Mama Knows Best
Learn one mama’s “BEST” parenting tips, book and toy recommendations, relationship advice, and more!
Ariadne from Positive Parenting Connection
Best Pregnancy or Birth Advice
Surround yourself with loving and supportive people. Make a point to be really informed about everything but keep an open mind. I had three really different pregnancy and birth experiences, each special in their own way but not one of them went “according to the plan.”
Best Parenting Website
Nearly impossible to pick just one… I’m going with Genevieve Simperingham’s Peaceful Parent Institute – she has wonderful articles on her website on attachment, conflict resolution and other family topics. Plus, her facebook page often has links and discussions that are very interesting.
Best Blog for Moms
I simply cannot pick just one, my list goes on and on, if I must answer: Nurturestore for art and activity ideas, Parenting From Scratch for positive discipline.
Best Baby Product
I love my Ergo baby carrier, it has lasted through nearly 6 years of pretty continuous use and baby wearing was comforting to my babies and a great way to free up some hands to help my toddlers.
Best Parenting Advice
Don’t waste time trying to be the perfect parent or raising perfect kids, instead connect, love, cherish and live the time you have together, especially in the first years – building a relationship based on love and trust gives children the most solid foundation for a great life.
Best Parenting Book
If I must pick just one: Attached at the Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker.
Best Children’s Book
Press Here! By Herve Tullet – I love this book, it’s great for all ages, we have spun off many different activities after reading it and it never gets old!
Best Kids’ Toy
A play tunnel. We’ve had ours for 6 years now and it’s always fun. In the summer it can be outside, on rainy days it can be inside, part of a fort, part of an obstacle course, the kids step into it and pretend to be monsters, the possibilities are endless.
Best Kids’ Game
Mighty Minds. I love that the children can take turns, do individual challenges or work together to solve many different levels of puzzles.
Best Kids’ Craft
Transforming a giant cardboard box into anything – fire truck, house, rocket, car ramp…
Best Outdoor Play Idea
The woods or a forest – rain or shine we love it!
Best Way to Stay Organized
I got a memo that moms are supposed to be organized and I put it away somewhere safe, it’s around here, I think, uhm….next question please!
Best Way to Keep a Happy Relationship or Marriage
Keep building your story together – listen to each other, share the highs and lows, spend time together and invest in the relationship. Don’t forget to make time to fold the laundry.
Best Family Outing or Vacation
A beach vacation – for the last two years we have spent one week at the beach and it was relaxing and fun for everyone. I hope we have the chance to do it year after year and make it a tradition.
Best Family Meal or Recipe
Make your own pizza night! My children love to help with making the dough, chopping veggies, sprinkling the cheese and so on. Bonus: The kids discovered they love mushrooms and bell peppers!
Best Behavior Management or Discipline Tip
Practice positive parenting! The idea is to aim for cooperation, mutual understanding and setting realistic expectations. The more we know our children, understand their needs and abilities the more we can guide and transform would be challenging, hair rising, button pushing moments into more peaceful, positive interactions.
Best Way to Spend a Mommy Moment
Eating chocolate and watching a TV show or movie – so rare and yet so wonderful!
Ariadne Brill is mom to three children, a certified positive discipline parenting educator and the creator of positive parenting connection, a resource for gentle parenting and positive yet effective discipline. Ariadne loves chocolate and is passionate about helping parents and children create harmony at home. She would rather write instead of doing the laundry. She is a regular contributor to Authentic Parenting and has contributed to various parenting outlets such as ALL Parenting, Positive Parenting Toddlers & Beyond; I’m Not the BabySitter, A Little bit of All of It, Elephant Journal and more. Connect with Ariadne on Facebook.
Do you have any clever parenting tips or fun kids’ activities? I’d love to share them with my readers. Just contact me for more information!
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Christy says
Once again, great advice!
Krissy @ B-InspiredMama says
Oh, it’s my pleasure, Ariadne. 🙂
You have such great insight!
Ariadne - Positive Parenting Connection says
Krissy, Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in your Mama Knows Best series!