My impression was the names themselves (initials rather than completely different names) don't matter. It really just comes down to what your write about and for whom. If you write about tech issues or cooking and your children aren't the focus, then names aren't much of an issue. Others write to keep people in touch or started that way before becoming online royalty and now, they're to big to switch. Ah, to have such problems :-P

I post photos on my blog too, but edit any identifying info about us. (eg school logo, house numbers, etc) On a related issue, I've been posting across several blogging networks about using real names vs. online names on personal blog. The responses were split about 50/50, but I went ahead and changed my kids names to fake one on my blog anyway. If only for my piece of mind. Here's my post on the topic for your reference

I also had great luck with hiring my son's favorite PreK teacher to be our sitter. He loved having her at our house. She liked the extra money. I had a martini and a conversation at dinner with my hubby. Win. Win. Win. Also, I shamelessly put it out there that I'm looking for a sitter. Anyone that I knew that had kids, I asked. Most wouldn't share names, of course, but they would at least share how they found their sitters. We live near Stanford, so there's a lot of grad student and spouses of grad students with odd hours and looking to earn some extra money. My dentist told me that's how she found her nanny. I'm not joking when I say I asked EVERYONE.

Co-ops are awesome indeed. I suggest finding another mom who you know and trust and ask if she'd be interested in swapping date nights... or afternoons which may be easier. Who says dates just have to happen at night? I used to do this all the time until we moved away from friends and family. Now, I can't seem to find anyone willing to try it around here. So yeah, I also know a TON of people IRL who refuse to hire a sitter... or let anyone else watch their kids.

"no Robby you can only play with TRUCK toys in your truck room. Robots are for enjoying in the robot themed playroom." HA! I registered for my entire wedding with dreams of living a life right out of a Potter Barn ad. Five and half years later, my twelve place settings are in a box in the garage and I'm eating pb n'j on a plastic kiddie plate in front of my laptop. Such is life.

I completely sympathize. I have two howler monkeys myself. When one is upset, the other cheers them up by screeching. It never fails to make the cranky one smile. Good for them. Bad for everyone else. Ha! It sounds like you were doing your best in a very bad situation. I say, just put your blinders on and do what you have to. Chances are you'll never see that (rude) lady again, but your kids are yours for life. Focus on what they need and let everyone else take care of themselves. And kudos to that awesome mom on the way home!

When I was going up, helicopter parents were called "smothers" and my mom was the Queen of them all. A few days ago called her to double check the dose of allergy meds I should be giving my kids. (She's a pediatrician) The next day, I received an email that went from making sure they get their vitamins to pneumonia to skin graphs. As a mom myself, I think it's normal to worry about out kids, but there have to be limits. Ha! PS. I would be so not cool with a field trip to that zoo.

I volunteered... or should I say, was rooked into being the room mom for my son's class next year for this exact same reason. I've gotten to know so many of my son's classmates through my his friendships with them. Now I want to get to know some of the parents too.

Those ancient ideas about sun worship are far more ingrained than we think. My husband is fair skinned and I am forever having to hound him about sunscreen. He grew up going to the lake and sporting events, but I don't think sun protection was ever a concern for his family. He doesn't like the sticky feeling, he says. I hate having to think of the alternative. Great post as always!

At this moment, friend is about to having a baby via natural child birth while I anxiously await for the good news on the opposite coast (I'm in Silicon Valley. She's in Florida.) I wish I could be there to help her. Instead her MIL is staying with her, all the while regaling her with stories of the "good old days" when husbands simply dropped their wives off at the hospital doors and then waited in the bar... My friend is a better woman than me, because I would have sent her packing days ago. So yes, I have no romantic notions of the past either.

Akemi, you are awesome! Blogs have saved me in so many ways that I've lost count. I don't have twins, but feeling so bleary-eyed, isolated, and desperate after my second was born, it was often the warm glow of my laptop and the words that came pouring out of it that reached out and comforted me the best. So on behalf of all new (and not so new moms), thank you.

The other day, I innocently gave my number to a divorced single dad at my son's preschool. Our sons like playing together and I thought it would be fun to get them together a few time this summer. I had no idea that he was single until he mentioned sharing custody with his ex. I didn't think anything of it until I got home and realized I wasn't wearing my wedding ring. I think friendship are difficult to manage for all of us.

I had my second child shortly after moving to a new place and things have NOT been easy. I'm in moms group that's half newbies and half "knowsies" so I find myself in these types of situations often. The best thing to do is bit your tongue and smile. They never listen anyway, but they'll find out soon enough... ;-)

I admire you for standing your ground without losing your cool.

Well, you don't have to convince me how awesome blogging is! Four years, two kids, and two overseas moves, and it's been my online friends who have seen (and comforted) me through it all. However, in my case, it's my extended family that doesn't get it. When I told my sister about my writing for the SV Moms, she was as bored as if I was telling her about a new dish soap... Ha! So, now I just don't talk it with them. It's sad not to be able to share such a big part of my life with loved ones, but it's not as if they would support me in it anyway. So why bother?

That phrase gets thrown around a lot, especially at times when people don't know what else to say. It's actually a misquotation of 1 Cor 10:13, ”No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” Paul, in his letter, is talking about temptation, not grief or suffering. Throughout the Bible, people are constantly given "more than they can handle" and at no point does it say that we should just "play through the pain" or "get over it". I'm no Bible scholar, but I take this passage to mean, "Stuff happens in life that will suck, but have faith. God loves you and will be there for you". While the sentiments behind it are NICE, it's still a really crappy thing to say to someone in mourning. I can see why this saying pisses off so many people. I'm sorry for your friend's loss.

Months and months ago, I took my son to preschool story time at a library and was followed in by one very frazzled looking father. He had three kids with him (all roughly the same age, I think...) All of them were on leashes, two had on helmets (!!!) I just looked at him and smiled. I was pregnant with Baby #2 at the time and I just knew my day was coming. I've never seen him again, but this post just reminded of that. I agree, sanity... er, safety first!

As much as I (lightly) publicizes my blog among friends and relatives, it still freaks me out when someone cuts me off mid-story to say, "yeah, I read about that on you blog". Very few leave comments, so I never knew that they checked it. (Much less WHEN!)It always makes me wonder what else they've been reading about on my blog... ha!

Sharon, you make a great point! I didn't consider her comment from an adoptive parent's perspective. I agree that her reasoning comes off as self-serving and shallow. Assuming this wasn't just a case of "foot in mouth" or "head in ass", it's obvious by her statements that she doesn't know the first thing about motherhood :-)

I recently found Lindsey Ferrier's new blog, "She's Still Got it" (shesstillgotit.blogspot.com)and it's become my (mom) style bible! She does a great job making fashion accessible and doable for anyone on a budget. I also like reading FridayPlaydate.com for her fashion ideas, as well. I think personal style is just that- Personal. Start with one basic outfit that makes you feel great and build from there. Add a statement piece like a cute necklace or pretty scarf, and you're set! Switch hoodies for cardigans and sneakers for flats. Also, hate to mention this since you said you were anti-makeup, but a little does goes a long way. It doesn't have to be too fussy. A little gloss, a dab of mascara... My look this summer is hair pulled back in a messy bun and a headband. Large bronze earrings, a little gloss, flowy tops, and sunglasses. Super low maintenance. I hope you find your mom style soon!