tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44857355392195961852024-10-06T21:54:03.800-07:00Seattle Parents, Welcome! More than just twins in Seattle, I like to share thoughts on my adventures and outings as a Single Mom of five children. I think having one, two or more children, however far or close in age, entitles you to share wisdom, too. Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-52460111903958854592015-10-15T11:34:00.002-07:002015-10-15T11:34:16.353-07:00

NOTE: This is one of the many blogs I've started every time I've gotten the 'You should write a book!' from folks.  This post is ALSO a draft. In the future, it will be cleverly-written, concise, contain a few fun pics, and most importantly, a plethora of links to past, present and future blog posts. Bloggers, writers, people that write more than one sentence at a time, I salute you.

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-79954582760306848392015-03-01T11:09:00.002-08:002015-03-01T11:09:26.505-08:00

Thanks to Seattle's Child for posting a summary of my top tips for dealing with my kids ;) ----------------- BY DEBRA VAUGHN "Matina Fresenius is a super, single mom of five children. She’s featured in this month’s magazine in a story about big families. Fresenius writes about her parenting adventures on her blog and shares some tips and

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-64625807556947676502015-02-01T09:27:00.001-08:002015-02-01T09:27:51.562-08:00

Last month, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by the folks at Seattle's Child for a story on larger families. Sure, it was easy enough to spout off about the wonderful things I experience as a mom of 5 young kids. When I shared the story on Facebook, I was unprepared for all the wonderful comments from friends and acquaintances. In spite of the comments in the story about how I don't

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-39289665292049112522015-01-16T07:08:00.001-08:002015-01-16T07:08:52.604-08:00

Sometimes, I feed my kids cookies for breakfast. Today is Blue Friday, and we bought Seahawks coookies at Safeway last night. Why not. Some days are for organic eggs and spinach omelets, that the kids make using math measurements. Today, cookies and milk. #parentingmyway

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comGreenwood, Seattle47.696873 -122.35618tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-47004504237596772642015-01-12T21:51:00.002-08:002015-01-12T21:57:40.790-08:00

You've heard it before, or you've found yourself saying it to another Mom -- maybe one with more than one child, or one who seems to flow through the parenting river without so much as a stray strand of hair. I finally decided to just throw in the towel and soak up the SuperMom comments. In fact, I went to the Tween section of Macy's, and raided the clearance rack of T-shirts, scoring a few

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-42454731606145809242015-01-06T02:30:00.000-08:002015-03-01T11:15:12.596-08:00

I have seen many articles citing the do's and don'ts, pros and cons, of having more than one child. I am often asked whether having one set of twins first make it easier or harder to decide whether to have another child, especially if you think you might have another set of twins?  In my case, the joys and hardships of having twins, while my oldest son was only 17months old, convinced me

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-91475647579057484662014-08-20T21:39:00.000-07:002015-01-12T21:58:27.106-08:00

You have heard it before. Lower the bar on expectations.  Let's take that a step further - just put the bar on the floor and jump over it. In my world, this means letting dishes pile up and losing shoes in order to get to the playground in time to run laps before school. No one in my house has ever worn matching socks. Contrary to advice from my former in-laws, I also decided not to 'Buy

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-18134406945446138652014-01-04T23:47:00.000-08:002015-01-12T21:59:10.162-08:00

Over the years, as I have muddled through the swamp often called Parenthood, I have dealt with issues in many realms - now expanded to the land of Single Parenthood. I came across some advice I gave to a new twin parent a few years ago, and found it comforting to read over it now. I know we had all kinds of advice thrown at us with our first child, from the ever present 'just put rice cereal in

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-22717518713844018142012-11-07T10:30:00.000-08:002015-01-12T21:59:41.104-08:00

It is hard enough to get out with one brand new baby, but many Moms of Multiples wonder... How will I ever be able to get outside of the house!!:  Yes, we get out! I've taken all give of my kids to Mexican food by myself...ok just once, but it worked. I've taken them all to a wedding. I've taken them to Halloween parties and trick-or-treating, and to a Halloween carnival, no stroller, at my

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-64124308349289072192012-11-07T06:46:00.001-08:002015-01-12T22:00:53.177-08:00

A reader once asked me how to entertain twins during that 1 to 2 year stage.  Outside of all the other fantastic Seattle events and playrooms, another suggestion is to NOT try to entertain them and let them entertain each other.Depending on the setup of your house/yard etc, stepping back and taking a deep breath and carrying on with a semblance of a normal activity can be refreshing and a

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-27946487193469853892011-10-05T06:14:00.000-07:002015-01-12T22:01:50.794-08:00

Today I gave away all our toys. Ok, not all of them, but I got your attention, didn't I? It isn't even Halloween, but the stores are already buzzing with that toy-stocking shelf-luring glitter that will be Christmas present overload in just a few short months. A few years ago, when I just had 3 children under 3 -- a 2 1/2 year old and a pair of 1 year olds -- I started trying to figure out

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-72428494618426486772011-09-27T13:35:00.001-07:002011-09-27T13:48:42.599-07:00

When it comes to feeding twins, or any baby for that matter, a lot of parents take it all too seriously. Yes, you are supposed to start out with one thing, watch for allergies, monitor any small child while eating etc. But, that doesn't mean every single thing you give your kids and/or babies has to be pureed to the point of dribbling off the highchair or chopped so finely that you need a

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-42013691493500134602011-09-08T13:01:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:02:19.927-07:00

Whether it is back to school, or entering school for the very first time, this entire process can be overwhelming for both parents and kids. What are some of the things you've done to make it easier on you? On your kids?

