Frantic Mama

Farewell for now

2019-12-27T11:02:00.000-06:00

I started Frantic Mama back in 2011 when my first child, a little boy, was about 2.

Blogging was still somewhat new back then. It was almost 10 years ago. Creating Frantic Mama, and the brand around it, was one of the most life-changing decisions I've ever made. Not that I pictured it would be so monumental at the time.

What started as a small online journal to air out my thoughts and creativity while documenting life as a first-time mom turned into a recognizable brand. Not as huge as say, Scary Mommy, but definitely with more readers and followers than I ever imagined early on.

Here's a grainy photo from my son's first Christmas, almost 10 years ago.
How life has changed!
So many wonderful moments so many challenges.
I am grateful for all of it.

It meant a lot that so many mothers around the world reached out and connected with my words and my story. It was like having a group of friends who you could share the day's long journey with-- and laugh and cry and laugh/cry/snort-- without any kind of judgment or fake glorification of parenting.

I started the blog during a time when I found very few mothers out there willing to tell it how it really is-- how long the days with babies are-- and how the nights are even longer. That Motherhood with a capital M isn't what Pottery Barn Baby depicts in its glossy catalogs. That it can be lonely and exhausting. That you sometimes miss the days before you had kids, when you could do virtually whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted.

That babies aren't just cute little teddy bears all the time-- they cry a lot. And spit up. And there's endless diapers to change and so very little time to shower or blow dry your hair or put make-up on.

There's so much beauty in Motherhood and Babyhood, of course, too. More beauty than challenges. The 1,000's of photos on our phones are evidence of that. So are the picture-perfect Christmas cards, and all the big "firsts"-- that first gummy laugh, the first word, the first time walking...and then it all speeds up:

You get to the first day of preschool, and the first day of kindergarten, and the first basketball game...

It doesn't slow back down. I never thought I'd miss the days of putting little toddlers in shopping carts and fighting the good fight at the grocery store. Or the days of traveling with tiny children. And, no, I suppose I don't miss the constant colds. Or the sleepless nights feeding a new baby. I don't miss recovering from two c-sections. I don't miss suffering from postpartum anxiety that led to insomnia even when I had the chance to sleep. And I don't miss the long, lonely days of being alone with a baby and a toddler without any other adults around. I'm not so far gone as to forget the challenges. I know how hard it is for those moms with tiny ones right now. I assure you that.

But I do miss the innocence of that time, if I can call it that. I miss the giggles of babies. I miss the stumbling around walking of a toddler. I miss preschool days. I miss tucking my babies in their beautiful cribs each night. I miss having my son sit in my lap and holding my hand without thinking about it. I even miss feeling the kicks of active babies swirling in my stomach.

I will never ever be the one to tell a tired, overwhelmed mother "enjoy every second. It all goes by so fast." Because I know better. It is an impossible set-up to tell someone to 'enjoy every second' of anything. There are hard times with young kids. Stomach flus to live through. Spouse work trips to survive. Newborn phases to pass. Frantic Mama has always been the anti-Pollyanna.

But I will say this-- I'm grateful I had so many good times with my kids when they were little. Now my son-- who you can read about as a toddler in the first several posts-- is 9.5. He's in 4th grade. How can that be?! And my second baby, my daughter, is now...unbelievably SEVEN. I'm truly grateful to have the chance to be a mother and to watch and help my children grow. It's the greatest gift I've ever been given no matter how difficult it can be.

Which brings me to my next point:

I haven't found much time to blog for fun in the last couple of years. I miss it often, yes. I am a writer through and through and few things bring me as much joy as writing just for the fun of it.

I am grateful for the new writing opportunities that have come from this passion project. I am also grateful for the memories this blog will preserve for me, and for my husband and my children to read as they grow. I might print it all out and bind it for them someday.

I am not deleting anything, and I'll still be Frantic Mama on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Those are fun little people-connectors for me. I still feel like I do it differently and offer something quintessentially 'me' to the online Motherhood space-- it's light, it's fun, it's real, without the heavy snark and sarcasm. It's healthy and not swimming in alcohol or anger or ingratitude. But it is first and foremost Real.

But I am going to take a little break from the blog. The pressure of knowing it's out there, without time to add to it, is a stress for me. My kids are getting older, as I keep saying, and because of that and their activities, life is going by at warp-speed. I know it won't slow down, and I want to be there when I can, trying to lock the beauty of it into my memory the best I can.

Thank you so much to all of my readers over the years. I'm not really going anywhere. I'll be here in spirit. I'm with any of you who need someone in your corner who gets it. And who knows, I might dive into the blog again later this winter, or spring, or 3 years from now.

Look around carefully in a crowded room of kids and adults, and you'll see me and my kindred spirits-- I'll always be the Frantic Mama!

Here's a recent photo of my family: we're all grown up now.
Infinitely bittersweet.

All my best,

~Julia

Books and Books

2019-09-17T20:55:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I forget to talk about all the cool books I've had the fortunate opportunity to be a part of over the last few years. I can't really express in words (how ironic!) how meaningful each one of these projects has been for me.

So I'm breathing some new life into them here...with full credit where credit is due to the gutsy women who came up with the concepts, solicited manuscripts for them, had to fire off rejections and edits, and bam-- Made them happen!

Current deadlines always seem to cloud past accomplishments, so let's have some fun and take a trip down memory lane, shall we?...and sure, [cough, cough], feel free to grab one or two off Amazon!

First things first. "Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start!"

Clash of the Couples was my first foray into the paperback world.

The [somewhat] racy cover and concept-- writing about our most ridiculous marital arguments-- brought out the prude in some people, but I don't really care: I still think the concept was totally fresh and creative. And if you can't handle the shirtless guy and a fully covered female's private parts, then, um, maybe you need to go make out with your spouse or something. It's really NOT that scandalous, folks.

It's funny. It's fresh. it'll make you chuckle tonight as you nudge your husband to get him to stop snoring.

Book Numero Dos:

Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. This was another group effort by some of my ultimate favorite female writers.

This book has a quirky title that some of us (yes, okay, me too) might have had to Google {"what's a trollop?"} but I really like the concept: off-beat lessons-- some humorous, some serious-- we learned from our mothers and other women-who-are-older-than-us.

I wrote one called, "There's Nothing Attractive About a Drunk Girl," (yeah, let that sink in for a sec...), and I'll be hanging on to a copy of this book to share with my own little lady when she heads off to college some day. Enough said.

Book Number 3:

This one should be required reading for all new parents, published by the duo at Lose the Cape publishing: Never Will I Ever (and then I had kids!). It's written by those of us who Knew It ALL...until we had kids of our own. Yeah. Cringe.

This anthology reveals all those "oh yeahhhhh" moments in excruciating, self-deprecating glory. With plenty of humor and solidarity to keep you going during a long night of "second/third/10th good nights"/ nursing marathons / epic tantrums.

Has a cover image ever been so ON POINT?

4th Book:

Next up is You Do You, published by the unstoppable Jen Mann of the "People I Want to Punch in the Throat" fame.

This one was such a passion project for me and all the female writers (yes, all female!) who contributed to it. The concept was to write something that would empower the girls in our lives, whether it be funny, emotional, or both.

I truly hope I did that with my story, and I can't wait to share this one with my own daughter when she's just a little older. [She's a badass, so I know she'll love it.]

And I was even on t.v. for this one! Yes, real, LIVE t.v.! And no, I've never watched my section. Ha!

Last but certainly not least:

Will Work for Apples brought together my love of writing and my love of teaching, all in one diverse, forward-thinking anthology, again published by Jen Mann.

What an HONOR to be a part of this one!

I loved sharing the growth as a teacher I've experienced since I've become a parent, and I thoroughly enjoyed the other contributions from a diverse and interesting group of authors. I'd highly recommend this one to parents, soon-to-be-parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators...basically, everyone involved with schools and education.

That's 5 of 5, people. Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me.

I'm pretty humbled as I look at this unique list of books. I can't thank the publishers and readers enough for their support of me and of all the independent, freelance writers out there baring our souls, and sharing our words, our stories, and our lives and loves!

Thank you.

P.S. If you are interested in following along with more of my publishing feats, you can find that on my freelance website, JuliaStarrArnold.com.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

My baby is turning 7, how can this be?

2019-09-11T20:50:00.000-05:00

Hello? Anyone out there?

How was my last post in July? How is it now September?

I know you can relate. Fall is such a busy season. Though, I must admit, I am a little weary of everyone-- including myself-- always saying just how "busy" they are. I don't think that's changing anytime soon for most of us. Busy is family life.

Anyhoo... my little baby, the one who longtime readers have 'known' since she was born in 2012, will be SEVEN in the wee hours of the morning.

Seven feels big to me, perhaps because that's an age when I begin to remember a lot from my own childhood. Seven is, for whatever reason, an age where I can almost feel and touch the memories from my childhood. My favorite fluffy white stuffed animal. The feel of my soft pink-checked baby blanket I still slept with at the time. The family cat and dog who patiently let me carry her around, practically thrown over my shoulder. We can conjure it all up easier than those nebulous 4, 5, or 6 year old memories.

Being a mother has been more challenging than I could have ever predicted. But it's something I always wanted and will never regret.

So help me wish a happiest of birthdays to my little girl, the one who I couldn't have dreamed up in a million years.

Yes, that's us with our puppy. Hunting. HA!

