Guest Posts Archives - A Day in Motherhood

Happy Mother’s Day from A Day in Motherhood!!

May 14, 2013 By Beth Moore 1 Comment

Who is the Mother behind A Day in Motherhood? She has given her readers intimate details about her life and put it all out there for everyone to critique her highs and lows. She works crazy hours around time with her children to provide readers with exceptional content on her blog. She is quick to say thank you, appreciates her readers, and above all continually blessed that people want to hear the love she shares with her girls, (oh, and her doggies).

Beth says: I “met” Lori in a pregnant ladies chat nearly 8 years ago. There were times that she was with the wind beneath my wings, along with a few other ladies as I lost my mom during a 9 month battle with brain cancer. I remember texting her on July 28, 2007, to congratulate her on her brand new baby girl, as I lay in my own hospital bed awaiting the arrival of my son.

Lori has always had a great sense of humor and kept our group in stiches. She would comfort those who needed a serious moment of clarity and then tell us how her day had gone… which usually started off with something spilled all over the floor. In her life she has marched up mountains, but has done it with a graceful step along the way.

Her children are her life, the keepers of heart. There is not a moment during the day in which she does not take time to answer a little voice calling “Mommy, mom, mommy, mommy, mom…” Though, I have never met Lori in person, she is one of my dearest friends. So, today, I just want to tell everyone that the amazing lady behind A Day in Motherhood is a WONDERFUL MOMMY & FRIEND! She is not only a “blogger” with fantastic stories to tell and giveaways to provide, she is a kind, compassionate person who cares deeply for her family, her friends and her fans.

As she continues to pour out her heart and soul on her site, remember, she is just like you and me… she is a Mom, first and foremost (many times , I was convinced she was superwoman… but that is a completely different post!)

~Happy Mother’s Day to the Lady Behind A Day in Motherhood! Big Love for you, Beth

Bonnie says: I’ve “known” Lori for almost 8 years now. We met way back when, in cyber world, when we were both expecting our almost 7 year olds! Despite the fact that Lori is on the opposite side of the country (I’m in PA) I consider her one of my closest friends. Lori is an awesome person and a SPECTACULAR mom. She’s been thrown some pretty tough situations…but she’s come out of each one an even better person and mother than before. No matter what is going on in life or work, she always puts her children and their needs first. The amount of love she has for her children shows in everything that she does.
Lori is loved by so many- her friends, her readers, but most importantly her children. I am so honored to be on her team here at A Day In Motherhood, and even more honored to be able to call her my friend.

Happy Mother’s Day Lori! ~Bonnie

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Filed Under: Guest Posts Tagged With: a day in motherhood, mothers day

Guest Post: Freezer Cooking Club Saves You Time & Money

June 4, 2012 By Lori 1 Comment

*Sometimes someone approaches me with a guest post that I just have to know more about. As a busy mom, I have always thought of making more and freezing foods. But I had a lot of questions. Well, this guest post below by one of my readers, Kim, has put my questions to rest! I hope she helps you too!*

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Hi. My name is Kim. I’m a busy mom of 3. And I’m a freezer meal addict.

I use to be afraid of freezing meals…Thought it’d be too much work… but then I learned how EASY IT IS! And I’d love to share some tips that will have you freezing meals TONIGHT!

WHY DO I FREEZE MEALS?

* saves money, I can buy in bulk

* it’s healthier – no preservatives & I can control portion size
* it makes dinner time a cinch!

* I get homemade dinners without cooking every day!

* I have fewer pots & pans to clean – woo hoo!TIPS FOR FREEZING MEALS:

* If you’re making something that will freeze well (most things will!), then double your recipe and freeze half of it. (think meatballs, meatloaf, lasagna, soup, taco meat, BBQ, etc.) What freezes well? How should you freeze it? Find a great list, with easy “how-to”s over at Freezer Cooking Club.

* Use good freezer bags. Cheap bags leave a plasticy taste, and rip easily. Ziploc has yet to fail me. And bags work for almost everything,even casseroles!

* Start a Freezer Cooking Club. Everything’s always more fun with friends

Find 5 friends. Each friend makes one meal, six times. Then you swap. You’ll end up with 6 different meals for the time it took to cook just one! And you’ll get added variety to your meal schedule!

HOW TO START A FREEZER COOKING CLUB:

* Ask your facebook friends, or moms in your church/sports group. You’ll be surprised how many moms would like to try it once you mention it!

* Set some guidelines. Like budget, and how many minimum servings each meal should have? Be sure to talk about food preferences, too.My group has 6 moms, and the largest family is 6 members. So we each make 6 meals, that serve 6+ people. Our budget is $8/meal. Some groups set higher or lower budgets depending on their group’s food preferences.

* Set a date for your first swap. Bring multiples of the same meal to trade (6 moms = bringing 5 meals, since you keep one for yourself).

* Share your recipes ahead of time so not everyone makes the same thing. My club votes on next months recipes at every swap.

* For more tips & recipes, visit FREEZER COOKING CLUB.

What are you waiting for? Go change your facebook status to ask friends about being in a monthly freezer club together! And “like” this post to help get the word out. Go be supermom

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Guest Posts Rock

Withdrawing Cash from PayPal using Coinstar Kiosks #PaypalCoinstar #CBias

March 26, 2012 By Lori 1 Comment

Ever wonder what you can do with your spare change? Check out this great Guest Post Courtesy of Debra Muccio, author of AFrugalFriend.com!

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It seems I’m always at the grocery store. With a 4 year old in the house, we are constantly running out of fresh fruits, veggies, milk, and yes, toilet paper. Anyone relate?

So, it was time for another trip, this time to a store I haven’t visited in a while, Albertsons. With more stores moving away from Double and Triple Coupons, this was a great opportunity to ask questions about their coupon policy in person.

I also had another idea for the shopping trip. I rarely use cash anymore. It’s true. We charge everything and pay it off every month. I’m not sure my 4 yr old will really understand the concept of money by seeing me use a credit card. So, it was off to Albertsons, where I had it on good authority they had a Coinstar kiosk, from which you could access your PayPal account. I was going to need cash for this trip. No need to stop off at an ATM. Great!

