Healthy Halloween Snack Ideas for Kids

 

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year. I love all things pumpkin, fall, and apple. Halloween and fall, in general, can also be a time of sugar overload since many people have festive Halloween parties and go Trick or Treating. Because of this, I like to create fun side dishes that are kid-friendly and healthy. If you're going to a Halloween pot luck this weekend, here are a few of my favorite healthy Halloween snack ideas for kids:

Frozen "Boo-Nana" Pops from Skinnytaste 

I love these simple treats. Though the recipe calls for white chocolate to coat the bananas, you don't have to follow that part if you're opting for a healthier choice. You can simple stick on some chocolate chip eyes and call it good!

Jack O' Lantern Clementines

Talk about easy! All you need are some clementines and a Sharpie. Draw on some cute jack o'lantern faces, and you're good to go.

Mozzarella Stick Ghosts from Midget Momma 

These are even easier. All you need is a Sharpie and some mozzarella cheese sticks. Draw a ghost face on each cheese stick, and voila! The perfect kid-friendly snack.

Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail by Family Fresh Meals

These are a huge hit at any Halloween party and give that perfect taste of sweetness without a sugar rush!

Dress Up Your Pouch, from See Vanessa Craft

It doesn't get much cuter than this. Kids love pouches, and what a fun twist on an already classic snack staple!

What do you think, Austin parents? Will you be trying any of these great Halloween ideas?

About the Author: 

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She helps businesses with their social media presence, SEO, and brand strategy. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she’s not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on her personal blog or Instagram.

Fall Fun: The Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin, Texas

Fall is a favorite season for many. When we think of fall, we often visualize scented candles, pumpkin everything, boots, and sweaters. Though Austin hasn't quite gotten the memo yet that it's no longer summer, there are still pieces of fall here that we can partake in with our kids. One of my personal favorites is visiting a pumpkin patch! Who doesn't love a good Instagram worthy fall themed photo, even if everyone is still in shorts? If you're looking for some fun pumpkin patches around Austin, Texas, here are a few of my favorites:

Sweet Berry Farm: Located in Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm is a great place to snap some fall pumpkin pictures. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free, but note that it is closed on Wednesdays. There are also other fun activities such as hayrides, a maze, horse rides, a scarecrow, and homemade ice cream.

Robinson Family Farm: This family owned farm located in Temple, TX has a pumpkin patch open on weekends. You and your family will be able to enjoy activities like a corn maze, animals, and arts and crafts. There is no admission fee, but you must purchase tickets or a wristband to partake in activities.

Barton Hill Farms: Located in Bastrop, TX, this little farm is open on weekends and boasts a 5-acre corn maze, as well as a giant sandbox. There's also farm animals and of course, pumpkins!

Elgin Christmas Tree Farm: Beginning on October 6th, this adorable farm hosts October Fall Fun. This includes a hayride, animals, playground, pumpkin decorating, and more.

Evergreen Farm: This farm has the total scoop on all things pumpkin. On weekends during the month of October, enjoy a pumpkin maze, pumpkin slide, pumpkin launcher, pumpkin golf, and other fun activities like a bounce house and a train ride.

Be sure to check each farm's website for hours of operation and admission prices, as well as for any details about events happening. Even though the temperatures are still higher here in Austin, we can still have a little piece of the season by visiting these adorable farms. Start a new tradition with your family and make the trip!

What do you think, Austin parents? Is one of your favorite pumpkin patches on the list?

About the Author:

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She helps businesses with their social media presence, SEO, and brand strategy. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she’s not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on her personal blog or Instagram.

10 Things to Do in Bee Cave and Lakeway, Texas with Kids

 

I love living in Bee Cave, Texas. The schools are great, the views are beautiful, and there are some great activities to do with kids. It's also close enough to Austin and the outskirts to go downtown whenever we need a change of scenery. Having a middle schooler, a four-year-old, and a toddler, I'm always on the hunt for fun, family friendly activities to do with the kids. Here are 10 of my favorite activities for kids here in Bee Cave and Lakeway, Texas:

Rolly Pollies. We are a huge fan of Rolly Pollies, a children's gym and gymnastics center here in Bee Cave that offers birthday parties, classes, and open gym hours. You can even drop off your kids if they're over three and potty trained! Kids can swing, climb, jump, and expend some energy in this safe, comfortable space. It's one of our go-to activities!

