Early on in my career as a mom — I think Wyatt was around a year old — one of my co-workers recommended that I check out her friend’s blog, Rookie Moms. I started reading it regularly and was excited to learn from Heather and Whitney who I thought were the smartest, most daring and knowledgeable mothers in the whole world. It seemed like they knew how to do everything I was struggling with: balance work, family and relaxation, deal with sleep issues, go on fun outings. And they showered every day too!
Imagine my surprise when I figured out that not only were Whitney and Heather first-time moms like me, but that their kids were actually slightly younger than Wyatt! “How on earth do they know all that stuff?” I thought. I’ve known both of them in real life for three years now, and I still think they’re super smart about this parenting stuff. And now they’ve written a book that proves that they know what they’re talking about. Yesterday, their second book Stuff Every Mom Should Know
This little book is jammed with clever lists written in Heather and Whitney’s funny and conversational style. Things like:
- How to build a kick-ass blanket fort
- Comebacks for unsolicited parenting advice
- How to meet other moms
- Three foods your teen should be able to cook
- Ten last-minute Halloween costumes
My personal favorite at the moment is “How to make a long wait fun”. I will be trotting those ideas out (finger puppets! paper race-track!) the next time we are waiting in line at the post office or there’s a back-up in the kitchen at a restaurant.
If you want to benefit from Whitney and Heather’s wisdom too, head on over to Amazon
How to Enter:
Leave a comment below telling me something you think every mom (or parent) should know. While you’re at it, you might want to take a minute to check out the Rookie Moms on Twitter, Facebook or their blog (but that’s not required to enter).
I’ll close comments Friday night (March 30, 2012) at 9:00 pm and select 3 random winners shortly thereafter. Winners will have 48 hours after I notify them via email to respond with their mailing address. If I don’t hear from you an alternate winner will be selected, so be sure to leave your email address and check your email.
I hope YOU win!
{ 49 comments }
This one’s easy. EVERY parent should be told to hang onto those pull-ups for at least 6 months after Junior is fully-potty trained and to maybe pick up a small pack of Good Nites to keep on hand after that. Not because there’s a problem with your perfectly-potty trained child or because of bed-wetting, but because kids gets sick. REALLY sick sometimes. Flu and rotovirus kind of sick. And even older kids ages 6 – 10 can have a very messy midnight accident during an illness. We had the rotovirus this past winter and I can’t tell you how many times those Good Nites saved me from having to change some very messy sheets in the middle of the night when all three of us were practically at death’s door with rotovirus symptoms. When Spawn gets any kind of intestinal illness, the first thing we do is break out the Good Nites. It gives him peace of mind, too, so he can rest without worrying about an accident that will ruin his night when he’s sick. If he has a little accident in the middle of the night, he can even clean up after himself if it’s not too bad.
I had to learn this lesson the hard way at 3 am the first time my entire family got the flu after my son was potty-trained. If even even one parent is spared that horror show, it’s worth sharing my experience. 😉
One piece of advice — TRUST YOURSELF! It might seem silly but as a new mom, I could have used that reassurance a little more. Your instincts are there for a reason, trust them. You know what’s best for you and your Family!
I think every parent needs to know how to fold a few basic origami figures. I can’t count how many “cootie catchers” and balloons I have made for my daughter. They’re great in restaurants when all you have is a paper kid’s menu, they’re fun to decorate as puppets, and they’re free!
Love their blog too! Â I think every mom should know at least 2 easy recipes that you’ll always have the ingredients for in your house-some evenings everything gets so crazy, something that requires little thought would be so handy.
Things every mom should know:
How to use a slow cooker
Put baby’s socks in a lingerie bag to wash so they stay together
YOU are your child’s advocate
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Something every mom (or parent) should know: the cleaning can wait. It will be there tomorrow… childhood doesn’t last forever! (and either do sunny days!)
Oh man, I can so relate to this! What a graet idea! I think every mom should know to properly install a carseat, and at least one recipe for some type of homemade cleaner. I fail at #1 – still need to rely on my husband to make sure it’s in right! EEK!
