Before I had kids, I was the world’s best parent. Seriously. I knew what I was going to do and what I wasn’t going to do. And you know what?
I attempted food art for my kids. They weren’t impressed.
I’ve only stuck to one of those “nevers”: I’ve never catered to a picky eater.
I’m pretty proud of this.
When we started talking adoption, we assumed we’d have one baby, or “singleton” as parents of multiples call them. Much to our surprise, we adopted newborn twins, and when they finally began eating solid foods, we instituted a hard and fast rule: We serve two things for dinner. They’re called “take it” or “leave it.”
We had to. You know how it is being a parent—you barely get to sit down for a meal, let alone eat your food while it’s hot. There was no way my husband or I were going to make two or even three different meals. We were already sleep deprived, there was no way we’d all get out alive if we were starving, too.
Luckily, my cousin is a 20+ year veteran registered dietitian with the Women, Infants and Children’s program. For years, she’s been helping pregnant ladies eat right and coaching parents through toddler eating phases. So, naturally, I leaned on her heavily for some awesome advice and I’m going to share it with you. It got me through the tough times and helped me keep my sanity. Here it is: Children are incapable of starving themselves. Their brains aren’t wired to allow it to happen, so if they’re hungry, they’ll eat.
That was the best thing I ever heard. I know, there’s no magic bullet in any parenting situation, but this one has really saved me. Our kids know this is it. If they don’t eat it then, that’s their snack. There’s no pretzels or granola bars after dinner, either. If you don’t want to eat dinner for your snack, fine. You can wait until breakfast.
Sounds harsh, I know. But it works! We rarely have fights about eating dinner, and when we do, we stick to the party line. Next thing you know, there’s a kid in Olaf pj’s at the table happily eating meatloaf at 7:45 p.m.
Like I said, there’s never any “poof” that will make every parenting situation magically resolve, but this one is the best I’ve seen so far. But if you have some “poof” you should bottle it and sell it. You’ll be rich!
Do YOU have a picky eater? What is your “picky eating” strategy?
Recently my husband made a comment to me about using my daughter’s image on articles I write that led to a further discussion on using her image on social media in general. I took his opinion to heart and decided to do some research. I’ll be honest, when I started the research, I thought I knew enough of the tips and tricks that I told my husband I was confident there was no harm in what I was doing.
I had turned off location settings in my iPhone for all pictures I took. (Had anyone else who had posted pics of her?)
I had used her nickname instead of her full given name. (Except those Instagram photos I tagged with her first and middle name, duh.)
I had culled down my Facebook friends list to eliminate people I don’t really know or don’t really have a strong relationship with. (I made exceptions though… don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.)
I had set my privacy settings to remove any geo tagging on Instagram and configured it so a user has to request to be added to my Instagram friend list. Thankfully these are a lot of vacation photos where we are not likely to be for long.
I had set all my Facebooksetting to private so only friends can see my posts. (I’m still not entirely clear how tagging and view-ability work.) Can my friends comment on my photo open the photo to all their friends who see they commented on it in their newsfeed? Mind-boggling!
Covered right? Well, turns out there were things I had never even considered:
Consent. We all know that once you post something you can never fully get it back into your control. There is a digital footprint that you cannot erase and she can’t even spell her name yet. Could I be squashing future opportunities for her because of something I posted? Not likely as any reasonable person is not going to hold back a job offer based on a picture of a toddler crying but still, the idea is that I am making decisions for her that could resonate in years to come.
Bullying. Would she be embarrassed at some point at something I posted? Likely, especially during the teenage years when everything I do will be cause for angst.
Identity Theft/Stalking/Worse. Am I putting any information out that would make it easy for someone to gather personal information on her: name, birthdate, where we live etc? I try not too but something as innocent as sports team name can give a wealth of information on where the child will be and when. Yeah, I got a little sick to my stomach on that one.
Body Image. As kids are getting older they are getting bombarded from every possible angle with messages of how they should look, far more than we ever did as kids. This is especially troublesome for tweens and teens. As if their insecurities were not big enough.
