How to get kids to eat vegetables

How to get kids to eat vegetables

My boys eat pretty voraciously—eggs, hummus, even sushi—but every time I clean up after dinner, I notice the vegetables left on their plates. No peas, no broccoli, no zucchini, no thanks. So! In an effort to prevent them from getting scurvy, I tracked down 8 ways to encourage kids to eat the good stuff...Read More >
My boys eat pretty voraciously—eggs, hummus, even sushi—but every time I clean up after dinner, I notice the vegetables left on their plates. No peas, no broccoli, no zucchini, no thanks. So! In an effort to prevent them from getting scurvy, I tracked down 8 ways to encourage kids to eat the good stuff...Read More >
How to get kids to eat vegetables
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRE9qyrw1T6Bk1KmVw6YNEU4FD17zcLQhBb2NHlPg5_3fPm1nJ_lMmzxjqETPXu9aMIb_qHkAkm9_Jvr4CZyJzCsoFykleqz_r21tS7zRmEj4VsBYywB9deukE9E-hjOhusLHLZLnE0Q/s72-c/baby-grimacing.jpg
Download
Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven

Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven

Oh, these little boys. Be still my heart.

One of the most heartwrenching parts of motherhood, I've come to realize this fall, is watching your child go to school. With other kids. Who will be sweet sometimes, tease sometimes, play nicely sometimes, hurt feelings sometimes. How hard to think that all those little ones sometimes will feel lonely or left out or embarrassed or sad. I know those are good emotions, too (we're striving for wholeness, right?) but maybe not for him. Maybe just happiness for this child, okay?

Toby has had a somewhat tough time adjusting to a new school with new kids, many of whom have known each other for years. He enjoys school overall; he just has wobbly moments here and there. Plus, four-year-old Toby still seems so little. An exchange at the neighborhood playground the other day:
Another four-year-old: "Have you ever seen Star Wars?"
Toby: "No...have you ever seen Elmo?!!"

Well, as usual, the brilliant Jenny Rosenstrach must have read my mind because she recently wrote a Real Simple essay about her seventh-grade daughter, who was having a tricky time with some school friendships. Jenny didn't know how to help, so she did what any self-respecting adult woman does: she called her mom. Here's what happened:

She told me what I already knew: I’d have to sit this one out, as well as the next one and the one after that and the one after that, too. It was time to let the kids figure this stuff out on their own. But in a vehement tone that I imagine she reserves for her most unruly clients (she’s a real estate attorney), Mom did give me one tangible way to help: “You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day,” she said, “they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”

So that is what I will do: Make sure that when my children walk in the door every day, they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. We've slowed down our evening routine and added some rituals. We light candles at dinner, we play games on the floor, we pile onto the sofa to read books. And Alex and I have started putting Toby to bed together—instead of switching off, we focus on him, and lie down (with Toby in the middle), and talk and sing songs and give "challenges" (like "what sound does an owl make?" or "pretend you're swimming" or "count to 20") which Toby loves. And, the next morning, when Toby pads into our bedroom at 6am, and stands at my side of the bed saying "Mama? Mama?", I pull off my ratty sleep mask and give him a huge grin, no matter how exhausted I am. Home is a haven, a soft landing place, and no matter what happens in the outside world, they will always have that.

P.S. Do your eyes light up when you see your child?

(Photos of Toby and Anton playing ice cream shop by Winnie Au)
Oh, these little boys. Be still my heart.

One of the most heartwrenching parts of motherhood, I've come to realize this fall, is watching your child go to school. With other kids. Who will be sweet sometimes, tease sometimes, play nicely sometimes, hurt feelings sometimes. How hard to think that all those little ones sometimes will feel lonely or left out or embarrassed or sad. I know those are good emotions, too (we're striving for wholeness, right?) but maybe not for him. Maybe just happiness for this child, okay?

Toby has had a somewhat tough time adjusting to a new school with new kids, many of whom have known each other for years. He enjoys school overall; he just has wobbly moments here and there. Plus, four-year-old Toby still seems so little. An exchange at the neighborhood playground the other day:
Another four-year-old: "Have you ever seen Star Wars?"
Toby: "No...have you ever seen Elmo?!!"

