Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
What started as an innocent on-line baby book to chronicle Jill's stay-at-home days with her children, (Lily, Ben, and Evan) quickly transformed into a vibrant community of parents, brought together by a common theme: Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect. Learn more here.
@scarymommy
NYT bestselling author of Confessions of a Scary Mommy and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies). Fond of curse words, sarcasm and Diet Coke.
Got a kindle or nook? You could be reading my book in three, two, one... http://t.co/wSQIvse8zW - 8 hours ago
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- The Disney Reveal - May 14, 2013
- Met My Match At Disney… - May 13, 2013
- Sunday’s Baltimore Sun - May 11, 2013
1. Let them choose their outfits, however inappropriate.
2. Take them on a surprise trip to the park before school.
3. Bribe them with the promise of hot chocolate with marshmallows,
and let them lead the way.
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
Perfection! It’s all about letting them think they’re in charge, I guess. And chocolate.
.-= Ryan Ashley Scott´s last blog ..The Bad Mommy Weekly: Jealousy’s a kick =-.
Perfect ideas!!!! Thanks!
Beautiful! Well worth it! Great job, momma!
.-= Mrs Soup´s last blog ..Post-Halloween =-.
Love those pics! Sounds like recipe for success. Maybe I should try it….. =)
.-= WackyMummy´s last blog ..Another Lot of Nothing =-.
You make it sound so easy.
.-= toywithme´s last blog ..Can Men And Women Be Friends? =-.
Great pictures, and beautiful children.
.-= Kel´s last blog ..I Want You =-.
Awesome pics! Now can you tell me how to get good pics of my dogs?? They won’t stay still long enough!
.-= Suzy Voices´s last blog ..Boycott =-.
You should write a book!
XO
Leigh
.-= Leigh´s last blog ..Life Lessons =-.
Great job. I’ll have to remember that. The deal breaker for me would probably be getting up and getting everyone dressed, much less early enough to go to the park. But yay for you
.-= All My Monkeys´s last blog ..Sticking my head in the sand =-.
I’d get those suckers framed.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..In No Particular Order =-.
Beautiful!!!! But, I think I like the last one the best. I am a sucker for those walking away shots.
.-= HaB´s last blog ..Give_A_Way: Paisley Park Frame Set =-.
excellent advice. excellent.
Beautiful pictures, and very beautiful kids! :)
I love the autumn feel of the last. I miss grass and trees so very much. *sigh*
.-= Gigi´s last blog ..Listmania… I-Wanna-Read =-.
LOVE the one with them holding hands & walking away… sooo cute”!
.-= american in norway´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts… =-.
Now… The 2 younger ones are NOT in school yet, right?
whew! That could be awkward explaining that to the teacher!
Great pictures! I’m thinking those are your Christmas pics!
.-= Val´s last blog ..Lost and Found =-.
AT LAST! Adorable…the last one was my fave. :o)
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Post It Note Tuesday: Stick Em’ Up! =-.
Sounds like a great strategy to me. These shots are adorable. All keepers for sure.
.-= Kim Hosey (AZ Writer)´s last blog ..Don’t let the sun go down on me (until I have my camera ready) =-.
Great pics!! Shoot…I’d have to rent some new kids to get pictures like that.
.-= TentCamper´s last blog ..In Which Chunks Fly =-.
Reminds me a very touching master card ad:
Outfits for your kids – 50$
Visit to the amusement park- 50$
Candies and cookies -20$
Capturing the perfect smiles on their face – Priceless!!
You are so right – its all about time!
.-= Shalvika´s last blog ..Cluster of suicides by teens in Palo Alto, Northern California baffles community =-.
Came over here from recommendation of Suburb Sanity. Nice to visit new blogs and see “what’s up”
Now this is what every mother would need to know as they struggle for the “perfect” picture of the kiddies.
Cute!!!! they turned out wonderful.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday, weather change =-.
Bribery is always your best bet. It’s my favorite, for sure.
Love your canvas print. It’s gorgeous!
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..Glider School – Spring 1985 =-.
I love them! I love the last shot, especially, love those from behind shots. So sweet.
.-= Momlissa´s last blog ..Quack Friggin’ Quack =-.
Well, I guess part of the perfect picture is capturing your kids, right? What better way then to let them pick their outfits.
Those are really great.
.-= S Club Mama´s last blog ..The Strange Question Meme =-.
So cute! I love the 3rd one!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Time travel stinks =-.
Look at all those leaves in your park! That, plus your adorable kids make some beautiful pictures!
.-= Becca – Our Crazy Boys´s last blog ..99… and … 100! =-.
You can bet that I’ll be transferring all of the kids Halloween pictures (wish I used your tips) while I’m catching the latest Mercy episode tomorrow at 8 on NBC
your kids are just so cute!
.-= Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..Let’s Go: A Vlog =-.
Awesome pictures! Damn, they’re all so cute!
Justine :o )
.-= Justine´s last blog ..My Answers, Part One =-.
These are amazing pictures! I love them.
.-= HeartsMakeFamilies´s last blog ..Post It Tuesday =-.