Leading by Example. What example am I setting for such an impressionable mind if I am stopping to post everything on line for the world to see. When she becomes a teen, her norm will be to post everything. At that age is she really capable of deciphering what is and is not appropriate? Or even comprehending the repercussions of a mistake you cant take back? Do I want to raise a Kardashian?
I really hate being wrong but I had to admit there is a lot to be concerned about. On the flip side, what about the positives of sharing on social media? Sure there are some! There is a camaraderie built amongst parents who laugh with you and feel your pain. They are connections to the outside world when you are lost in your own day to day. There is the joy of sharing your child’s (and your) triumphs with those you love and garnering support from your tribe when you need it most.
Therein lays the dichotomy of social media. And in our world today it is difficult to just turn it all off. So, what’s the answer? How do we stay connected to those we want to share with and continue to be mindful of our kids privacy and future? I know my approach has changed. I have reviewed my accounts to remove any identifying information along with reviewing images with a new, open but wary eye. I will change my habits of posting and likely limit any posts to a close group of friends and family who know the “rules.” I will not use full given name or tag her in them.
Right now it feels odd and overly cautious and it will take some getting used to. Maybe it will change over time. In the end what’s the harm in sharing less for my family? A few less people see her Halloween costume or what we saw at the petting zoo? I can live with that if it means that her overall safety and future are not compromised or exploited. Besides, maybe a little less shared is a little more for us to enjoy together and we can do it face to face without our noses buried in smart phones all vacation!
Still I am curious, how do you use social media when it comes to your kids? What impacts do you see it having on your family?
If you are interested in some other tips, tricks and just really good material for keeping your family safe and healthy, please visit the Family Online Safety Institute.
I like to think of myself as someone that adapts well to change. It’s rare that I discourage trying something new and I enjoy meeting new people. Relatively speaking, I’m a Type A personality that thrives off of happiness, stress and ice cream.
But it wasn’t until recently that I learned about the importance of trying things outside of my comfort zone.
I’ve been taking barre classes for more than 2 years now and have always admired the instructors that coach and motivate their clients in a way that looks so natural and almost effortless. Their passion for fitness and helping others reach their goals is inspiring. After much encouragement from family, friends and co-workers, I decided to audition to become one myself. What did I have to lose?
I grew up as a three-sport athlete in high school and have always been very competitive (Ahem, reigning fantasy football champion…) but leading a group of grown women in a choreographed cardio and/or strength training routine for 50 minutes is not something for which I have experience. I’ve never danced in my life and I really don’t have much rhythm. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it.
One day mom asked why I was so nervous and uptight about my upcoming audition. I said it was because doing something like this was so far outside of my comfort zone and the thought of me not being good at it terrified me. I don’t like doing things that I’m not good at… but who really does? After chatting a bit she told me that I had nothing to worry about and that everyone has to start somewhere (true!) and that just like other experiences in my life, I had to try my best have a good attitude and be willing to learn. She reminded me that it’s okay to try things outside of my comfort zone.
Here I am. A nearly 27-year-old wife and mother, afraid to essentially be myself in front of my friends because this avenue is outside my comfort zone. That is just ridiculous. Just like you’d see in a Disney sports-themed movie, I decided to be a big girl, learn a routine and go for it!
I auditioned and my performance was nowhere near perfect but I showed passion and promised dedication to learning and growing with every practice session and class that I would eventually teach. While I’m not perfect with every transition or move, I am amazed at how far I’ve come in just four short weeks. If you told me a year ago that I would be instructing 25+ women of varying ages and experience levels through HIIT workouts or full body strength training, I would tell you you were nuts. Not because I didn’t think I could physically do it, but because I wouldn’t allow myself to dive into something so far outside of my comfort zone.
I’ve learned that it’s never too late to try something you never thought you could and that it’s okay to be vulnerable. Without a struggle or challenge, we’re never able to appreciate the strength it took to get where we want to go.
Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone can be so fulfilling!
Is there something outside of your comfort zone you’ve been teetering with trying?
We are SO excited to announce a new event that you ALL deserve to treat yourselves to!
