Our latest drop with Target, The Nines by HATCH, has everything you want in a maternity spring wardrobe. Flowy floral dresses, easy denim overalls and jumpsuits, and chic separates that’ll make everything from brunching to waddling around town feel like a springtime dream. Peep our newest styles below and get in that sunshine state of mind.
There’s a lot to be said about “pregnancy glow,” namely that it’s a crazy myth perpetuated by lord knows who (the patriarchy, probably). In fact, we can’t think of a less sexy, less glowy time than pregnancy, when we’re exhausted, bloated and swollen, we’ve had to forego certain, ahem, beauty pick-me-ups that we’ve grown accustomed to – not to mention being totally unable to use our swear-by acne fighting products like retinoids, salicylic and more. What gives??
“During pregnancy, hormone changes, stress and some mild immune system suppression are the main causes of skin breakouts,” says Dr. Claire Wolinsky, a dermatologist based in New York. “Specifically in the first trimester and towards the end of pregnancy, there is a rise in androgen levels which leads to an increase in sebum (oil) production. This is the main cause of acne during pregnancy. The stress of pregnancy itself on the body as well as emotional stress can be additional triggers of acne during this time.”
Fortunately, the geniuses over at HATCH have done it again by creating a powerful pre-pregnancy skin regimen that’s mama and baby-safe and actually does stuff. There’s Brighten Up, a radiance serum featuring bakuchiol, a wrinkle and melasma-fighting retinol alternative treatment that supports skin during pregnancy. Couple it with nourishing argan and apricot oils and smoothing fruit extracts like tangerine peel and papaya and you’ve got a major boost of antioxidant hydration to brighten skin and target dark spots and fine lines.
“Bakuchiol has been getting a lot of attention as an alternative to retinol that can be safely used during pregnancy for its anti-aging benefits,” says Dr. Wolinsky. “It’s a plant-based ingredient that’s well tolerated by anyone with sensitive skin who is looking for a natural alternative to retinol. Similar to a retinol, it can decrease hyperpigmentation. It also increases cell turnover and leads to a boost in collagen production thereby reducing fine lines with use over time. Unlike retinol, it doesn’t make the skin more sensitive to the sun and doesn’t cause dryness and irritation.”
Like a proper prenatal for your skin, HATCH’s skincare lineup is a one-two punch, starting with the serum then finished off with the Ultimate Glow Face Oil. You’ll be glowing in no time with this mama-safe, antioxidant-rich botanical oil blend that delivers minerals, fatty acids and phytonutrients for renewed, calmer, more supple skin. It’s apricot, grapeseed and safflower oils for deep hydration, well as camellia, papaya and promise, antioxidant rich botanicals to help fight free radicals while supporting skin’s firmness, as well as lychee, cucumber and chamomile to support stressed out skin.
So whether you’re preggo or lactating, odds are your skin might look uneven, dull and sad. Now you’ve got a prenatal skincare powerhouse to give a healthy, totally safe complexion that may just glow.
We culled the far reaches of Babe to bring to you some of our favorite expert opinions on everything from baby-raising to love-making, featuring the best childcare (and women-care) professionals in our orbit. Read on, mama.
“I think the tone you set for starting solids is more important than the actual choices you make starting solids, and the tone should be that mealtime is a social, happy, relaxed environment. You also don’t want to force an amount of food on kids. You want to take the opportunity to watch their cues. If they’re shutting their mouth, don’t shove a spoon in it.”
– Dr. Aliza Pressman
“Discipline starts early on, before you can even believe it. The word is actually derived from the Greek root “to learn.” So if you think of it that way, it can start as early as birth. From the beginning of your baby’s life, think about discipline in terms of your role as a teacher and guide, not about control and punishment. Then, keep your language with your child to help them learn what to do, instead of telling them what not to do.”
