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Acorn Craft for Fall- Pinterest Nailed it or Failed it?

Filed Under: Creative, Kids Crafts November 1, 2020

Our Painted Acorn Craft For Fall

Pinterest nailed it or failed it? …. There are a ton, literally a ton of acorns around our house, and the kids have started gathering them and throwing them (awesome, right?!). I decided that Pinterest must have something we could do with these acorns that would make use of the excess that we have, plus keep us busy one afternoon.

I found various different painted and glitter acorn options that were pretty and cool.

How to Paint Acorns — https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/fall-2/how-to-paint-acorns.html

Painted Acorn Craft — https://craftsbyamanda.com/bright-painted-acorns/

Painting Acorns for Fall Craft Project

Super cute, right?! Plus it doesn’t look that difficult to do. After all, it’s an acorn craft. Ha! The joke was on me. It started out with my husband suggested that since we had so many acorns we should put them on a cookie sheet covered with foil and roll them in the paint. The colors winded up being less distinctive (obviously) but the kids were all on board with splattering paint on the pan and rolling acorns around.

There were also some attempts at finger painting the acorns, and let’s just say there were some very messy hands and paint that winded up on the white door. It was fun though, so I can’t say I actually regret it.

We used a painting dropcloth over the table to protect it and so it wasn’t a big deal for any paint to get on that while we did the craft.

For the acorn “hats” we put them on some foil and used spray glue to spray them before sprinkling glitter all over them. Yes, it was as messy and sticky as it sounds, but again, ultimately it was fun to do.

Waiting for the acorns to dry… which takes a surprisingly (or not) long amount of time when there is globs of paint on the acorns.

We decided to add some glitter to some of the acorns as well while they were still a little wet.

Pinterest Nailed it or Failed it

Our Finished acorns went into a couple mason jars for decoration. No, they don’t look like the pretty acorns in the Pinterest pictures but they were fun to do and we spent some time laughing and joking as we did them so I would say it was worth it

Want more Fall Decorating and Craft Ideas?

Fun Fall Crafts and Decorating

Filed Under: Creative, Home October 30, 2020

Fun Fall Crafts and Decorating Ideas

There’s something about fall, maybe it’s the cooler weather and pretty colors that make me want to go out and do things. It’s the crisp feeling in the air, the fact that you can wear lots of layers, and not to mention you (typically) don’t start sweating as soon as you walk out your front door! Don’t forget to check out more fall fun party edition as well for more fall crafts and decorating!

Fall Wreaths

Wreaths make great home decorating ideas for your own home or as a gift!! Plus, you can do them on a budget! Below are some of my favorite easy fall wreaths!

50 Cheap Easy DIY Fall Wreaths

2. Easy Fall Wreath

3. Sunflower Wreath

4. Pumpkin Wreath

5. Simple DIY Fall Wreaths

Fall Decorating

It’s fun to decorate for the season, especially this time of year because many times you have more guests around than usual (while 2020 may look a little different as far as the guests, the decorating will still make you smile.). The thing is, I don’t want to spend a ton of money to put up decorations, I mean let’s face it, there’s already a lot of spending going on at the end of the year. No need to worry though- I’ve found some great options on Fall decorating on a budget!

Here’s an example of some easy fall decorating by one of my favorites..Lauren Conrad

Fall Decorating on a Budget

2. Chevron Pumpkins

3. Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

4. Easy DIY No Sew Pumpkins

5. Fall Front Porch Decorating on a Budget

6. Painted Pumpkins

7. Mason Jar Crafts for Fall

8. Glittery Acorns

Lego Advent Calendars Available at Target

Filed Under: Kids October 26, 2020

Legos, Creativity and Gender Equality

Lego toys are fantastic because kids love them and they are educational as well. They inspire and encourage creativity and critical thinking. The company is known for promoting creativity and promoting gender-equal creativity, as seen in their 1974 letter (Snopes Fact Check) explaining that both girls and boys benefit and enjoy building with Legos.

Lego Advent Calendars 2020 at Target

Here are some fun Lego Advent Calendars available at Target! These are great gift ideas for kids and serve as a great addition to any Lego collection!

Lego City Advent Calendar

Lego Friends

Lego Star Wars

Lego Harry Potter

More Lego fun-

How Do I Cook With My Kids?

Filed Under: Kids, Mommy October 23, 2020

How Do I Cook With My Kids and Not Go Crazy?

