Mama
Praise —34-month-old
I think you're awesome. Your kid is amazing—obviously, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree . Shouting their awesomeness from the rooftop is actually really good for them! When you are intentional with your praise, you can help foster confidence and joy—and keep that good stuff coming. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Your child's not the only one who deserve an award. Go ahead, mama. Treat yourself to a month or 6 of Birchbox .
Inseparable —25-month-old
If you are a mom, you are a superhero, period. Your toddler wants to be with you ALL. THE. TIME. (Anyone else have little fingers sneaking under the door frame when they're in the bathroom?) While it's sweet, it's also stressful, especially when you need to work (or have a much needed date night). Understanding the WHY can help you make small but meaningful changes that really help. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Have your heard Daniel Tiger's Grown Ups Come Back song? Adorable.
Rooted in routine —28-month-old
If you stumble, make it part of the dance. Every second of motherhood feels like a mystery—you never know what your toddler is going to do (or say) next (hello, stories at the top of their lungs in the grocery store). But the truth is, toddlers THRIVE under routine. And with a little adjustment, you can too! XO, TeamMotherly
Listen up! —26-month-old
“I'm only going to say this once"—me, daily x 9. Watching your child develop their little (or ginormous) personality is so exciting, but let's be real—it can be utterly exhausting too. Sometimes it seems like it's a "mother knows best" vs. "toddler wants EVERYTHING" battle all the time. But take heart, mama. Your little fighter is growing up to be a strong adult, because of you. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. If our strong willed child article resonates with you, you might love Raising Your Spirited Child by Sheedy Kurcinka.
Namaste ✌️—35-month-old
Just breathe. Toddlers' emotions escalate from zero to sixty before we even realize they are upset. And it can be hard not to join them on their emotional rollercoaster (thank you very much, sleep deprivation). Remember that it's okay for you BOTH to feel those feelings! And there are some fun things to do when you're ready to let the feelings go.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. Blow bubbles for stress relief without stressing the spills with Little Kids No Spill Big Bubble Bucket.
Be right back –32-month-old
Keep calm and toddler on. Spending time away from your child (because you need to go to work, or need to get a massage) can be hard, especially when they voice their (loud) displeasure. But we promise, they will be ok. You are absolutely allowed—and encouraged—to do what you need to do for YOU. Your kiddo will be happier for it, we promise.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. For staying organized through all the things we do when we're out and about, we adore Dagne Dover totes.
Hello, old friend ✋—25-month-old
Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother. Remember teething? It's baaaaaaa—aacccck. Those 2-year molars are coming in with force. But, you are now a PRO! And just like last time, you'll super-mama your babe through this rough time, and before you both know it, you'll be back to your normal routine—only with more teeth! XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Teething toys are definitely still a thing for toddlers. Check out the Innobaby Fruit Teether.
From whining to winning —28-month-old
My full name is “mom mom mom mom mom mom". I whine, you whine, we all whine... but it will be fine! While it can seem like YOUR kid is the ONLY one whining at Target, rest assured that whining is actually biological—everyone does it. And, there are ways to approach whining that actually work (without driving you crazy in the process). XO, TeamMotherly P.S. To unwind from the whining we love Kiehl's Foam-Relaxing Bath.
Thank you —3 years old!
“What is mom but the sunshine of our days." —Robert Brault. Children are inherently good. Sure, they may have trouble sharing, and getting a "thank you" is sometimes impossible. But their hearts really are pure and kind. What an amazing opportunity it is for us to foster and encourage what already exists within them! And on this latest journey around the sun, it's fun to look back at the magic you've created. Look at you, making the world better, one toddler a time. Happy Birthday, sweet one. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. For a book that teaches kids to be kind to others, you'll both love Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud.
Best buds —30-month-old
“We love with a love that is more than love." —Edgar Allen Poe. If your family is growing (yay!), one of your 17,000 thoughts might be about where to have your little ones sleep. Turns out that when siblings spend time together, the whole family benefits! So deciding to bunk your tots together may be one thing on your list you can go ahead and ✔️. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. In the market for a toddler bed? We are swooning over this one from Pottery Barn Kids.
Lions + tigers + bears —34-month-old
Motherhood is incredibly brave. The world can be a pretty scary for a toddler—who remembers lying awake at night afraid of the monster in their closet? The good news is that your child's mom is a superhero. Even if you don't have all the answers, a hug and some reassurance from you will go a long way towards comforting your quaking kiddo. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Fight their fear of the dark with the Cloud b Turtle Bug Constellation Night Light.
My whole heart ❤️—32-month-old
No beauty shines brighter than a good heart. Loving a toddler means loving an emotional storm—overjoyed one minute, devastated the next. Showing them that you love them through it all, no matter what, will teach them to trust you, and show them the power of unconditional love. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. For little you time, try a subscription to Daily Burn, and sweat out the stress of the day.
Perfect strike —27-month-old
No one is you, and that is your superpower. Parenting is like bumper bowling (minus the awesome shoes). Your toddler is the bowling ball (obviously), life is the alley, and you are the bumpers—while you can keep your little bowling ball essentially on course, there's not always a whole lot you can do while they are navigating the alley. So take a deep breath, and try to enjoy the game. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Now you want to go bowling? Melissa & Doug's Monster Bowling Game is perfect for you and your little monster.
Lettuce have a snack —28-month-old
My parenting back up plan is to keep handing out snacks. Cheerios. Cheese. Apple. Repeat. It may feel like a vegetable will never pass your child's lips again. But a few simple tricks may help change things around for you and your little gourmand and make meal time a little more PEASful. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. To make mealtime more fun, try a picnic on the Skip Hop Outdoor Blanket.
Watch them bloom —35-month-old
“Play is the work of childhood."—Jean Piaget. Watching your little love-bug blossom into an independent person has to be one of the coolest experiences of all time. They learn and experience almost everything through play at this age. So don't be afraid to get down on the ground and play with them—or simply stare in amazement. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. We are super crushing on the DalosDream KidsTeepee Tent for some seriously imaginative play.
Easy does it —35-month-old
Positive Mind. Positive Vibes. Positive life. "Easing" from one activity to next is anything but easy with your soon-to-be threenager— suggesting it's time for lunch is often met with a protesting NOOOOOOOOOO! But rest assured, your child isn't defiant, she's just learning how to navigate her way. It WILL get easier, mama. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Go ahead and get delivery tonight, mama. You deserve an easy dinner.
Just smile + start —35-month-old
The scariest moment is always just before you start.
Star gazing ⭐️—33-month-old
Second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning.
Drop it like it’s hot —27-month-old
“Let's start by taking a smallish nap or two."—Winnie the Pooh. Oh, naps—they are so confusing. On the one hand, they give us a much needed break. On the other hand, we have to plan our whole day around them. So how do you know when to let them go? Turns out, there are some guidelines around this to make the decision a little easier. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Moms love the OK to Wake Clock to make sleep transitions much more manageable.
Inspire joy —35-month-old
Time spent playing with children is never wasted. We do not remember days, we remember moments—and the moments we remember are usually the silly, spontaneous, slightly messy ones where fun just happens without being created. So take the pressure off of yourself to create joy for your children... joy happens, mama. Enjoy it.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. For saving the photos of the silliest, messiest moments we love Chatbooks!