EWG's Cleaning Product Hall of Shame - sneak peek!

I love Environmental Working Group. They are a fantastic resource for researching the harmful contents of what is in tons of products, skin care, shampoos, baby products and so much more.

I use their Skin Deep Cosmetics Database quite often.  If you haven't done so yet, I would do so immediately!

I received word last night that they are creating a new database of household cleaners this coming fall but are offering a sneak peek - I'm quite excited for this!  I've made a huge effort over the past five years to go very green in our home.  You can view my simple and easy tips here.  I use non-toxic cleaners and I've greened products that come in direct contact with our bodies - all the way to the sunscreen we use - click here for that post!

Okay - back to EWG.

According to their email:

"Environmental Working Group is giving you a tool to help you figure out which cleaning products don't belong in your house. The EWG Cleaners Hall of Shame provides you with the names of some of the worst offenders out there, so you can begin the process of purging your home of these harmful cleaners."

Not only is their goal to help educate about harmful chemicals found in everyday cleaners - but they are making it easy to help avoid them all together by naming names and brands.

For the sneak peek - please view it here.

For the complete current hall of shame PDF - please go here.

If you have any questions on how to go green in your home for your family, please contact me anytime.

Love Me Some Blogs

I don't know about you, but I could spend all day on Pinterest and reading blogs. 


I just wanted to share with you a few of my favorites - but I'm always looking for new ones to subscribe to and check out, so please, tell me your favorites!


Parenting Illustrated with Crappy Pictures - Hilarious.  


Baby Rabies - Love Jill - she's a moms of two, like me and her writing is exceptional.  She writes honestly and from the heart and she does some great photography, too.


Thrifty Decor Chick - Sarah is awe.some. I wish I could be crafty and I LOVE her style and decor and her thrify-ness. 


Young House Love - These two are super cute and their daughter is adorable and they have a sense of style and do tons and tons of home improvement projects.  Their posts are informative and super funny to read.


Mama Cheaps - Great for saving money and time as it compiles some of the best prices and deals from stores and on the web. 


BabyCheapSkate - Breaks down great diaper deals and coupons and offers, also!


Baby Gear Guide - this is a site byThe Baby Guy NYC aka Jamie Grayson - I "met" Jamie on Twitter and I love him - he is the ultimate baby gear guy - he's single, gay but knows more about pregnancy, parenting, babies and of course, baby gear.  He has great contests, product reviews and more.


I'll have more to add, so check back soon!
Have a great weekend!

Dealing With Separation Anxiety

Hello!  

I'd like to share with you some great advice from Elizabeth Pantley on the subject of Separation Anxiety.

This new awareness your child is experiencing is often a concern amongst parents and can create it's own set of stress, guilt and anxiety for parents themselves.

My own two children - ages 3 and 21 months - have both gone through varying stages of this  and am currently going through this stage with my 21 month old son.  I literally cannot seem to hold him enough.  If I sit on the floor, he has to be in my lap.  Despite being very into playing with toys, reading a book or happily playing with his sister - if I so much as walk into the other room (even though he can see me) he runs into the room crying "Ma-Ma!" as if I was walking out the door to the house!  

As anything with babies and toddlers - and eventually into the teenage years - it's all a phase and we hope it shall pass.  But while you're in the midst of it all, it can be hard to feel that it will never end.  Especially with tears, whining and constant nagging or crying.

So, if you find that you're coming into this phase, you're past it, or right here with me in the middle of it all - please read the excerpt below.

I'd love to hear some feedback or ways you plan to or have coped in the past.

Separation Anxiety

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

My baby is only happy when I’m within arm’s reach. If I dare to leave the room, she cries as if I’ve left the country! I can’t even so much as take a shower these days, let alone leave the house without her. My mother-in-law says it’s because I’ve spoiled her. Is she right? Have I made her so clingy?