Songs 4 Seeds: I am always looking for fun classes to do with my kids, and I am so grateful to have found Songs 4 Seeds! This 45 minute interactive class is geared towards children under six features a live, three piece band. Your kids learn about language, shapes, colors, and more in a fun, hands-on manner AND they get to experiment with the instruments at the end! My boys are in love. Bonus: they offer a free demo class!

Sculpture Park: This hidden gem is surprisingly a great source of entertainment for my busy kids. The Bee Cave Sculpture Park boasts seven acres of natural setting as well as permanent and rotating sculptures. My kids loved seeing the different sculptures and climbing on them. We even brought a picnic lunch to eat together in the park, and it was the perfect morning.

Music Together, Music Forever: This amazing little class introduces children to basic musical skills that instill a lifelong love of music. There is dancing, singing, and a lot of hands on interaction with instruments and other fun tools. My kids adore this class, and the teacher -- Ms. Sage -- is fantastic.

Barnes & Noble: The Hill Country Galleria has an adorable Barnes & Noble that we love to visit on a rainy or hot day. Browse the children's section and read some books, play with their adorable wooden train set, or attend one of their story hours or events!

Public Library & Story Hours: We love the Bee Cave and Lake Travis public libraries. Head over with your kids and check out some books or attend one of their adorable story hours!

KK's Art Club: Ok, this is admittedly *not* in Bee Cave or Lakeway, but it's so close that I had to add it to the list because KK is one of our favorites! KK is a sweet mama with a background in preschool education. On Tuesdays and Fridays, she transforms her garage and driveway into a hands on, free range art class for kids! It is truly adorable and something we love to attend.

Local Parks: We are lucky to have some great parks here in Bee Cave and Lakeway! The City of Bee Cave Central Park contains two separate parts for older and younger children, and the Falconhead Park is shaded and peaceful. Pack a picnic lunch for a fun morning with your kids!

Hat Creek Burger in Lakeway: This newer spot is a blast, especially in the mornings before the heat creeps in. You can feed yourself and your kids a hearty breakfast for under $10, the coffee is delicious, and the playground is adorable. It's such a nice spot for a morning or lunchtime play date!

Color Me Mine: If your kids are a little older or are able to sit still (unlike my two youngest!), Color Me Mine is a great activity to do with your kids. They are able to be creative in this peaceful, air conditioned environment. They even offer birthday parties!

Hill Country Galleria: This great outdoor galleria is a fantastic way to kill some time. You can walk around and grab a treat at Amy's Ice Cream or The Candy Jar, play in the splash pad (when it's actually turned on!), browse Learning Express, or just run around the grassy common. There are stores both kids and adults will enjoy, and it's a great opportunity to get out of the house and into the sunshine.

What do you think, Bee Cave/Lakeway mamas? Which one is your favorite on the list?

About the Author:

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She helps businesses with their social media presence, SEO, and brand strategy. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she’s not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on her personal blog or Instagram.

5 Tips for a Smooth Back to School Transition

 

The start of a new school year is always exciting, but for many families, the thought of returning to the morning rush can also be daunting. Schedules become filled with homework and activities, and even simple things like eating a balanced breakfast can be impossible at best. How do you stay organized? As a parent of three kids ages 13, 4, and 18 months, here are five of my favorite back to school tips for ensuring a smooth transition:

1. Enlist your kids' help as much as possible. Parents, if your kids are at the age where they can help pack their own lunches, let them! Not only will it teach responsibility, but it will also lighten your load a bit. My daughter has been helping pack her lunch since first grade. I initially supervised her, but now as a 7th grader, she does a great job. It also helps our evenings and mornings run much smoother!