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-53681949947153806922011-08-18T13:52:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:55:11.066-07:00

 I had a question emailed from a new mom a few weeks ago, dealing with how to address comments from her family about the milestones her twins (born a few weeks early) were reaching, and why they were delayed etc. Her inlaws went so far as to say she was disabling them by adjusting the milestones to the corrected age on the advice of her Doctor! My thoughts.... You know, I don't

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-79408608468995366012011-03-16T20:48:00.000-07:002011-03-16T20:48:54.337-07:00

I hadn't been to Arena Sports Inflatables in quite some time, and was pleased to find out that they have totally revised their indoor play zone! They are even open on weekend mornings -- check it out!

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-30614819981340840052011-03-11T21:10:00.000-08:002011-03-16T21:15:02.477-07:00

Or at least it should be! All this rain have you feeling soggy and trapped inside with the kiddos? Thinking back on our favorite rainy-day parks, I remembered this piece I did for Red Tri -- one of the best rainy-day neighborhoods in my opinion. --- Ready to turn over a new leaf? Try Maple. Seattle’s often overlooked Maple Leaf neighborhood features several must-dos for tots. Where to play:

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-37119493172472669092011-03-08T14:50:00.000-08:002011-03-08T14:50:36.143-08:00

Today, many days after I'd contacted customer service again about the problem I had on the Fandango deal, I received  reply. I was very excited. That excited soon turned into disappointment when I saw the reply was simply a generic reply, once again telling me that I must not have used the correct link to share out... Here is their email: Thanks for getting in on a great deal and for

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-224028330892886212011-03-06T14:43:00.000-08:002011-03-06T14:43:32.871-08:00

I've been a long time supporter of deal sites such as Groupon, Mamapedia and others. I also found a site called Livingsocial.com, and thought it to be innovative and, so I thought, a good deal. They don't give the same type of referral credit the other sites do. Instead, you have to buy the product first and then share the specific link they email you with your friends. They are betting on you

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-25967145561799716722011-02-05T06:53:00.000-08:002011-03-05T06:56:24.768-08:00

If you find yourself turning to the computer when bad weather keeps you inside, read some words of advice I penned for Red Tricycle, and please send me any other Web sites you find helpful! ---- When it comes to kids and computers, you may be torn between handing over the mouse and keyboard, or shuffling Junior outside to get back to nature. Never fear—there exists a balance and we’ll show

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-18361520810424690232010-09-13T13:33:00.000-07:002011-01-13T13:44:41.242-08:00

As a Seattle parent of multiples -- or a parent anywhere for that matter, you are probably already seeking out 2-for-1 deals, twin bargains, or savings all around! Now that I'm on my second set of twins, and my 4th and 5th children, I find myself with so little time to scour the internet, so when I find good deals like these, I want to share with parents of multiple kids first! You can sign up

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-89167083844526506632010-04-03T15:03:00.000-07:002010-04-03T15:03:42.094-07:00

Seattle Parks offers some fantastic, and did we mention, FREE, events you can do with your kiddos. Upcoming on April 10th is a Celebration featuring Caspar Babypants! Join Magnuson Community Center and EarthCorps for the first “Celebrate Urban Nature” event at the center, 7110 62nd Ave. NE, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. Bring the whole family to enjoy:A tour of the

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-27939936266867953152010-03-01T08:43:00.000-08:002010-03-16T08:47:56.712-07:00

How about some indoor swim classes with Little One while we wait for the weather to warm and the wading pools to make their Summer debut? Mark your calendars, set your Smartphone reminders and take note -- these classes fill up fast. You'll want to be on your computer at 11:55 with codes in hand, credit-card form fillers prefilled (you know, Roboform, 1Password, Google Toolbar...surely you have

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-88010473624649704742010-02-05T08:40:00.000-08:002010-03-16T08:43:10.811-07:00

I recently wrote about Carkeek Park for Red Tri -- have you checked it out lately? Let me know what other great parks you love to visit with the kids -- this weather has been fantastic!---- We all know the northwest corner of Seattle offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, but tucked in between Crown Hill and Broadview is a fantastic oasis known as Carkeek Park. The

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-74496963903566671662010-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:002010-02-01T08:10:37.891-08:00

I took my twins and toddler downtown this weekend, again, and was amazed at how much easier it is to navigate, even with a double stroller, than folks might think. I wrote about this for Red Tri - let me know when you plan to visit Belltown - it is really worth it. -------- It might seem like ages ago that you and your Sig O shared a late night show or two at the Crocodile, but if you’ve crossed

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4485735539219596185.post-5852925770169683022009-12-23T16:44:00.000-08:002009-12-29T16:44:55.844-08:00

As the holidays approach, screen time is inevitable, but why not let the kids learn a little something, too? ---- When it comes to kids and computers, you may be torn between handing over the mouse and keyboard, or shuffling Junior outside to get back to nature. Never fear—there exists a balance and we’ll show you where to start. 1. National Geographic Kids has been around since 1975. An

Matinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01185300864038871597noreply@blogger.com