~"Mom" (because, yes, bittersweetly, she insists on calling me that rather than Mommy or Mama, the baby names she once called me (though occasionally, as luck might have it, she'll call me Mommy, and I don't make a show of it so she'll keep doing it).

Finding Inspiration Whenever We Can

2019-07-24T20:27:00.001-05:00

What is it about the end of July?

In so many ways, I think it's the absolute best time of year, especially here in the midwest, where it's cold way too much of the year. Those of us living here know these warm summer days are far too limited and we will enjoy every single one of these hot and humid days, dammit! We'll suck the life out of them!

The days now are long and usually sunny. The occasional storms are kind of cool. You can wear shorts and t-shirts all day, which are probably my favorite-of-all clothes. In fact, I feel most at home in shorts and a loose t-shirt and tank top than in anything else. It must go back to my Indiana cross-country running roots. The looser and lighter the clothing, the better! Anyhoo...

The familiar smell of baby sunscreen fills the air. Pink cheeks and new freckles appear anyways.

You don't need to throw on that puffy down coat every time you go out to check the mail. It stays light past, say, 4:30 p.m.

There's a lot to love about July.

But as I like to say, I'm no Pollyanna. Nothing is ever 'perfect,' and July in Minnesota is no different. The mosquitos are livin' large, as well as the itchy buzzy flies. Your kids will get poison ivy and/or sunburned no matter how diligent you are, and yes, you will certainly hear about it. Swimmers itch might happen. Or maybe a yeast infection. Ha!

Oh yeah, and need I remind parents of preschool and school-aged children everywhere? There's no school.

This means every minute of entertainment, socialization, education, and enrichment falls on us-- the parents. Camps are great and all, but by this time in the summer, I'm missing the lack of school day structure a bit. I like knowing what my day is going to look like, and in the summer months, just about every day looks different.

That's ok. It's okay....breathe... breathe... I tell myself.

I will tell you something good though, my friends: it appears that somehow, somewhere, in the midst of both kids being home, epic puppy-rearing, and a death in the family (we lost one of the kids' grandfathers in June. The loss was a big one), and all the expectations and activity that summer brings, I might have just broken through my epic writer's block.

Weeeee!!!!

(I'm actually scared to write this. I don't want my drive to vanish again, but if I can't share it with my readers, then who?)

It's been a rough few months for the writer in me. I simply haven't had the time or inspiration to sit down and write. Nothing has grabbed me and made me pass up, say, shaving my legs in the shower, or taking a solo trip to Target, or going to bed early (basically the things I might give up to write in the past) in order to sit for even a few minutes and type at my trusty keyboard.

A huge part of that is due to the new baby, er, puppy, we got in April. (Puppies aren't for wimps, people!), but I think it's been more than that. I simply haven't felt inspired. I was busy, yes. But who isn't? It seemed like I always had something I needed/wanted to do instead-- from basics like laundry and preparing meals for the family, to meeting with my tutoring clients, spending time with my family, driving to and from events... and did I mention a fantastic but very long little league baseball season? The list of reasons and excuses goes on.

But somehow, in the midst of the mosquitos who are ravenous for my O Negative blood, and the early morning wake-ups my kids enjoy ever so much no matter if it's Monday, Thursday, or Sunday, I've been a bit, yes, dare I say it? Inspired.

I wrote a poem.

No one in the world likely needs to see it, but I did it. It's about my daughter, and it felt cathartic and great. I'll at least print it and put it in a keepsake box for her to read eventually.

Then I surprised myself and wrote an article-- a whole actual article!-- and submitted it to a new publication. Again, will it see the light of day? I don't know. I would like it to, of course, but the fact that I actually wrote something and that I liked and sent it out felt so reassuring. Reassuring to who I am and who I've worked to be.

And now, here I am, sneaking away in the evening as the kids watch a show on the Food Network (yeah, it's a new thing for them and I kind of love it) to type out a quick blog post for my most favorite of passion projects, my original home, my dear, dear blog. And boy does it feel good! [takes celebratory swig of Mango Blue Moon beer and glances at sleeping puppy, wondering when she'll wake up and need to pee].

...

So that's me this late July evening. How goes it with all of you? Have you felt inspired to get in touch with your passions this summer? Or has it been an unfruitful season for whatever your joy and purpose typically is?

Take heart, sometimes you just need a break. If I'm any proof, maybe we just need to give ourselves a break, try to get some of that elusive sleep, eat some pizza, and trust in ourselves and our abilities, and hope and know it will come back. It may take a longer time than we want or expect, but it will.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Meet Our Newest Addition

2019-05-28T15:33:00.002-05:00

Hello friends!

It's been a while, yes? That's because of one thing and one thing only:

BOO!

(Or should I say, one pup and one pup only?)

It's true. A little over a month ago, we happened to acquire another addition here in the Frantic Mama household.

Her name is Sunny. And it was allll my decision to get her and convince my family we couldn't live without her.

Let me introduce you to our newest handful, Sunny.

Before we got a puppy-- kind of like when you're pregnant or hoping to get pregnant-- everyone who has had puppies before me felt the need to inform me how much work the puppy would be. I even had people think it was their place to tell me not to get one.

Aw, naw. Don't be telling a tough, hardworking grown woman what she can or can't do, people! Amiright?!

But I digress...

We got one, despite all the [annoying] naysayers, and has it been a ton of work? Has it been life-changing? Yes!

Yes, indeed it has!

(But it's also been worth it, for the record.)

I might have scoffed if someone compared dog ownership to having a child before going through the ringer myself, but now that I've done both, I can say that yes ma'am, having a puppy at home keeps me almost as busy as having a baby or toddler! They are constant little tornadoes of energy... until they sleep...and those naps are most precious to us hoomans. (Just like those of us who savor/ed our baby/toddlers' naps. It's much the same. Naps are the best invention of all time in the whole wide world.).

In case you don't believe me, I came up with a handy dandy meme about it. (While the puppy napped. Because just like babies, there is no getting anything done when your puppy/baby is up.).

It's funny how the world turns, because back in the day (9 years ago), I was the first of most of my good friends to have a baby, and after I had one, I didn't feel like any of them really 'got' what it was like to be home with a baby 24/7. Life-altering doesn't feel strong enough.

And while a puppy may not be quite as life-altering as a baby, it's very clear that people who've never done it truly don't know what my day is currently like with a pup. (This gives me a brilliant idea: maybe they should borrow Sunny for a day. Ha! Please feel free to puppysit, folks.)

I'd love to hear from other busy mamas who decided to dive in and get a pet. We already have a much-loved cat and a bunny, and they also provide us with tons of joy and love. I feel like Sunny has a lot of joy to share with us in the years ahead. And for all the work it's been, it's also exciting to grow our family.

And...she's up! Quick, someone grab a Kong and fill it with peanut butter so I can finish my sentence...

Until next time, find more frantic motherhood fun (without the sarcasm & snark) on Facebook.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Let's Give Marie Kondo a Break

2019-03-13T10:35:00.003-05:00

I get it. The Japanese tidying method invented and popularized by entrepreneur Marie Kondo is an easy target. Making fun of her premise to only keep things that "spark joy" is easy to make fun of because, let's ask ourselves: do these Rubbermaid containers spark joy? Does my favorite pair of old sweatpants spark joy? No, not exactly. The containers are simply a necessity. And, well, so are the pants. Ha!

What bugs me when people hate on the actual person-- like Kondo-- is that it reflects that tendency to forget that public figures are actually people with feelings. It's easy to think that comments making fun of her-- and I've seen even some vicious ones-- will never reach a real person. Why would she care anyway, right? She's probably made millions from her book and her t.v. show. And maybe she won't ever see them. But still. Do we want to put more negativity out there? Especially towards other women?

Have you watched Marie Kondo on her Netflix show or read the book from cover to cover? She is the most humble, down to earth, sweet person. She doesn't judge people. She truly seems to be there to help them live better lives. And yes, she's been highly successful at it.

Also, as a woman and a mother, how is it ever a good thing to knock down a successful woman who has created an entire brand (and yes, she has two young children to boot)? She's one of many women who have been successful with class, kindness, and intelligence. We should be building them up!

I know I wouldn't want my daughter to see me belittle another woman, especially one like Marie Kondo who embodies qualities many of us value-- non-judgmental, kindness, enthusiasm, smarts. You name it.

We need to think before we pull the punches and remember our sons and daughters are watching us. Maybe it's just Twitter to you, but if she happens to be reading the comments that day-- or your kids saw them-- will you feel good about what you wrote?

It's about to go up a notch in here...wait for it...

Can we extend this to other strong women? How about our current First Lady? That's another situation that irks me. Whether or not you voted for her husband, why do so many insist on making fun of her and "hating" her? She's a mother (and I'm always trying to support other moms), and she has given back to many charities and philanthropies (the American Cross, Love Our Children USA, the Police Athletic League, Wounded Warrior Project, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, to name a few). She visits children in hospitals and schools constantly.

Making cruel remarks about her just because you don't like her husband or her political views is thoughtless behavior I would never ever want my daughter see me show towards other women.

Can we keep judgments to ourselves and not bash other successful woman who are working hard to create careers and basically just live their lives? I know so many awesome ladies, and I know together we can find a more positive way to support each other, even if our priorities and causes differ from each other.

That is all.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

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5 Friday Faves: February Edition

2019-02-05T13:49:00.001-06:00

Well, did you survive January?