Well, as usual, the brilliant Jenny Rosenstrach must have read my mind because she recently wrote a Real Simple essay about her seventh-grade daughter, who was having a tricky time with some school friendships. Jenny didn't know how to help, so she did what any self-respecting adult woman does: she called her mom. Here's what happened:

She told me what I already knew: I’d have to sit this one out, as well as the next one and the one after that and the one after that, too. It was time to let the kids figure this stuff out on their own. But in a vehement tone that I imagine she reserves for her most unruly clients (she’s a real estate attorney), Mom did give me one tangible way to help: “You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day,” she said, “they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”

So that is what I will do: Make sure that when my children walk in the door every day, they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. We've slowed down our evening routine and added some rituals. We light candles at dinner, we play games on the floor, we pile onto the sofa to read books. And Alex and I have started putting Toby to bed together—instead of switching off, we focus on him, and lie down (with Toby in the middle), and talk and sing songs and give "challenges" (like "what sound does an owl make?" or "pretend you're swimming" or "count to 20") which Toby loves. And, the next morning, when Toby pads into our bedroom at 6am, and stands at my side of the bed saying "Mama? Mama?", I pull off my ratty sleep mask and give him a huge grin, no matter how exhausted I am. Home is a haven, a soft landing place, and no matter what happens in the outside world, they will always have that.

P.S. Do your eyes light up when you see your child?

(Photos of Toby and Anton playing ice cream shop by Winnie Au)
Motherhood Mondays: Home as a haven
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-KlMyW7k0tIk-T4RpSJY1o9SmuFFblClsqZtMi4X4aEMqlfLjSy8uPD3Ru6KfRBPSZih8Qgo3QrcKHcvm0BC4UFrObUtaCLN2kuiatwlLLE_tFS5zbOy1MOuZudY2oKeDpcVbj3G6rw/s72-c/toby-anton.jpg
Download
8 questions to ask a new babysitter

8 questions to ask a new babysitter

When Toby was a newborn, I felt totally overwhelmed by the process of finding a nanny. How do you even begin? I wondered. Thankfully, over the past four years, we've figured out how to find wonderful babysitters, including 8 questions to ask...Read More >
When Toby was a newborn, I felt totally overwhelmed by the process of finding a nanny. How do you even begin? I wondered. Thankfully, over the past four years, we've figured out how to find wonderful babysitters, including 8 questions to ask...Read More >
8 questions to ask a new babysitter
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_r4nly0sJ863yFVtfZ8PpZyDWWopvKy72KcMJAGz27qJTsVQJ1zJdIetuTkSBvHGqMeVDg_jqQ7IOK2e75jThnr5fzcvZZWiva6DFjfLn9WOXxx4CQoAOPWDzuGfTsCXm6FkZxILlaI/s72-c/how-to-hire-great-babysitter-interview-questions.png
Download
Kid's T-shirt

Kid's T-shirt

I can think of two little boys who would gladly wear this shirt. Made me laugh.

P.S. The ever-expanding bedtime routine.
I can think of two little boys who would gladly wear this shirt. Made me laugh.

P.S. The ever-expanding bedtime routine.
Kid's T-shirt
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO4lcdEc7ocY1BQJ4j3FuijHIMXtV_vZzRS9HFo_Xi1puYzgo5hKnlqD42BRwNnH7gSTPvOBZRCjXmK4ENC4z9cLEH7PYfbu7BV0Sih1_HzsiOGs804hhbhpNU08b52t-0W48C17vC04/s72-c/i'm-not-tired-t-shirt.jpg
Download
24 Surprising Things about Parenting in the United States

24 Surprising Things about Parenting in the United States

In our Motherhood Around the World series, we talked to American moms who are raising their children abroad. This week, we turned the tables and talked to nine moms who grew up abroad and are raising their children here in the United States. Here are 24 things they have found surprising about parenting in the U.S....Read More >
In our Motherhood Around the World series, we talked to American moms who are raising their children abroad. This week, we turned the tables and talked to nine moms who grew up abroad and are raising their children here in the United States. Here are 24 things they have found surprising about parenting in the U.S....Read More >
24 Surprising Things about Parenting in the United States
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFYjHUPc4dFXT9w8DTaJCCuOhMy65-B2fry1Aw8f215hIZMfzsJTZn_FlBomfhtpbKwYLl1pTLx1swBhehrDBYX2OMo5EC98ayBoxFNuU60qMDqeLVoKnKC51L0WUpWLX4mto_SMNQVY/s72-c/caitlin_mcgauley_motherhood-cupofjo.jpg
Download
Raising your first child vs. second child (so different)

Raising your first child vs. second child (so different)

Alex and I were laughing the other day about how differently we've approached parenting with our second child versus our first. You learn to be so much more relaxed! Comedian Jason Good wrote this pitch-perfect comparison in his book This is Ridiculous, This is Amazing...