There are so many benefits to cooking with kids in the kitchen. It’s quality time that can be spent together but also teaches them many critical life skills during the process as well. Getting started can be a bit of a struggle sometimes. Knowing what is appropriate based on their age, finding a healthy recipe to cook with them, or figuring out ways to involve kids in the kitchen can get tricky (and let’s face it kind of intimidating) when you actually get into it.

Resources To Help You Start Cooking With Kids

I recently found some great resources to help answer all of these questions! These provide some answers and ideas bringing kids in the kitchen to not only learn but help you out.

Fit Mama Real Food
This site has a page dedicated specifically to cooking with kids and she has some super helpful resources on the topic!

Teaching Kids to Cook By Age
100+ Simple Ways to Involve Kids In The Kitchen

Heather offers some great tips and advice. She’s a mom of four so you know life has to be hectic and she can understand the challenges that come up with bringing kids into the kitchen to help.

Food Network Recipes with Kids

Another great resource is Food Network, with their Cooking with Kids section which offers recipes to make with kids, as well as ideas on kitchen task and easy baking projects.

Cooking Task Kids Can Help With at Every Age

Kids Health from Nemours

Nemours is a trusted health resource and offers some advice on Cooking with Kids as well. Here are some of their suggestions:

Pick the Right time

Create opportunities for cooking with your kids when you aren’t short on time. If someone is hangry, it’s probably not a good time to try it.

Find Your Strategy

Prep work- Depending on your child/s age it can be easier if you do some prep work that could be pre-measuring for little ones, or pre-cutting things.

Set expectations

Most things work better when you set up the expectations upfront and this is no exception. Explain the boundaries and rules of the kitchen. If there’s a task an adult must complete let them know upfront.

Start Small

Keep it simple at first and let them complete a task that is small and easy to do with minimal assistance. This allows kids to build their skills slowly and the more you do it the more challenging the task can become.

Don’t Forget Breaks

Kids don’t have the longest of attention spans sometimes so it’s good to keep this in mind. For younger kids, it’s a good idea to give them a little bit of a break understanding they may not be ready to follow through from start to finish.

Acknowledge Their Work

Don’t forget to provide encouragement and affirm their accomplishments. Be as specific/descriptive as possible with how they are doing a good job. For example, instead of just “great job!” you could say, “you did a great job mixing all the ingredients together and making sure they are all combined!” If something goes wrong, remind them it happens to everyone, and as long as they learn from it.

Kitchen Tools For Kids

Here are some tools from Amazon that are helpful and kid-friendly!

There are so many memories and lessons that are learned in the kitchen that kids will hold on to for years to come. It can be overwhelming and frustrating at times, so remember when those moments come, it’s not just you. There will be really fun and good moments too. The good moments will do your heart better than you can imagine!

Feeling overwhelmed with motherhood? Check out the post below!

A Getaway to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Filed Under: Disney, Travel October 20, 2020

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a rustic, Colorado feel to it. It’s actually inspired by the Pacific Northwest, however, the closest I’ve gotten to that is Colorado and it’s amazing how similar it feels when you walk into the resort. You would never know that you were just a short boat trip away from the Magic Kingdom!

The Wilderness Lodge is a Deluxe Disney Resort and as the name suggests has a fun wilderness theme. The kids like to refer to this resort as “Chip and Dale’s House” when we stay.

The rooms have cabin-inspired décor with natural wood accents and cozy furnishings. In the bathrooms, there is tilework that has Disney friends Chip & Dale, Bambi, and Meeko (from Pocahontas).

The lobby is one of my favorite areas of this resort. It’s inspired by National Park lodges across the west and uses wood and stone as the major materials of the lobby. There’s a huge stone fireplace that has rocking chairs to relax in as you watch the fire, as well as a Disney Character totem pole in front of the gift shop. The sites of the fireplace and sounds of chatter from the lobby as well as The Whispering Canyon Café make the area warm and inviting.

Restaurants at the Wilderness Lodge

There are four restaurants on the property. Artist Point is their signature upscale dining with a menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Whispering Canyon Café is a casual, fun table service restaurant where servers crack jokes and kids get to do hobby horse races. Geyser Point is an open-air restaurant that overlooks Bay Lake. There various seating options, all a very casual hang-out type spot. Roaring Forks is the resort’s quick-service restaurant. We’ve had breakfast here a few times and it’s always been good. It’s also the place to grab a quick snack or dessert!