I loaded up my helper and headed out to Albertsons. When I pulled in the parking lot it was clear from the Paypal and Coinstar sign, that I had come to the right place. Grabbing my coupons, grocery list, and sweet 4 year old, I headed into the store.

Oh, and did I tell you how someone had to bring her very first handbag with her? She even made a cute little shopping list and put it inside. Adorable! Albertsons had these smaller mid-size carts, perfect for a quick trip to the store…..she had to help push! She even found the bright green Coinstar kiosk all by herself….you can’t miss it.

The sign outside along with the signs all over the kiosk, made it clear that you could utilize PayPal right from this spot. So convenient. I know many people who have moved to a “Cash System” to try and save money each month, instead of utilizing credit cards or checks. This would be so helpful for them, especially with an unexpected visit to the store (and we all have those).

You don’t need to use coins at all in order to take advantage of Coinstar. That’s something I didn’t know and never would have expected.

There were many options available when you first started using the Coinstar touchscreen, one of which was to deposit or withdraw funds with PayPal. I chose that option. The next screen quickly came with three options. You could add coins, you could add bills, or you could withdraw funds. As expected, there was a fee for each option. For withdrawing funds, it was going to be a $3 flat fee no matter how much I was withdrawing.

I then was asked for my PayPal email address, which I entered. Then followed a screen for your password (with a warning to be aware of your surroundings). Always be alert! Those were the only 2 pieces of information I needed to key in. Terms and Conditions (legalese) came up next. I would need to withdraw a minimum of $8 and maximum of $200, while noting the monthly limit of $500.

I accepted. It took a few minutes to search for my account. Easy enough, or so I thought. A message next appeared that they were unable to complete my transaction. I thought that maybe I had entered my password incorrectly, so I started over from the beginning, only to get the same message. I had plenty of funds in my account, and I hadn’t withdrawn any money. PayPal listed several reasons they might not be able to complete the transaction, including the catch-all, “PayPal can’t process your request”. So, with technical difficulties, and several people waiting in line (WOW, Coinstar is popular), we were off to shop.

We started down the Easter aisle, because well, that’s super fun. We found oatmeal on clearance, cucumbers, mushrooms, asparagus, and yes, even toilet paper. I chatted with the cashier about their coupon policy AND then discovered that not unlike McDonald’s, Albertsons had a version of Monopoly. I received game pieces just for shopping.

Wish me luck!

Be sure to follow Coinstar on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll also want to follow Paypal on Facebook and Twitter.

Be sure to check out the entire shopping experience on Google +.

(I have been paid (at Coinstar’s request) to try and blog about Coinstar’s products/services as part of a Collective Bias shopper insights study. All opinions are my own.)

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ADayinMotherhood.com proudly presents this compensated guest post in conjunction with Collective Bias. Images and text were used with permission from the original author. Please see my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Guest Posts Rock, Promo Writings, Promo Writings

Guest Post: Myth vs Fact: Keeping You Home Cool in Summer

August 8, 2011 By Lori 4 Comments

Amanda Ray works for TXU Energy in Houston, TX. With the heatwaves hitting most of the country, I thought that her idea to Guest Post with money saving tips and ideas was brilliant! I happily present her guest post:

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1. MYTH: Never turn your A/C completely off during hot summer months because furniture and other items in your home heat up when the A/C is shut off, creating more work for the system to cool the home back down.

FACT: Your system doesn’t work any harder when it switches back on after being turned off. It just may take it longer than a short cycle to cool your rooms back down. If no one is in your home for more than eight hours, you can save money by switching it off while you’re out. Since, approximately half of your energy usage goes to heating and cooling your home, cutting back on how much your system cycles can save you money in hot summer months. Note: Depending on the outdoor temperature, it may take your system an hour or two to cool your home back down to a comfortable temperature, so be sure to plan accordingly – or use a digital thermostat to turn your system back on a few hours before you’ll be back home. According to EnergyStar.gov, using a programmable thermostat can save the average household about $180 every year in energy costs.

2. MYTH: Keeping ceiling fans turned on all the time keeps cool air circulating through your home, reducing the need for the A/C to power on as much.

FACT: Ceiling fans only make you feel cooler when you are in the room with them. So, you only need to have ceiling fans turned on when you’re in the room (blades pointed down in summer/up in winter). While many people may think that it’s better to keep cool air circulating all the time – to make your cool air go “farther,” leaving a fan “always on“ doesn’t present any energy efficiency gains. In fact, keeping the fans on will actually cost you money.

3. MYTH: If you have a lot of glare and heat radiating on or through your windows in the summertime, you need to replace them.

FACT: Many times, you can reduce solar heat gain in hot summer months by treating your windows. For these glassy areas of your home, you can reduce solar heat gain with awnings or trees shading them from the outside of your home, and you can also use drapes, blinds, or solar film to shade them from the inside. Since the hot summer sun’s radiant heat on windows can increase the temperatures inside your home, treating them for shade can help you save electricity since your A/C won’t need to perform more frequent cycles to keep your rooms cool due to the added heat.

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TOP 5 HOUSEHOLD TIPS FOR SUMMERTIME ENERGY EFFICIENCY FROM TXU ENERGY:

1. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees warmer at night can make a real difference to your electricity consumption – and your monthly bill during the summer months. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 percent for eight hours a day. What’s more, there are several programmable thermostats that make this an easy and automated task, including one that you can adjust by phone.

2. Be sure that your fireplace damper is shut and sealed in the summer months to avoid losing cool air through the chimney. According to the Department of Energy, 14 percent of air leaks at home come through your fireplace. So be sure that your damper is shut and completely sealed. You don’t want all your cool air flying up the chimney this summer.

3. Replace your A/C filters regularly. U.S. Department of Energy estimates that this can generate a 5 to 15 percent energy savings, not to mention improving the quality of the air you’re breathing at home.

