Hi, I'm Patti, and I'm a mom. Not a particularly experienced one (my kids are only 7 and nearly 4), but a mom nonetheless. I'm also a psychologist by training. The last seven years have taken me around the sandbox a few times (ha!) and in that time I've made some observations. Everyone knows the big parenting milestones: walking, talking, potty training. But what about those other ones? The Everyday Mom Milestones, or Mom-Stones as I like to call them, that really do make a difference in how you and your family move through the world? These aren't your "What to Expect" type of milestones: you're only likely to hear about from other parents, or recognize them once they have already happened to you. This blog is dedicated to them. The small wins that occur in every day parenting. I use the term Mom Milestones or Mom-Stones because I'm a mom, and I'm writing from experience. But these milestones really apply to both moms and dads alike. Eve
We're going to start with a biggie. The diaper bag. Or more specifically, the day you can ditch it for good. One of the biggest transitions I had to make as a mom was the transition to all the kid gear. And not just in the house, but all the stuff that was seemingly required to leave the house. You needed changes of clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, nursing cover, pacifiers and back-up pacifiers (in the event of loss), snacks, entertainment. And if we were traveling, add in doubles of all of that plus a thermometer, the basic baby drugs, and formula. Occasionally I'd throw a few of my own personal belongings in there, but I usually limited it to my wallet, keys, phone, and lip gloss. Now, handbags - namely, large beautifully constructed handbags - are one of the great loves of my life. I can rarely think of an occasion to downsize, and as a new mom I found myself opting out of my purse more often than not. I even took my diaper bag to into the office because at the time it