Motherly
39 delightful ideas to fill toddler + kid Easter baskets (that aren’t candy) ?
Easter baskets were never so much fun.
Make the dream work
If you can’t stop thinking about it don’t stop working for it.
For the love ❤️
This #momlife is full of so many things, but it’s especially full of love.
Do hard things
Be kind to everyone you meet. You never know who lost an argument with a 3-year-old today.
Having another? —23-month-old
Say yes to new adventures. Just asking: Are you thinking about having another baby someday? Or are you D-O-N-E? (Whatever you're thinking is awesome, we're just curious!) Motherly offers expert tips for you when you are trying to conceive. (You can update your profile to "trying to get pregnant" at any time.) No pressure, just baby vibes. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. How one of Motherly's mama wrestles with being "done."❤️. Toddler this week: Your child's attention span is quite short—and this is perfectly normal. Try this: Follow your child's interest and engage with items that she is paying attention to—a good recipe for your relationship as your child grows up, too!
She’s got it ☑️—23-month-old
Messy bun + getting it done. You might be wearing yoga pants. You might be rocking a mom bun. You might be fueled by coffee and love. But you're definitely making this mom life look so good. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Your new favorite loungewear. Toddler this week: Child has strong feelings and temper tantrums, including her new favorite word, "NO!" Try this: Now's the time to start reading up on parenting and discipline strategies to turn power struggles into cooperation. You've got this.
This is us —23-month-old
Home is where the wifi connects automatically. So—this is us now. Date nights on the couch. Saturday morning wake ups at 7 am. Mommy + me music class. Life after kids sure looks different. And we wouldn't have it any other way. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. This is Us, Catastrophe, Parenthood + Modern Family are some of our all-time-favorite shows about life as parents. What do you love to watch to laugh about this #momlife? Toddler this week: Your child is starting to develop some self-control. Try this: Set reasonable expectations of what your toddler can handle, but keep her to it! Heap praise on her for the good decisions she's made!
End of an era —23-month-old
Celebrate good times. You did it. Another year into the baby books. From your wobbly little walker to your confident toddler, baby + mama grew up so much this year. We're celebrating alongside you and your family. Get your party hats ready, it's almost time to celebrate! XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. Toddler this week: Your little one is trusting of adults and enjoys being in their company. Try this: Celebrate two! Marking milestones and creating family traditions makes memories that last a lifetime.
Happy birthday, baby —2-years-old!
Happy birthday! Don't let anyone tell you that two-year-olds are terrible. They are funny, sweet, curious and kind. (Yes, they are handful, but you've got this.) A wonderful new year awaits. Happy birthday to your sweet little one. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Take time to celebrate what YOU did two years ago. This is all possible because of you, mama. (You're our hero.) And if you're looking for a party dress to celebrate the occasion, check out Rent the Runway's daytime collection. Because girl, you've still got it.Toddler this week: Your baby turns two! Try this: Take her in for her two-year checkup. Make sure her immunizations are up to date, and that she's meeting milestones.
You’re beautiful —22-month-old
Motherhood makes us feel beautiful. Yes, it's intense to be so needed (all the time), but it's also just so meaningful. From feeding meals to bathing, cuddling to reading—a child's needs are constant, but simple and achievable. A mama feeds, cleans, plays, teaches, cuddles, kisses. It's a beautiful thing to be so loved and so wanted. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. We adore all of Aden + Anais blankets, but especially this merino wool edition for snuggles in your toddler's bed. Toddler this week: Your tot understands way more words than she can say. Try this: Keep narrating the world around you both, and asking for her input, even if you have to interpret gestures or partly-formed sentences.
Jump on it —22-month-old
My kids are the reason I wake up. Really early. Every morning. Try this mama: go to sleep. We all make sure that our toddlers get enough rest every night, so why deprive ourselves of the gift of rest? The dishes, work projects and even favorite Netflix shows can wait. Discover the magic of going to bed early. (No, really. Try it.). XO, TeamMotherly P.S. Arianna Huffington's new venture, Thrive, features sleep apps, resting tips and products to help you feel more balanced throughout the day. We love her 'Goodnight Smartphone' spoof on 'Goodnight Moon.' Nightie night! . Toddler this week: Your little one loves testing gravity—and your limits—by jumping. He's also refining his motor skills. Try this: Leverage that jumping power to get his toddler energy out. Try a kids gym. Do the hokey pokey. Practice hopscotch.
Let’s go —23-month-old
Get it girl. How did this even happen: In a few short weeks, your baby will be a two-year-old! The good news: Two is so not terrible. (In fact, two is kind of adorable.) The honest truth: It is still a lot of work. Warm up those mama muscles. You're about to negotiate with someone just under three-feet-tall. XO, TeamMotherly P.S. The sweetest second birthday invitations are at Minted. Toddler this week: Around now, your little one starts speaking in short sentences like, "Mama go." Try this: Repeat your toddler's sentences back to her to develop her conversation skills, "You want mama to go downstairs now? Okay baby, nightie night!"
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.
Get up + get it —17-month-old
Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning. Gonna be honest—the only thing that really gets us out of bed in the morning is the automatic coffee maker. ☕️ But maybe you've got bigger goals than getting to the espresso machine. Maybe you're dreaming of starting your own business. Maybe you're trying to spend less and save more. Maybe you're ready to take time off and start a new chapter as a stay-at-home mom. Whatever is getting you motivated, mama, go all the way.XO, TeamMotherlyP.S. Toddler this week: Your super-curious tot is all hands. All the time. Try this: Try handing your toddler edible "paints"—mixed yogurts and pureed foods + a paint brush. There's only so much damage she can do in her high chair—or the tub, and she'll have the time of her life painting away.