ever After. Because he had such a great Father’s Day. The End.
Looking for gifts for HER? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with these perfectMother’s Day Gift Ideas!
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Fitted “baseball” hat with that perfect vintage look. Leather strap adjustable back. C’MON MAMA Mama Bear & Cub logo on front + C’MON MAMA side detailing.
***ALSO YALLLLLL.Take a close look at my logo below. What makes it special is the little Baby Bear Cub I designed within the Mama Bear! (it’s trademarked!)
It turns out my own mom & sister didn’t know that for 3 YEARS. I’M SHOOK. But in case you didn’t know that either—now you do. Just look at that Mama with her Cub in the center—right where it belongs. 🐻♥️🐻
Every hat order comes with a C’MON MAMA Bumper Sticker/Laptop Decal!
Turns out the perfect guy does exist. Just ask a BOYMOM.
Trust me, she will tell you. She’ll tell you that her little boy is the perfect guy.
And she’ll be right.
Because little boys are the dreamiest.
Everyone always talks about how much little boys love their Mamas. To be honest, I kind of thought that was just something people said when they find out you’re having a little boy. Like you might be disappointed that you’re not having a little girl, so they tell you how much little boys love their Mamas to make you feel better.
My first child was a little boy. He made me a Mom. A #BOYMOM.
When I was pregnant, everyone under the sun would tell me “Ohhhh, little boys sure do love their Mamas” whey they found out I was expecting a baby boy. I didn’t really believe them, but it didn’t matter because I was overjoyed about having a baby & already excited to join the famous #BOYMOM club.
But 6+ years into being a BOYMOM, I can tell you that they’re right. Little boys really do love their Mamas.
In a way that only little boys can.
And 6+ years into being a BOYMOM, I can tell you something else, too:
That little boy of yours is quite honestly the perfect guy.
Little boys are the most innocently romantic creatures on the face of the earth. I don’t know when they lose that, but my 6 year old son has the most tender heart I’ve ever encountered.
As wild and crazy as we #boymoms see our little dudes act, we also get to see them abruptly stop in the middle of a raging game of chase to kiss our forehead—before taking right back off & not missing a single beat.
There’s really no such thing as the perfect guy, unless you’re talking about your young son. Because in that case, the perfect guy really does exist.
Every #boymom has found the perfect guy. He’s her little boy, and he’s what dreams are made of…
Because…
He’ll tell you you’re beautiful when you take your hair down from your daily ponytail…or mom bun. Even if it’s a hot mess.
He’ll notice when you wear different earrings—he’ll know that they’re new & that he’s never seen them before.
He’ll find his sister’s tiny pony tail holders on the floor and propose to you with them.
Of course I say YES. Every single time.
He’ll pick every flower he can find just for you, and tell you to put them in a vase to keep them safe.
He’ll tell you he’ll always take care of you and always be yours. (and you’ll believe him even though he’s decades behind you)
He’ll put your face in his (often sticky or filthy) hands and look into your eyes in the sweetest way you’ve ever experienced.
He’ll tell you the totally uncensored, unfiltered, unsugarcoated truth. For better or for worse.
And he’ll somehow do it tenderly. Like the time I had a raging eye infection and he told me I was still beautiful even though my eye “looked super smushy.”
He’ll ask you to snuggle with him regularly.
He’s big on the PDA. And never afraid to show it. He doesn’t care who’s watching.
He’ll have a favorite outfit you wear. And he’ll always tell you how much he loves it when you wear it.
His favorite dress on me
He’ll hug you so hard that you’ll know he means it, yet so soft that you’ll know he’s trying to be gentle.
He’ll pick up every leaf he finds on the ground and give it to you as a little token of his love.
He’ll think you’re gorgeous even when the rest of the world acknowledges the hot mess you really are.
He’ll idolize you. In a beautiful, healthy way.
He’ll be your shadow.
He’ll go from being a total wild child to the ultimate snuggle bug the second you reach your arms out.
He’ll constantly bring you the special rocks he finds.
He’ll actually gasp—out loud—when you get dressed up. (Ahem, men—take note.)
He’ll tell you he’ll miss you during the night when you tuck him in, because the morning when he gets to see you again is too far away.
He’ll notice how soft your shirt is.
And your fingernail polish. He’ll always notice when you change your polish.
He’ll make you bracelets out of play-doh and pizza dough. And you’ll wear them like they’re made of diamonds because, well—they might as well be.
I would wear it forever if I could.
He’ll hold your hand. Tightly. For the world to see.
And he’ll hold you when you cry. Even when he’s a little kid. He’ll comfort you like you comfort him.
He’ll want to protect you even when he’s a quarter of your size. And he’ll be so confident about it that you’ll almost believe he can.
He’ll want you to be the villain so he can be the superhero (over & over & over), and then when he’s finally exhausted from saving the world he’ll ask, “Can you be Mama again now?”
He’ll make you feel more loved & adored than you ever thought possible.
He’ll make you so thankful that you get to be a BOYMOM. Because there’s really nothing quite like it.
These Mother’s Day Gift Ideas will cover every woman in your life—trust me. There is a perfect gift for her on this list…whoever her is.
As a Mama/wife/daughter, these Mother’s Day Gifts are all my favorite things—the things I love & the things I actually use.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas that are Mom approved. Grandmom approved. Sister, Aunt, Daughter, Niece & Friend approved.
Oh, and Wife approved, too. Obvi.
So don’t be afraid to send this list to whoever might be buying for you, Mama. It’ll make their life easy. 😉
Nearly everything is Amazon Prime or Target (hallelujah for 2 hour Drive Up!). Which means you’re not late. You’re right on time. 🙂
This post includes affiliate links.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: Jewelry & Clothing
C’MON MAMA Mama Bear Hat (with Baby Bear Cub!): Yes, these are my own C’MON MAMA hats so I might be a little bit biased, but they really are the BEST! I mean, did you see the little Bear Cub in the middle of the Mama Bear? She’ll never want to take it off. Trust me—the Mamas in your life will LOVE these hats.
Available in 2 styles—Vintage Charcoal or Denim Trucker—both with that perfect vintage look & a killer fit. You can’t go wrong.
Mama Shirts: If she’s like me & a sucker for tees/tanks that say Mama or reference being a Mom, get her a couple of these & she’ll be thrilled. All from Target & all awesome. I bought all 3 & wear them on repeat. “Raising Kind Humans” shirt, Mama Rainbow Tank, “Happy Mama” tee. You can’t go wrong with any of them. *Pro tip: You can probably even score one/all of these via Target drive up if you need a last minute gift!
MAMA Necklace: Simple, beautiful, & the word that says it all. I’ve worn my MAMA necklace since becoming a Mom (over 6 years ago!) & have taken it off only a handful of times. *If you’re shorter on time, these are my fave Amazon picks for Mama necklaces: Gold, Silver, & a beautiful spaced out version.
Bonus find: If you’ve got a Nana, Mimi or Gigi in the family…I gotcha covered with the perfect necklaces!
The BEST Pajamas: Target does it again. These = a must. My mom, sisters & I have several pairs each. That’s how great they are. They are the softest pajamas ever & look so cute/put together on. These are the only “matching” pajamas I own & I have to admit that my husband loves me in them (a step up from my regular t-shirts + jammy pants I guess, haha). They come in several styles, but the cropped pants are my fave style because they’re great for all seasons plus you don’t have to worry about the length being too short or too long. But I love them all & have the long pants, the long sleeves, the short sleeves, the shorts…see? I was basically telling Target to take my money as soon as I tried on my first pair…knew I had to have more.
The BEST Slippers: I only take these off to put on shoes when I leave the house, and then the second I get home I take my bra off and put my slippers off. My life is sexy like that. I honestly have 6 pairs. It’s like you’re walking on clouds. They’re one-size-fits-all which makes it so easy for gift-giving. And they don’t slip. They’re definitely equal to or better than slippers 5x as much. These have soft soles, so they’re “house” slippers, but they’re not flimsy. They are the cushiest.
The BEST Dress: I get nonstop compliments when I wear this dress. And it’s so inexpensive! It just looks so flattering on. I have it in 4 different designs because I’m a big fan of sticking with what works. This is THE most perfect dress for spring & summer. (I meannn, you can also throw on a jean jacket or cardigan + booties for fall/winter.) Belt or no belt both look great. The length is perfect for Momming.And did I mention the HUGE pockets?!
**One note: Avoid the dresses with the teeny buttons—for some reason they’re thinner than the others.
Who knew a $30 dress could be so lovely?
The Other Dress: This is my second favorite Amazon dress. I own it in multiple colors (told ya I’m like that). I have it in cheetah, dark green, & purple.
#MOMLIFE Headband: I’ve used these headbands for YEARS. Perfect for exercising and Momming…which is quite possibly the toughest workout of all. They put all other sporty headbands to shame for 2 reasons: they won’t cause a headache even after wearing them alll day, and they don’t ever slip. The 1″ ones are my favorite width.
Towel Wrap: Every woman needs one. Super simple, but super convenient–especially with kids glued to you at nearly all times.
iWatch Band: I genuinely love wearing my iWatch. And I really do like the normal sport band, BUT I love swapping this band in (takes 2 seconds) when I get dressed up. It makes my iWatch look like something really pretty that goes with all my jewelry.
Digital Photo Frame: I really think this is possibly the best gift you can give a Mother. If she doesn’t already have one, stop right now, get this one, and call it a day. I have the Carver frame and LOVE it. This frame is not the clunky old school digital picture frame. It’s simple & elegant and in two words: I’m obsessed. I love mine. Why? Well, because it is a joy to see all your favorite pictures & memories throughout the day. And also because it’s HARD to update framed photos throughout the house. It takes time…which is something Mamas don’t have a lot of. It also takes a lot of effort to pick which pictures are frame-worthy when you have approximately 37284720 pictures to pick from (yes, I have a picture-taking problem). This picture frame is a no-brainer and solves both those problems. It’s SUPER easy to add all her favorite photos for it to rotate through, and the kids & people of all ages in the house will LOVE looking at it as much as she does.
Pro tip: A digital picture frame also makes the perfect gift for Grandmothers!! Whether they live 5 minutes away or 5 states away, they will love it. And don’t worry—they won’t have to “do anything” to make it work! We gave one to each Grandmom for Mother’s Day a few years ago & it’s probably their fave gift we’ve ever given them.
*ORDER BY SUNDAY, MAY 2ND FOR MOTHER’S DAY DELIVERY!
Hinged Vase: The most beautiful & unique vase I’ve ever laid eyes on. I saw it on a friend’s dining table & just had to have it. It’s expensive. But it’s also just so cool. And it is inexplicably much cheaper on Amazon than in stores. *There is also a beautiful smaller version.
Capri Blue Volcano Candle: My fave candle ever. I buy it again & again & again. The tin container is perfect so it won’t break in transit. Honorable Mention: If she’s an 80s/90s baby, the nostalgic Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath & Body Works candle will resonate with her because old habits die hard.
Essential Oil Diffuser: No, you don’t need to be “into” essential oils to love a diffuser. I diffuse the Capri Blue Volcano oil (yep, same scent as that candle above—told ya I’m a die hard fan) & it makes my home smell so fresh and light. But you can diffuse any (essential) oil.
Willow Tree Figurines: If you want to give her something tender & special, pick out one of these. It makes a beautiful gift to give her “from the kids.” These are simple sweet statues/figures of Mothers with their child/children/grandchildren & have many different ages & stages so you’re guaranteed to find one that is perfect for her.
XL Heating Pad: Okay, this isn’t the sexiest gift, but damn if it’s not one of my favorite things I own. Like the frother, if this broke I would have to buy another one immediately. It turns out back pain is real, particularly when you’re picking up kids all day or leaning over & picking up toys…or let’s be honest, even if you just sit down “wrong” you might feel it in your back. This heating pad is big & plush & I use it every single night—even in the summer. (*My sis with no children bought one for herself recently & is equally obsessed. Verdict: Not just for Moms.)
Turkish Towel: I just love these. They are the only beach towels we use now & have for years. Turkish towels are the perfect beach/pool/lake towel. They’re so thin & absorbent & take up zero space & aren’t heavy at all…which is a lifesaver when you’re already carrying every single thing under the sun for a mere couple hours in the sun. They can also double as a cute swimsuit wrap/sarong AND a lightweight little throw blanket. And they’re perfect to wrap around kids and adults alike. Basically the perfect towel. And let me tell you, it felt good to get rid of all my heavy bulky beach towels that take forever to dry & use up all the space in my bag!
Okay, so I love these things so much that I’m currently switching all my regular bath towels out to these lush turkish bath towels. They’re so easy to wash because they’re not bulky like normal towels which means less laundry loads which means they are essentially the gift of time Ha. And anytime I have company they rave over them. I loooove these in particular for home because they’re a little more plush & prefer the other ones above for beach/pool/lake (because we use our beach towels hardddd aka kids/sunscreen/spills). Typically I stick with white towels just because they’re so easy to clean/bleach, but I did get a couple of the denim ones too just because I am a sucker for anything denim.
Couch/Bed Tray: I know you’re wondering what this is so hear me out. Years ago I was in an airport and I for some unknown reason bought a cambray tray in an airport coffee shop. Inexplicable impulse buy. 6 years later it is one of my favorite belongings and I legit use it every. single. day. I lost it under the couch for a few weeks recently and I honestly almost cried.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: IN THE KITCHEN
Coffee Frother: This is one of the few things I own that if it were to break, I would have to order another one immediately. I can’t do my coffee without it. It just makes it taste so good. I simply use it to stir my de-lish flavored creamer into my coffee. It makes it so frothy & yum. At this point I’ve bought one for every single person in my family.
