Mommy A to Z

May 2, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
1 Comment

The Day I Stopped Apologizing for Working

Working mom guilt is real. But so are a lot of other things — like the need for a second income, the enjoyment of interacting with other professionals (and grown-ups), and the satisfaction of doing something you love. In my latest article on the Washington Post, I ask: How do I want my daughter to view having a career? The answer’s definitely not with guilt and shame. So I decided it’s time to stop apologizing for having to work.

Here’s a sneak peek:

I’ve offered a lot of apologies. I’ve apologized for missing Healthy Heart day. I’ve apologized for not being able to volunteer for Math Lab. I’ve apologized with explanations: Sometimes two working parents are necessary to support a family. I’ve tried just giving hugs and nodding along. “Yes, it’s hard when Mommy isn’t here. I’m sorry.”

But recently I got tired of saying sorry. And I started to wonder if all this apologizing was doing her a disservice.

Read the rest here.

How do you explain work and career to your kids? I’d love to hear from you!

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Check out my new book, American Mom: A Celebration of Motherhood in Pop Culture, the perfect gift for Mother’s Day! Order your copy today!

April 19, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
1 Comment

Win an Autographed Book for Mother’s Day!

To celebrate the release of AMERICAN MOM: A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERHOOD IN POP CULTURE, we’re running a fun and easy giveaway on Facebook! To enter, go to this Facebook post and comment with why you love your mom! The winner will receive a free, autographed copy of American Mom, a lavishly illustrated look at how mothers have been portrayed in movies, TV sitcoms, advertisements, posters, music, and more over the decades — a perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

Contest ends May 1, 2018. The winner will be randomly selected and must provide a valid mailing address when notified within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Good luck and enjoy!

Already have a copy of American Mom? Leave a review here! Thank you!!

April 3, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
1 Comment

The Perfect Gift for the American Mom

I am SO excited to announce my new book is finally on sale! Check out American Mom: A Celebration of Motherhood in Pop Culture! What’s inside, you ask? Well, this heavily illustrated gift book (perfect for Mother’s Day, hint, hint) is all about us moms! Inside you’ll find:

Vintage posters, cards, and advertisements, from Betty Crocker to Good Housekeeping.
Favorite sitcom moms, from Clair Huxtable to Lucille Ball to Morticia Addams — and their sitcom kid sidekicks!
Mom fashion through the decades (spoiler alert: mom jeans!)
Special spreads on Mothers and Daughters (hello, Gilmore Girls!) and Mothers and Sons (Everybody Loves Raymond…especially his mama!)
The history of Mother’s Day, as well as famous wartime moms, moms of presidents, and beloved First Ladies
Moms in Movies, Moms on Broadway, Moms of the Harlem Renaissance, Mommy Muckrakers, Musical Mamas, and more!

American Mom is an awesome gift for any mama, or any mama-to-be! Check it out at your local bookstore, or on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.com! And if you love it, please leave a review on Amazon or Bn.com! It would mean the world to me!

“A tender smile, a warm embrace — these moments are the same whether Mom is in a petticoat, bell-bottoms, or yoga pants. From the first Mother’s Day to modern-day depictions of mothers on the screen and stage, we continue to celebrate Mom, the ever-changing, always-loving heart of the American family.” —From American Mom: A Celebration of Motherhood in Pop Culture

March 15, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
7 Comments

5 Reasons My Kindergartner Woke Me Up Today

mommy no sleep

There’s nothing like a Saturday morning. No work. No worries. No reason to rush out of bed. Unless, of course, you share your home with a small person who can’t wait to start their day — right now! Then there are infinite reasons to get your butt out of bed at 6:30 a.m. — no matter what day of the week it is. Here are some of the more creative reasons my kindergartner has woken me up at the crack of dawn.

Continue Reading →

March 2, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
4 Comments

Living With “An Abundance of Caution”

New Mom at Playground

I lie there on the table, trying not to feel too exposed as the doctor pushes a needle into my breast. I stare at a framed picture of a doorway covered in flowers, attempting to read the words under the petals with my failing 41-year-old eyes. The procedure is called a core needle biopsy, and will determine the upcoming trajectory of my life. Yet all I can think about is that the hospital really should invest in some more interesting artwork.

