What Does It Take to Be a Strong, Independent Mom?

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March 24, 2016

Before I left China for Boston, my mother-in-law asked me about our arrangements post-birth — who would come to look after me and the newborn baby in April? In China, it’s common practice to have parents or in-laws stay with a new couple after childbirth for a year — or even longer. They’re like nannies who work 24/7 without pay and without time off — tempting? They take care of almost everything in the house, including the new parents. Because Chinese women are housebound the entire month after childbirth, our sole responsibility is to rest and feed the baby.

But American women are different. They start walking and taking showers soon after they give birth, and they typically take care of their newborns by themselves. They’re independent. So what’s the difference?

According to some Chinese, it all comes down to diet — women in the U.S. eat lots of meat, and they are strong. Seriously?

meat-1030729_1920 — Does meat make the difference between a strong, independent mom and a mom who relies on others?

When I see a young mother pushing her two little toddlers in a stroller or out having lunch or enjoying a beautiful day in Boston, I think about how that would never happen in China without a husband or, in most cases, a grandparent by her side. That’s why my decision to handle pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood with my husband alone — and not to let family come for an extended stay — was not very well received by our parents. We’ve also been constantly questioned by friends. My husband and I have challenged the rule that is religiously obeyed in China.

My mother was blunt: “You can’t do it.” My sister-in-law asked if we’d thought it through. Her daughter is brought up by my in-laws. She’s now 6 years old, and it’s still a must that my in-laws travel through half of China to take care of her during school vacations. A very dear friend of mine gave birth to a baby girl two months ago — her mother is helping her with the baby, her father is in charge of household chores (I have no idea what her husband does). Having help doesn’t always mean life is easier for new mums, though; when everyone wants to voice their opinions on parenting techniques, it can lead to tension in the house.

An American friend, Lisa, who has a 5-month-old baby girl, told me she spends 10 hours a day alone with her daughter. It’s not easy for her to be a full-time mum, but she loves to be with her daughter. She encouraged me by saying that if she can do it, I can do it.

But the question’s still there: What is it that makes such a big difference — that you can do it and we Chinese can’t? Is it because our minds are shaped into believing that we just aren’t capable, so we have to rely on outside help?

Or is it because you eat a different diet — and lots of meat? What does it take to become a strong, independent mom?

Swim Success at the British Swim School

By

Heather Y

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March 22, 2016

This post is sponsored. However, we would not promote or work with a business we did not believe to be reputable or relevant to our readers.

With warmer weather just around the corner, I jumped at the chance to try out swim lessons at the British Swim School in Bedford. I did some research from home prior to our first lesson and immediately loved the methods of this specific swim school. The main goal is teaching water safety. This includes learning to fall into the water and being able to roll over onto your back and float. Infants as young as 3 months are able to start working on these skills. I was intrigued.

My 2-year-old, M, had a few options for classes, but I opted to do a parent-child class as she occasionally has trouble separating. We were enrolled in the “Swimboree” class. My 4-year-old, J, has basic swimming skills but is not able to float independently, so he was enrolled in the “Minnow” class. All children enrolled in lessons are given colored swim caps for lessons, and the various colors signify their swimming abilities. I love this idea, as it makes it clear to instructors what the children are capable of in the pool and who may need extra attention/supervision.

M and I started our first lesson playing with toys and making sure she was comfortable in the water. The instructor and I then worked on getting M OK with floating on her back with my assistance. Next was getting her comfortable transitioning from her belly to her back, floating, and then falling into the water and floating on her own. All of these are necessary skills for water safety. We ended the lesson with M using a floatation ring and working on swimming independently. The ring was great, as it allowed her to use her arms while swimming. Many other flotation devices prohibit motion.

J’s class followed a similar structure, but he worked with his teacher while I watched from the sidelines. The instructor kept him busy during the entire lesson and ended by having J swim independently in the pool. During our month of lessons it was fun to watch the kids’ confidence and skills in the water grow.

Classes are taught at the Atlantis Sport Club in Bedford, but there is also a location in Westford. Families have access to the locker rooms, which include showers and a changing area. The pool is heated to 86-88°F, making it an easy transition for even the most reluctant swimmers. Swim lessons are 30 minutes long and are offered weekly. The student-to-teacher ratio is max 4:1, giving students the attention they need. If you are looking to start your little swimmers in the pool, look no further than the British Swim School!

