It’s raining here. Again. And as Southern California Mamas, we are the first to admit that we are NOT used to it. Like, we barely own umbrellas kind of not used to it. So at the first sign of a sprinkle we’re making sure the kids actually have jackets and are scrambling to try to keep the family dry. As usual, we thought about ourselves last. We had no idea how to survive a rainy day inside with kids. So here are some thing that help us get through our day trapped inside!
Tag: momlife
How to be More Than “Mom” in 2019
Last weekend, we loaded up the kids and drove for a little over an hour to get together with my husband’s family. A five minute car ride can be rife with frustration, so an hour with three kids in the backseat can be an absolute disaster. When I got out of the car, I was asked by my sister in law how my drive was. Out of habit I responded in terms of the kids. “Izzie slept most of the way. Cole and Evie fought a bit, but then played nicely the second half of the trip.” She smiled politely before saying, “That’s nice, but I want to know how the trip was for you.”
I paused for a minute, unsure how to proceed. I’ve become so accustomed to my experience being dependent on everyone else that I didn’t even hear the question in terms of me. My kids day impacts how my day was. My husbands day at work can affect my night at home. But somewhere along the lines I have my own experiences and opinions and I need to remember to honor that.
After blinking in stunned silence for a minute, I responded to her actual question. “I had a nice drive. Chad and I talked about some things and I got to read a book for a while.” The exchange was unnatural for me. I realized that it shouldn’t be unnatural to tell someone about an experience I had. I spent the rest of the day very aware of the questions I was asked, and how I answered them.
We often complain that we lose ourselves and just take on the role of “Mom” – which is true. But I find myself accepting that role and not questioning it when I could be making sure people see me as more than that. This year, I want to talk to other women. I want to talk about them. Yes, I’ll talk about them as Moms, but I want to help them find value somewhere else as well.
Here’s my plan for 2019.
25 Hilarious Holiday Tweets
The best way to get through the holidays is to laugh at other parents’ misfortune. So we pulled together 25 hilarious holiday tweets to keep you going – and help you remember that we’re all just suffering through until December 26.
Unless your kids are getting toys that make lots and lots of noise. Then the suffering is never-ending my friend.
So happy holidays to all the Salty Mamas and Papas that do it anyway because we love these little stinkers.
5 Ways You Should Be Teaching Toddlers About Consent
Consent is a huge issue in today’s climate. As we’ve started to realize, kids are never to young to start learning about what consent is, and how to receive and give it. That means you should already be teaching toddlers about consent. As parents, we are the front line in facilitating these discussions and teaching consent to kids. Perhaps more importantly, it’s also our jobs to model this behavior in our own lives. Here are 5 ways to model consent in your everyday lives.
Continue reading “5 Ways You Should Be Teaching Toddlers About Consent”
Most Hillarious “My Kid is Crying” Tweets
If you have kids, you are NO stranger to all the crazy reasons that they’ll throw a fit. And yet, no matter how many tantrums you’ve witnessed, you’ll never stop being amazed at the things kids can freak out over. So we scoured Twitter for some of the funniest, craziest, most ludicrous reasons kids cry. Then, we asked our followers – Why did your kids cry?
Here’s what they told us!
Continue reading “Most Hillarious “My Kid is Crying” Tweets”
The Worst Children’s Books (Like…EVER)
You’re in the home stretch of bedtime. Your kids have been bathed. Their teeth are brushed, their jammies are on, and only a bedtime story stands between you and two hours of sweet freedom. You settle down into your kid’s bed, and ask your child to choose the book they want to read tonight.
And then it happens.
Your child brings you – that book. One of the world’s WORST children’s books.
You beg them to choose another- “what about one of the new ones from the library?” or “I’ll read you a whole chapter of Harry Potter!”- but they simply won’t be swayed. You’re going to have to do it. You’re going to have to read a kids’ book that you HATE.
And the odds are? It’s one of these six. Read on for the worst children’s books- the ones we simply can’t STAND to read.
Continue reading “The Worst Children’s Books (Like…EVER)”
How to Keep a One Year Old Busy! GUARANTEED!
