No Santa Here (Except When He Is)
by Mari Walker on
“What are you asking Santa to bring you for Christmas?” Strangers in the grocery store and well-meaning friends at church ask my daughters this question without fail throughout December. My girls can usually answer, translating the question to the ... Read full article
A Playdate-Style Birthday Party
by Mari Walker on
Birthday parties for littles can add up fast. For a few Benjamins, you can take them and a few friends to a bounce place or rent a bounce house for your backyard. We didn’t start big parties like that for my older daughter until she was about five.... Read full article
Suit Up, Mama!
by Mari Walker on
You’ll never consider my body bikini-ready or beach-worthy. I’ve never had six-pack abs or been a small person, even in my younger, pre-kid days. I have a soft, squishy tummy; big, strong thighs; big everything.... Read full article
Be It Resolved: 2020 Parenting Goals
by Mari Walker on
January is here once again, and after the excess of the holiday season, the start of a new calendar feels like a good time for a clean start. (It also seems like a good time to buy some new toy storage solutions, but that’s probably another post!) Al... Read full article
Mama, Get in the Photos
by Mari Walker on
While looking for photos for a blog post about remote work with a baby, I realized how few photos I have of myself with my daughters, especially when they were babies. As a technology holdout, I didn’t have a smartphone when my oldest was born in 201... Read full article
Silver Lining to a Scary Situation: My Daughter Was Lost, But We Both Found Friends
by Mari Walker on
Life is a balancing act, and I find that especially true with my roles as mother and writer. Last December, I was on deadline, finishing up some briefs for the Community section of Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. One of the briefs I’d just finished was... Read full article
Raising Readers One Book at a Time
by Mari Walker on
A recent Baby Center email for my seven year old (yes, I still open them to read about her development!) had the headline, “How to Encourage Reading.” I laughed and read along, knowing the advice doesn’t apply to me just now.... Read full article
My Heart Walks Around Without Me: A Girl Scout Camp Experience
by Mari Walker on
Parenting through the elementary years seems to be a gradual release, letting go of the demands (and some of the rewards) of mothering small children. Part of me welcomes the release, and I want nothing more for my daughters than to soar into fulfill... Read full article
Gift Getting Made Easy? Including a Wish List on Birthday Invites
by Mari Walker on
Happy birthday, baby! Another year has passed, and it’s time to mark the occasion with a party (or at least a cake). As the years add up, the parties may get more complex, adding school friends and others into the mix for invitation consideration. Wi... Read full article
Child’s Play: Don’t Hate the Playa OR the Game
by Mari Walker on
“Mama, will you play with me?” The question can sometimes sink me like a stone, especially if I’m in the midst of a work project or otherwise doing something I want or need to do.... Read full article