I did, but just barely. Boy oh boy am I glad to move on to February. Yes, it's still cold. It's still snowy. It still gets dark early...but it's also just a little less cold (or hinting at less cold), and it's a little less dark. February has always been a comforting reminder for me that yes, winter will end eventually, and spring will arrive.

Here are a few of my current faves to help us eek out as much enjoyment from February as we can. Enjoy!

1. Kuhl brand clothes. I'm always on the hunt for warm clothes that won't make me feel frumpy. (Ever noticed how those two usually go hand in hand?) I stumbled upon this outdoorsy brand recently, and I am now the proud owner of a couple of their fleece tops-- a half-zip pullover and a zip-up vest. No buyer's remorse here! I already wear them constantly and feel no frumpiness about it.

2. Too Cute! (Animal Planet). Did you experience any weather-related school closings in January? Here in Minnesota, we did. We had 4 days in a row cancelled due to severely cold weather. By the final day of being trapped inside with young kids, I gave up and found a show OnDemand that I seriously had to watch and told the kids to just sit there and watch it with me (ha!).

What's not to love? It's a fluffy documentary series about puppies and kittens of various breeds that follows the wee ones from birth until they go to new homes. I'm 100% addicted! I'm pretty sure I sit with a big goofy grin on my face the entire episode. If you love animals, you'll love it too.

3. Beauty Sleep Tea. Remember how I wrote that I'm trying to drink decaf tea in the evenings to unwind before bed? One company came up with an elixir that is just beyond clever with their marketing ("beautify while you sleep") and gorgeous packaging that I was a total sucker and bought it on the spot: Republic of Tea's Beauty Sleep Tea.

I can make my my skin all bright and glowy with a cup of tea infused with all kinds of "beautifying botanicals"? Sold! It tastes really nice and mild. I sometimes have it in the afternoon because it doesn't really make me sleepy-- it's more relaxing.

4. Sea Salt Caramels (Von Maur). It is the month of love (and chocolate) after all! My husband proposed 12 (I think?) years ago on Valentine's Day, so the Day of Love will always hold a special place in my heart (Get it? Heart? Valentine's Day?).

Anyway, no February Faves list would be complete without a treat or two, and here's something I've been munching on and hiding from my kids: the chocolate-covered sea salt caramels from Von Maur.

Delish!

5. Warriors book series. I always try to put one kid-friendly product in my faves-- something that's actually tried and true in our house. To go with the "too cute" theme, I have a young adult book series recommendation for anyone with a cat lover in their house.

Warriors is a pretty advanced youth series with challenging vocabulary and length (they're super long!), so for families with younger cat lovers, I'd recommend reading it aloud to your kids. They're very dramatic, but you'll crack up at how the author calls people "two legs," and often mentions the cats' "fresh kill piles." It's all from the cat's respective, and well, I could go on an on, but I'll sound like a crazy cat lady...

That's all she wrote, folks! And don't be strangers. I'd love to hear about your faves this time of year. I'm posting this before Friday as a little extra treat for all you hardworking mamas out there ;).

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Self-Care for 2019

2018-12-21T10:08:00.005-06:00

Self-care has been a buzzword(s) for a while now. I think that's a great thing. It means many of us realize how important it is to put on our own oxygen mask before assisting others.

But in reality, even the best intentions of self-care are easy to let slip. My own emotional vices and challenges-- perfectionism, insomnia, hyper-ambition-- can shadow my best intentions of self-care. Physically and mentally daunting, I work 3 part-time jobs, raise two kids without childcare or family help, and have a home to keep decent without a housekeeper. Woe is not me-- many of you have busy lives too. We're fortunate to have kids and homes and jobs and goals and volunteer work and what-have-yous. I'm just pointing out it's so easy to take a backseat in your own life.

So, as many of us do, I'm setting some positive goals for 2019, and I've already started working on them (teacher's pet and all). In the recent past, my New Year's resolutions were about focusing on finding the fun in life. I still plan to do that. It's an awesome goal and I'm [usually] an eternal optimist. But recently I'm thinking that in order to fully enjoy life and live out all that fun, there are certain things I need to add and subtract from my life.

Here are some of my newest self-care measures. I'd love to hear what you prioritize for the sake of your own physical and mental health, and/or what it is that blocks you from taking care of yourself fully.

My 6 Self-Care Measures:

1. Less Texting. When I had babies and toddlers climbing all over me, all the time, texting was a gift. It helped me connect with family and friends when I was at home almost 24/7, surviving a cycle of nap schedules, bedtime routines, long winters, constant sickness, etc. However, I've noticed that if I have the sound turned on my phone, it dings with a new text at least a couple of times an hour. That constant steady, stream adds up. It interrupts my time with my kids, my writing time, my alone time. All of it!

So I'm texting less and less. When I do text, I'm trying to keep it focused on practical things-- what time/where are we meeting, can we carpool to sports, have the kids had dinner yet, etc.-- rather than never-ending conversations.

I also just disabled group messaging on my phone. I feel like those can easily get out of hand-- all the sudden there are like 8 people on there and none of the messages really apply to me. It feels stressful, especially if the tone takes a turn for the worse. If people need to reach me, they can certainly still send me an individual text, make a phone call, leave a voicemail, send an email, etc. The options to connect are still rather endlessly daunting.

2. On that same note, I've been turning my phone completely off earlier and earlier each night. I figure, nothing truly needs to get my attention past, say 8 o'clock, does it? The social media posts can wait. Late night texts never lead to anything good. Voicemails can be listened to in the morning. If there's an emergency, well, what can I do about it at 11 at night anyway? Knock on my door if you really need me.

For my own relaxation purposes and my need for family time, alone time, and sleep, I decided yes, turning off the phone-- and it's powerful blue light-- is a simple self-care move I can make on a nightly basis. And no, I can't really care if it makes someone mad who likes texting me late at night. In fact, maybe I should text them at 5:30 when I usually wake up... nooooo, that's just getting evil ;).

3. I would venture to guess that 90% of people make it an annual goal to exercise more. And why not? It's clearly a healthy move for all of us. It's just not easy to stick with on top of kids, a house, job(s)... life. But since September, I've tried to get to a group exercise class two times a week.

Much less often than some, but it's what I can fit in realistically for now. It helps take the edge off, and I feel stronger and more energized. In the depths of winter, making myself get up and move really helps my overall mood. Which, of course, is a win for my whole family.

Happy, healthy woman = happy, healthy mother.

4. Sleep keeps popping up on this list. It's just so important! So I've also switched to drinking a cup of calming, sleepy-time tea most nights over a cocktail. Wine definitely wakes me up at night, and I rarely drink it. I'll always love a great wheat beer, but again, most nights, not as much as I love a great night's sleep. I'm experimenting with Golden Milk too (Google it). All the potions...

5. Would you believe I've lived in Minnesota for over a dozen years and had never bought a 'happy light' (i.e. sun lamp) until this year?! Now we have one on our kitchen counter, and I turn it on at 7 a.m. sharp every morning (the sun doesn't rise until at least 7:30 these days), and from 4-5 p.m. every evening (it gets dark here by 4:30!). I can't prove 100% if it magically improves mood and energy levels, but it certainly can't hurt. I think it feels way more normal to have light at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. than total darkness!

6. Here's my final self-care measure, and it's intense ya'll!: I'm actively trying to stop letting people bulldoze over me and then being the pushover who just lets them waltz back into my life whenever it's convenient for them. We regularly remind our kids of the Golden Rule-- treat others how you want to be treated-- so why do I forgive and forget so easily without so much as an explanation from the hurtful party? My whole life I've put other peoples' feelings above my own. It's exhausting and probably not a healthy pattern.

I'm far from perfect, but I do try to treat people with kindness and respect, and if they don't return that simple favor, then it's not my job to make room for them in my life right now. My plate is just too full. An apology can turn things around quickly, but it has to be said. I don't have room for self-focused, careless types right now.

Whew.

Readers: I'd love to hear your self-care plans for 2019. What positive changes do you want to make and what practical measures can you take to get there? Message me. Leave a comment. Remember to put yourself first when you can so that you are in the best emotional shape you can be to care for others.

It's so easy to forget, but so important to keep working on. I'm right there with you!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

My Adventures in Instant Pot Land

2018-12-05T09:16:00.004-06:00

I don't remember when I first started hearing about Instant Pots, but the buzz has been building and I was intrigued...here's my story!

...

I must start with a shoutout to my brave friend Jen for lending me her cherished Instant Pot. I mentioned I was toying with the idea of buying one and giving it a whirl, and she said I could give hers a test run. How generous!

For reference, this is an Instant Pot:

It's a fast-acting pressure cooker that resembles a slow cooker crossed with a futuristic rice cooker and comes with every other bell and whistle you can think of (porridge anyone?). The issue: it's intimidating! So many buttons! And what is pressure cooking anyway? Will it explode? What are those noises?

After staring at Jen's pot on my kitchen counter for almost a week, I decided I had to least try it before I returned it to her. There is one important step I took prior to my launch: Jen walked me through how to put the lid on and off (yes, instruction is necessary for this), how to use the quick release steam valve (it's a thing), how to clean it, and she pointed out a couple of other functions.

If you want to give one a go, I highly recommend having one of your Instant Pot friends do a hands-on demo for you. Second best option: watch some You Tube videos!

Ok, so here's what I did one morning, feeling brave (and this is no joke):

1. I sprayed some Pam in the pot because I didn't want to ruin her pristine stainless steel bowl, and I added a pound of chicken breast tenderloins.

