10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. While Valentine’s Day is typically a celebration for couples, it provides parents with a special chance to show their children how much they love them. Since it seems like my girls were just bombarded with gifts at Christmas, I try not to overwhelm them with gifts at Valentine’s Day. Instead, I look for ways to show them how much I love them without giving them one more stuffed animal.

Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with kids:

1. Tell Your Love Story

My daughters love to hear about how mommy and daddy fell in love. This is such a simple thing to do, but it is also a special way to teach kids about loving relationships.

2. Add a Heart to Their Door Each Day

Photo: 4theloveoffamily.com

Rather than celebrating only on February 14th, I like to look for ways to celebrate all month long. One thing I’ve come across online is adding paper hearts to your child’s door each day with a brief compliment or expression of your love. By the end of February, their actual hearts will be full of love.

3. Write Messages on Mirrors

Similarly, make a point of surprising your kids with a sweet message on the mirror. Just writing “You are so beautiful!” or “I love your smile!” will go a long way in building your child’s self-confidence.

4. Take Your Child on a Date

Daddy-daughter dates are all the rage, but I don’t think this is something just for dads and daughters. I think parents should always strive to spend some quality time alone with each child now and then. For example, I like to take each daughter out for a special mom-daughter date to get our nails done.

5. Treat them to a Grown-Up Meal at Home

Your kids will feel so special if you treat them to a special grown-up meal at home like breakfast in bed or a fancy dinner complete with candles. Whenever I do something like this, my girls feel so grown!

6. Put Love Notes in Their Lunchboxes

I always try to leave a little note in my daughter’s lunch boxes, but for February, I am focusing on writing notes that tell them all the reasons I love them.

7. Make Heart Shaped Pancakes

Embrace the hearts and all Valentine’s Day themed baking supplies. Simply having heart shaped pancakes or eating a cupcake decorated with hearts will make the holiday feel more special.

8. Snuggle and Read Books About Love

Life gets busy, so it is important to find little moments when you simply snuggle with your little loves. Grab a warm blanket, a book about love, and snuggle up close.

9. Eat a Red-Themed Dinner

Create a meal that corresponds to the Valentine’s Day color palette. Choose red and pink foods and watch as your kids giggle and eat every bite on their plates.

10. Go on a Valentine’s Day Themed Scavenger Hunt

Put together a simple scavenger hunt around your home with paper hearts and clues. It is up to you to decide what treasure the hunt will lead to, but in our house, I’m leaning towards chocolate.

10 Wintry Ways for Families to Have “Snow” Much Fun in NYC

Do you remember when you were a kid and you were thrilled every time it snowed? If you are a New Yorker, that feeling has likely passed. But, if you are a mom, you have kids who are just as excited as you once were.

The next time it snows, I hope you look for opportunities to embrace the magic of winter. To help you out, I’m listing ten of my favorite ways to spend a snow day in New York City.

1. Cuddle and watch movies at home

Ideally, my favorite way to spend a snow day is cuddling with my husband and daughters indoors. This is especially true on the days when the snow seems to make New York City come to a complete stop. We like to get under warm blankets and watch our favorite movies all day long.

2. Bundle up and play in the snow

But, I have children and they have to get outside and play in the snow – even if just for a few minutes. Building a snowman (or woman) is so easy and it brings my girls so much joy.

3. Search for the best hot chocolate

There is an abundance of hot chocolate options in the city, and a snowy day is the perfect time to try a few and see which place has the best. Plus, drinking hot chocolate makes walking back home in the snow much more enjoyable.

4. Head to your favorite indoor play place

Rather than being stuck indoors without any way to get their energy out, I love to head to one of our favorite indoor play places. Check out TimeOut’s Best Indoor Playgrounds in NYC to give you ideas of ones closest to home.

5. Go ice skating

If you want the quintessential winter experience, then take the kids to Central Park to go ice skating. The rink and the scenery are beautiful and perfect for families on a winter day.

6. Hit the hills

Similarly, we love to go sledding! NYC has several great hills for sledding such as Central Park’s Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill. Here’s a secret – adults love sledding just as much as the kids.

7. Explore a new-to-you museum

In NYC, you never run out of museums to visit. So, take this opportunity to visit a museum you haven’t been to before – or at least introduce your kids to a new museum. This is a great way to take a break from the cold and be away from home at the same time.

