Mama Manifesto: Leave the toys behind

We have been blessed to spend this past week with about 40 family members in a very special lakeside dreamy location. My family has been traveling to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland since I was a very young child, and now I am blessed to be able to bring my children on the same journey I did as a child.

When I was planning for this trip, I could not quite wrap my mind around how we would entertain 14 kids under the age of 15. I had a pile of toys to bring, but alas, the bags got too full. So, we left them behind.

I'm so glad we did.

These children had the most incredible week just being together. Playing hand games. Chatting about the grass. Being puppies. Chasing bubbles. Eating snacks. Swapping stories. Splashing in the lake as mermaids. They were not distracted by toys. They were truly entertained by each other.

It was so lovely to behold.

Leave the toys behind, Mamas. Leave 'em behind.

Kristen

married, mom of 4 : desperately trying to avoid buying a minivan : has a goal to fix her own lunch instead of grazing off her children : resident expert on psychology and sarcasm, regularly fantasizes about sleeping in, blogs at Rage Against the Minivan.

Ali

married, mom of 2 : has googled “developmental milestones” more times than she can count : loves all things truly healthy and organic : resident expert on creativity and healthy living : regularly fantasizes about her kids sharing, blogs at Leaning In.

Heather M.

married, mom of 3 : expecting a baby boy, a fan of organic-living, mess-making, and cookie-baking, blogs at Cookie Mondays

Julie

married, mom of 3 : wife to a drummer-turned-youth pastor, resident expert on crafty goodness, blogs at Joy's Hope.

Heather K.

married, mom of two : has been known to rap to get the kids to do what she wants : over-thinks and second-guesses far too often : working on improving her skills in all areas of “playing cars”, blogs at The Extraordinary Ordinary.

Cari

married, mom of 2 busy boys, professional chef-turned-teacher-turned mom, avid cook, recipe collector, food blogger, blogs at Can I Get the Recipe?

Jessi married, mom of 3, a tasky homebody pastor's wife who likes routine, candles, and strategizing naptimes. Jessi blogs at naptime diaries.

Grace

married, mom of 2. jane of all trades, master of none: constantly battling her pack-rat tendencies: lover of pretty stationary, nap time, and playing hostess: born a New Yorker, grew up a Texan, currently masquerading as a California girl : always gets what she wants but never the way she expects it, blogs at Formerly Gracie

Sharon

married, mom of 3 exuberant children ages 7, 8 and 9; struggling to balance work as a writer with the kids’ demanding schedules; on a mission to get the kids to eat healthy, adventurous “grown up” food; resident expert in pre-‘tween backtalk; blogs at Whatever Things Are True and Be Bold or Go Home .

Michele

married, mom of 2 (one a missionary, the other a hostage negotiator), co-founder of Radiate PR (rad PR skilz used for building harmonious family brand - oh, and for consumer-tech clients too), resident expert on good kid reads, blogs at ReadOutLoud.

Meleesa

resident stylist and beauty expert : has a "costa rican" peaceful vibe flowing through her veins, runs her own salon and spa and creates natural beauty products and candles, she might be speaking English but she thinks in Spanish, blogs at Meleesa, the salon.

Elizabeth

married, three children, former pastry chef who can bake a cake, pretend to love boy sports and be a fierce advocate for her severely disabled child all at once; loves to steal away to daytime movies whenever she can and reads voraciously into the night; blogs regularly at a moon, worn as if it had been a shell.

On The Menu

GOING GRANOLA
ideas for going green, eating well, and living organically with your family. just a little bit crunchy . . . but in small, bite-sized pieces. one step at a time.

TALK BACK
we want to hear from you! we ask the thought-provoking (or completely random) questions, you answer.

SOUL MAMA
the place for self-care and soul-care. because when mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

INSPIRED MAMA
creative & inspirational ideas for you and your kids. glue gun not required.

SHORTCUTS
work smarter, not harder. advice & tips to make your job a little easier.

PRODUCTS
stressing over which baby sling, carseat, or stroller is best? we’ve tested them, and we’ll give you the lowdown.

RECIPES
fast and healthy food your family will love. nuff said.

Leave the toys behind

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On The Menu

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