Raising Your First vs. Your Second Child
By Jason Good, father of two

Food
First Kid: All homemade in special baby-food processor. Quinoa! Spinach! Sweet potatoes!
Second Kid: Crackers.

Bed
First Kid: Crib that Daddy put together himself while Mommy yelled at him.
Second Kid: Mommy's bed. Daddy now has his own room with a mattress on the floor surrounded by dirty socks.

Clothes
First Kid: One hundred percent organic cotton. Some even made of bamboo?
Second Kid: His brother's old clothes.

Parties
First Kid: In our backyard with a piñata hanging from the Japanese maple.
Second Kid: Pizza on the floor.

Bathing
First Kid: Every night in a special bathtub that's just the right size. Hand-washed with a soft cloth or silky sponge.
Second Kid: Twice a week. Swimming pools count.

Nighttime Routine
First Kid: Swaddled in a Miracle Blanket. "Baby Beluga" sung to him. Asleep by 7:30pm.
Second Kid: Falls asleep on the sofa with mom's boob in his mouth at 10:30pm.

Friends
First Kid: Playgroups, mommy and baby get-togethers in the park!
Second Kid: His brother's friends.

Toys
First Kid: All handmade out of wood. Mostly Swedish.
Second Kid: The boxes his brother's toys came in.

TV Rules
First Kid: PBS/Sesame Street only. Two 23-minute shows per day.
Second Kid: Has his own Netflix account.

Shoes
First Kid: Something European with an umlaut in its name.
Second Kid: Old muddy shoes with faded umlaut and missing sole insert.

Potty Training
First Kid: Diapers, then some kind of training underwear, then underwear.
Second Kid: Might crap in a diaper until college.

Babysitter
First Kid: A wonderful woman named Sarah, whom he loves and will cherish for the rest of his life.
Second Kid: Doesn't have one. We never go out.

P.S. The crazy things you do as a parent, and 20 surprising parenting tips.

(Top photo by Alpha Smoot of Kendra's adorable little ones; it was an outtake from this shoot. Book excerpt via Parents)
Alex and I were laughing the other day about how differently we've approached parenting with our second child versus our first. You learn to be so much more relaxed! Comedian Jason Good wrote this pitch-perfect comparison in his book This is Ridiculous, This is Amazing...

Raising Your First vs. Your Second Child
By Jason Good, father of two

Food
First Kid: All homemade in special baby-food processor. Quinoa! Spinach! Sweet potatoes!
Second Kid: Crackers.

Bed
First Kid: Crib that Daddy put together himself while Mommy yelled at him.
Second Kid: Mommy's bed. Daddy now has his own room with a mattress on the floor surrounded by dirty socks.

Clothes
First Kid: One hundred percent organic cotton. Some even made of bamboo?
Second Kid: His brother's old clothes.

Parties
First Kid: In our backyard with a piñata hanging from the Japanese maple.
Second Kid: Pizza on the floor.

Bathing
First Kid: Every night in a special bathtub that's just the right size. Hand-washed with a soft cloth or silky sponge.
Second Kid: Twice a week. Swimming pools count.

Nighttime Routine
First Kid: Swaddled in a Miracle Blanket. "Baby Beluga" sung to him. Asleep by 7:30pm.
Second Kid: Falls asleep on the sofa with mom's boob in his mouth at 10:30pm.

Friends
First Kid: Playgroups, mommy and baby get-togethers in the park!
Second Kid: His brother's friends.

Toys
First Kid: All handmade out of wood. Mostly Swedish.
Second Kid: The boxes his brother's toys came in.

TV Rules
First Kid: PBS/Sesame Street only. Two 23-minute shows per day.
Second Kid: Has his own Netflix account.

Shoes
First Kid: Something European with an umlaut in its name.
Second Kid: Old muddy shoes with faded umlaut and missing sole insert.

Potty Training
First Kid: Diapers, then some kind of training underwear, then underwear.
Second Kid: Might crap in a diaper until college.

Babysitter
First Kid: A wonderful woman named Sarah, whom he loves and will cherish for the rest of his life.
Second Kid: Doesn't have one. We never go out.

P.S. The crazy things you do as a parent, and 20 surprising parenting tips.