Preserving Memories :: Speaking to Children About Death and the Departed

By

Allison Goldberg

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March 21, 2016

The day is still freshly visible in my mind. The day my world shattered. My parents crumbled. My family broke. My brother was gone. It was a freak skiing accident, but at the age of 9 my world changed forever.

The safety and security my parents’ arms once provided me vanished. From that moment on I knew just how hastily life could be taken, and it did not exclude the lives of children. An emptiness surrounded us and sat thickly in the air. While our world had halted to a stop, life around us continued as normal. And so we were forced to make sense of something senseless and come to terms with the fact that he was gone.

As a coping strategy and, most importantly, as a way to always remember my brother, my family spoke about him often. It was vital to remember him — a life that was taken much too soon — and share the memories, for that was all we had left. The stories at first were more painful than anything else. Words flowed through our lips, muffled by tearful sorrow. But, through practice and time we began to laugh again. The grief — while endless — does change little by little, and learning there is a place for laughter while reminiscing allowed my family to endure.

Although the rawness of the emotional wound dissipated over the many years that have passed, the loss is still very much alive. His death, my darkness, shaped everything about me. Happy and exciting occasions are, at times, still tinged with a trace of sadness. And the desire for my children to have known their uncle is prevalent.

Following with keeping his memory alive, I speak about my brother often. I show my children pictures and tell them stories about the mischief we once got into. To think of their mother as a child is a difficult concept on its own, but to begin to comprehend that I had a brother and that brother died — I worry it is too much.

Questioning every choice I make comes with the territory of motherhood, but with a topic this serious, overanalyzing is unavoidable. While sharing memories, my twin toddlers point and smile at pictures of their late uncle. But for my 4-year-old son the experience is vastly different. With the stories also come questions. Where is he? Why did he die? When will he come back? Death is not a tangible idea for a young child, and I can only attempt to respond to the best of my ability.

Protecting the carefree childhood that my son deserves is at the forefront of every answer I provide. I focus on age-appropriate answers and respond solely to the specific questions he asks. I share what I can, centering around the memories rather than the grief. But moments of sadness still occur. It is hard not to worry, wiping my tears away quickly, not wanting to hear the question, Mommy, why are you sad? But emotions are complex, and although the focus of these stories is to allow my children to experience their uncle through my narrative, learning that it is OK to cry and laugh all in the same breath is something I also want them to gain.

My hope is that my children will be shielded from the pain of losing a loved one for a very long time. However, it is impossible to safeguard them from life’s casualties. Unfortunately, as the circle of life continues, that time will inevitably come. Together, we will keep memories alive, crying and laughing, speaking about the departed often, sharing who they were with future generations, just as we have with my brother. And through the power of words my children will understand, what the heart loves and cherishes can never be forgotten.

In memory of Todd Andrew Saker, 4/16/80 – 3/21/92.

LinkedIn for the Stay-at-Home Mom

By

Nancy LeBosquain

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March 20, 2016

Ever wonder what your LinkedIn profile would look like if you filled it in as a stay-at-home mom? If you are a stay-at-home mom, have you updated your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current role? If not, why? It’s a question that made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.

A brief search on LinkedIn for “stay-at-home mom” yielded 92,191 results. Interesting, considering there are probably millions of profiles on LinkedIn, and I’m pretty sure there are many un-updated profiles of women and men who just didn’t think it was appropriate to include their current role.

I say shame on me for not owning up. “You must be the change you want to see in the world,” Ghandi is famously quoted as saying. Say it loud, and say it proud: I AM A STAY-AT-HOME MOM, EVERYONE. Here it is — my updated LinkedIn profile.

Summary:

Experienced stay-at-home mother of two. Responsible for full-time management of children, home, and day-to-day budgeting.

Experience:

Over two years of experience as a stay-at-home mother, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: budgeting, event management, change management (we’re leaving the park now…), negotiation (sometimes hostile), sales, relationship building, mentoring, expert arbitrator, and scheduling. Skills developed include patience building, working in extremely ambiguous circumstances, ability to field and answer difficult questions, and conflict resolution.

