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Five Unexpected Times New Moms Cry

LilSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:46 -0800

As a parent I've come to terms with the fact that my little ones will frequently bring tears to my eyes. I'm a crybaby and I'm okay with it. I had the tissue ready for when she went off to preschool or said momma for the first time, but some events brought on the waterworks without warning. Here's my weepy bittersweet look at five unexpected times new moms can expect to cry.

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Who Is the Disciplinarian in Your Family?

LilSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:01:16 -0800

Couples are partners in crime, but when it comes to parenting they sometimes have to take on the roles of good cop/bad cop to keep their brood in line. If you and your spouse play opposing roles in dealing with your kids, you’re in good company, as it seems that someone has to lay down the law. No matter what your method of discipline, are you the disciplinarian in the family or is your partner?

Tips For Getting Your Child to Open Up About School

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:30 -0800

Afternoons in many preschoolers' households often sound like this:

Mom: "What did you do in school today?"
Child: "I don't remember."
Mom: "What books did the teachers read?"
Child: Silence and a blank stare.

Though many schools provide parents with a preview of the week's activities – or a wrap-up at the end of the week – trying to get your lil one to open up to you about what they did on a particular day can be compared to pulling teeth.

To get the conversation started, try these tips at the end of the next school day.

Don't ask, just tell. Rather than pepper your lil one with questions about her day, tell her about something new or different that you did today. Present it in a way that she can relate to so that she can share about her day, too.
Shake up the routine. Don't ask the same questions in the same order every day. Rotate the questions you ask and how they are presented.
Make it funny. Try telling them about their day by substituting out-of-place details at key points. This should get them talking about what really happened.

To see the rest of our suggestions, read more.

Move beyond yes and no. Questions that simply require a yes or no answer are not going to spark a conversation. Asking about their favorite part of their day or who they sat next to for snack may start a discussion rather than a dead end.
Remove distractions. If your lil one has been in school all day and is now home with his favorite toys, he is more likely to play with his toys than speak. Try to hold the conversation in a space where he won't be distracted.

Do you have any tried-and-true tricks to get your wee ones talking?

Things I Wish I Knew Before Having My First Child

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:33 -0800

The entrance into parenthood is a mixed bag - excitement, love, adrenaline and anxiety are just a few of the emotions most parents will experience. New moms are driven by the unknown and typically want to do everything right but when the second baby comes along, many a mom admits to asking, "What was I thinking?" Here are a few things that I wish I would have known before having my first child.

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What's Your Secret Weapon?

babysugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:00:15 -0800

Every mom has an ace in her pocket. When all else fails, we all have a secret weapon we turn to for curing an uncooperative tot. For my daughter it was Elmo; anything and everything red and furry would usually stop her mid-tantrum and return a sweet smile to her face. I always made sure her babysitters knew that if things weren't going well, it was more than OK to give her a quick fix of Elmo's World.

So tell us, what is your secret weapon? Join our The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community and share your tips! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Popular Worries For Present-Day Mamas

LilSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:51 -0800

We all know a worrywart mommy. While motherhood is the greatest gift of all, it often comes with a side dish of worry. The reasons for concern may change over the decades but there will always be reason to make mama fret or have restless nights. Check out what's worrying modern mamas in today's world.

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Are We Generation Mom?

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:04 -0800

Are moms being spotlit more than before? Or are Gen X and Gen Y-ers, using their "with child status" to form Generation Mom?

Unlike most previous generations, many women spend a significant amount of time building their careers before venturing into the world of motherhood. They also to utilize their work skills in the home. Moms have written countless books about parenting styles and have invented new products designed to make their lives easier. In some circles, playdates have evolved into networking groups for like-minded ladies.

Have Gen X and Yers become Gen Mom-ers?

Don't forget to join our The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community to chat up the mom talk! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Do You Hold Family Meetings?

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:23 -0800

The family that eats together, stays together, right? While dinners often serve as a family meeting of sorts, some busy broods pencil in a separate meeting time in hopes of improving family communication, conflict resolution, and discussing other issues that may come up. The digital age of emailing, cell phones, and social networking has made it possible for many families to interact without coming face-to-face with one another. Though it may seem old-fashioned, some crews choose to assemble the troops on a regular basis.

Do tell, does your family hold meetings?

Ever Left a Dirty Diaper For Someone Else to Change?

LilSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:11 -0800

Parenting is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. When it comes to diapering, many parents use the rule, "He who smelt it, changes it," which usually has both sides equally elbow deep in soiled nappies. However, some sneaky (and tired) mamas and papas looking to score a break from diaper duty have admitted to leaving a stinky one for their counterpart to find and change. There's no shame in needing a break every once in a while.

Do tell, have you ever purposefully overlooked your tot's poopy diaper in hopes that someone else will change it?

10 Tips For Coping With a Distracted Nurser

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:12 -0800

While experts may agree that breastfeeding is one of the best things mothers can do for their babies, many moms admit it also happens to be quite challenging. Just as you and your baby get into the swing of things, he or she is probably noticing that there's more to life than just mommy. Though it may be a good sign of development, it can make nursing a chore. Many tots are more interested in taking in the world around them and not the milk. If you've got a distracted nurser on your hands (and breasts) check out these tips for coping.

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