momlife Archives – The Salty Mamas

Before having kids, I was hella spontaneous. Whether it was last minute dinner plans, answering a friends invite of “let’s go out!” or literally leaving brunch to hit the road and go to Vegas, I was up for it all and with very few questions. So you can only imagine the ton of bricks that hit me when I had this tiny little baby that needed bottles and diapers and wipes and extra outfits and binkys and a suitcase full of miscellaneous items for a quick trip to Target. I mean, how much stuff do I need to run errands with kids?

And it’s not just the stuff – the stuff is manageable, and you can tackle leaving the house with a bunch of kids. But you have to know where you’re going! And I’m not just talking how to get there fastest. There are a lot of things you never realized you need to consider before picking a location to take your kids. So now, I basically never leave the house without answering these six questions first.

Continue reading “6 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Going Anywhere with Kids” →

Mama Mojo

How to Rock This Summer’s Styles for Mama

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018 Salty Jaymi

There are so, so many things about summer that I am excited about. I can’t wait to take my kids to the local pools, the beach, and the summer movies. I’m looking forward to weekends away with my husband, and evenings spent sipping a Mike’s Hard Lemonade (cause I’m classy like that) in my backyard. I’m even stoked about my electric bill-yes, you heard me right- since my bill pretty much goes away in the summer. And, in strange contrast to last year, I am STOKED to bust out my summer fashion 2018 selections and take my stylish self around town.

I’ve spent WAY too many years refusing to wear shorts and summer dresses due to self doubt. I bought the flounciest one pieces to hide myself away (which, spoiler alert- it does not work). I sweated my way through the weather and wore jeans to the wading pool, simply because I was intimidated by summer style. Well, not this year. This year, mama’s coming in with a bang.

So I scoured the internet (because let’s face it, no amount of confidence is going to make me want to go into Old Navy in the one hour a week I have without kids) and found the best summer fashion, summer style, and general cuteness to greet this summer in style. Give them a peek- we KNOW you’re going to love them as much as we do!

Must-have styles for Summer 2018, complete with the best summer style for moms. Only at TheSaltyMamas.com! #summer #summerstyle #summerfashion #summer2018 #momfashion #momstyle #momlife #fashion #style
Continue reading “How to Rock This Summer’s Styles for Mama” →

Mama Loves a Party, Mom Humor

5 Steps to Planning a Kid’s Birthday Party

June 8, 2018 thesaltymamas

Sunday is my son’s 5th birthday party, and as I sit here ~~completely and totally ready~~ taking a short break from the final scramble, I can’t help but reflect on the journey it took to get to this point. I’m literally an event planner by trade, so I had it in my head that I was cut out for this whole party planning thing. I mean, if I can organize 5K fundraising walks for thousands of people and galas that need to raise a million dollars, then surely I can successfully execute one kid’s party right?

Wrong.

All the moody volunteer committees couldn’t prepare me for dealing with one surly 4 year old. The requests – nay demands – like real live unicorns – are out of this world. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here are the 5 steps you must follow to have a successful birthday party!

Continue reading “5 Steps to Planning a Kid’s Birthday Party” →

Mama Mojo, Married with Children

How Following My Passion Made My Marriage Stronger

May 30, 2018 thesaltymamas

When Jaymi and I were first exploring the idea of starting a blog, we did our research. Not about the “important stuff” like Pinterest strategies and Search Engine Optimization, but stuff like what colors we liked, what topics we could cover and what vibe we wanted. During this phase I came across a cautionary tale about a woman that blamed her divorce on her devotion to her blog. I paused, re-read it, and sent it to Jaymi. We decided then and there that priorities included staying friends, maintaining a strong marriage, and enjoying this gig.

Even with all our new goals and dreams, I never once imagined that the blog could make me a better friend, a better Mother, and help me build an even stronger marriage.

Continue reading “How Following My Passion Made My Marriage Stronger” →

Terrible Twos, Tips & Hacks

Tips to Get All Smiles at Your Toddler’s First Dental Appointment

May 25, 2018 thesaltymamas

When my first was little, I remember hearing that you were supposed to take baby to the dentist when they got their first tooth or when they reached one year old, whichever happened first. Being the dutiful first time Mom, I checked with our dentist to see if they had a pediatric dentist on staff and made that first dental appointment. On the big day, I brought my son in and then the disaster started. He wouldn’t open his mouth – at least without screaming – and when he finally did, they counted his teeth, reminded us to brush and sent him to get a toy. It was half an hour of thrashing, screaming and fighting for 3 minutes of “dentistry” that I could have done on my own at home. I was ready to swear off of the dentist until my kids were old enough to actually have something done. Or at least until I had a diaper bag full of toddler tips to surviving the dentist. Whichever came first.

