Beyoncé Gets Real about Her Pregnancy & Being a Working Mom in New Doc

by Erica LoopApril 19, 2019

Pregnancy isn’t always a perfect time filled with rainbows, butterflies and a dewy glow—even if you’re a superstar celeb. In her new Netflix documentary Homecoming, Beyoncé reveals just how challenging becoming a new working mom was for her.

This isn’t exactly the first time the mama to three has spoken out about her most recent pregnancy. Last September Beyoncé opened up in Vogue, writing about her pregnancy weight gain, a scary bout with toxemia and her emergency C-section.

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The mega-celeb went deeper into her problem-packed pregnancy in her Homecoming doc, saying, “In the womb, one of my babies’ hearts paused a few times, so I had to get an emergency C-section.” Following the emergency surgery both babies, Sir and Rumi, were admitted to the NICU. As we now know, the twins were able to go home with mom Beyoncé and dad Jay-Z weeks later.

And don’t think just because she has an entire team backing her up that this mama had it easy when she went back to work. Just like the rest of us working moms, Beyoncé struggled as she transitioned back to her day job. The performer-mama opened up about returning to work (her 2018 Coachella performance) in her doc, saying, “It’s my first time back home on the stage after giving birth. I’m creating my own homecoming, and it’s hard … There were days that I thought I’d never be the same. I’d never be the same physically; my strength and endurance would never be the same.”

Beyoncé also admitted, “My mind wanted to be with my children. What people don’t see is the sacrifice.” Yep, we totally get you Beyoncé!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Beyonce via Instagram

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Eva Mendes Says She & Ryan Gosling Are Officially Out of “Parenting Survival Mode”

by Shahrzad WarkentinApril 18, 2019

There are many ages and stages when it comes to parenting and no matter how old your kids get, there will always be something to worry about and deal with. Yet all parents can attest to the significant shift in stress levels as your babies transition to bigger kids and you finally get some breathing room. Eva Mendes and husband Ryan Gosling have finally reached that place and we can all relate to that happy feeling.

In a recent cover story for the May issue of Women’s Health, Mendes revealed a lot about her experience as a mom and parenting the two daughters she shares with Gosling. Their girls Amada Lee, three, and Esmeralda Amada, four, have finally reached the age when things start to move into that parenting territory that gives parents a chance to catch their breath.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU52NfhFDD/

“We’re just starting to get out of survival mode,” Mendes said. “I’m starting to feel like a person again.”

Mendes admitted that before she met her husband, kids weren’t necessarily in the cards for her. “Ryan Gosling happened. I mean, falling in love with him,” she says. “Then it made sense for me to have … not kids, but his kids. It was very specific to him.”

Now that she’s a mom of two, however, she has embraced motherhood completely. Once she had kids she discovered that her drive towards her career had diminished and it took a backseat to raising her kids.

“Every day is such a learning experience — they challenge you in so many ways. Like, I’m their mom. I have to rise up, and hopefully, most of the time I do, but sometimes it’s definitely maddening.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Gabrielle Union Gets Candid About What Parenthood Is Really Like

by Shahrzad WarkentinApril 3, 2019

It’s always refreshing when a celeb who seemingly has it all together gets candid about the challenges of motherhood. New mom Gabrielle Union recently opened up to Parents Magazine for a cover story and we can all relate.

Union and husband Dwyane Wade welcomed their baby girl, Kaavia, via surrogate in November after years of struggling with infertility. The couple has already been very open about their struggle to become parents—and now that they’ve finally welcomed their daughter, Union isn’t holding back on the challenges of parenthood either.

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“I suck at swaddling,” she admitted to Parents. “I don’t know whether to use glass or plastic bottles. I never knew there were so many types of nipples. And installing a car seat is like taking the SATs! I don’t have all the answers, which feels terrifying.”

Finding time for herself hasn’t been easy either, as all new moms can relate. “Kaavia went through a phase of not napping,” she said. “I was like, ‘When do I shower or pee or live?’ So I had to get a little comfortable with her crying, which I had not been. And then I took the quickest shower of all time!”