Pools

There are two pools, the Copper Creek Springs pool and Boulder Ridge Cove. The Copper Creek Springs pool also has an adjacent kid splash area for little ones. The Boulder Ridge Cove is the “quiet” pool where there aren’t as many activities going on.

Near the hotel, there is Fire Rock Geyser, a faux Old Faithful that erupts near the large pool. You can often hear it on the boat ramp as well.

Resort Transportation

The resort transportation includes buses and boats. You can take a boat to Magic Kingdom or to the Wilderness Campgrounds also. There’s a lot of non-park fun to be had over at the campground area including wagon rides and ponies!

Is the Wilderness Lodge For You?

If you are looking for a rustic feel but want something closer to the park than Saratoga Springs Resort Treehouse Villas, this is definitely a fantastic option to check out! We love the convenience of the resort to the parks but also that when we are at the resort itself it feels like we are in a remote area in the west. It is a cozy, inviting resort that is enjoyable for kids and adults.

Is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge worth the money?

Yes. It’s worth every penny and many times is one of the cheaper of the Deluxe Disney Resorts.

Do they offer Club Level?

Yes! There is a Club Level option and the Cast Members in the lounge are very friendly (I know, you’re thinking aren’t they always?) they truly work on making a connection with guests not just making sure you have everything you need.

More Disney Resort Options:

Exploring Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Filed Under: Travel October 18, 2020

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Colorado has a lot of amazing natural beauty and historical treasure. One of those locations is the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Located five miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado off HWY 24 at Cliff Dwellings Road. They are open 7 days a week (weather permitting).

These Anasazi cliff dwellings are preserved under a red sandstone overhang and are over 800 years old. You can explore the dwellings during a self-guided tour that will take you room by room. The dwellings are architectural remnants from an American Indian culture that roamed the Four Corners area of the southwest. Virginia McClurg, a preservationist and Lucy Peabody founded the Colorado Cliff Dwellers association and trie to protect Mese Verde from vandals. After two unsuccessful attempts at getting a national park bill passed in Congress, McClurg gave up on the idea while Peabody continued to promote the national park idea which eventually came to be in 1906. The 40 room site was originally located in McElmo Canyon and were relocated beginning in 1904 to preserve and protect the dwellings from looters and relic pot-hunters. McClurg had the rock demolished from cliff houses near Mesa Verde and had them rebuilt. Below the Cliff Dwellings is a three story Pueblo style building that was created in the style of the descendants of the Anasazi. The first six rooms were built in 1904 and housed a family of local Native Americans until 1984. There has been quite the debate over the history of the ruins that were relocated to Manitou Springs however; they are referred to as “authentic” dwellings.

Why Visit Manitou Cliff Dwellings?

Unlike visiting Mesa Verde, the benefit of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings is that kids can climb over walls and go through the dwellings themselves. Unlike your typical archaeological site in National Parks, visitors are welcomed and encouraged to touch the ruins.

It’s a great hands-on experience for kids to learn about the history and explore what it would have been like to live during these times. There’s walking, crawling, climbing involved in the exploration. We had a toddler on our visit so we didn’t do all of the climbing but we did explore the lower levels. The views are incredible too and definitely worth seeing. While yes, my toddler won’t remember the trip there are a lot of pictures and it will open up for great conversation in the future to talk about.

For those with older kids, there is a great post from The Pioneer Woman’s visit to Manitou Cliff Dwellings.

Hours:

May, June, July & August
9 A.M. to 6 P.M.

March, April, September & October
9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

November
9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

December, January & February

10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Things to Know:

There is a Museum, Gift Shop, Snack Bar and Picnic Patio

Admission Cost:

Adults (12 and over) – $12.00 + Tax
Children (4-11) – $7.50 + Tax
Children (3 & under) – Free
Seniors (60 plus) – $9.00 + Tax
People in wheelchairs and anyone over 100 – Free

Season Pass available for $22 for adults/ $15 for kids (tax not included)

For more information on the Manitou Cliff Dwellings visit the official site.

Checking out Colorado? Don’t forget about this post below!

Kids are Great Cooks

Filed Under: Kids October 14, 2020

Why Should Kids Learn How to Cook?