Nothing you’ve done has “made” your baby develop separation anxiety. It’s a perfectly normal and important developmental adaptation. Nearly all children experience separation anxiety between the ages of seven and 18 months. Some have more intense reactions than others, and for some, the stage lasts longer than others, but almost all babies have it to some degree.

The development of separation anxiety demonstrates that your baby has formed a healthy, loving attachment to you. It is a beautiful sign that your baby associates pleasure, comfort, and security with your presence. It also indicates that your baby is developing intellectually (in other words, she’s smart!) She has learned that she can have an effect on her world when she makes her needs known, and she doesn’t have to passively accept a situation that makes her uncomfortable. She doesn’t know enough about the world yet to understand that when you leave her you’ll always come back. She also realizes that she is safest, happiest, and best cared for by you, so her reluctance to part makes perfect sense ¾ especially when viewed from a survival standpoint. Put another way: You are her source of nourishment, both physical and emotional; therefore, her attachment to you is her means of survival, and when she reaches a certain level of intellectual maturity, she realizes this.

This stage, like so many others in childhood, will pass. In time, your baby will learn that she can separate from you, that you will return, and that everything will be okay between those two points in time. Much of this learning is based on trust, which, just as for every human being young or old, takes time to build.

How do I know if my baby has separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is pretty easy to spot, and you’re probably reading this section because you’ve identified it in your baby. The following are behaviors typically demonstrated by a baby with normal separation anxiety:

• Clinginess
• Crying when a parent is out of sight
• Strong preference for only one parent
• Fear of strangers
• Waking at night crying for a parent
• Easily comforted in a parent’s embrace

 How you can help your baby with separation anxiety

• Allow your baby to be a baby. It’s perfectly okay — even wonderful — for your baby to be so attached to you and for her to desire your constant companionship. Congratulations, Mommy or Daddy: It’s evidence that the bond you’ve worked so hard to create is holding. So politely ignore those who tell you otherwise.
  
  
• Don’t worry about spoiling her with your love, since quite the opposite will happen. The more that you meet her attachment needs during babyhood, the more confident and secure she will grow up to be.
  
  
• Minimize separations when possible. It’s perfectly acceptable for now ¾ better, in fact ¾ to avoid those situations that would have you separate from your baby. All too soon, your baby will move past this phase and on to the next developmental milestone.

• Give your baby lessons in object permanence. As your baby learns that things continue to exist even when she can’t see them, she’ll feel better about letting you out of her sight. Games like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek will help her understand this phenomenon.
  
  
• Practice with quick, safe separations. Throughout the day, create situations of brief separation. When you go into another room, whistle, sing, or talk to your baby so she knows you’re still there, even though she can’t see you.
  
  
• Don’t sneak away when you have to leave her. It may seem easier than dealing with a tearful goodbye, but it will just cause her constant worry that you’re going to disappear without warning at any given moment. The result? Even more clinginess, and diminished trust in your relationship.
  
  
• Tell your baby what to expect. If you are going to the store and leaving her at home with Grandma, explain where you are going and tell her when you’ll be back. Eventually, she’ll come to understand your explanations.
  
  
• Don’t rush the parting, but don’t prolong it, either. Give your baby ample time to process your leave-taking, but don’t drag it out and make it more painful for both of you.
  
  
• Express a positive attitude when leaving her. If you’re off to work, or an evening out, leave with a smile. Your baby will absorb your emotions, so if you’re nervous about leaving her, she’ll be nervous as well. Your confidence will help alleviate her fears.
  
  
• Leave your baby with familiar people. If you must leave your baby with a new caregiver, try to arrange a few visits when you’ll all be together before you leave the two of them alone for the first time.
  
  
• Invite distractions. If you’re leaving your baby with a caregiver or relative, encourage that person to get your baby involved with playtime as you leave. Say a quick good-bye and let your baby be distracted by an interesting activity. 
  
  
• Allow your baby the separation that she initiates. If she crawls off to another room, don’t rush after her. Listen and peek, of course, to make sure that she’s safe, but let her know it’s fine for her to go off exploring on her own.
  