What I think every mom should know, hmmmmm…. how ’bout after 10 years and four kids you will find that you STILL feel like a rookie all too often!
I’d love to read this book. Booyah.
What I wish I’d known when my boys were younger – don’t spend your time wishing they were a little older & over the tantrums and everything else….they grow up way too fast!
I ready Rookie Moms all the time – I love that blog. I’m a new mother (my son is only 6 months old) but so far, I think every mom should know that they don’t have to worry too much about all the statistics and right way to raise their children but just have fun and play with them as they grow. I love to watch my son learn new things every week and if I was worried about him hitting specific milestones on time I would miss all the great stuff he is doing all the time! I’m sure others have said it before and better but just have fun with your child – they’re having fun with you!
This looks like a fabulous book! Â My husband and I have an inside joke where, when the kids are falling apart (tantrums, being super naughty, saying crazy things in public, etc.) we look at each other and say sarcastically, “Aren’t they just miracles?” because my mother-in-law called to proclaim what a miracle our oldest was just as she was throwing up all over me when she was an infant. Â So, the point here is that every parent should know that they don’t have to feel like their kid is a miracle every second. Â They are fabulous little people, but its never going to be perfect and there will be trying times. Â And that’s okay.
I think every mom should know that some days are gonna suck and feel like the hardest day EVER tgat anyone has experienced. Then, your baby or toddler or child will smile at you and it will all melt away. I always try to remind myself they are only this little once -cherish the good along with the bad. And hold on to those bright eyed smiles !
I’ve been reading their blog since my son was born 3 years ago. Every mom should know that it’s okay to take time for yourself. It’s good for everyone!
I think everymom should know that comparing themselves to other moms is silly. No one has it all figured out and there’s an positive/negative to every situation. Love your kids, enjoy the simple moments that pass too fast.
Listen to your kid(s).Â
Trust your instincts.Â
If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of your partner or kid(s).
Never say never. I have learned that as soon as I say “oh my child never….” he does it. Or “oh I never…” I’m doing it. Be open to new ideas, thoughts etc. You never know what’s up ahead! Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
First I find myself repeating a quote i’ve heard a few places: “the days are long but the years are short.”. It helps me when the day has gone way wrong to bring me back to the fact that I have 2 healthy kids who are growing up fast!
Also, I think moms need to cut themselves some slack more often! Sometimes you just need to throw the plan out the window and do something fun for you. For me this means dancing with my kids or walking to treat myself to coffee:). It gets us out of whatever funk was going on! So what if the kitchen is a disaster…walk away for a bit rather than freaking out bec your child won’t let you put him down(guilty of this often these days!). This too shall pass and he’ll be wanting the keys to the car way too fast:/
Every mom (and dad) should know the car seat laws in their state and what age and pound range their carseats are made for. There are many uninformed people out there making mistakes about these critical safety devices.
Also, every mom should know when to ask for help.Â
I have learned (the hard way) to line every car seat, carrier, swing, bouncer etc, with a folded up old pillowcase placed in the bottom of the seat for those inevitable diaper blowouts!
I think every parent should know how to make eating fun. Cut a whole wheat waffle in triangles and call it a pizza, cut cheese and fruit into shapes, etc. The little things do make a difference vs. Just saying eat your food or else.
This isn’t a funny or clever one but I think every mom should know CPR!
A piece of advice that I try to always follow (and regret when I don’t)….never leave the house without snacks/water for the kids. It truly cuts down on the “I’m huuuuuuuuuungry” or “I’m thirrrrrsty” whining that inevitably joins us on every outing!
Dare I say, every mom needs to know how to pack a lunch that her kids will actually eat? Â 🙂
If you get everything ready the night before like your’s and baby’s meals and activities, it helps you to deal with any suppresses the next day with out stressing, also take everything as it comes and if you need help always ask for it, thats what friends and family are for 🙂
dont do to others what you dont want to be done to you.Â
I think every mom should know that they are the expert about their child, leave sleeping babies alone, and always carry an extra outfit for each kid and snacks in the car.