Join the Detroit Moms Blog at the brand new Verdurous Me, in Wixom. Enjoy refreshments, partake in a relaxing yoga session, treat yourself to a well-deserved massage, and meet other local mamas! Leave with a bag full of awesome goodies, have a chance to win some giveaways, and get in on exclusive memerbship specials!
In order to accomodate as many moms as we can, please choose between participating in the 4:00 yoga session, or the 5:00 yoga session…. but certainly plan to stay before/after to enjoy everything else we have to offer! Massages are available at $1/minute, on a first come first serve basis. Everything else is included with your ticket! This is an event you DESERVE! Space is limited, so be sure to get your ticket today by clicking here!
** Graphic done by the amazing Kimberly at Small Moments and don’t forget to check her out on Facebook.
I love the fall. I always have. I love pumpkins patches and hayrides; football tailgates, warm cozy sweaters and drives to see the changing leaves. I even got married outdoors in the fall so all the gorgeous color could be a part of our wedding. Then it all changed for me. My already football obsessed, NCAA loving, Saturday absentee husband discovered hunting. He also started coaching high school football again making it a year-round sport in our house. Suddenly my blissful fall with trips to the cider mill and playing in the leaves took a backseat to daily practices and weekend trips to the woods; and not the good kind that I used to go on.
I used to fight it. I used to get mad and complain about him being gone all weekend or worse being home but not being present. I would get hurt feelings that football and hunting were more important than we were. I would pout about having to do everything while he got to enjoy all his hobbies. I would even occasionally go on strike from doing anything constructive until I got some help. Seemed fair, I work full-time too buddy. I wasted a lot of Saturdays doing the equivalent of a grown-up temper tantrum. If I had thought it would help I probably would have thrown myself on the ground to cry and pound my fists.
I also hated the terms “Football Widow” and “Hunting Widow” and I was bound and determined not to be one. So, I made my first misguided assumption that I could change this situation. Surely I could make him see my side. After all, my husband is a reasonable adult. Misguided assumption #2. He is not a child, he’s a grown man. Usually. However, when it comes to football and hunting, he was just as prepared as I to stomp his feet and hold his breath until he got his way.
Of course we all know I really had no control over the situation, he is technically an adult who is going to do what he wants to do. That may sound archaic but let’s be honest, I am the same way. I don’t want to be controlled or told what to do and I certainly don’t want to be guilted into doing or NOT doing something.
So we had reached an impasse. What to do at the nexus of our marriage? One weekend, in my irritation, I made plans. I filled up every waking moment of the long weekend with stuff. I took our daughter and we did whatever we felt like. We went to a park and walked in the leaves. I did a little photo shoot of it. We went to get cider and doughnuts (which my husband is insanely addicted to) WITHOUT him. We shopped; we did art projects, met friends and went out to lunch. It was glorious! Why had I not been doing this the whole time? Maybe it was that our marriage was not new and shiny anymore and I didn’t feel the need to be near him every moment (I can’t believe I even just wrote that!) You know what I’m talking about if you have been married more than 45 minutes. More likely I was just so sick to death of us having this same adolescent argument that I was ready to embrace change rather than be around us anymore on a Saturday afternoon!
Occasionally he skips a game to come along with us. Occasionally we go with him to his hunting spot because we can spend the day visiting with our family while he is outside for a few hours. Most weekends we huddle-up in the morning, throw our hands in the middle and break for a day of “Me/Us” time. Sometimes I wonder if a few month season is long enough! Today I consider myself a “Football/Hunting Survivor,” a beacon of sorts for the unenlightened sufferers who endure this magical time rather than celebrate it. I don’t have a cape or anything but I probably should. I have healed with this advice.
Listen, if you enjoy football game after football game then good for you! Join in and find your Zen. Personally, I am usually in it for the food. If you are a hunter and your idea of fun is sitting in the woods, then I bid you a quiet adieu. However, if you don’t want to be a part of the football marathon or if the thought of hunting puts you… off, it doesn’t have to be a dreaded season! Call a friend. Make a playdate at one of those play places that exhausts the kids while you sit in a comfy armchair chatting with a friend. Start your holiday shopping. Drop the kids off at your moms and just go get a massage. Make it whatever you need it to be because what it really is – is a few months of YOU time. Get out there and enjoy it!