(Top photo by Alpha Smoot of Kendra's adorable little ones; it was an outtake from this shoot. Book excerpt via Parents)
Raising your first child vs. second child (so different)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqaWy-xZTeRjen1MsQPdbK1priV63ezdgx5q-w2s9zn6NLt2jgso3G2hz2FfdwuOvnMkXYKNNKh0tsA5vEb7ix1Em8tG6_VxZU-hd28cX1CHoCpvo8hBy5h0txBi-wAf05hgvdsIUXwI/s72-c/sisters-cup-of-jo.JPG
Download
What are your favorite parenting books?

What are your favorite parenting books?

A lovely reader recently asked me which parenting books I'd recommend. Such a good question! Here are our 15 favorites (and I'd love to hear yours)...Read More >
A lovely reader recently asked me which parenting books I'd recommend. Such a good question! Here are our 15 favorites (and I'd love to hear yours)...Read More >
What are your favorite parenting books?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSl8ANGAr1bgsaQtnLaos2SveHvXi50fbbjuOFqBf9d9sap_6W1oQpmYPGbNDENMM0Sl48XafWbkF6244cBkp0Mxcn1AO0yNWyoddvCvknw1zDj1t47ac0JbnHZrx4lJ2A7vwYBizLa0/s72-c/best-books-pregnancy-newborn-toddler-parenting.jpg
Download
Conversations with a four-year-old

Conversations with a four-year-old

Now that he's 4 1/3 years old, Toby desperately wants to act grown-up, but of course he's still so little. He says such nutty, sweet things as he tries to navigate it all. (If only I could freeze him at this age! My nostalgia levels are sky high these days.) For example...

Me: “When Anton gets bigger, you can talk and read together.”
Toby: “When he gets bigger, we can be twins!"

Me: “Sorry I was on my computer this morning. I had a work emergency.”
Toby: “Did the firemen come?”

Toby: "Mama, how old are you?"
Me: "Thirty five."
Toby: "But that is so many years!!! How can you be that many years?!!"

He has always had an imaginary friend named Dun Dun, but now Toby also has an imaginary wife named Bo and two children—Matt, 6, and Janna, 2. They drive a silver minivan and live in Montclair, New Jersey. They go to dinner with their married friends, Brad and Mary, who have three kids: George, Stella and Paul. The whole thing is hilarious and totally bizarre, and I have no idea where it all came from. We spend a lot of time talking about his family. And he's a really nice dad! Toby often prefers to push Matt and Janna in the swings than swing himself, so he'll stand there talking to himself while pushing two empty swings. :)

"Can I sleep in my belly today?" (meaning taking a nap without a shirt)

Anton: "Doggee!"
Us: “Anton, that’s not a dog, that’s a llama.”
Toby: “Like North Carollama?”

He's also trying to figure out how to make jokes. For example, the other day he came up to me at the playground and said, "Hi, Mama, I’m Dr. Person! Dr. Person...Is that funny?"

Toby: "Did I come to your wedding?"
Me: "No, you weren’t born yet. You were almost in my belly, but not quite."
Toby: “So I wasn’t anymore?"

Me, at bedtime: “Would you like a story or a song?”
Toby: "No, Mama. Let's just talk."
Toby, I love you times a million. You'll always be my baby.

What have your kids been talking about recently? What are they into? How old are they? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Conversations with Toby when he was two, three, three-and-a-half and almost four. Plus, dates with your child. (And I cannot wait until little Anton starts talking!!!)

(Top photo from our trip to England)
Now that he's 4 1/3 years old, Toby desperately wants to act grown-up, but of course he's still so little. He says such nutty, sweet things as he tries to navigate it all. (If only I could freeze him at this age! My nostalgia levels are sky high these days.) For example...

Me: “When Anton gets bigger, you can talk and read together.”
Toby: “When he gets bigger, we can be twins!"

Me: “Sorry I was on my computer this morning. I had a work emergency.”
Toby: “Did the firemen come?”

Toby: "Mama, how old are you?"
Me: "Thirty five."
Toby: "But that is so many years!!! How can you be that many years?!!"

He has always had an imaginary friend named Dun Dun, but now Toby also has an imaginary wife named Bo and two children—Matt, 6, and Janna, 2. They drive a silver minivan and live in Montclair, New Jersey. They go to dinner with their married friends, Brad and Mary, who have three kids: George, Stella and Paul. The whole thing is hilarious and totally bizarre, and I have no idea where it all came from. We spend a lot of time talking about his family. And he's a really nice dad! Toby often prefers to push Matt and Janna in the swings than swing himself, so he'll stand there talking to himself while pushing two empty swings. :)

"Can I sleep in my belly today?" (meaning taking a nap without a shirt)

Anton: "Doggee!"
Us: “Anton, that’s not a dog, that’s a llama.”
Toby: “Like North Carollama?”