  
• Encourage her relationship with a special toy, if she seems to have one. These are called transitional objects or lovies. They can be a comfort to her when she’s separated from you. Many babies adopt blankets or soft toys as loveys, holding them to ease any pain of separation. The lovey becomes a friend and represents security in the face of change.
  
  
• Don’t take it personally. Many babies go through a stage of attaching themselves to one parent or the other. The other parent, as well as grandparents, siblings and friends can find this difficult to accept, but try to reassure them that it’s just a temporary and normal phase of development and with a little time and gentle patience it will pass.
  
  

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)  

Discipline and your child

Hello!

I hope this post finds you well! 

Even though my official title is Baby Planner - that doesn't mean I do not assist parents with older children as well - especially toddlers.

Since I have a toddler and now a preschooler in our home, I'm in the middle of toddlerhood, including discipline, tantrums and the craziness of it all. 

You name a discipline tactic and it's guaranteed I've tried it!  (Well, most ones anyways!)

I came across this article on a blog and wanted to share it with you all.

So whether you're right there with me in toddlerhood or you're cuddling your sweet newborn - do yourself a favor and just have a quick look. 

Don't worry - I'll still be here if or when you need some help :)

Janet Lansbury's No Bad Kids

Just a click away!

Sorry it's been awhile since my last post.  This warm weather has us out and about more.  I'm not going to complain, though. 

Anywhoooo - a recent article for my gig over at Patch for my weekly Mom's Talk column featured some great online resources that helps make life a bit easier.  That's why the Internet exists, right? Errr, something like that ;p

Either way, here's the article!

Clickable Resources - Saving you money, time and yes, even your sanity!
By Carly Kirsch, Mom's Talk on Patch.com

In this digital age that we’re in, you would think that all the technology in our lives should theoretically make things easier, right?  Well, yes…and no. 

Yes, because it makes life easier on the go with mobile phones, smart phones, iPads, iPods, and of course lap top computers.

No, because at times, the Internet can be overwhelming with so many web sites.  Not knowing where to look or start can eat up precious time or can sometimes lead to misinformation. 

To save you the hassle of figuring out where to start, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite web sites that will save you time, effort, money – but most importantly, your sanity! 

Social Sites

1. Meet Up – This web site allows you to find groups to join based on specific interests, topics or hobbies.  For me, it was a lifesaver for finding a local playgroup when I had my first child.  It’s free to sign up but some of the groups may charge a small yearly fee for membership.   There’s truly a Meet Up for everyone!
2. Babble –  This is not just another parenting board.  Babble is loaded (I mean LOADED) with blogs and useful information for you that offers a real take on parenting, cooking, life and more.
3. Facebook – Yes, you may already have an account, but are you using it to your fullest potential?  If you “like” certain businesses and local places, you can find some good discounts or special promotions.  It’s a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.  Just make sure your privacy settings are up to date!  Go here for the article about Facebook safety.
4. Twitter– Twitter is a fast-paced version of Facebook with much more opportunity for networking.  You can follow any of the local news channels and even Cheshire Patch to stay up to the minute with news, weather and more.  It’s saved me a few hours of time I otherwise would have wasted in traffic since I checked my Twitter timeline once or twice! 

Money-Saving Sites

1. Baby Cheapskate – This web site, or daily email, provides you the inside scoop on lots of sales, coupon match ups and more for baby and kid gear.  There is always information on holiday sales and sneak peeks as to what will go on sale and when. 
2. Mama Cheaps– Looking for deals on diapers?  This site has all the inside information for diaper deals both online and in store, coupon codes and a lot more.  Their tagline is "Where frugality meets family."  I've got quite a few great deals from reading this site on a number of occasions.
3. Amazon Mom – This program gives you amazing deals on products for baby and kids with fast shipping because when you sign up you receive Amazon Prime shipping with subsequent purchases!  Millions of products are available on Amazon Mom with as-expected low prices and great customer service.
4. Groupon - It's just as it's name says: Group Coupons.  Deals in Connecticut are offered via Groupon and if it's a restaurant, business or product you want, simply buy it for the group discount rate.  It's a great way to keep your eye on your inbox for some great local deals for the family.  I have a feeling as summer approaches there will be some really great family fun opportunities!
5. Living Social– A little different than Groupon, Living Social states that they can save you anywhere from 50-90% on local business offerings - but deals are usually only offered for one day.  So, once they've offered it and it's gone, it's gone! 