Languages:

English, French, Toddler-ese, and Preschooler.

Volunteer:

Current role is unpaid and therefore a volunteer position.

Education:

A degree, a bunch of executive education, but nothing specific that could have prepared me for my current role.

Organizations:

Mommy groups, writer for Boston Moms, various other support groups.

Recommendations:

“Nancy is an exceptional mother. She can balance multiple demands with the best of them. Our children are generally happy, clean, and well-fed by the time I get home at night. I would strongly recommend her as a mother.”

— J. Mack, husband

So there you have it — my updated LinkedIn profile. What do you think? Legit enough to actually use this online?

Top 10 Signs It Might Be Time to Wean Your Toddler

By

Tracy Slater

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March 18, 2016

After breastfeeding my first son for 14 months, I was pretty sure I’d mastered the whole breastfeeding gig. Plugged ducts? Bad latches? Pumping? Teeth? Check, check, check, check. I was a pro.

Ha.

My younger son is going on 22 months and holding on for dear life. And although I’m so grateful to have been able to nurse him for so long, breastfeeding an almost-2-year-old is a whole new ball game. Recently, there have been some signs that it may be time to move on…

10. He “shares” with his stuffed animals.

And dolls. And makes satisfied “drinking” noises. At least he’s generous?

9. Which side he nurses from has become a negotiation.

“Da!” (points). “No honey, you had that one earlier, how about the other?”

8. Your well-endowed sister-in-law is forced to flee your house due to excessive groping.

He was so excited to see her. She was thrilled. Then she picked him up and it devolved quickly… I think she’s still recovering.

7. He swats your coffee out of the way to see the TV better.

OK, kid. You can have Daniel Tiger or the boob. Choose one.

6. You have frequent arguments about whether he can have “fridge milk” or “mommy milk.”

Somebody please suggest some better terms, because, “fridge milk”? It’s not OK.

5. He stops nursing to steal a bite of your pizza.

Just popped right off, took the piece out of my hand, took a bite, and went back to nursing. Ummm…

4. His older brother loudly announces in public, “I think he wants boobs.”

At the mechanic. Thanks, buddy.

3. On more than one occasion he has tried to sneakily test out whether dad’s work the same way.

My husband is not amused.

2. He’s started to help himself.

I am definitely not amused.

1. He insists you wear a superhero mask while feeding him.

It’s OK to Break Up with Your Dentist

By

Heather Y

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March 17, 2016

I used to dread bringing my children to the dentist. I’m sure no one rates a trip to the dentist as their favorite activity ever, but I couldn’t put my finger on why I disliked it so incredibly much. But during my son’s last appointment, it dawned on me. I really did not like how we were being treated.

During every visit, I felt as though I was in trouble with the dentist. She always brought up J’s history of pacifier use (we ditched it at 2 years old), we were told we weren’t flossing enough (he’s 4!), and I was uncomfortable with their recommendation to have a palate expander placed in the next year (he’s still a baby!). My son was not the hugest fan of her either, and let’s just say her bedside manner wasn’t the warmest.

Enough was enough.

I asked around for recommendations for new practices, I Googled every dentist in town, and I checked out all of their websites. I followed some of my girlfriends’ recommendations and called the dental practice they suggested. I asked the receptionists some questions, they asked me some, and I signed consents via e-mail to have my son’s records forwarded to the practice.

I scheduled our “consult” with the new dentist. And at the visit, I was an anxious mess. I felt guilty, like I was cheating on our old dentist. Why? As a nurse, I regularly see patients getting second opinions and I don’t blink an eye — why couldn’t I do the same? I needed to put the guilt aside and put my son first.

Upon meeting the new dentist, a sense of calm immediately came over me. She was friendly, she made my son laugh, and we felt comfortable in the office. I wasn’t scolded for the years of pacifier use or the fact that we don’t always floss my 4-year-old’s teeth at night. We came up with a plan for his orthodontic future (insert cash register noise here), and she was completely OK with readdressing the palate expander when he turns 7 or 8 years old.

