Blog Archives
Parenting journeys and adventures

January 2012


From Guest Blogger Taryn Skees, “Mommy Guilt: Sending my kids to preschool”

January 04, 2012

Mommy Guilt: Sending my kids to preschool When we started our children in preschool at ages 2 and 3, my husband and I looked at this…
 

A Giveaway to end all Giveaways for 2012

January 07, 2012

                Are you ready to jump into 2012 with some cold hard cash? Do you have a resolution that…
 

New Guest Blogger, Nicole Moulton: a place a woman can call HER own, her social network

January 10, 2012

Have you ever wondered how people find their nitches, are driven to go for their dreams, or create social networks? I don't know how most people…
 

Latest from guest blogger Kristin Vanderhey Shaw: STREAMLINING

January 13, 2012

STREAMLINING In December, I committed to going to the gym two or three times per week, and I have scheduled it on my calendar to make…
 

Latest from guest blogger Jennifer Rustgi, “Dealing with Discord”

January 17, 2012

My husband and I heard a talk at the Texas Book Festival a few years ago in which the author, Po Bronson, touted the benefits of children seeing…
 

Latest from guest blogger Taryn Skees on, “Social Networking and Our Children”

January 18, 2012

Social Networking and Our Children Every day I read a handful of status updates on Facebook that make me cringe. Whether it’s people exposing a little…
 

From guest blogger Nicole Moulton: Mom’s #1 worry: Will they listen to your advice in an emergency?

January 23, 2012

This past week the news stations here have been airing a story about a man who's attempting to take young children. As a mom you have…
 

GIVEAWAY - Enter a chance to win tickets to Big Miracle

January 24, 2012

Big Miracle, a film that is based on the inspiring true story that united the world, is coming to theaters everywhere on February 3, 2012. The…
 

Latest from guest blogger Kristin Vanderhey Shaw: I Want Daddy!

January 26, 2012

I Want Daddy Most of the time, my son wants Mama.  Mama!  Mama!  Mama!  He'll get right in my face and say it, if he thinks…
 

Latest from guest blogger Jennifer Rustgi, “Special Places Magical Objects”

January 31, 2012

Special Places Magical Objects I remember my friends and I “discovering” a piece of land at the end of our street.  I must have been around…
 

February 2012


Latest from Nicole Moulton, “Putting ROMANCE back into date night!”

February 07, 2012

Putting ROMANCE back into date night! by Nicole Moulton, hersocialnetwork.com I had to laugh as my newlywed nurse and I were chatting it up about our…
 

Latest from guest blogger Kristin Vanderhey Shaw: ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

February 09, 2012

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING When we brought our son home from the hospital after four days (I have to go home now? No more room service? I’m ON…
 

Latest from guest blogger Taryn Skees on, “On Motherhood and Politics”

February 15, 2012

On Motherhood and Politics As an active member of the Friends of the House – a group of young professionals dedicated to impacting the community and…
 

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax…Win Passes to an Advanced Screening

February 16, 2012

  ENTER TO WIN PASSES TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING 10:30 AM – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (At a South Austin Theater)          …
 

Latest from guest blogger Kristin Vanderhey Shaw: NOT THE SAME KIND OF MOM

February 23, 2012

(Mama at Work) NOT THE SAME KIND OF MOM When I was growing up, my mom was a stay-at-home mom (“Domestic Engineer,” she would assert).  I…
 

Gearapalooza: Gear up to ROCK Parenthood with The BabyGuyNYC

February 25, 2012

  Join Bump Club and Beyond for Austin's premiere baby gear event of the year and the chance to WIN $7,000+ of the BEST baby gear!…
 

Latest from Jennifer Rustgi, “Why The Idealized Version of Yourself Is the Superior Parent”

February 28, 2012

"Why The Idealized Version of Yourself Is the Superior Parent" There has been a lot of hubbub recently surrounding the rash of "All Parents from That…
 

Latest from guest blogger Taryn Skees on, “Four Against One”

February 29, 2012

Four against One I’m already outnumbered. The testosterone to estrogen ratio in my house is 3:1. And soon, it will increase once more. I’m due in…
 

March 2012


New Guest Blogger, attorney Scott Morgan, on “Parenting After Divorce – Tips From A Divorce Lawyer

March 06, 2012

Parenting After Divorce – Tips From A Divorce Lawyer                                      Divorce isn’t easy for any member of a family. There is no doubt that parents go…
 

Latest from guest blogger Kristin Vanderhey Shaw, “Patience”

March 08, 2012

Patience I am not typically a patient person.  Books are not read from front to back.  They are begun, and then skipped to the back to…
 