2. Complete everything the night before. We have a rule in our house where permission slips and homework have to be dealt with before bedtime -- no exceptions. Have all lunches packed and ready to be pulled out of the fridge, choose outfits the night before, and have car keys in visible spots. Better yet, consider putting a tile on your keychain so you'll never have to waste time looking for car keys again! This helps keep the peace in the morning and get you out the door faster.

3. Meal prep is your best friend. Balanced breakfasts can be tough! If you have older kids, consider choosing breakfasts that are portable and can be eaten on the way to school. If you have more time in the morning, consider making a batch of egg muffins or overnight oats for the week so you can easily pull them out each morning. Try to simplify your breakfast routine as much as possible to save time and stress.

4. Have a designated homework corner or portable homework station. When it comes to homework, does your child do best at the kitchen table? Or perhaps he or she needs their own quiet space? However your child learns best, have a designated corner of the house where they can successfully complete their homework. If the spot changes, consider creating a portable homework station so it can be taken wherever your child needs it. Have all supplies in one central spot so you aren't scrambling to find them when needed.

5. Give yourself grace. It's easy to get caught up in the crazy of the school year, but remember that you will find your new rhythm. If it takes a little while to get into a good routine, that's ok! Take it one step at a time and remember to do what's best for you and your family.

Do you have any back-to-school tips you'd like to share? We want to hear about them!

About the Author:

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she’s not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on Instagram.

Raising Service Dogs: What Does It Entail?

At some point during your life, you have likely encountered someone with a service animal. What exactly is a service dog, and what is their purpose? Service dogs are specially trained to assist people in performing important life tasks. They help with everything from physical disorders to severe psychiatric disabilities. Physical impairments can be defined as any medical condition or disorder that affects one of the body systems. Examples include blindness, diabetes, cancer, and many more. Many people wonder how to raise a service dog and if it is a good fit for their lifestyle. Let's look a little bit closer at what it entails.

Who Can Raise Service Dogs?

Most if not all organizations require you to be 18 years of age or older to raise a service dog. If you're under 18 and you live with an adult as your co-applicant, this can also be approved in some cases. It's also important for the puppy's development to have supervision and socialization throughout the day, so you might need to discuss bringing the dog to your workplace or providing an alternative for socialization and care, according to CCI (Canine Companions for Independence). If the puppy is left unsupervised, he or she must be in an appropriate sized crate. Therefore, it's imperative that your lifestyle allows for these adaptations if you are choosing to raise a service dog.

Does it Cost Money to Raise a Service Dog?

With CCI, those raising a service dog are responsible for providing food, supplies, vet care, transportation, and other related expenses while the puppy is in their care. These expenses are usually tax deductible, and assistance is often given if any large veterinary expenses were to arise. However, every organization is different in what they cover, as well as the expenses that go along with raising a service dog.

Benefits of Raising Service Dogs

Raising a service dog has so many tremendous benefits, not just for you and your family, but for the impact that you're making on the world. You're truly changing lives and making a difference for people with disabilities. If you are raising service dogs with children in the home, you are teaching them compassion and empathy by showing them the sacrifice and hard work that will go into caring for an animal that you will ultimately be giving up in order to positively impact another person's life. Also, who doesn't love puppy snuggles?

How Do I Learn More?

There are many fantastic programs in the US that raise service dogs and match them with future owners. The best way to find them is to do a search and read about the different support, training, and requirements for each. You can then see which one is truly the best fit for your family. Reach out to your network, too, and see if anyone has raised a service dog and can discuss their experience with you! For those of you who are local to Austin, check out Service Dogs Inc to learn more about raising service dogs here in central Texas.

Are you thinking of raising a service dog? We want to hear about it!

About the Author:

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she’s not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on Instagram.

Is Your Child Ready For A Pet?

We've discussed why having a pet is good for your health, but how do you know if your child ready to take on the responsibility of pet ownership? With benefits like decreased risk of allergies and lower stress levels, it's no wonder why many families are looking to add a furry friend to their family. Pets are also a great way to help children learn responsibility and empathy, two very important qualities that will serve them well through life. Before you jump in headfirst, though, here are some key points to keep in mind to determine if your child is ready for this awesome responsibility.

