Only Laila

If It Isn't Love: A Preschool Crush

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

My son has got it bad. For the past couple of weeks he's been talking non stop about his admiration for one of his classmates. While d I can see what attracts him to her, I am at a lost for how to help him process what he's feeling. I've noticed that he also talks a lot about marriage and becoming a parent. The other day he said when he goes to work his wife is going to take their kids to my house. He said it such a straight face that it caught me by surprise. I also didn't think I would have to deal with these conversations for a while. On one hand I think it's cute he has a crush but I also want to make sure he learns how to manage his emotions appropriately. Any one else have this experience with their 5 year old, what do you do?

New Edition "If It Isn't Love" (1988)

The Pinterest Effect: Am I a Bad Mother?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Photo Credit

Like many of you, I like (perhaps love) Pinterest. For me it's more than a vision board, it's a "if I had more time" and "why didn't I think of that" board. I have used it to help me plan my son's 5th birthday party, collect information and motivation for my business, and try to figure out ways to minimize the clutter in my home. The possibility are endless with Pinterest. However, lately I've been wondering about how Pinterest has impacted my thoughts about being a working, single mom.

Any mom will tell you that there are never enough hours in the day to do everything we need to do and what we want to do. I think Pinterest has taken that feeling to another level for me. I wonder who are these people who have the time to every picture frame they find at the Goodwill into jewelry organizer or message board. It also makes me think that I'm the only mom in the States who doesn't own a laminating machine. I know that all of this is just in my head but, really? How many of you own a laminating machine? Go ahead, admit it!

So I have to ask the question - who are these moms (I'm making assumptions but go with it) who come up with all of these exciting projects and take amazing pictures of them? How can I be down? Or do I really want to? Perhaps secretly I do wish I sewed everything, made pasta from scratch, and had my daily routine down to a science. And that everything in my house was tagged and labeled. Would that make me a better mom? Probably not. Until then, I'll keep pinning.

Starting My Own Business : Inkwell Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo Credit

I've been talking about starting my own business for years.It seems that in the last month I've begun to to take steps to make it a reality. I've always believed in the necessity of having multiple streams of income and doing things I'm passionate about. I can finally say that I've merged the two. I also wanted to share it here since this is one way of keeping myself accountable.

On February 1, I started the ball rolling for my company, Inkwell Designs. It's a multimedia presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi and SlideRocket) service that provides custom templates and slides for both personal and professional use. I create presentations for workshops, training, trade show kiosk loops, meetings, and marketing events to name a few. I'm really excited about getting my business off the ground and have set up a Twitter and Facebook page. The website is coming together and I will be sure to announce it's official launch.

For any of my readers who are interested in starting your own business, I highly recommend that you read Jill Salzman's Found It: A Field Guide to Mom Entrepreneurs. It's hands down the best book I've read geared towards moms who want to start their own business. I also think it's helpful for those without children and just don't know where to begin. I think a lot of times we want everything to be perfectly lined up when starting something like a business. After I read Jill's book I realized that there was nothing to it but to do it.

I also recommend finding a community of like minded people. I have really enjoyed connecting with other mom business owners on Twitter and Facebook through the #mombizmonday's hashtag. As the old saying goes, surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher.

Be Bold, Go Red - Girl's Night Out

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States? Did you know that African American women are at the highest risk of developing this disease? While these facts are upsetting, the steps we need to take to reduce our risk are simple. Here's a great fact sheet and action plan geared towards African American women. Please share these with other women (and men) that you know so we can lead healthier lives.

Be Bold, Go Red

If you are in the Chicagoland area, join Sassy Moms in the City along with WBBM Newsradio, K-HITS and B96 on Wednesday, February 29^th, at the “Girls Night Out Benefiting Go Red for Women” event. A $30 VIP Ticket includes red carpet treatment, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, swag bag filled with goodies, mini spa services, fashion show and more! Click here to get your ticket!

All ticket sale proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign. Guests are encouraged to bring gently used handbags and professional shoes to help support Dress for Success. (Donations will be accepted from 6 pm – 10 pm at Alhambra Palace.) And don't forget to wear red!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary VIP ticket to Girls Night Out Benefiting Go Red for Women in exchange for promoting this event.