Stemless Swirl Wine Glasses: I have to give my hubby credit for this awesome find. He got me a set of these “ergonomic” stemless wine glasses for Valentine’s Day and I LOVE THEM. He nailed it. For some reason, I much prefer stemless wine glasses to stemmed. They’re easier to handle, less likely to spill, and tbh the real reason is I can set them on my couch tray and my glass won’t tip over. These are super comfortable to hold and I love the little indentation for gripping. It also makes them look cool. They’re Riedel so they have the thin edge = they’re “fancy” like that. (I have the red wine set)
Electric Wine Opener: When I was a server, I legit used to pay another server $5 to open all the bottles of wine people ordered from my table. I hated doing it. Then again, I had to do it in front of the table & make it look poised and act like I knew what I was doing as an 18 year old non-wine drinker…so that probably had something to do with it, too. And then until I bought this thing, I always made my husband open the wine. BUT I actually like opening it now because this electronic wine opener makes it super easy…and even a little fun.
Gold Mixing Bowls: These are GORGEOUS. And, they have LIDS! (the cooking bowl equivalent of “it has pockets!” They are dishwasher safe (a requirement) & the finish stays on perfectly. These are so pretty that she will want to leave them out on the counter.
(*I also have the rainbow set because my little girl loves to cook with me & she loves all things bright & rainbow…plus, tbh I’m kind of extra like that since becoming a Mama. Like I used to wear mostly black & my kids LOVE when I wear brighter things so now I’m basically captain of Team Neon.)
Electric Tea Kettle: I love when practical things just look really awesome, too. Win win.
Swell Bottle: I have 5 of my own & use them constantly. They come in so handy with kids/momlife. At any given moment, I have my coffee, water, and I love these for taking refill water for my kids! They’re kind of like if Yeti made a bottle. They keep liquid hot or cold for an entire day which is awesome, but by far my favorite part is they DO NOT LEAK. And it’s not like the things that say they don’t leak but then the second its on its side it drips out. These legit don’t leak a drop. So you can toss them in your purse/diaper bag & go. I have 3 17oz bottles & two 25oz bottles (holds an entire bottle of wine…or so I’ve heard).
YETI Cup: If you have a Yeti cup that she uses, that doesn’t count. She needs one of her own. YETI is still King Queen for good reason. Their cups just freaking work & they hold up so well. A Mom’s coffee is never hot. Change that.
*Pro tip: Slap on the Mama Bear + Cub decal that comes with my C’MON MAMA hats! BOOM – instant customized cup. Plus it’ll stay on through allllll the washes.
Wooden Utensil Set: Simply beautiful teak utensil set that’s perfect to use with nonstick pans so they don’t get scratched them up.
Turkish Hand Towels: Told you I loved these things. I didn’t realize there were Turkish hand towels. Had to have. Love them in my kitchen & bathrooms. Turkish Towels just have such a cool vibe and they’re so neat & different. They also don’t hold water so they make great hand towels for cooking, cleaning, bathrooms, you name it.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: BEAUTY
Best Chapstick: Alert Alert!!!! This just in: They now have a Gift set of my 3 fave chapsticks in the history of the world!!! Don’t sleep on this. Just trust me. I’ll break it down for you below, but trust me. She will love these.
These chapsticks are my Holy Grail items. I have 7 of these at all times simply because I’m obsessed with it & never want to be without it. Moms know all about the house chapstick, purse chapstick, car chapstick, diaper bag chapstick, stroller chapstick, beach bag chapstick, bike chapstick, golf cart chapstick…I could go on.
For some light color, this one has been my go-to for 6+ years running.
For neutral/nude color this one is my go-to & keeps my lips so moisturized.
This is the only kind of lip color/thing I use. Everyone always wants to know what I wear on my lips & it’s these two chapsticks. I feel silly when yall ask me my lip color and I’m all like “Baby Lips Chapstick.” But it’s the truth!
*For summer, the sunscreen chapstick is a MUST (for her & the kids). It looks like this one is only available as part of the set right now. Get that set!
At-Home Hair Gloss: Does she have hair? If YES then get her this Olaplex gloss. Seriously. That’s the only parameter. It’s that awesome. It’s the same product that they use at salons, but it’s now available for home use…hallelujah. Won’t mess with color so don’t worry about that. It’s not cheap but it lasts foreverrrr. Who doesn’t want shiny, soft hair?
Wet Brush: Yes, she probably already has one. And yes she probably needs a new one. A cute, fresh one.
XL Barrette Clips: Finally! Clips big/strong enough to hold my hair back! They also look stylish because barrettes are having a moment right now. I wear these constantly. The normal sized ones couldn’t hold my hair back well enough but the largest ones were too heavy. These win.
Flowerbomb: This has been my go-to perfume for 10 years. I smelled it on someone one time and loved it so much I asked her about it. So glad I did.
Tinted Sunscreen: This is my holy grail. I literally don’t go a day without putting it on. Ever. I’ve tried others. I’ve even tried different Elta MD ones. But none can compare. It stays on all day, eves you out, it isn’t orange-y, it doesn’t break me out (which is saying A LOT because I break out easily), and it WORKS. My face never burns (thank god because Motherhood ages me enough without the sun coming after me, too). I wear it all year-round and honestly unless I’m getting dressed up for something, it’s the only thing I wear.
Geometric Makeup Bag: Sometimes something fun is just…well, fun. Perfect to throw in her purse.
Full-on Cosmetic Bag: For traveling or just the whole shabang, this thing is amaze. It has firm sides to protect what’s inside & is just a great cosmetic organizer/travel bag.
Toiletries Spin Tower/Organizer: Thought this was a bit much the first time I saw it. The second time I saw it I thought it might be cool. The third time I saw it I had to have it. I freaking love this toiletry organizer. And I love that it doesn’t take up much counter space. It’s basically a lazy susan for your bathroom. But make it elegant.
That sunscreen up top makes the cut, too.
MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS: ACCESSORIES
Airpods: I used to think that cheap bluetooth ear buds were as good. I thought wrong. I finally sucked it up and bought some Airpods. Never going back. I love them. Yes, they’re $$$. That’s why I never bought them before. Of course they sound great, but the voice clarity for calls is unmatched & the main reason why I love them so much. Everyone can hear me perfectly. If she has an iPhone, these are a no brainer because they just work so simply together. The charge lasts so long & I love that you can use just a single pod for making phone calls or listening to that podcast (ahem, shameless plug for my soon-to-be-released podcast!) while you fold laundry…& still be able to listen out for your kids with the other ear. *I linked these from Target because most locations have them in stock & you can do Drive Up pickup in 2 hours. BOOM. Done.
Lovehandle: Have used this for nearly 8 years. I like it way more than the loop or the knob thing. It frees up my hands which is a lifesaver because we only have 2 (although everyone seems to think Mamas have 20). It also keeps my hand from getting fatigued (from all that texting and scrolling, ha). *It also comes in an XL size.
Giant Tote: Perfect for groceries, yes—but also perfect for alllll the stuff Mamas haul around in their car. It folds flat when not in use (which for me is never, ha) & did I mention it has pockets? Pro Tip: This would also be fun to use as a big gift bag full of lots of Mother’s Day Gifts!
Laptop Bag: I am a SAHM and don’t “work” outside of the house, and I love having a laptop bag for the occasions that I do head out to get some work done. I tried 4 different laptop bags before settling on this one. It’s great. I love the look, the pockets, & the padding for protection. *It comes in various sizes to fit all laptops/tablets.
Kindle Paperwhite: If she loves books, she will love reading whatever she wants without straining her eyes…and without keeping up the sleeping baby/kid/ahem, grown man, ahem beside her. My sis is a bookworm and she used hers constantly when breastfeeding.
Book light: If she likes to read, get her this. It’s reliable & has 3 brightness settings. And it’s lightweight and doesn’t weigh your book down! *If she travels often, get this one with a case.
Blue Light Glasses: Do they work? Who really knows, but I think they do. And tbh they’re so stylish. I use them when we watch something late at night (once in a blue moon because #momlife ha) so the blue light rays don’t affect my sleep. I also take melatonin so there’s that.
Wallet: Does she have a wallet she actually likes? If not, this one is great. I’ve had it for a few years and love it. I love how flat and not bulky it is.
O Key Ring: Love this keychain. It’s perfect on my arm or pocket (orrrr tucked into my leggings, because lbh.)
Ta Da! I hope these Mother’s Day Gift Ideas make it super easy for you to give her the sweetest Mother’s Day ever.
After Momming through a pandemic, she deserves the world. I can promise you that.
Pssst—Father’s Day is just around the corner! Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with these perfectFather’s Day Gift Ideas!
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I’m a cautious, smart mom and my child choked. And it was my fault.
I didn’t lose him. Thank God I didn’t. But it was as real as real comes, and it was terrifying.
It was textbook choking. He was silent. He didn’t make a peep. He wasn’t coughing. He wasn’t gagging. He wasn’t flailing his arms. He was still. He was quiet. And he had an expression on his face that I’ve never seen on that precious little face before.
That’s how I knew it was real.
The sound of my sister’s voice. I knew. The way she said my name. It was quiet but it was different. Just hearing her tone, I immediately knew something was wrong with my son. I looked at him. I knew. There was no sound. I knew. His eyes were big and there was a look of worry. Helplessness, panic and worry. I knew.
My child was choking.
I shifted him forward in his chair and hit his back very hard several times.
I looked at him. Still no sound, still the same look in his eyes.
I felt the panic and the “Oh my god that didn’t work” wash over me.
I stood him up and slammed my hand into his back as hard as I could. Over and over again.
I didn’t know what else to do. And at the same time I knew the next thing I had to do was bend him over the chair in front of me or try the Heimlich.
I’ve never actually done the Heimlich. I know what you’re supposed to do but I wouldn’t say I know how to do it.
I’d lost my voice a few days earlier so I couldn’t even scream for help. I needed my sister to yell for a doctor or nurse.
My mind was racing a million miles an hour. And yet it was like everything was happening in slow motion. Slow enough for my mind to process the gravity of what was happening even as it was happening.
I was still beating his back as hard as I possibly could. I wasn’t worried about hurting him. I was worried about saving him.
Finally, I heard him cry my name through a weak sob.
I pulled him into my arms. I couldn’t breathe. Oh my God, I could’ve lost my child. Losing a child—or them losing me—is my biggest fear in the world. And I almost had.
My child choked.
I’d managed to get it up. Or out. Or at least shifted it so he could breathe.
I had done the first thing I could think to do. I don’t know if it was the right thing. Yes, it worked, but what if it hadn’t?
I send my regular babysitters to get trained in CPR & the like, but I hadn’t gone myself. It had been “on my list” for a long time. But I hadn’t done it. How arrogant of me to think I’d know what to do just because I’m the Mother.
I’m vigilant with their safety.
I use “leashes” in huge public settings. I’m scared of them running into the road. I’m terrified of kidnapping. I have them in survival swim lessons.
I worry about what they eat. What’s in the food I give them. How it impacts their growing bodies.
This post contains affiliate links.
I’m the Mom who cuts my kids’ grapes vertically every single time. And when those grape halves look too big, I cut them again. (**I finally bought this grape cutter, and it is THE BEST. Wish I had bought it years ago. It does a 4-way vertical slice, which is key. It’s super fast to use & I can even do it one-handed. My kids LOVE to use it, which is honestly a nice help. And unlike a lot of others, this one can cut way more than grapes. We use it for strawberries, cucumbers, olives & so much more. Get it now. Trust me.)
I’m also wary of whole bananas. Ice. Hot dogs. Peanuts. Popcorn. The list goes on…
I don’t like my children to eat with a sitter when I’m not there.
No shame in my leash game.
I’m careful. But still, my child choked.
I’m smart. But still, my child choked.
I’m a good Mom. And still, my child choked.
And it would’ve been my fault.
I made the mistake. I’m the one who thought a peanut M&M would be okay. I made that call.
We were at the theater. I don’t let my kids eat popcorn because it’s one of the main choking hazards for young kids. And yet I somehow thought peanut M&Ms would be okay.
I thought it would be okay because I’m careful. And because HE is careful. He chews. He tells his little sister to “take bites.” He is an excellent listener and a cautious child. So I thought it would be okay.
I had even momentarily hesitated and thought about it. And I ultimately decided it was okay.
I was wrong.
In one instant, everything could have changed. And I was almost completely helpless to save him. I’ve never felt so powerless in my entire life.
Even a medical professional might not have been able to save him if I hadn’t been able to. There are no guarantees.
Yes, I know “anything can happen to anyone at anytime.”
But that’s not what this is about. This is about me as a Mother making a mistake that could’ve cost my child everything. A Mother who loves her children more than she could have ever dreamed. A Mother who guards them with her life. A Mother just like you.
I’m just trying to say—it can happen to any one of us. Even the “careful” ones.
I took a CPR class the first chance I got. I hope with my entire being I never feel that helpless again.
And as careful as I am, I can be more so. I hesitated about the peanut M&M. My mom gut questioned it. And my mom brain or heart or who knows what overruled it.
Such a tiny little thing could’ve destroyed my entire world. I’m sharing this so others can think twice. And so we as parents can make sure we are as trained/prepared for an emergency with our children as we can be.
I wasn’t.
I wasn’t trained. And I sure wasn’t prepared.
I’m not afraid to say that I’m a great Mom. I am. But I almost failed my child. And in a way, I did fail him. Because I guide what is “okay” for him to do, eat, watch—you name it. He looks to me. And I thought it was okay. So, so did he.
He recovered quickly so we stayed at the show that night. He’d been so looking forward to it. The second I tucked him in and shut the door that night I just sobbed and sobbed. I went into our bedroom and told my husband what had happened. That our child choked. I couldn’t stop crying.