Yes, you just plop them at the bottom of the stainless steel bowl.

2. I drained a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes and dumped the contents on top of the chicken.

I always have a couple cans of this on hand: it's great to add to taco meat or chili.

3. I closed the lid, set it Poultry, and let it pressure cook for 20 minutes.

4. I did a Quick Release once the 20 minutes was up (watch out-- lots of steam comes out the top!), I took the lid off, and here's what it looked like. Not so promising, BUT...

5. After stirring and draining the excess liquid, look what I had! A bowl of juicy, moist (sorry to people who have aversions to those words; they're the only accurate ones I can think of!) shredded chicken (it shreds super easily) with a mild salsa sauce!

Voila! My very first Instant Pot dish: I call it Salsa Chicken but you could definitely be more honest and call it Chicken & Ro-tel :).

Here's the kicker: my son LOVED the chicken and couldn't get enough. That says it all, folks.

Follow up:

After scrubbing the washable parts, I tried to give the machine back to Jen, but she insisted I give it another try... I was worried. What on earth would I make next? Wasn't I pushing my luck?

I like to end on a good note, but she was right. Before I buy one, I should try one 'step up' recipe. Did you know you can brown ground meat in this thing? Yeah, that's what I wanted to do.

Enter my vision of making a big pot of chili all in one pot. No separate frying pan to brown the meat first. But where to begin?!

So many sites have complicated recipes they say are simple, but come on. Most involved all kinds of button pushing. I wanted to be as hands-off as possible. Luckily, I eventually found a great turkey chili recipe on Oh Sweet Basil.

Did I have everything on hand their recipe required? Of course not! So I subbed in a few things I had in my pantry and it still turned out fantastic.

A big pot of hot, flavorful chili in under 30 minutes. Awesomeness. Scroll to the end of the post below for my subs if you want to try your own.*

I feel like my food images don't do it justice, but it smells delish and tastes even better! YUM!

So will I buy one? I haven't officially decided yet, but I think I will eventually. I'm not in a rush. I think I only need the 6 Qt. version for my family of four. I used the 8 qt. and I don't have a bunch of extra cupboard space-- it is not a small thing. Perhaps the after-Christmas sales will speak to me...

In the meantime, I'd love to hear if you have an Instant Pot, if you've tried it, and if you love it or hate it!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

*My chili subs:

I had only one can of beans (I used Great Northerns).

I subbed one of the two cups of chicken broth for one cup of tomato sauce.

I didn't add the bacon (didn't have any).

Still yum!

Five Friday Faves: Holiday Edition

2018-11-29T19:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone and TGIF!

I've been jotting down my favorites over the last few weeks and only the best of the best are making the cut for this special holiday edition of my Five Friday Faves. Enjoy!

Ho Ho Ho! Let's go shopping!

1. Starbucks Gingerbread Latte

You need sugar and caffeine to get started on that shopping list, right? Who doesn't? A Pumpkin Spice Latte this is not. The Gingerbread Latte preceded the PSL, I believe, and it doesn't get nearly the love and attention it deserves.

It is my ultimate fave when it comes to treating myself to a ridiculously expensive coffee. Please note: I like a little sweetness but not too much, so I ask for 1-2 pumps of the syrup, and definitely keep the whip & add a dash of nutmeg. Perfection!

2. Lands End Boots.

In Minnesota, boots aren't just for fun. We NEED them. And if you're like me, you need lots of them. They have to be warm, waterproof, and easy to get on and off. I also like it when they look cute of course! You could say I'm pretty much a boot expert.

Loving these warm, high-quality, affordable Lands End boots!

I found this warm, cozy, cute pair on LandsEnd.com (who, I must say, has revamped its ladies styles and Mama Likey!). These run true to size if you are wearing thick socks, and unlike some brands, they don't feel like you're wearing two ten pound weights tied around your ankles. They zip on and off and are snug on the calf. I wear them almost daily.

3. Horse Diaries books from Random House.

If you follow me on Instagram (and if you don't, you most certainly should!), you might have seen my post about this great little chapter book series for the young animal lover in your life. High-quality plot and dialogue for independent reading (mid-to-late elementary set), or fun for reading aloud to younger kids and/or struggling/non-readers.

Great book series for young readers or for reading aloud!

The coolest part is that each book is written from the perspective of a horse, and each one is set in a different era and location (think 1800's Iceland, or early 1900's Virginia). Educational, engaging, and animal-friendly. Love!

4. Woodfire Scented Candle by Illume.

I can go months without remembering to light a single scented candle in our kitchen, and then, poof! I remember to light one which reminds me just how much I enjoy the simple pleasure of a wonderful-smelling candle flickering in the house... It's even better on dark, cold evenings.

This one by Illume (manufactured in Minnesota) smells like Christmas with a hint of vanilla, and it comes in a beautiful gold container. I'll be getting a couple extra to prolong the feeling into the dark months of January and February. Thymes Fraiser Fir Tree smells like the real deal too.

(Side note: I feel like candles get a bad rap for gift-giving, but I love giving and receiving them!)

5. Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies.

Here's a free idea for a little festive holiday entertainment. Turn the channel to Hallmark and enjoy one of their delicious, predictable, happily-ever-after Christmas movies!

I'm a sucker for some romance and a happy ending-- and I love Candace Cameron and Lori Loughlin (of Full House fame), and they're in just about every other one. Plus, the hubby will watch these with me once the kids are tucked in for the night (visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads)! So fun.

What are you loving and giving this holiday season? Do tell!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

P.S. As always, none of my faves are paid advertisements or brand sponsored. They're all the real deal! Be sure to follow along with my misadventures in Motherhood on Facebook.

Laughing with me or at me?

2018-11-15T15:10:00.002-06:00

I've known from a young age I am more sensitive than the average Joe. If there were a scale (1 being extremely hardened to ten being extremely sensitive, I'd be a solid 8 (9/10 if I'm lacking sleep)).

It helped clarify things for me when I stumbled upon the Highly Sensitive Child and the Highly Sensitive Person when my son was in preschool and I was trying to put my finger on what made him a little 'different' or, shall we say, quirky, than roughly 75% of kids (about 25% of the population, according to the author, falls into the Highly Sensitive category).

Bingo! That's it! He has a heightened sensitivity to the world around us. I remember it felt like one of those cartoon light bulbs turning on above my head. (Note: despite the name, the trait of high sensitivity isn't all about 'getting feelings hurt easily,' like most of us associate the word 'sensitive' with. That just happens to be the aspect I'm focusing on today).

As it turned out, my husband read the books too and figured out he was the same way. So I suppose we are a family of highly sensitive people.

I've embraced this trait now and I actually enjoy watching it manifest in my children. Being highly sensitive may not make things easier, but it can be a gift in many ways, and it can help us grow our empathy.

Still. With gifts come challenges, yes?

Confession time:

I HATE feeling like I am being laughed at. I hate it when I'm not taken seriously. I'm sure no one likes it, as children show hurt when being teased early on. That feeling has never gone away for me.

How about you? It's not fun for anyone, right?

Nothing shuts me down faster. The walls go right up.

As soon as I start to feel like the joke is on me, a barely-concealed mean/sarcastic face is being made about something I said, or there's a chuckle at something I said that was not intended to be funny, I commence the shut-down process.

I either:

A. Escape the conversation (in the case of a fight or flight response, that definitely falls into the second category).

B. If A is impossible, I try to refocus the conversation on someone or something else, the self-protective message being, if you are going to make fun of me, this part of the conversation is over.

Neither of these responses are perfect or ideal, I guess, but I'm always a little in shock in the moment (the comebacks I come up with at 2 a.m. are so good though!).

Shockingly to a highly sensitive person, some people do NOT appear to pick up on Cue A or Cue B. How do I know this? Because they repeat the behavior! Over and over again. What do you do if there is a certain person or people in your life who find a way to laugh at you every chance they get? I'm asking, because I don't know!

Maybe I'm an easy target because I wear a soft-shell, but I feel like there is a small handful of people in my life who have demonstrated this behavior on a frequent basis. People I know are decent people-- they're certainly not evil! So why do they do it?

Is ignorance bliss? Are they squarely located on the 1-3 section of the scale, where it truly doesn't click that 'oh, laughing at everything she says is probably verging on Mean Girls territory?'

Or is it social awkwardness on their part? Do they laugh our of nervousness or anxiety? That at least gives me some patience with it.

Or is it something darker?

Should I just point it out right when it happens, and hope it puts things to a stop once and for all? [cringe!]

I'm not sure. It may make things worse. Or at least painfully uncomfortable. What I do know is that I don't laugh at people who aren't making jokes, and I'm teaching my kids to do the same.

I'm also asking on behalf of us 7 plusses on the scale, to all of you 5 and under folks, to take a step back occasionally during social visits with your friends and family. Do you notice you laugh at one of them frequently? Are you sure they're trying to be funny? Are they truly enjoying the conversation? It's good to remember not everything is a joke, and not everyone wants their comments laughed at or to see eyes rolling when they talk. It's belittling and hurtful, even if we try to be brave and smile through it.

That's my PSA for the day, folks. Especially as Thanksgiving is ~~hurtling~~ rolling towards us. We'll all be in close quarters with lots of people soon. I'm far from perfect, but I know I have a heightened awareness of feelings-- even more so now that I have children-- and I'll be working hard to be kind to those around me. That's what I want them to see. There are a lot of feelings out there, and it sure makes the holidays more fun when we take a step back and think about how we talk with people and the reactions we give them.