– Dr. Aliza Pressman
“Allow people to help you and support you. If you can’t afford postpartum support or care, then lean on those friends who say, ‘Hey! If you need anything….’ Those are the people you respond with, ‘Yes, I do.’ Even if you don’t, just have them come over and I can guarantee you they’ll find something to do, even if it’s holding the baby while you take a shower.”
– Brandi Sellerz
“Most women have no idea what they’re doing. They’re trained to excel in school and work but they have no clue how to handle beings. That’s the cultural shift in family ecology. We only had extended families hundreds of years ago. Today’s moms don’t think they deserve any help. Normal mothers suck it up and deal with no help and they don’t complain because “you asked to have a baby.” That’s one of the reasons families are disoriented and dissolving. They’re so sleep deprived, it’s literally torture. But there are simple techniques that can make you much more successful, and that’s my life’s mission. You must help your baby start to sleep.”
– Dr. Harvey Karp
“I teach a lot of reframing. Those early days of motherhood can be very isolating. It’s this incredibly universal experience, yet OMG why is this so uncomfortable for me? Am I doing something wrong? I help moms attribute it not to their own supposed shortcomings, but to the way the culture is set up to not support new moms or dads. Geographically, people are more spread out and public policies are not set up to support new moms. You have all of that working against you but in the isolation of new motherhood, it doesn’t feel good. So it’s helping them realize those feelings are due to external forces. I’m really allergic to the term “mom guilt.”
– Lauren Smith Brody
“Have the anxiety, it is rightfully deserved. I have two feelings on this. One, is that the answer has to do with physical pain depending on how soon after you delivered. If you delivered vaginally, then your vagina is literally beat up. Even if you didn’t deliver vaginally, but you’re nursing, your vagina is less elastic, and it hurts like you’re in menopause. What’s even more important is your total lack of libido for many reasons. You’re exhausted, you’re in love with someone else, you’re nursing, and your hormones actually don’t want you to have a libido. You have a decrease in estrogen because nature wants you to spread your babies out by at least a year.
The other feeling is that I believe it’s really unfair in the modern world that there is this six week mark when you can suddenly do all the things. Go exercise! Have sex! One, it gives women the impression that they should want to, and if they don’t, then they must be broken. First and foremost, we need to educate men and partners on nature and how natural it is for postpartum women not to want to have sex. Let’s talk more openly about it.”
– Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN
“Some of my best times as a young mom involved going to a friend’s house and hanging out while the babies rolled around on the floor. Anything women can do to cultivate community, whether gathering around causes or getting involved in the PTA, it might feel uncomfortable putting ourselves out there, but it’s as important as getting a stroller. Having community is as important as anything on a mother’s to-do list. Consider it health related.”
– Dr. Darby Saxbe
As a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM), I’ve discovered that the SAHM life is essentially motherhood on speed. You get to spend every waking hour with your baby – which is equal parts beyond fulfilling and mind blowingly frustrating. You get to witness every milestone, every tender moment, but you endure every wail, tantrum, and scream. You’re the earthly domestic provider and the punching bag. You have all the time in the world, yet you get no time at all.
I decided to stay at home with my first child when my maternity leave was up. At the time, it didn’t make sense financially for me to go back to work plus pay for childcare. So I assumed the role of SAHM while my husband continued to work. And just like any scenario in life, there are pros and cons to every decision, but staying home was what worked for my family at the time.
Clearly, there is massive privilege that comes with being a SAHM, but during the pandemic more than ever, it was a stressful position where my mental health had taken a backseat. Like many parents during that challenging time, I wasn’t exactly proud of how often I handed my son the iPad when I just couldn’t deal anymore, or how quick I was to snap at the smallest things.
When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like who I had become. I realized I had to make some serious self-care changes, and fast.
It was at that point that I decided to prioritize me. Throughout my six-year parenting journey (two kids and several identity crises later), I’ve learned that mental health is the one and only ticket to happiness as it pertains to self, motherhood, work, and beyond. The cliche of putting on your oxygen mask first couldn’t ring truer.
