
Being a mom has made me really tired, and really happy.

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.

“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.

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.

Even miracles take a little time. Alright mama, the time is approaching. The moment when you will stand with all mothers who have come before you and face the challenge that you have been training for all along—potty training ;). Lucky for you, you're a boss. And we're here to tell you that it is totally doable, and (gasp) maybe even be fun! You've (totally) got this. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. For a potty that does triple duty (pun absolutely intended), and works with your stylish home, we love the Ubbi 3-in-1 Potty.

The scariest moment is always just before you start.

Mistakes are proof that you're trying. As your little bean becomes more and more independent, life just gets so fun—especially when you can learn to embrace it (which isn't always easy). But giving your kiddo some more control as she feeds, dresses and entertains herself will thrill her. And ultimately, make things a little easier for you! XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Bento box style lunches are an awesome way to present kids with healthy options while giving them a sense of control over what they eat! We love the PlanetBox version.

Go ahead. Believe in everything. The world is a fascinating place to a toddler. They want to (and do) get their hands on everything so they can explore and learn as much as possible. And the really cool part is that we get to be their guides through it all. So throw your hair into a top-knot, and dive into the adventure with them. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. What could be more fun than exploring how butterflies grow ?? Check out Insect Lore's Butterfly Kit!

“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.

If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart. Watching your little one's creativity spark is one of the greatest joys of motherhood. From drawing to building towers, toddlers are fascinated by making things—and we totally encourage you to get your art on right along with them. XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. For a creativity-inspiring toy that never goes out of style, we love Melissa & Doug's Wooden Block Set.