Our personalities meshed better, and I regretted that it took me two years to break off the old relationship. I finally felt as though I was able to breathe again — a weight had been lifted off my chest. We made a clean break from the old, and there was no looking back.

New beginnings aren’t always easy, but they are often necessary.

My Struggle as a Stay-at-Home Mom

By

Nancy LeBosquain

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March 16, 2016

Before I had kids, I never really thought about whether I’d be a stay-at-home mom. In fact, I pretty much didn’t think about what would come after the baby would arrive. I had baby fever, and I just wanted a baby. I had a pretty successful career. I was traveling a lot for work and really loved my job. Then I got pregnant, and nothing changed. I even took a business trip to Qatar while six months pregnant. I naïvely thought nothing would change.

But it did. Big time.

My son arrived, and I simply couldn’t fathom the possibility of leaving for weeks at a time, which is something I had done on a monthly basis prior to his arrival.

Life changed. My priorities changed. I had a new perspective on what was important. Fast forward four years, and you’ll find me as a stay-at-home mother of two. Whhhaaaaatttt?

I’m pretty sure none of my friends or co-workers saw this coming. I certainly didn’t. Staying at home has been a strange aligning of the stars. My heart tells me that what I’m doing on a daily basis is deeply important and that I’m privileged and lucky to experience every minute with my two kids. My husband doesn’t get to see all the meaningful moments in the day. The beauty and magic of two small people growing up, with me at their side.

There is another angle, though. It pushes and pulls at me. I miss the meetings, the going to work every day, getting dressed up, having my own purpose — something for me. I worry I’ll lose that drive, or I’ll forget how to be good at my job, or, worse, that an employer won’t even want me after I’ve taken a “pause” in the career game.

I worry I’m on Pinterest too much. That I follow too many mom influencers on Instagram. That my interests aren’t varied enough. Will my future co-workers really want to hear about why pooping on the potty is possibly one of the best things ever?

In order to maintain my sanity, I try to remind myself to take a step back and be confident. That I’m doing the right thing.

But sometimes it doesn’t feel right. Sometimes it feels like I’m a traitor to my children for even entertaining a life beyond them. It was OK to hate my real job before kids, but to bemoan moments in my life as a stay-at-home mom? Unthinkable.

I tell myself, “You’re doing the hardest job there is.” I have never been pushed to my limit more in ANY other job. So, safe in this knowledge, I push the doubts away of what a return to work would look like. I’m doing the hardest job there is, which means I can handle pretty much anything.

Camp Grandparent :: A Few Fun Ways to Spend a Day

By

Katrina McCarty

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March 15, 2016

We are fortunate to have two sets of grandparents who live locally in Newton and Jamaica Plain. My 4-year-old daughter sees her grandparents several times a month — we trek into the aquarium or out to the zoo, we explore local spots, or we hang out at home with games. Here are some of our best ideas for sharing time with grandparents:

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

In Newton, my parents take our girl to Cabot’s Ice Cream, which has been around for generations and serves ice cream and sundaes along with diner fare like hamburgers and grilled cheese. It’s family friendly and the only spot I know to find bubble gum ice cream. Sometimes, when my girl spends the night with her grandparents, they walk around the corner from their house to Yogurt Beach, one of the many frozen yogurt spots that have popped up in the recent fro-yo explosion (what’s old is new again — feels like the early 1990s). Nothing conjures up fun like a heap of yogurt topped with frozen gummy bears — and they walk off the energy on the way home or at the nearby playground. In Jamaica Plain, with my husband’s parents, they might stroll to J.P. Licks or one of the many local cafes that serve delicious treats on and around Centre Street. It’s extra fun when they spend a few minutes at Boing checking out toys.

Sorry, Go Fish, Jenga

Cabin fever happens, even at Grandma’s and Nana’s houses. One idea is to bring out the old and new board games. At age 4, my girl is just getting the hang of simple games and rules. Games are great for grandparent visits — and they really give her (and them) a chance to play together instead of sitting on the sidelines. Our best bets lately are Sorry (Grandma has the board my husband played on as kid), Go Fish (this set has hipster color names and now my kid knows what café au lait means — handy for ordering at Starbucks), Jenga, and a new favorite, Mr. Mouth, where flipping flies into a rotating frog face is great for up to four players.