I now have a creative six-year-old son and a sweet 6-month-old daughter. When I had my son, my self-esteem was destroyed because I was young, terrified, and completely taken off guard by a whole new life I wasn’t prepared for. When I had my daughter, though, my self-esteem skyrocketed. It was like the best version of myself had bloomed from the mental hardships I endured with my son.
What was the switch? The concept of good mental health and self-care wasn’t nearly as prominent back in 2016 as it is today. I suffered from postpartum depression (PPD) for years — feeling sad, isolated, and lonely every day, and not taking any steps to feel better or ask for help.
Now I know not only how to manage those feelings if they resurface (which they do, from time to time), but how to prevent them from happening altogether.
I have several mental pick-me-up tricks I have learned over the years that keeps my mind strong and positive. While everyone’s mental health toolkit will look different, the following to-dos are my saving graces when it comes to embracing motherhood.
Exercise: It sounds dramatic, but working out has changed my life. Spin classes became my therapy, my cardio, and my saving grace all in one swoop. For me, moving my body to loud music in an intense setting releases stress, gets my mind clear, and makes me feel like my most powerful and capable self.
Podcasts: I am a podcast junkie. From self-improvement to comedy to business, getting expert insight via podcasts keeps me sharp and entertained. I love listening to them while I walk, do laundry, and cook.
Medication: When I got pregnant the second time around, I was hellbent on not going through the same feelings of anxiety I experienced with my son. I explained this to my doctor from the get-go, so she put me on a low dose of an antidepressant during my second trimester with my daughter. I’m still on it to this day, and I credit it for significantly improving my mood, preventing me from snapping at my husband and kids, and keeping negative thought-loops from arising.
Therapy: I go to therapy on an as-needed basis. I’ve seen a few different therapists throughout the years who have taught me lifelong tools for bettering myself, my relationships, and my life in general.
Getting dressed: It is amazing what a little makeup or a nice sweater can do for your mood. I have learned that I operate at my best when I look my best, so getting dressed every day (wearing something a few notches above pajamas) is crucial to my mental health.
Working: I think there is still a perception that SAHMs are lazy. I’m a freelance writer and am in the process of launching a clothing label, but I do spend the majority of my time at home with my baby. Working toward my career goals every day helps tremendously with feeling like my own person.
Seeing Friends: Last but definitely not least is maintaining a social life. Those quick coffee meetups and lunches with friends make all the difference between a bad week and an awesome week. Maintaining my old friendships, as well as picking up some new friends along the way, is key to SAHM survival.
Have something to look forward to every day, and make sure it’s more than your morning coffee. Get outside every day. Get dressed most days of the week. Move your body every day. Call a friend when you’re feeling down.
And above all else, understand that staying home with your kids doesn’t last forever — they will go to daycare or school, and you will have your life back. But while you’re here, try to look at the positives of being home with your kids, because there are a ton.
Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN and Jenny Hayes, co-founder of Tribe Called V, share the in’s and out’s of labor and delivery, and what to do when things don’t always go as planned.
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Celebrity stylist Jamie Mizrahi knows a thing or two about rocking maternity denim. As a mother to two little boys, she has nearly 20 collective months of pregnancy style under her belt, and as founder of Kit Undergarments, understands how to make an outfit go from good to drop dead insane. Plus, if you’re showing up to A-list events, fashion shows and Hollywood parties for clients like Katy Perry, Nicole Richie and Adele, our hunch is you’ve got to keep your look on point, too.
In honor of our new denim collection, we polled Jamie on her tips for looking and feeling great in jeans throughout pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.
It’s all about the waistband! Theres an under the bump band, side paneling or over the bump. It’s all a matter of preference and what’s most comfortable for you! Make sure there’s enough stretch and room to grow (literally) into them!
I always love a classic high rise ankle crop and a high rise straight leg. I personally think It is nice to have that extra support of a high waisted jean to feel “held in” for postpartum.