My Blogging Goals for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

When I began my blog in 2010, I just wanted to be a voice. I spent a lot of time reading the blogs of other moms but was having a hard time relating. It seemed that many of them were all married and either working from home or stay at home moms. As a single mom who was working and a full-time graduate student, I couldn't relate. I figured I couldn't be alone and thus 'Mama Locs' was born. If you've been reading my blog you've noticed how this blog has evolved...and evolved some more. I finally think I'm in a good place with the direction and topics that I want to cover.

In 2012 I want to be more intentional with my blog. I will be completely honest and say that I see my blog as a source of income for my family. However, I will never sacrifice my integrity for cash or awesome swag bags. Period.

My biggest goal for this year is to do more in-person networking. One thing you may not know about me is that I'm incredibly shy. When I go to events it takes a lot for me to speak to people I don't know. I always worry that I come off as standoffish when I'm really just trying to figure out how to introduce myself.

One of things I've struggled with in the past is consistency. Juggling work, school and motherhood was difficult. My blog would often go days or weeks without an update and I felt guilty about that. I now have a schedule and plan to blog at least 3 times a week.

What are your blogging goals for 2012?

366 Days: Take Risks in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Something about the new year signals change. A chance to finally tackle things you put off for the last 365 days. Somehow we believe that this time will be different. And maybe it will. It all depends on your motivation. There's a great quote that says you can tell a lot about someone's priorities based upon how they spend their time. This year I've decided to take some risks.

Do something out of your proverbial comfort zone. Do something you’re not “qualified” to do. Do something that scares you. Do something. Just Do It. ~Saya Hillman

I'm heeding Saya's call and taking some risks this year. On my vision board I have 4 areas: wellness, finances, relationships and hustle. In each area I am challenging myself to do something I've been scared or just plain lazy to do. i.e. starting my own business(es), traveling to Canada (it's too close not to go!), and finding a partner (I want to get married) and maintaining a regular exercise routine (dust off my TaeBo DVDs). It's very helpful to have my vision board with all of it's sparkles and glitter to get me motivated. I've attached specific dates to each goal and have started moving on each item. More importantly I've shared it with some close friends who have no problem holding me accountable. I'm excited to see what this year has for me and my son.

Check out this cool video about the Leapyear Project. Lots of inspiration on how you can take risks and make your life and this world better than you found it.

2011: The Year of Possibilities

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

If I had to summarize 2011 into one word I would say, possibilities. I'm sure that somewhere near the end of 2010 I sat down and wrote out a list of things I wanted to accomplish. I have no idea where that list is so I can't report on my progress. *insert kinda sad face*. However, I learned a lot about myself this year and being open to new things. Things I had no idea where going to happen but did.

Photo Credit

I became a Doula. A Postpartum Doula to be more specific. Earlier this year I began reflecting on my own birthing experience and decided to do something about it. I chose to be a Postpartum Doula because I realize that bringing a baby home can be the most exciting and exhausting thing you will ever do. You need support. And sleep.
I completed my Masters degree in Counseling. This was truly a labor of love for me because I never thought I wanted to be a therapist. Ever. But for some reason I found myself in this programs and fell in love. I'm thinking about getting my license to practice on my own one day.
My son (aka BB for Baby Boy) spent the entire summer with his Dad. It was the longest I have ever been away from my child. I also had no idea what to do with myself. But BB had a great summer bonding with his Dad and siblings. He's going back to what I've coined 'man camp' next summer.
BB began preschool. I think, rather I know, that I was more excited about this than BB. I chose a Montessori school because I believe that children are little people. Our kids are smarter than we think, let's tap into that energy.
I turned 30. Enough said.

Thank you 2011 for opening me up to possibilities. I'm getting excited about what 2012 will bring. And I have my vision statement, vision board and goal list ready.

The Never Ending To Do List

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Something about the end of the year brings out this desire to re-evaluate and purge. I've spent the last couple of days getting rid of paper clutter, cleaning out my closet and packing up things to take to Goodwill. I'm a firm believer that you can welcome new things into your life until you get rid of whatever is weighing you down. So I've said good bye to my inner hoarder and am ready for all that God has in store for me in 2012.