“Teaching Kids to Be Savvy Consumers” by guest blogger Jennifer Rustgi

March 13, 2012

Teaching Kids to Be Savvy Consumers by Jennifer Rustgi at momopins.com Are you deliriously excited about the release of the new ipad3? Do you lament that…
 

“The honest truth: I let my kids watch TV everyday”, by guest blogger Taryn Skees

March 14, 2012

The honest truth: I let my kids watch TV everyday While at my son’s 5 year checkup the other day, I sat there filling out the…
 

“Party of Three” from guest blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

March 22, 2012

Party of Three I always wanted two kids. My sister and I fought like divas when we were growing up, but by the time we both…
 

“Date Night” by guest blogger Jennifer Rustgi

March 27, 2012

It’s no secret that couples who find time to go on a regular date night are supposedly happier and better connected than those who don’t.  My…
 

April 2012


Do We Do Too Much For Our Kids? Guest post by Chaunie Brusie

April 03, 2012

A Family Village is thrilled to bring you a brand new guest blogger, Chaunie Brusie of Tiny Blue Lines. Enjoy!     Ok, answer me this:…
 

Not a Mama’s Boy! from guest blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

April 05, 2012

When our son was 1, our first nanny thought it was best to teach him to be "tougher" and more independent.  Since I work from home,…
 

Why am I always the one that fills up the ice cube trays? by guest blogger Dr. Mandy Menzer

April 11, 2012

  Recently our ice maker has been broken, which means that we have to fill up the ice cube trays over and over again (using the…
 

Moving Beyond the Advanced Maternal Age Stamp by Guest Blogger Jennifer Rustgi

April 12, 2012

    Image: DavidCastilloDominici   Not too long ago, I wrote a humorous post about getting the AMA stamp on my medical chart when I was…
 

A Family Village Mother’s Day 2012 CASH Giveaway

April 16, 2012

  We are excited to collaborate with 26 of our closest friends to bring you a fun cash giveaway! This is honoring you MOM, just in…
 

Cleaning up my Act by Guest Blogger Evin Cooper

April 17, 2012

  On my blog Food Good, Laundry Bad, I swear a lot. I'm known for saying exactly what I'm thinking and pretty much having zero filter.…
 

Sid the Science Kid FREE Event!

April 18, 2012

THE JIM HENSON COMPANY, PBS KIDS + VINCI EARLY LEARNING SYSTEMS INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE 2nd ANNUAL U.S.A. SCIENCE + ENGINEERING WITH SID THE SCIENCE…
 

Reconnecting by Guest Blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

April 19, 2012

Sometimes at the end of the workday, errands must be run, and I feel as though my son and I are going opposite directions, even when…
 

Two Dreaded Words by new guest blogger Christi Wampler

April 23, 2012

We are still weeks away from summer vacation, and already I've heard the two worst words in the English language: "I'm bored." Even worse, it's only…
 

A Family Village in DC

April 26, 2012

Did you guys hear? One of our founders - Tiziana Barrow - has moved to DC.    Here, here is a post to get you up…
 

May 2012


“How to make your husband help around the house” by contributing blogger Dr. Mandy Menzer

May 01, 2012

How to make your husband help around the house? Does this sound familiar?     “My husband never helps around the house.  He never does anything with…
 

“No Kiddie Menus, Just Good Food,”  by new guest blogger Jodi Helman

May 02, 2012

“No Kiddie Menus, Just Good Food,”  by Jodi Helman I admit it: I’m a sucker for a new restaurant.  Give me a cozy trattoria with a…
 

“A Reason to Say No” by contributing blogger Kristin Vander Hey Shaw

May 03, 2012

A Reason to Say No My name is Kristin, and I’m a joiner.   “We need you on this committee.  Will you join?”  Yes.   “Could…
 

“Someone tell my kid I’m not that great” by guest blogger Christi Wampler

May 08, 2012

    Someone tell my kid I'm not that great   At the end of the month, Paul and I are flying with the boys to…
 

Jennifer Rustgi’s Advanced Maternal Age Project is having a Mother’s Day Essay Contest!