Ah, one year olds. All the moxie of a full-grown toddler, but none of the interest in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And while the real fun and games of toddlerhood seem to hit around two, our kids definitely grow out of the “baby” stage well before then. We’re left with this not-so-fun in between time where our kids are more active than babies, but cannot yet be bribed. Worse still, they often will refuse to sit through a 21 minute episode of something bright and cartoony so we can just make dinner already! It’s not like I don’t love sitting with my one year old and playing Pat-a-Cake until my hands are raw, but sometimes I just have to get something done. And if I could find a way to entertain my toddler while they’re sitting next to me also doing something she enjoys, then hurray for us both!
Here are some things I’ve found that actually entertain a one year old.
Continue reading “How to Keep a One Year Old Busy! GUARANTEED!”
Entertain on the Go with Fun & Easy Toddler Busy Bags
Ahhh, toddlers. That beautiful stage full of curiosity, enthusiasm, joy… And tantrums. And opinions. And energy. Allllll the energy.
If you’ve got a toddler, you know that it can be hard to keep them entertained. They want to do everything, but there’s still a lot of limitations to what they can do. Restaurants, road trips, flights, dinner parties at non-baby-proofed houses- it’s enough to strike fear into any parent’s heart.
But it doesn’t have to be that way (well, not ALL the time at least). We’re bringing you a collection of easy toddler busy bags and busy bags for babies for our Littlest Salties.
Continue reading “Entertain on the Go with Fun & Easy Toddler Busy Bags”
20 of the Most Real Back to School Tweets
The kids are going back to school, and we’re having all the feelings about it. But at least we can take to Twitter to know that we are not alone. Check out these sometimes hilarious, sometimes kicks you in the feels, but always keepin’ it real, back to school tweets.
Well when you put it that way….
Everybody wants their kids to go back to school, until they’re stranded on the toilet without toilet paper and no one’s around to grab a new roll.
— The Real American Dadass (@R_A_Dadass) August 17, 2018
It’s important to know the rules.
“Let me tell you the rules of school. First, there’s no kissing.”
– Lila, 4yo #boycrazy#priorities #backtoschool #preK #thingskidssay #kids— The Salty Mamas (@saltymamas) August 20, 2017
Does the playground count?
Just when I think I have this parenting thing down, my 9 y/o daughter looks at me while back to school shopping and whispers “Mommy, my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard” #momlife
— Anna Zap (@AnnaZapOnAir) August 18, 2018
Back to school Murphy’s Law SUCKS
First week of school: struggled to wake the kids up at 7am. Everyone in the house in tears.
Saturday: they are both up at 6:30am jumping on my bed. #momlife #parenting #BackToSchool— Treehousethreadsblog (@treehouseblog) August 18, 2018
Teachers are so magical
*observing my daughter in preschool*
Me: Ok, but how do you get her to just sit there and listen?
Teacher: We practice patience and teach them to do the same.
Me: Right, right. But, like, what bribes are you using?
— Lauren Mullen (@DraggingFeeties) August 6, 2018
A different kind of sniffles
Told my stepdaughter she could only pick one dress for her first day of school look and she stormed off in a huff so I’m over here in Kohl’s rage sniffing autumn candles if you need me. #momlife #parenting #kohls #momsquad #dadlife
— Marissa ? (@natsmama75) August 18, 2018
Now THAT’S early childhood education
So my 3yo came home from her new preschool saying “save the issues for your tissues.”
So yeah, we’re really happy to see our money is so well spent on these kinds of life lessons.
— Stay at Homies (@stayathomies) August 17, 2018
Let the conversations begin!
Conversations with my kids during the school year:
Kids at breakfast: meh
Kids on the way to school: bleh
Kids after school: unh
Kids at dinner: ergh
Kids at bedtime: LET ME DESCRIBE THE LAST 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN DETAIL—IT BEGAN IN YOUR WOMB IN THE SUMMER OF 2010…
— Miranda Asebedo (@MirandaWriteNow) August 16, 2018
TRUTH
Friendly parenting advice: Don’t start any elaborate and adorable 1st day of school traditions for your first kid you won’t be able to keep up for the rest of the kids.
Love,
My 2nd and 3rd born#momlife #dadlife #BacktoSchool #firstdayofschool— The Salty Mamas (@saltymamas) August 20, 2018
If thinking this is wrong, I don’t wanna be right….