We are very much looking forward to our Costco Mom Hour this Friday, November 13th at 9am! Costco has not only agreed to open an hour early for Detroit Moms Blog readers and their families, but here is everything you can expect! If you’re anything like me the thought of going to Costco has you excited!!!
This event will take place locally in 10 locations around the metro – Detroit area (as well as in over 80 other warehouses throughout the US – here’s the list that you can share with friends in other cities!)
The event begins at 9am (EST) – a full hour before Costco opens to the public!
The first 100 people (adults) to arrive at each location will receive a swag bag – you can expect to receive Kirkland Signature items such as: nuts, trail mix, fruit snacks, microwave popcorn, applesauce pouch, granola bars, juice boxes and chocolate milk. (The variety of items will vary by location).
Continental breakfast will be available (at no cost) with items including: coffee, orange juice, cranberry juice, fruit, muffins, danishes, etc.
There will be samples chosen specifically for moms and kids!
Anyone who signs up for a NEW membership during the event will receive a $10 Costco cash card.
Any current member who brings a non-member friend who ends up joining during the event will ALSO receive a $10 Costco cash card!
You do NOT have to be a member to attend and enjoy the event, but if you plan to make purchases you will need a membership. Additionally, the Costco cash card special is good only during our event!
If you take pics during the event – use the hashtag #CostcoLovesMoms & #CostcoMomHour – the 8 foot tall bear would make a great photo op for those little one(s)!
Kids are allowed and dads are, of course, welcome, too!
We are aware that 9am is not ideal for everybody – but we do our best to schedule our events at various times and if this event doesn’t work for you, we hope the next one will!
Register here (the ticket form is at the bottom of the post): Our Top 10 Favorite Things To Buy From Costco
My four-year-old trotted in from preschool the other day, my husband just behind him with baby sister and the day’s school reports in hand. “Mama, we looked at maps!” he told me happily.
“That’s great, Buddy!” I smiled as my husband, John, handed me his daily report.
“He’s already learned how to point to Michigan,” John told me, “but when his teacher asked him to point to where his family is from, he didn’t know what to do,” my husband said. “She asked me to help him, so I told him to point to Mexico and…” John paused and smiled because he knew this would be the interesting part. “Just Mexico,” he finished.
He received the eye-roll and dissatisfied grunt he expected: “Our son’s family isn’t just from Mexico!”
“What did you want me to do? Tell him to point to Chaldea on the map?” John asked. “I thought about trying to explain it. I really did. But I had a long day at work, and I figured it’d save us half an hour if we just pointed to Mexico and went home.”
I had to laugh because my husband was right; unless Melissa and Doug come out with a pre-World War I map of ancient civilizations, this isn’t a scenario that will ever play out easily.
What Are You, Anyway?
I am, as my friends have said, ethnically ambiguous.
My baby and one of her favorite foods — yeprekh (stuffed grape leaves).
I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times I’d been asked some variation of: “What ethnicity are you?” There was the kid at the summer camp where I worked who asked me, “Are you black, or white, or both?” The RA in my freshmen dorm who anxiously pulled me aside one day and said, “I hope this doesn’t offend you, but it’s been driving me crazy and I just have to ask. Where is your family from? You know, I mean like, originally?” Or the retired and slightly buzzed Professor at a fundraiser who simply said: “You look exotic. What are you?”
In the Detroit suburb I’m from, the answer is a relatively easy one: I am Chaldean. Here, not much more usually has to be said. Hummus-inspired parodies littered my Facebook feed not long ago and a popular morning radio show has even sponsored a Chaldean Idol.
Travel more than about 45 minutes, however, and the answer gets a lot more complicated. My sister once sat in a college lecture where the professor was discussing a verse in the Old Testament that mentioned the Chaldeans. When another student asked who they were, he said, “A race of people who are now extinct.” I like to imagine the look on his face when her hand shot up.