I think if you’re comfortable and confident… anything works! … I love the idea of a low rise skirt and a bohemian top with a little belly showing!
I instantly think of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake!! I love a Canadian tuxedo.
There are few things we rely on more than a great-fitting pair of jeans. Jeans make us feel empowered, cool, confident and like our best selves – ALL of which we deserve to feel during pregnancy and postpartum, too.
At HATCH, we set out to make the best collection of maternity denim on the planet. We took it all in-house with our team of female designers, went through numerous rounds of fittings, testings and endless conversations on how to make each style work for pregnant and post pregnant bodies.
We picked the best fabric, wash choices, fits and manufacturing practices and baked it all into the collection. We stayed hyper-focused on improving our sustainability efforts from the ground up. We worked with a factory focused on laser technology to reduce water waste (a huge challenge in denim production) and partnered with a sustainable, eco-focused mill for fabric sourcing. We applied that same degree of mindfulness to our packaging as well: from plant-seed paper hangtags to recycled cotton branding labels.
In doing all of this, one thing became clear when we set out to shoot the collection: we needed to showcase real bodies of all different sizes and weeks of pregnancy. We set out to showcase the beauty of womanhood, our differences, and our shared experience brought about through pregnancy and beyond. The result? A badass denim collection that we are so very proud of.
As mothers, our relationship with denim is forever changed. There’s the holy sh*t moment when you finally pop out of your favorite pair, and then fast forward a few months (or years), and there’s the notion that a super high-waist, rigid look might not be the best silhouette for running around the playground. Yes, as mamas, our love of denim is an emotional journey. So we polled four super stylish moms (and moms-to-be) on how they’re rocking denim these days and reinterpreting the idea of “mom jeans” to be as cool as they are.
Image courtesy of Megan O’Neill
Beauty Editor and Writer
On the idea of a “mom jean”: “I want to feel strong, flexible, casual, sexy, and chic in my jeans or whatever I’m wearing, as a mom, as a woman. There’s that old-school idea that you become a mom and you have to dress in a less splashy, more demure way, which is so strange. As if you can’t be all the things you are and be and look like a mom, as well. Women like Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, and Jodie Turner-Smith look so stunning and sexy—they look like moms to me.”
On Her Favorite Style: “I looove a baggy, skatery 90s’esque style these days as much as I love a high-waisted vintage Carhartt wide-leg from the 70s (that’s them in the pic above—it was love at first sight when I spotted them in a thrift store in Greenpoint. I think 70s is their era?).”
On How She’s Styling Her Denim: “I’m into a baby-tee, super-cropped tee, or halter top or bikini bandeau (like 70s variety-show-era Cher would have rocked) if it’s a sweltering New York City summer day with a high-waisted style—so fun!’
On her relationship with jeans as a mom: “I live in them when it’s cold, but truthfully when it’s summer I’m all about a dress or a swishy skirt and halter top. I feel my most me swishing around the city, unrestrained.”
Images courtesy of Laurel Pantin
Fashion Director, Creative Director, Brand Strategist Earl Earl & Your Mom newsletters
On the idea of a “mom jean”: “I mean, of course, I think of the SNL skit, but honestly being a mom, there’s nothing more essential to my wardrobe than jeans. From a practical standpoint – they have tons of pockets, don’t really get dirty, are durable enough for crawling around on the floor, and don’t need to be washed all that often, so it saves me laundry. I can’t think of anything I rely on heavily in my closet more than my jeans.:
On How She’s Styling Her Denim: “I just wrote about this! But I love to wear my jeans with a jean jacket, buttoned up like a shirt, or just with a big oversized button-down and no bra. Heaven.”
On her relationship with jeans as a mom: “I live in them. I love them. I am Jean’s Mom.”