Time-Saving & Helpful Sites

1. Evernote – This really neat web site (and application for your smart phone) allows you to sync your smart phone with your computer for notes, voice notes and pictures so you never forget a thing!
2. Pinterest– It’s an online pinboard for ideas, crafts, places, books, fashion and so much more.  NOTE: It is currently by invite only so if you need an invitation, email me at carlykirsch@gmail.com.  It’s highly addicting so at first, you may curse me, but then love me for introducing it to you.  It’s okay, I can live with myself either way!
3. Hulu – A web site to view your favorite shows that you just can’t seem to watch during the day, or stay up for at night – right from your computer! 
4. Allrecipes – I mentioned this site last week in my Picky Eaters column, but aside from that, this site can save you time by looking up recipes based on ingredients you have in the house and it can save you the hassle of figuring out if the recipe is tasty or not based on their reviews.  You can also create an online recipes book to keep all your favorite ones! 
5. Real Simple – I have a subscription to this magazine, but you can use their web site for free and have access to all the articles and more.  They have this section titled “New Uses for Old Things”to re-purpose common household items – and some are pretty genius.  They also have fast and easy recipes, useful cleaning tips and tricks and more.  Sign up for some of their newsletters to have it sent right to your inbox. 
6. Disney Family Fun –This web site is packed with crafts, ideas to do with the kids, printables and so much more.  I could spend hours on this web site looking for ideas – good thing I have Pinterest!

Miscellaneous Sites

1. One Step Ahead – Also Leaps & Bounds, has some really innovative and unique products for babies, toddlers and kids that work the way they say they will. 
2. Mashable– This site is great because it offers some really useful shortcuts for programs like Gmail and has some other useful tips for social media as well.  I consider myself to be technologically savvy (while others would beg to differ), but this site has taken my savviness to a whole new level.
3. iPhone Apps – I’ve got to tell you: I just got an iPhone.  And, I love it.  So if you also have an iPhone, there are some really great apps for parents.   Additionally, Time Magazine came out with their 50 Best iPhone apps here.
4. Sesame Street Online- This site has free games for your kids with their favorite characters.  They also have printables, online episodes, activities and more to keep your kids busy so you can have five minutes to check your email or something that needs to be taken care of.  (Or check out some of these other sites I’ve suggested!)   
5. Swagbucks– It’s a search engine that you sign up for free and accumulate points which can then be turned into gift cards or redeemed for thousands of other things.  So, instead of using Google, you’d create your homepage as Swagbucks and earn as you search.  There are also surveys and other things to participate in.

So, there you have it!  Do you have any time saving or fun web sites?  If so, I'd love for you share with us.

Why Hire A Baby Planner?

I was recently featured on The Expectant Mother's Guide with an editorial I wrote that answers this question, and more!

Baby Planners: What They Do and Why You Need One

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Whether you are nearing the end of your first, second, or even third trimester ―you’re well underway with getting ready for baby’s arrival! By now you’ve quickly come to find this joyous time can be somewhat overshadowed by a lot of unanswered questions, decisions, planning and preparation. As all of these thoughts whirl around in your head, you may begin feeling a little overwhelmed ―stop right now! Take a deep breath. You should know that you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Today’s society leaves expecting parents with so much pressure to make quite a lot of choices in a short period of time. Let’s face it ―nine months is not a lot of time to prepare for one of the biggest and most important milestones in your life.

There are so many sources of information for expecting parents ―an abundance of books, web sites, magazines, products, baby gear, brands and general information on pregnancy, baby and parenting. It can be exhausting to think about on top of already being tired from being pregnant!

