I’d Rather Not Assume

November 13, 2014

When Annette asked me to write for Detroit Moms Blog, I was a bit reluctant. I wasn’t sure I would be the best fit for you given my oldest is 18 and heading to college next year. It’s hard for me to REALLY remember the frustrations and struggles of getting up every 3 hours to feed a baby, dealing with a toddler’s melt down, or handling a stubborn 4 year old. Of course I remember those things but it is completely different when you are living it. And the last thing you need is another parent saying things like “enjoy it while it lasts” or “they are only little once” or “you will never get these years back.” What you most likely need is another parent who says things like “me too,” “I am having the same problem,” or “potty training is killing me.” These days I am dealing with teenager pushback, teenage dating, puberty, and a 10 year old who thinks she is 16. I have made many mistakes and I continue to make mistakes every day. You will make your own mistakes, but you already know that.

So rather than just make assumptions about what you want and need to hear as a parent and possibly spouse or partner, I am just going to come out and ask. What do you need and want to hear about? What are your biggest worries as a parent? What are your biggest frustrations?

Here are some of the things I’m good at:

Raising children
Raising girls
Being married to the same man for 25 years and still liking him 🙂
Balancing work and life
Managing schedules, do lists, and staying organized
Taking time for myself and not feeling guilty
Defining life plans, family identity, and setting goals
Connecting with your kids

And here are some of the things I’m not good at:

Crafting or anything that requires artistic talent
Raising boys (I have 4 girls)
Cleaning my house
Playing (my husband rocks this though)

So what do YOU need? Tell me in the comments! Please don’t make me assume, or we will all end up bored.

Mom2Mom Sales for November 15th, 2014

Annette

November 13, 2014

St. Hugo of the Hills School

Strollers Allowed
40 Tables

Sold Out!

{Time}
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
9 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
380 E Hickory Grove

Bloomfield Hills

*

Fair Haven Church

Strollers Allowed
40 tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
876 N Beech Daly
S of Ford Rd

Dearborn Hts

*

St. Thomas Lutheran School PTL

Strollers Allowed
100+ tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
23801 Kelly
At 21 Mile

Eastpointe

*

First Apostolic of Imlay City

Strollers Allowed
40 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Location}
859 N Van Dyke
N of M21

Imlay City

*

Glen Peters Parents Group

Strollers After 10
40+ Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
46650 Heydenreich
At 21 Mile Rd

Macomb

*

Parkway Christian Varsity Softball at {Bethesda Church}

Strollers After 11
100 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
14500 Metro Pkwy
At Schoenherr

Sterling Heights

*

Sterling Heights

Baker College of Allen Park ECE Student Chapter
Strollers After 10
50 tables

NO Early Bird!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Cost}
General – $2

{Location}
4500 Enterprise Dr
At Outer Drive

Allen Park

*

Mohawk Elementary PTO

Strollers Allowed
90+ Tables

Sold Out!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
48101 Romeo Plank
N of 21 Mile

Macomb

*

Gardens Elementary PTO

Strollers Allowed
70 tables

NO Early Bird!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Cost}
General – $1

{Location}
1076 Sixth St
N of Gratiot/E of Range

Marysville

*

St. Germaine Catholic School

Strollers Allowed
50 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Cost}
General – $1

{Location}
28250 Rockwood
At Martin & Little Mack

St Clair Shores

*

Wixom Elementary

Strollers Allowed
40 tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Cost}
EB – $3
General – $2

{Location}
301 N Wixom Rd
N of Pontiac Trail

Wixom

*

Bishop Kelley Catholic School

Strollers Allowed
45 Tables

No Early Bird!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Cost}
General – $1

{Location}
926 W Nepressing St
At M21 & M24

Lapeer

*

Taylor Recreation Center

Strollers After 12
60 tables

NO Early Bird!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Cost}
General – $

{Location}
22805 Goddard
At Pardee

Taylor

*

DMB Seeking Help :: Share your story with us!

Annette

November 12, 2014

Here at Detroit Moms Blog we are a community of passionate moms who are raising our kids in the Metro-Detroit area. We are written and run BY local moms, FOR local moms. Our goal is to connect moms to information and parenting perspectives unique to Metro-Detroit.