P.S. And if you are thinking hmmmm is this about me? Maybe pause and ask yourself, hmmmm why do I think this could be about me?

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Five Friday Faves: It's BACK!

2018-10-05T15:49:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite series from Frantic Mama was my weekly Five Friday Faves, where I picked a few things/foods/drinks/activities I was loving and shared them with my wonderful readers. That list turned into a bi-weekly one, to seasonal, to...well, it's been a while.

Life gets busy, as we all know.

But I want to revive the Five Faves this year! It is extremely unlikely (re: not going to happen) that I'll manage a new list every week, but let's hope I can share some faves about once a month. Goals are good, right?

So here we go. For the first time in a looooongggg time, may I present you with Frantic Mama's Five Friday Faves: October 2018 Edition!

1. Tone It Up Protein Powder. Did you buy tickets to the gun show yet? Because you better watch out for my killer biceps! Ha. Yeah right. But I have always been a pretty health-conscious person. Maybe a health nut, even. Whatever. I like feeling energized, strong, and active. The thing is, I also need a lot of fuel throughout the day to stay active and energized. You'll never find me without a granola bar on hand. I've been adding more protein to my daily diet, and I even started using protein powder for the first time.

This brand, Tone It Up, is something I noticed at Target on a whim. I always associated protein powder with big dudes who go to gyms (I am neither of those things), but this line is clearly geared towards those of us with two X chromosomes.

It also uses pea protein, which I prefer to meat-based or whey protein, and it doesn't have anything artificial in it. I try to mix it into a smoothie a few days a week.

Here's my winning recipe: 8 oz. almond, soy, or dairy milk, half a banana, a few strawberries, a few ice cubes, and one scoop of this powder. Throw it all in a blender and voila! A delicious protein shake that also helps get more fruit into my diet.

2. You Do You, edited by Jen Mann. I'd be remiss not to mention a little book I happened to contribute to...

You Do You: a collection of essays from all-female, multi-generational authors, sharing their thoughts on being a girl, raising daughters, or simply being female in today's world.

It's funny. It's bittersweet. It's inspiring. Buy your copy today to support the authors.

Share it with your friends!

Find it online, in Kindle or Paperback on Amazon, or on iTunes for your iPad.

3. Beta Brand Pants

A friend (and longtime Frantic Mama lurker ;)) told me about these pants when I noticed how nice her work slacks always looked. She called them Yoga Pants Work Pants or something like that, and since I speak fluent Yoga Pants, I knew I had to try them out.

Indeed. They feature an elastic waistband (hooray!), and the material is stretchy but substantial and not as casual as workout leggings or yoga pants.

I ordered the new bootcut style with pockets, and it was true love!

Caution: I'm almost 5'6, and I exchanged the regular length for petite. I don't wear high heels ~~often~~ ever, so I wanted mine to fit with flats. Just a head's up for the under 5'7 set!

4. Magnolia Paints.

Those who have been with me for a while know I love me a little home improvement project now and then. Well, the time has finally friggin' come for our dining room makeover!

"Makeover" might be a little strong, but I have wanted to repaint the room since we moved in about 7 years ago! 7 YEARS! It's currently bright turquoise. I love turquoise. I just don't want it on my dining room walls.

Part of the problem is that Frantic Mama Hubby is a self-admitted commitment-phobe (yes, we dated forever), so agreeing on colors was too hard, and I gave up trying to find one.

Magnolia paints to the rescue! Who doesn't love Fixer Upper? Don't you want to climb into the t.v. and move into any single house they have ever 'fixed up?'

It's a show both of us actually like (magic!) and we almost always agree on the design and colors Chip and Joanna choose (yes, let's say I'm on a first-name basis with them).

Frantic Mama Hubby TOTALLY SHOCKED me one day recently, when he showed me the color sample he brought home (after nixing all of the taupes I had tried).

Do you want to know what color he-- my duck-hunting, sports-obsessed, meat-eating, all-American husband chose?

PINK!!!!

The Magnolia pinks are SO BEAUTIFUL and subtle and not cotton candy at all. In a dining room, with our black furniture and sparkly chandelier, I think it is going to be what the kids call On Point. (stay tuned). I can't wait to get started! (One minor detail: we haven't agreed on the white trim yet. Of course.)

5. Ketel One Cucumber & Mint.

You didn't think I'd leave out a cocktail in my Friday Faves, did you? Heavens no!

There's just one teeny, tiny hiccup: I haven't actually tried it yet. This delightful-looking concoction was an impulse buy at the new grocery store in town, and I grabbed a bottle to add to my quickly growing bill.

But don't panic. Don't worry one little bit, folks. I will do my due diligence and give it a try tonight!

Cheers! Happy Friday!

What's on your fave list these days? Do tell! I love trying new things, and if I love yours, I'll try to feature it in a future list.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

P.S. Want to help spread the word about Frantic Mama? Try sharing this post on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. Or leave a comment. Or, just find me and like me on Facebook. All of these feed the deep dark emptiness in my soul.

Exciting News

2018-09-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

I'm soooo excited. My essay was accepted to be part of Jen Mann's newest anthology, You Do You, a collection of essays and poetry with an all-female line-up. What makes it even more unique is that women and girls of all ages contributed to this book, from high school on up!

Today is release day!

Jen Mann is the author and editor behind the New York Times bestselling book, I Just Want to Pee Alone (what mother can't relate to that? Genius.) and the "People I want to Punch in the Throat" series (yes, it's as badass as it sounds).

My essay in You Do You is in part inspired by my young daughter-- the girl in my life who constantly reminds me to evaluate how I'm currently living and how I want to live, and to make sure those are lining up as much as they can.

I am forever trying to set a positive example for both of my kids, fully aware that being a mother plays a powerful role in shaping our children's belief systems and futures.

I'm in love with the sparkly, pink cover design.

My essay is also, in part, inspired by a frustrating trend I'd noticed on social media last year-- basically, women frequently giving so much credit to everyone else for their accomplishments. I saw a need to remind women and girls that it is more than okay-- it's the right thing to do-- to take credit for much of what we accomplish and achieve. No one does our lives for us, so let's take some credit where credit is due!

Here's the thing: I'm aware my story might rub some people the wrong way. It might come off as abrasive (or, one of my most hated terms: "femi-nazi." Just Yuck.), but it was a story I had to tell whether or not people would like it. As soon as I heard Jen Mann's concept, I knew this is the piece I had to write.

So if you're feeling inspired, intrigued, fierce-- or want to feel that way-- head on over to Amazon, iTunes, and Nook for Barnes & Noble, and buy your own lovely copy of You Do You. In doing so, you'll be supporting all of the contributors and our independent publisher.

Want more ideas on how to support me and this publication? Here are some simple ideas to consider:

Choose it for your next book club pick.
Give a copy to your daughter, niece, cousin, or neighbor in high school or college.
Buy a copy for yourself and then save it for your daughter when she is old enough to read it.
Share your thoughts about it on Facebook (especially if you like it!).
Give some as Christmas gifts to friends, sisters, in-laws, teachers.
Bonus Points: Boys and men can read it too. In fact, they would be a fantastic audience.

Thank you for your support of Frantic Mama and for all of the books I've contributed to! In the meantime, my wish for you is: YOU DO YOU!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Summertime, and the livin's... not easy

2018-08-11T10:56:00.003-05:00

Ah, summertime.

The long, warm days. The endless hours with nothing to do except lounge in a hammock...strolling to a neighborhood pub in the evening to enjoy a mojito during the last light of day... yeah right.

I suppose there is a brief time in our lives when summer feels just like that. Elementary school, middle school (without the pub), college summers-- the times before you have a hardcore summer job or are working full-time, and especially before you have kids of your own.

I enjoy summer, I promise I do: I love warm, sunny weather, of course, and I love that it stays light longer. I love going to eat outside and dragging my husband to at least one big outdoor concert. I even love baseball games. I love that I can get my kids outside to play as much as possible. Being able to go to a park, go on a bike ride, play in the yard-- all of those things help the kids and I stay somewhat sane during the summer months.

But by August, this is pretty much what I look like:

Actually, she looks better than I do. She has real pants on.

By August, I miss being ALONE. I know everyone needs alone time, but if you are introverted (meaning your energy is restored by being alone for a significant period of time), then you really start to miss connecting to your inner life and attending to the things that bring you joy as an individual.

Plus, I now officially work part-time, freelance writing and tutoring kids with special needs. I work as much as I can in the summer, but believe it or not, I actually miss working my normal hours in the summer (namely, when my kids are in school/preschool). I love what I do, and it's extremely trying to get work done with two young kids underfoot, as you can imagine.

So yeah, I'm more than a little ready for the yellow buses to make a stop at our driveway...

But in Minnesota, schools don't start back until...wait for it... after Labor Day! We kick it old school here because everyone has to go to "the cabin" for one last hoorah.

All that said, I work hard to create a happy summer for my son, daughter, and me. I don't just stick them in front of the t.v. or set my son up with the Xbox (though those tools do come in handy when I'm about to lose my sh*t.).

My favorite thing to do is head out after breakfast-- when I still have some energy and coffee in my system-- and take the kids to a new place. Nothing too far, and nothing too crowded (introverted, remember?). Bathrooms with running water are a real plus.

Just look at this cute gazebo we stumbled upon after I made them go to a Farmer's Market with me on Friday:

They even kind of let me take a photo of them-- together!