8. Visit an indoor trampoline park

If you really want to ensure your kids sleep well tonight, then head to one of NYC’s best indoor trampoline parks. These places are awesome! Your whole family will have a blast jumping and flying through the air.

9. Have a baking marathon

Being stuck indoors on a snowy day is a great excuse to have a baking marathon. Call the whole family into the kitchen and cook some of your favorite treats.

10. Do some snow science

Just because the kids are out of school doesn’t mean the learning has to end. Try some of these Snow Science Experiments for Kids. Most of these experiments only require snow and things you already have at home.

To Hike with Kids or To Hike Alone – That is the Question

It’s no secret that I love to get outdoors and hike. When you live in a city, it is so important to get a break from city life, and hiking is one of the best ways to get away from the noise and busyness of NYC.

Let’s face it. It is easier to hike kid-free, but sometimes the benefits outweigh the added complications. Moreover, studies show that kids who participate in outdoor activities, such as hiking, as children are more likely to participate in these same healthy, outdoor activities as adults.

When I am planning my outdoor escape, I often have to choose between hiking alone or with other adults or hiking with my kids. There is no right or wrong answer here! It all comes down to how I feel that day.

So, when it comes to deciding whether to hike with kids or to hike alone, the following thoughts guide my decision-making.

The Benefits of Hiking Alone

• I can enjoy the peace and quiet. A major benefit of hiking is that you leave behind all the noise. However, if you hike with your kids, you are bringing the noise along with you. If I am in the mood for peace and quiet, then I hike alone. If I would rather hear the birds chirping and the leaves rustling than my daughters singing the same song over and over again, I’m going to go alone.

• I can hike at my own pace. We all have a pace we are comfortable hiking. Some people like leisurely hikes, while others walk at a brisk pace. Either way is fine – unless you are walking with kids. If your kids are with you, you must walk at their pace for safety reasons.

• I can choose more advanced or challenging trails. Similarly to walking at your own pace, you can choose the trails you want to try rather than the ones that are kid-friendly.

• I can think. Hiking provides the space to think – especially if you unplug. However, if I take my daughters with me, all I am doing is thinking. My mind is constantly on them and their safety. So, if I need time away to think, then I go at it alone.

The Benefits of Hiking with Your Kids

• I can teach my daughters to appreciate the outdoors. Kids love nature, but they must be taught to appreciate nature. When I point out trees and birds, I am drawing their attention to the beauty of creation. Likewise, hiking provides the parents a chance to explain the importance of taking care of nature and why it matters.

• I can bond with my family. Hiking is a great family bonding experience. You are together away from the usual distractions. You have tons of time to talk and laugh together. Plus, it helps you bond when you conquer challenges together.

• I can help my girls get out their excess energy. Kids need opportunities to burn energy – especially on days when they don’t have recess at school. Hiking is a great way to get them up and moving – and it makes bedtime so much easier.

• I can use hiking to build my kids’ confidence. Each time my daughters hike, they are learning how to navigate more independently. When I allow them to push themselves a little more each time, they are building confidence.

Which do you prefer? Let me know if you see hiking as bonding time or kid-free time in the comments!

My Wishes for My Daughters in this New Year

As a mom, my heart and mind are always on my two beautiful daughters. Even when we are apart, I am thinking about them and wishing them well. As their mom, it is my unique responsibility to help them grow up to be strong women.

Sometimes I get so focused on who I want my daughters to grow up to be that I lose sight of who they are right now. So, while I don’t think my girls need to make resolutions as adults do at the start of a new year, there are some wishes I hope to come true for them over the next year — wishes that will allow them to be little but also help them to grow.

Allow me the opportunity to make some wishes for my daughters in this new year.

Embrace fun

May this year be one where our kids have more fun. Let’s embrace silliness. Let’s fill our homes with laughter. Instead of forcing our kids to be picture-perfect all the time, let’s give them space to let their hair down.

Play and play some more

Extracurricular activities are great, but this year, let’s have more free play time. Let’s encourage imaginative play with our children becoming different characters and turning ordinary household objects into magical inventions.

Try something new

For children, trying new things can be scary. But, also for kids, much of the world is still new to them. May this be the year they decide to try something new – a new sport, a new activity, or simply a new food.