On your favorite denim styles now: “I like a mid-rise, straight leg, with no stretch. I like to suffer for my jeans a bit at first, but then for them to become part of me. I can’t see myself straying from that cut, I’m not really one to fuss with denim “trends”.”
Writer and Journalist
On Her Fave Denim Style: “I’m all about a boyfriend jean right now. Literally if I’m not wearing a dress, I’m wearing a boyfriend jean. It’s the only thing that actually fits and even those don’t zip all the way!
It started at Teen Vogue. I finally had a magazine job where I could wear boyfriend jeans. Before I was at Glamour, which was super preppy and professional. You would literally wear a slack and a sweater. At Teen Vogue, I was like, yes I can wear boyfriend jeans everyday! It was a casual chic approach.”
On Wearing Jeans During Pregnancy: “It’s an emotional journey. After my tummy popped, I was like nothing f*cking fits! I had to go to this event and I was close to tears. Here I was, paying money to get my hair and makeup done and I didn’t think I could go. My stylist gave me a top and jacket to pair with boyfriend jeans and it was my saving grace. I threw them on under my belly, I put on a heel and I felt cute and like me.”
On The Moment The Button Won’t Close: “It is humbling to not be able to fit into jeans anymore or to close them, but at the same time, I felt a surge of pride. I was like, ‘Look babe! My jeans don’t fit! I have a belly for real now!’ I had gone through so much with pregnancy that I wanted to have something to show for it. It felt good to have the outside match the inside.”
On How She’s Styling Her Jean Right Now: “I’ll wear boyfriend jeans with a tight long-sleeve turtleneck and a heel or strappy open-toe heel. Or I’ll pair it with a dope sneaker that brings some color and interest to my outfit. I also love a blazer with it.”
Founder of Vertly
On the idea of a “mom jean”:“Now that I’m mom, I hate the term ‘mom-jeans.’ To me, that term unfortunately brings up an unsexy and boring connotation, and moms are the opposite!”
On Her Favorite Style: “I’ve gone through ALL the jean phases, squishing myself into the tightest and skinniest— and those days are behind me. I’m all about comfort! I live in California now, so driving around is a big part of my daily routine. If can’t sit in the jeans, they aren’t coming into my closet anymore!
I am a lover of most type of jeans except for the extremes: too low cut is not flattering for my current body situation (thanks, kids!) and I’m petite so I can’t do the super high waisted—that takes up too much of my body’s real estate. I’m trying to experiment with more trouser jeans and white jeans.”
On How She’s Styling Her Denim: “Jeans are my favorite wardrobe staple. I usually wear with a sweater or fitted shirt and sneakers for daytime running around and heels and boots for night.”
Founder and CEO, Caitlin Kelly Agency
On the idea of a “mom jean”: “If you’re a mom and you’re wearing jeans during the day – you are thriving! We are living in a time when leggings have become the norm and it all feels too casual for me. When I need to get to business during the day, even while working from home, I put on a dope pair of jeans. A mom in jeans is like a mom who has got it together for the day.”
On her relationship with jeans as a mom: I’ve always been obsessed with jeans and feel sexier and cooler wearing a great pair of denim and heels out at night, rather than a dress. Since becoming a mom, the only thing that has changed with my denim is the style. Pre-kids (2016 and before), I wore lots of skinny jeans with stretch; which actually would have worked out better for me as mom because those jeans were like pajamas. This trend shifted in the past few years and now I prefer more of a rigid wash.”
On how she styles her jeans: I have a full mom uniform: during the day, I will wear a pair of black, white or light washed Redone jeans in 70’s Stovepipe cut with a white or black ATM t-shirt and Vega sneakers. Gold hoops, black sunglasses and gold rings. EVERY SINGLE DAY. I remember when we were wearing dresses, full makeup and heels to work in the early 2000’s…so my denim uniform sounds casual, but far more pulled together than the common workout outfits of today.”