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A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)

Of course, in the end all of the hardship from the IVF treatments to the sleepless nights and missed showers is worth it. Union is happy to share her family’s journey with others. “Kaavia really is the personification of hope for a lot of people like us, who maybe didn’t have a lot to be hopeful about,” she said. “She represents that maybe there is a light at the end. And when you take people on the low points of your journey, it’s cool to let them be part of the joy.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Gabrielle Union via Instagram

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Keira Knightly’s 3-Year-Old Is Obsessed with This Kids Show & We’re Like, Same

by Shahrzad WarkentinMarch 15, 2019

If you’ve got a PAW Patrol fan at home, you’ll understand how the allure of that show and it’s catchy theme song can be irresistible to toddlers. Keira Knightley shared her own daughter’s love of this helpful team of pups on a recent visit to the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Like so many other preschoolers, Knightly’s three-year-old daughter Edie is obsessed with the rescue dogs of Adventure Bay. “It’s like toddler crack, isn’t it?” Knightley joked.

photo: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC

Knightly revealed that PAW Patrol leads to some fun role playing at her house as well, with Edie often demanding that they act out the show together. Her daughter insists on being Skye while mom is relegated to playing Rubble.

Like a lot of parents playing with their toddlers, Knightly often has to follow her tot’s commands. Despite being a highly acclaimed actor, Knightly admitted Edie often critiques her performance as the construction pup. “I get paid for this,” she joked. “Mommy knows what she’s doing.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Explore the Cosmos at the Griffith Observatory

by Jennifer O'BrienFebruary 19, 2019

The City of Angels may be chock full of stars, but the Griffith Observatory gives families the best opportunity to see the ones in the sky. Between the mesmerizing planetarium shows that take kids on a journey of cosmic exploration and discovery, fascinating exhibits, and telescopes that provide the most amazing views of LA and the stars above, the Griffith Observatory is the perfect pitstop for all the astronomers in your family.

photo: Griffith Observatory

Samuel Oschin Planetarium
The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is a truly magical and memorable experience for families. As the Zeiss Star Projector and digital projection system transform the dome into the night sky, visitors are transported to worlds beyond their wildest dreams.

Presently, the planetarium offers three shows to choose from that are presented by a live and engaging storyteller: Centered in the Universe takes visitors on a journey of cosmos; Water is Life leads the audience on a search for water and possibly life beyond Earth while Light of the Valkyries (their 75^thanniversary show) reveals the magic of the Northern Lights.

Live presentations are scheduled every 60-to-90 minutes. Note that children under 5 are only admitted to the first show each day (12:45 p.m. on weekdays and 10:45 a.m. on weekends).

Insider Tip: It gets quite dark in the planetarium at the beginning of the show, so prepare your astronomers, especially those that may be afraid of the dark. Tickets may only be purchased on-site at the Observatory for that day’s shows—no advance purchases are available.

photo: Griffith Observatory

The Exhibits

Within the Griffith Observatory, there are two floors of incredible exhibits waiting to spark the imaginations of visitors and encourage them to ponder their own relationships to the universe.

Don’t miss: Scales that tell guests how much they would weigh on each planet and our moon, the Foucault Pendulum—one of the largest scientific instruments in the world that proves Earth is spinning on its axis, and the Tesla Coil which discharges sizzling lightening sparks to the walls of its alcove.

photo: Griffith Observatory

The Telescopes

The main highlight for every Griffith Observatory visitor is getting to look through the famous Zeiss telescope on the roof. More people have looked through this telescope and learned about the movements of the heavens than any other telescope on Earth! After checking out this viewfinder, make sure to check out the other telescopes located on the vast terraces that provide more earth-bound, breathtaking views like the Hollywood sign, DTLA, and the Pacific Ocean.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

Observatory Events

Special events occur all year long at the Griffith Observatory, but little ones will especially love the “Let’s Make a Comet” presentation in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater during holiday breaks and summertime. During the 30-minute show, visitors help create a comet out of household ingredients.

Once a month, the Observatory hosts a Star Party where kids of all ages can look through dozens of telescopes on the lawn and interact with astronomy enthusiasts from local astronomy clubs, as well as Griffith Observatory employees.

Insider Tip: If you plan on visiting the Griffith Observatory on a Sat. or Sun., try to arrive right as close to 10 a.m. when they open to the public. Crowds will be lighter, and there should be available parking (with the exception of holiday weekends which can get a little crazy to say the least). If you become a member of Friends Of The Observatory, you can reserve parking ahead of time and even book tickets to the planetarium shows.