Make sure the pet is developmentally appropriate. First, ask yourself whether or not you will be actively participating in the care of your child's pet. For example, will your child be primarily responsible for feeding the dog each morning? Is he or she at an age where they can remember to do so? Is a snake or lizard really the best choice for your curious toddler? Make sure that the pet you are choosing and the responsibility you are bestowing align with your child's developmental stage.

Assess your child's maturity and responsibility level. We can all be a little forgetful at times, but generally, there are key characteristics your child should possess in order to be ready for a pet. He or she should be able to listen to and follow directions, have a generally calm nature, and show love and empathy towards animals. These are all signs that your child is ready for pet ownership.

How Does Your Child Act Around Pets? When you go to a friend or family member's house with a pet, is your child gentle and loving? Does he or she show a respect and appreciation for animals? If your child can't keep her hands to herself or tends to be a little too overly enthusiastic with animals, this might be a sign that she's not yet ready for a pet of her own.

Have a back-up plan. Pets are meant to be permanent members of the family -- think about why you are considering a pet. Is it mostly for your child, or are you also interested in caring for it? What happens when your child loses interest in the pet? Are you going to be there to step in and pick up the slack? If this isn't something you're ready or willing to do, a family pet is likely not a good fit.

Research different pets. Most children are drawn to cats and dogs, but make sure you really sit down and get a sense of this responsibility. Can your family comfortably afford vet bills? Do you have a smaller living space that isn't conducive to large tanks or larger dogs? Are you able to give your dog regular exercise? There are a lot of different factors to consider, and each family is going to have different circumstances to see which pet, if any, is right for them. Here's a great quiz to figure out which pet might be the best fit for you.

Do a Trial Run. Pet sit for a friend or neighbor and allow your child to help with the bulk of the responsibility. What is his or her reaction? Do they seem excited by the possibility of pet ownership, or does it seem like it will be too much work for them? This is a great (and temporary!) way to see if a pet is a good fit for your family.

One important aspect to keep in mind is that when you adopt a pet and bring a new animal into your home, it might take time for everyone to adjust. Your kids might need time to learn how to be responsible and gentle -- and that's ok!

What do you think, Austin parents? How did you know that a pet was right for your family?

About the Author:

Jessica is an East Coast girl originally from Boston, MA but recently transplated to Austin, TX. She is a former OB Nurse Educator turned Content Manager and Brand Strategist. She recently founded Every Mama Birth Education, where she creates customized childbirth education courses for busy moms, in the comfort of their own homes. When she's not busy blogging or being a pregnancy and birth nerd, you can catch her chasing around her three busy kids and rescue fur baby. You can also follow her antics on Instagram.

Five Kid Friendly Public Pools in Austin

 

It's no secret that our summers here in Austin are hot! If you're one of the lucky one with a neighborhood or backyard pool, they're a great way to cool off with your kids during these warmer months. If you're not, it's fun to seek out great public pools -- consider it a day trip adventure! There are some great pools to choose from around the city, and we've compiled a list of some of our five favorite public pools here in Austin. Bonus: they're all kid friendly!

1. Barton Springs Pool. If you haven't visited this gem yet, you need to add it to the top of your list. With cool features like a diving board, beach entry, and natural spring water at the perfect temperature, this pool is deeply loved by children and adults of all ages. Make sure to arrive early because the entry line can get long, especially on weekends.

Location: 2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

2. Veterans Memorial Pool. Complete with a water playscape, small slides, a diving platform, and a beach entrance, this pool is one of our favorites around Austin to keep kids of all ages entertained. It's basically a water park and a pool, and it's perfect for all the Northern Austin mamas.

Location: 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613

3. Lakeway Swim Center. The Lakeway Swim Center is perfect for kids of all ages because it boasts lily pads, slides, a shallow pool for young children, and a deeper pool for adults and older kids. There is also a fun oversized chess set, climbing wall, and even coin operated lockers.

Location: 3103 Lakeway Blvd. Lakeway, TX 78734

4. Scott Mentzer Pool. This quaint pool features a beach entry and the perfect area for young kids. It even has a small lazy river and is adorned with adorable slides, play, and spray structures.