As the days, weeks and months pass quickly, while your beautiful belly continues to grow, so does your to-do list.

So, where do you start? What should you read? Where do you register? What do you actually need for baby? What is a birth plan? What is a doula? How do decide what baby products you need? Do you need a midwife? When do you start looking for a pediatrician?

How are you to decipher it all? The answer that many have happily found is a Baby Planner.

What exactly is a Baby Planner?

A Baby Planner helps expecting parents navigate through the planning process to prepare for the arrival of baby and beyond. A Baby Planner is a complete resource of all those books, web sites and general information in one place. A Planner will provide you with guidance that is tailored to your personal needs, lifestyle and budget. A Baby Planner can also provide the most up-to-the-minute information on baby gear, furniture, nursery design, non-toxic/green baby care, childproofing and more.

Why Hire a Baby Planner?

A Baby Planner can check off many of the “to-dos” on your ever-expanding list by simply being there! Some have used the comparison that a Baby Planner does for parents what a Wedding Planner does for engaged couples. Many expecting parents are hiring a Baby Planner in order to get the right products, simplify the preparation process and to have all details taken care of from A to Z.

For example, think of all the things you accomplish on a daily basis: a long day of work, running errands, cooking dinner, exercising, cleaning, chores, etc. By the time the weekend comes around, you prefer to reserve that time for relaxing and doing things you enjoy, spending time with family and catching up on the news and favorite TV shows ― not agonizing over each of the 20 bottles that are available to register for or buy!

So now you may be asking yourself, “Why can’t my friends and family just help me?” The answer is, they will! A baby brings families close together regardless of the distance that divides them; however, not everyone is lucky enough to live near friends and family to have help on a regular basis. Baby Planners make it their first priority to stay informed of new products and trends in the industry. And while your sister may have used a certain stroller that she highly recommends and your mother-in-law never needed “silly things” such as a bouncy seat or a swing when raising her kids, it doesn’t mean their advice is relevant today (of course always appreciated, though).

The knowledge, experience and unbiased expertise that a Baby Planner provides can easily cut out multiple trips to the store or endless hours spent reading over reviews of products on the Internet. A Baby Planner allows for more time to focus on you and truly enjoying your pregnancy rather than worrying about which is the best car seat or stroller for your needs.

What do Baby Planners do?

A Baby Planner wears many hats for you as their client. One day they can be assembling your registry and recommending furniture choices for your nursery and the next day they can be arranging interviews for day cares, nannies or baby sitters. After baby is born, they can find you a lactation consultant, find diaper laundry services and set up a newborn photo session ―all while ordering, labeling and mailing out your birth announcements!

How can I determine if my family needs a Baby Planner?

Most Planners offer an initial consultation to see how they can work for you to accomplish your goals, ideas and overall vision for your pregnancy journey. A variety of packages and services will be presented to you with many of the services offered a la carte.  This allows your Planner to truly cater to what you need them to do and customize a plan that is a perfect fit.

Services can include, but are not limited to: providing individualized timelines and checklists, offering product recommendations, eco-friendly/green options, assistance with registry creation, child proofing, finding and connecting clients to medical professionals (pediatricians, doulas, lactation consultants, etc.), demonstrating products, nursery design, bed rest support, finding child care, concierge services and more.

Whether this is your first baby, you are expecting multiples, or you are expanding your family to baby number three (or more!); Baby Planning services are invaluable and extremely helpful in so many ways.

At the end of your nine months, you will have gone through one of life’s most amazing journeys.  Having a Baby Planner with you each step of the way can offer extra peace of mind when preparing for the arrival of your newborn.

Are you aware?

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month!

Pregnancy Awareness has some great giveaways going on all month long to celebrate! 

So head on over there and check out their educational information and enter to win some great prizes from Seventh Generation and Plum Organics!  There are contests running all month long, too.

