Blog — A Mom Explores | Family Travel Tips, Destination Guides with Kids, Family Vacation Ideas, and more!

tips for pumping a stash of breastmilk for a night away

My third baby in 4 years just turned 9 months. It feels like I've been pregnant or nursing for eternity! This stage of life can be depleting, both physically and mentally. All of your extra energy goes toward growing and raising these little human beings who can't fend for themselves.

Our baby is finally sleeping through the night, so it's time to start restoring balance to our home life. I'm back to setting an alarm to wake up before the kids, my husband and I are both working out first thing in the morning, and we're starting to prioritize our marriage again.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseFebruary 6, 2018motherhood, pregnancy and nursingComment

the most comfortable travel outfit

My Nana - my mom's mom- was from London. She used to tell us how when she came to the United States as a young bride, she was horrified at how people would dress in public, to run errands, and especially when traveling. She firmly believed that one should look put together when out and about because it would be respectful to others.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseJanuary 19, 2018mom style Comment

things all moms of young kids can relate to

Packing granola bars, apple slices, bags of cereal, animal crackers, an entire rotisserie chicken, and 3 water bottles in your purse every time you leave the house just in case someone gets hungry. Even if it's just a trip to the library.

Drawing out a game plan for how you'll get everyone safely in and out of their car seats in a parking lot.

Feeling victorious when your FitBit registers getting the kids in and out of their car seats as a workout.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseJanuary 17, 2018essays Comment

true confessions of a mom and her guilt

Yesterday as I was leaving my OB-Gyn appointment with all three of my young kids in tow, my doctor made the kindest comment to me. Before I share it with you, though, I need to set the scene:

The baby was screaming in his stroller with snot running down his nose. The two-year-old was trying to put his toy laptop in the basket of the stroller, effectively tripping me and getting his foot run over in the process. The four-year-old was asking questions about my "yearly exam" while standing directly in the path of my stroller in that narrow hallway. I tried to answer her as vaguely as possible over the din of my unhappy baby while smiling apologetically at the nurses.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseJanuary 9, 2018motherhood, essays Comments

finding my momiform

The weather in Florida lately has been pleasantly chilly, and we've been reveling in the chance to wear pants and long sleeves. Ever since we moved here two years ago, it hasn't really gotten cold until at least February, and even then the chill only lasted for a few days.

Temperatures in the 60s and 70s are prime mom uniform weather, and these days my "momiform" starts with a base of black leggings or black skinnies. Almost any top looks good paired with them, and they can be dressed up or down.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseDecember 11, 2017motherhood, mom styleComment