Learn something valuable

Yes – kids need to learn their ABCs and 123s, and they should be praised when they do so. But, let’s also help them learn life skills. May this be the year they learn to do something of value that they will use the rest of their lives – like how to tie their shoes.

Share, give, donate

As their toy collections grow, may they be encouraged to share with their siblings and friends and give to the needy. May they donate to causes that move their young hearts – animals, foster care, or children’s hospitals.

Practice gratitude

Throughout the year, may our kids practice gratitude. As every door is opened and each gift unwrapped, may they say “thank you” without being reminded.

Celebrate well and often

Celebrating Mickey Mouse’s 90th Birthday

This year let’s celebrate birthdays and holidays and everything in between. May we find every opportunity to cheer, decorate with balloons and confetti, and eat cake.

Create something beautiful

Let’s fill our closets with art supplies and let the kids go wild. May our faces show sheer delight when they proudly show us their beautiful disasters. May we hang them from our refrigerators and frame them on the wall.

Stay healthy

May they wash their hands constantly and exercise regularly. May they avoid stomach bugs, the flu, and eat something green. May they stay safe and healthy all year long.

Fellow mamas, what wishes do you have for your children this year?

How to Make the Most of Your Christmas Morning

Christmas brings out the crazy in the best of us. That’s why this year I have a plan. I want Christmas morning to be magical and memorable – and I want those memories to be good ones! Since having my girls, I have come to realize that you can’t prevent chaos, but you can do little things to make these special days more enjoyable for everyone.

Here are my tips for making the most of your Christmas morning:

Enjoy the Alone Time with Your Spouse Christmas Eve

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the night before when mom and dad magically become Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Yes, building toys can be super annoying, but I do enjoy the quiet time in the evening with my man drinking wine and anticipating the joy on our girl’s faces the next day.

Prepare Breakfast Ahead of Time

All the Christmas morning fun is always followed by breakfast. But who wants to cook an elaborate meal on Christmas morning? No one! Instead, plan breakfast ahead of time. Choose to go with something simple that only has to be reheated (or served cold) or cook a breakfast casserole overnight in a slow cooker.

Having Your Morning Beverage Supplies Ready to Go

Opening presents requires a grown-up beverage. If you are a serious coffee drinker, have your special Christmas coffee supplies ready to go. Better yet, program the coffee maker in advance. If you prefer hot chocolate, have supplies to make it extra Christmas-y. For a celebratory beverage, have supplies on hand for Christmas morning mimosas.

Wrap a Giant Box for Trash

Unwrapping presents in a hurry leads to a giant mass of wrapping paper and trash. You can avoid having to clean up afterward by simply designating one large box as your trash box. But you can also step it up by wrapping the outside of this box. This way instead of having trash or a garbage bag in all your pictures, you will have an elegantly wrapped festive box.

Don’t Forget Batteries and Scissors

When it comes to children, it is impossible to survive the present opening fun without having batteries and scissors. There is going to be a present your kid has to open immediately – hence the scissors. And there is always at least one present that requires batteries.

Wear Cozy Pajamas

Now, it’s time for bed. Put on your coziest (and cutest) pajamas. Get as much sleep as possible and be prepared to roll out of bed ready to go. Just don’t forget to wash your face and brush your hair quickly. You’ll thank me when your husband snaps a pic of you unwrapping a gift.

Don’t Expect Perfection

When it comes to Christmas morning, a lot of women have high expectations. We dream of Pinterest-perfect, insta-worthy Christmas mornings. But, here’s your reality check – it will not be perfect. Go ahead and accept this fact and embrace Christmas morning for all its perfect and imperfect moments.

Spend Time with the One's You Love

Everyone’s Christmas Day looks differently, but it is important to spend time with the ones you love. Even if you do not have plans to be with all your loved ones on Christmas Day, make a point to speak to them on the phone (or better yet, video chat).

If you know of any other tips to help Christmas morning be more magical and less frantic, let me know in the comments. Merry Christmas!

What to Do in NYC as a Family this Holiday Season

While there are always plenty of things for families to do in New York City, the holiday season ramps up the fun. The city comes alive even more and making it feel like NYC its truly the best place to be for the “most wonderful time of the year.” Each year, I try to plan out things to do with my family to celebrate Christmas in NYC. Here are my picks for 2018:

Shop at American Girl Place

My daughters have hit the age where American Girl dolls are all they want. Thankfully, there is an American Girl Place in NYC. If you have not visited the store before, it is a whole experience in and of itself. Visiting the store with my girls this time of year also helps me check something off Santa’s list.

