Bento Madness

 WTH is this trend where the “cool” mommies feel obligated to stand in the kitchen, early in the morning, and cut up little pieces of cheese, fruits and veggies to resemble some robot or animal or spell something or any other assortment of edible art? Then, place it in a container with sections, each having its own little healthy theme, and send it off to school. The idea being, to make their kids a lunch that is impressive to look at and will hopefully entice their child to eat healthy foods they may not necessarily like.

Wow, score another one for the overachieving mommies! Who has time for this? I mean, for a special occasion or once in awhile thing maybe, but on a regular basis? Do you get to looking at these masterpieces and start to feel as though, if you’re not doing this for your kids, you are failing them somehow? Don’t get duped into believing that you’re not up to par if you can’t keep up with this trend.

Yes these are adorable, but most likely, your child won’t eat it just because it looks cool. If they don’t like the food, it may get played with but will stay in its little section of the bento box, turning brown or smashed and looking sad.

I realize that things are more forward thinking and kids are savvier today than when I was a kid but my mom made the best ham and cheese or PBJ’s in the world and they went great with a bag of chips and a few carrot sticks…maybe an apple. She made us eat our veggies at dinner with a well rounded meal and we got all the nutrients we needed.

Since when are mom’s expected to add artistically beautiful lunches to the number of things that they are supposed to do to make everything “special” for their kids. You don’t have to aspire to be the culinary whiz. Not every aspect of your kids lives have to be extraordinary for you to be listed in the “Great Mom” category.

Yes, pack a healthy lunch. Pack a lunch your child will eat. Pack a little treat but most of all, pack them with love.

Mommy-Jacking and Parental Oversharing

Have you heard these terms? Here are the “definitions”…


Mommy-Jacking: The art of “hi-jacking” someone else’s unrelated FB status or comment post to make it all about your child or needing to have a child.

Or

Parental Oversharing: The misguided idea that somehow, everyone following you on social media wants to know and hear about your child’s poop, snot (and other bodily fluids), or your toddler’s boners.

Of course, there all types of Mommy-Jackers: We have the Classic Mommy-Jacker; she really believes that your day/post will be better when she interjects her news. The Self-Centered Mommy-Jacker; she finds a way to work info about her kids into just about any conversation. The Self-Righteous Mommy-Jacker; she will let you know that no matter what’s happening in your life, she has faced worse, done more, or already tried that and knows what you need to do. There are even Mommy-Jackers that try to hi-jack other Mommy-Jackers with “One-up-manship” ala the You-think-you’re-tired-listen-to-this type posts.

Parents DO get a bad wrap for doing this, especially when you consider that other people overshare about other aspects of their lives too….like your friend that tells you every time they’re off to the grocery store or specific details about their exercise workout. Have a little patience.

As parents, of course you’re proud of your child’s first solid poop or their extreme cuteness when they scream and you think you might be more challenged and tired than anyone EVER, but before you hit SEND, just ask yourself, “Is this information really necessary or am I just Mommy-Jacking this person’s status?”

When reading these, most people just think, “Eww, TMI!” ….and then there are the ones who think, “How can your children be the center of the universe when clearly mine are?”

Have you been guilty of over-sharing in the past? What's the funniest thing someone has shared about their kids on your FB page?

Fifty Shades of Baby Boom

Yes, I admit it….I’ve read the first two of the three Fifty Shades (E.L. James) books….as have millions of women now. I initially had little interest until the buzz got so loud it was barely avoidable and it piqued my curiosity. I also was approached by a total stranger in a sushi bar while reading a (different) novel on my Nook and asked if I was reading Fifty Shades. The lady was so excited and breathy to hear if I’d read the popular novel and when I told her “No, I’ve heard a lot about it though” she said, “OMG you simply must!”.


In addition to the sexy story and erotic passages that happen in the book, women are falling in love with the steamy characters and, I think, the emotional fantasy it stirs. It’s been called “emotional crack” for women. This racy book, they claim, has really revved up their sex lives. I’m guessing their men are enjoying this renewed interest even if they’re not sure where it came from.

Recent talk suggests that we’ll be having a Baby Boom of Fifty Shades babies that should hit sometime in 2013 judging from when the books seem to have become so popular. Some ladies are admitting they are reading these novels two or three times and are even considering naming their newborns after the characters in the books.

Women have always related to and named their kids after certain characters in books and movies that moved them. Movies such as Body Heat (1981), 9 ½ weeks (1986) and Original Sin (2001) may have caused their own “baby boom” in their time.

Now we know that the Fifty Shades movie is a reality and the casting efforts are in full swing. Fans seem to be leaning towards either Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries) or Ryan Gosling (The Notebook) to play the sexy Christian Grey leading role but the casting is a very make or break thing since every woman has their own idea about who’s sexy and perfect for the part. Production is still a ways away so we have plenty of time to find the perfect Mr. Grey.

Have you named your child after a character in a book or movie? What actor would you pick to play Mr. Grey in the movie?