I lived in Chicago for three years, and what once was a one word answer suddenly became much more complicated. I began to dread the follow-up question: “Chaldean? What is that?”
When looking for financial aid during college applications, I was told Chaldean was too minor a minority to be considered. We don’t have a country anymore. Other than food words, swear words, and how to ask for my mother, I really don’t know the language. When I was growing up, I was good friends with a Chaldean family but their cousins used to tease me for “not being Chaldean enough.” I was baptized and married in the Chaldean Church, but otherwise, did not have much connection to it. So, what is Chaldean? That’s been a hard enough question for me to answer for myself; I felt particularly inadequate to be our cultural spokeswoman. If someone were to ask me what an American is, I could pretty easily say, “Someone from America.” But what do you do when you can’t just point to a map?
If It Quacks like Un Pato…
My Big Fat Chaldean WeddingThis started showing up in mailbox shortly after I had my son. Over four years ago.
As much as I’ve often struggled with the question, I’ve also come to miss it. In 2007, I married my college sweetheart and took his last name: Torres. When I would tell people I’m Chaldean, people often said they’d initially thought I was Hispanic. Even my husband jokes that when he first asked me out, he’d assumed I was Latina (haha, I tell him, joke’s on you!!). Now that I am Nicole Torres, most people don’t even ask anymore — or if they do, the question is usually, “What part of Mexico is your family from?” When a student I was working with asked, I told him I am actually not Mexican, but Chaldean. He paused a moment and then asked, “Is that like one of the islands or something?” In all fairness, I was helping him with his Spanish homework.
Whenever I fill out forms for my children, I look carefully through the boxes that ask for race and ethnicity. I always check Hispanic, but there is the invitation to check all that apply. There’s never a box for Chaldean, though.
My Multi-Cultural Family
It’s become an ongoing joke, really. My friends refer to my abuelita as I cry out in mock anger, “I’m not Mexican!” But what do I do now that my children are? And, for as much as I have struggled with the question, what do I do when they ask me what Chaldean is? I barely know how to answer the question for strangers, much less tiny beings who are asking me to define half the blood that courses their veins. I’m lucky to raise them in an environment where Chaldean is more than a term they might come across once in Biblical conversation as a prelude to being cornered into non-existence. But at the same time, they’ll be checking boxes, too. They will have a last name that doesn’t evoke much curiosity. When people assume they are Hispanic, they will be half right. And, at the end of a long day, it is the easier, shorter answer.
So, I guess my bigger concern is, what do I do if my children don’t ask?
Are you raising children in a multicultural family? Have you tackled big questions by little people about race, ethnicity, and identity? If so, please share because I’d love to know!
There is just something about Costco that gets me over the top excited every single time we go there! I even get excited at the thought of going to Costco! I’m not sure if it’s the delicious samples, the ridiculous deals or the $1 churro after a productive shopping experience. I had a hard time compiling a list of only 10 things my family absolutely loves. These are things that Costco truly has the best deals on.
Baked Goods :: Seriously, have you tried their cake?! It has to be the absolute best and at a great price! All of their sweets are de-lish-ous. But it’s not just their sweets that will reel you in – their croissants are so soft and fluffy. They make the best breakfast sandwiches.
Meat (including organic) :: You can buy bulk meat and then freeze it for later. Economically it’s the best way to go. If it’s to much meat for you – share with a friend. It’s a great way to always have something on hand to grab out of the freezer and throw a healthy meal together.
Coconut Oil :: Enough said! If you’re anything like my family we use coconut oil for everything. I’ve pinterested every possible use. Hands down Costco has the best price on the larger tubs of quality coconut oil.
Laundry Detergent + Fabric Softener :: Kirkland’s top rated laundry detergent will give you the best bang for your buck. Bonus – it smells amazing!
Paper Products : I think it goes without saying that having toilet paper and paper towel in bulk is a necessity. Save money by buying these products in bulk and rest assure you won’t have to wipe with anything other than toilet paper.
Rotisserie Chicken :: Yum! My husband loves their rotisserie chicken. We’ve bought them from competitors and they are tiny and overly priced. At Costco you’ll get a nice plump 3lb delicious chicken that will last a couple days and can be used in multiple meals or eaten alone.