We also [attempt] to grow 'stuff' every summer. This year, my daughter was desperate to plant veggies from seeds. It was worth a shot. We planted cucumbers, radish, watermelon (yeah right!), and carrots from seeds.

Here's what we got:

Yes, carrots. Two of them. The tiniest ones of all time. And yes, we ate them.

And check this out! We even did the whole 'making s'mores in the fire pit' thing!

I'll keep this for proof that we did outdoorsy things!

I'm not perfect. Obviously. These are just a few Facebook-worthy snapshots of some fun things we did.

This summer, I also raised my voice more than I would have liked. The kids tortured one too many babysitters while I was tutoring or attempting to enjoy a date night. The kids never slept past 6:30 a.m. all summer. Sadly, I don't think I got in a pool with them at all, not even once. Trust me, we haven't had a 'perfect' summer, and it's more than okay if you didn't either.

In fact, there's nothing that bugs me more than moms feeling like they have to pretend, all Pollyanna-like, that the summer months are the Best Thing Ever. They can be great, yes, and they can also challenging, no matter what your work/home balance is. Life with kids is full of these so good/so hard periods.

As always, I push myself to keep it real. That's the whole point of Frantic Mama, and it has been since the beginning, in 2011, when I decided to let it all hang out and connect with other moms who loved their children but certainly didn't love every second of Motherhood.

So here's to all the moms (and dads) keeping it real this summer. Cheers. You deserve it.

My friend gave me this delicious beer. It's friends like her who remind me why I like people.

What are you looking forward to this September? And yes, it's okay to admit it!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

How I Became a Baseball Mom

2018-06-15T10:35:00.000-05:00

When you become a mother, you learn a lot quickly. Whether you want to or not. Admittedly, some of these lessons are painful-- how to [always] put someone's needs above your own (nursing a baby when you desperately need to go to the bathroom, anyone?), spending an entire day at the airport entertaining toddlers, excruciating nap routines-- the list goes on.

Fortunately, some of the best lessons we learn are good ones.

I recently learned something new about myself: I'm a Baseball Mom.

If you knew me before kids, this should shock you. I used to automatically yawn and grab a book when my husband put on a baseball game. Baseball looked like the most boring sport (besides golf) imaginable. The thought of actually playing it myself in some kind of adult softball league was laughable. The idea alone of the ball coming at me and hitting my square in the face-- not in a million years, thankyouverymuch!

But then something happened. Last spring, my husband enrolled my son in coach pitch. I didn't even know what that meant (if you are like me, it means the coach of the kid's team pitches to his team, and vice versa). My son was just turning 7 at the time, and while I could tell he had some interest, and I knew my husband had dreamed of this very moment, I dreaded sitting around all evening trying to entertain my daughter while watching a sport I didn't like.

And yet...

I got to see things like this:

My husband pitches to my son. A beautiful moment.

As the nights went on, and the warm Minnesota spring took over, I started to enjoy those long baseball nights sitting in a folding chair, watching these still-little boys play and sometimes goof around in their tiny baseball uniforms. My daughter, as it turns out, relishes nothing more than the innocent freedom she enjoys on the nearby playground area, making new friends. In fact, she begs to go to every single game.

My son just turned 8. He is in coach pitch again-- the last year before kid pitch-- and his team is getting better each game. It is truly an honor to watch these guys (some of whom are in kindergarten!) get their hard-earned hits and joyfully run the bases. I cheer just as loud for the kids who don't belong to me. And I actually mean it! I'm excited!

My husband is coaching again, and I am so proud of him. It is a completely volunteer position which he devotes countless hours to each week. I love his whole coaching philosophy. Learning how to play baseball isn't easy-- it takes practice, attention, and you have to stick with it to get better. His whole goal at this age is to get the boys to like it enough that they want to sign up again next year. He could care less about who wins or loses these games-- he wants the kids to be a part of a team and have a fun learning experience. I've never seen him raise his voice (unless it's to put down a metal bat), and I think the kids feel this and have a much better time because of it.

My sons adorable teammates cheer him on after a hit. Nothing's better than watching the smile on your kid's amazed face when they hit that d*mn ball!

So even though the days are long and we are all more than tired by the time we make it to our beds that night, I enjoy every minute of watching these games. I've even watched happily through the pouring rain! So this month you'll find me-- the newest member of the Baseball Moms Club-- cheering louder at any baseball game than I ever could have predicted.

Motherhood continually changes us. Thankfully it's often for the better.

*This post was written in honor of FranticMamaHubby: Happy Father's Day! We love you!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

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Late Spring Means All the Feels

2018-05-17T14:11:00.001-05:00

Just about any mother will tell you there are countless bittersweet moments that arise from the very beginning of parenthood.

For me, many of these feelings are especially powerful in late spring, a time when certain events/patterns/routines come to an end, and new beginnings are on the horizon.

In the next week, my daughter-- my baby-- will graduate from preschool. If you've been reading my blog since the early days, surely this shocks you as much as it does me. This is my second baby, who was born September 12, 2012. That makes her 5.5. (Yes, she missed our kindergarten cut-off by 11 days!).

Recently, I've been feeling myself tear up when a certain nostalgic song plays on the radio or when I'm dropping her off and picking her up from school.

We drive by her future kindergarten and part of me is excited for this new chapter, I'll admit. For the first time in over 8 years, my days will be my own again. I'm excited to get back into the classroom again more, devote more time to writing and tutoring, take care of our pets and our house, and even indulge in a little self-care now and then.

But mixed into that excitement is a sense of loss. I'm sad this chapter of our life-- little feet in velcro shoes scrambling to get ready for preschool after her big brother gets on the bus, attending every one of those crazy and adorable preschool Christmas concerts, even just time spent lying around on the couch together in the afternoons...all those little things we shared for the last few years will be over.

I hope she'll still say "I love you" as heartfelt and as fervently as she does every morning now when I drop her off. Though I know surely these profusions of emotions will fade as she gets older. I wonder if she'll remember all the time we spent together, just the two of us while her brother was in school, doing simple everyday things-- eating English muffin pizzas for lunch, kicking an old soccer ball in the yard, making dozens and dozens of cookies, or just running to the grocery and convincing her not to dump every bag of Nestle chocolate chips into our cart.

What an overwhelming sense of gratitude and grief these transitions bring us. What's your next chapter going to bring?

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Writing for Fun and for Purpose

2018-04-10T14:31:00.002-05:00

Now that years of blogging has turned into a dream-come-true freelance writing career (not magically, but after long hours, patience, honing my craft, dedication, and many a bruised ego later), sometimes I forget why I started blogging in the first place: for fun!

Yes, the purpose of Frantic Mama was to reach out to other mothers and to serve as a creative outlet for the frustrations and joys of new motherhood, but it was also simply because I love writing and always have. Why not blog?

It's easy for me to forget now-- in a world of deadlines, nerve-racking interviews, and editor expectations-- that the primary reason I type away on my trusty little computer in any spare hour I have rather than, say...go to a yoga class or clean my house...is because it's a part of me. If I go too long without writing for the pure enjoyment of it, I start experiencing a very specific feeling of malaise that something is missing. It takes a bit of soul-searching for me to put my finger on what is causing the funk. Which is ridiculous because I should know by now.

Oh well.

Here's my point: One of my new professional writing avenues has been animal writing (yeah, it's a thing), often equestrian-focused. If you know me in person (and have for a long time), you know I'm kind of obsessed with animals-- big, small, tiny. All of them.

To live out my goal of having more fun in my writing and finding ways to contribute to animal welfare, I've volunteered to help out a dog rescue and adoption organization with their website content (NBRAN: the National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network). I am really excited about it-- and to think, I'm not getting paid! Not a cent! And I'm glad! Taking on un-paid opportunities to write is the best kind of fun for a writer.

Photo from NBRAN Website: the National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network

[Pssst... I can't keep secrets from all of you! I do have a wee bit of a side motive here: I'm working on convincing Frantic Mama Hubby that the time has come for us to add our (hopefully) final family member to our pack!]

Here's the rescue organization's site. I'm writing the bios for all the sweet Brittanys (one of my favorite breeds of all time) who need loving homes as well as other content/newsletter stuff.

In the meantime, I have a little takeaway for anyone wanting one: remember to make time for fun in your life. Of course I know writing essays and blog posts isn't everyone's definition of fun, but what's your definition of fun? And how will you make time for it in your own life to be the best, happiest version of yourself you can be?

Yes, you are busy. So am I. We all are. (Have you ever met someone who said they weren't). A third generation (very busy) Nebraskan rancher I recently interviewed said this: "Busy people find the time." If I weren't married, I'd fall in love with the guy! Truer words were never spoken. I totally agree-- if you want to do something, you can and deserve to make the time to do it.

I'd love to hear from other mothers (and fathers) who are busy with children, careers, hubbies, etc., but who make time for pure, un-paid FUN. How do you do it and what do you do?

Cheers!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

New Family Member (no, not a baby!)

2018-03-07T13:36:00.003-06:00

I had no shortage of pets growing up. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish... you name it, we likely had it!

Then last year, my own family brought home our first family pet-- a sweet, tiny, fluffy calico kitty, Pikachu (named by my son). My little guy had been in love with cats as long as he could talk, and he got me on board quickly. As luck would have it, at the barn where I ride (yes, horses are another 'pet' of sorts), a quiet little calico looked less than thrilled with being a barn cat (year after year!).