Paint and create

What grandparents don’t love a craft made by little hands? Why not have them join the kids for an afternoon of painting at one of many paint studios that have popped up all over the Boston area with adult- and kid-themed events and projects (try Paint Bar, Pinot’s Palette, or Art Lounge, to name a few). Or spend an afternoon at a paint-your-own pottery store, where you pick the ceramic piece and the colors. Most pottery shops require you to return and pick up your item later after it’s been fired and dried. We’ve had good experiences at Made by Me in Cambridge and at The Kid’s Place in Needham, and there are plenty of others to choose from.

Read-along

We spend many a blustery or rainy afternoon at the local library. Grandparents can easily join for shared reading sessions. At many local libraries you can check out toys while you visit and play together. If you have weekday flexibility, try story times and other special events. This doesn’t require a library card, and it helps build that love of reading. In our little radius we enjoy the Robbins Library (check out toys, puppets, and a nice reading area), the children’s room at the main branch of the Cambridge Public Library (home to two adorable gerbils, Tallulah and Blanche, who have their own Facebook page), as well as those in Newton and Lexington.

These are just a few of the things we do to have fun, share time with grandparents, and be creative. What do you do with local or visiting grandparents?

A Letter to My Daughter (Before She Goes on ‘The Bachelor’)

By

Jessie Keppeler

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March 14, 2016

Dear Daughter,

Before you appear on “The Bachelor,” please remember:

One glass of water for every glass of wine. Pace yourself, honey.

Your nana is watching.

Don’t be the one who shows up wearing a banana costume or riding a miniature white mule on the first night. If the producers ask the group who wants to show off their great sense of humor, politely decline.

If you want to kiss him, fine. But remember where those lips have been.

Wear sunscreen.

Be confident. You’re the one who’s a catch!

Watch out for Chris Harrison. I’m worried he could be the devil.

Please consider the height of your heels. Wobbly will read as drunk.

Let’s rethink the running-jump-into-his-arms-and-wrap-your-legs-around-him hug. It’s just a bit awkward.

Don’t let the hot tub get too hot, if you know what I mean. (Did I mention that your nana is watching?)

Get some sleep.

Try to get along with the other girls — even the one who showed up in the banana costume.

Don’t practice saying your first name with his last name on camera. It just looks a little desperate, sweetie. (You can practice in the shower instead.)

Chew with your mouth closed.

The nice girl always wins. Except for that one time (Courtney Robertson). Don’t be her.

Don’t be the girl who wears makeup to bed in case the cameras are there early the next morning. You’re beautiful without makeup anyway.

Regarding the fantasy suite, can I just say please make smart decisions. Smart stuff is your jam.

Pack cocktail dresses, not prom dresses, for the rose ceremonies. Please think twice about anything with rhinestones or nude pantyhose material. This isn’t the Ice Capades.

If you bring him home to meet us during hometown dates, I promise to be nice… and to try to make your father be nice.

If the boy says he loves you, that isn’t the same as a proposal. See Bachelor #20, Ben Higgins.

Stand your ground. Remember that you need to pick him as much as he needs to pick you.

And finally, if you’re going out, aim for second runner-up because then you get to be the Bachelorette!

Wishing you love, happiness, and at least one helicopter ride,

Your mother and biggest fan

All the Reasons I Don’t Clean My House

By

Ashley Dickson

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March 13, 2016

All the Reasons I Don't Clean My House - Boston Moms Blog

When I see those articles about the “15 Habits of People Who Always Keep their Homes Clean” or the “3 Secrets People Who Always Seem to Have a Flawlessly Clean House Know,” I want to punch someone. Someone with a clean house, anyway.

Because as much as I dream of a spotlessly clean and immaculately organized home, it’s just not a reality for me. I have two young boys. I work part time. I volunteer for my church. I work out. I cook. I try to sleep here and there. And, on top of all that pulls for my attention, I don’t really like to clean.

But despite all those excuses, I still feel daily pressure to do more around the house. And I feel guilty for not following through. So, in an effort to quell any remorse I feel for my messy house, I’ve assembled a list of the reasons I just can’t keep my house clean. This list will serve as my constant reminder that I’ve got better things to do than worry about dust on my bookshelves and tiny fingerprints on my windows.