Where to Eat: Hungry star watchers can grab a bite on the lower level of the Observatory at Wolfgang Puck’s Café at the End of the Universe. A vast menu (including meals for kids) is available with everything from soups and salads to sandwiches and sweet treats. Visitors will find plenty of seating inside or outdoors on the terrace with stellar views of the city and Hollywood sign.

2800 E. Observatory Rd.
Los Angeles
213-473-0800
Online: griffithobservatory.org

To see what Red Tricycle Editors are up to this month, follow us on Instagram!

–Jennifer O’Brien

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Pink’s Daughter Willow Left Her The Cutest Note on Her Hollywood Star

by Erica LoopFebruary 12, 2019

Musician and mama Pink recently recently got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but, as a new interview reveals, the ceremony itself wasn’t her favorite moment.

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Pink dished about real the highlight of the day. And what made Pink’s heart sing (even more than getting her very own Hollywood Star)? Her daughter Willow, of course!

Pink told DeGeneres, “Willow wrote me a note that said, ‘Mama, this is a big deal and I’m glad it’s you not Justin Beaver’.” Um, Beaver? DeGeneres followed up the cute story by adding, “She’s like the only little girl who doesn’t know how to pronounce his name.”

Of course along with her daughter’s praise, Pink was totally appreciative of the mega-honor that getting a star on the Walk of Fame brings. Even though Pink’s in the spotlight most of the time, the singer admitted she’s not all-in for this type of attention,

“It was overwhelming. I was embarrassed. It’s so much attention.” But don’t think for one moment that Pink didn’t want the award. She also told DeGeneres, “It was amazing today. It was amazing.” And what a sweet keepsake from her daughter as an extra layer of amazing on top.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Pink via Instagram

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Melissa McCarthy Is the Ultimate Sports Mom & We Love Her for It

by Erica LoopFebruary 12, 2019

Is actress Melissa McCarthy a basketball mom? According to a recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres, she totally is!

We all know McCarthy as the comic queen behind plenty of our fave funny films. But she’s also the mama to two girls, a 9- and an 11-year-old. During an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, McCarthy opened up about her sports’ mom ways.

The actress and mama shared that basketball has “taken over house” now that both of her girls are playing the sport. McCarthy added that when nine-year-old daughter Georgie recently made her first basket, “We all went crazy. My dad burst out crying. I burst out crying. And there’s a woman behind us and she’s like, ‘I don’t even know why I’m crying.'”

McCarthy also admitted that she’s become “exactly the person I always feared I’d meet.” Yep, she’s that basketball mama in the bleachers. As for the rest of us sports’ moms? Yeah, we totally get it, too.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: The Ellen Show via YouTube

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The Motherhood Penalty Is Real & It’s Holding Too Many Moms Back, Report Finds

by Shahrzad WarkentinFebruary 1, 2019

According to new research, most Americans believe moms make some of the best leaders in the workforce—but motherhood also comes with a major career penalty. What is the motherhood penalty? It’s a cultural catch-22 that needs to be addressed.

Bright Horizons’ fifth-annual Modern Family Index Report found that a whopping 89 percent of American workers believe that working moms in leadership roles bring out the best in employees when compared with working dads or workers without kids. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed describe working moms as better listeners than other employees. They also describe moms as calmer in crisis (51 percent), more diplomatic (47 percent), and better team players (44 percent).

photo: Rawpixel via Pexels

In other words, most would agree that motherhood prepares you for a leadership role in the workplace. And yet it is exactly motherhood that prevents many women from achieving those leadership positions. Despite being thought of as an ideal candidate, many moms face more challenges and obstacles to promotions compared to fathers or employees without kids in the workforce.

According to the survey, 69 percent of of respondents said working moms are more likely to be passed up for a new job than other employees and 60 percent of respondents admitted that career opportunities are given to less qualified employees instead of moms who are more skilled.

photo: Businesswire

Bright Horizons considers these findings a call to action to change the landscape of the workplace. “We need to support and embrace motherhood in the workplace and learn from our leaders who are also parents,” said Bright Horizons Chief Human Resources Officer, Maribeth Bearfield in a press release.