She made the PERFECT transition to our home and we wouldn't trade her for the world. I think she was holding out for us all those years on the barn bench.

Fast forward a year, and welllll... I might have been scrolling through the Humane Society "adoptable animals" page late one night [#insomniaprobs] and happened on a photo of the most charming, unusual little creature I had ever seen. Upon closer inspection, it turned out he was a Lionhead Rabbit. And he needed a home.

The next day was Valentine's Day, and I figured it couldn't hurt to go take a peek at him and also give the other homeless animals some love on that day of love. My daughter and I had a wonderful time there and of course decided it was up to us to give the somewhat grumpy, fluffy gray bunny a new lease on life in a loving home.

The next day, I had things ready for him at our house, and he was now officially named Georgie (i.e. Sir Wigglestail III). Naturally, he was shy and scared of us at first. But I read everything I could on rabbits, and he is really seeming to be enjoying his new digs, and we are giving him the space he needs to feel comfortable here.

He's a free-roam bunny, which means he has run of our entire upstairs most of the day! Yes, you can litter train rabbits! They are much happier when they have plenty of room to hop around. He loves his greens and his hay, and I've even caught him 'playing' a bit-- hopping as fast as he can down the hallway. I imagine he would say "bah humbug" a lot if he could talk, but that only endears him to us even more.

The only slight challenge has been introducing him to our sweet "Peeks." You see, cats are predators, and bunnies are prey. Yeah. Though they are both adorable little fluffy-fluffs, that doesn't mean they become instant best friends.

So far, the interactions are going fine. Pikachu and Georgie are starting to slowly approach each other and sniff (under our supervision). Georgie usually ends up getting gun-shy and offers a big thump and hops away. I have the sense Pikachu's feelings get a little hurt feelings from this, so I'm determined to keep trying.

Here they are! Doing their best to ignore each other!

Updates will continue! Be sure to follow our adventures with Georgie the Bunny and Pikachu the Cat on Instagram (where I apparently can't stop posting photos of them)! (www.Instagram.com/FranticMama).

Do you have pets? What kind and what will you get next???

~Julia and her budding zoo @ Frantic Mama

Stuck at the Airport [with kids]

2018-01-17T10:04:00.005-06:00

There's being stuck at the airport, and there's being stuck at the airport with kids. Catch my drift?

I live in Minnesota, halfway across the country from my entire family, who are currently scattered along the east coast. Flying to see them is a requirement. Somewhat last minute, my husband and I decided to take our kids to see their cousins who live in North Carolina. We splurged on non-stop Delta flights, of course, because anything to make traveling with kids easier is worth it, no matter the cost!

Fast forward a couple of weeks...

We get to the airport an hour and a half before our flight leaves. Everyone is excited. The kids are in good spirits. I hate flying, but even I'm excited to get on a plane to see my family BUT... the second-- I'm not exaggerating-- we survived the security line, I received a notification from Delta that our flight was delayed two hours. Collective GROAN.

Deep breaths...

"We'll go to a restaurant for lunch!" we agreed, knowing that delays are simply a part of life and we would get through it. Maybe we could have a fun little outing with the kids, you know, make the most of it?

Next thing you know, we are ordering our overpriced airport restaurant lunch... DING!... our flight was delayed another 2 hours. TWO hours. This means that a flight that was supposed to leave at 12:50 was now scheduled to depart at 4:30. Dear Lord!

Close to hyperventilating, I told my husband that perhaps it was in our kids' best interest to go home. Keeping them at the airport for four hours, with no real guarantee the flight would even take off, seems cruel and unusual punishment. I tried to get on standby for the 3:30 flight to no avail.

My husband calmly looked out the airport window, acknowledged it was below zero outside, and the kids would be stuck inside at home all day anyway, we might as well spend it at the airport... right? right???

Sure, I guess, I said, surveying the crowd, the shops, the fast food. And my kids, who were now angry and annoyed that they didn't get to see their cousins ASAP.

Hours later....

I will spare you the details of how we entertained a 5 and a 7 year old at the airport for the next four hours because IT GETS WORSE: We were given so little information about our 4:30 plane that we called Delta and rebooked the...wait for it... 8:30 p.m. flight.

Yes, they still managed a few smiles. But if you tell me "it couldn't be that bad," I will lose it.
You've been warned!

I still don't know if that was the smart decision or not, but we were scared they would cancel the 4:30 flight (supposedly there was some 'part' being flown in from Detroit... comforting much?), so we took a gamble and rebooked (and yes had to pay extra). At this point, however, we weren't going to have been stranded at the airport all day with nothing to show for it-- we would make it to North Carolina or BUST!

Hours later....

Woo hoo! Good times at the airport. NOT!

If I were a different type of "mom blogger," or person in general,

I'd tell you we had a blast. But no, not at all.

We did NOT have a blast.

Yes, still there! You'd think we would have been used to disappointment by 8 p.m. that night (and another overpriced airport meal). After all, we had been at the airport since 10:30 a.m.

DING! When we were supposed to board that flight, the gate agent announced that the plane that was to take us to NC? The one we were supposed to be boarding in a few minutes? Yeah, that one was in Omaha, Nebraska.

NOOOOO!

The tears I had held back all day let loose. I looked at my exhausted kids and husband. I decided this was definitely NOT in their best interest anymore. It was time to throw in the towel and get home. At least our cat would be excited to see us. Perhaps we could try to rebook for another weekend.

It was my KIDS who insisted they could do it. They could stick it out. They really reallllly wanted to see their cousins: they'd sleep, they promised. They'd be good, they promised.

My husband and I looked at each other. Okay, but if it gets delayed one more time, we are heading home. I was so delirious at this point, I can't remember if we said that aloud or whether we had developed a rare, airport-induced ESP.

By 9:40 that night, we were finally on a plane, heading southeast. The kids slept the whole time. My husband and I sat there in an exhausted trance. We arrived at 1:30 local time. IN THE MORNING. My mom managed to set an alarm and come get us (thus qualifying for sainthood), and the kids were in bed by about 2:30 A.M.

I fell into a bed I found somewhere in her house and woke up many hours later.

The point of the whole thing, the takeaway? Well, I must say, the kids were the biggest troopers of the day. I may have thrown in the towel several times that day if it weren't for them hanging in there and being enthusiastic about the trip. Plus, we had a great weekend with their cousins. I suppose it was worth it. Just barely. But worth it.

And Thank Goodness, our flight home was uneventful.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Why I Hate Mondays (no, not the obvious reason)

2017-12-08T10:03:00.003-06:00

The worst day of my week is Monday, but not for the obvious reasons. Before I had kids, I was the strange soul who enjoyed Mondays, seeing them as a fresh start to the workweek. The reason I dread them now is because my seven-year old son hates them and makes our whole family suffer as a result.

Every Monday at 4 p.m., he has to do the one thing he [claims] he hates most: attend a piano lesson. The entire ordeal lasts a measly 30 minutes, but add to that the painful minutes leading up to it: “I HATE piano! I want to quit!” and after it: “That was the WORST LESSON EVER. Now when can I quit?!” and you've got yourself a miserable few hours.

Quitting piano lessons would be the easiest route for all of us. There are times I've daydreamed right along with my son about the joys of quitting. Ahhhh, I think, how happy we'd be, without the piano battles. How peaceful our home would be, as we sit around playing Candy Land and baking cookies. What would I do with all that glorious free time [i.e. the 5 minutes per day I spend convincing him to practice]?

And yet. My husband and I haven't given into this siren song. We just can't pull the trigger on the dreamy quitting fantasy because we ask ourselves this: Does making life easier mean it would be better? So far we think the answer is no.

We aren't forcing our child to take lessons in order to pump up our own egos, so that at family reunions and school concerts we can bashfully accept compliments on his behalf, blushing politely. Thankfully, neither of us sees his talents as reflecting our own value; some twisted need to produce a prodigy doesn't motivate us.

We have four much more practical reasons we suffer right along with him:

He'll thank us later. He will, right? Doesn't every single one of us who quit an instrument regret it? If we can endure the whining during the early years, my son won't have to add quitting his instrument to his list of regrets when he hits middle age. He is getting a gift here, though he may not appreciate it for many agonizing years to come.
There's a life lesson at play we want our kids to learn-- you can't just quit everything that is either A. hard, or B. sucky. As adults, we know there are certain parts of life we simply must push on with, despite how much joy they suck from our lives. Bills must be paid, toilets must be cleaned, assignments must be completed, reunions must be attended.
Piano doesn't necessarily come easily to my son, and as a result, he 'hates' it. We think there's inherent value in not throwing in the towel because something is challenging. Have you ever done anything great--- something you're really proud of-- that was easy? Me neither.
Last, learning music helps in other aspects of life. For a growing child, simply the act of listening to music activates and nourishes the brain, but learning to play music coaxes the brain into boot camp. My husband and I remind ourselves often that by encouraging our son's brain to workout and stimulate all those electrifying neurons, he can grow to see his full potential and stretch to reach any goals he may dream up.

While all these compelling reasons feel rather flimsy on Monday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. when I pick up my son from school and I feel the scowl on his face even before I see it, onward we go! Anyway, didn't Nietzsche say “to live is to suffer?” If so, we're definitely living.

What do you think? Seize the day and quit, quit, quit, or keep on keeping on?

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

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A little light reading...

2017-11-28T14:44:00.001-06:00

Hello one and all!