4. Pay attention to your outdoor A/C unit too. You can use a garden hose to wash the coils on your unit, and be sure that nothing is blocking its air follow, like bushes or shrubs. One government study calculated a 2 to 4 percent capacity improvement just for cleaning the coils. As much as we rely on this device to keep us cool all summer long, a capacity improvement of even a few percent per home can make a big difference if you think about the big picture. When you think about the amount of electricity usage that goes towards air conditioning in Texas, we are talking about a significant amount of energy that can be saved in a year.

5. Pamper the lint trap on your (electric) dryer. While it doesn’t necessarily cool you down in summer, keeping your dryer working efficiently can still save you electricity and money any time of year. According to Energy Star, cleaning the lint trap before each dryer load can save the average household about $34 per year. It also enhances the energy efficiency of the appliance. You can also boost this by vacuuming out your dryer vent hose during your spring cleaning for the year.

ADVISORY: Watch Your Electric Bills: Some Retailer’s Pricing Tactics May Shock You

With ERCOT’s request for conservation this week – and the sustained stretch of +100 day heat we’re having in Texas — you may have conserving electricity for the greater good top of mind. You may also be hoping to cut their household expenses by dialing back the A/C, turning off lights, and other efforts around the house.

Others may be conserving – and working with local social services agencies to help them cover their bills this summer, like the woman in this story from WFAA-TV here in Dallas-Fort Worth: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/help-with-the-heat—energy-bills–126733823.html

The story points out the pricing tactics of some electricity retailers may really shock people this summer. These tactics are related to variable rate electricity plans in Texas. What we’re seeing is that a number of retailers are increasing their (variable rate) electricity prices by extreme amounts as soon as the second bill – with no advance notice to the customer. A recent survey also shows a broad lack of awareness by Texas consumers that these kinds of price hikes can happen.

With the extreme heat and electricity consumption this summer, your may benefit from some tips on savings – and what to watch out for… And, you can see other examples at txu.com/novariable.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Guest Posts Rock

Guest Post: What to do if Your Child has Head Lice

July 27, 2011 By Lori 1 Comment

**I have yet to experience head lice in my three girls. However, with Katie starting Kindergarten this year, I am weary of the Head Lice out breaks and am somewhat uneducated on how to deal with one. I know I can not be the only one so I happily present this informative Guest Post from Lisa Leverich to you. Please stop by and enter my Giveaway which includes Licefree Everyday Shampoo.**

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Now the kids are headed back to school in a few weeks, let’s talk about lice, shall we? Head lice, or Pediculosis, is extremely common and affects millions of children (and their parents) each year. If you are dealing with a head lice outbreak in your school or home do not panic. There is no need to dump chemicals on your child’s head or shave off their hair. Having head lice is nothing to be ashamed of and does not mean your child is “dirty”. In fact, head lice prefer clean hair!

The first clear sign of head lice is an itchy head. It is important to try not to scratch the itch because it could lead to sores on the scalp or around the neck and ears. If you do a head check, you may also spot eggs and, in some cases, live lice in the hair. Other symptoms of head lice are frequent head scratching, loss of sleep, shortened attention span and depression.

How to Treat Head Lice:

1) Choose a safe and proven pediculicide. This is an agent used to kill head lice, body lice or pubic lice. Treatments that are pyrethrum or permethrin based may trigger reactions in those who are allergic to ragweed. Be sure to check the ingredients or talk to a doctor or pharmacist before choosing a treatment.

2) Start at the Nape of the Neck. Lice congregate at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Be sure these areas are thoroughly saturated with the pediculicide first and work the product up from there. With any pediculicide, all lice and eggs must come in full contact with the product. Lice can move quickly to avoid contact with the lotion or gel. Take it slow and remember to read and follow all directions carefully and completely.

3) Remove all of the Eggs or Nits. Begin the comb-out process at the nape of the neck. You will want to use an egg removal comb to help ease egg removal. Thoroughly combing out the hair until all lice and eggs are gone will help prevent re-infestation.

4) Clean up to prevent another infestation.

- Wash all bedding and clothing that your child has used in hot water (at least 130°F) or run them through your dryer’s hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. Dry clean items that cannot be washed.

- Soak all hair care items (such as combs, brushes, hair clips, etc.) in hot water (130°F) for 15 minutes.

- Place items that cannot be cleaned or run through the dryer (i.e. stuffed animals and toys) in a tightly sealed plastic bag for 10–14 days.

- Follow up with the vacuum to get rid of any lice dust or egg shells that were left behind.

5) Follow through with a second treatment in seven days to kill any newly hatched lice. Even if all lice and eggs appear to be gone, follow through with the second treatment.

6) Conduct Frequent Head Checks. After an infested family member has been treated, for the next 10 days, check them daily for eggs. If there is evidence of new eggs or newly hatched lice, repeat the treatment. Head checking should then become part of routine hygiene. A family head lice check once a week is a great idea. You’ll need an egg removal comb, a magnifying glass and lots of light. Work through a small section at a time, comb through each person’s hair, from the root down. If any live lice or eggs are found, begin treatment immediately.

7) Teach your child to avoid sharing personal items. Lice are only transmitted from head to head contact and re-infestation from environmental contact (i.e. infested hats, pillows, stuffed animals, etc.) can occur.

8 ) When in doubt ask my pharmacist or school health official for advice. They’re familiar with the treatments and products currently on the shelves and will give you reliable recommendations. Keep in touch with your child’s school so that you’ll know if a lice outbreak occurs!

For more information on treating and preventing Head lice ‘Like’ Keeping Kids Lice Free on Facebook and visit the FAQ page on Licefreee.com.

About the Author:

Lisa Leverich is the Marketing Manager at Tec Laboratories, Inc., an innovator of over-the-counter topical pharmaceuticals. Tec Labs has been protecting consumers and industrial workers for more than 30 years with products that cleanse, relieve, repel and protect, including the very popular Tecnu® Outdoor Skin Cleanser, Tecnu Extreme® Poison Ivy Scrub, Tecnu Rash Relief® Spray, Calagel® Medicated Anti-itch Gel, Licefreee!® Non-toxic Lice Treatment, and CortiCool® Clear Hydrocortisone Gel. The company also makes the 10-Hour™ Insect Repellent for the industrial/outdoor markets. For more tips and information, visit them at www.teclabsinc.com.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Guest Posts Rock

Guest Post: Tips to Build A Twitter Following

July 25, 2011 By Lori 4 Comments

**Timothy Fox is an SEO and social media consultant. Contact him on twitter you @sogeshirts. He also sells Great T- shirts at www.sogeshirts.com including shirts for bloggers.