We believe that sharing stories and honest experiences of parenthood is both necessary + valuable. We also believe that the experience of being a mom can benefit through meaningful connections with other moms online as well as outside in our community.

We are getting ready for our November blog series in honor of Premature Awareness Month and National Adoption Month, we are seeking YOU, we would love to hear your story and share your words with our readers, you never know who you could help one day!

email us at :: [email protected]

Thank you for your thoughts + consideration, it’s very much appreciated! ~ XO ~Elizabeth + Annette

Weekend Happenings :: In + Around Detroit November 14th – 16th

Annette

November 12, 2014

November is here and practically over! Seriously. Where does time go?!

Before the holidays are in full swing this weeks In + Around Detroit list is full of cultural events at local museums along with some holiday fun that has begun in Metro-Detroit.

Enjoy your weekend ~annette

P.S. Don’t forget to stop and pick up a Starbucks Holiday Latte for you and a friend next week! It’s my favorite time of year, sharing + giving, it makes me Merry happy! 😉

*

Annual Holiday Open House

Kerrytown’s Annual Holiday Open House kicks off the season with live music, art demos, face painting, storytelling with Mother Goose, holiday treats and great pre-holiday sales.

{Date}
November 16^th, 2014

{Time}
10 am – 6 pm

{Cost}

{Location}
Kerrytown Market & Shops
Ann Arbor

*

Pearls of Wisdom

Featuring an exhibit focused on the arts of Islam.

{Dates}
Now – December 21^st, 2014

{Time}
9 am – 4 pm Tuesdays – Fridays
1 – 4 pm

{Location}
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Ann Arbor

*

Ann Arbor Farmers Market

Year-round, producers only market.

{Dates}
May – December 2014

{Time}
Wednesday and Saturday
7 am – 3 pm

{Location}
Kerrytown District
Ann Arbor

*

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus

The Circus is in town!!!

Circus performers from across the globe along with magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance.

{Date}
November 12-14

{Cost}
Tickets start at $14, purchase tickets HERE.

{Location}
Palace of Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills

*

Women of Vision

See works by 11 National Geographic photojournalists at Cranbrook Institute of Science.

{Date}
Now thru December 30th

{Time}
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 10 am – 5 pm
Friday + Saturday 10 am – 10 pm
Sunday noon – 4 pm

{Cost}
$6.50 – $13 adults
$5.50 – $9.50 13 and under
FREE 2 + under

{Location}
Cranbrook Institute of Science
Bloomfield Hills

*

Gridiron Glory

Check out hard hitting trophies, gear and more from the Pro Football hall of Fame.

{Date}
Now thru January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
9 am – 5 pm daily

{Cost}
$18 adults
$13.50 ages 5-12
FREE 4 and under

{Location}
Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn

*

Uprooted

This exhibit explores the stories, struggles and triumphs of Greeks whose ancestors descend from Asia Minor.

{Date}
Now thru January 31^st

{Time}
12 pm – 4 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Hellenic Museum of Michigan

*

The Fresh Beat Band

{Dates}
November 15^th, 2014

{Time}

{Location}
Fox Theatre
Detroit

*

Windows of Opportunity

Discover 12 original stained-glass windows installed in 1929 at Detroit’s St. Vincent + Sarah Fisher Center.

{Date}
Now thru December 28th

{Time}
9:30 am – 4 pm (Tuesdays – Fridays)
10 am – 4 pm Saturdays – Sundays

{Cost}

{Location}
Detroit Historical Museum
Detroit

Ice Skating at Campus Martius

Campus Martius Park was designed to be the central square of Detroit. During the winter months the offers a venue for ice skating, and the nearby cafe offers hot chocolate to keep Detroiters warm and toasty. The rink opens officially after the Tree-Lighting Ceremony.

{Date}
November 21, 2014– January 3, 2015
{Preview Days 14^th – 16^th}

{Time}
See Schedule HERE

{Cost}
Adults (13-49 years) $8

Child (12 & under) $7

Seniors (50 & older) $7

Skate Rental $3

Shoe Check available for people with their own skates $2

Skate Sharpening $5

Monthly Skate Pass $30

{Location}
Campus Marius Park
Detroit

*

Photographs From Detroit

{Date}
November 14^th – May 17^th

{Time}
9 am – 4 pm (Tusdays – Thursdays)
9 am – 10 pm (Fridays)
10 am – 5 pm (Saturdays + Sundays)

{Cost}
FREE with admission
FREE admission for tri-county residents

{Location}
Detroit Institutes of Arts
Detroit

*

Family Day Extravaganza

David Philpot leads a group in embellishing objects, creating mosaic are and more. Bring old junk

{Date}
November 15^th

{Time}
Noon – 4 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Museum of Contemporary Art
Detroit

*

Ice Age Unfrozen

Meet wooly mammoths, saber-tooth tigers and other beasts from 10,000 years ago.