Go ahead and celebrate moms everywhere - new moms, expecting moms and all the future moms out there!  Pregnancy Awareness will feature this month-long campaign by focusing on their key initiatives of: 

1. Education
2. Exercise
3. Nutrition & Wellness
4. Nurture

Know someone who would enjoy this information?  Please feel free to share.

P.S. Mother's Day is May 8th!

Eight Sleep Tips for Every Child

A few months ago, Elizabeth Pantley contacted me to offer a great deal of information and articles for use with my clients (and for you!).

I was very pleased to have been chosen by Elizabeth as an outlet to further spread her message, advice and techniques to parents that are struggling with sleep, discipline and separation anxiety.  All of her wisdom and guidance are combined with a gentle approach you'll find throughout her popular series of No Cry solution books. 

As she states on her web site, Elizabeth's books offers parents "Advice, solutions, links and books about parenting. Raise children with love, compassion, respect and consistency and learn to be a confident and joyful parent."

Here is an excerpt from the book that I found very helpful and I'd like to share it with you today:


Eight Sleep Tips for Every Child
Written by Elizabeth Pantley


Up to 70% of children under age five have sleep problems. Sleep issues are complicated and have many causes. They’re hard to deal with because when children aren’t sleeping, parents aren’t sleeping, and that lack of sleep affects every minute of every day for every person in the family because lack of sleep isn’t just about being tired. Sleep has a role in everything -- dawdling, temper tantrums, hyperactivity, growth, health, and even learning to tie his shoes and recite the ABCs. Sleep affects everything. 

The following ideas are of value to almost any sleeper, of any age. These tips can bring improvement not only in your child’s sleep, but also in her daytime mood and last, but not least – improvements in your own sleep and outlook as well.


# 1 Maintain a consistent bedtime and awaking time.


Your child’s biological clock has a strong influence on her wakefulness and sleepiness. When you establish a set time for bedtime and wake up time you “set” your child’s clock so that it functions smoothly.  Aim for an early bedtime. Young children respond best with a bedtime between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. Most children will sleep better and longer when they go to bed early.


# 2 Encourage regular daily naps.


Daily naps are important. An energetic child can find it difficult to go through the day without a rest break. A nap-less child will often wake up cheerful and become progressively fussier or hyper-alert as the day goes on. Also, the length and quality of naps affects night sleep – good naps equal better night sleep.


# 3 Set your child’s biological clock.


Take advantage of your child’s biology so that he’s actually tired when bedtime arrives. Darkness causes an increase in the release of the body’s sleep hormone -- the biological “stop” button. You can align your child’s sleepiness with bedtime by dimming the lights during the hour before bedtime.  Exposing your child to morning light is pushing the “go” button in her brain — one that says, “Time to wake up and be active.” So keep your mornings bright!


# 4 Develop a consistent bedtime routine.


Routines create security. A consistent, peaceful bedtime routine allows your child to transition from the motion of the day to the tranquil state of sleep. An organized routine helps you coordinate the specifics: bath, pajamas, tooth-brushing. It helps you to function on auto-pilot at the time when you are most tired and least creative.


# 5 Create a cozy sleep environment.


Where your child sleeps can be a key to quality sleep. Make certain the mattress is comfortable, the blankets are warm, the room temperature is right, pajamas are comfy, and the bedroom is welcoming.


# 6 Provide the right nutrition.


Foods can affect energy level and sleepiness. Carbohydrates can have a calming effect on the body, while foods high in protein or sugar generate alertness, particularly when eaten alone. A few ideas for pre-bed snacks are: whole wheat toast and cheese, bagel and peanut butter, oatmeal with bananas, or yogurt and low-sugar granola.  Vitamin deficiencies due to unhealthy food choices can affect a child’s sleep. Provide your child with a daily assortment of healthy foods.


# 7 Help your child to be healthy and fit.


Many children don’t get enough daily physical activity. Too much TV watching and a lack of activity prevents good sleep. Children who get ample daily exercise fall asleep more quickly, sleep better, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed.  Avoid activity in the hour before bedtime though, since exercise is stimulating – they’ll be jumping on the bed instead of sleeping in it!