I was carrying the shock that I could have lost him. And the guilt that it was my fault that my child choked.
And I was carrying the weight of wanting to tell everyone in the world so it wouldn’t happen to them, yet not wanting to tell anyone because the heaviness of it was too much to repeat. It was the closest call of my life.
The day after it happened I called my sister to make sure it was as real as it felt. She told me it was. And that it had been shocking and she’d gone home and taken a long shower and cried and thanked God over & over that he was okay. I asked her to tell our mom and sister what happened because I couldn’t bear talking about it yet.
A few days later I spoke to my son about it. He remembered it. He remembered being scared and he remembered that I really hurt his back. No, he hadn’t been playing or jumping up and down or being silly. He’d been sitting calmly waiting for the show.
My child choked not because he was moving around or playing at the table or being silly or talking with his mouth full.
The truth is he choked because I gave him something I shouldn’t have. It’s important to remember that it can happen in any circumstance.
Years later, I am still reeling from this. That experience has shaped much of how I parent.
Sure, I may be more careful than some other Moms. I’m okay with that. I’m confident enough to tell another parent or even my kids’ school that my kids can’t have popcorn. I’m concerned enough to ask the hard questions of my kids’ school & teachers: Are they CPR/BLS Trained? Every year? I’m wary enough of my children choking to ask that my parents & anyone who watches them be trained.
We also regularly talk about choking safety and eating safety at home—all the time, actually. And how we can all be more careful. They notice that their friends may eat different things than they do or eat food cut up differently than theirs (or not cut at all), and they are confident enough to not let it phase them. That’s why talking about it with them is so important.
I remember talking to my husband about how inadequate I felt that I had no training on how to save my choking child. About how I was going to take a CPR/Basic Lifesaving Skills class immediately. He’s a surgeon. He told me the Heimlich is very effective. I asked “How effective?” His answer: “About 85% of the time.” My mouth dropped. I blurted out, “That’s it?!That’s all? That’s not good enough!”
Did you know that a child dies from choking every 5 days in the US? I didn’t.My child choked. He could’ve been a statistic.
So what can we do?
We can educate ourselves about the main choking hazards for children. (*Keep in mind that my son was 4.5—just because your child isn’t 2 years old anymore doesn’t mean he or she can’t choke.) We can take the life-saving skills classes & know what to do. Heimlich is one of the ways to save the life of someone choking. There are others. Like the back blows I did. And CPR. And we can make sure our babysitters and schools and day cares are trained.
We can make sure we don’t take any of it lightly. Because I can assure you, if your child is choking, it will feel anything but light. It will feel like the heaviest terror you can imagine.
Think of it this way:
It’s like preparing for the biggest test of your life—don’t you want to be as prepared as possible? Especially when it could mean life or death?
Mamas, I’m not trying to guilt you. Or mom-shame you. But I might be trying to scare you.
Scare you into getting the proper training and scare you into thinking twice. About the lollipop in the car (guilty). About the hot dog or piece of ice. Or maybe the spoonful of peanut butter. Or the latex balloon.
Because your child could choke.
Even if you’re a careful Mama, like me.
—
Update: I took a CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) class. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I know it’s tough to find the time. I know it’s tough to find the money. But, the peace of mind it gives you is worth every penny & every minute. You will not regret it. I cannot believe I didn’t do this sooner. I feel so much more secure in my Motherhood. Do it. Look for a class in your area asap. We can raise our kids, we can mold & teach our kids, we can love our kids…but we also need to know how to save them when we can.
Has your child choked or have you ever had a choking scare? Do you have any pointers? Tell me more in the comments.
If you just want to get straight to it & buy some Period Panties, click here. If you want to know why I love them & all the nitty gritty details of how well they mysteriously contain raging periods, read on. 👇
I’ve seen ads for Period Panties for years. And I honestly never gave them a second thought. Because like…how?
Just how? How do period panties work? How am I supposed to wear just panties all day and they will somehow magically absorb my period without feeling like I’m wearing a diaper? And how am I supposed to believe any of that?
And then there’s the other reason I haven’t tried them:
I’ve literally never heard a single soul in my life talk about period panties.
I mean, surely if something as mind-blowing as Period Panties that actually work was out there we’d be hearing about it 24/7, right?
I’m never going back to pads & tampons. Period Panties for life.
I have zero idea why women aren’t out there absolutely screaming about the amazingness of Period Panties from the highest rooftops.
Because Period Panties are game-changers. Dare I say life-changers.
The only thing I can come up with is that people (yes, apparently even women) are weird about talking about periods. That kind of blows my mind in and of itself because helloooo, at this point aren’t we past that? Periods are part of life. Period.
And as much as I dread that monthly visit, periods are the reason we’re able to have children. So, there’s that tiny little detail of epic magnitude.
But here’s the thing. Since I started using period underwear, I actually don’t dread my period anymore.
Seriously. They’re just that easy. And they’re just that good. You gotta try them. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to put on a pair of Period Panties in the morning & wear them all day long without having to worry about leaks. I’ve never been able to go a full day without leaking when I wear tampons or pads. I often used to wear both for added protection. (Notice I said “used to wear” … that’s because I’m NEVER going back.)
Like many (all?) women experience, my periods are monumentally heavier since having children. I’m talking super plus tampons and the longest pads I can find. And the bummer about the pads is that they usually show through my mom-iform aka yoga pants. So I go with tampons. But then I have to change them constantly.
I mean, that’s just not fun. Think about it. I leave the house armed with tampons & pads. Exciting stuff.
And the feeling when your tampon is full is something I hate. It’s like this weird kind of pressure. So then I often prefer pads. But they’re messier, obviously.
But you know what’s not messy? Period Panties.
I don’t know how, but they are soooo much less messy than pads. That part blew me away. I think it’s because they really do absorb it all instead of kind of letting things just sit there. You don’t get blood on you the same way. You don’t get smears on your legs. It’s amazing.
And full disclosure, it makes sex when you have your period so much easier/more enjoyable. Because you don’t have to worry about taking your tampon out or if you just put one in recently so you can’t take it out yet, etc. etc. etc. And you’re also not messy from wearing a pad all the live long day. Just wear your period underwear and then slip them off. That’s it.
Yes I fully realize that I’m fangirling over Period Panties.
Look how thin! Not bulky. Not diaper-y. And yet insanely absorbent.
No, this isn’t sponsored. I just genuinely want women and girls everywhere to know about this other option because it’s far superior to the status quo that we’ve all dealt with. I want everyone to try them.
I’m passionate about them because I feel like they truly do impact the quality of our lives—at least for 5-7 days a month. I wish I had known about them the day they were invented. I wish my friends who had tried them had told me how amazing they were. Hell I wish random strangers on the internet had talked about how awesome they are.
Hi. 👋 I’m going to be that random stranger on the internet singing the praises of period panties. No shame in my game if it helps other women.
🔴 Period Panties deets & facts that I know you’re wondering about:
Yes, I wear them without a pad or tampon. Just straight period panties. They haven’t leaked once.
I put on a fresh pair in the morning & then change to a new pair for night. Rinse & repeat.
They do not smell or have any type of odor. That impressed me, because pads definitely can have a scent.
They do not feel bulky. They’re like basic black panties. And they’re not thick, which is partly why they seem like magic. They’re made of super thin absorbent layers and boy do those layers work. Bamboo fabric apparently wicks moisture away 400% faster than cotton. I kept asking myself “But WHERE does it go?”
When it’s time to switch to a new pair, you can tell. It’s hard to explain exactly because they don’t feel thick or full…more like cold if that makes sense? And then when you put on a new pair it’s like ahhhhh.
Clots are absorbed. Again, not sure what kind of sorcery that is, but they are.
They come in all different colors. I bought the 3 pack of black to start. LOVE. I wanted to test them out and after 3 months of using solely period underwear, I’m hooked. Definitely buying more because having more on hand would make things easier for sure. This time I’ll add a nude or white pair in the mix so the black panties won’t show through light-colored clothes. I’m sticking with the exact same style/cut because I love them so much.
They have normal panty lines.
They fit TTS but if you’re in between sizes I’d size up.
I love the brand I have. I haven’t tried another brand and honestly I don’t think I will. These came highly recommended and they exceeded my wildest expectations. They are cheaper than some of the other more well-known brands and they are readily available on Amazon. I’ve heard that the other brands run out of stock all the time so it’s hard to order your size, etc. I’m sticking with these. I’m the kind of person that if something blows me away, I’m sticking with it.
Yes, they’re an investment up front. But think about never having to buy pads or tampons again and you’ll quickly see that you’re ultimately saving money. And honestly, even if you weren’t saving money over time (which you are), I swear these would still be worth every penny just based on how much they improve the quality of your life every month.
🔴 Period Panties wash/care tips to keep them working like the magic they are:
Don’t use fabric softener, it can break them down over time.
People say to wash them right after you take them off. I didn’t know that the first go round and let them dry before I washed them. They still worked great but I started washing them when I took them off the second go round.
I washed them with all the rest of my laundry every time. Everything came out perfectly each time. No bleeding or staining.
I hang dry mine but have friends who put them in the dryer. I don’t want to do anything to mess up how well they work so I’m trying to take extra care.
As soon as I tried period panties and experienced firsthand how well they work, I couldn’t stop talking about them.
Basic as can be. No, they’re not sexy. But they’re also not un-sexy.
I think I told my husband every single time I saw him those first couple cycles about their majesticness. Like I’d run in the room just to update him. I just couldn’t stop. I made him look at them. Feel them. Tried to explain to him how magical they were. He probably thought I was nuts because I was borderline obsessed. Then I told him how much easier they make having sex when I have my period and suddenly he was as big a fan as me. Ha. Men.
I called my sisters. My sister who has a one year old loves them so much she has already bought more pairs than me. My other sister has yet to try them. Her awakening is coming. I mean, I get it. I didn’t believe they could work either. Especially because no one I knew had ever even mentioned them.
When one of my mom friends found out I tried period panties, she said she was obsessed, too, and had been using them for a few months. I was like, “WAIT WHAT??! You knew about them and didn’t tell us?!!”
I think about how amazing period panties would be for postpartum.
(Postpartum nurses recommend waiting until you’re in the clear from the danger of large clots, etc. that you need to be able to see right after childbirth. But after that, hallelujah these would be amaze).
And then I think about period panties for adolescent girls.
And how these are such a better alternative for them. They can just have a special pair of panties to wear and that’s it. End of story. OMG I wish we’d had these when I was growing up.
And I think about how great period underwear would be for all the women who deal with urinary incontinence.
These would be epic game-changers for them, too. My husband is a urologist and I told him to start telling all his patients about period underwear.
So, to sum up: I love Period Panties. I don’t know why women aren’t sharing the gloriousness of period underwear with each other.But I am stopping that right now by writing this post.Get some. Try them. Report back.
And then tell all your friends about Period Panties. Or share this post with them. They’ll thank you. Period. 🔴
A new 2021 study just came out on the presence of PFAS in period underwear. They tested all of the biggest brands & I am thrilled to report that these Bambody period panties I love HAD ZERO TRACES OF PFAS!! Hallelujah because I don’t think I could’ve stopped wearing these either way, but I’m thrilled to know they came back scot-free.
Have you tried Period Underwear? Tell me what you thought in the comments.
The quality of that picture matches the quality of the night: rough. But the message of the picture matches, too: love.Love…and a little grace.
My kids completely unraveled me a few nights ago. First in the not-good-I’m-about-to-lose-it kind of way, and then in the OMG-I-couldn’t-possibly-love-them-more kind of way.
My husband was working late that night and I was going it alone with 2 kids who were being completely ridiculous.
They were struggling. They were tired. They weren’t listening.
They were starving. And they were complaining about every little thing.
I don’t like corn dogs.
Actually I do like corn dogs, but just not those.
I don’t want yogurt because I don’t want something cold to eat.
I meannn, Oh. My. God. We all know those days.
After a dinner that was anything but enjoyable, we went to take the dog out, and they lost a toy in a bush outside. It was dark out so I needed a flashlight to find it. Well, we had approximately 0 working flashlights in the garage so I managed to find a headlamp (ha) & then they both fell apart because of course they both wanted to wear it.
As I worked to unmelt the meltdowns our dog got loose…and did I mention it was dark outside?
I didn’t want my dog to get lost or hit by a car and I needed to really be able to search—quickly—for him. If you’re a parent you know that kids are never quick when you need them be. It’s kind of a like a law or something.
And since my kids had already been fussing & complaining & just generally ridiculous (kids are something), I put them in timeout in the garage so they would be still & in a safe spot while I looked for our dog. I knew they wouldn’t budge. I threw on the headlamp, ran around calling for him like a maniac, found him, drug him to the bushes so I could find their toy, found it, took a deep breath and ran back in the garage only to be faced with two kids absolutely crying their little eyes out.
And I do mean bawling.
They were terrified. Terrifiedbecause I’d left them sitting there while I went outside to search for our dog. Terrified because they were worried about me out there in the dark by myself. Terrified because they were worried about themselves in the garage all alone. Terrified because they were worried something had happened to our dog.
They were—in a word—a wreck.
My 6 year old half-asked and half-begged, “Can we still get a hug in timeout?”
My heart dropped. As low as it could possibly go.
In my hurry to try and find our dog before he got too far away, and in an effort to keep my kids somewhere safe & contained, I’d basically said “sit down, don’t move, I’ll be back” and ran out into the night. In their eyes.
But in my eyes I’d basically done the impossible—single-handedly. Found my dog, kept everyone safe, & found the toy that started the monumental downward spiral of the evening.
We did not see it the same way. Any of it.
“Can we still get a hug in timeout?”
That hit me so hard.
I ran over, scooped them up, and held them on the rough garage floor while they got it all out.
