Mama
Happy birthday, baby —3 years old!
Cupcakes are muffins that believed in miracles.
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.
You don’t need to spend more money on your kids—just spend time
I would much prefer my babies have the childhoods of past generations: The simplified, easy days with nothing to do but be a kid.
Potty training like a boss —25-month-old
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.
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.
You’re so much fun —28-month-old
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.
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.
Believe in fun —34-month-old
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!
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.
Spark —32-month-old
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.
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.
You’re on it —30-month-old
Her intuition is her superpower. It can be really stressful when your child isn't hitting their milestones on cue. The good news is that there is so much you can do (and so many people who can help) should your little one need a little extra guidance. So hang in there, mama. Your kiddo is so lucky (and happy) to have you. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. To promote speech development, play games that allow lots of opportunity for words and sounds, like the Fisher-Price Little People Animal Friends Farm.
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.
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 .
Just smile + start —35-month-old
The scariest moment is always just before you start.
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
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.
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.