{Date}
Now thru January 3^rd 2015

{Time}
9 am – 3 pm Wednesdays – Fridays
10 am – 6 pm Saturdays
noon – 6 pm Sundays

{Cost}
$18 adults
$15 kids
(includes general admission)

{Location}
Michigan Science Center
Detroit

*

A Theatre of Color

Explore this exhibit subtitled Costume Design for the Black Theatre by Myrna Colley – Lee

{Date}
Now thru January 4^th, 2015

{Time}
9 am – 5:00 pm Tuesdays – Saturdays
1 – 5 pm Sundays

{Cost}
$5 – $8

{Location}
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Detroit

*

Women Who Motor

Check out some snazzy vintage rides inspired by the ladies.

{Date}
Runs through 2016

{Time}
11 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Sundays

{Cost}
$8 – $12 Garage Exhibit

{Location}
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
Grosse Pointe Shores

*

The Big Reveal

Kids “unwrap” the storefronts that are stocked up for the holidays.

{Date}
November 20^th, 2014

{Time}
6:30 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Downtown Milford

*

Anton Art Center Christmas Market

Shop for unique gifts my Michigan artists, and check ou the decorated trees

{Date}
Sundays November 14th thru December 21st

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Tuesdays – Thursdays and Saturdays
10 am – 6 pm Fridays
noon to 4 pm Sundays

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Anton Art Center
Mount Clemens

*

Holiday Home Tour

Five homes go over the top in their holiday decorations this is the 17^th annual

{Date}
November 14^th + 15th

{Time}
10 am – 4 pm

{Cost}
$20 in advance
$25 at door

{Location}
Ward Church
Northville

*

Novi Equestrian Expo

This 20^th Annual hourse event has a model show, demos, nationally respected trainer Julie Goodnight, shopping and more

{Date}
November 14^th – 16^th 2014

{Time}
2 – 8 pm Friday
10 am – 7 pm Saturday
10 am – 5 pm Sunday

{Cost}
$10 adults
$5 ages 6-11
FREE 5 and under

{Location}
Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi

*

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

{Date}
November 14^th – January 11th

{Time}
1 – 4:00 pm
(Wednesday, Fridays – Sundays)

{Cost}
$2-$5

{Location}
Plymouth Historical Museum
Plymouth

*

Across the Board

See toys and games of the Jewish people – from the driedel to xbox with hands on fun for kids.

{Date}
Now trhru April 2015

{Time}
10 am – 5 pm Monday – Thursday
10 am – 3 pm weekends

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Jewish Community Center
West Bloomfield

*

Playhouse Theater :: Zippity 2 Dads!

Songs and fun!

{Date}
November 15th, 2014

{Time}
11:00 am

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Orchard Mall Center Court
West Bloomfield

*

Theatre Performances In + Around Town

The Nutcracker
November 28^th-30^th
Detroit Opera House
Detroit

Pinkalicious The Musical
November 21-23
City Theatre
Detroit

The Glass Castle
November 16, 18-19
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Clinton Township

Pinocchio
November 8^th – January 25^th
Northville Marquis Theatre
Northville

Motown the Musical
November 1-2, 4-9
Fisher Theatre
Detroit

Godspell
November 15^th, 20^th-22^nd
Oakland Community College
Farmington Hills

The Candy Mansion Caper
November 15, 16, 22, 23
St. Dunstan’s Theatre
Birmingham

A Christmas Carol
November 14^th – December 21^st
Meadow Brook Theatre
Rochester

Anne of Green Gables
November 21^st – 22^nd
Pontiac High School
Pontiac

Shrek
November 14^th – 16^th, 21^st – 22^nd
{16^th performance interpreted for the deaf}
Trenton Village Theatre

Peter Pan
November 14^th– 16^th, 21^st – 23^rd
Bonstelle Theatre
Detroit

Alice Through the Looking Glass
November 14^th– 16^th, 21^st – 23^rd
The Park Players at Rosedale Park Community House
Detroit

Steel Magnolias
November 14^th– 16^th, 21^st – 23^rd
The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill
Canton

Seussical! The Musical
November 20^th – 23^rd
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Ann Arbor

Christmas Caroled
November 20^th – 23^rd
The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Dexter

How In The World Can I Feed My Picky Child?

