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On Monday, I wrote a post called "I Don't Know How She Does It Either" about feeling guilty for being a working mom. The response was overwhelming and I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments. I have read them all and will try to make time to respond this weekend.

It was especially great to read that so many women (and commenters I have become familiar with) are in similar situations. I was honestly scared to publish the post because I was afraid I would alienate a large percentage of my readers. It was also interesting to see a lot of stay-at-home moms relate to the guilt and commiserate from the opposite side of the spectrum, albeit about different issues— lack of personal income, loss of self-identity, etc.

9780099570066-large I don't want anybody to feel like a bad mom or less than a complete person. But it's somewhat comforting to know that none of us have it all figured out and we are all in this together.

I am happy to say that there was not one judgmental or self-righteous comment below the post and I saw no evidence of a stay-at-home/working mom divide. Just empathy, support and a mutual respect.

I have real life friends from both camps and it's always been important to me that Mommy Shorts feels inclusive to every kind of parent.

To thank everyone for the honest discussion, The Weinstein Company is letting me give away one copy of "I Don't Know How She Does It"— the book.

Just leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner by the end of the weekend.

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GIVE A GOOD GIFT GIVEAWAY

Picture 11 In last week's Citrus Lane Giveaway, I had everyone name their favorite baby shower gift. As a result, I learned there are two kinds of pregnant women: practical and sentimental.

By far and away, the two most popular answers were 1) something handmade and 2) diapers. Apparently, running to Costco to purchase a economy-size pack of Pampers is just as invaluable as nine months spent embroidering a hand-knit wipes cozy. 

LESSON: If you want to win "best gift" at your next shower, CROCHET A DIAPER.

Who won the giveaway, you ask? A very practical mom named Sarah, who's favorite baby shower gift was:

"A six-pack of 3-ply cloth diapers meant to be used as burp cloths. I have used those cloths every single day since our daughter was born, and I like having one in every room of the house."

Congratulations, Sarah! Please email me at myshort@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize. If you are a friend of Sarah, put those knitting needles away and buy this woman a box of Q-tips and some paper towels for her next birthday. She'll love it!

Between yesterday's Bare Essentials Baby Registry and the best baby shower gift comments under the Citrus Lane Giveaway— you are all set for life if you ever need baby gift ideas. Seriously— bookmark them.

You'll have acces to Ideas like the one from Whiskey L'Amour who made the same shout-out on both posts.

"NOSE FRIDA!"

Nosefrida

Apparently, Whiskey L'Amour will not rest until every baby on earth has clear nasal passages.

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Is it Halloween Already?

Check out Mazzy in last year's sushi costume on Care.com. She's the lead picture for their article, "Quick, Easy & Mostly Free Costume Ideas". (Easy, my ass! There was actual sewing involved!)

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The Evil Baby Glare-Off

Glareoff2 Based on reader responses last week, I am going to make the Glare-Off a week long dedicated Mommy Shorts event. It will happen at some point in October and I will post more details as soon as I have everything ironed out.

In the meantime, you can continue to enter your baby's evilest glares on the wall of the Mommy Shorts Facebook Fanpage. Just remember to include your kid's first name. They will not qualify without it. If your kid is already entered, please check the album and make sure their name is written underneath their picture. If not, add it yourself in a comment.

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Do You Have Something To Tell Us?

Some of you have noticed that I've been talking a lot about having a second child lately and wondered how I fared on the "Are You Mentally Ready For A Second Child?" Official Test. The answer is "toast and sunshine" although the toast isn't buttered and the sun is slightly blocked by passing clouds.

Translation: I definitely want one but it's not happening just yet.

But you all will be some of the first to know.

You have my word.

— Mommy Shorts

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UPDATE: Congratulations to Ashley! Please email me at myshort@mommyshorts.com to claim your copy of "I Don't Know How She Does It".