CEO of Expectful
On the idea of a “mom jean”: “Now that I am a mom, the idea of “mom jean” means having the confidence to wear whatever type of jeans you want and not care what anybody else thinks about the style, fit, or popularity. As moms, our clothes have to give us freedom of movement – one second we’re sitting cross-legged on the floor and the next we’re up dancing to Cocomelon. Having a pair of jeans that allows me to focus on other things (namely, my baby) instead of what I’m wearing is the ultimate “mom jean.” To me, “Mom jean” is a mental state, not a type of denim.”
On her relationship with jeans as a mom: “I’ve had a love-hate relationship with jeans since becoming a mom. After becoming a mom, I struggled to fit into and feel good in my pre-mom jeans for an entire year. One day I decided that I had enough, so I went to the store to buy new jeans for my new “mom” body. I’ve never felt more empowered than the day I stopped forcing myself into my old jeans and just accepted and embraced my new body. Who knew liberating yourself from old standards could be so comfortable?”
On how she styles her jeans: “As a mom who works from home, wearing jeans has now become a special occasion. My days are spent in constant fear of having an outfit ruined by little hands covered in pasta sauce or chocolate, so I tend to save jeans for going out to dinner or hanging out with my girlfriends.”
On her favorite denim styles: “Gen-Z might judge me, but I still love a great pair of high-waisted skinny jeans. One of the things I missed most in pregnancy was high-waisted jeans, so as a new mom, I’ve gone overboard on high-waisted jeans: skinny, mom, boyfriend – I love them all. You can never go wrong with an all-denim jumpsuit, so I’ve recently thrown a couple of those gems in my closet too.”
As podcast host of Brave Talks and thought leader in the fields of plant-based nutrition, body positivity, radial acceptance and more, Emily Nolan has her day timed down to the smallest chia seed. The wellness expert shares how she gets her day up and running as mama to three-year-old, Ollie whose multiple food allergies inspired her to become an allergy ally in service to the millions of parents on the food allergy journey with their kids. (Her food allergy course for parents debuts in the fall of 2022!)
Peep Emily’s schedule below and discover how she gets it all done – not to mention the FOMO-inducing rockstar meals she feeds her son! Read on….
6 am: I wake up to “Mommy, I’m up!” I go upstairs, get my son, hug him for a few quiet minutes, and bring him down to my bathroom so I can shower. I have a podcast interview today and desperately need to wash my hair.
6 – 6:15 am: I shower and wash my hair as Ollie plays on the bath mat with a couple of toys and his loveys. Dad is out of town for work so it’s all me early in the morning. I chat with him as he plays.
6:30 am: I make tea and Ollie’s breakfast. I drink a turmeric ginger tea and Ollie drinks a warm herbal tea called “Happy Belly” that we get from our local market. I pour his tea in a beautiful handmade ceramic espresso cup to make the portion size small and manageable. He gulps it down as I make his breakfast: toasted Ezekiel sprouted grain English muffin with a scrambled egg on top (egg is part of his daily oral immunotherapy for his food allergies) and add ghee. On the side, I include a cup of blueberries and fresh mint and raw almonds. I add to his plate a small homemade 99% cacao chocolate, which he’s been asking for, and his chewable probiotic which he’s obsessed with.
I also make his supplement concoction: Mary Ruth’s Multivitamin AM, Ionic Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, a pinch of greens powder (kale, spirulina, moringa), and fish oil. I mix it in with a Tablespoon of fresh heirloom kefir. Sometimes, I’ll add a splash of pomegranate juice to mask the green powder flavor. Luckily, Ollie isn’t a picky eater so bitter flavors don’t surprise him.
6:45 – 7 am: I spend onee-on-one time with Ollie in the mornings because I work out of the home as much as possible. This morning, we build lego together and play Spidey and Green Goblin. I’m always the bad guy.
7:15 am: Our au pair is usually up and ready to play with Ollie while I prep for the rest of the day. I make coffee, dry my hair, get dressed, pack my bag, pack Ollie’s school bag, and listen to a podcast episode draft and take notes on my phone for my editor before it gets published.