Gift Card Selection :: The selection of gift cards Costco has is insane! You can find whatever you’re looking for. I hate having to run to multiple stores to get the gift cards I’m looking for. Don’t you?!
Gas :: I don’t know about you but I love the fact that I can get my groceries and gas all in one spot. A one stop shop! The prices alone justify purchasing the membership.
Organic Produce :: Best strawberries ALL year long! We can always count on Costco and their selection of organic produce – berries, pears, apples – you name it, they have it.
Diapers + Wipes :: These diapers rock our world! Goodbye blowouts and leaks – finally a diaper that makes it through the night and saves on extra loads of laundry. For $29.99 you can get 192 diapers and they last. They are soft and don’t irritate our little mans skin. If you’ve ever thought about trying them – do it – you have nothing to lose!
We would LOVE to know – what are your top items that you buy at Costco for your family? Please comment below!
And for good measure, here are a few more reasons to shop at Costco!
Competitive pricing on quality merchandise meets or exceeds local competitors.
Kirkland Signature products are rated higher than most leading brands.
Free demos and samples on a daily basis.
Costco is leading the nation in organic sales.
The environment in Costco speaks for itself with its cleanliness and well-lit warehouse shopping experience.
Costco offers many services in and outside of the warehouse: Auto Buying, Check Printing,
Travel and Car Rentals, Insurance, Mortgage Financing, Water Delivery, Leaf Guard, Flooring and Windows, Identity Protection, Pharmacy, Hearing Aid, Optical, and Photo Lab.
Discounts to restaurants, movies, spas, and many more.
They offer a 100-percent member satisfaction guarantee. We will refund your membership if at any time you are not satisfied.
Free healthy heart screening, osteoporosis screening to all members and non-members.
They offer pet meds for your fur babies.
Costco’s meat department is USDA Choice grade or better.
They have the best Rotisserie 3-pound chicken for $4.99 – no preservatives, MSG free, gluten free, and USDA grade.
Join us for #CostcoMomHour
This event is absolutely FREE and just for YOU! We’ve partnered with Costco to open an hour early for Detroit Moms on November 13th at 9 a.m.
Mark your calendars and come enjoy shopping before the public rush, breakfast, samples, and swag bags to the first 100 people. Yes please!
How to attend the #CostcoMomHour ::
This event is FREE but in order to plan accordingly please RSVP with a ticket below. Don’t forget to follow our Costco Mom Hour {Metro Detroit} event page on Facebook.
If you come to the Costco Mom Shopping event and sign up at the event to become a new Costco member, Costco has a special offer*: New Executive Members will receive a $20 Costco Cash Card and new Gold Star and Business Members will receive a $10 Costco Cash Card.
For existing Costco members who bring a friend to the Costco Mom Shopping event, if your friend signs up for a new Costco membership, you will receive a $10 Costco Cash Card** as a thank you.
*Limit one Costco Cash Card offer per household. Offer is valid for new memberships the day of the Costco Mom Shopping event only. Offer is not valid for renewals or upgrades of Costco memberships. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Costco Cash Cards are not redeemable for cash. The Costco Cash Card must be used by the new Costco member during the first year of membership.
**To be eligible for the Costco Cash Card, the existing member must be a Costco member prior to the Costco Mom Shopping event and the friend must become a new Costco member at the event. Offer is valid the day of the Costco Mom Shopping event only and is valid for new membership activations only. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Limit two new member referrals per primary Costco member per year. Separate forms are required for each referral. Employees of Costco are excluded from this offer.
A Costco membership is $55 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $55 upgrade fee a year and includes an annual 2% Reward (up to $750) on qualifying Costco purchases. Terms and conditions apply to the 2% Reward. See the membership counter for details. Each membership includes a free Household Card. Price does not include sales tax. Costco accepts cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT, Costco Cash Cards, Costco Credit Cards and American Express.