May 08, 2012

  Mother’s Day Essay Contest What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to share your journey to motherhood? The Advanced Maternal Age Project is sponsoring…
 

“The Non-Menu Planner, Planner” by new guest blogger Leah Smith

May 10, 2012

  The Non-Menu Planner, Planner. I’m a planner, but only in some parts of my life.  My friends can’t believe that I don’t plan my meals….I…
 

“For (More) Mature Audiences Only” by guest blogger Christi Wampler

May 15, 2012

    For (More) Mature Audiences Only There is no greater sign that your child is getting older than his television preferences. Oh, your kids don't…
 

“How I Got Into Making Baby Food” by guest blogger Jodi Helman

May 16, 2012

    How I Got Into Making Baby Food by Jodi Helman   Warning:  This is not a blog post about which is better for your…
 

“Sleep Sheep” by guest blogger Kristin Vander Hey Shaw

May 22, 2012

    Before my son was born, a new friend handed me a book and said, “Read this.  I used it with all three of my…
 

“The Snack-O-Maniac” by guest blogger Jodi Helman

May 30, 2012

        The Snack-O-Maniac   It starts around 9:30 in the morning.  The first of many “Mom, can I have a snack?”s  It ends…
 

June 2012


“Kryptonite” by contributing blogger Kristin

June 04, 2012

Kryptonite I grew up with a whole lotta allergies and pretty severe asthma.  I lugged a nebulizer around, pocketed an inhaler, and spent weeks every year…
 

“A Shopping Guide for New Moms” by Jodi Helman

June 13, 2012

  "A Shopping Guide for New Moms" by Jodi Helman   I heard some wonderful news from one of my oldest friends.  She’s expecting twins.  Her…
 

“Celebrate Your Mistakes” by contributing blogger Kristin Vander Hey Shaw

June 14, 2012

  "Celebrate Your Mistakes" by Kristin Vander Hey Shaw   For some of us, when it comes to marriage, getting it right the first time didn't…
 

Giveaway: Sid’s Backyard Campout DVD

June 18, 2012

Catchy, Bubbly, bouncy, and curious are the words that come to mind when humming “beautiful trees we know we love them, beautiful trees we need more…
 

July 2012


“Read with Me Mama” by contributing blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

July 02, 2012

    When I was a kid, I was a voracious reader.  I read everything I could get my hands on, and we had a quaint…
 

Partner Spotlight: Little Green Bean Consignment Shop

July 06, 2012

  Have you heard about the Rewards Program at Little Green Beans?  It’s called Magic Beans. Like in the story Jack in the Beanstalk, these magic…
 

“Do I tell the mother?” By Catherine Scott

July 11, 2012

  Do I tell the mother? By Catherine Pees Scott   If parenting has taught me anything, I’ve learned how hard it is to judge other…
 

“The Do-Over Date” by contributing blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

July 16, 2012

  Two weeks ago, we had a date night planned on a Saturday night.  I had asked our former nanny to babysit and we headed out. …
 

“Mosaic Veggie Pizzas: Arts and Crafts that you can eat!” by guest blogger Evin Cooper

July 18, 2012

  Getting kids to eat vegetables can be rough. I think we all know that. There's all kinds of creative ways to get kids to eat…
 

“Graduating from the Pack-n-Play” by contributing blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw

July 26, 2012

"Graduating from the Pack-n-Play" by contributing blogger Kristin VanderHey Shaw My child is a terrible sleeper.  He's notorious for taking a long time to fall asleep,…
 

August 2012


“Only the blue ones”, a Lesson from Nature by Catherine Scott

August 01, 2012

  “Only the blue ones”, a Lesson from Nature by Catherine Scott   My family and I feel fortunate to spend our summers in Maine, complete…
 

The Summer Slow Down by Catherine Scott

August 14, 2012

I am a pretty regimented, routine-oriented, organized person for whom the school year (my kids are only in preschool) works so well.  I’ve got a schedule;…
 

Stepping Up to Big Boy Undies by contributing blogger Kristin Shaw

August 19, 2012

Potty training is progressing very slowly at the house of Shaw, with an almost-three-year-old boy who knows how it works but is just not that excited…
 

September 2012


“Back on Track” by contributing blogger Kristin Shaw

September 14, 2012

A few weeks ago, I experienced some chest pain and tingling up my left arm, and it scared me.  I called my husband, but he was…
 

“What Is A Weekday Solo Mommy?” by Liz Bronson

September 19, 2012

What Is A Weekday Solo Mommy? by Liz Bronson I can’t count on my husband. Yes, I count on him to support our family, be a…
 

October 2012


“In His Own Time” by contributing blogger Kristin Shaw

October 17, 2012

A few days ago, I was watching my son at swimming lessons from the sidelines, and the instructor said to me, "He's doing great.  He's jumping…
 

November 2012


The Future of A Family Village

November 12, 2012

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Milton Berle Four years ago, Tiziana and I built a door, a door that opened A Family Village.  We…
 

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