I am honored and glad that Tim Soge of www.SogeShirts.com accepted my request to write a guest post sharing Tips to Build a Twitter Following. I love Twitter and have met the most amazing people and contacts on it. And I get a lot of requests from other bloggers, Etsy shop owners and small business owners asking how I have gotten my 4300+ followers. I love helping but am small compared to others. Tim is an ally I know from other business sites and one of those rare breed that are always available to help. I respect and appreciate all of his advice and am glad I get to share it with you! He knows Twitter well and is a better help than I. Please read, implement and share this article and enjoy watching as your Twitter following grows!**

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Have you ever wanted to grow your twitter following but find it to be a very tedious process or just really difficult? Well today I am going to share with you some tips to grow an engaged twitter following that is a bit more fun and will get you more followers.

Hashtag fun

One thing to do to build a twitter following is to join in on some hashtag fun. If you are a blogger on twitter on a friday night you might want to use the #wineparty tag and follow everyone using it. If you talk to some people, have a glass of wine (optional) and use the tag from 9 pm eastern till whenever it ends you are bound to get more twitter followers. Everyone there is really nice. Of course this is not the only tag you can follow. There are many other twitter groups that use hashtags. You just got to find them and jump right in. They are usually all quite friendly. For instance if you are a dad you might want to get to know the #dadstalking hashtag group. Don’t worry that means dads talking not dad stalking haha. Also other hashtag groups like #usguys are also cool. Participate in hashtags and you can get to know some awesome people and get more followers/ have more fun. Nothing like getting more followers while enjoying wine or having a good time talking to people.

Participate in other social sites

Another way to grow your twitter following is to go onto other social sites like Tumblr or Pinterest. On Pinterest you can follow lots of people and those people usually display their twitter handles on their Pinterest profile. If you follow them on Pinterest and Twitter you have a great chance of getting followed back. If i see that someone is making an effort to follow me on multiple social sites I am definitely going to follow them back because it shows they want to get to know you and are savvy enough to use other social sites.

Tweepi.com

A great way to get more followers is to use the free site Tweepi.com All you have to do is login via twitter and it allows you to manage your twitter account completely. You can unfollow 20 people on a page at one time of those not following you back. Do this by checking the box next to their name and everyone else’s name that you want to unfollow by clicking the unfollow button at the top or bottom of the page. Tweepi also makes it easy to follow new people. If you have someone that you know on Twitter that has great folllowers or follows great people you can just go to the top of the tweepi.com screen where it says Follow Tweeps, and target a users followers or a users friends.

I like searching for a users friends because that means that they both follow each other. All you have to do is put in the @ name of the person’s twitter friends you want to see. If you want to see mine for instance just put in @sogeshirts. You will then get a list of people that I follow who also follow me. Once again the friends will be laid out twenty at a time. You can even see when someone has tweeted last. For me I like to follow people that tweet recently so if I see they have tweeted within a day or two I will follow them. You can add followers in bulk as well by again checking all those on the page that you wish to follow and hitting the follow button at the top or bottom of the screen.

How to increase engagement on twitter

Now between the hashtags, other social sites, and Tweepi you should have found some cool people to follow and some should be following you back. Let’s get to know these people so that they are engaged followers. When someone follows you back why not thank them. Check out their bio and if they have a site, visit it first. If you thank them for the follow and comment on something you like about their site or bio you are going to make new friends fast.

To keep track of all your new followers you might want to add them to a new friends list. If you have lots of new friends organize them by new friends 1, new friends 2. Once you list your friends you can add that list to a column on tweetdeck/hootsuite or twitter.com and keep track of their tweets easily. If you retweet a post of theirs or a funny tweet they might do the same thing for you.

Feel free to ask me any questions about how to build a twitter following by commenting on the article here or tweeting me @sogeshirts!

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Guest Posts Rock

GUEST POST: Bouncing Back from Breastfeeding in the Right Bra

June 10, 2011 By Lori Leave a Comment

This post comes courtesy of Classy Bras, a blog all about bras! In addition to tips about fit and style, there is a very complete Bra Buyer’s Guide with a list of the top 100 bras!

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When I was first approached with the idea of this Guest Post, I was not sure it would be a good fit for my blog. But as the Author, Erin, and I talked more about it, I realized that I, myself, needed to take a look at my own bras! Surely I could not be the only one! Three babies and three plus years of breastfeeding have done me no favors in the ‘perky’ department! So take a moment to read these fantastic tips to bring the girls back to their former glory… as best you can!

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The True Definition of Pregnancy – The carrying of one or more children for what seemingly feels like the longest 10 months of your life only to end with you looking in the mirror and asking yourself, “Who is that looking back at me?” Let’s add a year of breastfeeding to that and what you end up with is a body that has seen better days and boobs that look like flattened pancakes. You can head to the gym and tighten up the abs but there isn’t a whole lot you can do about your breast size after having a baby attached to them for so long.

Your breasts are undoubtedly the biggest change you’ll notice in your post pregnancy body. They go through so many different sizes. You may start your pregnancy at a 36B, during the pregnancy you jump up to a 36C, right after giving birth you hit an all time high of 38D and then after breastfeeding for a few months you fall back to a 36A. If you think this is extreme just ask any woman you know and you will hear stories like this over and over again.

Finding a post-breastfeeding bra is the perfect way to instill confidence again in your body, allow you to show your sexier side again so you are not just “the mom,” and finally, it allows you to once again celebrate your body as the attractive, life giving, beautiful thing that it is.

