Parenthood | Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived

My Complicated Experience of Trying but Not Trying to Get Pregnant

Brittany Chaffee — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

No matter the journey into motherhood, our stories are valid and different. This story of trying but not trying to get pregnant is complicatedly mine.

The post My Complicated Experience of Trying but Not Trying to Get Pregnant appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

How I’m Preparing for My Second Season of New Motherhood

Ellen Koneck — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0000

As I count down to the birth of my second son, I'm preparing for this season of new motherhood a little differently. Here's how.

The post How I’m Preparing for My Second Season of New Motherhood appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

I Love You, but I Choose Me: On Parenting and Prioritizing Yourself

Kolina Cicero — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Contributor Kolina Cicero is writing about why (and how) she prioritizes herself, even in the midst of the many demands that come along with parenting.

The post I Love You, but I Choose Me: On Parenting and Prioritizing Yourself appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

The Paradox of Wanting to Be a Mother

Brittany Chaffee — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Today contributor Brittany Chaffee is exploring the complex paradox of wanting to become a parent. What happens if you want to be a mother...and you also don't?

The post The Paradox of Wanting to Be a Mother appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

The Incredible Transformation That Happens When You Decide You Are Enough

Kolina Cicero — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Kolina Cicero is exploring what happens when we're able to let go of outside expectations and pressures and learn to believe we are enough.

The post The Incredible Transformation That Happens When You Decide You Are Enough appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

8 Ways You Can Make Life Easier for New Parents

Sarah Schuh — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:00:00 +0000

We're sharing 8 simple ways to support new parents from near and far, to help them navigate the precious yet exhausting newborn phase.

The post 8 Ways You Can Make Life Easier for New Parents appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

How to Find Acceptance for Your Body After Baby

Meggie Maas — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:00:47 +0000

"My body had just done this incredible thing for a third time. My rational mind wanted to revel in that spectacular feat, while my feeling mind wanted my old self back ASAP."

Today Meggie Maas is sharing 6 things that can help you move through the postpartum period with more grace and acceptance for your body after baby.

The post How to Find Acceptance for Your Body After Baby appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Why Don’t We Talk About Sensual Pregnancy?

Brittany Chaffee — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:00:08 +0000

"I've never imagined the process of pregnancy to be so sensual and juicy. It felt instantly unfamiliar and gauzy and epically simplified. I’ve never been pregnant. But by watching this video I wanted to be, desperately, as if the carnality of the whole thing pushed emotions down to my guts; made me primal."

Today Brittany Chaffee is exploring the many layers that come along with the process of carrying a child, particularly the idea of sensual pregnancy. It's an intriguing look into an idea we don't often discuss, and well worth a read if we do say so ourselves.

The post Why Don’t We Talk About Sensual Pregnancy? appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

How to Navigate the Postpartum Period with Flair

Meggie Maas — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Today contributor Meggie Maas is sharing her tips for transforming the postpartum period into a time that's a bit more approachable (and maybe even more enjoyable too).

The post How to Navigate the Postpartum Period with Flair appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Reimagining Myself as a Mother

Kara Nesvig — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0000

"While my husband oscillated between feelings of joy and terror post-positive test, I was preoccupied about how this new addition to our family would alter the world I’d worked so hard to build and who I'd become as a result."

Contributor Kara Nesvig is exploring the vast questions that impending parenthood presents: namely, what will change once the baby arrives? And what will stay the same?

The post Reimagining Myself as a Mother appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

A Case for Being Okay with Okay

Jill Elliott — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Contributor Jill Elliott is writing about the crucial perspective shifts that have allowed her to let go of seeking perfection and be okay with just...being okay.

The post A Case for Being Okay with Okay appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

A Simple (Kid-Approved) Scavenger Hunt Idea

Kate Arends — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 18:49:00 +0000

I recently shared my newfound love for the Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game for the Nintendo Switch™ system. My kids also love this game and want to “help” me as much as they can. Knowing how much they love to assist with some of the game’s daily activities, I wanted them to have an opportunity […]

The post A Simple (Kid-Approved) Scavenger Hunt Idea appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Baskets + Boundaries: How I Stay Organized with Kids

Jill Elliott — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Given the extra time we're all spending at home right now, we're resurfacing this timely post from Jill Elliott. In it, Jill writes about how to keep your home organized even with the swirl of activity that comes with having kids. We hope you find her tips helpful.

The post Baskets + Boundaries: How I Stay Organized with Kids appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

The Breastfeeding Advice No One Gives You: It’s OK to Quit

April (Swinson) Smasal — Thu, 07 May 2020 15:00:00 +0000

"The part I didn’t expect is that, as soon as I threw in the breathable cotton nursing bra, I wished I’d done it sooner. Not because it was hard (which it was), but because I no longer felt like a passenger in my own body. I halted feeling hostile toward myself for not being enough."

