I’m not sure if I’ve talked about this on the blog before, but I work from home. I do project-based freelance writing, editing, and proofreading for a bunch of clients. Like any work from home momma will tell you, this is not an easy thing to do. Yes, I can set my own hours. Yes, I can be home with my kids. But I also have no work/life separation and I contend with a cranky toddler while I’m trying to meet deadlines.

It’s not easy, but it works for me.

Over the years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that make the whole process a little easier and a whole lot more productive. The last two apply strictly to mommas, but I think the first three tips are valuable for anyone working from home.

Way too often moms (and mommy blogs) focus on the hectic, ugly side of motherhood instead of the little moments that we should really be treasuring. Every once in a while, we should force ourselves (if need be) to stop and celebrate the little things.

It may be easier to say that than to actually do it when you’re overtired, under hydrated,  and trying to tackle a to-do list that’s longer than a Peter Jackson movie. But, this Mother’s Day, I challenge you to try. Try to notice and appreciate little moments. Try to take a step back and watch. Try to just take it all in.

To give you a little taste of what I mean, I collected a bunch of beautiful images of moms and kids doing everyday things.

If you have a picture of you and your kids (or of you and your mom!) that you’d like to share and possibly have featured in a future post, email me at jen@cuddlesandchaos.com.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I thought it would be pretty fitting to sit down with Sam to see what she thinks about mothers and Mother’s Day.

She was very serious and official and seemed to be prepping for a beauty pageant and/or for a career as a politician. In my opinion, she’d be fantastic at both.

Why do we celebrate Mother’s Day?

To celebrate how much we love mothers. We love them because they take care of us just right and they’re so nice to us. On Mother’s Day we give mothers presents. We give them breakfast in bed.

As soon as you let the word out that you’re pregnant you suddenly find out that you’re living in a world full of experts. Who knew? From the cashier at Dunkin Donuts to a random shopper in the mall to a fellow commuter, everyone around you suddenly sheds their Clark Kent suit and tie for a cape and some spandex.

They will be your hero, baby (sorry I can’t resist an obscure Enrique Iglesias reference). They will bestow upon you the golden nuggets of parenting advice that you are lacking. And more than half of the time it will be bullshit.

If I ask for your advice or tips for dealing with a particular subject, that’s one thing. But people who walk up to strangers to let them know exactly what they’re doing wrong in their child rearing drive me insane.

Since becoming a momma, spring break looks a little different than it used to. Gone are the days of bikinis, beaches, and day drinking. With a tightened budget and a tummy that could use some tightening of its own (not to mention two little people underfoot), I’ve slowly learned to master the art of the staycation.

I’ve put together a list for you of my top 5 tips for surviving a staycation like a mother.

*Note: This post is part of a new series I’m starting called Like a Mother, which focuses on conquering the seemingly impossible like only a mother can. 😉 If you can think of anything you’d like to see featured in this new series, shoot me an email.