Location: 901 Old Austin Hutto Road, Pflugerville, TX 78728

5. Bartholomew Pool: This great Austin pool features two large water slides for older kids, as well as a toddler slide for ages 2-4. There's also a shallow, shaded pool with a beach entrance for younger kids. The only drawback is that this pool can get crowded, and slides don't open until noon.

Location: 1800 E. 51st St., Austin

Are any of these pools on your Summer Bucket List? 

About the Author: Jessica is an East Coast girl recently transplanted to Austin, Texas where she lives with her husband, their three human children, and their rescue fur baby. She is an OB Nurse Educator by background, but has worked as a freelance writer, content manager, and brand strategist for the past few years and loves every minute of it. You can follow her on her personal blog or Instagram profile. 

Five Kid Friendly Parks in Austin

Summer is upon us! For families with young children, summer is typically a time meant for ice cream, playing, sunshine (and sunscreen!), swimming, and PARKS! Living in Austin, we have so many parks because they can thankfully be used year round. If your kids are anything like mine, though, they really benefit from “mixing it up” with parks. The park that is down the street from your home is certainly convenient, but children benefit from different environments, textures, activities, sounds and smells. Before you head to your usual park, consider checking out some of our favorites below for something new and exciting!

1. Mueller Lake Park

Located downtown and convenient to shopping and The Thinkery, Mueller Lake Park has a lot to offer! Their playground is large, fenced in, and has play options for all ages. There is also a lot of nature around for your children to be amused by -- ducks, lakes and ponds, geese, large fountains, and more! I was impressed with how natural everything felt despite being in a very suburban location. Their total span of 140 acres encompasses trails, open spaces, and the park, itself. For more information, check out their website.

2. Bee Cave Central Park

This is probably our most frequented park for many reasons! The first playground, located at the main entrance, is geared more towards the skill set of older, school-aged kids. Mostly shaded, this front park has plenty of things to climb on, under, and through as well as two slides and swings. It is also immediately adjacent to a pavilion with bathrooms, picnic tables, and water fountains. As you continue driving through the park, you see some of the open fields and jogging trails. Bee Cave Central Park offers 50 acres of green space so there is plenty of room to kick a ball, throw a frisbee or do yoga! Towards the back of the park (south end) is a second playground and a dog park. This second playground is where I tend to gravitate with my two girls, as it is a little more pre-K friendly. There are slides and climbing structures that are more conducive to young children, as well as a second pavilion with bathrooms, picnic tables, and water fountains. My only caution is that this park tends to get crowded, especially on weekends, so it is worth coming earlier in the morning to snag parking. Check out their website for more information and directions. It is open to all individuals, and there are no gate fees.

3. Lakeway City Park

Similar to the Bee Cave Central Park, the Lakeway City Park also boasts two playgrounds! The first playground is by the main entrance and is designed for toddlers and pre-k children.

The second playscape is designed for more school age children and has a basketball hoop. Both playground areas have a picnic area. The two playgrounds are located within the greater 64 acre Lakeway City Park that offers nearly two miles of jogging trails, a Bark Park (for your fur baby), grill at the covered pavilion, and the ability to relax by the waterfront. Be aware, though, that there are no lifeguards on duty. Check out the Lakeway City website for more information on the entire park, as well as the playgrounds. It is open to all individuals, and there are no gate fees.

4. Springwoods MUD Park

Conveniently located in northwest Austin off of 183, this park is quiet, offers a variety of play equipment for different ages, and pavilions for picnic lunches. My favorite part is the cute little slide for toddlers – you’ll know what I mean when you see it! The park can get a little crowded on weekends, which makes parking difficult, but on weekdays the park is easy to access. They don’t appear to have a website, but you can find information about the park on Yelp. The park’s address is: 9117 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin TX 78729

5. Trailhead Park

Also located on the northwest side of Austin, this park is a hidden gem! Tucked behind a residential neighborhood and conveniently adjacent to greenbelt trails, Trailhead Park is VERY toddler friendly. The entire park is under a large umbrella which makes it a good option for those hot summer days. A mini climbing wall, two walls of buttons that mimic musical instruments, slides of different sizes and steepness, as well as a walk-up ramp for strollers or wheelchairs makes this my personal favorite park that I’ve discovered so far. There are also picnic tables, a basketball court, and a sports field -- this means your tweens and teens can have age-appropriate fun as well! Get directions and more on their website. It is open to all individuals and there are no gate fees.