Watch the Nutcracker Ballet

Photograph: Paul Kolnik

It is a tradition to take in a performance of The Nutcracker Ballet. All whole family loves watching The Nutcracker, and New York City Ballet has the best of the best.

Observe the Trains at the Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a city tradition that my family always enjoys. This train display is unique because it travels around over 175 New York landmarks.

Make a Wish List by Visiting FAO Schwarz

Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

FAO Schwarz has newly reopened, so we are so excited to go visit this famous toy store. Not only will our girls get to make their Christmas wish lists, we will get to see first-hand the toys they really gravitate to making our Christmas shopping easier.

Marvel at the Gingerbread House in Madison Square Park

Making gingerbread houses is fun, but seeing a life-size gingerbread house is even better! Head to Madison Square Park to see those giant gingerbread houses.

See the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Photograph: Ali Goldstein

Another New York City tradition is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes – and for good reason! It is such a fun show to see as a family! We look forward to it every year.

Go Ice Skating

Throughout New York, there are several ice skating rinks. The most popular is the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. In addition to being iconic, it is also one of the most Christmas-y spots in the city.

Have Holiday Tea at the Plaza

If your kids have read the children’s book Eloise, the holidays are the perfect time to visit the Plaza Hotel and experience Eloise’s life in the hotel. In addition to holiday tea, they also have a cute setup for kids to write letters to Santa.

Visit Santa at Macy’s

The most popular place to visit Santa is Macy’s. Everyone should visit the iconic (and giant) Macy’s Santaland with their children at least once.

Search for the Best Hot Chocolate

While you trek around NYC in the cold weather, search for the best hot chocolate. While Serendipity 3 is the most well-known frozen hot chocolate spot, you are bound to find some others that serve warm delicious chocolate-y goodness in a cup.

Which Christmas Festivities Does Your Family Most Enjoy in NYC?

Our Paw-some Adventure Before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Are your kids crazy about the Nickelodeon show PAW Patrol? PAW Patrol is one of the most popular shows for kids on tv today. My girls love the show and were tickled to hear we had the special opportunity to see the beloved Nick Jr. character Chase come to life before their eyes. Read on to hear all about the new PAW Patrol TV movie and our adventure at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade PAW Patrol balloon inflation.

Why Paw Patrol is a Show My Girls Love

“No job is too big; no pup is too small.” This is the main idea of the kid-friendly Nick Jr. television show PAW Patrol. The show focuses on a ten-year-old Ryder and his pack of rescue dogs. Each of the six rescue pups has a unique personality and talent, which allows the pups to all work together to save the day and keep Adventure Bay safe. As a mom, I appreciate that the show teaches the kids valuable life lessons and encourages positive behaviors.

Why the New TV Movie is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer

The PAW Patrol crew have been embarking on new and exciting adventures, which you can experience through the PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups DVD, available exclusively at Walmart. It takes the fans of the show on a longer mission, allowing them to spend more time with the characters they know and love. If your kids are like my girls, you know that they can re-watch their favorite PAW Patrol episodes over and over again. So, when I heard that the DVD is being sold exclusively at Walmart, I knew it would be a great stocking stuffer for them. My girls will be thrilled that they can watch the movie whenever they want!

What Made This Event Even More Special

As a super popular show for kids, it makes sense that PAW Patrol would be featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A giant balloon would bring the pup, Chase, to life in New York City for the parade – and we got to see it happen! As PAW Patrol lovers and fans of the parade’s giant balloons, I knew this was an event my girls would absolutely love. And, I wasn’t wrong! Even with the chilly weather, it was so fun to see the balloon being filled right before our eyes. My daughters thought it was PAW-some!

Why Everyone Should See the Balloon Inflation

If you have only ever watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, then you may not have given much thought to how the popular parade happens. For instance, the iconic massive balloons have to be inflated and staged the day before Thanksgiving. Visitors can stop by and watch the balloons be inflated and see the characters grow and float. Plus, you also get to see how they prevent the balloons from floating away before the parade – with giant nets and sandbags! It’s really fun to see the magic that happens before the main events even begins.

Why We Love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

All across America, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a well-loved holiday tradition. But, for New Yorkers, the parade is quintessential to us. It is the true start to the holiday season. It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without it!

