From the monthly archives:

September 2010

My “half” job

by selfmademom on September 27, 2010 · 8 comments

I was kind of excited to see my mug in the October issue of Chicago Parent alongside my fellow friends Caitlin and Meredith. So excited that I actually divulged to my eldest that “this is what mommy is doing when she says she has ‘work.’”

Me and my “coworkers.”

He flipped through the magazine and uttered this:

Cool, mom! You have a JOB!

I hemmed and hawed a bit,

Well, love, it’s not really a “job,” it’s just a part-time thing. A part-time sort of job. Not a full-time job.

“What’s that?” he inquired. Because he likes to inquire about these things everything.

More hemming and hawing, and this is all I could come up with. The stereotypical SAHM response.

Like I don’t have to go into an office all day, like, you know. daddy.

“Oh, so it’s a half job.”

Yeah, something like that. I have a half-job.

My husband advised me against putting that title on my resume, but I think it’s catchy, no?

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On Hands Off Parenting and Advice to Husbands of Preggos…

by selfmademom on September 22, 2010 · 0 comments

I spent a lot of this past summer doing research for an an article in Chicago Parent Magazine that is in their newly-redesigned October issue. (Kudos to the redesign – from what I can tell online it looks terrific.) The article is about a term “hands-off” parenting – how to relax and trust your gut when it comes to raising your kids.

The article is based on an interview and reading of Ada Calhoun’s book, Instinctive Parenting, Trusting Ourselves to Raise Good Kids. Ada was an amazing interview and her book provided a great foundation for me to talk to experts and local “hands-off” parents about their anti-helicopter styles. (Ok, I have a serious girl crush!)

The best part about writing the story was that I learned a lot for myself that I have put into practice with my children. I used to be worried that my eldest wasn’t taking enough, or “the right” activities. Now, I worry less about what we’re doing and more that we have enough down-time and time for free play in our house. I’m also less concerned about what he’s “doing” academically at school. I mean, he’s freaking 4.5 years old! He doesn’t need to be reading Nietzche. As long as he seems excited and happy to go and play at school I’m happy. Let’s hope that continues until next year throughout his whole education.

I hope you reflect and think about your parenting after reading the article.

The other story I wrote is in this month’s issue and it is an interview with local author and dad, Harlan Cohen. His book, Dad’s Pregnant Too!, is not only a hilarious take on being the husband in the female-dominated world of pregnancy, but is also rife with advice to the typical clueless father-to-be. I mean, there was a chapter on push presents.

Hope you pass that one on to all the dad’s to be you know!

Look in October’s Chicago Baby for my story on whether or not you should let your baby cry it out to sleep – quotes and excerpts from the venerable Dr. Weissbluth!

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With a little help from my friends…

by selfmademom on September 16, 2010 · 1 comment

Things are always better when they’re done with people you like. When teutonia asked if I wanted to test out their newest stroller, the t-linx travel system, and THEN, ask some friends and colleagues to stop by a little gathering so THEY could test it out as well, I happily accepted. I love luxury items almost as much as I love my friends. Just kidding, I like fancy things more. (Louis Vuitton diaper bag I want you, helloooo…) I’m just kidding! But me + fun products + party with friends = happy.

Happily, this past Tuesday, a few local bloggers and other friends who I thought might be interested (and who needed a new stroller because teutonia raffled off one of these beauties) came by Galt Baby to see what all the teutonia talk was about.

I’ve posted my review of the t-linx on my Chicago Parent blog. Here, you’ll just get my rambling commentary on the lovely get together we had with the folks from teutonia, Edelman at the fabulous new Galt Baby store in Lincoln Park. With food from Steve’s Deli. Need I say more?

We all brought our kiddos…

I’m not telling which one is mine… Did I mention awesome Aimee was the entertainment?

We ate a lot of food…

Course, I was too busy eating I forgot to take a photo of the spread…

We loved the removable and customize-able inserts that you can get with the t-linx system.

If he was a she, I’d be all over those flowers.

And gawked over ridiculously expensive baby gear that Galt has on display. I don’t think anyone’s bought these thus far…

Anyone in the market for a $1000 mohair Snoopy doll and $4000 impractical stroller? Didn’t think so. Good schtick, however.

And the t-linx, FWIW, got some good glances and buzz from the people who were there. It’s amazing how many strollers are on the market and yet, new, different and better ones come along all the time.

I can’t thank teutonia enough for their generosity!