If there’s something 2020 has definitely taught us; it’s the importance of life skills. Due to the convenience of most things, we often take life skills for granted…that is until everything is closed, or supplies are limited. Cooking is a vital life skill that even if you are someone who doesn’t prefer to do it, you still need to be capable of it which is why kids should learn how to cook. Cooking involves critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

“If you give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour. If you teach him to catch a fish you, and you feed him for a lifetime. -Unknown”

What Skills Does Cooking Involve?

It is an activity that engages all the senses: smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, and seeing.
Temperature- converting temperatures for a recipe
Time- working on cooking times based on weight
Measurements- measuring correct quantities or changing measurements based on quantities that are being made.
Colors and Shapes
Fractions
Hand-eye coordination
Reading

Cooking Helps Teach Kids About:

There are many things that teaching children to cook helps teach them that goes beyond just nutrition for their bodies.

Family traditions with certain foods or meals
Other cultures
Combining flavors
Presentation
Science (what happens when certain ingredients are mixed together)
Promotes healthy eating
Promotes awareness about what you are eating
Math

Dr. Nimali Fernando, MD, MPH, FAAP, a practicing pediatrician, joyful experiences involving food can help kids overcome the anxiety they may have around tasting the unfamiliar. Over time, cooking with kids can help build confidence and provide rich sensory experiences.

Research has shown that cooking at home often leads to healthier meals. According to research from John Hopkins, when cooking at home people consume less sugar and fat.

Empowering Children to Learn to Cook

Kids Are Great Cooks Subscription Box

So how do you help your kids learn to cook? What if you aren’t all that experienced yourself in the kitchen? I was recently able to try out a new subscription service called Kids Are Great Cooks. It is a monthly cooking club for kids that teaches them to cook with step by step instructions, build kitchen skills, grow self-confidence, and increase their independence in the kitchen. The box is aimed at kids from 7-14+.

The Difference in Kids Are Great Cooks

There are many subscription boxes out there, and there are websites that you can google recipes on, however, what makes Kids Are Great Cooks stand out is the video tutorials for each recipe. The videos are taught by kids and give more details about how to prepare a dish. The additional details include things such as what the consistency of something should look like, as well as kitchen tips which explain the different types of pots and pans as well as what types of tools you should use for them (wood, plastic, metal) depending on if it is a stainless-steel material or non-stick material. One thing that really sets this subscription box apart from others is the kid led videos.

Kids are Great Cooks Apron — The apron that comes in the first box

There are also bloopers and outtakes which are fun because they give a behind the scenes view to kids.

The Kids Are Great Cooks Blog has some fantastic information for kids (and adults!) where topics such as seasoning and flavorings, kitchen tools, herbs, kitchen how-to and more are covered. If you need an indication of the expertise that will be provided in the subscription I recommend checking out the blog. It’s detailed and there is a wealth of knowledge that is well laid out and authored by kids so that it isn’t overwhelming.

They offer three plans, a 3-month plan at $28/kit, a 6-month plan at $26/kit, or a 12-month Plan at $24/kit. You can check out what the subscription plans include on the subscription page.

Additional resources on the benefits of kids learning to cook:

https://mommyuniversitynj.com/2015/03/16/10-benefits-of-cooking-with-kids/

https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/developing-early-mathematical-skills-through-cooking/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/learning-to-cook-and-cook_b_1099863?

A Stay at Disney’s Treehouse Villas

Filed Under: Disney, Travel October 12, 2020

Disney’s Treehouse Villas

Are you looking for a unique experience at a Walt Disney World Resort? Something different and memorable? Disney’s Treehouse Villas may be your answer.

The Treehouse Villas are apart of the Saratoga Springs Resort; however, they feel completely separate (both literally and figuratively). They are comfortable, serene, spacious, and offer a very rustic (but luxurious) feel.

We wanted to get away but not go too far, and we didn’t really want to be in the midst of a lot of people with the whole pandemic going on so this was the perfect solution. Staying at the villas, we had our own little space and were able to hang out. It was honestly like finding a cabin in the Carolinas. The area is secluded and wooded, and it creates a relaxing atmosphere that definitely feels like a retreat. This year has been insane and we needed a break which this gave us and it added a little Disney magic with hidden Mickeys.

The villas include a kitchen, dishwasher, washer & dryer, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, living room area, dining area, as well as a deck with table and chairs. The kitchen has plates, silverware, a few pots and pans, and drinkware. There are dishwasher soap packets as well as liquid soap for dishes, and liquid detergent for the clothes in the washer/dryer area.

