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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What Every #HeroMom Keeps in Her Purse

by Amber GuetebierJuly 21, 2018

Being a parent means being prepared, right? Even the best of us have been caught without on enough occasions that the following read more like a checklist than a wishlist. While we know you’ve likely got a mini first-aid kit, your phone and your wallet on hand, here are the other things that every mom who will need to save the day (and that is all of us) will no doubt tote about.

Wipes, Baby, Wipes

It might seem like a no-brainer to keep some kind of wet wipe handy in your bag, but once you're not toting a diaper bag anymore you often leave the wipes at home. Don't upgrade to antibacterial wipes: stick with something like a travel pack of baby wipes, because they are more multipurpose—they can wipe surfaces, faces and butts all safely without added chemicals that might cause irritation.

A Mini Notebook & Pens

Samantha Hurley via Burst

Every restaurant everywhere has coloring paper and crayons, but what happens when you're standing in line at check out, waiting for the bus or just trying to amuse the kids in a waiting room? A little junior sized spiral notebook and a few pens or pencils is about all you need to rock their world. Challenge them to tic-tac-toe, get them to "record" notes about the situation or have them sketch an escape plan—give the kids the power with a special little book that lives in mom's bag.

Snacks That Won't Ruin Your Bag

Smuckers

No matter how short of a time you are out, nor how recently you've eaten, the risk of a hangry kid is too great to not keep a small stash of snacks in your bag. The key? Finding one that won't crumble or smear all over and that packs a nutritious punch. We love Jif Power Ups Chewy Granola Bars because they are super-yum and have 5 grams of protein in each bar. Check out Jif Power Ups Creamy Clusters, too, for a super easy on-the-go snack with staying power.

A Manageable Toy Arsenal

Zhen Hu via Unsplash

Leila G., mom of two boys, keeps a small baggie with little toys in it—Matchbox cars, stashed goodie-bag scores like mini puzzles or bouncy balls—in her mom bag at all times. And get this: she actually keeps several small sandwich bags with a variety of small toys in a basket up high in her pantry. When she's grabbing snacks for the kiddos, she grabs one of these bags, too, and tosses it into her purse. She regularly rotates them out so there's always a "surprise" for those moments when the kids really need a distraction. Genius #momhack!

Undies (for Them, Not You)

Jon Maltby via Flickr

Any parent of a potty training-aged kid will attest to the beauty of a stash of undies and bottoms for their littles. And just because they are mostly trained at home or school, doesn't mean accidents won't happen. When you're on the cusp and planning to be out all day, keep a pair on hand. Better yet, keep them inside a gallon-sized freezer bag rolled up at the bottom of your purse—perfect for stashing the wet things when you've changed.

A Travel Toothbrush

Matt Bauer via Flickr

Many a child has passed out on the commute home, not long after stuffing their face with a sticky, sweet treat. Avoid the "wake up and brush your teeth" scenario that awaits (or worse) by bringing along a travel toothbrush and paste. After dessert at the restaurant, hit the loo and give their teeth a quick brush while they're in there. If they fall asleep on the way home, at least you'll have done your dentist proud.

—Amber Guetebier

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Amazon’s New Pilot Program is a Big Win for Working Moms

by Red TricycleJuly 1, 2016

Photo: Ken Wolter

As many working moms can attest to, balancing work life and family life can be rough. Last week, Amazon announced it is experimenting with a 30-hour work week to improve the lives of its employees. Because it’s part-time, it will only pay 75% of what the full-timers get, but the positions will be salaried and offer the same benefits as the 40-hour employees. To support career growth, the program involves managerial positions, too.

The Washington Post reports Amazon’s pilot program that will have a small team working a shorter week. Instead of the typical 9 to 5, a few dozen people will work Monday through Thursday and only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with what the Post called “additional flex hours.”

It also notes “A 30-hour workweek could help encourage more female workers, who tend to take on more household and child-care responsibilities than men in the domestic sphere.”

Do you know of other companies that offer supportive benefits for working mothers? Let us know in the comments below!

(H/T: The Washington Post)

Sensational Snickerdoodles

by Erin LemDecember 1, 2014

Snickerdoodles are a holiday classic and it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe. There are three main reasons why we love this version: you don’t need a mixer, you don’t have to refrigerate the dough, and the end result is absolutely delicious with a chewy, soft inside. Red Tricycle’s Editorial Director can attest to the awesomeness of this cookie — her mom has been making these every December since she can remember.

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening (we use ½ cup of shortening and ½ cup of butter)
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Method:
1. Heat oven to 400˚. Mix shortening/butter, sugar, and eggs thoroughly.

2. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Blend flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt; stir in. Shape dough in 1” balls.

3. Roll in mixture of 2 Tbsp. sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon.

4. Place 2” apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min. These cookies puff up at first, and then flatten out.

Makes 5 doz. cookies.

Do you have a favorite snickerdoodle recipe to share? Tell us in the Comments below.

photo in story courtesy of Erin Lem; featured photo courtesy of jimwinstead via flickr

ML Interest Tag: attest

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

Related reads

What Every #HeroMom Keeps in Her Purse

Wipes, Baby, Wipes

A Mini Notebook & Pens

Snacks That Won't Ruin Your Bag

A Manageable Toy Arsenal

Undies (for Them, Not You)

A Travel Toothbrush

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Amazon’s New Pilot Program is a Big Win for Working Moms

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