DC Metro Moms

How Do You Talk To A Preschooler About Race?

After my daughter was born, I became more conscious of how I should approach race with her. With an Asian-American and a black father, she would be constantly question about her ethnic background.

Perhaps I was a little naive to think people would be as rude as to ask, "Is she yours?" After hearing many versions of this question, I wondered, should I teach her about race or wait for her to ask?

Recently, the black and white Doll Experiment has been in the news again. The study went like this: children are given a dark-skinned (aka black) doll and a light-skinned (aka white) doll and asked which one they prefer. Many of the children (of different races) picked the white doll.

Makers of Tylenol, I'm Disappointed in You

Hopefully, by now you've heard about the recall of children's liquid medicines: Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl--all made by McNeil Consumer Health Care. Over 40 products that are sold in over 13 countries (including the US). It's not just certain lots, but basically all the non-expired of these over the counter medicines.

Well, I just have to say, makers of Tylenol, I'm disappointed in you.

Where's the Baby Whisperer When You Need One?

I've been very lucky that baby #2 has been pretty laid back. He didn't cry a lot. He slept well. He would just chill in his bouncer or on the floor.

I had my schedule down pat. Four year old in bed by 7 or 7:30pm. Baby falls asleep on the breast about 7:30 or 8pm. Then I'd have a good hour or so to make work phone calls. (I work from home.) Baby would wake up about half hour or so after I was done with my phone calls. Sometimes he'd even sleep longer.

That is, until he started teething. I should have known it was too good to last.

Things Not to Do When You Get Food Poisoning

Thanks to a salad, I had the unfortunate experience of getting food poisoning a couple of weeks ago. I've never gotten food poisoning before, and I don't wish it on my worse enemy.

However, it was a good learning experience. Here's what I learned not to do:

1. Don't ride the Metro. Especially when you have chills, your entire body is achey and you think you might feel nauseated. No, I had no idea at that point I had food poisoning.

I Didn't Miss My Kids When I Went to Vegas

Who would turn down a trip to Las Vegas? Especially when it's tax deductible?

 A couple of weeks ago, I attend my annual Passion Parties Convention. Of my 8+ plus years in the business, I've only missed it once. I even planned my pregnancy around it. Last year I was 6 weeks pregnant. This year, the baby was 3 months old when I left for Las Vegas.

Not only is a ton of fun, but convention re-energizes my business. We have a lot of great seminars and amazing speakers, including the fabulous old-enough-to-be-my-grandmother sexpert Sue Johanson and the very inspiring Chris Gardner, who wrote about his life in The Pursuit of Happyness.

I was gone for five days and didn't miss my kids a bit.

Sexy Is An Attitude, But Sexy Panties Help-Mominatrix Lead-In

I'm addicted to panties. Not as in I can't go commando, but I love buying underwear. I'm not picky about the material either: cotton, satin, silk or lace. I get excited when Victoria's Secret has their semi-annual sale. I love the bargain undies bin at Frederick's of Hollywood. Heck, I've even sewn my own.

I even like the word panties. Not underwear, not undergarments, but panties. Sure, I'm guilty of throwing on the mom uniform of t-shirt and jeans, but I like having a cute pair of panties under them. Why? They make me feel womanly, sexy even. When you're a mom of two small children, it's hard to get your mojo on at the end of a long day of spit-up, dirty diapers, and a whining preschooler. After reading Kristen Chase's The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book for Naughty Mom, I second her belief. Dressing the part helps bring the sexy back. (Cue some Justin Timberlake).

Multiple Snogasms

I'm sure you've heard by now, that after our blizzard this weekend with 28"+ of snow, another giant bucket of the heavy white stuff will be dumped onto the DC Metro area. The National Weather Service is calling for anywhere between 10-20" of snow starting noon on Tuesday.

Sure, we've been poking fun of the snow on Twitter and Facebook. The blizzard has accumulated quite a collection of hashtags: #snowpocalypse, #snotoriousBIG, #snOMG, #snowmaggedon and my personal favorite, #snogasm.

But aren't "gasms" supposed to be, um, pleasurable?

Dad, the Goldfish Isn't Moving!

My well meaning father bought my 4 year old, Sophia, a lovely goldfish the week of Thanksgiving. The theory is that she'll be so preoccupied with her new pet that she wouldn't notice that her mom was super busy with her new baby brother. Thus Sophia Goose swam in a large vase on our coffee table. I thought my dad was also going to buy a little tank too. A vase was all we got.

Well, apparently a goldfish is not a very exciting pet. Ok, I already knew that. I had to remind Sophia Swan (since she's a swan, the goldfish is a goose, get it? Me neither.) to feed her fish every day. She wanted to feed it breakfast, lunch, dinner AND dessert. I'm still teaching her moderation.

Earlier this week my sister noticed that Sophia Goose was, well, just floating. Thankfully Sophia hadn't noticed it yet. Then one morning, on our way out the door, she said it. "Dad, my fish isn't moving."

To Induce or Not to Induce?

As I write this, my due date looms two days away. It's my second pregnancy, so I know what to expect, more or less. It's just that I totally bought into the "Your second one usually comes early." Heck I even got a gut feeling two weeks ago that he would arrive before his due date.

So why did I schedule an induction?

And the Lazy Mom Award Goes To. . .

My daughter's 4th birthday party is Tuesday. As in next week. I just gave out the last invitation today. The other two I gave out the day before that. One didn't even get handed out, I just called her friend's mom. To my credit I did send out a save the date email two week ago.

I know most of her friends can make it. I just realized last night that I should probably order the cake and plan the menu.With baby #2 due in less than 3 weeks, I've taken the easy road.