While we were only there for two nights, when you have kids it’s amazing at how handy this in-room washer and dryer can be.

Once we got settled in, we decided to take a trip to Publix to pick up some food. We picked up some breakfast items, stuff for lunch, and dinner for the next night. It’s crazy how complicated dinner can feel when you don’t have all of your normal condiments and spices that you use at home. We figured the easiest thing to do would be tacos, so we went with that.

Sidenote: Publix had a ton of Disney merchandise, which definitely saves some money buying a plush there rather than the gift shop, especially if you do “Tinkerbell” gifts for the kids. It’s also a great place to pick up Disney-themed ponchos if you’ve forgotten your ponchos at home this is a way cheaper option than buying one in the parks.

Disney Plush at Publix — Assorted Disney Plush Toys at Publix

Disney Ponchos at Publix — Disney Theme Ponchos at Publix

We made pancakes and bacon the next morning, then went to the pool at the Saratoga Springs Resort. It was nice because there weren’t many people there at all. For lunch, we went back to the treehouse and made some sandwiches. Afterward, we decided to go to Disney Springs for a little bit. It was hot and while it wasn’t packed, it was busy so after about an hour we headed back to the treehouse. There are two big pools at the Saratoga Springs with waterslides so the kids wanted to go and check out the second one. They had a blast, and again because it was relatively empty, they were able to have a lot of fun on the slide.

Pool at Saratoga Springs Resort while staying at Treehouse Villas — Saratoga Springs Pool during a stay at Treehouse Villas

Sandwiches for Lunch at Treehouse — Lunch at the Treehouse

That night we made tacos for dinner. They were super simple, black beans, tortilla chips, and ground beef- but they were delicious and dubbed by the kids “Treehouse Tacos.” Now, whenever we do tacos at home that are ground beef the kids get excited and still call them treehouse tacos.

Treehouse Tacos at Treehouse Villas — Super Simple Treehouse Tacos

It was nice to go and sit out on the deck in the early morning and in the evening as well. It had such a peaceful feeling to it. We had been stuck in the house for months and were desperately in need of a change of scenery.

It was relaxing and enjoyable. The tub in the main bedroom was amazing. The kids had a blast in it.

We also checked out the Old Key West resort which definitely has a Key West laid back feel to it and we had lunch at Olivia’s Café. It’s a relaxing and casual table service restaurant. We tried the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken, which was delicious, and for dessert had the Key Lime Pie tart. The kids got the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken Strips which they loved. For dessert, they got a sundae however my son decided he liked the key lime tart much better.

Keylime Tart Dessert at Olivias — Keylime Tart at Olivia’s located in the Old Key West Resort

Ice Cream Sundae at Olivias — Kids Ice-cream sundae at Olivia’s located in the Old Key West Resort

The Treehouse Villas are a Disney Vacation Club property (DVC) but as with other DVC properties, you can sometimes find them available for non-members. You may be able to buy DVC points to be able to check them out as well. I’ve not used it personally, but I have heard good things about David’s Vacation Club Rentals which allows you to rent points.

Who are the Treehouse Villas not for?

If you want to spend your time at the parks, then really, it would probably feel like a waste.

While I saw resort buses coming through often in the evenings, it’s been said that they are spotty throughout the day so if you plan on staying here it’s best to have your own car.

It is not close to your regular resort amenities, which for some is a deal-breaker (and understandably so). The treehouses are geared towards people wanting to have that serene retreat away from it all.

If you’re wanting a rustic stay but the Treehouse Villas don’t offer the convenience needed you can also check out the Wilderness Lodge.

Interested in other Walt Disney World Resorts?

What is Dermaplaning? The At Home DIY Explanation

Filed Under: Mommy September 24, 2020

I’m not into the trendy beauty treatment thing because let’s face it, most of the trendy stuff that goes around is too good to be true and I don’t have the time for it. One of my favorite Instagrammers, Abby with The Chic Mamas, works in the dermatology field, and she’s straight forward about things which has made her a “go-to” especially when it comes to skincare. A few months back, during quarantine she shared a DIY option for dermaplaning at home to get smooth skin. I had never heard of it prior to Abby’s explanation and always thought that if you were to “shave” the hair on your face it would come back thicker and with a vengeance. I was happy to find out that wasn’t the case and about all of the healthy skin benefits that dermaplaning offers.

