Hi Mamas,

I am reeling over the Texas Hill Country tragedy and need to find a way to help. There are a ton of posts about where to donate, and I’m working on getting supplies tomorrow to donate (like many of you!) I’d love an expert to tell me how to best explain this to our kids. It is appropriate to share? Do I just keep it surface level and say other people need our help when we donate supplies tomorrow? How much information do we give them but still teach them that support in our community is needed right now.

Band-aids! I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. My kids love putting on band-aids, trying to open them, trying to stick them on, it all takes up time, which is exactly what you need - an easy, lightweight, packable distraction. I bring a box of whatever kid kind I can find at Target and let them go to town, and bring a sandwich bag for the trash.

I normally order pizza enough for the kids and sitter (and I always hope there is some leftover for me when I get home ). For some tea....one time I ordered sandwiches and a large dessert for the kids and sitter. The next day, my kids told me that the babysitter didn't share the dessert with them and ate it all once they went to bed.

I’m with you here! But the best option is to use credit cards that work to your advantage. Sign up for the Barclays Upromise Card and connect your points to a 529 account. Spending money BUT all the points go to a college fund if you connect it to a 529. We put all expenses on two credit cards and for the Upromise we have earned nearly $9k in my oldest’s 529 the last few years just in those points alone. Also, sign up for cards that work to your advantage- Marriott Bonvoy will offer points for free hotel rooms and vacations for all the credit card usage!

I've bought from Boden the last two years, and really like the fit -

https://us.boden.com/products/kythira-ruched-tankini-oceanside-blue?variant=46950567248124

https://us.boden.com/products/santorini-halterneck-swimsuit-french-navy and

I love the advice above about talking about it ahead of time, and having something to look forward to next, even if it's a coloring book or an activity at home or a song they get to play in the car. I really struggle with transitions with my middle child, so I totally feel you on this question. Here with you in solidarity - transitions are so tough!

Any ideas for Father's Day? I'm struggling with the balance of summer schedules and managing all the things at our house...so to be quite honest, I'm not enthusiastic about planning an extravagant Father's Day. I haven't planned or bought anything yet. Ideas that could be ordered or handled this week? Maybe a gift card is in order this year...

Chocolate Hummus with strawberries!

My other go-to is chocolate hummus mixed with oats, chia seeds, peanut butter and a little bit of honey.

Hi! We make smoothies regularly and my kids love them, but I’m trying to find ways to add protein without ruining the flavor. Any no-taste protein powders you love? We’ve tried milk, milk alternatives, cottage cheese, yogurt, Fairlife protein shakes…but all give it too much of a milky flavor. Would love some ideas!

I have two favorites:

Barclay Upromise Card- you connect to your child’s 529 account and it automatically deposits rewards there. Over the years it’s added up to an extra $9k in my oldests 529! Definitely worth using for all things.

My other favorite is Marriott Bonvoy- we use this throughout the year also and earn free hotel stays.

As much sleep as you can! Laundry, dishes, whatever can wait, just go to bed when the kids do and get whatever rest you can. Once you feel better, all life things will be there waiting but that’s ok while you take care of yourself. Vitamin D, Vitamin C and if I start to feel a cold coming on, I also like to get an IV from health/wellness places to replenish vitamins and hydrate. *Also not a doctor but hoping to help!

I have a medium size plastic bin for each sport that is labeled, and kept in the garage, I throw everything in the respective bin and when we go to any sports, I toss the entire bin in the car (and hope and pray everything is really in there).

Just posting for solidarity as well, you are not nuts, I feel this all the time. I have three kids and know we are done but I can’t help but wish I could have more kids, or that I had started younger, etc.

Meal Delivery Gift Card, Massage Gift Card, anything for the mom is my go-to!

I agree with the posts above- sometimes simple is best- just a message of what an awesome person they are and a gift card to a place you know they love or could use ️

Hi! So my 4th grader asks for play dates every single day, I’ve explained we don’t do same day play dates due to homework, dinner, bedtime, etc. and since it puts so much pressure on the moms and last minute figuring out of all the things. Am I being a jerk? Do your kids have multiple play dates throughout the week? Should I be scheduling more and trying to make it happen? With my work schedule, homework, and managing multiple kids it seems overwhelming but my oldest thinks I’m ruining her life… would love to know if everyone else is easy going and maybe I am just overwhelmed by figuring it all out?

If you want an option just for tracking, I use AirTags when my kids go out or at big events (theme parks, kid-friendly festivals, large group events like Halloween, riding their bike to a friends, etc.) There are watch bands that hold air tags so I throw those on their wrist for my oldest and for my younger kids, I buy the dog tag air tag holder but hook it to their shoes. If you want an option that just allows you to see where they are (no calling or screens) it helps! https://a.co/d/8byyrJj

When I’m on it, which isn’t consistent, but I’m trying :), I set out a veggie tray before dinner- normally cucumber, celery, carrots and peppers with ranch and put it on the table. At first no one in my house was interested, but it’s starting to catch on that if you are hungry, eat the veggies! My kids are 5, 7 and 9 and all normally will snack on a few and then I add the remaining veggies to their plates for actual dinner. I’ve also started hiding the go-to snacks (chips, granola bars, etc) higher in the pantry so they can’t see them

My kids have been obsessed with Minecraft recently and it’s only caused frustrations and requests to spend more money whenever they play. After my daughter spent $50 without me realizing it for “extra worlds” I had to cut it off. I recently bought Bluey for Nintendo Switch instead and they all seem to enjoy (ages 5, 7 & 9) and can play together. I’m still trying to find something more educational and fun, open to all ideas here but Minecraft has been rough in our household (not so much for stranger interactions since we have that shut off, but more for just always wanting more worlds = more $$ to spend and constantly feeling like they need more to play).