Well, I never got the tips, but my kids needed to finally go to the dentist. So now I’ve got three kids, and a bunch of dentist appointments under my belt – including appointments for my 18 month old! So I’m here to tell you that you can have a successful trip to the dentist with a toddler. You just need these tips.

Continue reading “Tips to Get All Smiles at Your Toddler’s First Dental Appointment” →

Tips & Hacks

Nighttime Hacks, for Smoother Mornings

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018 thesaltymamas

Having a Miracle Morning as a Mom sounds like a great idea. However, the miracle at my house would be being physically capable of waking up before my kids. I was blessed with three children that are so excited to start their day that they are running down the hall and into my room by 5:30. So the idea of getting up in the middle of the night to get my miracle morning on is less than appealing. Since the morning would not be the time for me to prep for my day, I had to turn to the night before. Thankfully, there are some super helpful nighttime hacks that have helped me get myself, my kids, and even my husband started on the right foot in the morning.

Continue reading “Nighttime Hacks, for Smoother Mornings” →

Mom Humor, momlife

Mother’s Day Fantasy vs. Mother’s Day Reality

May 14, 2018May 16, 2018 Salty Christine

I’ve got a Mother’s Day hangover. And not the good kind that implies that I spent the entire day relaxing and drinking too much champagne. No, I’ve got the kind where I find myself asking, “What happened yesterday??” Now, I’m not the kind of person that traditionally builds up holidays. I’ve never had high expectations for a life changing New Year’s Eve. I’ve never thought that Valentine’s Day was going to be the most romantic day of the year. But somewhere along the line I saw one too many Mother’s Day commercials with happy kids showering their Moms with love, crafts, coffee and breakfast – even if it was poorly, yet comically, made with egg shells hidden in the omelet.

That was not my Mother’s Day. And as I scrolled through Facebook, I started to think maybe I was the only Mom that didn’t have that picture perfect Mother’s Day….crafts everywhere, Moms thanking their families for the outpouring of love, and me feeling more and more empty. Then I remembered I was on Facebook and decided to go to Twitter, where complaining is more accepted. And I found my people.

But you might be my people too. So here’s what I fantasized for Mother’s Day, and how my day differed dramatically.

What happens when your Mother's Day Fantasies just don't happen?

Continue reading “Mother’s Day Fantasy vs. Mother’s Day Reality” →

momlife

How To Be a Better Mom in 10 Easy Steps

May 13, 2018May 12, 2018 thesaltymamas

First of all, let us be clear- YOU ROCK ALREADY. Your kids don’t care whether you made homemade brownies for the bake sale or whether you spent 1,110 hours creating cut-out dinosaurs on the Cricut for their birthday party. You keep your kids fed. You keep your kids safe. You kiss them and hug them and love them and sometimes they eat candy and sometimes they eat kale and THAT IS ENOUGH. So if you’re asking yourself how to be a better mom, lady, we’ve got news for you- you are the best mom your kids could ever have. Period.

We asked a lot of amazing mommies just like you to tell us about the mothers in their lives- their mamas, their friends, their kids’ aunties and the random mommies they pass in Target who are keeping their cool while their child goes feral. And we were so, so happy to see that it isn’t always the BIG things that make a person a great mother. It’s the little things, done sweetly (or even begrudgingly!), on a regular basis that shows your kids that you are there for them. And if your kids don’t notice it? Well, WE notice it, and odds are, the other people in your life do, too.

So keep on keeping on, Mama. You are doing an AMAZING job. Here are twelve ways that you are probably rocking this #momlife without even knowing it.

Are you looking for ways to be a better mom? We just want to remind you- we think you're already amazing. Read why at TheSaltyMamas.com. #howtobeabettermom #mothersday2018 #mothersday #momlife #motherhood #unitedinmotherhood

Continue reading “How To Be a Better Mom in 10 Easy Steps” →

Terrible Twos

What Exactly is so TERRIBLE About Two?