The Hottest Toys This Holiday Season

As a mom, there are few things I love as much as seeing my daughters’ imaginations run wild. And, when I purchase the right toys, I know I am providing my daughters with endless possibilities for them to have fun and be creative. I’ve learned as a mom that the best toys provide hours of entertainment. Plus, the right toys mean mom gets a break, too.

My Visit to eBay Toytopia

Last week, my family went to the eBay Toytopia pop-up in Chelsea Market. This unique pop-up event showcased the hottest toys of this holiday season. Guests got to see what toys are currently trending, and I got to see what toys my daughters are most hopeful they will receive this Christmas. Kids even got to play with the most wanted toys! It was so much fun to see my daughters playing and feeling excited about the upcoming holiday.

I attended the eBay Toytopia event, and now I am prepared to fill you in on which toys are expected to be the biggest toys of the year. Having my daughters alongside me also helped me see which toys my little princesses are really hoping Santa brings them this Christmas – and it gave me an inside look into which toys your kids are most likely to want, too. For instance, Fingerling Hugs were a big hit with the whole family, as well as a cool electric guitar designed for kids. You can hop over to my Instagram to see my daughter rocking out.

The Surprise Toy Hits for the 2018 Holiday Season

Every year there are some surprise toy hits that all kids want for Christmas. Often, they are so popular that they run out leaving parents searching frantically to find them before Christmas morning. To help you avoid this mess, here are three of the surprise toy hits for 2018.

• WowWee Fingerling Hugs – Fingerling Hugs are bigger, huggable, interactive stuffed versions of last year’s popular fingerling toys. These swinging monkeys make the cutest sounds when you play with them and come in bright colors. My daughters love them!

• Feisty Pets – If your kid has not mentioned Feisty Pets yet, they will soon. Feisty Pets are cute stuffed animals until you squeeze them, and their feisty side comes out – complete with scary faces.

• Soggy Doggy Board Game – Last year was all about Pie Face, this year expect your youngest kids to want the Soggy Doggy Board Game.

You can find all of these at eBay Toytopia.

The Toys You Won’t Feel the Least Bit Guilty About Giving

While I am all about giving my girls toys that are simply fun and encourage imagination, I am even more excited to give them a toy that helps them learn. Thankfully, parents don’t have to look far. There are so many STEM toy options designed to help kids play and learn at the same time. For instance, my girls loved the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. There are several STEM coding toys on the market now, and your kids will love these fun challenges.

The Toys That Never Go Out of Style

At Toytopia NYC, I was also happy to see that there are some toys that will never go out of style. While they are continuously being improved from one generation to the next, some toys will always be well loved by children. Kids will always love playing with dolls and action figures (whether they are Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes, or Transformers), LEGOs, and game systems (such as PlayStation).

What toys are on your kid’s wish lists this year? What wish list items surprise you?

Forget the Baby Registry. Here are 10 Things Moms Really Need (or Want)

Being in the mom blog sphere, I am constantly seeing people ask about mom must-haves. However, my baby registry days are over. And, as any experienced mom will tell you, half the stuff you register for you do not even need. But, now that I’ve been doing this mom thing for a few years now, I think I have a good grasp on what moms really need (or want).

I invite you to read over my list of ten things and respond with the things you would recommend as dream mom must-haves.

1. A Giant Bag

During the diaper years, you are going to need a big bag. Period. You will not be able to leave the house without a giant Mary Poppins-sized bag full of mom tricks. Fortunately, designers have seen the need, and today you can find gorgeous designer diaper bags that look more purse-like than boxy diaper bags.

2. A Netflix Subscription

In the baby days, you will find Netflix is your new best friend. Netflix is the one who will be there for you during the middle of the night feeding sessions. And, as your children grow and you head back to work, Netflix will be there for you in the evenings when you are too tired to think.

3. A Meal Delivery Service

Many moms find they are so busy and so tired that they can’t even see straight – let alone plan out healthy meals for the family. Make it easier on yourself by subscribing to a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh. 

4. A Regular Babysitter

It is so easy to let date night take a backseat after you have kids, but it is so important to stay connected with your spouse. The problem for many moms is that they don’t have a regular babysitter. We just want a babysitter that we trust that is reliable! Why is that so hard to find?