He's also trying to figure out how to make jokes. For example, the other day he came up to me at the playground and said, "Hi, Mama, I’m Dr. Person! Dr. Person...Is that funny?"

Toby: "Did I come to your wedding?"
Me: "No, you weren’t born yet. You were almost in my belly, but not quite."
Toby: “So I wasn’t anymore?"

Me, at bedtime: “Would you like a story or a song?”
Toby: "No, Mama. Let's just talk."
Toby, I love you times a million. You'll always be my baby.

What have your kids been talking about recently? What are they into? How old are they? I'd love to hear...

P.S. Conversations with Toby when he was two, three, three-and-a-half and almost four. Plus, dates with your child. (And I cannot wait until little Anton starts talking!!!)

(Top photo from our trip to England)
Conversations with a four-year-old
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitl6vN1OCDInoXIdRJK4m321ezpup8o2BJKnV0eQU3oRqAVcYlZZA5poxDMnEzjta7rmMUE_tS-zPz28T9VUXTDOnFKNilWti8Keg5HZImfqFoBY-QUFaEVVRVRJxdMXN6MVwsRmcoR4Y/s72-c/toby-goddard-williams-england.jpg
Download
Easy school lunches

Easy school lunches

What do you make for school lunches? Now that Toby's in school, we'll be packing a lunch every day. We got some Lunchbots, which have three or four compartments, and the goal is to fill them up with yummy healthy foods. As the year kicks off, I figured I'd create a big list of lunch ideas to have on hand...Read More >
What do you make for school lunches? Now that Toby's in school, we'll be packing a lunch every day. We got some Lunchbots, which have three or four compartments, and the goal is to fill them up with yummy healthy foods. As the year kicks off, I figured I'd create a big list of lunch ideas to have on hand...Read More >
Easy school lunches
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC4ebIC2fUocRco4cT90OlGga9qT42_KpAwi8Kt4NysiV7ZFd67JuxWTZr33LRl2eZMoS40bvGsLo6vp0DFpX-zZAUmRrfW4tPaOFiE4wTPc0i5yhAqxAUL2GZWh6QISLzdkm9gp6Nsk/s72-c/school-lunch-ideas-cupofjo-healthy-easy-lunches.jpg
Download
18 Surprising Things about Parenting in Chile

18 Surprising Things about Parenting in Chile

Thank you for being so enthusiastic about our Motherhood Around the World series. It has been an honor to share these women's personal stories, and we loved reading all your comments. We hope to do another round next year.

Our thirteenth—and final!—interview features Natasha Ngaiza. She moved from Philadelphia to Santiago, Chile, with her husband, David, and their young daughters, Mia and Sara. Here are 18 things that have surprised her about being a mom in Chile...Read More >
Thank you for being so enthusiastic about our Motherhood Around the World series. It has been an honor to share these women's personal stories, and we loved reading all your comments. We hope to do another round next year.

Our thirteenth—and final!—interview features Natasha Ngaiza. She moved from Philadelphia to Santiago, Chile, with her husband, David, and their young daughters, Mia and Sara. Here are 18 things that have surprised her about being a mom in Chile...Read More >
18 Surprising Things about Parenting in Chile
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE76Zf_7FRI49M2S6PSxh2F3tFlu_mjzTXJB2lgKdAzLf-AhDUYmIpzj0QrZZd_wLpvWIHPaLCw6BAzHOF0QU86KE8bP7r0e7t_qE7jz_ivGV7b9xeh_aBj63lgSxMRDiO7JPHOv_8E5k/s72-c/santiago-markets.jpg
Download
Gift idea: Puzzle with your child's lovey

Gift idea: Puzzle with your child's lovey

Over the past year, Toby has fallen in love with a stuffed animal named Mr. Fox. They cuddle together at night and, according to Toby, Mr. Fox tells really funny jokes. So...Read More >
Over the past year, Toby has fallen in love with a stuffed animal named Mr. Fox. They cuddle together at night and, according to Toby, Mr. Fox tells really funny jokes. So...Read More >
Gift idea: Puzzle with your child's lovey
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvUKTr-Kp4tStH0NZ1jDcwcijkTspNcb0i17LWq-eO2ZarBn783BQvB_guOfjHqSA0Zz39IC4yjWUGBQVO3wCVfteaoLq-cUtulhD9IRZkOyWO_Ht9YQEJ9abVFy_eVjAFm4i7Uz01bM/s72-c/pinholepress-puzzle-cupofjo.jpg
Download
13 Surprising Things about Parenting in Turkey