“In order to move forward, change attitudes, and make progress, organizations should focus on supporting young female professionals and holding all employees accountable to make sure there is a real path to the top for women as they grow their families.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Rawpixel via Pexels

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Idina Menzel Thinks She’s a “Bad Mom” for This Common Mistake

by Erica LoopJanuary 18, 2019

Frozen’s Idina Menzel recently took to Twitter to reveal that the Tooth Fairy forgot to visit Elsa’s house—and, more specifically, her 9-year-old son. So what really happened? Menzel tweeted out the toothy tale.

The tooth fairy didn’t show up last night. Mom put tooth in tissue and son hid it under pillow. Then mom fell asleep and woke up this morning to son with tears. “Tooth fairy didn’t come” That tooth fairy better get her shit together. #badmoms

— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) January 15, 2019

Menzel admitted, “The tooth fairy didn’t show up last night.” Uh oh. She continued: “Mom put tooth in tissue and son hid it under pillow. Then mom fell asleep and woke up this morning to son with tears. ‘Tooth fairy didn’t come’ That tooth fairy better get her sh** together. #badmoms.”

The celeb is hardly the first mom to accidentally skip the Tooth Fairy’s visit out of the need for some well-deserved rest. What mom isn’t tired at the end of the day? Plenty of mamas chimed in on Twitter, offering their advice. One Twitter user wrote, “Sometimes the money from the tooth fairy falls under the bed and they might have missed it.” Another mama added, “Our tooth fairy was famous for her amnesia. She’d leave a note apologizing and leave $2.”

No worries, Idina—you’re definitely not a bad mom. Wicked? Maybe ;)

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Bigbear via Pixabay

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Here’s How Much Parents Are Spending on the Holidays This Year

by Shahrzad WarkentinDecember 21, 2018

How much is too much when it comes to giving for the holiday season? According to a new survey, there is such a thing as going overboard and it can have some long-term negative effects. So, how much will you spend on the holidays this year?

T. Rowe Price’s 2018 Parents, Kids & Money Survey, surveyed 1,013 parents of eight- to 14-year-olds across the nation. The survey revealed that parents who give their kids everything on their holiday wishlists are more likely to go into debt and have kids who are less likely to save their own money. This is pretty alarming when you consider that 45 percent of parents surveyed agreed with the statement, “I try to get everything on my kids’ lists, no matter the cost.”

Just over half of all parents who planned to get everything in their kids lists said they were more likely to finance their holiday spending while 48 percent said they’ve gone into debt to buy something their kids wanted. Sixty-one percent of parents said they used credit cards to pay for holiday shopping, but only 28 percent reported repaying that balance in full within a month.

Despite going into debt, many parents intend to shop wisely, but their spending may not always end up that way. In 2017, 72 percent of parents shopped on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but that didn’t necessarily add up to money well spent. Big sales often lead to big splurges as 62 percent of parents who shopped on a promotional day admitted that they overspent for the holidays.

So how much are parents actually spending on the holidays? According to the survey, 58 percent said they normally spend less than $1,000—while another 19 percent said they spend more than $2,000 on the holidays.

Even with such big budgets, chances are this year parents will still spend even more this year. The National Retail Federation reports that consumers plan will spend an average of $1,007.24 during the holiday season this year. This is up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 parents said they would spend in 2017.

As much as parents want to fulfill all of their kids wishes, at the end of the day saving some of that money for a rainy day (or even more importantly college and retirement) might be a better idea.

“Parents who try to get everything on their kids’ wish lists need to keep in mind the financial consequences. They need to ensure that they aren’t taking on additional financial burden at the expense of other goals, such as saving for a vacation, home renovation, new car, their kids’ college, or their own retirement,” says Stuart Ritter, CFP, a senior financial planner at T. Rowe Price and father of three.

Ritter adds, “Kids may be picking up the wrong lessons from their parents when they don’t have to prioritize the items on their holiday wish lists and make trade-offs. Creating a holiday wish list can be an opportunity to help them understand that even the generous holiday spirit has limits, and we all must make trade-offs.”

No matter how much do spend for the holidays, don’t forget: those bills always come due!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Matthew Henry via Burst

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