Hey there Mama, I have some exciting news! DMB has created Neighborhood Mom Groups! This is a great way for us ALL to connect with our neighborhood moms. I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for another rambunctious two year old for my son to play with or a little mom support after a long work week and a few too many sleepless nights. To bring us all a little closer, join Our DMB Neighborhood Mom Groups! If you don’t see your city, don’t worry, jump into the one closet to you. Lets get connected!
Neighborhood Groups
Our primary goal in creating Detroit Moms Blog was to connect moms online, as well as offline through playdates and our events. We know that being a mom is the most rewarding job we can do, but it’s also the hardest. We all need some support now and then from others who know just what we are going through! We’ve loved doing this through our larger events, but this year we are also looking to incorporate some more intimate ways for moms to connect with one another
Detroit covers three different counties and we would like to make it feel a little smaller! We’ve decided to create Neighborhood Groups that will help you all facilitate playdates, mommy meet ups, learn more about your specific neighborhood or simply pose a question to a group of moms. Whether you’re a new mom, new to the city, or just want to meet new friends, these groups will be the perfect way to connect with moms in your area.
We currently have 19 neighborhood groups available to join. Don’t see your neighborhood? Because Detroit is so large, we aren’t able to list every suburb – start with the group closest to your city and hop in. We’re just starting this program, so please let us know if your city isn’t close to the listed groups so we can get your area covered. Just click on your neighborhood and ask to join the group!
Each group will be run by volunteers called Mombassadors – these ladies will plan events each month with the intention of gathering people in person. If you’re interested in being one of our Mombassadors please send an email to [email protected] and let us know. We absolutely love our online community, but what we’d love most, is to help you get connected in person to other Moms in your own neighborhoods within Detroit!
We hope this will be an opportunity for you and your kids to make some new friends and connections in our community! In order to stay up-to-date on ALL the connection opportunities Detroit Moms Blog offers, “like” our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter (@detroitmomsblog), Instagram(@detroitmomsblog), and Pinterest! We look forward to hearing from you!!
When I think back to my birthdays as a child, I remember a handful of birthday parties. For the most part it consisted of a friend or two. I loved my birthday. I still do! It’s my special day. I remember my family always making me feel special on my birthday. I remember my 10th and 13th birthday parties because those two were BIG! But for most birthdays, we had cake and some kind of food – although I don’t have a clue what was on the menu. I received presents, but I couldn’t tell you what they were. Either way, I loved my birthdays as a child growing up. It was my own special day and it still is!
Fast forward a number of years and now its my turn to throw my children birthday parties. How fun! I have a number of tools to help me be as creative as I want to be. Between Pinterest, Google, Etsy, Social Media and Michaels, I can get creative and have fun while doing it.
Planning a party is fun, especially for your own child. It can also be very expensive and time consuming.
My son recently turned two and during this time I had an 8 week old baby at home. We
all know how busy and time consuming a newborn is. The idea of throwing a big party didn’t seem exciting. As my husband and I discussed our birthday options for our little guy, we reminisced about our childhood birthday memories, the little things we remember. My husbands most memorable birthday was simply having his favorite dinner with his family. I loved planning something fun to do with a friend or two. But when it came to remembering any of our birthdays before the age of six, we simply lost that memory. After brainstorming, we knew that our two year old only cared for balloons, the birthday song and cake. We had our answer. Let’s keep this simple and invite his people (immediate family) over for cake. This was a relief.
I feel that sometimes I get caught up in what I see from social media or on Pinterest; I think I need to do this and that for my child, when in fact I really don’t.
A month later our son is still singing his birthday song and looks at his birthday cards daily like they’re books. We kept it simple with what matters…birthday cake. Most importantly he felt special on his birthday.
Do you keep your child’s birthday parties simple, or do you enjoy planning a big event?
Have you ever felt pressure to plan the “perfect” birthday party for your child?
said it was because doing something like this was so far outside of my comfort zone and the thought of me not being good at it terrified me. I don’t like doing things that I’m not good at… but who really does? After chatting a bit she told me that I had nothing to worry about and that everyone has to start somewhere (true!) and that just like other experiences in my life, I had to try my best have a good attitude and be willing to learn. She reminded me that it’s okay to try things outside of my comfort zone.