Getting organized has always been on my to-do list. I'm sure I've mentioned before that I've struggled to find a system that works best for me. I've been inspired by things I've found online but am still developing a system that works for me and my family. Right now I am still a pen and paper woman so I love heading to etsy to find cute paper to write my lists on. What do you use to keep yourself organized?

Photo Credit

Review: Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches - An After School Snack #Cbias #TysonGoodness

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Now that my son is in preschool I have been trying to find quick and affordable after school snack options. He usually heads to the fridge for a cup of yogurt or some fruit but since he's a growing boy he's usually coming back for seconds. I'm excited to try Tyson's Mini Chicken Sandwiches as another option for our family.

The sandwiches are indeed quick and easy to make. Pop them in the microwave for about 90 seconds and add toppings and some fruit. BB likes his sandwich with ketchup and grapes on the side. He also commented that they were made just for him because of their small size. I also tried them and thought they tasted great for those times when I need a snack or am on the go.

Each box comes with 8 sandwiches which comes to about $.65 for each sandwich. The month of December has been hectic preparing for BB's birthday and shopping for Holiday gifts so I love anything that saves time and money. For a limited time you can get a $5 Walmart Gift card when you purchase any two Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches. Click here for more details. These sandwiches are not available in all Walmart, so check here before heading out to get some!

To see more of my trip to Walmart for Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches, check out my Google + Story.

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as a part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are 100% my own.

Creating a Vision Board

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I've been talking about creating a vision board for a while. If memory serves me correctly I did make one on my computer and posted it on my fridge. I have no idea where it is. Now I have a large piece of cardboard that is begging to be turned into my 2012 vision board. So I will oblige.

I've connect with some friends and we have set January 2nd as the deadline for our vision board reveals. I like have a deadline and accountability partners. It's also important for me because I have a bad habit of trying to keep everything in my head. I'm excited to finally get my plan for the upcoming year on the board. Here are some of the steps I am going to take:

1. Reflect. I sat down to think about what areas I wanted to focus on in 2012. I came up with faith, finances, health, relationships, and business.
2. Write vision statement. I found an exercise that I am going to use on the FranklinCovey website. Although they use the term 'mission statement' I think it's still useful to what I am trying to do.
3. Find images, words, etc that illustrate my vision statements and put them on my board.
4. Get to work.

I will admit that I jumped a bit and started cutting out pictures. I am doing some purging and went through some magazines before I threw them out. Are you creating a vision board for the new year? What is your process for pulling it together?

Happy 5th Birthday Baby Boy!

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Source

I remember the day I brought my son home from the hospital. I was over a thousand miles from my family so it was just me and him. All I could do was stare and say 'Wow' over and over in my head. My pregnancy was stressful and full of complications but I am blessed to have given birth to a healthy child. I can't say that I was scared about being a single mother. I think I went into auto pilot and became extremely resourceful and creative. I don't think I had an opportunity to really breathe and reflect during the first year of his life. Now that I look back on our five years as mother and son, all I can say is 'wow'. During that time we've lived in 3 states and I've had different jobs and living situations. I can say that I'm so proud of the boy that he has grown into despite everything we've gone through. He's ridiculously smart and funny. He's curious and respectful. He's sensitive and outgoing. He's my joy.

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy! I feel so blessed to be your mother and I look forward to serving as your guide on this journey called life.

Wordless Wednesday: Holiday Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Red and green M&Ms in cellophane bags make perfect gifts. I found the tags on eighteen25.

Kidgrade It: Wonder Works, a Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

I'm always looking for fun and affordable places to have fun with my son. When I move back to Chicago 3 years ago I was fortunate to have found such a place within walking distance from my home. For only $10 ($5, for him and $5 for me) we got to explore Wonder Works. Here's what I love about Wonder Works:

Perfect hangout for itty bitty babies and crawlers.
That's a treehouse in the background!

1. Open Space. One thing I've noticed about other play places is that they have toys or activities that are make it difficult for you to see your child at all times. The entire museum is laid out in a circle so there are no doors to go through, only wide open walkways. All of the activities are low to the ground so your child won't need much assistance reaching anything they want to do.