May your summer is full of laughs, smiles, and fun with your kids – I hope this list helps you add a few more smiles to your family’s memory bank!

About the Author:

Kelsey Packard single mama of two littles in Austin Texas. She has a masters in Human Development and Family Studies, does freelance work as a Project and Data Manager, and enjoys writing in her free time! She loves supporting other mamas and striving for a healthy, wholistic lifestyle! She can be reached at kpackardmanagement@gmail.com with questions from fellow mamas or with work opportunities!

Austin Bluebonnet Family Session

Austin bluebonnet family photos were new to me when I first moved to Austin, Texas several years ago. I didn’t realize how much of a tradition they have become during a Texas spring.

I don’t hold mini sessions or even promote bluebonnet portraits at this point, mostly because I love photographing my clients in and around their homes. However, when one of my favorite Austin clients asked to arrange a spring session in the flowers with their new baby, I was more than up for the project.

Photographing clients on the side of the highway, which is where the flowers tend to be, isn’t preferable to me because it doesn’t feel safe. It's also not usually very peaceful or magical. Luckily after much searching, I discovered a sweet patch of flowers where everyone could be safe during our session.

Unfortunately, there were serious storms brewing the entire weekend of our scheduled session, and we had to make the best of the weather while it wasn’t pouring. Side note: Texas weather always keeps us location photographers on our toes! To make things more interesting, the baby wasn’t in a super smiley mood in the beginning of the session -- no matter what his parents or I did, he wasn’t feelin’ it.

It happens.

I worked as hard as I could to change my perspective and attempt to make funny and interesting sights and sounds to capture the baby’s attention.

While we did capture some adorable images without the baby in super-smile-mode, I knew the mom and dad preferred beautiful images with their baby where he was the happy child they knew him to be. I suggested moving to a soft blanket (not fur for anyone wondering) on the ground, and something about the change in perspective completely shifted the baby’s mood. It was like magic.

Now on the blanket, mom, dad, and baby stayed for a bit while I remained perched on my ladder, capturing what was unfolding below.

I was happy with the results. I love the sea of blue, as well as the contrast of colors in clothing with the soft light. From where I stood, baby was overcome with joy and a significant sense of wonder. He was basically bursting with excitement.

I love how baby looks at his mom and dad (and flowers) with such curiosity and interest. I love how much his parents absolutely adore him.

Backgrounds matter with photography, of course. But for me, the real magic doesn’t so much come from the flowers or the background, but from what’s happening in and around them. The moments exchanged, the real connection that takes place in front of my camera -- that’s magical to me.

Navigating Mother’s Day as a Mom: 5 Ways to Honor Mama

It’s an interesting dynamic, Mother’s Day as a mother. We spend our whole lives honoring our moms on that special Sunday in May. Then one day, you become a mom yourself and you’re automatically made part owner of this special day. A holiday all for you -- except it’s not, because it’s still for your mother. It’s kind of like sharing your birthday with someone else. You want the day to be all about you, but you know that the other person also deserves their time to shine. You have to decide how you’re going to balance this quandary. It’s confusing, but it's also pretty awesome. After all, you’ve spent your whole life learning from your mom, right? This is just one more bond that you get to share.

As I thought about this new and odd dynamic, I started thinking about my own mother and our relationship. I started to realize: even though I’m a mom, I still need MY mom -- like, all the time. I guess I’m lucky, because she puts up with all my constant “help me adult” questions. The amount of times I have to call her to help me with a recipe, with something my children are doing, or just because I need somewhere to vent is immeasurable. I’m so grateful for her patience and for her guidance; she has shaped me into the mother that I am today. While I sure don’t say it enough, she is the greatest mom that anyone could ask for. She has sacrificed so much in her life to ensure the happiness and wellbeing of her children -- she has given in ways that can never be repaid.