Mary

November 11, 2014

Oh it can be one of the most frustrating parts of parenthood—trying to feed your child! Though it seems like feeding time should be a seamless part of parenting, when you have a picky child it can wreak havoc on everything. It may seem like everything you offer your little one is thrown on the ground or refused. You might feel like a short order cook with a very unhappy customer. So what can you do to overcome this parenting obstacle? How can you feed this picky child that only wants to eat carbs at every sitting?

I get it because I am there myself and have been trying to feed my sweet but very picky boy for four years now. If it were up to him he would eat nothing but crackers and other carbohydrate based products. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind when even the simplest food is met with resistance. The best advice I can offer is to try somehow to stay calm and to be persistent in your offerings too. What they don’t like today they may actually grow to eat down the line.

I’m not saying that there aren’t some stressful meal times—they are plenty! I try hard to focus on some of the core things that he likes which offer some sort of nutritional value. He loves nuts of all kinds, so he mostly eats like a squirrel at lunch. I try to offer a spoonful of peanut butter with that frozen waffle that he so loves, and sometimes that helps to just get some protein in him.

Do Your Best But Sometimes Your Situation Is Unique

Experts will tell you to try to hide healthy foods in their favorite dishes. Trust me when I tell you that this doesn’t always work. You can try and you should try, but sometimes the pickiest (and super smart) kids will see right through that and pick it out anyhow. It’s worth the try and maybe they fall for it, but it doesn’t always work. I’ve tried smoothies, grinding up veggies for sauces, and everything of the like and he’ll refuse.

We do try a “thank you bite” where he has to take just one bite of something. If he doesn’t like it he won’t ever have to eat it again. Again good strategy—but there are some days where I don’t feel like listening to the torturous cry of my sweet baby boy as if I have just given him something awful. I try when I can, but it often results in him spitting it out or acting as if I gave him something that tasted like dirt.

What I can say is this—find the healthy foods that they actually like and try to center around them. As our pediatrician has told us, if he’s growing then it’s all okay. We center around the few fruits and veggies he will eat, offer up his favorite hot dog (no judging please), string cheese, and nuts. I do my best and fill in the gaps whenever possible. I know that he’s growing and so I have to take some comfort in that.

I have pulled my hair out, but I also know that offering a vitamin helps each day. So know that they will (likely) not be this picky for the rest of their life. You will survive this, so just keep trying your best. Offer up their favorites that are actually healthy and try new things when you can. Sometimes a kid is just picky and that’s all there is to it. You do your best and that makes you a good mama—and know that your kid will be just fine and that they may even be laughing at the feeding game inside too!

Introducing the DMB’s of Patty Werner….

Patty Werner

November 10, 2014

Hi! I am Patty Werner, mother of three, Certified Baby Sleep Consultant and Owner of Baby Sleep All Night! Wow! That’s a mouthful! A little bit about me…

I grew up in Grand Blanc, ½ of the last set of 3 SETS OF TWINS! Yes, you read that correctly! My parents had 7 children, including 3 sets of twins, all natural! I have an oldest brother, Kurt; then 2 years later came Kathy and Karen; (side note: my sister is Karen Newman, National Anthem Singer for the Red Wings) then 18 months later Christie and Carol (born on Christmas Day, get it? Christmas Carol) arrived. Finally, 5 years later, my mom wanted one baby she could spoil… And OOPS! My twin brother, Peter and I were born on New Years Day! Talk about a crazy household, especially during the holidays with so many birthdays! But… I loved and cherish each and every moment of my childhood!