13 Surprising Things about Parenting in Turkey

For our Motherhood Around the World series, our twelfth interview features Diane Zhang, who moved from Brooklyn to Istanbul with her husband, Josh, and 11-month-old son, Aaron. Here are 13 things that surprised her about being a mother in Turkey...Read More >
For our Motherhood Around the World series, our twelfth interview features Diane Zhang, who moved from Brooklyn to Istanbul with her husband, Josh, and 11-month-old son, Aaron. Here are 13 things that surprised her about being a mother in Turkey...Read More >
13 Surprising Things about Parenting in Turkey
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou4BxCeeD0f4ylLnCQCPKGhofEkFuDfcqM5GK8eRPJNQ68KicoBJQD5exjamyWslpWVJ_0arKkJsJUGDcdgXbBnrhWJfyQinfzXyIqAlFgg4GtEvXVb19waPwPgY4yVC9GZnV0naaWJF5/s72-c/istanbul+sunrise+motherhood+around+the+world+cupofjo.jpg
Download
Tips for moving with kids?

Tips for moving with kids?

We're moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn this weekend, and I'm trying to figure out how to help the boys with the transition. We went to the library to read this book, and I've reassured Toby that his toys will be coming with us. But what else? Any advice? Here are a few tips I've heard...Read More >
We're moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn this weekend, and I'm trying to figure out how to help the boys with the transition. We went to the library to read this book, and I've reassured Toby that his toys will be coming with us. But what else? Any advice? Here are a few tips I've heard...Read More >
Tips for moving with kids?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-tWF1AVAfD5pYKUucepbIdPn97vj6o7ROHnVLcnaSTXXFnYNomv6rs7bPuIIDmjQH1m1K6VPkvsbZ00Ufq71tQMWgu4HMIzcNlMtyElFkaV-cUR4km5HQubpFCbL2ztjcY0h7lVntgA/s72-c/joanna-goddard-family-QEII.jpg
Download
14 Surprising Things about Parenting in Australia

14 Surprising Things about Parenting in Australia

For our eleventh Motherhood Around the World interview, we talked to Gaby Fearn, who lives in Sydney with her husband and one-year-old daughter, Clementine. Here are 14 things she finds surprising about being a mom in Australia...Read More >
For our eleventh Motherhood Around the World interview, we talked to Gaby Fearn, who lives in Sydney with her husband and one-year-old daughter, Clementine. Here are 14 things she finds surprising about being a mom in Australia...Read More >
14 Surprising Things about Parenting in Australia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCjxJ1Q0ws-j3XL8Y4jFNVIwGpeLLDuf1xE1itHhhKJJxfPV2TbOGpL7pinyc15Vv5uPFd77BuCwil_GuQlfFvFGVT0yoSdm0MLzIzFZ2fTzpNVqsdklRcvRA229OV1JP89yDjdKQN-s/s72-c/the+bush.JPG
Download
20 Surprising Things about Parenting in Germany

20 Surprising Things about Parenting in Germany

For our tenth Motherhood Around the World interview, we're thrilled to feature Luisa Weiss, author of the blog The Wednesday Chef and book My Berlin Kitchen. Luisa lives in Berlin with her husband, Max, and two-year-old son, Hugo. Here are twenty things she found surprising about being a mom in Germany...
Read More >
For our tenth Motherhood Around the World interview, we're thrilled to feature Luisa Weiss, author of the blog The Wednesday Chef and book My Berlin Kitchen. Luisa lives in Berlin with her husband, Max, and two-year-old son, Hugo. Here are twenty things she found surprising about being a mom in Germany...
Read More >
20 Surprising Things about Parenting in Germany
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPwfPvyJrKNsuxfSAF7rgJfvf3jTkEiWt8hlMPPg43TEsBsnhaqocNo_GFQO3cRJefUjiP38w_do7XeVR7E65BPRnx6deJzxgvWTNTd_jA1eW3KyjoFVmgCVZ2km_ulFSk5ONYv11jIaX/s72-c/luisa-weiss-hugo.jpg
Download
16 Surprising Things about Parenting in China

