LilSugar

When the Kids Are Away, How Does Mom Play?

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:30:30 -0700

Mommy's doing the cabbage patch and singing out loud, "They're gone... they're gone... they're gone." The opportunity for some mom-me time may not come around that often so when mama finds herself free of kids, hubby and other responsibilities, she can do whatever her heart desires. Perhaps she has planned a Mexican getaway to celebrate a 30th birthday or maybe she's just eager for a night out on the town. But one thing seems to be common among many mothers... their party bark is bigger than their bite.

Many ladies talk up a big game of sipping cocktails and staying up until the wee hours of the morn but in reality, many spend their time catching up with friends on the couch or playing Guitar Hero and sneaking into bed earlier than expected. The fear of hangovers may be to blame or perhaps it is their internal clocks ticking to a settled routine that keeps mommies from playing too hard.

How do you play when the kids are away?

Mom-Me Time: Get Involved in LilSugar's Community Groups!

LilSugar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:00:01 -0700

You've waited in line for your son's soccer jersey, penciled your daughter's art classes onto the calendar, and shuttled your kids to karate. Now that their Fall activities are in full swing, take a few mom-me moments to do the same for yourself. LilSugar's Community offers a place for mothers to hang out, vent, brainstorm, and showcase their talents. What fits your fancy? Check out and join some of our hottest groups!

The Children's Table: Whether you've got kids with pint-sized palates that appreciate culinary cuisine or children that only eat chicken nuggets and french fries, share your recipes, tips and tricks.

The Mommy Club: If you have an offspring, you're eligible for this club where moms can chat about everything from the terrible twos to sleep deprivation to those ah-ha! moments.

Pregnancy Posse: Congratulations - you're expecting! Connect with all the other mamas growing babies in their bellies. Share your experience, ask questions, and dole out advice to the rest of the bumpalicious ladies.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me?: Tell us your shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful tales that you wish you had known becoming a mother!

Sugarbabies: Parents love to dote on their lil darlings. Showcase your beautiful bundle of joy by uploading their fun, fabulous, candid, and adorable pics! And, go ahead - brag a bit!

Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Mother Runs Errands to Buy Herself Some Alone Time

LilSugar — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:00:43 -0700

Few people would consider grocery shopping or dropping off the dry cleaning to be the highlight of their weeks, but for mamas who find themselves shuttling the kids from school, play dates, and birthday parties, such mundane tasks are a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

A friend was recently telling me that she looks forward to leaving the house for 20 minutes to run such errands because she knows she is guaranteed at least a few minutes of time alone to gather her thoughts, call a friend for an uninterrupted conversation, or just enjoy letting her mind wander.

Do you savor tasks that buy you a bit of kid-free time?

Mommies Need a Girls' Night Out

babysugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0700

To quote Wynonna Judd, "Well, it's my night to rock. No watchin' that ol' clock. Oh, ain't no doubt, Lordy it's a girls' night out." Many moms enjoy an all female fete where they can let their hair down and free their mind of pacifiers and diapers. Putting dad or grandma on duty can provide mama a much needed break from the every day routine of dinner, bath and bedtime. The hard part is usually the recovery the next morning if she's had one too many 'tinis. How often do you meet up with your girlfriends for a ladies' night?

If you need some inspiration, join our Moms Gone Wild group - a place to plan your nights out with fellow ladies, share your wild child-free moments and upload photos!

Need a Break? Book a Girlfriend Getaway

LilSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:00:49 -0700

Pack your bags and don't look back. When some mothers need a break from their daily routine, they plan a night out with friends. Others look for a more extended escape, they gather their friends together for an overnight retreat.

Recent studies show that female bonding activities can help manage stress and may contribute to longer lives. Many women are taking a cue from these studies and booking excursions to spas, beaches and shopping destinations across the country and abroad. Unlike family vacations to similar locations, women find that traveling to these locales allow them to reconnect with friends and leave stress behind. The practice has become so popular that Budget Travel magazine recently launched a supplement specifically for this audience called Girlfriend Getaways.

For our 30th birthdays, my former college roommates and I celebrated with a relaxing long weekend in Mexico. Used to carting a diaper bag and my kids, it was wonderful to adjust to all six of us sharing one bag for the beach. After a few days of uninterrupted conversation, lounging by the pool and toasting rounds of cocktails, I returned home to my husband and children revived and ready to be mom again. Now, I'm counting down to our 35th birthday trip!

Do you indulge in girlfriend getaways?

Moms' Night Out: Sweats and the City

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:13:51 -0700

If a flashback to pre-baby days sounds like more than your mom friends can handle, throw something a bit more low-key. Invite the ladies over for a Sweats and the City event. There's no primping or planning involved. Leave the lil darlings with daddy and head over to the host's house for a meeting of the mamas. This kickback fete is all about lounging and relaxing.

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Moms' Night Out: Flashback to Pre-Baby Days

LilSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Kiss the hubby and kids goodbye and head out the door for a few hours of freedom! Everybody needs a break, but lots of mothers don't take the time to indulge themselves so we're giving hardworking women some inspiration to get the girls together for a Moms' Night Out! If want to revisit your past, organize a Flashback to Pre-Baby Days soiree complete with adult food, games and conversation.

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Would You Rather Read About Mommy Time or Take It?

LilSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:59 -0700

There's buzz about the new book, If You Give a Mom a Martini ($12). Written by two mothers looking for ways to sneak in 10-minute intervals of me time while raising their kids, the text offers readers 100 ways to spend their time from having a quickie with the hubby to taking the long way home and rocking out to music in the car. While it's a clever concept, I'm curious if any mama is so far submerged in her children's lives that she needs obvious suggestions for how to fill free gaps. Flipping the pages to digest the offerings takes up about 30 minutes, three intervals I'd rather spend tackling my wish list of to-dos. Here's a few off the top of my head.

Build a sandcastle on the beach at sunset.
Sit and watch how peacefully my children are when they sleep.
Drop what I'm doing and give my kids my full undivided attention.
Zone out.
Have an uninterrupted telephone conversation.
Donate the bags of clothes I have bagged for giveaway.
Make homemade peitit fours with my daughter.
Play dinosaurs with my son.
Film a fun Father's Day video with my kids for their daddy.

Six Reasons Kids and Hangovers Don't Mix

LilSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:00:26 -0700

We've discussed the things mamas take for granted in their pre-baby days, but one that stood out was indulging in a few drinks and sleeping it off the next day. Watching the trailer for the upcoming film The Hangover may make parents a bit nostalgic for those cocktailing days, but as any mum who has suffered through a morning after knows, hangovers and motherhood don't mix. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

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Double Date Ideas For You, Your Kids, and Your Single Friends

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Good conversation with girlfriends is something lots of women take for granted. Before kids, gabbing and hanging out with the gals happened on a whim. When one friend becomes a mama and the others aren't quite there, the chitchat doesn't have to end. With a bit of advanced planning, there are a number of ideal locales for entertaining your kiddos and spending time with childless friends.
Photo courtesy of New Line

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