Motherhood Archives - The Culture Mom

14Jun

State of America’s Fathers 2016

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Men say they can do more. They want to do more. But they can't do it alone. In the latest State of America's Fathers report, produced by MenCare and Promundo US, research breaks down what it takes to support caring, involved dads.The hope is that the report will increase the visibility and value of care work in the United States at the national level with never-before-analyzed data and bold policy recommendations. It seeks to influence and improve policies and programming for parents, particularly for the most vulnerable families and fathers. The report Read More

08May

Why This Mother’s Day Has Particular Meaning

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In the past few years, I have stared death in the face more than once. Once by an illness that could have taken my life had it not been caught in time; the other time in a fluke accident that nearly took my last breath. The strange thing is that both events happened in a relatively short span of time when I still had children under the age of 10. But the good thing, and there's always a good thing, is that both incidents took a toll on me physically and mentally and have made me stop to think about my mortality and role as a mother. Prior to these Read More

31Oct

A Luxury Solo Trip to Ireland

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I recently spent eight days in Ireland…on my own. Yes, I left my kids and husband at home and trekked all the way there. On my way I slept intermittantly, read a book and drank a glass of wine. For six hours, I was able to focus on myself, not something that's easy to do when we travel as a family. To clarify, my kids are naturally born travelers, but our trips tend to revolve around them. Solo trips bring out the best of me and pushes me beyond my comfort zone. Don't think that I'm alone. Taking a solo holiday isn’t strictly for the single women Read More

05Oct

My Thoughts on Motherhood & Travel

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When my first child was born, I was working in a job that involved quite a bit of travel, for long stretches at a time. The thought of leaving her for long stretches was mind-boggling. From breastfeeding to missing the small moments, I wondered how I would manage. I lasted about a year, and then I decided to go contract. I had been working in travel publishing and truly lived and breathed travel. My second child came within a year and then I was home with two babies whose lives depended on me. It was wonderful but a challenge, and a bit of a shock, Read More

26May

Diary of a Breeder

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It is with immense interest that I've been following the conversation that has developing around what is being coined "non breeders," women my age who have decided not to conceive, or have set out to explain why they are not conceiving. From Meghan Daum's book Shallow, Selfish and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids to , the conversation has been both deep and contemplative about a new generation of women who are not having children. I respect every single one of these women's decisions. As the mother of a 10 and 12 Read More

20May

How Travel Has Transformed Me

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"As you move though this life ...you leave marks behind, however small. And in return , life -- and travel -- leaves marks on you." - Anthony Boudain Do you want to hear how travel has transformed me? I'm about to tell you. Last week I was in the middle of the most amazing trip in Iceland when something quite unexpected happened to me. I got hurt. Not just hurt, badly hurt. Without going into detail on what happened, I will just say that I'm okay and that everything was done to make me comfortable while I was in Europe. I got home a few days ago Read More

09May

Week 6: Middle-Aged Personal Training at Encore Fitness NY and a Giveaway

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If you've been following my mid-life crisis fitness blog posts, you may have noticed a lull. I wasn't avoiding my routine, but trips do seem to knock me off my momentum a bit. However, since my weight gain from week 4, I've been more determined than ever to keep everything I'm learning at Encore Fitness NY up, particularly while traveling. I've also managed to challenge myself to a few new forms of exercise to keep my body moving and my keen interest up. So, when I walked into Encore the other day for my sixth session with Robert, I felt confident and Read More

04Mar

Becoming a Shot@Life Champion

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If you've read my blog before, you know of my passionate and fervent interest to help others. Using it and other streams over the years, I've raised large amounts of money for St. Jude Hospital and the Haitian Amputee Mothers Alliance. I've raised awareness for Every Mother Counts, Mothers 2 Mothers, Save the Children, Dress for Success and ONE. I write over at The Broad Side and BlogHer when given the opportunity and really try to raise the bar on issues I care about, most pertaining to women and children. Yet I am not known for this work. I'm the Read More

24Feb

Postpartum: The Musical

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A while ago, I wrote about Hello Flo, a company whose idea to send tampons through the mail to young girls via subscription went viral last year. They had two videos that hit You Tube to promote a Period Starter Kit for girls: The company has had two hilarious viral successes in advertising its Period Starter Kit for girls— "Camp Gyno" and "First Moon". I interviewed founder Naama Bloom about how she's helping kids grow up last year and was so impressed with her goals - they're so genuine. And now she strikes again with a genuine mission - to help Read More

13Feb

A Mom in Pursuit of Solo Travel (Sans Guilt)

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I've just spent a few days in the Florida Keys at a resort that's ideal for families. While I'm here, I've experienced several activities my kids would love - from fly fishing to jet skiing to a sunset cruise to a bike ride beyond the property. Only there's one catch - my kids aren't here. I'm on my own after a pursuit of solo travel. I'm actually covering the resort. It was recently renovated and I'll reviewing its new features for several publications I write for. I'm on a press trip with four other journalists. Some have kids, some don't. There Read More