So freakin’ cute! The last picture is simply precious.
.-= Aimee´s last blog ..Express Yourself =-.
Beautiful and LUCKY. I can not get a decent photo of my 2 year old to save my life. Just recently he has started slowing down to say cheese, but the pic is usually *still* blurred. You did great!
#3 is totally freakin’ awesome. I love the smile on Evan’s face.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Out of town, Random Tuesday Thoughts =-.
OH Jill, great pictures!!! YAY! I love all of them, especially the one of them walking away.. so cute.
.-= Loukia´s last blog ..Don’t say I didn’t warn you… =-.
Beautiful pictures! And, hey, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?
.-= Chelle´s last blog ..Insane? Yes, Yes I Am… =-.
I love the first one the best! And I’ve got the mismatched and inappropriate outfits covered for sure. I’ll have to get some hot chocolate and get to the park if I want to get xmas cards out this year!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Say What? =-.
Super cute!
(Tic Tacs work like squeaky toys to dogs…)
.-= Lori Z.´s last blog ..You Just Won the Superbowl… =-.
You are brilliant! they look so cute!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Boots that tone your bottom….! =-.
Some of the best photos i have had the pleasure to print on to canvas are those that are taken in the spur-of-the-moment. Going back to the comment made on keeping your animals still,i had one photo in particluar of a hound on a field at dusk and the authenticy of this shot was awesome. The other thats comes to mind was that of a Father, took of his wife and children sitting on a shops door way step waiting for a bus in b/w. He pulled the camera out and took a sinlge shot. Fantastic photograph.
my guess is that the wee ones are still wearing their halloween outfits?
.-= dawn´s last blog ..pumpkin scones w/ cinnamon-cider cream cheese glaze =-.
Are you kidding me with the bat on the garage? Love it.
.-= Danielle´s last blog .."Shock"ing. =-.
These are SO cute! They are really great pics!
Wow, great photos! I’ll have to try those tips with my daughter, since she seems to never give us any good pictures anymore. It’s practically impossible to get her to look and smile, you can maybe only get one or the other, but not both.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Mega Bloks Montreal Warehouse Sale =-.
I get great pleasure out of allowing my girls to wear whatever they want when we go to the mall. The looks I get from people are classic.
.-= Coachdad´s last blog ..Tough to admit =-.
Great pictures! The park is such a pretty setting, too.
.-= Julie B.´s last blog ..Thanks Aiming Low =-.
Great advice, Hot Chocolate is always a winner at my house.
.-= Malia´s last blog ..Friends-Day Wednesday =-.
Cute pictures -and great ideas too! Marshmallows are always appreciated :)
.-= Clare´s last blog ..Make This Christmas a Magical One with a Visit From Santa’s Magic Elf =-.
Perfect idea! GREAT SHOTS!!!
Oh, I love those!!! Such beautiful children and the pictures really bring out their personality.
I have already ordered my Christmas cards, a candid shot of both kids playing together in the front yard. Just happened to have my long lense on my Nikon. THOSE kind of pictures are the priceless ones.
Great tips!
.-= courtney´s last blog ..Two awards and a VERY valuable parenting tip. =-.
Perfect pictures!!! You have some seriously beautiful children.
.-= Nel´s last blog ..Don’t worry, I’m still pregnant! =-.
adorable kids.
I have two little girls. Sometimes I get them dressed up in really pretty outfits and pretend they are fashion models and I am the photographer. It really gets them to ham it up for the camera.
I call it “Independence with Training Wheels.” What Scary-tastic pictures! I wish I could stuff one of my boys into one of those costumes!
You so inspired me with your Scary Mommy prompt! I have an award from the blogahood over at my site!
.-= maryleigh´s last blog ..Giving in the Blogahood =-.
Wow. AWESOME photos. Your children are becoming increasingly photogenic as they get older. Thanks for sharing such cute pictures!
We let my son pick his own costume this year, by the way. It’s resulted in the costume being used for more than just Halloween. But hey, what do we care? If he’s happy, he can let his imagination run wild, when it’s time to be just a kid.
.-= Mariano´s last blog ..The Web and You Presents: Small Business, Big Voices =-.
Those really are gorgeous. I can’t even imagine….
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..Studies Show that Excessive Viewing of My Little Pony Videos Can Cause Brain Bleeds in Overindulgent Parents =-.
You have truly uncovered the secret to great children’s photography. I shot professionally for years and years…no parent was ever as courageous as you. hehe
.-= Teri´s last blog ..Just Boo-tiful =-.
I am in love with her tights! Oh my gosh!
I want to take their pictures.
They are too beautiful for words : )
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Growing Baby =-.
Cute shots!
I have read it several times from different posts and magazines that you have to allow your children to pick their own outfit no matter how off it looks. If they want what they are wearing, you will never have a difficult time to make them pose for pictures – they will enjoy the shoot, definitely!
.-= Oral Irrigator´s last blog ..Are Broken Teeth a Natural Part of Aging? =-.
So cute!! I love the costumes :)
How adorable!