**Yes, I was compensated for the review and “get together” with a new t-linx stroller. But all opinions of mohair snoopy dolls and strollers are my own.**

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The sweetest thing

by selfmademom on September 11, 2010 · 5 comments

Somehow Labor Day collided with Rosh Hashanah (and Fashion Week), which is going to collide with a jillion events I have going on next week which will collide with Yom Kippur. Otherwise known as the biggest social night out all month. Not kidding, I’m going to Kol Nidre dinner with 4 other couples to Mon Ami Gabi. When it rains it freaking pours, I guess.

Which is why I’m heeding advice from my husband this new year to keep it simple. Simple meaning as long as I’m with my family and we’re enjoying ourselves together, that’s all that matters. It can get lost in the clutter of back-to-school, of holiday dinners, of weekend plans. This Erev Rosh Hashanah we decided to keep it as simple as can be with a family dinner of the four of us and my recently-transplanted-t0-Chicago mom. (Dad cannot afford to keep it simple and continues to work during the week in Michigan). We forwent services for a relaxing dinner at home. We lit the candles (I learned tons from friends on how to remove nasty candlewax from glass candlesticks) and ate challah until our bellies were bloated. I let my eldest stay up a little later to watch the candles almost burn out and didn’t mind that he tried none of the steak we grilled.

It was simple. I got to wear comfy clothes (ok, skinny cargos) and listen to the new Hebrew songs my son learned from his new school. When the wine was finished and the boys were asleep and the candles were waning and my mom left and we finished cleaning up (I never said keeping it simple didn’t involve a lot of regular chores), my husband and I sat on the couch and relished in our quiet and lovely evening. I will remember it forever. (Actually, I will be constantly reminded of it by the burn wax mark on my candlestick that I cannot seem to remove.)

It was a night to remember. I hope your New Year was as sweet as mine.

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Wish I may, wish I might… Have a discount at Wishcraft this week!

by selfmademom on September 7, 2010 · 0 comments

A special offer for Chicago readers brought to you by A Hen and Two Three Chicks and Self-Made Mom!

We are always looking out for our readers, and we know our local friends cannot possibly miss a deal as good as this. What kiddie class isn’t made better with a friend? If you have a creative kiddo at home, you won’t want to miss this amazing, limited-time-only deal from the popular Wishcraft craft studio in Roscoe Village.

The clever ladies behind Wishcraft are offering a special “2-for-1 Bring a Friend Along” promotion from September 7-10^th only. You can sign your kid and a crafty buddy up for any of the Fall 2010 craft classes and split the price of the 8-week session. That’s 50% off the regular cost – a total steal!

The class offerings at Wishcraft go way beyond your typical kiddie craft projects. Cool options include Dim Sum Paper Fun (ages 3-5) and It’s Sew Easy (age 7+). Kids can even make their own Halloween costumes or fashion eco-friendly accessories.

Wishcraft has morning and mid-day classes for wee ones and afterschool programming for school-aged kids. They even have classes for adults looking to hone their sewing or crochet skills! Check out their full schedule online to see all of the awesome choices.

Here are the deets on how to get in on this deal:

The promotion applies only to new students for the 2010 Fall session.
The promotion does not apply retroactively.
If you register online, you can pay the full price for one student, enter the second student’s name in the “comments to seller” box and split the costs yourselves.. Or you can email the folks at Wishcraft at wishcraft@me.com with the info for both students and they will send PayPal links with the 50% discount to each person. Discount code to reference is “Tell 2 Friends.”

If you want to take advantage of this great deal on kid’s craft classes, you have to move fast – the special 2-for-1 promotion is only valid through September 10^th. Classes start the week of September 13^th.

Want to know more about all of the good stuff happening at Wishcraft? Follow their Twitter updates or become a Fan on Facebook. Got questions? Send them to wishcraft@me.com.

Now go get those (cheap! cheap!) classes. Your crafty kid will love you for it.

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Check out Second City Baby!

by selfmademom on September 3, 2010 · 0 comments

Did you know I write another blog for Chicago Parent? It’s called Second City Baby and I’ve got some pretty exciting stuff up there this week.

First, I’m hosting an amazing giveaway from teutonia – a new luxury stroller manufacturer. They’ve given me a t-linx to giveaway on the blog (valued over $400!) Just write in the comments why you need a new stroller and why your current one stinks and the best story wins! I’ll pick a winner on September 15.

Also, I’ve just posted some really helpful videos from a recent symposium conducted by Playtex led by the country’s leading pediatricians, including the venerable Dr. Sears. The videos give helpful tips and tactics on how to tackle the toughest infant feeding issues. Check it out, or send it to a friend. There’s some good stuff in there.

That’s all. I hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

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