Fast forward, I graduated from the University of Michigan with my Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. I have most of the work done on my Masters in Community Counseling at Oakland University. I interrupted my studies to earn my Certification as a Sleep Consultant from the International Maternity Institute in California. During my years of formal education, I had three children, my son Jordan (age 24), and my daughters, Kennedy (age 18) and Nicolette (age 13), which began the real, down and dirty, life education! Being a mother is and always has been my priority. I had Jordan when I was 23 because my desire to be a mom outweighed everything else in the world for me. Motherhood, as we all know, hasn’t always been easy. But even during the incredibly difficult times, I thank God everyday for the blessings of my children.

As a Maternity and Baby Sleep Consultant, my clients include moms-to-be who want to take the guessing game out of infant sleep before baby arrives and/or are having trouble sleeping themselves; all the way to families with children (birth to age 5) struggling with their child’s sleep. After carefully gathering all of the information necessary, I construct a personalized sleep plan and support it’s implementation one-on-one. My holistic approach does not involve Crying It Out! Based on the family dynamics, their current scenario, the baby’s developmental stage and temperament, parent’s tolerance for crying, among many other variables, I put together a training method and daily plan that gently and respectfully helps little ones learn to self-soothe and develop the all important, life-long, skill of independent sleep. I truly believe that a well-rested family is a healthy and happy family! Check out my website for more details.

I am honored to be a member of Detroit Mom’s Blog and the wonderful community of mothers gathered here! ~Patty

A Picture of My Parents and 7 Children, I am in my Dad’s arms

Jordan, Kennedy and Nikki at my sister’s wedding last summer

Patty Werner, Baby Sleep Consultant

First Annual Winter Holiday Mini Sessions with DMB + kmbDetails

Annette

November 8, 2014

Detroit Winter Holiday Mini Sessions

First Annual

Detroit Moms Blog + kmbDetails Photographer

presents to you

What: Holiday Festive 15 Minute Mini Photo Shoot

Where: kmbDetails Bloomfield Township Studio (address shared once booked) (google St. Hugo’s Catholic Church for a proximity)

When: Saturday, November 15, 2014; starting at 9 am

Why: To capture your beautiful children for a festive holiday (think clean and elegant) shoot!

How Much: For only $70 you will receive 5-10 high resolution edited photos WITH print releases! Price includes up to 2 kiddos, additional little ones are $10 each.

*

Are you thinking about your holiday cards?!

Are you ready to sign up?!

Visit HERE to select your time.

Space is limited so be sure to take advantage of this fun kiddo photography opportunity!!

Weekend Happenings :: In and Around Detroit November 7th-9th

Annette

November 6, 2014

Tree Lighting Celebration Weekend

{Date}
November 8th + 9th, 2014

{Time}
Santa arrives and lights the trees at 7:00 pm on the 9th
There is a FULL schedule online!
Mall hours
Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: Extended 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
The Mall at Partridge Creek
Rochester Hills

*

Drop-In Art Sundays

Cranbrook Art Museum offers art-making in the galleries once a month. Activities are perfect for pre-K through pre-teen Museum visitors accompanied by an adult. Drop-in and grab a Kids Gallery Guide to explore the exhibition, then create your own artwork inspired by this month’s featured artists.

{Date}
November 9th, 2014

{Cost}
Free with purchase of museum tickets

{Location}
Cranbrook Art Museum
Bloomfield Hills

*

Drop-In Workshops :: Print Making : Note Cards

Visit the DIA and let them bring out your inner artist. This activity is welcome to ages 12 and under.

{Date}
November 8th 2014

{Time}
12-4:00 pm

{Cost}
Free with purchase of museum tickets

{Location}
DIA :: Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit

*

Fun Friday Night :: UofM Museum of Natural History

Experience the Museum at night they are open until 8:00 pm! Free story time in our Planetarium at 6:00 pm: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. No registration required, but space is limited to 36 (children must be accompanied by an adult). Birds: Their Lives and Lunchesdemonstration at 6:30 pm. Free dinosaur tour at 7:00 pm; limited to 15 people. Planetarium shows ($3) – Larry Cat in Space at 5:30pm, The Sky Tonight: Star Talk at 6:30 and 7:30pm.

{Date}
November 7th 2014

{Time}
5-8:00 pm

{Location}
University of Michigan
Museum of Natural History
Ann Arbor

*

Wimpy Kid Release Party

Celebrate the release of the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book! Win Mom Bucks by playing Cheese Touch Hot Potato, a Toilet Paper Wrap Race and a Wimpy Kid trivia contest. If you have the most Mom Bucks at the end, you’ll win a copy of the 9^thbook in the series. Snacks will be provided.

