Mama
Kiss kiss, mama —19-month-old
Kiss that booboo and carry on. There's nothing better than mama. Your kiss can heal booboos. Your voice can calm meltdowns. Your snuggle can ward off bad dreams. A mother is magic. Use your powers wisely this week. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Toddler this week: It's never too early to start fostering a love for nourishing and delicious foods. Check out this inspo for your blossoming little foodie. Check in on nutritious eating techniques for toddlers + fuel on.
Good day ☀️—19-month-old
It's a good day to have a good day. Sometimes all that keeps you going is the hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Sometimes you burn dinner, make a mistake at work, get frustrated with your toddler and can't find pants that fit. But tomorrow? Tomorrow, you're going to rock it. Promise. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. A new pair of sunglasses can make you look instantly put together. Read what other beauty pick-me-ups for we love for busy mamas. Toddler this week: Playing pretend is the name of the game. Try this: A play kitchen provides years of entertainment for your little one, and is good training to take care of himself!
Time out —20-month-old
Log out, shut down, turn it off. MAMA NEEDS A VACAY. Seriously—when is the next time you're giving yourself a no-joke, no kids, alone-time break? Put it on your calendar. Studies show that even just knowing that you have planned time off can help to relieve stress now. So go on, it's time mama. Make vacation happen. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Kid and Coe helps you locate family-friendly vacation properties around the world. It's like AirBnB for your little crew. Toddler this week: Bath time is a powerful time for learning for your little scientist. Try this: Boon's Building Bath Pipes are an amazing STEM starter kit.
I like the way you work it —20 month old
No coffee, no workee. We know your career has gone through some changes since you've become a mom. It might be time for you to re-evaluate your current situation and figure out what it is you really want. And if you want flex work, more pay and more ownership of your career, well, ask for it.XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Toddler this week: Toddlers can't help but find joy exactly where they are. Try this: Follow your tot's interests and engage him exactly where he is, even if that means pretending to find a paper towel roll absolutely fascinating.
Just in time ⏰—20-month-old
Time is not measured by clocks but by moments. What is time? And why does it seem to shift in motherhood? See Exhibit A—Things that go on forever: Getting your kids to put their shoes on, bedtime stalling and the Caillou theme song. ? Things that fly by: The baby stage, date night and your morning to sleep in. Motherhood messes with the space-time continuum, which is all the more reason we're soaking up what's special about every single stage. Help us Albert Einstein, because babies don't keep. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Want to pick up some all-in-one baby + kid items that stand the test of time? These 6 money-saving products grow with your child, and are Motherly tested + loved. Toddler this week: Your little one has likely dropped a morning nap. It's ok if yours still takes one, but most are 1-nap-kiddos by 20 months. Try this: Keep the afternoon nap time as consistent as possible to help your little get quickly get to rest. Naps should be at least an hour.
The ride of your life —16-month-old
Just ride this wave. You can't fight it. Motherhood is a wild ride. But if you find a way to ride the waves (the tantrums, the work-life stress, the squeezed-in, we-are-tired-but-let's-do-this-sex) as they come, you just might find that you're really rolling with it. Just ride this wave, mama, one day at a time. XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. Keep date night sexy with our favorite simple tips. And our fave lingerie to spice it up for new mamas. You've got this. Toddler this week: At this stage, your toddler loves nothing more than feeling like a big boy with a ride-on toy. Try this: Indulge her with a Push + Ride racer and watch that toothy grin magically appear!
Time to grow —20-month-old
Find the silver lining. Some days you mom like a boss: Your laundry is folded, your work is done, your kids are happy, mama gets a date night, and you feel like you're on top of the world. (Thank you, coffee ☕️.) And some days your laundry overflows, your kids color on the walls (with Sharpie!), your inbox backs up, you argue with your partner, and you feel like running away from home. #CYA. Welcome to motherhood. Beyond the Pinterest-perfect ideas, is the messy, beautiful reality of loving yourself and your family, imperfections and all. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Toddler this week: Your little explorer needs to get outside. Try this: Unstructured time outside is good for baby's health and brain development. Take a stroll, play in the dirt (yes really!) and let your little one explore the joys of raindrops.
Now hear this —16-month-old
May your coffee be strong and your eyeliner even. Motherhood looks amazing on you. You are our hero. The sacrifice is worth it. The snuggle is real. In the midst of the momlife madness, you can sometimes forget just how beautiful and powerful it all is. But we're not forgetting, mama. Every single day, you show up. And that means that you are amazing.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. This Stila eyeliner can withstand toddler smudges, stressful meetings, bath time splashes and even hot yoga class. Baby this week: Your baby starts jabbering away, and sometimes real words come out! Try this: Engage your toddler in conversation and mimic her tones. Follow her interests no matter what they are—a toilet paper roll! an exciting spoon!—to help her connect with you and her world.
Why I make time for romance after kids
1. Small love notes find their way into her handbag for her morning commute.
It’s all good —16-month-old
Mom life is the best life. On the one hand, you don't want your little one to ever get any bigger than she is right now. On the other hand, the idea that she will one day be potty trained = , amirite?!?! All you can do is take it one diaper change at a time. What a big girl!XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Little ones grow so fast, which is why we love Primary.com's approach to kids clothes. Soft, high-quality fabrics in simple colors and classic designs. The affordable price is the very best part. Baby this week: Your little one shows interest in doing things his way. Try this: Let him help you out during his bath—rub in his own shampoo, put the toys back in the basket and say bye bye! to the water.