April 30, 2018April 30, 2018 Salty Jaymi

When Lila was little, I felt like I was prepared for the Terrible Twos. I’d heard so much about them, so it came as no surprise when she starting hitting, and tantruming, and insisiting on wearing her tiara while pushing a baby stroller through Home Depot. I knew it was coming, and I responded accordingly. She became the time out queen. I followed through consistently on consequences. And I let her wear her tiara while pushing a baby stroller through Home Depot, because if I’m being honest, it was pretty dang adorable.

Let's face it- Not EVERYTHING about two is terrible. The Pros of Cons of the Terrible Twos, from thesaltymamas.com #terribletwos #terribletwohumor #dealingwithtantrums #toddleractivities

But for some reason, as Abe approached two, I kind of forgot the Terrible Twos were a thing. I found myself wondering where my sweet baby had gone while dodging airborne books and trying to protect baby Izzie from his furious fists. I struggled to find ways to entertain him all.day.long. I wondered if he was possessed, if he was overtired, or getting teeth. And then I remembered that we are entering a very well documented phase- one that lasts a year, mind you!- and I had better adjust my mindset quick.

So I instituted time outs, created a toddler daily schedule, bought him a Batman costume to wear to Home Depot, and weighed the pros and cons of having a two year old. Because honestly? It’s not all so terrible.

Let's face it- Not EVERYTHING about two is terrible. The Pros of Cons of the Terrible Twos, from thesaltymamas.com #terribletwos #terribletwohumor #dealingwithtantrums #toddleractivities Continue reading “What Exactly is so TERRIBLE About Two?” →

Saturday Six

April 21, 2018April 21, 2018 thesaltymamas

Another day, another trip to Target for a birthday card for my Dad where we leave spending $80. Just us? But, I mean, Cole really needs some shorts that actually fit…..And Evie needs new rubber bands….HAND SOAP! This is just how our brains work now. So here are the six things that are jumping out at us this week. Enjoy!

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1. It’s Hammock Time

The weather got NICE and the kids want to play outside all day long. But Mama is tired and wants to relax. So basically the best thing that ever happened to Christine is this hammock. She grabbed it at Costco, but don’t worry, you can get it on Amazon! It is comfy enough that you can lay in the sun and read a book all afternoon (if the kids leave you alone) but it’s also sturdy and doesn’t sway so you know it’s not going to swing and hit your kid in the face if they’re playing with it. If they fall off they won’t hit the structure and it’s the safest hammock we’ve found for the littles to play on!

2. Korean Ground Beef

We were totally twinning this week when we sent each other matching pictures of our Friday night meal prep. Since we were planning to feed this to five kids with different preferences it must be a crowd-pleaser overall. Want more family meal ideas? Don’t forget to check out our Family Meals and Recipes Board and follow us on Pinterest!

3. A Very Disney Movie Bracket

Our friend Becca is back in the bracket game, this time breaking down Disney movies (which, I think it’s safe to say, we have very strong opinions on!) Round one just ended, but voting for the Sweet Sixteen starts Monday! So for now, go check out who made it out of the first round and join the smack talking as you can campaign for why your favorite movie should go all the way. And if your favorite movie already got beat? Use the comments to bemoan the injustice of it all. They’re rad chicks and can handle it.

4. Christine’s New Phone Case

Christine’s old cell phone case started out a beautiful minty green blue, but has become grubby and dingy and minty green blue gray. But, being the cheapskate she is, couldn’t justify buying a new case just because the old one was ugly. So I guess she’s sort of thanking Izzie for throwing her phone across the room and cracking the case. Especially because this beautiful rose gold number is on the way!

5. Kids Eat Free

We love to go out to dinner, but a) it get’s expensive when you’re feeing a family of four or five and b) well, no, it’s really just a! So we are MASTERS at working the system at places where Kids Eat Free. Which is especially helpful when your kid wants to eat shrimp all the time (seriously, it adds up!). So off we go to Gladstone’s on Thursday nights so the kids can at least eat free. I mean, his face says, “I love shrimp” but trust me when I tell you that Mommy’s face says, “I love FREE shrimp!”

6. The Saturday Six is Moving!

Starting next Saturday, April 28, the Saturday Six will be coming STRAIGHT to your inbox! To make sure you never miss a thing, make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter here!