Your child can act, direct and produce a play!
The stage background is movable and there's a costume area.

2. Many Opportunities for Imaginative Play.
Each room has it's own theme that encourages them to play with others and use their imaginations.

3. Arts & Crafts. There is a separate room where children can create the art project of the week to take home. Wonder Works also invites local children's artists to perform. We've gone to hear the Boogers and to see a room full of toddlers/preschoolers rockin' out was perhaps the funniest (and funnest) thing I've ever seen.

This room has lot's of item's that let kids
channel their inner Engineer.

4. The Train Table. If you are the mother of a son, perhaps you know the allure of a good train table. Without a doubt it's the first thing my son goes to. Whenever we go there is always a crowd of children playing out their favorite scene from Thomas the Train.

There is so much to do in Wonder Works, you could easily be in there for two hours and not realize how quickly the time has passed. When I lived closer I had a yearly membership for $75 and it was totally worth it. Wonder Works is also a great place to have a birthday party. If you are looking for a great place to have fun indoors during the cold months, definitely visit Wonder Works.

Disclosure: I am a Kidgrade Ambassador and have reviewed Wonder Works for the Kidgrade site. I did not receive any compensation, from Wonder Works for this review.

Birthday Party Mania

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:03:00 +0000

You will often hear people talk about the joy of having a child whose birthday is close to Christmas. When I brought my son home from the hospital the nurses put him in a Christmas stocking. I still have that stocking as a reminder of how to make his birthday special in light of all of the activity surrounding Christmas. Other than his first birthday I have always done something simple at his daycare. I would make favor bags and bring cupcakes and call it day. As a family we would get a cake or take him somewhere special. Now that he is in preschool I wanted to do something extra special for his 5th birthday.

I blame Pinterest and my overactive imagination.
I can't tell you how many hours I spent online looking at ideas.
I can't tell you how many hours I spent driving my family and friends crazy with text messages, pictures and emails of 'my vision'. Bless anyone who has put up with me over the last 2 weeks as I pulled this party together.

Inside my goody bags were:
A safari map (Handmade)
1 compass ring (Party City)
1 clicking camera (Party City)
1 "Animal Soup" play dough (Dollar Tree)
3 safari animals (Party City)
animal crackers (Dollar Tree)
toy binoculars (Ebay)

I was so busy running around that I don't have really good pictures of the room set up or food table but here's what we had : Tiger Tails (Cheetos), Zebra Cakes, Lion Burgers (Sliders), Gorilla Grapes (Grapes, Blueberries and Strawberries on skewers) and Nile River Water. We had the party at the Park District and their amazing staff put together 4 games: safari hunt, pin the tail on the lion, animal matching game and animal freeze. They also gave each child tattoos at the end. Over all the party was a success but this Mama is tired. I definitely think I went overboard with 'my vision'. However, BB had a great time with his family and friends and I won't do this again for another 5 years,lol.

Books I Want to Write

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:29:00 +0000

I have two friends who are awesome authors. One just published her first book and the other is on her way! I am so proud of them for going after their dreams and making it a reality. In my head I also have books that I'd like to write so I thought I'd put it out into the universe.

1. Don't Ask Me How I Do It: The Dummies Guide to Befriending a Single Mother
There are quite a few books out written for women who find themselves becoming single mothers by choice or chance. However, there aren't any that talk about how others can support the single mother's in their life. I can't tell you how many times I have had people say to me, "I don't know how you do it". I know that they mean it as a compliment but I believe that with anything in life God has given us this ability to adjust. I don't know how I do it but it has to get done because I have no other choice. So I would love to write a book for those who have that urge to ask, "How do you do it?".

2. How Did This Bumblebee Transformer Get in My Purse? and Other Joys of Raising Sons
I was at a divisional meeting last week and was searching my purse for something to write with. In between my pad of paper and pen case was not only my son's Bumblebee Transformer but one of the characters (the blue one, whose name escapes me) from the movie Cars. I was so tickled that I just took it out of my bag and put them on the table. Sure enough my boss, a male, picks up the car and starts playing with it. Gotta love it.

