Tell a friend: You are a good mama

I was working on a longer post for today, but things got chaotic, so I'll have to run it another day. But meanwhile my sister sent me this beautiful post about telling your friends—and even strangers—that they are good mothers. It made me realize that while I'm always admiring my friends' parenting styles, I rarely say that kind of thing out loud. And it means so much to hear, right?

So to all you mothers out there: You are a wonderful mama. :)

P.S. Six words to say to your child, and do your eyes light up when they walk into the room?

Kid & Coe: Vacation rental website for families

Kid & Coe is a brilliant new site that curates family-friendly vacation rentals—with cribs, toys, books, high chairs, everything you might need when traveling with little ones. You wouldn't have to tiptoe around worried that your child would mess up a fancy sofa or get into the bookcases, and your kiddo would have bunch of cool new toys to play with!

Here are three beautiful places, below...Read More >

Pinhole Press scribble pad

Inspired by Swedes, we try our best to play outside every day of the year (take that, NYC winters!), but of course there are many cold dark days where you're cooped up inside most of the time. So, I've been brainstorming fun things to do inside this winter to keep us from going stir crazy.

For indoor play, how adorable is Pinhole Press's new giant scribble pad? You put your child's name and photo on the front, and it comes with a pack of beeswax crayons. I have to say, Toby was so excited when I gave this to him! Pinhole Press has lots of other games, including a memory game, 60-piece puzzle and 12-piece puzzle.
Today, Pinhole Press is giving away a $100 gift certificate so you can pick out photo products for both kids and adults. For a chance to win, please visit Pinhole Press and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen tomorrow. Good luck! Update: The winner has been emailed. Thanks for playing.

Would your little ones like this? It would make a great gift, too, I think.

P.S. Our winter goal, and how Danish babies sleep outside.

(Photos by Alpha Smoot for Cup of Jo. Pinhole Press is one of my beloved long-term sponsors, and we love their photo products. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep Cup of Jo up and running.)

Motherhood Mondays: Six words to say to your child

I read some parenting advice last week, and I can't stop thinking about it...Read More >

Conversations with a three-year-old

Three years old is a funny age. On the one hand, Toby seems really grown up, and we'll chatter away about everything from violins to Indian food. Sometimes I almost forget that he's not a fellow 34-year-old. But then he'll bust out something crazy and childlike and I'll remember how little he really is. I love the magical thinking at this age. For example...

“You and Daddy go somewhere tonight?”
“We’re going to our friend’s house.”
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“His name is Scott.”
“Is he a man, a lady or a monster?”

"When Anton gets bigger, you can teach him how to talk and walk."
"I will teach him how to ride a horse." (Ed. note: Toby does not know how to ride a horse.)

"Boys and glulls."

“Plobably."

Toby also has an imaginary friend named Dun Dun. He's always calling him on the phone or asking if we can meet Dun Dun at the playground. He takes their friendship very seriously. We ask him nosy questions about the mysterious Dun Dun, and so far we've deduced that Dun Dun is a three-year-old with a blue motorcycle...

"Where does Dun Dun live?"
"On the Upper West Side. Near San Francisco."

"Where you and Daddy go last night?"
"To a restaurant called Otto."
"Oh, yeah, I love that place." (Ed. note: He has never been.)
"Oh, really?"
"Me and Dun Dun go there."

"What do you guys eat?"

"Chicken and broccoli. And water."

"Me and Dun Dun are going to the park to meet our friends."

"Who are you meeting?"

"Boom Boom and La La."

"Is Dun Dun a boy or a girl?"
"Dun Dun’s my darling."
Toby, I love you, you little weirdo!

P.S. Toby in conversation as a two-year-old.

12 Surprising Things about Parenting in India

Thank you for being so enthusiastic about our summer Motherhood Around the World series. It has been an honor to share these women's personal stories, and I loved reading all your comments. We'll be taking a break from the series for the fall and hope to do another group next spring.

Our seventh (and final!) interview features Danielle Dumm, who lives in New Delhi with her husband, two-year-old son and a baby on the way. Here are 12 things that have surprised Danielle about being a mom in India...Read More >

Ergobaby's new swaddler

When we were brand new parents, one of the best tips we got (from nurses, friends and this brilliant book) was that babies love to be swaddled. Wrapping them up tightly makes them feel safe and helps them sleep longer. We swaddled Toby as a newborn, and now we swaddle Anton. And it works like a charm. He sleeps much, much better when swaddled, since his wriggly arms don't startle him as a newborn.

Since Ergobaby makes one of our favorite baby carriers, I was psyched to discover that they now have a swaddler. It's ergonomic for newborns, and keeps their legs loose and arms tight. It's easy to do (I always found the basic blankets tricky) and Anton has been so happy in it (and doesn't bust out in the middle of the night, hurray). And during the day, as soon as he gets fussy, I bundle him up like a burrito and he calms right down.

Ergobaby is giving away two swaddlers, if you're a new or expectant parent or have a friend with a little one. For a chance to win, please visit Ergobaby and leave a comment below. Two winners will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! Thanks, Ergobaby! Update: The winners have been emailed. Thanks for playing.
P.S. What to register for your baby.

(Photos by Julia Robbs for Cup of Jo)

12 Surprising Things About Parenting in Abu Dhabi

For our Motherhood Around the World series, our sixth interview features Kera Thompson, who lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, McSean, and three kids, Owen, 6, Asher, 4, and Elena, 1. Here are 12 things that have surprised her about being a mom in Abu Dhabi...
Read More >