I've been a bit absent from my 'cute little blog' as I dive back into teaching (I've started working one-on-one with children with learning disabilities again) and contribute my work to various publications, so I thought I'd share the links to some of my recent favorites with you here.

Here's one that is guaranteed to get some people riding their high horses. BUT I'm trying not to care about any mean comments because I LOVED writing this one for Parent.co.

What is the Bechdel Test and Which of Your Kids Favorite Movies Pass it?

In a less controversial move, here's one I wrote about the benefits of teaching kids how to play chess. It inspired us to dust off the old chess board at our house. Maybe it'll do the same for you!

Why Teaching Kids to Play Chess is Worth the Time and Effort

Last, I've had fun trying my hand at food writing for Splendry. Here's the link to my favorite granola recipe of all time!

Maple Granola Article

I hope all of my wonderful readers are enjoying the start of another holiday season. We got our Christmas tree last week and I must say, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Awesome Early Chapter Book Series

2017-11-06T10:37:00.000-06:00

With the onslaught of video games, after school activities, homework, and handheld devices constantly beckoning our kids, it's not hard to imagine why reading for fun often takes a backseat. My son, now 7, picked up reading at an early age, and I was thrilled to share my passion for the written word with him. However, his interest in reading waned as his world expanded to school, sports, friends, and of course, screens.

I eagerly brought home handfuls of books from the library, hoping to introduce him to the perfect series-- the one that would not only grab his attention, but keep it and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

Oh how the mighty have fallen!

For over ten years, I've taught a wide variety of students, including those with significant dyslexia and ADHD, how to read and how to comprehend, and yet I couldn't inspire my own child!

Thankfully, after lots of trial and countless errors, we found four age-appropriate chapter book series that he really, truly enjoys, and that as a reading teacher, I think are fantastic for elementary students who know how to read but don't necessarily like doing so.

The Data Set by Ada Hopper.

One requirement I have for an engrossing early chapter book is that it includes plenty of pictures. Because while our kids will insist they “aren't babies anymore,” I find over and over again that pictures engage kids and help them comprehend what they read, which is the goal of reading once you know how to read.

The Data Set series is about a group of whiz kids-- boys and girls-- who are interested in science and experiments. The vocabulary is what I would deem 'just right;' Hopper carefully introduces and reviews new words, but most of the words are familiar. The characters are diverse, and one even introduces basic Spanish to readers through conversations with his mother. The characters engage in easy-to-follow dialogue, and the storyline is entertaining, fresh, and quick-moving. This is truly a perfect series.

Dragon Masters by Tracy West.

Dragons are all the rage these days (if you hadn't noticed), and I happened on this enchanting series while randomly skimming the library shelves. It's another one about a group of boys and girls who go on adventures, but this series takes place in a fantasy world with kings, queens, and pet dragons. There's a wizard (of course) who guides the new “dragon masters,” and it contains charming illustrations on almost every page. The plot is easy to understand, the story moves quickly, and the vocabulary is just right. Perfection!

The Magic School Bus (by a variety of authors).

The Magic School Bus franchise has been around forever, but I'm specifically talking about the early chapter books. In the chapter book series, a classroom of elementary school students goes on adventures all over the world with their wacky teacher, “The Frizz,” and learn about anything from volcanoes to dinosaurs to the human body. The pictures are comprehensive and keep readers engaged and understanding the plot. New concepts are cleverly defined and reviewed throughout the book. This is a great series for curious readers who love learning as much as possible about whatever their current fixation may be.

4. According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney.

My son mentioned his teacher was reading a Humphrey book to his second grade class. I hadn't heard of it, but since he said he liked it, I made a beeline to the library and checked out a few. The Humphrey series is about a cute class hamster named Humphrey who makes smart observations in the classroom and takes turns visiting different students' houses. The reader hears the story from hamster's perspective-- Humphrey is the narrator-- which is amusing to young readers. Again, there are plenty of pictures to break up the text and aid in comprehension.

Literacy experts stress the importance of reading comprehension as kids grow because generally in third grade, the focus at school transitions from learning to read to reading to learn. What the experts don't always address is how to help children enjoy reading to reduce battles at home and to avoid making reading feel like a chore. These four series hit the mark in our house, and I hope they help others in the same situation.

What early book series do you love (besides Harry Potter)? What ones have been a hit with your students and/or kids?

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Letting Go of Holiday Card Angst

2017-10-16T11:56:00.003-05:00

It's fall, arguably the most gorgeous season of all, which can only mean one thing... golden leaves? plump pumpkins? Nope. MAKING HOLIDAY CARDS & the frantic attempts for the perfect photo.

[insert blood pressure spike here]

Let's take a deep breath together now... Innnnn....Outtttt...

Whew!

Isn't it defeating to point of it all-- spreading good cheer-- to make the annual holiday card some kind of competition/stress case/source of insomnia? I've noticed over the last few years that the majority of cards we receive are professionally created and beautifully crafted. Nothing wrong with that. IF you enjoy it. After all, I love a great family photo, and I think the expense of getting them professionally done now and then is worth every penny.

BUT an annual formal family shoot with the intention of sharing it with everyone on our address list totally stresses me out. Planning the perfect time, place, outfits, and most challenging of all-- getting the kids to behave-- is the stuff of tension headaches and heavy drinking.

#reallife

This year I've let my expectations go. We will still make a card, of course, but I have let go of the idea of the 'perfect' one.

Last Sunday, in fact, my husband asked, "should we take a photo now?" I looked at our clothes-- we happened to still be in church clothes-- not perfect, but not bad. The sun was out. The leaves were pretty. The kids were...well fed and relatively content.

"Why not?" I shrugged. While smiling and kneeling on the wet grass with wiggly children wasn't the most fun 10 minutes of my life, it wasn't so bad. I liked the spur of the moment feel because there was zero pressure and buildup.

Are the tripod results yielding my favorite photos of all time? Not so much. But all four of us are looking at the camera with some semblance of a smile on our faces with our eyes open. This year, it'll do.

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

Favorite Fall Shows

2017-10-03T19:57:00.002-05:00

I'll admit it: I love a good show I can really sink my teeth into. In general I prefer comedies, but I'm not averse to the occasional drama or reality show.

Here are a few shows I'll carve out time for when I can this fall (usually OnDemand!).

1. This is Us
A rare drama in the Frantic Mama household. If you are one of the few people who has not yet watched this gem (which started last year), you are missing out. Such good acting. Such a cool concept (jumps around various time periods). Just. So. Good.

2. Young Sheldon
Why did they only show us 1 episode and then announce it won't really start until November? I don't know, but that one episode has piqued my interest. If you like the Big Bang Theory (and I do), then you'll probably like this one: it's all about young Sheldon (aptly named). It's not all snark and sarcasm; there's a real sweetness to it. Plus, the boy (in a good way) reminds me of my son, and any camaraderie I can get with that situation is embraced.

3. The Middle
What an underrated show! It's been around forever, so you'd be remiss to start anywhere but the beginning. I'm thrilled it's on for another season. The characters are SO REAL. This is one show (besides sports) FranticMamaHubby likes too.

4. Before the 90 Days
My guilty-not-so-guilty pleasure. Delicious in all its reality show glory. This is about couples spending time together before their 90 day visa begins (based on the main TLC show, 90 Day Fiance, about couples who meet abroad (or online) and then have 90 days to marry if one of them moves to the U.S. due to citizenship laws). These shows document-- quite realistically in my opinion-- what happens during such a unique, emotionally intense situation. I Can't Look Away. Don't make me.

5. I'm open.
No, that's not the name of a show. I really am open to suggestions. Someone mentioned there's another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm coming our way? Is this true? If so, sign me up! What about Portlandia? I think I'm all caught up unless there's a season 8 or 9? I don't want to miss out on any Women and Women First action. Anyway, I want to hear what you love to watch, so tell me!

~Julia @ Frantic Mama

How to Make Glitter Slime

2017-09-12T13:42:00.001-05:00

Yes, you read the title correctly: I'm writing one of my rare how-to posts.

But first, a little backstory: All summer, my daughter asked if we could make slime. She saw it on some silly kids channel online and was dead set on making her own. Plus, she loves anything having to do with mixing and measuring. All summer long, I put it off. "Sure, sure we can do that...at some point." Well, all the sudden, it was the last day of summer break, and I felt pretty crummy-- we still hadn't made the darn slime.

I'm happy to report, however, I pulled up those shirtsleeves and we did it. We made slime. The incredible part was that for the recipe I found, we actually had all of the ingredients (there were only 3, but still).

Ready to show your kids you still have a little fun left in you?

Here's what you'll need:

Baking soda, glue, and contact lens solution.

Ingredients:

4-6 oz. glue (we used the blue glitter kind, naturally; or, if you're using white glue, you can simply add glitter into the mixture).

1/2 tablespoon of baking soda (we used a little more)

1/4 -- 1/2 tablespoon contact lens solution (if the slime seems too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of this)

This is not a perfect science. Play around to get the consistency your kid likes.

Here comes the tricky part-- NOT-- You mix it all in a bowl.

Mixing was her favorite part.

We added more baking soda than the original recipe to make it thicker.

That's it! She got her slime, and I got...a sticky bowl and a happy kid.

P.S. I used old dishcloths to scoop out the slime and throw it in the trash when she was finished. I didn't risk putting it down the sink and clogging everything up!

What "fun" activities did your kids convince you to do recently?

~Julia @ Frantic Mama