I arrived at the hospital amid a quiet chaos. Earlier that day a local man had fatally shot his girlfriend, and he was in the wind, supposedly armed and dangerous. The schools near the hospital were all on lockout, barring anyone from entering. Before Parkland, Florida, that might have seemed excessive, but now everyone is operating under “an abundance of caution.” As I lie there I think of the shooter’s victim. I’d rather take my chances with cancer than a bullet, I think. A morbid idea, but there’s some truth in it. Sometimes it feels like the monsters are coming from all angles. Continue Reading →

January 30, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
4 Comments

I Didn’t Redshirt My Son, And This Is My One Regret

redshirting

There’s not much positive you expect to hear when your child’s teacher calls and asks if you have a moment to talk. I suppose, on occasion, that question is followed by, “Your child’s a genius and we need to start prepping him for his first TED Talk.” But generally it’s not great news.

This call was no different. As I sat in my cubicle, surrounded by books and papers, my son’s kindergarten teacher told me what I already sensed: that he was struggling. He was having trouble learning and writing letters. He didn’t seem to be understanding the different consonant sounds. He was getting frustrated.

I had known things weren’t easy. His first months of school didn’t go well. He didn’t want to go to class. He yelled at his sister. He lashed out at the babysitter. He began putting himself down.

With each incident, I grew more worried. I wondered if we’d pushed him too soon. Continue Reading →

January 12, 2018
by Mommy A to Z
5 Comments

New Year, New Mom (Not Really)

Hello, 2018. I’m afraid we haven’t gotten off to a very good start. This was going to be the year I turned things around, and became the brunette version of Carol Brady, minus a few kids and a housekeeper. This year I would calmly solve all my kids’ problems, keep up the house, serve healthy food, and, in all my spare time, focus on diet and exercise. Well, it’s two weeks in, and already I’ve broken most of my New Year’s resolutions. In fact, the only thing I can really boast about so far is that I’m still brunette.

Here’s a look at the lofty goals I set in 2017…and how they’ve all been crashing and burning in the New Year. Continue Reading →

November 28, 2017
by Mommy A to Z
3 Comments

Staying Sane on a Road Trip With Kids

Sponsored post.

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It’s the holidays, and you know what that means: Hallmark movie marathons, mistletoe, and War and Peace-length letters to Santa. And, if you’re like us, road trips to visit family. There’s nothing like being around loved ones this time of year. It’s getting to their house that can be tricky. Especially when it means driving over the river and down the highway — with small people who don’t understand the meaning of “quiet, Mommy’s trying to drive.” If you’re facing a road trip with kids this holiday season, don’t panic! Here are a few simple tips to stay sane and assure that everyone makes it intact to 2018. Continue Reading →

November 7, 2017
by Mommy A to Z
5 Comments

So, This Is Five

five year old

“Mommy, I had a bad dream. Will you sleep with me?”

It’s 5:30 in the morning, and I’m barely awake as I climb into your bed and wrap my arms around your chest. You’re still wearing your Iron Man costume from the night before, the one you’ve worn every night since Halloween ended a week ago. In your puffed-out, red costume you are the fierce protector of the innocent, a terrible adversary to any who dare cross your path. Except when the bad dreams come, and you need Mommy for reinforcement. And Mommy arrives, ready to fight any demons at your bedside. Because in a few days you turn five. And the days of Mommy coming to your rescue are slowly fading. Continue Reading →

October 31, 2017
by Mommy A to Z
7 Comments

That Time I Was Shamed for Being a Working Mom

Working mom

It had been a while since I’d been to a networking event. After freelancing for eight years, I was back at work full-time, and I’d been invited to an evening industry event. I was a little worried I wouldn’t know anyone. Or that I’d be underdressed. Or spill wine on my business cards. But what actually happened blindsided me. The last thing I expected was to be shamed for being a working mother — and by a woman, too. Continue Reading →