3. Say My Child's Name Correctly and No One Gets Hurt. 101 Tips for Raising a Child with an 'Ethnic' Name.
I was very intentional about choosing my son's name. I knew that I wanted him to have an Arabic name and I wanted it have a strong meaning. Since I also have an Arabic name I know the joys that come along with people mispronouncing your parent's good intentions. Granted I think both of our names are ridiculously easy, you'd be surprised. One thing I have instilled in my son is to never let anyone mispronounce or shorten his name. It's important that if you choose to give your child a name that people will quickly dismiss as 'uncommon' or 'unique' that you give them the tools to say 'I don't care if you've never heard it before, it's my name, say it correctly'.

These are all the titles I've come up with thus far. Thoughts?

Weekend Fun with BabbaBox

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Now that the weather is getting colder I am looking for fun ways to pass the time indoors. I'm always looking for creative projects to keep BB's attention and something to add to his 'I can do it by myself' list. Thanks to the folks at BabbaCo, I got to review this exciting product called BabbaBox. It's a monthly subscription box that comes with all of the materials you and your child will need to create something new and educational. Each project comes in it's own packet and includes illustrated instructions.

The BabbaBox comes with everything!

There are four components to the BabbaBox:

Create: There are 3-4 projects that your child can create with their hands.
Explore: Fun activities to explore their world and nature.
Story Tell: A beautifully illustrated book that highlights the month's theme.
Connect: We get to enjoy digital media that also incorporates the theme.

The theme for the box I received was 'Gratitude'. Very appropriate for this holiday season. I asked BB which activity he wanted to start with and he grabbed the Gratitude tray. He said he wanted to give it to his Granny and Pop-Pop because they deserved it.

BB working on his Gratitude Tray.

The best thing about this product is the variety of projects inside. In one box my son can make thank you cards, take pictures of things he's thankful for and put them in a journal, or read a book about gratitude. These are all things he can keep in his room as reminders or share with other people in his life. What a great lesson for a child to learn.

BabbaBox is a great idea for any family with children ages 3-6 years old. BB will be 5 this month so this was perfect for him. He's learning how to read and the illustrations on the instructions helped him understand what he was supposed to do. I also think the monthly subscription of $29.99 is affordable considering the amount of items in the box. Definitely a win for families who are looking for creative fun in a box!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary BabbaBox to review. All opinions are 100% my own.

What I Learned This Thanksgiving Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Last week I drove over 24 hours to spend some quality time with my family on the east coast.
I got to see my mother's only sibling who recently had surgery to remove a tumor in his mouth. Thankfully he is doing well and is on the road to recovery. The best part of my visit with him?

'Laila, you are getting big!".

Forced smile. "It's great to see you too, Uncle!"

I appreciate my Uncle's candor and willingness to point all of this out in front of my family and family friends.

But really?

Aside from that, I also got to see a plethora of folks who remember me as a sweet and shy 5 year old. Lot's of "You don't remember me do you?". I'm now 30...take a wild guess. It's always interested to meet folks who remember me as a child. I've always wanted to ask "what was I like?" But perhaps it's best if that stays a mystery.

The best part of this trip was getting to see my childhood home.It made me realize how much I miss living on the east coast. Every time I go back I have serious deja vu and wonder what would life be like if I moved back. Who knows. I just know that I'm not in love with Chicago and have been itching to get out.

Now back to my Uncle's comment.

I have gained weight. And it became frustratingly (not sure if that's a word but oh well) obvious this weekend. All of my clothes that I carefully packed suddenly looked horrifically ill-fitting. I was embarrassed. And this was before I even started my sweet potato casserole diet. I haven't stepped on a scale in a while but I think it's time to get back movin'. Somewhere in the midst of my everyday I have stopped taking care of myself and my Uncle pointed it out to me.

I needed to hear it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Granted I'm thinking about the historical connotations of the holiday, more so the emphasis on family. My family is spread around the United States and I cannot remember the last time I was in the same space with all of my siblings. Over the years I've spent the holiday with family, both biological and made. For me, this is truly a day and season to give thanks to those we care about and to the Almighty for the blessings we have received throughout the year. In the hustle and bustle of life I think we sometimes forget to simply say 'thank you' and truly mean it.