Let’s Start Shopping

From the time you start to wean your baby from your breast, it can take up to 6 months to “settle in” on a breast size. During this time you may still go through some size changes so it is essential that you not only wait for the milk ducts to completely dry up but you wait for your breasts to gain their elasticity and definition again. Then, the most important part, find a babysitter or leave the baby at home with dad, call a girlfriend and head to the fanciest department store or specialty lingerie shop you can find so that you can go bra shopping!

Most department stores offer professional bra fitting by an experienced fitter, but call ahead to make sure in case you need to make an appointment. You MUST get a professional fitting done after breastfeeding to ensure a proper fit over your essentially new breasts. Stay away from your typical bra and panties chain stores as they tend to use regular associates to fit you rather than trained professionals.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Bra

Now that you are out of bras with flaps you need to focus on finding bras that enhance your breasts and make them look better than ever. Here are some great tips to do just that:

Buy a bra that is a little snug at first so that it has room to expand a bit as it gets looser. Lycra is an excellent fabric because not only is it breathable but it also has the ability to return to the original shape after being worn and stretched.

Structured cups such as Push-Up bras are excellent for all shapes of women but especially those who have recently had children because they are supportive and allow for a perkier look in the breasts.

Go for a bra that you haven’t ever worn. This is a new time in your life and you need to reflect that even in the undergarments you choose. If you have always worn 18-hour Playtex bras for instance, why don’t you try brands that are a little more sensual or daring such as Fantasie, Le Mystere, Prima Donna, or Chantelle.

If you are still not at the pre-pregnancy weight that you want to be at, keep in mind that women need to measure for their bra size with every 10 pounds of body fat they lose.

All bras have “sister sizes” which means that while you may wear a 36C bra most of the time, sometimes a 34D or a 38B will fit you better in a particular brand or style. If your usual size doesn’t seem to fit right, you can go up or down a band size while at the same time going up or down in the cup size.

Breastfeeding doesn’t have to mean the end of your breasts; it is merely a beginning to your new body. So embrace it and enjoy!

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Lifestyle Tagged With: a day in motherhood, classic bras

GUEST POST: Tips to Make Grocery Trips With Kids a Breeze… Almost!

May 24, 2011 By Lori 6 Comments

I do not take my kids to the grocery store anymore. Read Grocery Shop of Horrors for why! But after reading these great tips, I might again… maybe…

Brenda Thompson is a mom, foodie and self-taught meal planner. Her blog, Meal Planning Magic, provides ideas on how to get organized in the kitchen, save a little money, eat healthier (and family friendly) and have a little fun along the way. With free weekly samples meal plans, cookbook reviews, forms for keeping it all straight, ideas, and inspiration she helps others learn to do it too! When she’s not writing about food you can usually find her in her Houston-area kitchen with her kids whipping up something tasty!

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Summer is just around the corner and if the thought of doing your errands with children in tow already has you pulling your hair out, I’ve got some tips to help make your trip to the grocery store go a little more easily.

From the time my children were born, I always included them in my shopping trips. I know lots of people like to coordinate child care with a spouse or friend so they can shop child-free, but grocery shopping is actually the one errand that we continued to run together up until the day my youngest went to kindergarten. I promise it doesn’t have to be such a dreaded outing if you keep these tips in mind!

Make a list and stick to it; then make up a shopping game. A couple of ideas:

Tell them you need to get three vegetables—two green and one orange—and see if they can help you figure it out. Or tell them what you’re buying ingredients for, say tacos, and ask them what they think you need to buy. This will keep their minds busy so that they are hopefully less distracted by other things.

Involve your kids in the shopping. Younger children sitting in a cart can help you spot the next item on the list when you tell them what to look for. Need some peanut butter? Ask your child to look for it! Or send older children down the aisle you’re on to grab the next thing on the list. If you’re trying to teach your children to eat more healthfully, you can even talk about why you may the food choices you do. Like why you prefer to buy the whole wheat pasta instead of just the regular pasta.

Let the kids touch the food—even the produce. When I choose produce I tell the kids what we are looking for and let them help put it in the bag. When they were littler, I helped guide them into placing each item gently in the bag. Now they know just what to do! Same goes for other foods. You may want to start off handing foods that don’t need as much gentle handling, like cereal boxes so they can get used to putting items in the cart properly. Watch out for heavier items like canned foods. And save the bread and eggs for mom to pick up.

Practice math (but you don’t have to let them know it!). When my children were learning to count, we would count out together as we placed the apples in the bag. Then I went one step further: if we were going to get five apples and had only put three in the bag, I would ask how many more we needed. Finally, older children can help figure out how to work within your budget by paying attention to prices and comparing different sizes or brands or just learning what you can or cannot purchase that day.

Use child-friendly shopping carts. When my children were younger, I used to use the car carts that are popular at many stores. Yes they were big and yes, they were unwieldy (and many times they drove me crazy!). But my kids loved those carts and it helped them be a little more patient when we’re going down all the aisles. Believe me, they will outgrow them and that time will pass all too quickly. Or just downsize your cart. Our new grocery store has miniature sized grocery carts—they look just like the big ones but are the perfect size for young children to push alongside you. Just remind them to watch out for other people!

Set ground rules. Remind your children that you are there to buy groceries for your family and that you have a budget. Even the littlest ones can begin to understand what a budget means when you put it in relatable terms, like if we buy too many cookies, we won’t be able to buy any milk (or whatever growing food your child likes). If you want, tell them they can choose one thing that is not on the list. For some, it may be an incentive to behave in the store.

If your store has a self-scanning check-out use it. My kids and I have a system: one pulls the groceries out of the basket. My oldest is the scanner and, since I’m picky about the way my things get bagged, I’m the sacker. Of course this works best if you don’t have a ton of groceries!

Time it right and shop when your store will have samples. I’ll admit that we do sometimes make grocery store or wholesale club runs when I know there will be samples. This might drive some people crazy to have to stop at all the sample stations, but I know I will often take advantage of the samples and think of them as appetizers of sorts. Plus, my kids are more likely to try new foods when there is a sample! Just remember the Set Ground Rules guideline and let your kids know just because you sample doesn’t mean you have to buy everything!