And let me tell you, that took awhile. They had a lot to get out.
Kids have big feelings.HUGEones. Probably even bigger than ours as adults because the world hasn’t desensitized them to anything yet. And I love that about kids and honestly I hope they never become desensitized to any their feelings.
But sometimes in all their complete & total unreasonable-ness we forget that they are literally trying to learn how to navigate this great big world.
Heck, I’m the grown up and I’m still learning to navigate it. And sometimes I get overwhelmed, too. And sometimes I’m ridiculous.
Sometimes I can’t get decide what I want to eat. Sometimes nothing sounds good. Sometimes I’m too tired to make a decision on what I want to watch & we end up watching 2 hours of movie previews because I couldn’t pick one. Sometimes I get hangry and lash out for no reason. Sometimes I’m worn out and impatient when I shouldn’t be.
I’ll be the first to admit that I can be completely absurd sometimes, too. And you know what? I usually have grace with myself when I am. (and I certainly ask for grace from those around me. ahem, *looking at my husband because the hanger/tired struggle is all too real & he handles MY meltdowns with ease*)
The point is, when I’m out of wack, I give myself some grace.
So I can at least offer the same to my kids.
And no, I’m not excusing their less-than-stellar behavior. They got put in timeout and we didn’t end up having the movie night we’d planned. Honestly it was kind of a terrible night. And stressful for all of us.
But I didn’t withhold any amount of love as we worked through the insanity. I hugged them, I held them, and I let them cry it all out.
Then I threw them in the bed as fast as possible because boy did they need it. And so did I.
I made sure to end the night by snuggling and singing to them. They needed extra love. And honestly, I needed to give it.
Because the only thing that could make me feel better & save me from an epic guilt trip was giving them that extra love—to try and erase the shit show that we’d just stumbled our way through.
We all took a few deep breaths together and agreed to a fresh “restart” the next day.
As they each fell asleep, my older child said he was “just too exhausted” and my younger child said she was “actually not exhausted at all.”
Yes, Mom-Shaming is a thing. And yes, it might be a little bit out of control.
But maybe not in the way you might think.
I’ve been a mother for 6+ years now.
And in that time, I’ve seen Moms shame other moms for everything under the sun. But then I’ve also seen the same Moms who were mom-shamed start mom-shaming those other Mamas right back. Did you get all that? Because that’s a whole lot of shame.
We’re not all the same. We don’t all like the same food. We have different favorite drinks. Some of us are homebodies and some of us are social butterflies (or vultures, depending on who you are). Some of us are beach babes. Others are mountain chicks. Some of us wear makeup and some of us don’t. The point is, we don’t even all pick the same kind of gum, why on earth do we think we would all pick the same way to parent?
When mom-shaming first came on my radar, it went kind of like this:
A “snobby” mom who would only feed her kids organic food, nothing processed, no refined sugar, thought formula to be sub-par, made her own baby food, etc. etc. (I think you get the point) would mom-shame a mother who didn’t do all those things, and make her feel like she wasn’t as good of a mom because she “obviously” didn’t care about her kid’s wellbeing.
That was complete BS, of course. And still is.
But not every mother who feeds her kid organic was like that then and they aren’t all like that now. Some does not equal all. I feed my kids organic. I don’t judge you for not.
The weird thing is that over the years I’ve seen mom-shaming evolve into something different. The mom-shaming I see the most now is the polar opposite of what I first saw. Now I see mothers shame other moms for doing all those same things I listed above.
“Oh you feed your kid organic?……Cool, we go to McDonalds.”
That kind of thing.
“You breastfed your kid?……Yeah, I hated it. I wanted to have a life.”
Hand me some aloe because that was a burn.
It’s almost like I’m witnessing a contest to see who can be the coolest, most laid-back, IDGAF Mom out there. And that’s such a weird title to vy for.
And here’s the thing. These moms are just as bad as the original “holier than thou” mom-shaming mamas.
There’s no difference. Both are still mom-shaming other Mothers.
And both should be ashamed.
I called Krispy Kreme the “donut factory” & it was a total Mom Win.
I fall somewhere in the middle of those two mama caricatures. Yes, I want the absolute best for my kids. I want to feed them the best, I want to nourish their growing little bodies, and I don’t want them stuffed with hormones or fillers or antibiotics (from the food they consume or from their doctors). But I also love Chick-fil-A (and they do, too), I vaccinate, I always want the antibiotic for backup in case we can’t kick whatever it is. I’m currently worried my kids are getting way too much sugar even though I continue to offer them treats. We don’t drink juice. I buy the expensive milk. We go to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts. We eat mac & cheese & ice cream some nights and a meat & 2 veggies & a grain other nights.
In short, I do the best I can. I don’t think I do it perfectly. I mean, I know I don’t. And I am learning everyday. I’m learning how to better care for my kids. Learning what is good and bad for them. Learning what matters and what doesn’t in the big scheme of things. And I’ll never stop.
I don’t want to be made to feel bad for any of it.
It doesn’t make you a superior Mom just because you only buy—and canafford to only buy—the “healthiest food” for your kids.
And it doesn’t make you a cool Mom to not give a shit about their food either.
And if you boast about either of those things, it just makes you a mean Mom.
While we’re at it, there’s a hugely important factor in surviving Motherhood. And that’s a sense of humor. I’m not sure how you could be a parent without it. In fact, I think the quickest way to find a sense of humor is probably to have kids. Parenthood elevates you and humbles the hell out of you all at once.
But, having a sense of humor and making fun of other Moms and how they parent are not the same thing. Don’t get those two confused.
Laughing together about the absolute insanity of raising little beings is one thing. Laughing at parents who do it differently than you is another.
Mom-shaming a Mother for caring too much is every bit as bad as shaming a Mom for caring too little.
#momfail. or maybe #momwin?
It’s like there is this popular breed of mama right now that is non-judgy in a way that makes them judgy.
Hating a hater doesn’t make you a lover.
Bullying a bully doesn’t make you good person.
And mom-shaming a mom-shamer doesn’t make you a better mom.
A double negative might make a positive in math, but this is real life. And it doesn’t work that way.
I don’t want to be mom-shamed for letting my kids have too much sugar.
Or for not letting them have juice.
And I don’t want to be mom-shamed for only buying organic.
I don’t want to be mom-shamed for breastfeeding my children for 18 months and 14 months.
And I don’t want to be mom-shamed for loving breastfeeding.
I don’t want to be mom-shamed for going on date nights and having babysitters regularly. (Pre-Covid, obvi. RIP date nights. Hope to see you again one day.)
And I don’t want to be mom-shamed for not letting my kids sleep in my bed.
Or for holding them for a 3 hour nap when they beg me to stay.
Don’t mom-shame me for being religious about nap time. That time is sacred & saves me from mom burnout.
And stop mom-shaming me for identifying most as a Mother. Of course I freaking identify as a Mother. It’s my heart + life + job + responsibilities + world rolled into one. How could it not define me?
Stop mom-shaming me for traveling and leaving my kids at home. Or for being too scared to fly and leave them behind. I’ve done both.
Or for being too enthusiastic or caring too much about something in my kid’s life.
Don’t mom-shame me for potty-training my kid later than you think I should.
Vegging out in front of the TV.
And don’t mom-shame me for letting my kids play with the phone at the table after they’ve finished eating and we still haven’t gotten our entrees.
Or for not letting them play with the phone. I get to make those decisions. Me.
And no more mom-shaming for not volunteering for every single thing at my child’s school or for not wanting to be in charge. I want my time & energy to go toward my own kids above anything else. I’m selfish that way.
I don’t want to be mom-shamed for loving motherhood. And I mean really, truly, unabashedly loving it. To the point that I even love the sticky child handprints all over my house. Yes I still have a life outside of Motherhood. But my favorite part of my life is Motherhood. No shame in my Mama game.
I don’t want to be mom-shamed for worrying too much about my children.
Or for watching them too closely on the playground and creeping on total helicopter status.
Or for okaying a piece of candy that my child choked on. (Yes, this happened, it was my fault, & the most terrifying moment of my life.)
And definitely don’t mom-shame me for kissing their boo boos. I have a select number of years that they will even let me do this. If they want me to kiss their booboo you bet your ass I’m going to smother them with kisses and make it all better. Because I can. Because at this point in their little lives Mama can fix it. And while I can fix it, I’m going to fix it. Yes, I know they’re alright. You really think I don’t know when my kids are okay and when they’re not? It doesn’t matter to me if “it’s just a scratch” — I’ve probably got 10 years tops of kissing booboos. I’ll kiss every one I can. My child can still be brave and tough and want Mama to kiss his booboo.
So, stop mom-shaming me for making my kids too soft.
Or for making them too hard. For not believing in tough love. Or for being stricter than you think I should be.
(Oh, and for the record: When someone says the whole “The days are long but the years are short” thing to you, they’re not mom-shaming you. They’re giving you some solidarity & perspective. Take it.)
Have you ever been mom-shamed? Tell me more in the comments.
Something hit me hard a few nights ago. I was overwhelmed, tired, not feeling totally like myself…and I just couldn’t kick it.
One of my fave shows was premiering for the season that night, and I gave myself the break to sit down and watch it. I laughed & sat still (and snuggled with my husband) for a mere 22 minutes and IT FELT GREAT.
And more than that, I felt so much better afterwards. I felt lighter & a little renewed just by sitting down & watching something totally mindless & funny for a few minutes.
And it dawned on me that THIS is what it must feel like for our kids sometimes, too. We get so caught up in the whole screen time debate & trying not to overdo it on screen time that we might forget how good it feels to just sit down & watch TV sometimes.
Taking it to the next level with TV tray & all.
To laugh. To veg out. To sit still.
It feels good.
In fact, I bet it feels as good toTHEM as it does toUS.
Because sometimes our kids need to veg out, too.
In many ways, childhood is to kids what adulthood is to us—though I know we never look at it that way. But it really is. Childhood is their reality just like adulthood is ours.
Childhood is fun & freeing & exciting…and exhausting & overwhelming. They get overworked and tired, too. And they get stressed. Yes, even our little ones.
Honestly just sitting down & watching that one show that night helped turn my entire mood around. I enjoyed it and dare I say I needed it. But the truth is, I did.
So what if instead of pushing our kids to do something “worthwhile” all the time, we sometimes just let them do “nothing?” What if we let them totally veg out?
And here’s the biggie—what if we didn’t feel bad or guilty about it?
That night I asked my husband to scoot closer so we could snuggle. He did, and it made me feel better.
And something about that hit me hard, too.
Snuggling with my hubby made me feel better…exactly like it makes my kids feel better when I pull them close after they ask me to snuggle them.
So, what if when they asked us to snuggle them, we sometimes just stopped what we were doing and oh, I don’t know—snuggled them?
It sounds so simple, wonderful & easy…and yet I find myself seldom just sitting down to chill out with them.
I usually turn on the TV for them to watch so I can take care of other things. I rarely put it on to watch with them. But when I do, they absolutely LOVE it.
Kids are mini versions of us. Sometimes what feels good to us might feel just as good to them. TV. Comfort food. Snuggles. Laughing.
So much to think about. But I’ll think more about it later.
Because right now I’m going to call my kids over to the couch & turn on a show.
Or 10.
And I’m not going to feel guilty about it.
And I’m going to make a point to snuggle with them for some of it.
This is THE list of Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids.
Basically, I’ve done all the work so you don’t have to. Like you, I live & breathe my kids. Andddd I’m a researcher. And review reader. And a tryer of all the things (thanks, Amazon, for the endless free returns!).
These are the best Christmas gifts for kids all rolled into one post.
Big stuff. Little stuff. And everything in between.
I’ve included the things we’ve bought over the past 7+ years that we’ve loved & that are still in use today.Our “holy grail” things that have been BIG wins.
And did I mention every single thing on this list is Amazon Prime or Target? (Because lbh, we know expedited shipping is CLUTCH in #momlife … and because Target Drive Up is my new love language. Which means, don’t worry—you’re not late buying gifts—you’re right on time. The gifts will be there on time. Hallelujah!)
This post includes affiliate links.
Alright, let’s do this!
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
CREATIVITY + ART & CRAFTS
Jumbo Rainbow Magnadoodle: One of the best things I’ve ever bought for my kids. We use them daily. And I do mean daily. I draw pictures on it every few nights for my kids & it’s one of the things they look forward to the most. When we go out on a date night (pre-pandemic ha), I always leave a note on them when we get home so that when they wake up in the morning & see a new pic they know we came home & checked on them. Both kids draw on theirs every single night.
LCD Rainbow Writing/Drawing Tablet: So cool. This is just like a Boogie Board, only less than half the price. It also comes with an extra pen & stylus and has rainbow “ink.” We keep one for each of my kids in the car at all times. *I appreciate that the button battery (one of my greatest fears) is secured with a screw! (many of them in similar products aren’t)
Mega Puffy Sticker Pack: WIN!!! My mother-in-law sent us these & it’s the gift that keeps giving. And giving. Kids LOVE stickers. Parents LOVE puffy stickers. Why? Because they’re the one true sticker that kids can easily play with autonomously. I hate regular stickers because my kids can’t peel them off by themselves. These puffy stickers are the bomb. I can put down 10 sheets and my kids go to town for a solid hour. This is a great joint gift for kids.
Easel: We use ours often & I always love how my kids magically turn into little Picassos & take their work so seriously. This easel has adjustable legs so it can be a floor or table easel…and grow with them. I love that both my kids can use it at the same time. Pair it with this XL easel paper pad— (sooo much easier than the roll) & our personal fave KwikStix (details below).
KwikStix: I’ve talked about these so many times before. I wrote a whole article about how KwikStix are a total mom hack. They are basically the perfect paint/crayon hybrid. And superrrr washable. We use them for EVERYTHING. (*Get the big box if you want alllll the colors.)