BB and I will be travelling east to spend some time with one of my sisters and her family. I am excited because it's been a while since I've seen my sister. She is 9 years older than me and sometimes acts as if she is my mom. Over the years we have butted heads but there is nothing more I want than to give her a hug and tell her that I love her. I also get to see my favorite niece and BB's favorite cousin. Should be fun times, minus the long car ride.

However you spend your Thanksgiving, I hope you spend it with people you care for and doing things that bring you joy. Happy Thanksgiving.

A "No Gift" Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Photo Credit

The countdown has begun to BB's fifth birthday party.

I've been researching locations and checking the internet for ideas still haven't decided what we are going to do. One thing that has come to mind is this idea of telling his guests not to bring presents. As my only child and the only grandchild in close range, he has a LOT of toys. I often liken his room to Toys 'R Us after Christmas. I will also admit that I spoil him out of guilt. That's another blog post.

Here are some ideas I've found for the 'No Gift' birthday party. I need to figure out the best way to present this to BB. I would only do it once I have explained to him why I want to do this. I have a fear of raising a child who is materialistic. I want him to value relationships not items.

Book exchange. Have everyone bring a book to exchange with another child at the party
Bring gifts to donate. We could select a children's charity
Ask guests to donate $10 to BB's college fund

Any other ideas? What are your thoughts on a abstaining from gifts for a birthday?

Co-Sleeping Made Me a Better Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Photo Credit

Earlier this month Milwaukee's Health Department released these ads advising parents against sleeping with their children.

This made my eye twitch.

When I brought my son home from the hospital I had every intention of having him sleep in a crib in his room. I had heard horror stories from my sisters (who both co-slept) about what can happen when you let your child sleep with you. Mainly that you'll never be able to get them out of the bed. We never talked about SIDs or incidents of them rolling over on their children. A few days into my life as a new mom I brought my son into my bedroom and put him into a Moses' basket. A few days later my son was in my bed.

My reasons for putting my son in the bed with me were simple. I was breastfeeding and didn't want to get out of the bed at night to walk across my apartment to get him to nurse. It was a complete light bulb moment for me to have to simply turn over and 'pop a boob' and both of us go back to sleep. As a single, working mom, I need my sleep. Especially during my postpartum days, my sleep was sacred. I knew that in order to be a good mom to my baby, I needed to be at 100% because I was solely responsible for his care.

The biggest issue I have with this ad is the bedding that the baby is laying on. I'm sure there is a parent somewhere that thinks it's a good idea to put their baby on a bed of fluff and feathers, but why? Instead of telling parents not to co-sleep, tell them how to do it safely. In my brief internet search I saw that parents of color are more likely to co-sleep. I'm not entirely sure why but if this the case, why not put more money into telling parents how to sleep with their children and reduce risks of SIDS and smothering?

Co-sleeping allowed me to get rest and continue breastfeeding my son. Two important factors in my parenting. I do not like it being associated with letting my child sleep with a meat cleaver.

Wordless Wednesday: I'm Not Sleepy

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

After a busy morning.

There Will Always Be Laundry

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Photo Credit

I've decided to give up.
There will always be laundry.
My sink will always have dishes that need to be washed. I don't own a dishwasher, although the next place I live will have one.
No matter how many blogs I read with great organizing tips, I have yet to find a system that works for my household.

I don't believe in having a unclean house, I don't do bugs! But I do believe that the world will not crumble if the clothes stay in the basket.

I'd rather use my time playing Transformers with BB.

Unplugged Sundays: Cranberry Walnut Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:05:00 +0000

I wanted to share what I made last Sunday on my first attempt at unplugging and using that time to create something. I made my first loaf of bread in my breadmaker. Only thing I would do differently is use half a cup of walnuts and cranberries. What did you do to unplug?