Check your moods—and shop accordingly. If possible, try to plan your shopping trip on a day and at a time when everyone is in a good mood. Shopping when someone (including mom!) is hungry or tired is just a recipe for disaster.

With a little forethought, going to the grocery store with your kids doesn’t have to be a headache. It can be a terrific learning experience and a lot of fun too!

BONUS! Visit my blog, Meal Planning Magic, to enter the Produce For Kids giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift card to a local grocery store!

Giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

**Do YOU want to guest post on ADayinMotherhood.com? Send your bio and post to lomargieatgmaildotcom and, if I think it fits my blog, I will post it! This is an offer for real bloggers!**

Filed Under: Giveaway, Guest Posts

Guest Post – Fine Dining: FAIL!

May 23, 2011 By Lori 3 Comments

Thank you to Melissa at www.Tablefor2andaHalf.com for this wonderful Guest Post!

Melissa Greiner is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor covering food, wine, parenting, home and anything else that catches her fancy. She has been published in a variety of magazines, including Parenting: Early Years, Philadelphia Style and Main Line Today. She is the Philadelphia blogger for Haute Living and the wine blogger for Drink Philly. She also works as a copywriter for area marketing and communication agencies. And, of course, she’s the proud mom to Little Man. For more on what Mel’s working on, follow her personal Twitter handle, @MelGreiner.

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I’m lucky enough to say that my career actually requires me to try new restaurants, and have even gone so far as to dedicate a great deal of space on my blog on how becoming a parent hasn’t required me to give up my cafe-hopping ways. I will be the first to smile at the couple trying to enjoy their glasses of pinot noir as their slightly squirming three-year old looks on.

But I’m not an idiot. I know when to say when. I know that some worlds simply cannot collide. And I wish the family sitting next to me at dinner this past Saturday night did, too.

Now, I’m not calling either of the adults in question “idiots.” I don’t know the circumstances behind the event. But I am calling them discourteous. I am all about maximizing the experience for my family, except when it crosses over into potentially ruining it for the others in my midst. Yes, children (and that includes babies and toddlers) can dine at restaurants that don’t have cartoon mascots or even kids’ menus. But there are rules, people. Fine dining establishments may be aiming too high.

Still can’t figure it out?

* If every gentlemen in restaurant is wearing a jacket and tie, and yours is now splattered with a substance I’m pretty sure won’t be coming out, you may have chosen the wrong restaurant.

* If the romantic glow of the candles is being washed out by the lights and sound-effects of your child’s iPad war battle, you may have chosen the wrong restaurant.

* If standard table settings come with more than four forks, which are all now on the ground and creating an obstacle course for your waiter, you may have chosen the wrong restaurant.

* If the high-pitched screams of your toddler are downing out the gentle strains of the violins, you may have chosen the wrong restaurant.

People make mistakes … this I know as I am often guilty of it myself. But the suitable action to take when your mistake is realized is to save face, apologize, and move on. Not casually whisper “shhh” to your left and then order the chocolate soufflé for dessert.

How this family walked out of the restaurant without blood dripping down their legs is beyond me, as more than 20 tables were shooting daggers at them all night. I can only hope they tipped their poor waiter generously, or at least relegated their family dinners to the local McDonalds until their son reaches college graduation.

**Would YOU like to Guest Post on ADayinMotherhood.com? Please send your bio and Post to lomargieatgmaildotcom and if I see it as a fit, I will post it!**

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Humor, Life Out There

Organic Oragami – Guest Article

March 10, 2011 By Lori Leave a Comment

For all of my Crafting mommies!

This post was written by Wendy Lau, who is also known for her work on education sites like medical assistant and pharmacy technician certification.

Origami is a form of art that has a long history. Some say it goes back to the 17th century. In Japanese, “ori” and “gami” combined means folding paper. It is an intricate art and can also be a hobby for children and adults.

During history, origami was a form of art only accessible to the wealthy. Paper was not accessible or affordable to many. But today, anyone can partake in origami. There is origami paper available for purchase with various solid colors, patterns and textures, but you can also simply use paper you plan to recycle, such as newspapers and magazines.

Origami is an art form that can have great meaning. It has been created to commemorate special occasions and can serve as a simple gift of friendship and love.

Intricate origami requires patience. In many ways, the art of origami can also be a stress reliever. It can help put a person in a calmer state of mind. For children, the art of origami teaches how to follow instructions and may improve on motor skills.

Types of Origami

Origami comes in many forms. It can be simple or intricate. Origami may also be classified as action, modular, wet-folding, pureland, tessellations or kirigami.

The simple act of folding paper can result in the production of origami art representing animals, flowers, totes/boxes, geometric shapes, mythical creatures and many other objects.

The crane is one of the most traditional origami shapes. It represents happiness, long life and piece in oriental culture.

The paper color, pattern and texture used to fold an origami shapes also adds meaning. Each culture may have colors symbolic of certain things. For the Chinese, red represents happiness and good luck. For Koreans, pink represents trust. The color green represents life for many. Color may also be used to symbolize an astrological sign or a birth month.

Origami Resources

There are a number of resources available on origami. Whether you are looking for origami shape ideas, instructions on how to fold paper or just simply looking to learn more about origami in general, the resources below can help.

Origami Club: A site offering information on origami for free. You can also find printable diagrams for each origami shape found on the site.
Origami Nut: Instructional videos are offered on the art of folding paper. Find ideas on origami shapes to fold at various levels, including easy, intermediate and hard.
Origami Resource Center: This site links to other resources where you can find diagrams, databases, book reviews, and communities on origami.
Origami USA: An educational and cultural arts organization, find information sharing on paper folding. The organization also offers classes, workshops and conventions.
Robert J. Lang Origami: Author of The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by-Step Instructions and a world leader mastering the art of origami, Robert J. Lang’s site offers a view of various creative origami shapes.
Check out some creations I made simply with paper cut out from magazines I was planning to recycle. The origami mini picture frame makes a great craft to store pictures you have lying around. The origami heart can be a simple gift by itself or it can be used to dress up an envelope or gift box.