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that involves shaving your face with a single blade (resembles a scalpel) to help remove the dead skin cells and peach fuzz. By removing the top layer of skin (the dead skin cells) it allows skincare products to absorb better and helps to boost collagen production which decreases fine lines and wrinkles.

Dermaplaning is performed with (very sharp) surgical scalpels by professionals in a dermatologist office.

Why is Dermaplaning Important?

Over time, your skin builds up dead skin cells on your face which can lead to breakouts and dull skin. It takes care of the layers (and layers) of dead skin cells that are just hanging out on your face. For some, peach fuzz can add a slightly dingy look to skin especially around the hairline, ears and chin. When that is removed it can allow for skin to be more even toned.

What’s the Difference Between Professional Treatment and DIY?

Rachel Roff, CEO and Founder of UrbanSkinRX, explains “In a professional office setting, such as a dermatologist office or medical spa, the treatment is performed by a licensed aesthetician using a surgical blade that you can only purchase with a license, with this professional-grade blade, clients receive deeper exfoliation that wouldn’t normally get when they perform it themselves. Plus, in-office treatments provide additional treatments clients can add to their treatment to achieve optimal results.”

What are the Side Effects of Dermaplaning?

I know what you’re probably wondering. Will it make the hair grow back thicker? The answer is no. As explained by Dara Levy, the founder of Dermaflash, “The hair on a woman’s face is called vellus hair (a.k.a peach fuzz) and is soft and fine, the hair on a man’s face is called terminal hair and each piece is like a strand of copper wire. [Dermaplaning] removes the fuzz just above the surface of the skin and does not (and cannot) impact the growth, color or texture of a woman’s facial hair.”

Tools Needed for At-Home Dermaplaning

These Schick Silk Touch-Up Multipurpose Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool work great and they are only $4.99 on Amazon!

How to Dermaplaning at Home-

First, you will thoroughly cleanse and dry your skin.
Next, take your blade in one hand and place it at the jawline. Hold the skin tight/taut with your opposite hand. Then stroke the dermaplaning tool in short, feathery like strokes downward. Continue until you have covered the full cheek and jawline area on both sides.
Repeat on the lip, chin, nose, forehead, and neck. Do not repeat strokes on an area you have already covered.
Once you’re done, apply your treatment product or your moisturizer. You can repeat these steps every 3-4 days. Some people find that they are happy with doing it every 2-3 weeks so it depends on your preference.

# Tips and Reminders for Dermaplaning at Home

It’s also important to note if you have any breakouts you want to skip those areas or wait until your skin has cleared up before trying this at home.
If you have sensitive skin this at-home treatment may not be for you
Because you have just exfoliated your skin, you’ll want to be careful with your sun exposure.

I love this at-home option because it’s one less appointment that I have to try and get to (or make time for) and it’s an easy way to practice some self-care at home. It makes skin feel super soft as it removes pore-clogging dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. Plus, there aren’t worries of the hair coming back thicker, is a huge relief!

The Truth About Motherhood and Being An Awesome Mom

Filed Under: Mommy September 11, 2020

The Truth About Motherhood

Motherhood is beautiful, chaotic, confusing, overwhelming, and amazing- sometimes all at once. It can bring you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. To grow and birth a human from one’s own body is an amazing, monumental experience. At some point though, we started treating it like it should be an easy, leisurely walk in the park. This mindset sets us all up to feel like failures when things don’t go as smoothly as we anticipated. The problem really comes in because are so entangled in the weeds that it is hard for us to see no, it isn’t because we are weak or incapable- it’s because it really is hard.

A while back, I was listening to Lauren Conrad’s “Asking for a Friend” Podcast and her guest was Leslie Anne Bruce, a best-selling New York Times author who was coming out with a new book about transitioning into motherhood. The podcast quote started off with this quote from her-

“I always say when it comes to mom guilt, we try so hard to to avoid it but I say lean into it. Bathe in that guilt. Let it cover you. Because I think that feeling guilty is a really, really awesome reminder of how much we care about our kids.”

I had never heard anyone put it quite that way, it’s always been ‘ignore the mom guilt’ or ‘push past the guilt’ and her statement just clicked. You don’t have to ignore it or try and push past it, just accept it’s a reminder that you are aware that you want to do your best for your kid(s) and that you’re conscious of how you try and handle things.