5. Endless Amounts of Coffee

Moms want (and need) all the coffee. Really people should just be handed out coffee for free to moms they see on the street. We need it. We are tired. There is a big possibility we did not get enough sleep. Just give us the coffee!

6. A Workout Routine

Not all moms like to work out, but working out has been proven to not only keep you healthy physically but also mentally healthy. If we have just a few minutes every day to get those endorphins up, we should do it. But, again, it is not that easy! If you are finding it hard to get to the gym, consider signing up for online courses.

7. A House Cleaner

Do I even need to explain this one? Ha! All moms secretly fantasize of coming home to a clean home, but realistically, our homes are filled with children. And children are messy.

8. A Personal Wine Fridge

Drinking wine out of a plastic cup. #momlife

In the evenings, many moms like to wine-down. If this is you, invest in a personal wine fridge ensuring you never run out when you need it the most - like a day filled with work complications and toddler tantrums.

9. Something Pretty Just for Herself

As a mom, it is very easy to shop for your kids instead of yourself. You deserve something pretty for yourself! I splurge on beautiful shoes. The shoes are all mine, and they remind me I more than just “mom.”

10. A Camera or an Excellent Photographer

While many of the things on this list are things we want but don’t necessarily need, I firmly believe all moms need photographs of their kids. If you have camera skills, then invest in a quality camera. If you’d rather have professional photos done, then book a photographer whose work you love. Just remember to print the photos out and frame them!

What am I missing? What are some other things moms really need?

Things I Wish I Knew Before Having Kids

Being a mom is my greatest joy, but I don’t want to gloss it all over. Sometimes being a mom is hard. Really hard. Before having my babies, I had some ideas of what being a mom would be like and what having kids would look like. If you are a mom reading this then you know where I am headed – I got a lot of it wrong.

Don’t get me wrong. I love being a mom. And, some days I do a pretty good job. But, that doesn’t hide the fact that there have been many (many) surprises. I’m sure we all have our own lists of things we wish we knew before having kids, but I’m sharing mine with you today.

You can function on less sleep.

Hear me out! I said you CAN function – not that you will function well! I thought before kids that I had to have my beauty sleep. Having kids means not only losing your beauty sleep but sleeping a whole lot less than is recommended by doctors. But, you find you can survive on little sleep.

Traveling is much harder with kids.

It is no secret that I love to travel, and I always imagined jaunting off with my family in tow. While we do take vacations with our kids, traveling is much different now. The places we travel are much more kid-friendly, and the trips themselves are more challenging.

Your house will never be as clean as it was before kids.

Gone are the days of spotless anything. I wish I had never complained about the state of my house prior to having kids because I know better now.

Mom brain is real.

People joke about “mom brain,” but it is a real thing! When your brain is focused on taking care of little humans plus work, family, and friends, it is understandable to forget things now and then.

Things do not go according to plan.

Those plans you have? Throw them out the window. With kids, I have learned to lower my expectations. When I plan and expect too much, I am bound to be disappointed.

You will value quiet so much more.

The quiet use to make me a little crazy. I wanted some noise. Now, I crave the quiet. When the house is quiet, it feels like a gift.

You will need mom friends and friend without kids.

You need women with kids to commiserate with, and you need kid-free friends as well. Both are important. Your mom friends will understand when you need to cancel last minute, and your kid-free friends are always up for spontaneous fun.

You do not need all that crap.

It is so easy to shop and shop and shop for adorable baby stuff. While the baby stuff wasn’t as terrible as some people make it out to be, the problem is that it never stops. As your babies grow, so does the crap. At some point, your home will look less like your space and more like a miniature playground.

You will miss carrying a tiny purse.

I love purses, but with babies, you switch to a diaper bag. Diaper bags have come a long way, and now you can find fashionable designer diaper bags. However, after months of lugging around a giant diaper bag full of stuff, you will look forward to the day when you can leave the house with just a wristlet.

You will change.

As much as you say you will not change after having kids, you absolutely will. Between the lack of sleep and the new people who are holding your attention, you will change. Some changes will be bigger than others, and some will be barely noticeable. I’ve known women who go from loving processed foods to being all about all things organic. It happens, and that’s okay.

You are capable of more love than you dreamed possible.

Before having kids, you have no way of knowing how your heart will expand after your little ones enter the world. Even when I am at work or away from my girls, they are always on my mind and in my heart.