It’s priceless —16-month-old
Your worth is far beyond what you know. Motherhood demands a lot of you. You've given up mornings sleeping in. Your money. Your freedom. In fact, it's hard to find an area of your life that you haven't sacrificed once your child was born. And yet—you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Ellevest provides investment advice tailored to the needs of dynamic women like you—because you can't put a price on financial security. Toddler this week: An independent streak is emerging. Try this: Encourage independence as much as you can. Mealtimes might be messier and tasks might not get done the 'right' way, but your child will build the confidence to (one day!) do these small things for herself. It's worth the extra effort now. Promise.
Right where you are ♀️—14-month-old
Coffee. Yoga pants. World domination. When you have a child, you've got the whole world in your hands. The future? Well it lives in your house. But there's a long and windy road from teaching your child how to put on her own pants—to launching an independent young adult out into the world. So rest up for the journey, mama. It's going to be a beautiful ride. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Our favorite yoga pants. Ever. Baby this week: Climbing suddenly becomes very appealing. Try this: Put those new moves to good use at a mommy + me class (we love My Gym), and be sure to babyproof your own house.
All my people —14-month-old
Find your village. Love them hard. For many women, motherhood is profoundly lonely. Getting out of the house is just plain hard. Your work schedule keeps you from socializing. And your new roommate goes to bed at 7 pm which makes it difficult for you to escape at night. Know this, mama: It takes a village, and you deserve one. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. "Be my friend?" Meetup lists thousands of moms groups around the country (and the world.) Find one near you. Baby this week: Your child knows the names of his caretakers and close family and friends—even if he can't say all of them. Try this: Play 'the name game' with your little one. Gather a few loved ones around your toddler and point to each. Ask, "What's her name?" Grandma!
Keep up, mama ☕️—14-month-old
Maybe she's born with it—maybe it's caffeine. Open. Closed. Up. Down. Over. Under. Your little one is fascinated by how the world around her works, which is adorable—and exhausting. Make sure you are fueled for the journey: get enough sleep, stay hydrated (does coffee count?), and shower every (other?) day. Your little one needs her mama to keep up! XO, TeamMotherly P.S. We love this water bottle + tracker to help you stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink up! Baby this week: At this age, children fascinated with switches, knobs and buttons. Try this: Busy boards are sure to provide hours of switch-flicking entertainment. (Make sure to supervise!)
Make my day —15-month-old
Go ahead, make my day. Parenthood can stress a relationship. In fact, most couples report decreased marriage satisfaction in the years after baby is born. Take note: IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. With a little bit of work (and some expert guidance), parenthood can bring you even closer. And we hope it also brings you more help around the house, because mama needs some clean laundry.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. Baby this week: Your toddler loves going on stroller rides and looking at the world around. Try this: Can you commit to one 20-30 minute walk each day this week? Easy exercise for you, lots to explore for your tot.
Life in color —15-month-old
Broken crayons still color. Ahh, the joys of toddler life. Messes everywhere. Gleeful grins in the bathtub (so. much. splashing.) And lots of slobbery, snuggly kisses for mama. It's not perfect, but it's perfectly beautiful. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Adult coloring books + a glass of wine + Carla Bruni on Spotify = our happy place. Baby this week: Your little one can scribble and might start reaching for your pen! Try this: Indulge that little artist with toddler crayons—made for chubby little hands.
Yes or no ⁉️—15-month-old
My hairstyle is called, “I have kids." Yes! You showered! No: Your toddler threw up on you immediately after. Yes! Sexy time. No: Someone just woke up and is screaming "mama!" Yes! Momlife is hard. No: We wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Yes! Living proof dry shampoo is just what the hairstylist ordered. Baby this week: Your tot might starting using one-word commands like, "NO!" Try this: Trying saying "no" less yourself—instead guiding your child away from dangerous or bad choices. "The oven is hot, please stay away" and "Keep your cup on your high chair." Less "no!" from you, less "no!" from your tot.
Some days you win —16-month-old
The only person you should be better than is the person you were yesterday.
My love —16-month-old
Do all things with love. Bacon is our love language. Slobbery kisses make us feel adored. John Legend gives us the feels. Motherhood lets you experience a depth of love like no other. How lucky are we to have this love. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. The Forest Feast, Love + Lemons + the Weelicious cookbooks give us all the food inspiration we need to cook fresh family meals we all love. Baby this week: Your little one loves to imitate your behaviors. Try this: A standing stool lets your little helper "cook" or wipe down the counters next to you in the kitchen. Also: get your camera ready, because it's the cutest.
In this moment —13-month-old
Just take it one diaper change at a time. "The days are long but the years are short." It's something we heard before our babies were born, but motherhood reveals just how true it is. Raising a child is so hard, so demanding, and so wonderful. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. These compact strollers make it easier for YOU to get out while spending time with your tot. (And many are even small enough to fly with you ✈️.) Whether you use it to run errands—or run to Starbucks—is your choice alone. We're not judging. Baby this week: Your little one loves being the center of attention. Try this: It's not really possible to spoil a child by heaping love on her, so keep up the emotional support. But also begin encouraging independent acts (putting toys back with your help, feeding herself, waving bye bye!)—it's good for both of you!