Revelations...Part Deux

I came clean in a May 2011 blog post called Revelations.

I explained that I was committed to being a stay-at-home mom, but that I wanted more...something just for me.  I wanted to write.

It's been just over two years since I publicly put my dreams out into the universe. And it looks like the universe heard me.

As I submitted an article to my editor this afternoon, I realized that I am one lucky duck. Somehow, I have managed to find a way to write and actually get published somewhere other than my blog.  I kinda feel like I'm allowed to say "I'm a freelance writer" as well as a "stay-at-home mom" (if anyone were to ask!).  And man oh man does that feel awesome!

I do not want to jinx myself here, but I am so grateful to have found a way to be there for my kids but to also be using my brain in a more intellectual fashion.  It has done so much for me and I can honestly say that I am a happier person now.

I know I've neglected this blog as a result of the freelance work (and life in general), but I still think about all the cool things I hope to do with it someday...all in good time.

As always, thanks for reading.

Whoops - Happy Mother's Day!

I missed Mother's Day.  Well, I didn't miss it in my life, I missed it on my neglected blog.

I actually think that says something about how far I've come as a Mom.

I used to come here to offload and vent...to share the joys and frustrations of this wacky adventure called Motherhood. But I think I've actually become so comfortable with motherhood at this point, that I don't automatically think of running to my blog to help me sort through my gazillions of non-stop parenting issues.

This Mother's Day I was able to:

• sleep in, 
• enjoy coffee and chocolate croissants, 
• gush over hugs, kisses, beautiful hand made cards and other thoughtful creations, 
• and to take off for the day to the outlet mall (something I rarely do).  I had a free pass and was able to focus on just me - and it was delicious.

After a glorious and simple adventure (even driving alone for an hour is a joy), I returned home all bright and cheery. The second I walked in the door I discovered that the babe had been throwing up all day.

My amazingly thoughtful husband, not wanting to ruin my special day, didn't desperately call, email or text me to let me know. He wanted to allow me the time alone and knew he could handle the vomiting six-year-old solo.

I started writing this blog in 2007 when I was so completely overwhelmed by the realities of new motherhood (check out my first ever blog post, Mother's Day 2007). Frankly, there is NO WAY I would have been able to outlet shop with a sick kid at home back then.

So other than the amazing one day get away and sweet cards and kisses, what I really got this Mother's Day was a reminder of how much we have grown as a family, and a confirmation that my husband and I have finally settled into our roles as parents. What an amazing Mother's Day gift.

Private School?

Check out my latest article on LearnVest, Should You Pay for Private School?

Let me know what you think!

Do You Have a Smartphone "Problem"?

Are you addicted to your smartphone?  You're not alone...

Check out my latest article on LearnVest, What's The Real Cost of Your Smartphone?

What's With Your Heavy Key Chain?

Have you joined a zillion loyalty rewards programs?  Me too.

Check out my latest LearnVest article, Insider Tips: The Best Loyalty Programs for Your Buck

Feel free to share your thoughts!

Ready for Spring?

First off, thanks to all of you who have been taking the time to send me personal messages.  Your emails mean so much to me and I love hearing from you!

Secondly, things have been on a bit of a roll with my writing lately (which I'm super thrilled about!).

Check out my newest article on LearnVest, Kids Hate Spring Cleaning? One Mom's Time-Tested Tricks

We don't have a cleaning lady so it's helpful to get the kids involved in the spring cleaning chaos.

Despite our best efforts, the house work never seems to end!

Preschool!

You all know I am a huge personal fan of preschool.

But I am not a fan of the hefty price tag.

Check out my newest article on LearnVest: Do You Need to Pay for Preschool?

Let me know what you think!

Peanuts

A teenage boy died last week from eating half a cookie.  He didn't know it was made with peanut oil and took a chance.  After years of being super vigilant about his food allergies, he made one wrong decision which ended up costing him his life.

This is a story no parent of a kid with food allergies wants to read.  It is a sad reminder of how much we need to pay attention, how we can never forget the Epi pens and how we need to educate any adult or care giver who spends time with our kids.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece on the changing nature of food allergy research.  Many doctors are now claiming that kids should be exposed to allergens at a young age to help them build up immunity.  This is the exact opposite of what they were instructing parents of babies only ten years ago.

I don't know what I did wrong or what I didn't do right when I was pregnant, but the babe has lived with food allergies for the past six years.  It is a part of our life, and while she continues to outgrow her allergies (she recently passed a food challenge and can now consume dairy), we are still looking at peanuts and the majority of tree nuts.

While I know there's a wider understanding and acceptance in society of nut allergies (as compared to egg or dairy), I still can't shake the sense of dread that came over me when I read the article about the poor teenager who made one wrong move. 

I will continue to be paranoid, because as another family's misfortune has just reminded me, I can't be paranoid enough.

Kids Who Know How to Save Money

Do your kids save money?  My kids do...although not that well, apparently!

Check out my newest article on LearnVest, How Real Kids Save: Meet the 6-Year-Old Who Socked Away $2,400

Let me know what you think!

Hey Soul Sister

So, if a six-year-old girl asked you what "hey, soul sister" means, what would you say?

What would you do if she then started singing "hey, saxy lady"?

As if the situation isn't bad enough, what if she threw in a little gangnam style for good measure.

Should I be worried about what's going on in my daughter's Kindergarten class?  Is this what I can expect from public school for the foreseeable future? 

I don't consider myself overly uptight, but I really can't get behind these kinds of songs being sung in a classroom filled with six-year-olds.

The babe explained to me that her friend explained to her that "saxy" means "pretty."  Then the little guy, who is FOUR, started singing, "hey saxy lady, I want to jump on your cloud."  Who knows what that means...but I'm fairly sure it can't be good (my friends will tell you I don't know my lingo for beans).

So, do I move from the big bad city (OK, the urban suburban neighborhood) and retreat to a sparsely-populated country area where kids aren't exposed to this kind of craziness?  Oh, right, kids aren't really sheltered anywhere anymore.

Luckily this was a one-time event, but if it's any indication of what's to come, I simply am not ready.