Baby/Toddler Water Easel: For the super young ones, this is awesome. Paint with just water. 100% mess free. Let their creativity soar with just water. It dries in minutes & they can do it all over again.
Make Your Own Puzzle: Bank white puzzles that kids can color on & decorate to make their own. So fun. Kids can be super abstract in their artwork (just mine?), so it will be fun for them because THEY will know how the pieces fit back together even if I don’t. *I recommend using crayons, colored pencils, or permanent markers. Regular markers take too long to dry & will be smeared in the process.
Mini Sketch Pad: My kids are obsessed with these little sketch pads. They love having their own “journals” or “books” & even sometimes turn them into never-ending sticker books. Also love these mini Doodle Pads.
Electric Pencil Sharpener: Last Christmas we gave our son a big set of colored pencils & his own sharpener for his room. He LOVES it. And I mean looooves. (The world is weird. Now that we really don’t need electric pencil sharpeners anymore, we forget how cool they are for kids.)
“Pencil” Box: This is just an all-around great container. My kids use theirs for their school pencil boxes, but they’d also be perfect for holding crayons/marker/scissors etc. at home. Great size. Designs= Frozen, Avengers, Superhero, Minnie Mouse…
Paint by Sticker: Such a neat activity that will keep your older kid engaged for some timeeee. (hallelujah for that!)
Dry Erase Boards + Markers: My kids refer to these as “magic” boards, because that’s kind of what they are. We forget how cool they really are. I used to LOVE when I’d get picked to write on the dry erase board in class. This size is perfect for them. My kids get so pumped when I pull these out.
Tie Dye Kit: This one is so easy & fun. My kids LOVE doing this. *Pro Tip: If you have a stainless sink do it in there and there is no mess/staining to worry about.
Rainbow Knit Loom: Ages 7+ and so much fun. Simple enough to do but impressive enough to feel a major sense of accomplishment.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
OUTDOOR FUN
Bike + Basket
Scooter: IF YOUR KID DOESN’T HAVE ONE OF THESE STOP & GET ONE RIGHT THIS SECOND. That’s how strongly I feel about these scooters. They are the best. Sooo easy for kids to get the hang of. So fun. My kids have been using them since a little before age 2, no lie. My son is 6 and still rides his constantly. He has the larger Maxi Version because he was an enormous child so we started him on that one. My 4 year old daughter has the mini.
Helmet: I love this helmet because it comes in different sizes & colors and it grows with them. And I love that it’s blank because my kids slapped their own little stickers all over theirs!
Bike: Love this brand. We have one for each of my kids. These bikes are super lightweight which made a huge difference in my kids learning to ride a bike. We tried another bike from Dick’s before this one, but it was just too heavy for my son. And he’s not a small kid. Also, it is nearly impossible to find an 18″ with training wheels, which is exactly what we needed. Avail in 14″, 18″ & 20″ sizes.
Bike Basket: I am in love with this basket. The Junior size is the perfect size for kids (the “kid” size is too small to be meaningful). This basket is large without being heavy & it doesn’t throw their bike off balance at all. They love having their own bike basket & I love that it doesn’t flop around. Oh, and I love that they can carry their own stuff in it. Hooray for free(ish) hands.
Bike Bell & Tassels: Because sometimes being “extra” is so much more fun. For the Spiderman fans, check out this bell. *Oh, and don’t sleep on spokes beads! My kids are getting them this year & are going to LOVE them.
Kid Skateboard: This 23″ board is the perfect size for kids. And it’s width gives it the stability beginning riders need.
*Don’t forget the pads! Skinned knees hurt. No matter how “big” you are.
Chalk: Great joint gift for kids. Our chalk stash is alwaysss in need of a refresher. A fresh set of chalk just feels good.
Bubble Gun: Enough said. This comes with 2 & I love that it has a larger “bubble reservoir” so you don’t have to refill it as much. Bubble guns are finicky & these have lasted great so far.
If you want something different, check out this jumbo bubble gun that blows big bubbles with smaller bubbles inside. It doesn’t have a reservoir—it’s a dipping bubble gun. Great choice for older kids.
*Bubble refill: You’ll need it. They’ll burn through the bubble solution so quickly because they’ll be so excited about their new bubble guns. Be prepared.
Slingshot: This is a quality toy. It doesn’t look like a toy. It looks authentic & awesome. And works just as awesomely. Guaranteed hit.
Bow & arrow: This soft-tipped arrow set is so much fun. My kids love playing with it & I love that the “arrows” are not pointy.
Walkie Talkies: Ahhh, the notoriously finicky gift that all kids love & then get frustrated over because they don’t work. This is the most reliable set I’ve found. Phew. They come in a set of 2 or 3 & you can add on more.
Laser Tag: An epic gift for bigger kids. I used to looove playing laser tag growing up. This is a set of 4 with laser shooters & vests. Make sure you stock up on AAA batteries, because once they start playing they might never stop. (Adults have been known to join in the fun, too). *These laser tag “guns” have 4 “gun style” options so if guns are a no-go in your house, you may want to skip.
Treasure Map: So simple & yet so awesome. It’s waterproof & so fun for outside. Also rip-proof. Basically kid-proof.
Light up Football: With the nights getting dark early, this glowing football is awesome. Basketball also available.
Dodgeball Set: How fun is this?? Love the colors & that they’re a bit softer than the norm.
Binoculars: These are awesome. Easy for kids to use, comfortable to look through, & with 8x magnification instead of a measley 2x magnification. The real deal.
Tree Face: The tree we put this face on instantly became an enchanted, magical tree. We had a tree face on one of our trees growing up & I’ve never forgotten about it. $20 is a cheap price to pay for some much-needed magic these days.
Outdoor Bell: If your kids have a swing set/fort/tree house, this bell makes an awesome addition. Of all the accessories I bought for my kids’ tree house, this is their hands-down fave.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
BLOCKS, LEGOS & BUILDING THINGS
Magnetic Tile “Blocks”: We play with these ALL the time. They’re the BEST. One of my fave toys I’ve ever gotten my kids, and one of their fave toys hands-down. Imaginations can run wild. These are cheaper than some of the more well-known brands but the quality is equal.
Magnetic tiles are seriously one of the best gifts you can give your kids. They will play with them for years & you can add to their collection year after year with different shape & color combos. Imaginations can run wild. PicassoTiles, Magnatiles, Skymags, etc., all work together flawlessly, which is part of the beauty of these tiles. You can interchange brands & sets to form the most epic sets ever.
*Up your collection by adding this “designer artistry” set. We always needed more tiles to keep building bigger castles & towers, and these solved that problem!
*This year we’re giving our kids this “ice” set. I see many, many ice castles in their future.
Bristle Blocks: Yet another fun toy to imagine & build with. Best for younger littles.
LEGO starter kit: The perfect introduction to all things Lego without being too complicated. If your kid is a Lego affiicionado, the Lego options are endless.
Lego Picture Frames: This is so neat. Let them build their own picture frames. I’m giving this as a joint gift to my kids this year & they’re going to love it. The entire Lego DOT collection is pretty fun with the DOT bracelets being one of the most popular items.
Lego Storage: Not gonna lie, I bought this because it’s just so cute. But, it’s also just so functional. My kids are now getting into legos which means thousands of little pieces everywhere. Save your sanity. **Also LOVE this Lego “Face” Storage that just launched at Target!
Classic Train Track: Not too much compares to a classic train track set. We’ve had ours for 5+ years & my two kids still LOVE playing with it.
Dinosaur Snap Race Track: Someone gave this to my boy for his 5th birthday & it is AWESOME. Love these flexible tracks. A fun spin on traditional train tricks.
Build your Own Flower Garden: This set has been a hit with my kids for 3+ years now. They make little gardens & flower arrangements all the time. Sometimes they make them so villains can destroy them, and sometimes they make little arrangements for tea parties. Anything goes. (I love that about kids).
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
GAMES, ACTIVITIES, MUSIC & “TECH-Y” STUFF
Kids Digital Camera: I looked at soooo many cameras before picking this one. This one is perfect: perfect size, perfect features, perfect storage…and super easy to use. We gave one to each of my kids last year (ages 5 & 3 at the time), and they have LOVED them.
Mini Polaroid Camera: For kids who are a little bit older, this is so fun. I love all these retro-ish items coming back around.
Audio/Story Player: THIS THING IS SO COOL. This is basically a small storytelling device that kids can use easily on their own. No screen, just listening. You buy little cards that they insert to listen to the story they want. They have some of the classic fave books available. It also has a “just for kids” daily podcast. The interface is super simple & cool. We find our 6 year old lying in bed or on his rug all the time just listening to this. Looove this screen-free creative option.
Light up Microphone & Bluetooth Speaker: We have 2 & use them ALL the time. They sing on them & also listen to their favorite songs on them (via Bluetooth from my phone). AND, they can sing along WITH the songs (not all of them let you do this). Also, the speaker for music & mic is loud enough. A karaoke machine without the machine, if you will.
Headphones: If they need their own pair, these are perfect. Comfortable & durable.
Dino Dig: A dozen dino “eggs” that crack & chisel open to reveal a baby dino inside. Someone gave this to my son for his birthday & it was spot on. It was so cute watching them work intently hoping they were going to reveal the T-Rex. *For the dino lovers, there’s also a fossil dig kit version & this larger single fossil dig kit!
Gemstone Dig: My kids are obsessed with rocks. This dig set has one giant “rock” that you chisel open to “mine” for gemstones. Another great & fun way to keep your kids occupied doing something they love—digging!
Kid Yoga Mat: My kids were dying for their own yoga mats because my husband & I do yoga at home. It was sweet that they wanted to be like us. These yoga mats are the perfect size for kids & they’ll love the bright colors & designs.
Ukulele: This ukulele comes in a million different colors & with a strap & pick. IT’s a great set.
For the littlest ones, I love this natural, small ukulele.
Electric Guitar: Just their size. Comes with an amp, case, tuner, strap & cable. This thing is quality. The real deal. My husband has 6 guitars of his own & was super impressed by this little rock guitar.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
MAKE-BELIEVE, HOUSE, DOLLS, CASTLES, & COSTUMES
Kitchen: (linked below) Playing house is one of every kid’s fave things to do. And how can you play house without a kitchen? (am I right or am I right? I feel like I might as well live in the kitchen.) My children play with their play kitchen every single day. No lie. If your kid doesn’t have a kitchen yet, this would be the perfect gift. And if your kid already does have one, make sure you get the below kitchen accessories & add-ons. They are golden.
Dust Buster: Hear me out. Tell your kids it’s a mini vacuum—just their size—& give it to them to clean up their messes & endless crumbs with. They’ll love having their own & rise to the occasion. I discovered this by accident. You’re welcome.
Cardboard Playhouse Castle: I think this “life-size” playhouse castle is about the coolest thing ever. It is blank so kids can color all over it & make it their own. This would make an awesome Santa gift because it is a BIG present (with a small price tag!)
Wooden Castle: We’ve had this exact castle for 5 years & it still gets used all. the. time. By my son and daughter. It’s compact and opens up and is a total win. My son puts his dinosaurs, superheroes, and Beast & Gaston toys in it all the time. Right now it has become the Nutcracker’s castle. This little castle is one of my fave finds ever. (*They also have a pink one )
Indoor Playhouse/Fort: It’s beautiful. It’s large. Awesome for a playroom or bedroom!
Dollhouse: Santa brought a dollhouse for my little girl last year. A dollhouse is the stuff little girl dreams are made of. *If you want a BIG dollhouse, this giant dollhouse is perfect!
Baby Doll Stroller: We have this one & one of the 4 wheel strollers. This one is my kids’ fave & the fabric doesn’t slip/fall off like on our other one. It’s been in heavy use since three Christmases ago & is still perfect.
Baby Doll Cradle/Bed: Must-have if your kid likes dolls. Honestly, my son and daughter both play with our doll cradle equally. Sometimes the dolls are asleep, sometimes the Beanie Babies, sometimes the Superheroes.
Santa is actually bringing this “Let it Go” Elsa dress! this year because after 2 years of intense wear, my daughter needs a fresh one. And although I love Frozen 2 more than Frozen, “Let it Go” is still my daughter’s main jam)
*We also looove these costume nightgowns because they are so soft & comfy! And washable!
Unisex Crowns: Fit my son when he was 1, fits him now that he is 6. Same for my daughter. They don’t hurt their head, they’re soft, and they’re the cutest. These crowns are one of my all-time fave finds & they get worn nearly every day. (This flower crown version is beautiful, too, and my son loves this black one.)
Sparkly dress-up shoes: I love that they can take these on & off by themselves. They velcro which is far superior to a buckle for little ones. I’m not a fan of the elastic banded ones because my kids have always had chunky feet & the elastic cuts into them.
Doctor Kit: Kids love playing doctor. It’s universal.
Cop Set: Cheap but fun. Yes, the handcuffs are flimsy & will likely break. If you want ones that won’t break, get these sturdier cuffs. My kids genuinely love to tie each other up and play good guy/bad guy. They also make me pull out wrapping paper ribbons to tie their hands so I am thrilled to give them handcuffs this year. (and ropes/ribbons/strings scare me because of strangulation hazards.)
Dinosaurs that Roar: If your kid is into dinosaurs at all, GET THESE NOW. Like click the link & Buy Now. You won’t regret it, trust me. They are big, they feel cool, and they roar. My son has 100 other dinosaurs but these take the cake & were a great addition to his ever-growing collection. (Seriously, these are so cool that they single-handedly made all the boys in my son’s class want to be the first one to school just so they could play with their favorite dinos from this set.)