Am I wrong to expect mimosas at this 9:15am meeting at my child school? It does say on the announcement “do not bring children if possible”. So in my opinion it would be very misleading if no alcohol is served as we prepare our children for Kindergarten.
— Mommin’ All Day Every Day (@DayMommin) August 17, 2018
I just found my spirit animal.
my 7yo has been living in her robe and saying “pants are overrated” so going back to school in two weeks will be fun
— nicole tersigni (@nicsigni) August 20, 2018
It’s never too early for all the feelings.
All these first day of school posts already got me ? thinking about my son’s first day… which won’t happen for 3 more years ? #momlife
— Bekah Roberts (@sincerelybeks) August 20, 2018
May we all be so brave.
In case you were wondering if I was a wreck dropping off The Boy for his first day of middle school today, I WAS NOT. I unceremoniously told him to get out of the car and didn’t start getting teary until I was more than 5 miles away. #MomLife
— E.M. Caines (@EMCaines) August 16, 2018
Say, “Cheese!”
Take pictures of your kids each year on the first day of school.
But also take pictures of mom and dad. Tears of sadness? Tears of joy? Jumping jacks of excitement?#BackToSchool #momlife #Parenting
— Micah (@ParentalGrit) August 13, 2018
Back to school shopping just got REAL
my kids’ back-to-school shopping list
1200 pencils
8 reams of paper
26 folders
zero peanuts
76 packs of kleenex
a box of unworn britney spears concert t-shirts
a black tesla with off-burgundy interior
2 baby mastodons
the original copy of the declaration of independence
— MillerCycle (@millercycle) August 15, 2018
Because of course he did…
My kids have been fighting like cats and dogs all summer. It’s 10:30 am on the first day of school, and my son is asking when we can go pick up his sister. ??♀️ #Firstdayofschool2018 #siblings #momlife #lifewithkids
— Gabby Cullen (@gabbycullen) August 20, 2018
Got it, got it, got it – DON’T got it!
Just dropped off the 4 year old for his first day of preschool. I’m holding it together.
*flips open writing notebook*
*sees page where he practiced writing his name*
I am NOT holding it together.???
— Rebecca Frohling (@chipmunkofpower) August 20, 2018
Hi, my name is what?
Today was my kids’ first day of school ever. They were previously homeschooled. I asked my son if he made friends at school. He said he did. I asked what their names were. He responded:
“What am I, the Keeper of the Names?”#kidsareweird #kids #family #backtoschool #momlife
— Stephenie Peterson (@NellieNovaBook) August 15, 2018
Success!
To my knowledge my kiddos’ teachers didn’t quit today. I consider that to be a good first day of school. #DadLife #parenthood #Parenting #FirstDayofSchool
— Dad with a Beer (@DadWithABeer) August 14, 2018
Wait, we have to do this AGAIN?
The first day of school is exciting, it’s that second day that will get you!! ?#whysoearly #momlife
— Tabitha Newton (@TabithaNewton23) August 15, 2018
Building the Perfect Sandcastle with Create A Castle
There are a few quintessential truths about summer. There will be lots of sticky kids covered in popsicle juice. We will eat our weight in watermelon. And we will spend loads of time at the beach. Having sworn to never take for granted how close we live to the ocean, we often load the car up with all the kids, chairs, snacks, and toys our SUV can hold for a day at the bay.
My kids each have their own favorite beach activities. Izzie loves to stand at the waters edge and jump and splash – before making a mad dash into the water to try to prove that she can swim. Evie is content to lay on her towel, surrounded by snacks enjoying the sun. And Cole? Cole begins each trip to the beach with his never-ending quest to finally build the perfect sandcastle.
Tragically, no matter how many buckets and shovels and sifters we take to the beach, there will be waves of disappointment when my son just. can’t. get it. right. Try as he, and we, might, we just have not figured out how to build the perfect sandcastle.
Which is why we maybe freaked out with excitement when we found Create A Castle.
What is Create a Castle?
Founder Kevin Lane was as frustrated as Cole with the traditional bucket and pail method of building a sandcastle. He decided to figure out a way to make it easier, more successful, and most importantly to us, more kid-friendly. And did he ever! Here’s our review of Create a Castle’s Pro Tower Kit! Continue reading “Building the Perfect Sandcastle with Create A Castle”