April Smasal is writing about her very personal struggles with breastfeeding, and the advice she wished she'd heard and followed earlier: It's ok to quit.

The post The Breastfeeding Advice No One Gives You: It’s OK to Quit appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

How to Homeschool Your Kids Right Now (Hint: There’s No Perfect Way to Do It)

Meggie Maas — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:00:00 +0000

"Starting with the idea that it doesn’t have to be perfect gave me the opportunity to try a few different things and to fail."

Contributor Meggie Maas is sharing ideas on how to provide homeschooling in these times, keeping in mind that it’s different for everyone and there’s no perfect formula to be had.

The post How to Homeschool Your Kids Right Now (Hint: There’s No Perfect Way to Do It) appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Why All Moms Feel Guilty and How We Can Be Kinder to Ourselves

Kolina Cicero — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Contributor Kolina Cicero is exploring the societal, biological, and internal standards that lead us all to feel guilty as mothers, and how we can learn to be kinder to ourselves.

The post Why All Moms Feel Guilty and How We Can Be Kinder to Ourselves appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

How to Adopt Intuitive Eating for the Whole Family

Kate Arends — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Today we're sharing a conversation with Jennifer Anderson, founder of Kids Eat in Color. We dive into all of the ways we impose different kinds of behaviors onto our children, ourselves, and other people in our lives about how we eat, what we eat, and how much we eat (and what we can do to change that).

The post How to Adopt Intuitive Eating for the Whole Family appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

W&D Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Gifts for Children

Kate Arends — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:18:47 +0000

Today I'm sharing ten of my top gift ideas for little ones, all the way from infants to toddlers. From delightful books to a colorful block set to utensils that make mealtime a little more fun, these are a few of my favorite items for the children in your life.

The post W&D Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Gifts for Children appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

W&D Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Gifts for Tired Parents

Kate Arends — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:00:50 +0000

We see them at the grocery store or in our office break room, grabbing coffee in the morning (and in the afternoon). We see them at our holiday gatherings. Heck, we see them in *ourselves.* We're the tired parents, doing our best day by day, and we're in need of a pick-me-up every once in a while.

Today we're sharing 10 gift ideas for the parents in our lives. From grocery delivery to soft bedding to the coziest slippers in the game, these items will give the parents we know and love a bit of respite amid the swirl that is life.

The post W&D Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Gifts for Tired Parents appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

The Importance of Connection in Motherhood

Kate Arends — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:00:27 +0000

I was dropping my son off at school earlier this month for his first day of class. His preschool was hosting a meet and greet spread with cookies and coffee—an opportunity for new parents to get to know one another. Scoping out the room, I was determined to make a connection with both the teachers […]

The post The Importance of Connection in Motherhood appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Perfectly Imperfect Parenting

Jill Elliott — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:00:35 +0000

For those of us who are parents, the often stark difference between what we thought parenting would be like and what parenting actually is like, in reality, can be a little jarring. Today contributor Jill Elliott is writing about the vision she had for parenthood before she became a mom, and how these days she's learning to let go of expectations and give into the messy, vulnerable, beautiful moments that come with the territory of parenthood.

The post Perfectly Imperfect Parenting appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Before You Were A Parent, You Were You

Kolina Cicero — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 15:00:00 +0000

"We need to rediscover the other because we are our children’s role models. If we want to help them cultivate a confident sense of personal identity, we had better do the same for ourselves." Today contributor Kolina Cicero is writing about finding yourself again—the person you were before a tiny human was introduced into your life—after becoming a parent.

The post Before You Were A Parent, You Were You appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

A New Way to Add Joy and Learning into Your Child’s Daily Life with Artifact Uprising

Kate Arends — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:00:00 +0000

We found out our nanny was retiring when Bennett was a little over a month old. She was a constant in my son’s life, and they were attached at the hip. While it was going to be hard on Joe and I to lose someone so important to making daily life go smoothly, I was […]

The post A New Way to Add Joy and Learning into Your Child’s Daily Life with Artifact Uprising appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Toddler Products to Take You from Mealtime to Playtime to Bedtime (And Everything in Between)

Kate Arends — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 15:00:00 +0000

After the recent remodel, our nanny and I took stock of what we didn’t use and found good homes for all of it. What was left was what we used and loved on a daily basis, AKA: our highly recommended tools of the trade. Today I'm sharing all of the gear that's helped our family navigate life with two littles.