Indominus Rex: This is the end-all-be-all if you have a dino lover in the house. Just trust me. My son has loved this toy ferociously for a year+. His friends all swoon over it.
Baby Indominus Rex: Just what it sounds like. Got this for my daughter this year & she’s going to flip out because she sees her brother playing with Indominus all day every day.
Gigantosaurus: Sticking with Dinosaurs for a second. If your kids like the show Gigantosaurus then this toy is so fun.
Giant Sequin Snake: My son wanted one of these so bad that he used his birthday money from Nana to buy his own & we had to scratch it off his Santa list. It’s big, fun & does that reverse sequin thing. Of course his sister had to have one, too. I can’t get over how inexpensive these are!
Jumbo Rubber Ducky: If your kids don’t have one, get one now. We have had 2 (one for each kid) for almost 4 years. I love that they have no hole in the bottom (they’re not squishy), so they can’t get any mold. They float perfectly & we play with them in the bath, in the kiddie pool, on “dry land” just because they’re fun, & have even taken them to the pool!
Don’t forget about toys/plushes from your kid’s fave tv show or book! Daniel Tiger is BIG around our house. These Daniel Tiger stuffed animalsare perfect. Octonauts, Puppy Dog Pals, PJ Masks, Paw Patrol…You name it…there’s a toy.
Stretch Armstrong: The one & only. It stretches like crazy. That’s it. And yet it’s so so fun.
Goo Jit Zu: My son is a HUGE fan of these! New-age stretch armstrong-ish. They even have Marvel characters!
Mr. Potato Head: Would you believe I had forgotten about Mr. Potato Head? Not anymore. We are giving one to our kids this Christmas! *Potato Head toys have small parts so don’t spring for this until your kids are past the “putting everything in their mouth” stage.
Jumbo Rainbow Slinky: My kids have played with this for years. Literally years. I actually ended up cutting it in half so they could each have a section.
Garbage Truck: Kids are mesmerized with garbage trucks. It’s a thing. Get them their own.
Rocking Horse or Animal of Choice: Classic. For the younger kids, a must-have. My 6 year old still rides his that we gave him for his 1st Christmas. *Bonus: they have the cutest other animals…everything from swan to flamingo to dinosaur.
***If you still have your old Beanie Baby collection at your parents’ house or in storage somewhere, go get those adorable things out right this second. My old Beanies are my kids’ all-around most-used toy. Because I had every animal under the sun, so no matter what we read or watch, they can always find a Beanie Baby to go along with it. Trust me, if you still have yours somewhere, find them.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
CLOTHES, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
Rain boots: These are our fave. My fave because they are easy for the kids to put on by themselves, and are the easiest thing ever to clean after really dirty, muddy days. Either just spray off or put in the washer. You can’t mess them up. They’re my kids’ fave because of the fun colors and they are SO lightweight & comfy. Again, they can put them on by themselves because they aren’t too narrow + the handles are great, and they can run in them without tripping. I always size up in rain boots.
Toddler girl light up sneakers: WE LOVE THESE. Fit true to size. SO comfy, so cute. We’ve bought 3 pairs. Your girl will loooove them. Guaranteed.
Little/Big Boy & Girl Light Up Shoes: My 5 year old has a big foot (size 1-2 boys) so it is hard to find him “little boy” shoes sometimes. I still want velcro for him. And he was dying for some new light up shoes. I got these for his Christmas this year & OMG THEY ARE AWESOME. He totally flipped. *They have girly colors, too.
Rainbow Sequin Jacket: My daughter had a fit over this jacket when I gave it to her.
Rainbow shirt: This is one of my favorite shirts I’ve ever bought my daughter. It’s the perfect weight. So lightweight & soft. I’m adding the “Ready” one to her Christmas stash this year because I’m a sucker & it’s so cute, too.
Boys Sequin Flip Sweatshirt: IF YOU HAVE A SON BUY THIS NOW. Let me tell you, it is hardddd to find sequin flip shirts for boys. And of course boys want them, too. Because they’re awesome. This. One. Will. Be. A. Hit.
Pizza Shark Sequin Flip Shirt: I’m so glad they make “boyish” sequin flip shirts now. I swear a couple years ago there were virtually none, and my son loved them so much every time he saw one of his friends wearing them. This one is tops.
Marvel Shirt: This shirt is so handsome. Probably one of my top 5 faves on my son.
Pompom TuTu: I saw a tutu like this in Target but you had to buy a whole outfit set with it & I just wanted the tutu so I didn’t get it. I was so excited to find this one on Amazon! It’s so cute.
Slippers: Adorable & cute for boys & girls. Love that they have hard rubber bottoms so they don’t slip & they can run outside without getting feet wet.
Little Girl Undies: We have these in all the designs. Love them. Precious prints & they don’t rub.
Kids Watch: Both “Boyish” Watch & “Girly” Watch colors/designs. A classic, simple Timex analog watch. All the stuff you want in your little kid’s watch, none of the stuff you don’t (games, apps, etc.). I love having an analog watch for my son because it helps teach him to tell time & makes him practice daily. I also LOVE that this watch doesn’t have a buckle strap–it has an adjustable elastic strap & they can slide it on by themselves. The strap is also soft so it’s comfortable for them. And the price can’t be beat.
*If you want a “smart” watch for your kid, this one is a good option.
Hair bows: This is my favorite set. Every color she could want. I love the size because they’re only 3″. But, I know some of you Mamas scoff at anything under a 6″ bow. I gotcha.
*These rainbow bows are guaranteed to be a hit, too! And these sparkle bows, too! My daughter LOVES her sparkle bows.
*Don’t forget the most amazing unicorn bow holder you’ve ever seen. She will die.
Caboodle: Because old habits die hard. Your little girl will love having her own special box. Fill it up with these “necessities”–
Non-slip Headband: These are my favorite headbands for myself & this is the cutest one for kids. It won’t hurt their head, even after wearing it all day long.
Colorful Water bottle/Thermos: My kids just told me last week that these are their favorite cups ever. We have every single color. *We get the straw lid because the spout lid pours too fast for my kids. For older kids, might be fine. (I like these better than the Yeti kids because the Yetis are much heavier & the handle stays up & gets in their way when they’re trying to drink.) *I usually put one of these in their stocking each year.
Rainbow Utensils: GET THEM. They are awesome. My kids loooove them. They are a great step up from the toddler utensils. Dishwasher safe & still look awesome even after 294838 dishwasher runs, ha. We have 2 sets.
Lunch Bento Box: If they need a new lunchbox they’re guaranteed to love (and you will, too!), look no further. It’s colorful & fun. I’ve looked for a bento box style lunchbox for my kids for years & this is the first one that I’ve loved. The big sticking point for me: it fits a full sandwich with crust. My kids don’t know that removing crust is a possibility & I wasn’t about to let them find out.
Lunch Box: If they need a new one, look no further than this listing. And, it holds the bento box above!
Groot Vase/Planter: My kids love this & to be honest, so do I. They use it to hold little odds & ends.
Clock: This clock is awesome for teaching your kid to tell time. I love the time breakdowns & easy to read numbers. Also, it’s 100% silent (no ticking). Ain’t no Mama trying to disturb her kid’s sleep.
LED Lantern: Perfect lantern for kids’ rooms. They feel cool having their own & it’s easy for them to operate. My kids love turning theirs on & reading or playing at night or Quiet Time with it. Or turning off the lights & going on “missions.” No batteries to worry about, just charges with micro USB. Holds charge for a long time & has 3 brightness modes. I love that the little handle is soft so they can hang it up, too. Comes with pink or aqua accents.
Luggage: Have you ever seen kids pack their own bags? It’s the cutest thing. If they don’t have their own luggage yet, this is a guaranteed HIT. I got this Princess suitcase for my little girl & this Superhero one for my boy for Christmas this year!
Just Their Size Pillow: We got one of these for my son 3 years ago & it is still his fave pillow. And he is a large 5 year old. He loves it because it’s “just his size.” We recently gave our 2.5 year old daughter one and she is equally obsessed with hers. It comes with a pillowcase, but if you want to switch it up then these are my fave pillowcases for this pillow because it comes with 2 and they are the softest ever.
Rainbow Rose: Here’s the deal. This is a total trinket. A tchotchke, aka my husband’s worst nightmare. Something I would normally never spend money on. But I did. Why? Because I know my little girl will absolutely MELT over this. She will treasure it. She will protect it. It will make her feel so special. Worth it.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
BOOKS
Disney Audio Books: These are a MUST-HAVE for us. We have probably 20 different stories on CD/Book. We keep them in the car & listen to them all day every day. I love that these audio CDs with accompanying books keep them entertained the entire time. (Seriously, we never use a DVD player in the car except for on long road trips. I credit that fully to our audiobook collection.) Our faves are these: Princess Set, Movie Night Set, the Pixar Set & of course the Frozen 2 set. They have everything from Mulan to Lion King.
Sidenote: I got this CD case to hold all our CDs (I laughed that I spent money to buy a CD case I used to have but threw out when iPods took over the world).
Double side note: We let my 6 year old take the CDs & books in his room & listen to them on this old school boombox. He’s done this since he was 4. It’s simple enough for him to work by himself & provides another screen-free alternative for older kids during their Quiet Time. (is it obvious I am a huge advocate for QT? Mama’s sanity matters.) **I also think this open CD Player would be awesome for a kids room/playroom because it’s so easy to load & switch CDs & it can be wall-mounted.
E-Reader Sets: These are like a book/audio book hybrid. My kids love them because it allows them to “read/listen to” a story with full autonomy. They can work the reader flawlessly. It just reads right along with the books. I love anything they can do on their own/in their rooms quietly so these get an A+ from me. Plus, there are soooo many options: Frozen, Avengers, Spiderman, Puppy Dog Pals, Disney Princess, Disney Stories…
Leap Frog “Book”: This is perfect for the little littles. 18mo-2.5. They will be obsessed.
Dino Dana Field Guide: This is a grand slam gift for the dino lovers out there. (also, this show is adorable & so educational!). There is also a Field Guide: Part 2.
Stickman: Another Julia Donaldson hit. And this one has a Christmas slant! Don’t forget the Stickman stuffed toy.
I’m Not Just a Scribble: Diane Alber has some of our favorite books ever. If you don’t have any of hers, start with this one. Splatter is another personal fave of my kids.
Octonauts: If your kid loves Octonauts then this book is for them. It is an adorable story about the origins of the Vegimals. My kids eat it up.
This Little Golden Book Marvel Comic editionis awesome. My son loves the stories & the fact that the pages have shiny gold edges makes it look extra special. If you have a superhero lover, get this book. (*In general we have about 100 Little Golden Books. Big fan.)
What Should Danny Do? or What Should Darla Do?: These books are such a creative & bright way to help your child learn about the power of choice. They are “choose your own path” books, so with each prompt the reader is able to choose the “right” path or the “wrong” path–but don’t worry, it’s not a preachy holier than thou right vs wrong book. And it’s certainly not one that shames behavior either. It’s beautifully written & fun for the kids to see how the different scenarios play out.
Who Would Win?: You know all those questions your kid asks you on repeat about which animal is stronger or smarter or faster or bigger? Thought so. Welp, there’s an entire amazing series about one thing: Who Would Win. There is a book about nearly every animal under the sun. My son is going to flip out over these when he opens them this year!
Kingdom of Wrenly Chapter Books: We bought this set to read to our 5 year old after our friends recommended this series, and our son was hooked in about 5 seconds. We made it through the whole set (15 books!) & he never lost interest. This is a great intro to chapter books and has given our bedtime a new dynamic to have a continuous story line. My son prefers these to the Magic Treehouse series. He already wants to re-read them and I know he’ll love them even more when he starts reading on his own. The 2 main characters are a boy & girl—best friends—& these books will be a hit with both boys & girls! *Start with this set—it comes with the first 4 books & a map of the Kingdom, which your child will love!
The Never Girls Book Series: A great book series for girls. Perfect chapter books for reading aloud to your daughter & perfect for when she begins to read on her own!
All-about-me Fill-in Journal: This is so cute & neat. I just love to hear the things kids say about their world & the people in it…including themselves. I’d say ages 6-7+.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
LEARNING TOOLS/SMART APPS/TECHNOLOGY/STEM
iPad Case + Homer Learning App in action
iPad Kid Case: I held out on getting an iPad for my kids for the longest time. I’m not sure why, but I guess I just didn’t want them to become little zombies or entitled “where’s my iPad?!” kiddos. (I mean, I am their Mama & I don’t even have one!) BUT, quarantine = desperate times call for desperate measures. I bit the bullet & got iPads for my kids and I have to admit…I love them. And so do they.
Anyways, all that to say that in true me-style, I tested out 5 different cases before picking this one. Seriously. So trust me & just get this one, it’s the best. Period.
Homer Learning App: This educational app is the specific reason I got the iPad. I swear by this app. My kids loooove doing it and it has phonics, spelling, sight words, math, reading, stories, games, you name it—but every single thing is “educational” and I love letting them play away knowing that they are really soaking in information. The app is tailored to each kid & creates a custom “pathway” with topics & skills based on their particular level. My kids constantly teach me things they learn from Homer & it definitely builds vocab. It’s a monthly subscription so this would also be a great gift from a Grand. Oh, and you can have more than one child on a membership = hooray!
***YAY! Homer gave us an awesome discount for all you C’MON MAMA followers: 2 FREE MONTHS! It’s usually $9.99 a month and worth every penny. I can’t recommend it enough. The discount will show up automatically when you click the link above & go through the pathway. Merry Christmas!
Smart Dinosaur Globe: Another one for the bigger dino lovers. Requires a tablet and is so engaging.