Now that I’m a mother to two little ones of my own,  I get to be part owner of this special holiday. It’s special and beautiful, and I feel grateful for the honor -- but this Mother’s Day, I want to honor ALL the moms, both fresh and seasoned. No matter what stage of motherhood you’re in, Mother’s Day should be all about you. After all, you work day in and day out to keep other humans alive and quite frankly, that’s a pretty darn important job. Whether your mom lives near or far, here are 5 simple ways to truly honor YOUR mom, now that you’re a mom:

• Plan an adults-only Mom’s Day Out: Yup, you read that right. Adults only. Meaning you and your mom SOLO. What you actually DO can vary depending on what you and your mama are into, but the idea here is to just get out and spend some time enjoying each other’s company. It can be hard to spend quality time together and actually talk like adults when there are little ones tugging on your heels the entire time. Find a time to leave the kids with dad or grandpa and get out of the house… together.
• Set up a “restaurant” at home and serve your mama a special Mother’s Day lunch/dinner: Can’t get out just the two of you? No worries. As moms, we all get it. Bring the party home! Plan mom’s favorite meal (homemade or take-out) and have an afternoon in. Depending on the age of your kids, they can help plan, cook, and serve the meal! I highly suggest you get LOTS of photos of this, to remind them how much they loved you when they’re being ornery teenagers.
• Write mom a handwritten “thank you” note/letter for all the ways she’s helped and inspired you: I mentioned it above, but I should really tell my mom how much she means to me. I think it often, but I don’t say it nearly enough. Gifting your mother with a heartfelt “thank you” can often mean more than any store-bought gift. Stuck on where to begin? Consider something like this Letters to My Mom set from Uncommon Goods. It provides you with situation-specific prompts on cute little cards (and includes envelopes!) that you can fill in for mama. There are topics like “read me when you need a good laugh” and “read me when you miss me” to provide you with a variety of heartfelt notes and stories.
• A keepsake journal: We all know that grandmothers and mamas have lots to share, but it often gets lost and forgotten. A keepsake journal can provide a space for your mom to record all her stories and memories, and it can be passed down for generations. I love this one, which is a sewn, clothbound journal that outlines a gorgeous, timeless, personal narrative. This is sure to be a favorite!
• Just be together. Maybe being together means a cookout at your house. Maybe it means going for a fancy dinner. Maybe it means you FaceTime from 3,000 miles away. Whatever “together” looks like in your family, do it. Now that you’re a mom, you know how important quality time can be. How just a simple “I love you” can make you go all mushy. How the words “thank you” can mean more than all the compliments in the world. Put down the phones, turn off the TV, and just BE.

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be a huge production or filled with store-bought gifts. The real joy of Mother’s Day can be found in heartfelt, honest moments. As we ebb and flow through the different stages of motherhood, we will continue to grow and change. When I was younger, I remember hearing older women scoff, “I’m just like my mother!” and, “I can’t believe I’m turning into my mother!” I remember them sounding disgusted, uttering the phrases with disdain for their newfound personality traits. At the time, I didn’t really understand what they meant. Now, I often find myself thinking those same thoughts, but with a much different tone. I couldn’t imagine learning from a better role model than my mom. I am thankful for this journey and proud to be “just like my mother." My hope for you is that you enjoy this journey (as hard as it may be) and that you feel even a little bit the same joy when thinking about your mom. Happy Mother’s Day, mamas.

About the Author: Jess is a multi-tasking extraordinaire, trying to navigate her way through life as a wife, friend, teacher, and most of all, mama. She’s a lover of fresh air, coffee and wine (equally, not together), fitness, and writing. She boasts an eclectic style which is a mix of classic, boho, and mom life -- which mostly means that the majority of the time she’s wearing workout clothes with food and drool smeared on them. You can see her life in little squares on her Instagram and follow her honest and sarcastic motherhood truths at her blog, www.playdatesandprosecco.com.