Learn about how to seamlessly integrate your baby into mealtimes, and help prevent future picky eating with baby-led weaning. Disclaimer: This is not medical advice! Please consult with your pediatrician before beginning baby-led weaning. When my first baby turned 4 months old, well-meaning friends and relatives asked me if I had started giving him solids…
After School Snacks: My No-Fail Formula
Does prepping after school snack take a little bit of planning and/or effort? Yes. But here’s why it’s worth it. Fact: The kids come home from school HUNGRY. Fact: Dinner’s not ready. (Or, your family eats together a bit later) Fact: If snack isn’t ready, the kids are raiding the pantry and eating whatever they…
SBT: The Best Way To Unwind After A Long Day
You’ve never heard of SBT? Nope, it’s not a new therapy! It’s Scheduled Boredom Time. Here’s why it’s important. Ask any Mom (or any kid!) out there, being bored is the worst! Polling the mothers, bored means annoying siblings, kvetching, and the dreaded, ‘There’s nothing to do!’ And polling the kids, bored is a feeling…
No Lights, No Music! Our Favorite Shabbos-Friendly Toddler Toys
The ultimate roundup of toddler toys that won’t give you a headache, guaranteed! You know those toys you impulse buy because the toddler’s always kvetchy and this toy will be the one to solve all your problems? And then you open it, and it turns out that not only are your problems not solved, you’re…
12 Date Night Activities Under $100
Are you sick of doing the same three things every time you go out? Ready for some new ideas? Some of my favorites, below. You know what’s really underrated? The importance of having fun with your spouse. And although going out to eat is always a safe bet, sometimes a date night enjoying a new…
How A Flexible Routine Can Cure Spring Fever
Your kids have spring fever, but there’s still time left in the school year. Here’s how a flexible routine can help. I’m one of those structured moms. I keep after-school and evening hours pretty organized during the school year. Kids come home, eat snack, homework and play, baths and showers, dinner, then bed. I find…
Get Your Toddler Talking: My Three Favorite Tricks
So your toddler isn’t talking quite as much as your neighbor’s toddler or as much as her older sisters’ did at her age. Now what? Let me start by making something super clear: these tips are in no way a replacement for a full speech/language evaluation or speech therapy. Ask your pediatrician if your child’s…
Mid-Winter Staycation-ing In Or Around NYC? Free or Low-Cost Activities Here!
With just a bit of planning, a free mid-winter staycation can be your kids’ favorite vacation yet. Here are some ideas for free or low-cost activities around NYC. If you’re anything like me, I know exactly what you’re looking for. Day activities that most of the kids won’t totally hate, that are free, or at…
How Changing One Simple Word Changes Everything
Have you ever felt stuck on the ‘I have to’ train? The busy frum woman has endless things to do, every single day and it’s far too easy to get bogged down. Read on for my favorite trick. ‘I have to get dinner in the oven, it’s almost time to eat and I have nothing…
It’s A Week-Long ‘No Spend Challenge,’ Are You In?
It’s my favorite and least favorite challenge, and the rules are simple. Join us below! With Chanukah behind us, it’s the perfect time to launch a ‘No Spend Challenge’ to get our spending back on track after an always-more-expensive-than-we-think week. What is a no-spend challenge? It means cutting back on everything but absolute necessities, for…