My First Coding & Computer Kit: This one requires no technology but uses patterns to teach the fundamentals of binary coding. If your kid is interested in computers, this is a really neat way to foster an understand of computer code. Ages 6-13ish.
Magic Coding Charm: Awesome for girls 9+. A neat & engaging way to introduce coding basics using Python. Coding is just another language and I already working to make sure my kids are fluent in that language. Items like this are a great way to get started.
Build-a-Computer Kit: Ages 8+. This product is geared towards girls BUT I have no idea why. It is definitely for both boys & girls….and it is AMAZING. When your kid is ready to learn more complexities about computers & coding, start here.
Make Your Own Lamp: 8+. This is pretty magical. They will be so proud of their work. xccGreat for both boys & girls.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
STOCKING STUFFERS
Book light: Hear me out. I know this sounds like an odd gift for a kid. But trust me, they will LOVE it. I gave this book light to my husband last year. My kids are obsessed with it. They steal it every chance they get. Not to read—just to play with. So this year I got them each one for their stockings. It will probably be one of their fave presents this year, no joke. The simple stuff. *It is rechargeable which is great because you don’t have to worry about any dangerous button batteries.
Glow Sticks: Endless fun. We love using them to make bath time extra fun. This set is so reasonable & comes with 30—so throw a bunch in their stockings & throw the rest in with other gifts to friends/nieces/nephews/cousins!
Retractable Rainbow Pens: Do you remember the multicolor retractable pens from growing up? Turns out kids still LOVE them. Perfect stocking stuffer.
Scissors: If your child is at an age that scissor-use is appropriate, get some. Kids LOVE using scissors.
Non-slip Headband: These are my favorite headbands for myself & this is the cutest one for kids. It won’t hurt their head, even after wearing it all day long.
Bounciest Ball: Three years ago my son asked for the bounciest ball ever. That was his only request from Santa. Nailed it.
Fridge/Freezer Face Decals: These are just plain adorable. It’s an easy way to make things fun. I’m not even going to lie, I love these little things.
Magic Grow Sea Creatures: Just like you remember. Kids love them. Although, sometimes mine get so obsessed with growing theirs that they let them grow forever & don’t even play with them. Go figure.
Cubebot: Perfect car toy! We keep ours in the car & my kids play with them all the time. This size is perfect for little hands.
The End.
*dusts off shoulder*
Pssst—I’ve gotcha covered for the WOMEN & the MEN, too! Making holiday shopping super easy for you…one gift guide at a time:
Coming in hot with the top Christmas Gift Ideas for Men!
Husbands, Dads, Grandads, Brothers, Uncles, Sons, Brothers-in-Law…there is something for every man in your life on this gift guide for men!
Christmas is just around the corner & if your husband is anything like mine, he is SUPER hard to buy for. Maybe because I feel like he already has everything so it’s impossible to find things to surprise him with that aren’t just novelty items. Don’t get me wrong—I love me some novelty items. At first. But months down the line I’m all “Can we get rid of this clutter we never use?”
I’m in no way a minimalist. But I do want to get them things they’ll actuallyuse.
These Christmas gift ideas for men are all the things my hubby loves—& uses. Things I’ve bought for him & things he’s bought for himself. It’s Dad approved. Husband approved. And every other man-approved.
The all-around best Christmas Gifts for Him.
Pro Tip: If you see something you want, don’t wait—Buy it Now. Especially with the crazy, scary state of the world right now. Things are going quickly, stuff is getting delayed & selling out, & shipping times are changing by the minute.
Okay, let’s do this.
This post includes affiliate links.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
FOOD & BEVERAGE STUFF
Wine Stopper: My husband is a wino. This is the best stopper we have ever found. Truly leakproof & you can even lay a bottle on its side with no spills. Works on all different sized bottles, including champagne! We have 3 of the “old” version (haven’t tried the new one yet).
Electric Wine Opener: I enjoy opening wine now. So maybe this is a slightly selfish one. But my husband LOVES it. So maybe it’s not. Super easy, super powerful.
Meat Thermometer: If your Dad or Husband or Brother or any man in your life doesn’t have a good meat thermometer, ta-da! You’ve just found the perfect gift. And I’m not talking about a dinky one. I’m talking about a quality one. A solid meat thermometer is gold.
*And speaking of gold, the gold standard of meat thermometers (yes, it’s a thing) is the Thermapen. If he’s in big into grilling, BBQing, smoking meat, etc., he’ll likely know about the Thermapen…and want one. It’s not cheap, but it’s so legit. I bought one for my husband several years ago and—not going to lie—we had to buy a second one because I tried it one time when I was cooking chicken & it’s so easy & accurate that I never gave it back. So I had to buy him another one to keep at the grill. I used to overcook everything because I’d just guestimate. No more.
Coffee frother: If he likes coffee, he’ll love this. Sometimes we get fancy & make a latte. But mostly we use it to stir our delicious flavored creamer into my coffee. It’s easy. And weirdly fun. We use it every morning for every cup of coffee (so like 3-5 daily, ha)
Big Yeti Cup: He uses it nearly daily for his coffee. He loves this larger size.
*Add these Vinyl letters for his initials to make it personalized for like $5.
Apron: Functional & good-looking. It’s waxed canvas so it’s super durable. And I’m telling you, it’s handsome.
Pizza Screen: If he has a Big Green Egg & you’ve had trouble trying to figure out how the heck to get the pizza out of the face-melting BGE, this is for him. Trust me. We tried everything before this (cornstarch, a giant flat spatula thing, you name it). This works every time & is also so easy to make the pizza on.
Legit Steak Knives: A few years ago my husband came home from his friend’s house raving about a set of steak knives that sliced through everything like butter. I called the friend & got the lowdown (they are $$$ & really are ridiculously amazing steak knives).
In doing my research, I discovered that Wüsthof makes a Classic knife line & a Gourmet Knife Line. Both are awesome, but the Classic line is the real deal because it’s fully forged as opposed to laser stamped….it’s heavier, sharper, and a lot more expensive.
Golf Cart Cup holders: HE LOVES THESE. I LOVE THESE. THE KIDS LOVE THESE. OUR FRIENDS LOVE THESE. If you have a golf cart & you need more cup holders, GET THESE. I’m not kidding when I tell you I ordered 6 different “universal cup holders” to try on our new golf cart that is severely lacking in cup space. We narrowed it down to this one & another one. Then we put them to use. The other one fell off frequently. These don’t budge. They’re sturdy, they’re stable, & they’re not going anywhere even when you fly over bumps. Yes, they hold the big Yetis. We have 5 of these on our golf cart.
Golf Cart Storage Box/Caddy: One more thing for the golf cart. Is it obvious we recently got a new golf cart? Thought so. Well, we love it but it is seriously storage & cup holder deficient. So once again, I ordered a bunch of little storage solutions to try (to hold stuff like sunglasses, garage opener, hand sani (we have kids), chapstick, etc. and this is the hands-down winner. All the ones that mount with the “strongest velcro or adhesive ever” … just no. They lasted for one day in the humidity where we live & just fell off. The way these mount to the bars of your golf cart is brilliant. We have one on each side. (it comes with a bunch of different size mounts so you can use the size that works for yours)
Cigar Golf Cart Clip: Okay I lied. This is the last golf cart thing. But this is not just a cart thing, it’s a golf thing. My husband only smokes a cigar when he plays golf. I asked him if I should add anything to this list and he said the “stage 5 clinger is a must.” Gotta admit, love the name.
YETI Backpack Cooler: One of the best things I’ve ever bought my hubs. Originally got it because we always rode our bikes to the beach & so a backpack cooler was a no-brainer. But NOW we use the heck out of it because we have kids & already don’t have enough arms as it is. This thing is a game changer & not too heavy to carry because the backpack style distributes the weight. Winner.
Cooler + Dry Pack + Zinger Bottle Opener
YETI Bottle Opener: If the men in your life have any (soft) YETI cooler, get this awesome pull bottle opener. It is SO handy.
YETI Dry Bag: My husband specifically said he needed somewhere better to keep his phone & wallet dry & safe than just loosely tossed in our giant beach bag with all the things. I found this & it’s awesome. It attaches to a soft-sided cooler (like the backpack one above) & works like a charm. Plus, one less thing to carry since it latches on.
Sunscreen Flasks: This is a fun one. Exactly what it sounds like. Flasks that look like sunscreen bottles so you won’t get in trouble at the beach/pool. Totes a novelty item but he’s here for it. Love that this set comes with a tiny funnel & seals.
Boat Dry Box: I looked for something just like this for our boat for years. Simple but perfect.
Boat erasers: Basically just Magic Erasers for the boat. Brilliant.
Corn Hole Boards: If he doesn’t have a set, get these & call it a day. My hub’s fave “lawn” game to play. Awesome easy & fun game to play with friends & even kids.
*Take it up a notch with LED board lights. Go for just the ring light or light up the whole board.
Bocce Ball: Another classic. My hub’s fave beach game. Also just a super fun game to play with others. Great for family get-togethers, etc. You need a larger space to play Bocce than corn hole, so keep that in mind.
The resin set is the classic heavy bocce ball set. This is the one we’ve always had. But, they also have a lighter rubber one that would be easier to transport & better to play with kids.
Up the ante: We also have this light-up bocce set. It’s just plain fun.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
AROUND THE HOUSE/YARD STUFF
Bluetooth Ear Buds: My husband LOVES his. He wanted some for the gym. They work great and he just leaves them charging in his car. He regular talks about how much he loves these. A+. (Update: He loved these so much I bought myself a pair & they’re amazing. The charge lasts foreverrrrr.)
Couch Blanket Big Enough for Him: Years ago my husband said all he wanted was a blanket big enough for him on the couch. And I realized that he was so right. He’s a big guy & all our blankets were like my-size throw blankets. So I got him the 96×80″ and it’s been the entire family’s favorite blanket for 5+ years now. My husband still uses it almost nightly.
Lens Wipes: Not a sexy gift. Unless you put a “So you can see me better. Rawr.” message with it or something. But a useful gift. I bought these on a whim for my hubby for Christmas & it turned out he was so pumped about them because he wears glasses & can never get them really clean. I had no idea he’d even like them. He loved them. I’ve stolen a ton for my sunnies and they really are golden.
Rocketbook: Basically a magic notebook. Honestly, it’s just really super cool.
Hanging Toiletry Bag: Looks awesome, super high quality, great size & holds a ton. Terrific travel bag, or even to throw in his gym bag.
Porch/Patio Heater: This is the basic mushroom one you see at restaurants and it’s the best & most reliable. We’ve tried the cool looking ones with fire running up the middle & they 1) don’t put out as much heat and 2) are so finicky. This one works.
Air Compressor: My husband talks about how much he loves this thing every single time he uses it. And I have to say, it really is super useful. It comes with a bunch of adapters so you can inflate car tires, bike tires, stroller tires, sports balls, beach balls, giant swan floats, inflatable pools, etc. etc. And you can just enter the PSI you want it to inflate to & it’ll do it automatically. TBH, we use it all the time.
Putting that air compressor to good use.
Firewood Stand: Have it. Love it. Looks so much nicer than a pile on the floor + the cover keeps the wood from getting wet.
If you have a little walk from the spot you keep your wood to the fire place/pit, he’ll love this log tote.
Fire Poker/Stoker: It’s a poker. It’s a stoker. It’s cool. It seriously has a built-in air valve that you can use to stoke the fire. It also is extra long so you don’t have to get too close.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: These are so handy. We got them for my hubs & then when my Dad saw them he had a fit over them. So guess what he’s getting this year? *These make a great gift from the kids.
Magic Fire Starters: If you burn fires inside or bonfires outside, look no further & grab a couple boxes of these babies. They work like a charm. *Also, they’re natural & don’t emit chemical fumes like many starter logs. I never thought twice about that stuff pre-kids. I do now.
***If you want to blow his mind, skip everything else & just get this setup:
We have an epic outdoor projector setup. It’s AMAZING. So fun to do for movies, sports, you name it. It’s honestly just SO. MUCH. FUN. Our kids love it. We love it. Our friends love it.
So, if you’re looking for a killer Christmas gift for Him, this setup takes the cake.
Below is everything—and I mean everything—you need.
Projector: This projector I can promise you is unbeatable; its price is comparable with allll the others in the same echelon but it performs so much better. I’ve had zero connectivity issues & the brightness was seriously 80% better on this one than all 5 of the others. It works in broad daylight which is amazing for front projection. (We have the XGA model. It has higher resolution than the SVGA. The WXGA has the highest resolution & is widescreen formatted. I’m very happy with the XGA. I think the brightness is the same on all.)
*We use our firestick with it but you can plug in a phone or computer with HMDI adapter. The firestick is only $30 & just makes it so easy for Netflix, Disney +, Youtube, YoutubeTV (helloooo sports!), Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.
Screen: We have this screen in the 80″ 16:9 configuration. We’ve had it for 3+ years & it has been awesome. There is zero setup and I think that’s why we use it so often, it’s just so easy.
*Here are 2 other options that are more reasonable & get really great reviews that I would look at today if we didn’t have a screen already: Tripod Base Screen, 2-legged Screen
Stand: This stand is great. I always used to prop the projector on whatever I had around (ie, random boxes) but i wish i had bought the stand years ago because it’s so much easier to get the right height, etc. Plus it’s really stable. Also the way the legs adjust at 2 different spots on all 3 legs makes it so much easier to get the right angle—especially on uneven ground.
Long AUX Cable: If you want to hook up to a louder speaker(that’s what we do), you need an AUX cable. You can use a short AUX cable & put the speaker right by the projector or you can use a long one to put the speaker somewhere else further from the projector. It doesn’t have bluetooth speaker connection (none of the ones I tried did), so you need an AUX cord.
3 outlet Extension Cord: I love this one because it has the 3 outlets I need for projector, speaker, and Firestick.
