This is another episode that highlights our different parenting styles, particularly regarding Halloween! We share some of our experiences trick or treating and some suggestions for leftover Halloween candy. (P.S. I completely did have those saints listed wrong in my description of that book! Coincidentally my oldest picked it the following night for bedtime to make me feel terrible about my mistake.) 

FALL

Expectation: cooler days; snuggling into sweaters

Reality: weather all over the place, sweltering at lunchtime, freezing at 7 pm, kids clothing is everywhere as you try to figure out what fits

Expectation: pumpkin carving, apple picking, fall festival-ing

Reality: raking leaves, raking leaves, raking leaves (Actually, I like raking leaves!)

Expectation: less traveling and more relaxing at home

Reality: do all the things: sporting events, fall themed events, yard work, school events, club meetings, ETC

Moral of the story: Take each season as it comes and appreciate the things you are able to accomplish. Enjoy whatever time you have to relax and don’t give in to the social media pressure to do all the fall things!

 

It’s tough being pregnant! Commiserate with two moms who have been there through all the feels from nerves to excitement and back to nerves again!

SLEEP: We all want more of it as moms! Marty and Priscilla talk about routines, toddler excuses for getting out of bed, and the fact that sometimes, the kids just won’t sleep no matter what you do! 

Marty and Priscilla discuss “the mental load” and “emotional labor” as they pertain to motherhood and relationships. Just having defined terms relating to these two things help keep us grounded! 

Marty and Priscilla discuss the day to day differences between being a WM and a SAHM. Listen to us laugh about the insanity that is life with little kids! 

So I just went on a nighttime grocery run without the kids. I always switch back and forth between being a warrior who takes three little ones to the grocery store by myself and a wimp who goes alone after they are asleep. Since I didn’t have the small ones with me, I noticed some of the “back to school” signage and it was frustrating. By that I mean that it showed a picture of a kids lunch with all organic items and fancy cut fresh items and it said “good to go.” Moms see pressure everywhere to basically provide perfection for their families.

My message is: YOU BE YOU.

Not everyone is skilled at/interested in the same things. I accept that I will be sending a regular ole banana or a sugary granola bar in my son’s snack bag for preschool this year. I also am the kind of mom who will make all kinds of decorations for whatever theme we decide upon for his birthday party coming up. I make their Halloween costumes. We haven’t yet taken them to the movies. We rarely enjoy a restaurant dinner and I think the kids have been given time to learn to ride bikes maybe 3 times. Every mom is different and I think we tend to see other moms doing cool stuff and feel guilty for not doing the same thing. NO MORE! If I see another mom doing something interesting or impressive and I WANT to, then maybe I’ll incorporate it into my mom life. I also might just think, “What a neato mom! I like to do something different and that’s good, too!”

Kids’ birthday parties can be a big source of stress in a mom’s life. Marty and Priscilla talk about being true to whatever way your family wants to celebrate milestones. Be creative! Be frugal! Be wild! Be basic! BE YOU! 

Marty and Priscilla give suggestions for getting outside with the kids. They discuss some old favorites like taking a walk and new ideas like using “loose parts” in the yard. Listen to our chat and comment with your own outside play ideas!