All first-time moms have preconceived notions of what breastfeeding will and won’t be like. Maybe you’ve been dreaming your entire pregnancy of intimate moments with your sweet little one. Maybe you work to support your family and plan to pump at work. Maybe breastfeeding freaks you out! All of these ideas of breastfeeding are completely normal, and in a modern
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I’ll never forget it. I was a young mom of three, running on fumes, with my toddler having an all-out meltdown in the Aldi parking lot. He wanted the Aldi-brand “Lucky Charms” I was carrying—right then, in the parking lot. Not at home. Not after school pickup. Now. He went boneless on me as I tried to wrestle him into
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When I became pregnant with my first child in 2006, there was no doubt in my mind what I envisioned for my new family: I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. I’d grown up with a mother who was home with us, and I dreamed of giving my own children that same steady presence. I wanted to be with them
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There is a lot I don’t remember. I wish I could recall it all, bring it up like a saved file safely stored away. There’s so much I can’t remember. But there is so much that I do. I remember the way your wispy newborn hair felt against my lips when I kissed your little head. I remember your first
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I gasp and snap awake as a little hand taps my shoulder. What time is it? Where am I? As I glance at the clock – 3:42am – a little voice whispers “Mommy? I had an accident.” I sigh and roll out of bed, blearily making my way to the bedroom in question to change sheets and tuck the little
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The great sleepover debate has been a major source of contemplation for many parents, especially in recent years. Whether to allow kids to attend sleepovers has become a complicated topic and has sparked many thoughtful conversations over the last several years. As we navigate this slumber party dilemma, it’s essential to acknowledge that perspectives on sleepovers vary widely, and there
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It’s a complicated turn of phrase that is seemingly thrown at mothers like confetti: “Cherish every moment!” “These times are so precious!” “They grow so fast!” “Before you know it, they’ll be grown!” “They’re only little once!” And how true it is. But as I sit here today, contemplating one of the most difficult months of my life, it seems
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I sighed and plopped down on my mom’s plush, white couch, exhausted. Stating the obvious, she said “You look tired. Can I take the kids off your hands this weekend?” I heaved another heavy sigh as my mind raced around the question. Did I want her to take the kids? There was no doubt I was bone-tired, but something inside
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Bringing a baby into the world is a momentous occasion filled with joy and anticipation. But for some parents, the journey takes an unexpected turn, leading them to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). If you find yourself suddenly becoming a NICU parent, know that you’re not alone. Keep reading for some support, guidance, and hope for parents navigating the
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The joy of bringing a new baby into the world is immeasurable. The squishy cuddles, the quiet coos, and the beginning of your breastfeeding journey wrap a new mama up in the cozy bubble of new motherhood. But often, there’s a lingering fear nagging at the back of that postpartum mom’s mind: what will I do when maternity leave ends?
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