The post Toddler Products to Take You from Mealtime to Playtime to Bedtime (And Everything in Between) appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

It’s Not What They Remember but Who They Become: The Case for Traveling with Children

Kolina Cicero — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 15:00:00 +0000

"The importance isn't how far you go, but how different life is in your destination. By bringing the unfamiliar into the sphere of your children's familiar, you're expanding their horizons and challenging their comfort zones." Today contributor Kolina Cicero is writing about the importance of traveling with your children.

The post It’s Not What They Remember but Who They Become: The Case for Traveling with Children appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

On Raising Little Readers

April (Swinson) Smasal — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 16:00:00 +0000

"Books were at once a sweet escape and a sanctuary, an education and a revolt—all things I want desperately for my son—a sticky, crusty, diaper-clad little dude—to grow to love, too." These are a few of the delightful words from contributor April Smasal in today's post on the blog, all about how we can help instill a love for reading in our little ones.

The post On Raising Little Readers appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

My Summer Manifesto: A Little Less Doing

Jill Elliott — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:00:33 +0000

As we shift from one season to the next, it can be helpful to touch base with ourselves and set intentions and goals for the months ahead. Today contributor Jill Elliott is sharing her summer manifesto—a plan to celebrate summer, while still honoring the life and business she's building.

The post My Summer Manifesto: A Little Less Doing appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Baby Products That Got Me Through the First 18 Months of Motherhood

Kate Arends — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 15:20:56 +0000

It will always take a village to mother mothers when their babies need everything they have left to give, so I put together a truly comprehensive list of all my favorite baby gear items for you, my dear readers. Today I'm sharing a list of my favorite baby products—the tried and true items that helped me through the inevitable ups and downs of parenting little ones.

The post Baby Products That Got Me Through the First 18 Months of Motherhood appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

A Case for Embracing Boredom in Small Bits

Jill Elliott — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:00:49 +0000

Today contributor Jill Elliott is exploring the magic and importance of boredom in our lives, and how she's looking to embrace the feeling in the coming summer months.

The post A Case for Embracing Boredom in Small Bits appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Crying Over Spilled Milk

Ellen Koneck — Thu, 23 May 2019 15:00:25 +0000

You know that feeling you get sometimes? Where, for a solid few minutes at least, you realize tasks are getting ticked off your to-do list, things are falling into place, and you maybe have everything under control? It's a beautiful illusion that lasts until it doesn't—until something happens to throw the balance off-kilter once more. Today contributor Ellen Koneck is writing about one such something, and, more broadly, about navigating the occasionally turbulent waters of being a first-time parent.

The post Crying Over Spilled Milk appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Thank You for Those Hard Days I Thought You’d Break Me

Kate Arends — Fri, 10 May 2019 15:00:43 +0000

The past 17 months of motherhood have tested everything I thought to be true about myself. They’ve broken down my defenses, exposed my ego, and begged me to question my purpose, my worth, my relationships to work, my reason for being. I haven’t exactly been at my best through these important months of my children’s […]

The post Thank You for Those Hard Days I Thought You’d Break Me appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Parenthood: It Really Does Take a Village

Jill Elliott — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 15:00:03 +0000

As a woman late(ish) to the motherhood game, to say it rocked my world would be an understatement. Prior to becoming a mother, I have always prided myself on being independent, self-sufficient, and an uber-organized multi-tasker. I relished in my solitary nature, convinced I could take on life in my own way, mostly alone. I prided myself […]

The post Parenthood: It Really Does Take a Village appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

The Story We’re Not Telling About Motherhood

Brittany Chaffee — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:09:31 +0000

My twenties felt like a fertile countdown. I believe this to be the culprit of thy uterus clock. You know, the one that ticks inside of every woman like the alligator in Peter Pan promising human’s life incubator will one day shrivel up like a used sponge if we wait too long to find a man. By […]

The post The Story We’re Not Telling About Motherhood appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Setting Intentions During Pregnancy & After Loss

Sandy Jorgenson — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:00:18 +0000

As I sit here writing, I can feel those old familiar movements – the little elbow jabs, the well-intentioned kicks in my side, and those teeny, tiny little hiccups. At 25 weeks pregnant, I’m growing increasingly more accustomed to the idea that come wintertime, I’ll become a mother all over again. Ask me why I […]

The post Setting Intentions During Pregnancy & After Loss appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.

Getting to Know Your Newborn

Ellen Koneck — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 15:00:16 +0000

At 2:47 AM on Sunday, August 5, after a long labor and little sleep, I met the person I’d been carrying around for the previous 38 weeks and 3 days. The person for whom I (ahem, nobly) gave up deli meat and sushi and alcohol; the person whose mere existence exempted me from lifting any […]

The post Getting to Know Your Newborn appeared first on Wit & Delight | Designing a Life Well-Lived.