By Marianne M. Szymanski, founder of Toy Tips Research Institute When you’re on the nest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying mounds of stuffed animals and new toys to fill the nursery. Instead, keep your own shopping list simple—leave the expensive giant teddy and motorized choo-choo to your rich Aunt Matilda. After all, a child’s first (and best) plaything is … [Read more...] about Child’s Play
I Need To Get Out More
I promised myself before I had children that I would never be one of “those mothers.” The kind that lets herself go entirely, stops having sex with her husband and generally becomes a shuffling, sweatpants wearing, minivan driving bore. But as I listened to the following lyrics to the Arctic Monkeys “Fluorescent Adolescent” this morning at the gym, I could not help but … [Read more...] about I Need To Get Out More
Keeping It Cool In the Blogosphere
There is almost nothing that gets a group of mothers more heated than issues surrounding our children. One feels breast is best, the other hearts formula and there goes the friendship. Women are always our own worst enemies, but never is this more evident than on Mommy listserves and in the blogosphere. This week it has been particularly evident as one mother on my … [Read more...] about Keeping It Cool In the Blogosphere
Friendly Mamas?
I have never been one to hang onto a friendship that is not working. Life is way too short. When I was pregnant with my first, one friend had become a bit of a psychic drag or, as my husband describes, “she was the least together person I’ve ever met who thinks she has it all figured out.” Unfortunately, I was spending an inordinate amount of time with that one person, … [Read more...] about Friendly Mamas?
New Year, Fresh Slate
Rob and I are not the best adults. In addition to a myriad of professional and family obligations, we also have a vast number of personal interests that often keep us from our real responsibilities. Most of the time, I let a one hour run trump just about anything else in my life, including paying bills or cleaning. This means a lot of stuff does not get done. All that … [Read more...] about New Year, Fresh Slate