# 8 Teach your child how to relax.


Many children get in bed but aren’t sure what to do when they get there! It can help to follow a soothing pre-bed routine that creates sleepiness. A good pre-bed ritual is story time. A child who is listening to a parent read a book or tell a tale will tend to lie still and listen. This quiet stillness allows him to become sleepy.


Work with these eight ideas and you’ll see improvements in your child’s sleep, and yours too.


Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers (McGraw-Hill 2005) http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Got Mommy Friends?

After settling back into my life shortly after having my first child, I strongly began to feel the need again to socialize.  Like most people B.C. (Before Children), I had an active social calendar - dinners with other couples, coffee with friends, shopping, last minute pedicures, long, leisurely lunches, etc.

Eager to resume these social activities, of course, I picked up the phone to call my friends. 

However, after numerous conversations with my now categorized as child-less** friends, both on the phone and in person - I found a huge issue had arose.  In a lot of ways, it now felt to me as if we had nothing in common on the surface. 

While they still spoke of long nights out, shopping sprees and other "fun" things - I was consumed with thoughts of poopy diapers, laundry and just figuring out this whole new "mom" thing I had going on. 

Don't get me wrong or misunderstand - my friends are still wonderful, fabulous people and I am still friends with them today - however; I now had a baby and they did not.  And anyone who has kids knows what I'm sayin'.  It's not a bad thing, per se...it's just different. 

Oh, just let me explain.

Since I didn't have many friends who had children, I asked myself:  "Where can I find me some mommy friends?"

To the Internet I went and discovered a web site called Meetup.com.  I joined a lovely group of moms - some of whom I immediately connected with.  We went to parks, the local zoo, had play dates and I got a chance to socialize myself and my daughter while I still worked from home part-time.

However, I found that even in that large group, it was still hard to connect with another mom "just because" you both have kids.  I mean, you don't just randomly approach strangers in the store or in public and say - "Hey, I see you have a kid.  Well, I have a kid, too, so let's be friends!" 

Yeah...it doesn't work like that.  That would be weird. 

For a few months, I continued to be an active member of the group.  Then, after a short 8 months of having figured out be a mom to one baby, I became pregnant with my second child. 

At the same time, within the larger group of moms - a smaller group had inadvertently emerged with moms who had younger children.  We all started getting closer finding we had a lot more in common and became our own little network.  It was, and is to this day, VERY nice. 

Life went swimmingly along....until about a month prior to having my second child, I was faced with a career change.  This left me (yet again) in new waters which I had never swam before....and I almost sank.  In addition to the rough economy - finding a new career path in the marketing field in addition to being 9 months pregnant just was NOT going to happen! 

(Enter my current career of Newly Nested)

Thank goodness I had my wonderful husband, my supportive parents, friends and family... 

And, yes, you guessed it.

My group of mommy friends! 

So, what is the point of me sharing all this? 

First and foremost as a stay/work-at-home mom, and secondly, as a baby planner and advisor to new and expecting parents, it is important to address concerns and issues that may (or may not) arise as the result of decisions we make - i.e. staying at home versus going back to work*. 

As wonderful an opportunity as it is, at times, staying home can also be isolating.  If anyone would had ever said to me that being with my children all day was lonely, I would have called them crazy.  Even though I considered myself to be a very social person - this happened to me and I decided to DO something about it.

So, the point of all this is to not let it get to that point.  If you find yourself in a position like I was in - a new mom looking to connect with others - here are some ideas that will get you started. 

1. Go to Meet Up.  Like I said earlier, I found my mommy-saviors there. It's fast to sign up, free and will save your sanity!  There are new groups starting everyday. 

2.  Go to the park.  There's always some friendly moms there. (And some not so friendly ones) You'll quickly find who is willing to chat and those who are not.   