{Date}
November 8th 2014

{Time}
3:00 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Ypsilanti District Library
Ypsilanti

*

Tween Stars LIVE

Tween Stars Live™ is star–studded, interactive wholesome entertainment for the entire family. The show features seven popular actors from some of Disney and Nickelodeon’s hottest television shows. The actors that are being featured are:

• Peyton List “Emma”, Disney’s Jessie
• Calum Worthy “Dez”, Disney’s Austin & Ally
• Joey Bragg “Joey”, Disney’s Liv and Maddie
• Peyton Meyer “Lucas Friar”, Disney’s Girl Meets World
• Spencer Boldman “Adam”, Disney’s Lab Rats, “Jackson” Disney’s Zapped
• Piper Curda “Jasmine”, Disney’s I Didn’t Do It
• Noah Munck “Gibby”, Nickelodeon’s iCarly

{Date}
November 8th and 9th, 2014

{Time}
4-6:00 pm Saturday
2:30-4:30 pm Sunday

{Cost}
Purchase Tickets Online {starting at $35}

{Location}
Andiamo Celebrity Showroom
Warren

*

ParentU

ParentU is a focal point for education, information and resources for parents and caregivers in Royal Oak and surrounding communities. The event is jam packed with speakers and options to choose from.

{Date}
November 8th 2014

{Time}
8:30 am-2:30 pm

{Cost}
FREE

{Location}
Royal Oak Middle School
Royal Oak

Mom~2~Mom Sales for November 8th

Annette

November 5, 2014

Allen Park HS SADD Chapter

Strollers Allowed
40 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $1

{Location}
18401 Champaign
At Allen Rd
Allen Park

*

Birmingham Public Schools & ECC at {Berkshire Middle School}

Strollers Allowed
75 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $2

{Location}
21707 W 14 Mile Rd
At Lasher
Beverly Hills

*

Midtown Montessori

No Strollers

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
3420 Cass Ave
At Peterboro & Martin L King
Detroit

*

Goodrich High School

No Strollers Allowed
80 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $1

{Location}
8029 S Gale
At M15 & Hegel
Goodrich

*

Grosse Pointe War Memorial

No Strollers Allowed
60 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $2

{Location}
32 Lakeshore
At Fisher
Grosse Pointe Farms

*

Lily Pad Lane at {Novi High School}

Strollers Allowed
65 Tables

{Time}
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $1

{Location}
24062 Taft
At 10 Mile
Novi

*

Orchard Lake Presbyterian Community Church

No Strollers Allowed
30 Tables

{Time}
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $2

{Location}
2171 Commerce
At Hiller
Orchard Lake

*

Ross Bible Church

Strollers Allowed
40 Tables

New!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $1

{Location}
2865 Maywood Dr.
W of Strawberry Lane/At West Water
Port Huron

*

Next Step Kids SCI Foundation, Inc.

Strollers After 10
150+ Tables

{Time}
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
9 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $3
General – $2

{Location}
3200 W Tienken
W of Adams
Rochester Hills

*

Zion Christian Church

Strollers Allowed
100 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
3668 Livernois
N of Big Beaver Rd
Troy

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Madison Center

Strollers Allowed
50 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
4460 18^th St
At Pennsylvania & Fort
Wyandotte

Feeling Meh About Breastfeeding Again

Erin Piper

November 2, 2014

My family will welcome its fourth (human) member in about three months. Among the uncertainty of how we’ll handle two kids, the topic of breastfeeding is top of mind. I breastfed my son for fourteen months, supplementing with some formula around ten months, and I’ll breastfeed again if all goes well. I completely respect that some moms use formula, either by choice or because they were unable to breastfeed. I feel blessed that I was able to breastfeed my son, and while you never know what will happen, I’m assuming it will work out again. Here’s the thing: while there was plenty to like about breastfeeding, there was also plenty that was just kind of a pain in the butt. (Sidenote: I have zero medical training, am not a lactation consultant, blah blah blah, but I AM a real person who did this, and I don’t think it’s as glamorous as all the beautiful Pinterest “Breastfeeding Tips” images would like you to believe!)