Give origami a try simply with newspaper or magazine paper! You may very well find that it’s an enjoyable activity to do during your spare time alone or with family. It can also help take your mind off of stress.

**I received a small compensation for posting this article. All of the opinions expressed with in are that of the author.**

Filed Under: Guest Posts

Parenting Truth: It Only Gets Harder – Guest Article

March 10, 2011 By Lori 1 Comment

Susan Jackson is a staff writer for Onlinecollegedegrees.net check out there great collection of online business education options here.

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When I signed on to this parenting thing all those years ago I had no idea what I was getting into. Most people don’t, I suppose.

When your child is first born you are sure being a parent is the hardest thing you’ve ever done… you’re stressed and sleep deprived and utterly responsible for this little soul who depends on you for everything. You travel with a small baggage train and your schedule is dictated by something not much bigger than a Thanksgiving turkey. Everything you ever thought about yourself and your role in the world is turned upside down. You’re convinced you’ll never worry more or work harder for anything in your life. You know you’ve never loved like you love this beautiful child, and you hold on tight to those little hands.

Surely there has never been a more beautiful, more remarkable, more accomplished child in all the world?

Before you’re ready comes the time when they start to let go… they have to it seems, but you wish those fairy tale years could go on forever. Suddenly they can do for themselves… they don’t need you in that same way anymore — they bound down the driveway to the school bus without looking back and you’re glad for that. You take pride in it. Your baby has become a charmingly innocent little person who sponges up knowledge, experiences and all the best of possibilities.

They believe what you tell them. They think you have all the answers.

Turns out, the hardest parenting times are yet to come, for as we all know, the teen years are tough for all concerned, and the adult world sucks. It has mean people and fruitless effort. It’s often unfair. There’s a need for conversations about sex and drugs and racism. Classmates die, trust is broken as reality creeps in, despite your efforts to the contrary.

These days the best you can hope for is to provide a safe haven for them to come home to. Be a person they can confide in. These children bear half your genes, have had the best of your parenting efforts and the life you can give, and they want nothing more than to be different from you. And you have to let them.

So you hold your breath and watch them take those first tentative steps into adulthood. You find yourself praying like never before that they make the team, get into the school they want, have enough friends. And sometimes they don’t… coming home beaten and broken by that big, bad world out there. You bleed for them… more still because you know in your grown-up head that there’s nothing you can do to change it, to make it better. So you hug them (if they’ll let you) and try to find a valuable lesson in the bitter blow.

If you’re lucky that lesson inspires, the setback puts them on a path they might never have walked otherwise. As a parent, this is the best we can hope for as we struggle to guide our teen through the struggle to become the person they are meant to be.

** I received a small compensation to post this article to my site. All opinions and comments are the sole responsibility of the guest poster. ADayinMotherhood.com did not participate in the writing of this article.”

Filed Under: Guest Posts

TheBlogtessa.com Guest Post! Stuck in The Middle With You

February 10, 2011 By Lori Leave a Comment

LOOK!! I am the Guest Blogger on the fabulous www.blogtessa.com today! Please stop by and tell her hi! Stick around and help me with my dilemma please!!

http://theblogtessa.com/personal-pr/#comments

And the post goes:

I started this blog to write. Not necessarily to even write well, but to write none the less. I was a stay at home mom to three children 3 and under with a husband who works 70 hours a week and going stir crazy. I needed an outlet – welcome ADayinMotherhood.com!

I don’t think I had ever read a blog before I started mine. I don’t even recall how I came up with the idea to start one. And I certainly had no clue at all what reviews and giveaways were! I just wanted a place to go and spew forth my misery and happiness!

So I wrote and wrote and wrote. Told my friends about it and wrote some more. And I really enjoyed it. And then people I did not personally know started to follow me and I discovered Twitter, and blog hops, and Facebook pages. I suppose then, I was on my way!

And so I kept writing! Every chance I got. Sometimes more than once a day. I had a lot to say. And I started reading and realized that the blogging talent “out there” mirrors any professional forum. And that is putting it lightly for sure.

I got my first giveaway and things stated to change. Another giveaway followed, the another, and now I am where I am now. 7 live giveaways and almost 700 followers.

But I struggle sometimes. I love to write. Whether it is good or not, I truly love it. And I truly smile cheek to cheek when someone takes time out of their day to not only read it, but to comment on it. And I feel like a real writer. One with no agent, book, or column, but still – a real writer!

And now I love reviews and giveaways! I love getting to try new products and, honestly, the happiest I am on any given day is sending out that “You Won” email and getting the happy dance, super excited, “OMG I WON” email back from people. Because the readers that enter really take the time to make sure every entry counts. And entering giveaways takes time!

But, it seems, I am torn sometimes. I want to write every single day like I did before, but when I have 6 wonderful products to write about, and I want to do an honest, creative review, it takes all of my me time. And that leaves me postless on the personal side.

And though, depending on the posts and how relate-able they are to the reader, people still lovingly comment, I wonder if they are feeling short changed. Like they have to dig through all of the review and giveaway stuff to get to the posts that they have loyally read since the beginning.

But on the flip side, I never review or giveaway a product I do not like and would not recommend to my closest friends. Ask them, they are tired of the phone calls! So I want to display these to everyone! Because it is a great feeling to get something you want from someone who tried it and recommended it that you trust!

I have not solved the battle within. I have separate lists on my sidebars. Those that are here for the giveaways can find the links in easy reach and those who just want to read can find my latest posts. And I have gotten responses on both sides thanking me for doing that. But my internal fight continues.

I still want to write… and do reviews… and write…. and do giveaways.

And when I sit down at my desk late at night, I usually have a decision to make. Write a post that I have thought about for 3 days, or get this review up so people can see how fantastic this product is? I rarely can do both – because each comes from my heart and I want that quality to stay, no matter what.

So, I guess I don’t really know how I make it work. How I divide my time between posting my life and PR work. Trying to provide posts that you can relate to that I love to write and you enjoy reading and also sharing my latest finds and giving you a chance to discover them too. I just take this seriously, I suppose. Both sides of it. Because I don’t really care what drew you to this blog over all of the other wonderful ones you can go to. I am just truly honored that you are here!