3.  The library.  Another great place to meet other moms is in the children's section.  

4.  If you're breastfeeding - visit La Leche Leauge to find a chapter near you. 

5.  Visit your local town or city's web site for classes for your kids.  I found another great friend from our local Toddler Gym Class at the Park and Recreation Department.  There's also Gymboree's and other kid-gyms or music programs to check out for finding other moms. 

Who knows - you may find a new "mom" friend in the least expected places. 

So, get out there and make some mom-friends! 

Note: This post was from my original blog I started in early 2010 and switched over to this site as my main outlet for information.  I felt it was worth updating and sharing.

**Since this post was originally written, one of my very best friends who was child-less at the time has since had her first baby!

*This post and the suggestions apply to working mothers also. I am speaking from my own experiences and am not looking to start the work at home versus stay at home debate.  I support motherhood. Period.

Book Review: One Year To An Organized Life With Baby



Image courtesy of Regina Leeds site via Google images



Every now and again, I come across something - a product, web site or book - that I wish I had known about before I was pregnant and had my two children (currently ages 2 1/2 and 15 months). 

I often do not find these said items very often.  When I do, it's much like those Ah-Ha! moments where the sun shines down from the sky and glorious music plays in the background (you get the picture).

As part of my mission to be an informed mother, as well as a good baby planner, I am always more than happy to pass along these goodies.  It just so happens this new goodie fell into my hands just this past week.  

Fortunately, thanks to a new book, you do not have to experience the same wishes and woes I that have had when it came to finding a parenting/pregnancy book that is worth your time and money. 

One Year To An Organized Life With Baby is a book in a series from Regina Leeds,  a professional organizer for 20 plus years.  It is written with Meagan Francis, writer and mother of five children.  In a nutshell, this book is genuinely refreshing, helpful and complete in preparing for life with baby. 

However, you'll want to keep this book apart from the other "must-reads" you've come across or have yet to discover.  (Some are better kept un-read.  You'll have to email me if you want to hear some opinions)

Image via Google Image search



One Year is filled with great information from both the perspective of a professional organizer and a mom's perspective.  I found it to be a smart combination and collaboration of ideas for the solutions and suggestions you'll find in the book.  From the easy to follow break down of pregnancy by weeks and what to do and when coupled with the time lines and checklists, it is one of those books I wanted to grab my highlighter and dog-ear page after page.  However, I could not bring myself to do so to this book - it's far too pretty to do that to!  So, I opted for those Post-It Flags instead :) 

One quote I found early in the book that really struck home with me was Regina recounting a conversation with a client.  The client said: "I get organized on a regular basis, but it never lasts." Regina responded with this (which I love and is totally me): "You didn't get organized. You tidied up."  Let it sink in...repeat.  Not organized, just tidied up.  Big difference.  I found myself implementing their advice immediately. 

Then, as I kept going through chapter by chapter, I found wonderful things in this book.  They touch on topics ranging from green cleaning to co-sleeping to fun and creative ideas and way too many to list.  Regina and Meagan also discuss and call attention to topics that are not always thought of in the grand scheme of having a baby - including sections on remembering to focus on your partner and making mom's emotional and physical health a priority.  From personal experience, I can say both of these can get lost when you're caught up in the utter cuteness of your newborn baby and all the change that comes with it.

All of which are presented with bits of humor and realistic advice.  There are checklists for everything you need to get organized for real and not just simply tidy up.  It is truly atop my new must-have resources for new and expecting parents. 

Hopefully after reading this book, you'll find yourself wanting to buy this for all your friends and family who are currently pregnant or even those who have had their babies.  

While I tell my clients that nothing can truly prepare you for life with baby (except your baby), I do feel you can do your best to educate yourself through reliable sources as much as possible.  I share my knowledge of products, tips and tricks with everyone to the best of my ability and cut out much of the leg work and research.  However, this book comes pretty close to taking what I feel is a great approach for preparing parents from pregnancy and beyond!

Note:  I was offered my own copy of One Year To An Organized Life With Baby for free by the author.  However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.