Jen Mann's Blog, page 28

Daddies Don't Deserve Medals

There is another awesome parent out there doing awesome parenting things on the internet and I'm giving this parent the slowest clap I can muster.

Have you seen this guy? I bet you have. There's a viral picture going around of a blogger dad doing his daughter's hair while holding another baby in a carrier. Ring a bell? That's because this picture is on fire.

No doubt, it's an adorable snap of a dad who is multi-tasking and getting the job done for his kids.

HOWEVER, the world is lining up to...

PIWTPITT Sports Bra Review - The Results Are In

I wrote a post bemoaning the dearth of supportive sports bras for anyone with a D cup or larger.

I had just started my new workout regimen and I was frustrated with the constant battle to keep my boobies in check while I did a jumping jack. My workouts sounded a lot like this:

"One, two, ow - my eye! Three, four, son of a bitch! Five, six - now the other one is free too?! Seven, eight - break! I need a break. I've got to put these suckers back where they belong."

Don't get me wrong, I'm...

Rules for Raising a Boy - 18 (Because 25 Was Too Hard To Come Up With) Rules for Mothers of Sons

There is a list making its way around Facebook about 25 Rules for Mothers of Sons.  Have you seen it?

It's a very pleasant, feel good, vanilla-flavored list with lots of cute little things like "teach your son to do laundry," "learn how to throw a football," "let him get dirty," and that sort of thing.  I am not going to attack this woman or her list.  (I learned my lesson last time I did that.)  I think the list is fine - for her.  It's just not my cup of tea....

2013 - The Year in Review

For all of the new people who have joined me this year - welcome! In case you've missed some of the hits of 2013 here they are in one easy to read spot:

PIWTPITT's Official Elf on the Shelf Calendar - I decided to try and help the underachievers be better at the Elf on the Shelf antics this year. You won't find any messes or pantie raids on this calendar (what is the deal with the overachiever's obsession with elves and underwear??), but you will find easy to follow steps and even a couple of...

Rules for Parents of Daughters

I realized when I wrote my sons' piece earlier this week I titled it Rules for Mothers of Sons.  I was so wrong to just single out mothers.  These rules are for all parents.  Sorry, dads, you don't get a pass.  Kids need as much guidance as they can get!

Tonight I went out with the girls and I told them I was going to write this post so they helped me come up with some good ones!  Thanks, girls!

So here we go:  PIWTPITT 25 Rules for Parents of Daughters (because...

Best Elf on the Shelf Birthing Video Ever

In the two years since my Elf on the Shelf rant went viral, I've received countless photos of elves in various positions. They're usually very funny, like snorting powdered sugar off a mirror, having a three-way with Barbie and Skipper, or getting his head ripped off by a dog. Over the years I've become quite jaded and I thought I'd seen it all.

I was wrong.

Last week I stumbled onto Mothering.com and I saw the weirdest, funniest, more elaborate elf scenario I've ever seen.


It's an elf...

I Lost My Elf on the Shelf

Well, I've reached a new low with my Elves on the Shelves. (Yes, I have two to move around now, remember? We added Elva the Elf to our house last year.)

This year it hasn't been so bad, because I've been using my handy dandy Underachiever Calendar to move my elves from one shelf to another and back again. Monday night, though, I got a wild hair. I had a little bit more pep in my step than usual and I got cray-zee with my elves. I put them in NEW places. See, normally I keep them together, but...

Ethan Couch and His Case of Affluenza

Did you hear about the spoiled brat who killed a bunch of people and gets to go to a place that sounds a lot like a spa instead of prison?

Let me catch you up to speed in case you haven't seen his smug little face on the news. There's a kid in Texas named Ethan Couch. He's 16 years old. His daddy is the owner and CEO of a sheet metal company. I don't know what his mom does, but I'm guessing that parenting isn't on the list. Anyway, one night Ethan was home without any parental supervision and...

Humble Brag Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
We hope you're enjoying our family photo. We decided to go with the 8x10 for everyone this year. We know a 3x5 would have sufficed, but we heard from so many of you last year how much you liked our picture and we wanted you to have something really special this year. It's printed on heirloom quality canvas and should really stand the test of time.
Our divine photographer who just...

Overachieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies

By now we have all heard of the adorable little Elf on the Shelf.  Almost everyone I know has one.  Some people even have two!  (Now I'm having guilt for not having two, because apparently I need two because when my kids are adults they'll each want one from their childhood.  Ugh.  Not looking forward to that conversation with the Hubs when I tell him why we need another Elf.)

The Elf is a handy little thing to have.  The little bastard keeps my children...