In the end, I suppose, when I turn off the small green and gold office light that shines on my keyboard during my “working” hours, I am right where I want to be… stuck in the middle with you!

Filed Under: Guest Posts

What An Honor! Thank You Metro Family Magazine! Guest Post!

February 8, 2011 By Lori Leave a Comment

WOW!

I am SO honored! My post was chosen as a Guest Post on MetroFamilyMagazine.com!

Please stop by their wonderful, informative, site and leave a comment on my post: Growing Up Too Fast and let me know what you think!

I am truly honored so please, take a moment to stop by their site and let them know you appreciate them choosing me to Guest host!

Filed Under: Guest Posts

Mommy Plays Games – my Guest Post on Ashleyplus3.com

January 12, 2011 By Lori 14 Comments

On Sunday, 1/8, I was the guest poster on ashleyplus3.com!

Below is the script!

Mommy Plays Games

Motherhood has made me a master game player. No one can beat me. Except another Mother. My husband can’t touch me, my extended family falls way short, and strangers can only stand in blanket admiration. I can take out an opponent with a single move and leave them scratching their heads and wondering how one person can be so incredibly talented at every game out there.

After three daughters, 50,000 diaper changes, and countless Pull Up removals, I have mastered Twister. I think Hasbro is actually looking at a new twist so that I will be stumped. I can put my right hand on a diaper, hold wiggling legs with my left, use my right foot to grab the diaper cream, and my left to reach the wipes. I can do it without dropping a baby, knocking over a toddler, and while calming a little girl. I am that good.

I am the creme de la crop of 20 Questions. I am actually thinking of taking my talent on the road to teach others not so versed in my talents. Except I’ll rename the game 200 Questions and travel with four other people whose sole job is to throw questions at me non stop, no matter what my answer. And this must go on for hours at a time with no stopping. I prefer the same question over and over again. It just makes it more fun.

Operation creators need to call me from tips. I can remove a splinter from the toe, popcorn kernel from the nose, and small toy from a biting mouth with ease. I can do it without touching the sides, setting off alarms, or a Doctor’s assistance. Really, it is a sight to see. And while doing it, I can use my master skills at Charades to get my husband to get a band aid, a warm cloth, or an ice pack, without a word.

My husband and I play Tug Of War daily. He used to win, but not anymore. Not since I started staying home. I have an uncanny strength now that comes with spending the day with little, whiney, demanding, dramatic, little girls. Now, when we have an issue, or debate who is right and who is wrong, I pull all of my strength from the underbelly of my exhaustion and frustration and knock him on his keyster with one fail swoop.

And since I pay the bills, cook the meals, clean the house, walk the dogs, feed the plants, water the yard, mop the floors, rearrange the rooms, do the laundry, scrub the toilets, console the kids, pet the husband, check the mail, pour the wine, send out the letters, buy the gifts, take out the trash, and put everyone to bed at night, I would say I have a Monopoly on this game called Life.

Yes. Mommy plays games.

Filed Under: Guest Posts

I am the Featured Blogger on AshleyPlus3.com!

January 9, 2011 By Lori 9 Comments

I am so excited! I am the guest poster on AshleyPlus3 this morning!

Please drop by her blog and see her! She is a fantastic woman, mother, and friend!

Thank you Ashley, I am honored!

Find it HERE - Mommy Plays Games

Filed Under: Guest Posts

"Still Here" – A Guest Post by Brandi Cortes

December 22, 2010 By Lori 1 Comment

The Dysfunctional Supermom is a thirty-something, twice-divorced, mother of four beautiful disasters between the ages of 3 and 13. Two of those little disasters live full time with she and her fiancé (aka Saint Jason) and the oldest two live 999 miles away with their father (aka Pastor & Mrs. Cleaver) and visit dysfunction junction during their school breaks.

She lives her life according to advice given to her by her grandfather:
“Do the very best you can, for every one you can, as often as you can, for as long as you can…after that, f**k it.”

She has a passion for her kids, Jesus, coffee, bacon, wine and profanity. She’s well aware that she’s a walking conundrum and she’s perfectly fine that fact.

I came across her several weeks ago, and though she can be a little heavy on the profanity, I loved what she had to say. She, like me, is brutally honest. I always respect that. So when she sent me this touching Guest Post, I jumped at the opportunity to share it with you.

In honor of my Grandma.

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“The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children’s children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future.” ~Charles and Ann Morse

A few weeks ago, I met Lori on Twitter. She posted a Tweet about her grandmother being ill and how thankful she was for a recent visit she’d had with her: about how grateful she was for the opportunity her girls had to share that precious time with great-grandma.

Today, sweet Lori shared news of a sadder sort with all of us. Her grandmother passed away; and on her mom’s birthday.

Even when we expect loss, even when we are bracing ourselves for it, it still has a way of hitting us square in the chest like a ten ton block. There is nothing quite like experiencing the loss of a loved one. Nothing as painful…no grief as long lasting…no memories as bittersweet.

I emailed the quote above to Lori just a little bit ago. It was a quote a friend of mine shared with me when my grandfather died several years ago. He was my hero. He was my stability & sense of wonder. He was my daddy, for all rights and purposes. It was a devastating loss. However, in losing him, I’ve soaked him into my life all the more.

I see him in the faces of my sons and in my daughter’s lanky legs. I hear him in their smart aleck jokes & goofy laughs. I smell him in the coffee I finally grew up enough to appreciate after he was gone.

The truth is, that those we lose are never truly lost to us. Their legacies will remain for generations.

I remember telling Lori, during our very first conversation on Twitter, that she will treasure that last visit with her grandmother like no other. It is those memories that I wish upon her now. The sights & sounds & smells of four generations of beautiful women in the same place. It’s a rare gift and one I have no doubt for which our Lori is very thankful.

Big love & Huge hugs to you my sweet friend.

Brandi (aka The Dysfunctional Supermom)

Filed Under: Guest Posts

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