{The Good}

First, the good stuff: we’ve heard it all before, sometimes in posts that are far more obnoxious than I care to be, but I’ll state the obvious. There are health benefits to both mom and baby, bonding that occurs when mom and baby are nursing, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than having to buy formula, and of course, if you are nursing, it really doesn’t require any preparation (aside from setting up a huge mound of pillows and boppies those first weeks at home). I lucked out and had a pretty good experience, really enjoyed the bonding aspect (though I know that bottle feeding moms AND dads also bond with their kids while feeding!), and definitely saved a lot of money. I’m keeping this part short, only because information about benefits about breastfeeding are easy to come by. It’s the next part that’s tougher to find…

“Breastfeeding is always beautiful and intuitively easy. Plus, everyone gets a fun crown.”

{The Bad}

The bad stuff: ohhh, the emotion of it all those first few weeks. The stress of being responsible for your child’s growth without knowing exactly how much he is eating, at a time when you’re already working through some crazy hormones, can be really overwhelming. Every well intentioned visitor asks you at the first cry “Do you think he’s hungry?” or “Are you sure he’s not hungry?” or some degree of that question as if you weren’t thinking about feeding this baby almost every waking second. Some people who are bolder, and less subtle pretty much convince you that because they can’t see exactly how much baby is consuming, he must be starving. Top that off with the fact that you’re likely to experience at least SOME level of discomfort for the first few weeks (I will forever be grateful to the one lactation consultant who told me that anyone who said it shouldn’t hurt at all at first was nuts), and I’m not surprised that some women decide not to continue after the first week or two.

Once you get over that hump and start to feel a bit more confident, it’s awesome, but there are still plenty of challenges. Some babies don’t easily take to a bottle, and my son was one of them. I felt totally trapped, as I couldn’t leave my son for more than a couple of hours for MONTHS until we finally made progress with a bottle. Then when I went back to work, I had to figure out the whole pumping/working balance, which was TOUGH. Many women can’t work while pumping, so they actually have to stay at work longer and away from their families longer in order to pump – I can see how that doesn’t always make sense for them.

{This Time Around}

That said, I know I’ll do it again, and even though I can admit there are plenty of societal pressures to breastfeed, it’s a decision that I’d make regardless of what anyone expects of me. I think breastfeeding is like a lot of parental experiences: you take the good with the bad and just hope you’re doing the right thing. This time around I’ll probably be a little less nervous the first few weeks, and I’ll have the perspective to know that 40 minute nursing sessions and the pain don’t last forever. But I’m planning to also go in and be easier on myself this time. There is nothing like the paranoia and pressure of being a first time mom to ruin moments that should otherwise be special, and I am hoping to ease up on myself more this time. That means:

No guilt if baby needs formula, especially in the beginning.

Encouraging baby to take a bottle early, and consistently. (I have tons of friends whose kids also struggled with bottles, yet I don’t know a single baby who stopped nursing after a bottle! I’m sure it’s happened, but not to a single person I know. However, I know several moms who have felt totally trapped because they were not able to leave their house for more than an hour or two while their child was nursing.)

No set timelines on how long I will exclusively breastfeed. I’d love it if it works out that I nurse this baby as long as I did her brother. If not – no guilt.

Trying to get more comfortable nursing in public. I admire women who do, but by the time I got comfortable nursing without a million pillows around me, my son started getting really distracted. Let’s just say there was nothing “modest” about nursing a baby who was distracted by the slightest sound! It’s worth trying a little harder this time, but only time will tell how it all works out.

You can read article after article about how wonderful, easy, and blissful breastfeeding is. I don’t think these articles do most of us any favors. I’d rather be up front and say: regardless of how you feed your child, you’ll probably encounter some kind of struggle or feeling that you’re doing something wrong from someone who made another choice. You do the best you can, and make the best choice based on the cards you’re dealt. If you decide to breastfeed but don’t love every minute of it, you’re not alone, and it’s okay. It’s okay to stop if you want (especially if you’re truly miserable…I really believe “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy,” and we all need to take care of our physical and mental health!). If you do decide to continue, it’s okay to be honest about the fact that not every second is pure bliss. I think the best gift we can give each other as moms is to be honest with each other about our struggles and assure one another that it’s okay to admit when things are hard.

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