I have some big feelings to share today but first, three super fun projects!
Jude and I made this super cool stamped dish towels with everyday kitchen objects. Can you guess what they are? Head over to This Heart of Mine for the answer and full tutorial.
Spring is here! Celebrate with these super rad fingerprint painted flower pots. They are the perfect kid made Mother's Day gift! Head over to Kids Stuff World to learn how make your own!
Learn how to make this super cute and very simple water bottle dog toy! This is a great upcycle project, get a free pattern and tutorial on Andrea's Notebook.
Now, it's time to share my mom.me articles for this month and I can't really do that without sharing how I feel about negative comments. This article that I wrote unintentionally struck a major nerve with many people.
"When we read something that touches a nerve, or worse — an insecurity — the meanest parts of us can come out." - Grace Bonney
The comments for that post, especially on Facebook, were overwhelmingly harsh and surprisingly personal. When I wrote that article I thought it would make moms of boys chuckle and perhaps spark conversation. I had no idea I would be perceived as a naive, overly sensitive, uptight, crazy person. I might be a bit crazy, but I am neither naive nor hypersensitive. That said, I am a person with feelings and reading attack after attack of my character made be have a lot of them. I was angry, frustrated, confused, defensive, and sad. Then I felt ashamed for letting my feelings get hurt by a bunch of mean strangers. But here's the thing: It worries me that it has become socially acceptable to spout hateful things in any and all comment sections. Thankfully, this behavior seems to be relegated to the typed word, I doubt any one of those commenters would have said those things to my face.
Isn't it about time the internet population started recognizing that there are humans behind the screens? This sentiment of course does not apply to my sweet and wonderful Small + Friendly readers, you totally get it. So I'm hoping you can help me spread the word, wouldn't the internet be a better place if people only made comments they would dare say in person? We could still have loads of healthy debate without resorting to name calling. Maybe, I am naive after all , but I'd really love if such a concept caught on. In the meantime I'm collecting a paycheck, I stand by my words, and I'm working on growing a thicker skin.
Okay, rant over! If you've made it this far, perhaps you'd like to read more? Here are my mom.me articles for March:
5 Things Mothers of Boys Are Tired of Hearing - No one ever said "boys will be boys" when my son held the door open for them.
10 Things No One Tells You About the First Trimester - Much of the first trimester is a strange experience. You know that you are pregnant, but you don't feel pregnant.
5 Ways to Survive Until Bedtime - I've had my fair share of days like these, and over the years I've developed a few techniques for shaking off the frazzle and turning a bad day around.
Why I Already Miss The Newborn Stage - The newborn stage, that fleeting blur of sweet smells and soft coos and nap in your arms, is my idea of magic.
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!