Case: Love this case because we like just pulling one thing out & having everything we need. It has little areas for organizing the remotes, cords, etc.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
CLOTHES & STUFF
Silicone Wedding Rings: True Story, my husband has lost 3 real wedding rings. The first one was engraved. I didn’t bother engraving the other 2. Thankfully, I never spent a lot on his rings. He always just wanted a basic titanium/tungsten one. BUT, I smarted up and bought him this silicone ring years ago. He loved it. Then he lost it. (In his defense, he wears his ring to work but then takes it off for surgery & puts it in his pocket. If he didn’t wear it to work this wouldn’t be a problem, so I can’t reallyyyy be upset.)
For our 8th wedding anniversary I got him the copper-colored one (copper anniversary!) For Valentine’s Day last year I bought him 3. His new favorite is the blue. This brand is comfier to him than several of the other brands we tried because the edges taper so it’s not as tight or bulky, according to him.
*Pro tip: It’s free returns on these (thanks Amazon!), so you might want to order a couple sizes to have on hand to try for him and then you can just send the extras back. Also, you can pull/stretch them some before you wear them & that helps it be extra comfy.
World’s Okayest Dad Shirt: My husband bought this for himself when I found out I was pregnant with our first. 5+ years later it’s still one of his all-time faves.
The Golf Father Shirt: For all the golfers out there. My husband & Dad both love this shirt.
That’s what She Said Shirt: I gave this to my husband for Father’s Day 2 years ago & he lovedddd it. Still wears it all the time. The way it’s written is clever.
I Just Can’t Faux Nike Shirt: This is the only thing on this entire list that doesn’t have free Prime shipping on Amazon. But I loved it too much to pass up, so I paid for shipping for I think the first time ever on Amazon. Worth it. It’s one of my Father’s Day gifts for my hubby this year & I know he’s going to love it.
Athletic Shorts: My husband has worn the same 2 pairs for 10 years. He recently commented he needed some new ones in the mix. Bingo.
Fun Boxer Briefs: You can’t go wrong. You know he’ll wear them. And he’ll love these cheeky designs.
If you want something a little less fun/funny but still great for a Christmas gift, check out these.
Goorin Bros Trucker Hat: A million designs to choose from. Some classic, some hilarious. Especially great for fishermen & hunters.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
STOCKING STUFFERS
Giant Block of Soap: This is my go-to gift for my husband. For every holiday, birthday, etc. Yes, it’s $10 for soap, which sounds expensive until you realize it’s like the size of 8 bars. He loves it and dare I say he always looks forward to it/counts on it.
Long Phone Charger: My husband loves this 6′ phone charger. So we can charge them while we use them in bed. Sexy. #marriedlifebelike (Get this one for Android users)
Portable Charging Bank: No cords to carry around with him, everything is attached. So brilliant. So convenient. Just make sure you get the correct cord combo (it has a few options).
Book light: I gave this to my husband for Christmas last year. It has 3 brightness levels and both a warm & cool light option. Plus, the charge lasts forever (& it’s rechargeable).
“Manly” Hand Sanitizer: GET THIS. First of all, I love it & it’s the only antibacterial sani we’ve used since the pandemic began. My brother-in-law gave me a bottle & I was immediately hooked. It’s SO convenient. I love the spray top, love the size, love how quickly it dries. My husband has one in his car & one in his golf bag. (We also have one in the garage, one in the golf cart, and of course one in my car). He will get a kick out of it, too.
Rechargeable Hand Warmer: I scoffed at this when I first saw it. Like, why wouldn’t you just get a bunch of cheap Hot Hands? Then I read the reviews and promptly bought one for my husband for Christmas this year….andddd then I bought 3 more for my kids & me. The reviews are insane. I can totally see us all using this. My husband when he play golf for sure, and the rest of us on golf cart rides, stroller walks, regular walks, in our pockets at the playground, while watching sports practice, etc.
“Cigar” Pretzel Sticks: Warning. These are deliciously addictive. He will have a fit over them. They LOOK incredible & they TASTE incredible. Very manly & very fun. You could even split up the package of 12 & give a few to each man in your life! Just maybe stash a couple for yourself before putting them in his stocking, because omg YUM. (Note: You can do with or without the “Dad” labels, depending on who they’re for)
*These also make an excellent gift to mail! They come so cutely packaged & you can ship straight to the recipient. Guaranteed to be a hit!
Whether it’s your first or tenth go-round with Elf on the Shelf, we’ve got you covered with 10 can’t miss Elf on the Shelf Ideas to make it super easy on you.
Guest post alert! This post was written by the Magic Makers behind the amaze Scout Elf Support Team Instagram account. They’re pulling back the curtains on some of their most popular Elf on the Shelf ideas just for us!
This post contains affiliate links.
It almost feels too early to talk about it, but with all the Christmas memes already surfacing on social media, I think it’s safe to say that we are all looking forward to the warmth & merry of the holidays. For some of us, this means our little Elf on the Shelf scout elves will be returning to—or joining for the first time—our homes this holiday season.
Our family enjoys our little mischief maker so much. And while he can take a little effort (think: ensuring one or both parents don’t accidentally fall asleep & forget about the little scout elf), the joy he brings to our two small children is immeasurable.
Two years ago we launched “Scout Elf Support Team” with the goal of sharing the fun spirit of the elf & helping provide families with a stress-free way to partake in the magic! We would so often hear about parents who truly did not have the time, didn’t want the burden of nightly elf magic, or just wanted someone else to take on the creative role in this endeavor…and we listened.
Keep scrolling for some of our favorite Elf on the Shelf ideas, including 10 of our very favorite elf evenings.
Some new, some tried & true, and a few helpful links to get you off and elf-ing!
Before we jump in—pointed elf ears first, of course—here are a few tips that we love & live by. Whether you choose to use our ready-to-go Elf on the Shelf kit (more on that at the end), buy your own props, scan Pinterest, or scroll Instagram every night in a panic praying for an easy elf idea…a quick check on Amazon or trip to your local grocery or craft store can add magic to even the most simple elf evening.
Our team always has the following things on hand to make almost any Elf on the Shelf idea come to life:
Sprinkles (red and green, or Christmas themed, candy cane, there are so many options)
A few different size pom-pom craft balls (medium & large)—or the awesome faux snowballs mentioned below—and tiny plastic army people are all it takes to set up an epic snowball fight. Make sure there are obvious sides, teams, & stacked snowballs. Feel free to add some snow dust or flour to each side!
For added fun—while we use soldiers in our kits, we have used Peppa Pig characters, Paw Patrol characters, & Frozen characters in our home.
Side note: We have a huge tub of faux snowballs. You do not need the faux snowballs—not for the elf, not for any good reason—but if fake snowballs are news to you…well, nothing is more fun than snowball fights as an alternative to family game night!
2. “Tree Farm” (one of our favorites from last year)
We used little sisal trees & mini chalk boards with a chalk marker to create a cozy tree farm. It’s a simple evening but if you can sneak it in before your own tree is up, or even immediately after, it truly feels like your elf is living the holiday right alongside you.
3. “Bathtub Buddies”
You will need a “tub,” tiny marshmallows, & at least one bath buddy. Do yourself a favor & choose a night your children really need a scrub. We guarantee they will be inspired by their tiny sugar-loaded friend. Our favorite holiday rubber ducks are a fun addition around the holidays. And the bathtub can be a bowl or cup. Our kits come with a little tin tub.
4. “No Business in the Kitchen”
Part 1: You can purchase a play set for this—or you can use a real pan + spatula & set this up on the stove top. This evening is a great example of how sprinkles & flour can take an elf night from good…to GREAT!
Part 2: For fun, last year in our house we extended “No Business in the Kitchen” by 1 day. The second morning the girls woke up to an elf who had opened approximately 6 Little Debbie Christmas trees. Some were whole, some were broken, some were smashed—and a little ended up on our elf’s hands & mouth. He went from baking…to eating his masterpiece.
And he left each child a whole one in the wrapper for breakfast.
5. “Hey, All You Cool Cats and Kittens”
We couldn’t help ourselves. In the spirit of keeping with this year’s themes—and ensuring we provide some adult humor & enjoyment—here’s one for the Tiger King fans…or viewers, as I’m not sure anyone is a true fan? Ha.
A set of tigers & the aforementioned mini chalk boards & marker (mini dry erase boardswould work great, too—even an index card can be folded & used for signage). Our team recommends writing “hey, all you cool cats and kittens” but there are likely 100+ Tiger King references to amuse yourself & your tiny mini on this night.
6. “Scout Elf Snow Angels”
You will need snowflakes, flour, and snow dust. Worth mentioning…it is not easy to make an elf snow angel. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Most craft stores have packets of paper or flat craft style snowflakes—these are a huge help in creating this scene. The more the merrier.
7. “O Hey, Hygiene”
What’s more fun than waking up to find a sneaky someone causing a fuss at your bathroom sink? For a kid…not much. All this scene requires is a toothbrush & of course—a toothpaste mess! You can keep the mess small, large, or even include a mirror message in toothpaste. Be sure to get some on the counter & especially your scout elf’s face for authenticity. We love a travel set for this. Anytime you can introduce an item your kids have never seen before—the magic doubles.
8. “Watch This” Part 1: Again, we are using those infamous chalk boards! You need two (or more) raw eggs, and just as many Kinder Eggs (grocery store). On the first night of this scene, place raw eggs in bowls/small dishes/paper plates/etc. close to your elf, and write “watch this” on a chalkboard. Let your kids go the entire day being sooo curious about what their elf on the shelf may be up to. Encourage their imaginations to run wild. We love to hear what our little ones think might happen!
Part 2: The following night replace the raw eggs (toss em!) with kinder eggs! Magic! You can leave the Kinder Eggs right where the raw eggs were or at each child’s breakfast spot.
Side note: I grew up in a house where everything was always at my spot at the table. Valentines, Birthday, notes, etc.—so this makes sense to me. But I truly have no idea if this is a common practice or just something my mother did. Either way, I loved it. And we always knew what was special/meant for each of us individually.
9. “Fierce Opponent”
Is there anything more intriguing than a shark or alligator toy, a silly game, and a stumped elf? You just need a plastic predatory toy & a game (grab a couple playing cards or some dice) for them to play against one another. We love using these sharks, but an alligator or even a dinosaur would be a great fit for this, too!
Bonus night: For fun, you can reuse those sharks for a “baby shark” themed night. Give some time between fierce opponent & the next shark scene, but simply label each shark (with those chalkboards, of course) as “daddy shark,” “mommy shark,” “baby shark,” and use a tiny elf hat on your elf’s back like a fin to create “elf shark.”
10. “Tiny Travel Scout” (our favorite night, weekend, or even week!)
This allows your elf to take a weekend getaway with your tiny believer. Inside a safe container (filled with snow dust or sprinkles), your elf can travel all over—or even to visit a family member for an extended period of time. Here’s the best part: you are elf-free for however many days you (ahem, Santa) determine. These unbreakable jars are perfect for your traveling elf—& we’re positive you’ll have plenty of uses for the remaining 5 jars (they really come in handy)!
Pro tip:Do not use a glass option. One year I foolishly used a glass mason jar. Terrible. There were tears, gloved pickup of glass & beloved scout elf. It wasn’t pretty. No glass.
Well there you go—10 amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas that are easy & fun to pull off! And actually, there are 3 bonus nights in there so you’ve really got 13 magical scenes to choose from!
And not to mention that if your Elf on the Shelf takes an extended trip (sayyyy, 12-18 days or so? wink wink), you’ve got enough Elf on the Shelf ideas to last a full a month!
A few extra notes, because we think you are amazing & we’re more than willing to share:
Hosting an elf should not cost a fortune. We did our best to link items we purchase on Amazon or items like the ones we bulk buy (at the lowest cost we could find). Many of these items might be hanging around your home or playroom, too—you just need to quietly dig them out & tuck them away for the following evening.
Clean up can be super easy, but messes are a must (for us)!The real secret to making your Elf on the Shelf feel magically “over the top” is messes. Children love messes & are entirely overcome by the thought of a tiny little Christmas symbol sneaking around at night causing accidental trouble. We are here to help clean up though! The secret to a clean elf? Water. Flour, snow dust, sprinkles & many of the messes that take an elf night from good to great can be rinsed right off. By the next morning he or she should be plenty dry & mess free!
And here’s a personal thought. In our home we keep the elf for magic only. We don’t threaten with our elf or accuse him of “watching” all of the behavior from our children, causing fear around what he may tell Santa. You & your family are welcome to do whatever fits your four walls best. But for us, he is a special little symbol. A tiny little mess maker. Our children giggle over his antics & his silliness, and for us that is where he fits into our Christmas traditions. Just a thought. 2020 has been a tough year, we could all use a little magic without the fear of consequence.
One last giggle. Your elf can be a girl, a boy, or an androgynous Christmas helper. Ours happens to be a he & that’s largely because our two small children are girls, our bulldog is a girl, & our cat is …yep, a girl…so naturally my husband wanted one more boy in our house. He also convinced my tiny girl tribe to name him “Rambo.” Total dad humor & a good laugh for sure.
Now, go give our Scout Elf Support Team a follow on Facebook or Instagram!
We’ll be sharing Elf on the Shelf ideas, photos, tips, & all things Christmas—so be sure to follow along with us this holiday season!
And for those of you who want the magic to well, magically show up on your doorstep: We offer 15-night Premium Elf on the Shelf Kits. All the Elf on the Shelf ideas, all the magic, all the fun, all the creativity…with none of the effort. Our kits ship via USPS the week before Thanksgiving to help dodge the holiday mail delays! When you start your Elf on the Shelf magic is entirely up to you.