My Crazy Sexy Diet: Meat Free?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Do you watch Super Soul Sunday on OWN? I highly recommend you do. The only way I can explain it is a 3 hour block of reflection and inspiration. The first time I tuned in to view the documentary 'Crazy Sexy Cancer' by Kris Carr. Kris was diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer that caused her make some amazing changes in her lifestyle and diet. I headed to the library to get a copy of her book 'Crazy Sexy Diet' and have been thinking a lot about my own diet. Particularly my love for animal flesh. *sigh* I've battled a lot with my love for meat but after watching this documentary and talking to other vegetarians and vegans I am slowly making the transition to a meat less existence. I've invited the lovely Monique Koch from Brown Vegan to share her experience living the meat-free life. Enjoy!

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Hi Everyone,

My name is Monique Koch and I live in Virginia with my husband and three boys. I’m so excited to have my first guest post on Laila’s blog, as Laila asked me to talk about ways to feed your family vegan meals.

I became a vegetarian in 2008, after researching organic food and inhumane practices in factory farms. Last year however, I decided to embrace a vegan diet for my family and myself after reading Sistah Vegan by Breeze Harper. A vegan is a person who doesn’t eat any meat or animal byproducts (eggs & dairy) for health and/or ethical reasons.

Of course, it’s not always easy feeding my family vegan meals, being that I’m still learning a lot about vegan cooking, and my middle son (age 8) is a very picky eater. Overall though, being vegan has been a very rewarding lifestyle change; for I’m constantly creating and adapting delicious meals, while learning and embracing best practices.

Here are a few tips:

Drink smoothies at breakfast and for snacks- Drinking smoothies is a great way to increase your family’s intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. You can blend together frozen strawberries, non-dairy milk, banana, and fresh spinach (I promise you won’t taste the spinach) for a healthy snack or to enjoy with breakfast.

Don’t ask, don’t tell-When offering a new meal to my boys, I serve them and don’t go over the ingredients until after they’ve tried it. Also serving dipping sauce like mustard or ketchup makes them less likely to question tofu nuggets.

Make family favorites vegan style-My kids love ice cream and chocolate pudding, so I experimented with vegan recipes to give them a healthier option. I try this approach with many of their favorite meals and snacks.

Experiment with vegan alternatives- There are so many vegan alternatives out there that taste very similar to what accustomed to. Research and test out meatless sausage for stir-fry, cook with soymilk instead of dairy milk, and use vegan margarine (like Earth Balance) for toast and in recipes.

Embrace Meatless Monday- Meatless Monday (http://www.meatlessmonday.com) is an awesome way to start eating more plant-based foods. Try black bean burritos and veggies wraps at dinner, or even breakfast for dinner (minus the meat).

Take baby steps-We didn’t make these changes to our diet overnight. We still have so much more to learn but I’m thankful for all of the amazing information available. Visit a few vegan blogs, watch YouTube videos on vegan cooking, read a few books (By Any Green Necessary by Tracye McQuirter and The Remedy by Supa Nova Slom are good choices) and take a stand for compassionate eating.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on my blog www.brownvegan.com or @brownvegan on Twitter.

Choosing Montessori

noreply@blogger.com (Laila) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I always knew that BB would attend a Montessori school.

I fell in love with the idea of hands on, self-directed learning.
I fell in love with the idea of children being taught practical life skills.
I fell in love with the idea that each child's unique talents and learning styles should be valued.

Montessori Style Classroom

Of course this comes with a hefty price tag. *sigh*

When I started searching for a school, tuition was a big issue. It seems that some places charge my month's salary in tuition. Why is quality education so expensive? What are single parents or those who are not ballin' out of control to do? Keep searching. I must have visited over 10 Montessori schools in the area and asked about scholarships or financial aid packages. I've found over the years that many places have scholarships that they don't advertise, it never hurts to ask.

If you've been reading my blog or my tweets you know that diversity is very important to me. In addition to finding a school that I could afford, it was important to find a diverse school. I am happy to report that Montessori schools seem to be the most diverse of other private schools I've visited. This includes the teachers and staff members. *cabbagepatch*

BB has attended his school since September and I couldn't be happier. He doesn't spend the day on worksheets but comes home with a map he's drawn of Central America. His classroom doesn't have rows of desks and chairs but stations that allow him to explore fractions, conduct science experiences and learn how to arrange flowers. What an exciting way to spend each day! In a perfect world I would be able to home school my son. Since that is not my reality, I have chosen Montessori and I have seen my son flourish.