16 Surprising Things about Parenting in China

For our Motherhood Around the World series, our ninth interview features Tatum Hawkins, a writer currently living in Shanghai with her husband, Sam, and their daughters, Tess, 3, and Rue, 18 months. Here, she shares 16 surprising things about being a mom in China...
Read More >
For our Motherhood Around the World series, our ninth interview features Tatum Hawkins, a writer currently living in Shanghai with her husband, Sam, and their daughters, Tess, 3, and Rue, 18 months. Here, she shares 16 surprising things about being a mom in China...
Read More >
16 Surprising Things about Parenting in China
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJXGZZ2sRNVqq9GuCNE9Tu6AqGnBSSFO4ciE9oE17dm2l1ByYmQAByIRHAN36CLpCzay52zJyHc9gOgxfredD9Pyrj7f6yG9W-2ZJMg-SW4pDelAbDVZo77RWSeQBWLZWxyJYe3IP33Ea/s72-c/pagoda-with-skyline.png
Download
15 Surprising Things about Parenting in England

15 Surprising Things about Parenting in England

Erin Moore and her husband, Tom, have spent the last seven years in London, where they live with their four-year-old daughter Anne—and another baby on the way! Here are 15 fascinating things about being a mom in England...Read More >
Erin Moore and her husband, Tom, have spent the last seven years in London, where they live with their four-year-old daughter Anne—and another baby on the way! Here are 15 fascinating things about being a mom in England...Read More >
15 Surprising Things about Parenting in England
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuQRtERWSCdvpzIHH5q8wWiX5uX_bjAsQZ-JQ9CwxOC6NsI7WHnNiIRu3anzXdShI2vzHnagZHg9f770QXu3i-oS5AS91EOJJzGEIWxSX0oO2PXMdgBUK-kiLwnk0OzsemEVBkftZlrno/s72-c/Motherhood+London+cupofjo+Erin+Bush+Moore.jpg
Download
Motherhood Around the World

Motherhood Around the World

Last summer, we did a series called Motherhood Around the World, which was easily one of my favorite blogging experiences of the past seven years. We featured an interview every week with an American mother living in a different country around the world. Their stories and observations about parenting abroad were fascinating, insightful, funny and surprising. Thank you so much to all the incredible mothers who shared their stories. The conversations in the comments sections were equally compelling—I loved hearing about everyone's thoughts and experiences.

We talked to mothers living in Norway, Japan, Congo, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Abu Dhabi and India.

Now I'm thrilled to say we're doing another Motherhood Around the World series this summer—starting today!

As I mentioned last summer, we decided to speak to American mothers abroad–versus mothers who were born and raised in those countries—because we wanted to hear how motherhood around the world compared and contrasted with motherhood in America. It can be surprisingly hard to realize what's unique about your own country ("don't all kids eat snails?"), and it tends to be easier to identify differences as an outsider.

Also, we wanted to hear from these individual mothers about their particular experiences, but of course everyone’s impressions, circumstances, socioeconomic levels and lifestyles are different, so these interviews are in no way meant to describe or reduce entire cultures. (I can’t imagine if someone tried to explain America as a whole!) These interviews are more about women’s personal stories and observations. We also chose women who were more or less from the same demographic so we could see what it was like within that similar demographic around the world. I'm curious to hear from people born and bred in each country as well, in terms of what you think rings true and what surprises you.

Plus, a few more Cup of Jo series if you're in the mood:
* Guide to New York
* Motherhood Mondays
* Beauty Uniforms
* What We're Reading
* House Tours
* Hair Tutorials

Anyway, we're excited to share these interviews every Monday and discuss parenting customs with you, and a huge thank you to Caroline for helping put it together. Hope you enjoy it. xoxoxo
(Top photo of my parents with us in France; bottom photo of a boy in Madrid by The Sartorialist)
Last summer, we did a series called Motherhood Around the World, which was easily one of my favorite blogging experiences of the past seven years. We featured an interview every week with an American mother living in a different country around the world. Their stories and observations about parenting abroad were fascinating, insightful, funny and surprising. Thank you so much to all the incredible mothers who shared their stories. The conversations in the comments sections were equally compelling—I loved hearing about everyone's thoughts and experiences.

We talked to mothers living in Norway, Japan, Congo, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Abu Dhabi and India.

Now I'm thrilled to say we're doing another Motherhood Around the World series this summer—starting today!

As I mentioned last summer, we decided to speak to American mothers abroad–versus mothers who were born and raised in those countries—because we wanted to hear how motherhood around the world compared and contrasted with motherhood in America. It can be surprisingly hard to realize what's unique about your own country ("don't all kids eat snails?"), and it tends to be easier to identify differences as an outsider.