1. I’m trapped under a sleeping baby.

IMG_20160204_143752 (1)

2. Take a shower, or clean the shower? Duh.

3. Food comes first.

After making lunch for the preschooler, nursing the baby, putting the preschooler down for his nap, then rocking the baby to sleep, I DESERVE to savor my lunch. For an hour. While reading a good book.

4. Vacuuming is impossible when the floor is covered in train tracks (which CANNOT be moved, according to my 3-year-old).

train-tracks-960900_1920

5. Facebook. Instagram. Pinterest.

I’m having a moment with my phone.

6. My washer and dryer are alllll the way down in the basement.

7. I could sweep all the crumbs and chunks of dried pasta from under the high chair. ‘

But it’s only a matter of hours before the next meal is served and the mess reappears.

8. Sometimes when I hit the start button on my dishwasher, I feel like I’ve done my chore for the day.

9. We rent our house.

And we’ll probably be moving in a year. I’ll save the deep cleaning for the next tenants.

10. There is an unopened container of Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups in my pantry, and no amount of toddler pee on the bathroom floor could keep me from a sugar binge once the kids are in bed.

TJ-dark-chocolate-pb-cups

Your Toddler Is Napping… Time to Get Busy!

By

Lindsay Goldberg

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March 10, 2016

The other day, I felt like I won the lottery. My toddler went down for a nap exactly when I planned! I should note that J is an on-demand napper, sometimes crashing at 10 a.m., other times not until 4 p.m., but usually somewhere in between (and often not when we want her to!). We find that the on-demand schedule works for us, as it gives us more freedom to not have to rush home at a certain time. It also helps that she’s flexible enough to sleep in a carseat or stroller, should the need arise.

But the other day, she took the best nap ever, and right on schedule! We got home from a playgroup, and she went to sleep as soon as we got home. J was exhausted and needed her sleep, and she actually acknowledged it. With pleasure, I put her in the crib.

Stunned, I looked around the house and thought, “What do I do now?” There were so many options! Dear reader, should you be in such a similar predicament, I offer you a few choices:

Clean the house

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is usually the one I go to first. I have learned that J’s naps are my most productive hours of the day. You would be amazed at how quickly you can tidy up toys, sweep, mop, and do and fold laundry when the house is still and quiet. Yes, I could clean the house at night after she goes to bed… but I’m typically useless at that hour. By the time J is in bed, I’m exhausted.

Eat a meal

With two hands. At the temperature it is meant to be eaten at!

Yes, moms, you can have a hot cup of coffee and drink it, too! When J is napping, I am surprised at how quiet mealtime can be. There are no requests for certain music. There is no acting like a goalie to food she wants to shoot off the highchair tray. There is no racing against the clock to finish your food before she does hers. It… is… glorious! Eerily quiet and calm, but glorious.

Phone a friend

I was amazed the first time I was able to call a girlfriend and not have my toddler grabbing at the phone. Yes, I can do this at night. But, again, I am usually exhausted. Bonus if your girlfriend is sans-kids at the same time and able to be just as focused as you. The other day, my best friend had ducked out of her house, leaving her husband and newborn for a little while. We actually got to talk AND hear each other and use toddler-unfriendly vocabulary!

Surf the internet

Maybe you have an important e-mail to write. Maybe you want to do some online shopping. Maybe you want to catch up on a blog you follow. If your kid’s anything like mine, the second the computer, iPad, or smartphone is out, she’s clamoring for it! Plus, we try really hard to be fully present with her when we’re with her and save screens and phones for when she’s not around. Undisturbed internet time is precious.

Catch up on Netflix

What show are you addicted to? “Jessica Jones”? “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”? “Orange Is the New Black”? No matter your passion, you can watch it and not worry about your toddler being exposed to TV! Bonus: You can fold laundry or surf the internet at the same time — and you’ll feel doubly productive!

Have a quickie

The toddler has fallen asleep. You are fairly awake. You are well fed. The house is clean. It’s… been awhile. You look at your partner, and you’re both thinking the same thing. The spark is there, and you feel spontaneous and risqué. Enjoy, dear mama! Just keep quiet ;).