8:20 am: I make sure Ollie is getting his winter gear on for school–he goes to an outdoor school and dressing seriously for winter requires time to negotiate with a three-year-old who only wants to wear Spiderman pajamas all day.
8:30 am: I pull the “treat in the seat” trick. I let Ollie pick out a snack from the pantry to eat in his car seat on the way to school. He loves agency over his food choices. He picks a Cerebelly Peppa Pig bar. This is also part of my plan to normalize nourishing packaged foods so he doesn’t obsess over them–since we eat mostly a whole foods diet to cultivate his gut health and immune system.
8:40 am: We’re in the car and off to school for drop-off. We listen to Pete the Cat storytime and Little Bunny Foo-Foo by The Kiboomers on repeat.
9 am: I drop Ollie off at school and head to my office.
9:15 am: I get to my office and hustle to set up my podcast equipment and run through my questions and script.
10 am: I record a podcast with Red Sneakers for Oakley, a foundation bringing awareness to food allergies and how to use epinephrine “First and fast.”
11:30 am: I speak with the founder for so long after the recording that we plan a food allergy “Lunch and Learn” to promote my video course for parents of children with food allergies. We jump off and I pack up to go get Ollie from school. (They canceled after-school “lunch bunch” until the COVID positivity rates go down. The classes are mixed in after-school care and they want to keep the kids in their pod as much as possible so school days are short!)
12 noon: I pick up Ollie from school and bring him home for lunch.
12:15 pm: We have a “Lunch + Lego” date. He had a cheese quesadilla (made from cassava + chia), pickled radishes, and another small homemade cacao chocolate. I make my lunch: a bowl of mixed sprouts, hummus, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and a big heap of giardiniera on top. I add peanuts, almonds and 100% cacao chips from Thrive Market in a bowl and eat them for dessert with a small cup of kefir.
1 pm: I leave Ollie to finish the lego project with our fantastic au pair, give him three kisses and a hug and head back to my office to finish the day.
2 – 4 pm: I record more audio for my podcast, send emails, work with a parent I’m coaching one-on-one, and finish part of my script for my food allergy video course.
4:30 pm: The au pair bathes Ollie and I head home from work to make dinner. He has to bathe early to keep his heart rate down before he gets his allergens as part of his evening immunotherapy treatment every night. Dinner is slow-cooked stew I started before bed the night before. If it doesn’t turn out, there’s always pizza and salad!
5:15 pm: Dinner time and wind down.
6 pm: Ollie eats a precisely measured amount of nuts/allergens as part of his daily oral immunotherapy to desensitize him to the allergens.
6 – 7:30 pm: The au pair and I tag-team between cleaning up the kitchen and house, doing laundry, preparing Ollie’s school snacks for the next day, and playing “Spidey and his Friends.” Again, I’m assigned the role of Green Goblin.
7:30 pm: I get my PJs on, brush my teeth with Ollie and bring him to bed. These days, bedtime is a battle, but we’re trying new ways to keep him from bargaining to stay up later with pretending he’s hungry or not tired. This is the hardest part of my day right now and I usually find myself hilariously singing our once sweet bedtime song at a hurried pace just to get the night over with.
8 pm: I go through my own bedtime routine, interrupted by Ollie coming back downstairs to chat, as I wash my face, take my vitamins, floss and brush my teeth. I walk him back upstairs and negotiate with him to try and stay in bed. I go back downstairs and open up the book on my nightstand, Black Cake, recommended by my Book of the Month membership I’m doing with a couple of my girlfriends.
8- 8:30 pm: I negotiate with my son as I try and read in bed. Finally, he falls asleep. I always make sure to say, “I love you forever,” before I leave his room, even when it’s tough and he’s fighting sleep.
8:30 – 9 pm: I read in bed and then it’s lights out.