The book is titled “You are a F*cking Awesome Mom: So, Embrace the Chaos, Get Over the Guilt, and Be True to You.” I’ll be totally upfront and honest… I grew up in the south, in the bible belt, so when I saw the title it wasn’t something I would have just picked up, which I why I felt it was important to create this review.

“You are a F*cking Awesome Mom” is one of the most brilliant, honest books that I have ever read. In listening to the first chapter, I literally started crying because it was like validation that I was not alone in my feelings of just how overwhelming it all is. The book also helps connect the dots of why motherhood and transitioning into it is harder for women now. Leslie points out that while many of us have been raised as “hear me roar” girl, which is incredible and great, we sort of lost some of that generational knowledge of motherhood being passed down.

While (as it points out in the book) it is fantastic that women are now recognized as being capable of more than just motherhood it also makes it way more difficult than it was for previous generations because women today are having children later than prior generations meaning they’ve experienced more and know themselves a little better than they did at eighteen. I love that at one point in the book Leslie asks the question, that many of us have wondered after having a baby, “how did those teen moms do it?” Once again, it comes back around to the older we get, the more experience and knowledge we have which makes us view things from a different perspective.

I was growing someone new and somewhere in my subconscious, I must’ve known I was becoming someone new. Which meant I had to say goodbye to the woman I’d spent 32 years being. I just didn’t realize this at the time. So instead of preparing for my own transformation on top of stockpiling diapers and burp clothes, I kept telling myself I’d get back to being myself soon.

Easily Managed Motherhood quote by Leslie Anne Bruce

In the book, Bruce talks about how we expect ourselves to “tackle motherhood with the same self-sufficient self-gusto that we exhibited in our pre-baby lives” which is like comparing apples to…a chair. It’s two completely different things. Growing a baby inside your body and birthing that baby is a big deal. It’s a monumental experience that we’ve tried to make just another Tuesday which leads us to feel like we’re not up to par because we are judging ourselves by this measuring stick that just doesn’t apply.

You are an F*cking Awesome Mom is the book that delves into the true pre-baby checklist that all of those other baby books and baby prep classes skip over. How you are changing during pregnancy and why we feel that post-partum identity struggle.

Quote from You are an effing awesome mom

About the Author

Leslie Anne Bruce is a New York Times Best Selling Author, Award-Winning

Entertainment Journalist, Online Community Builder, Wife, and Mother of two as well as one of my new heroes. You can check out her blog, Unpacified which was launched in 2016 with the goal of connecting with women and offering support as they fumble through motherhood. You can also find her on Instagram as leslieannebruce.

Major Points in the Book

Motherhood is gonna come at you like a thief in the night. You never had a chance because you never saw it coming.
No one tells you the full story
Pregnancy is not just about growing a baby, it’s about you preparing yourself to be a mom and transitioning into this new life.
The importance of self-care
The truth about the Insta Mom
Conflicting feelings are OK
Sleep is a REQUIREMENT not a luxury. There’s a reason sleep deprivation is a torture technique.
How you feed your baby is NOT up for public debate.

I could write a much longer list, but you’ll get more from it if you read the book.

Motherhood is like a Thief in the Night Quote

What I Loved

I related so much to this book it was just insane. My youngest is now six, and my oldest nine, but it helped me understand so much of my struggle and that it was ok. Motherhood is a big deal, which is why we struggle and sometimes fumble through. I wish this book had been around the first time that I got pregnant, I feel it would have made things easier.

The Verdict

I feel like OB’s should give a copy of this book to women at their first sonogram. It’s completely and totally legit. It’s the parenting book that talks about how pregnancy is the time that is preparing you for motherhood, it’s not just about growing a baby inside you and getting the world outside ready for that new life.

I understand the reluctance with the title; however, this book is full of so much that expectant moms/new moms/ moms in general, can find helpful that I think it’s worth checking out. There’s some colorful language but it’s not in an offensive manner at all (which is probably why it’s referred to as ‘colorful’).

If you have someone in your life that is expecting, or that has young kids this makes a great gift. If you are expecting or have kids, it’s something worth reading. Even though it is focused on expectant and new moms, there is a lot in there for experienced moms as well such as knowing that you weren’t alone with those feelings and understanding some of the reasons behind the struggles you face(d).

Make sure you check out Leslie on Instagram, she’s one of my favorite accounts because she is entertaining and thought-provoking.