I definitely see the merits of having a scheduled nap time, and I know J has a schedule at daycare. But, somehow, it never transferred to home life, nor did we particularly want it to. And, in a way, it adds some excitement (yes, some frustration, too) to my life. I feel like I get an extra jolt of energy and giddiness when she goes down!

Anyone else out there who doesn’t have their kids on a scheduled nap? What are some of your favorite things to do during nap time?

Fun with Kids for St. Patrick’s Day

By

Caitlin

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March 9, 2016

Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was always such a wonderful day for my Irish-American family. Not only do we all love our Irish heritage, my grandfather was also born on St. Patrick’s Day, which made the holiday even more special. As kids, we would wake up on St. Patrick’s Day already dressed in green — from head to toe — and spend the day playing games, watching NCAA basketball, eating treats, and, in general, reveling in our Irish pride. When my grandfather passed away, the priest at his funeral said, “He was proud to be Irish… and felt sorry for anyone who wasn’t.” Those are great words to live by.

For some, St. Patrick’s Day has become nothing more than an excuse for a pub crawl. Don’t get me wrong — that’s super fun… but not with kids. I want to make this holiday just as special for my boys as it was for me growing up. I also want them to love and appreciate their Irish heritage. Even though my boys are still little, I have a few fun things planned that will help get them — and your children — into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit!

Crafts

Since I have a toddler and an infant, I look for fairly simple crafts. Here a few that are easy to do and will create some great St. Patrick’s Day decorations:

Paint chip shamrocks

We absolutely love paint chip art in our house! First of all, I’m so appreciative of Lowe’s and Home Depot for providing my art supplies… for free! It really is quite fun to visit the paint department and pick out every paint chip sample of green paint. This craft is incredibly easy for kids of all ages, and afterwards, you’re left with a bright and colorful decoration for the holiday.

Shamrock stamps

Water bottles, wine corks, marshmallows, bell peppers — it’s amazing the number of items you have lying around your house that could be turned into shamrock stamps. All you need to do is grab some green paint and prep your stamps, depending on which medium you choose. With this activity, you can both recycle and make art! That’s a win-win, if you ask me.

Hand shamrocks

After you make your stamps, save some green paint to make these adorable shamrock handprints. For as long as my kids will let me, we will be making this craft so that I can track their growth through each St. Patrick’s Day and reminisce about when they were once so little.

Eraser-stamped T-shirt

This shamrock T-shirt is perfect for all skill levels. Make one for all the kids, and your family will be totally ready to hit up the Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade in style!

Four leaf clover potato stamp

Learn how to make your own four-leaf-clover stamp with this tutorial. Use it to stamp out shamrocks on cards, banners, wrapping paper — whatever you and your child are inspired to make!

Food

I don’t know about you, but there is no way my children are touching corned beef and cabbage. I’m probably going to dye pasta green, and that’s about the best I’ll be able to do to make a St. Patrick’s Day meal. Luckily, there are a few yummy treats we can make together.

Shamrock cookies

Cookies are a great treat for any holiday! For St. Patrick’s Day, grab your favorite sugar cookie recipe and dye some icing green. If you have a shamrock cookie cutter, great! If not, you can use your heart-shaped cookie cutter from Valentine’s Day to create shamrock petals. Sugar cookies are such a neat way to express your creativity. You can decorate these cookies as simply or intricately as you like.

Lucky Charms treats

Lucky Charms treats are just like Rice Krispies treats — only 1,000 times better! I craved these snacks so many times during my last pregnancy that we were eating them well past St. Patrick’s Day. All you need is a pot, Lucky Charms, butter, and marshmallows, and in about 10 minutes you’ll have a tasty treat. Sure, you’ll give your kids a sugar high to last until Easter, but you’ll have a ton of fun working together to make this unique dessert.

Chocolate Guinness cake

If you’re going to buy Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day, save one bottle to make this fantastic cake. Yes, this may sound like more of a mommy and daddy dessert — however, the baking burns off the alcohol, and what you’re left with is a very moist, super chocolatey cake. The recipe is fairly simple, and this cake is always a big hit for us!

I hope these activities will help you enjoy a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Braugh!