Let your child see you volunteering, being kind, studying, and apologizing when you are wrong. Forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Find a hobby or something you enjoy that doesn’t involve your spouse or child. Remember to laugh and be silly. This is a hard gig, but it’s fun, too!
I think every parent should know how to sing a few songs. Kid songs are good, but really anything that can keep a little one entertained for a few minutes, or make a long car ride shorter, or just have some silly time with your kid. Out of tune is ok, too.
Carry on warriors and read these articles! Â They have helped me tremendously with Postpartum Depression/Anxiety. Â PPD is also very real and very treatable, don’t be embarrassed if you need to seek help. Â It’s a beast, but it’s a beast that can be controlled and sent to time out. Â
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/to-the-mother-with-only-one-child
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html
I think every mom should know to pick your battles! Â Also: cleaning with young children in the house is like shoveling while it’s still snowing. Â Lastly: the days are long, but the years are short.
hmm every parent should teach their children to cook!!!
Every parent should know that it’s not worth it to make a huge deal out of every issue. Some things are not worth stressing over, and I’ve learned to choose my battles.
Thanks for the introduction to the Rookie Moms blog! It looks like there are lots of good ideas over there.
Sounds like a fun book! Â I think every Mom should know there are going to be lots of times you will need to apologize to your kids. Â It is good for you and them for you to do this so they can have an example of being humble and the right way to make amends when you have done something wrong.
Every mom should know how to kiss a boo-boo and make it all better 😉
Every parent should know “this to shall pass” if your child is going through a rough stage, it truelly will get better. Enjoy every wonderful min.
Every mom should know that every kid is different! Nurture and enjoy the one(s) you’ve got.Â
Comparison is the thief of joy~Theodore Roosevelt
Every mom should know that kids are resilient and can sense good intentions. Â
Every parent should know how to give a really good hug, stop to listen even when you think you cant, take off a band-aid, handle a medical crisis, take time-outs when you need them and give yourself time-outs when you deserve them, and cook at least a few meals from scratch!
Saw this quote on Facebook today and I thought it was something every mom should know: “When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: A stodgy parent is not fun at all! What a child wants – and DESERVES – is a parent who is SPARKY!— – Roald Dahl
Every parent should know to keep snacks with you wherever you go. It’s amazing how often kids eat and what a few fish crackers can fix (whether they’re hungry, sleepy, grumpy, just got an owie, or anything else)!
That looks like an awesome book. Â I think How to Say No should be on the list.
I love reading Rookie Mom’s too! One thing I think all mom’s should know… If you’re doubting your mothering about one thing or another… you’re NOT the only one who feels that way!
Don’t expect your child’s teacher to call at every missing paper!
Every mom should know that daycare does actually get easier. Everyone told me it would but it was hard to believe when my son was sobbing hysterically in the daycare provider’s arms as I left him the first few times. I really wondered if my kid was the one who just wouldn’t be able to handle it and I’d have to quit my job to stay home with him. Now only a few weeks later he hugs and kisses me and waves me out the door. Phew!
Every mom should know that the days you feel were a total disaster, will probably be the ones your kids remember most fondly….. and to not freak out at the occasional (ahem!) icing mess in the kitchen when little hands help with cupcakesÂ
Every mom should know that no one person/book/method has all the answers. Nothing works perfectly for every kid. And just when you think you’ve found something that works, those darn kids go and change on you 🙂
Sounds like a great book! I just recently realized that the mom at Julia’s school is THAT Whitney. 🙂
Every parent should know that everybody makes mistakes and we never do everything right! Trust yourself and just go with it. And let go of the little stuff 🙂
Oh and as advice: Keep a bag or plastic box with extra clothes, extra diapers (if one is still in diapers or potty training), wet wipes, snacks and extra shoes in the car. It has saved me several times when accidents happened that I thought we had outgrown or simple things like a spilled water bottle as you are pulling up to the grocery store. It is always good to be able to wipe their face and change a shirt on short notice when you open the door and your child has found an old snack in the car seat…
While potty training, always carry a gallon size zip loc bag containing a spare change of clothes and panties. This way when your child has an accident you have somewhere to put the soiled clothes and the smell until you get home!
Comments on this entry are closed.