Also, we wanted to hear from these individual mothers about their particular experiences, but of course everyone’s impressions, circumstances, socioeconomic levels and lifestyles are different, so these interviews are in no way meant to describe or reduce entire cultures. (I can’t imagine if someone tried to explain America as a whole!) These interviews are more about women’s personal stories and observations. We also chose women who were more or less from the same demographic so we could see what it was like within that similar demographic around the world. I'm curious to hear from people born and bred in each country as well, in terms of what you think rings true and what surprises you.

Plus, a few more Cup of Jo series if you're in the mood:
* Guide to New York
* Motherhood Mondays
* Beauty Uniforms
* What We're Reading
* House Tours
* Hair Tutorials

Anyway, we're excited to share these interviews every Monday and discuss parenting customs with you, and a huge thank you to Caroline for helping put it together. Hope you enjoy it. xoxoxo
(Top photo of my parents with us in France; bottom photo of a boy in Madrid by The Sartorialist)
Motherhood Around the World
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2N1uJZdqk1b1xKu1WX-ndT5s6273RCGIs9jxjEH1Scwofg1uaW5d-KQWj-vydVVh_tsDP4RL46Eqf84BMU74SS8i4k87VUpQvSk_FztTfMamm_5nNRsH98LXSJ5b9PUUHQIAGllrsvjr/s72-c/jean-goddard-joanna-cupofjo.jpg
Download
Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips

Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips

Before our second baby was born, I was on pins and needles. Would the children play together? Would they be jealous? Would they fight? I wasn't sure what to expect. But after a year together (Anton turns one on Saturday!), we've thankfully figured out five things that have helped kickstart a sweet friendship...Read More >
Before our second baby was born, I was on pins and needles. Would the children play together? Would they be jealous? Would they fight? I wasn't sure what to expect. But after a year together (Anton turns one on Saturday!), we've thankfully figured out five things that have helped kickstart a sweet friendship...Read More >
Sibling Rivalry: 5 tricks and tips
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77guMsj0IOLbFNGK-ZNa7Kxtxmmqu0eX4JwBaPAlYZhqlWv0XBr6OXX5uNE5ESxCGuAbcy5Uw0a61VM23snrIeqSemKQjri3nDFDgbvkVtiK0VcZwdeI_27ix00LV57po76y2mlDN4VjT/s72-c/toby-anton.JPG
Download
21 years of a family

21 years of a family

Back in 1991, Zed Nelson took a photograph of his friends with their baby son, and every year since, he has photographed them against the same backdrop using the same lighting. "There are no distractions," Nelson says. "Only the miracle of growth and the changes of time and age." (See them all here.)

I actually found these photos surprisingly moving—did you feel the same? Sometimes I tell Alex that when you raise a child, it's like raising a hundred different children—a needy newborn, a chubby baby, a chatty toddler, an independent child...they feel like separate people, and you want to freeze certain stages before they move on to the next. Sometimes I look back at photos and miss those past stages. I never really experienced nostalgia before having children and now it's such a daily pang!

P.S. Toby as a newborn, baby, toddler and child.

(Via Kottke)
Back in 1991, Zed Nelson took a photograph of his friends with their baby son, and every year since, he has photographed them against the same backdrop using the same lighting. "There are no distractions," Nelson says. "Only the miracle of growth and the changes of time and age." (See them all here.)

I actually found these photos surprisingly moving—did you feel the same? Sometimes I tell Alex that when you raise a child, it's like raising a hundred different children—a needy newborn, a chubby baby, a chatty toddler, an independent child...they feel like separate people, and you want to freeze certain stages before they move on to the next. Sometimes I look back at photos and miss those past stages. I never really experienced nostalgia before having children and now it's such a daily pang!

P.S. Toby as a newborn, baby, toddler and child.

(Via Kottke)
21 years of a family
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9aM4hjVkrYt1RCetTQkrXJflMSHmNrJ6_JKKQ0U86jGxQwjg3kdwjvGaSVg8TUxksPln0FkxYOKeB1g-xlLVYpYHQ47B6bd-7sZ7rbqsxJFVNmveryqCjCNqJWNmWNukFceXDYKc87s2/s72-c/zed-nelson.png
Download
 

Copyright © 2013. Themes Gallery - All Rights Reserved
Design by Lee Quynh
Hotline: 0963.133.573
Email: garait9x@Gmail.com