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 - 7 mins 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
Tonight, the unimaginable happened: My children ate dinner. All of them, together. I prepared them steak, spinach and potatoes and let them eat at the picnic table by themselves. Without me hovering over them, they actually seemed to EAT. I ate inside, watching them with awe. The shock still hasn’t worn off. I swear I even heard “yummy” escape Ben’s lips, but I may very well have been hallucinating. Sitting down to dinner with your children is so overrated- I’ll take this over feeding him like a dog any day. Oh, how I adore 70 degree nights…
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn’t it funny how sometimes our kids step up with their independence when we let go a little?! Gorgeous pic. It’s been pouring with rain for two days here in Australia!!!
SquiggleMum’s last blog post..Techno-Babes
Hey, they got to “eat out” without the parents. It’s amazing what kids will do when they think you’re not watching.
As for spinach… I even steamed some fresh. Went out of my way to wash it and give it a little extra zing. I thought it was fantastic. So did my mother in law. Much to my pain, neither son nor husband would touch it. They tasted it, but would go no further.
I bet if I set up a table outside and let the boys eat there, they might make an effort.
In my dreams.
that is totally awesome. I want to get a little table like that for the kids. I hope that you and your hubby got to to have an actual conversation at dinner.
Jen, buried with children’s last blog post..That Special Comfort Feeling
The power of positive thinking or crossing your fingers…something worked. How nice for you! * They are SO cute!*
Ann’s last blog post..Big Thanks, A Little Gobbling and a lot of Goodness!
OH yes. Isn’t that just the most perfect evening ever for you? First of all, the picture is simply adorable. And something as simple as getting all your children to sit down together and EAT dinner? Is an accomplishment bigger and better and greater than finishing a Univesrity degree. Like, sigh. It’s not that common in my house, either. It did happen last week, though, when they were both eating pizza together outside at their little table. Moments like that are to cherish! ;) Seriously, it’s a great feeling, and here’s to many more of them!
Tonight I took both kids to a friends for dinner. While her 3 were sitting down eating and acting well behaved (like my oldest) all I was doing was chasing my 16 month old everywhere. Very annoying and very challenging!
Loukia’s last blog post..Interview with a 3 year old, take two!
I get tired of chasing the boys back to their seats at dinner time. It sucks when Jeff isn’t home because I end up chasing them, yelling at them and even just taking dinner away because they are too busy playing, laughing, making fun of me for getting annoyed with the table tactics.
Suzi’s last blog post..What Am I? A Flippin’ Whale?
WAAAAAITAMINUTE, I haven’t read your blog in ages because it seems to have stalled on my blogroll. There I was thinking you hadn’t posted in ages and I was missing out!
Glad you discovered a great summer feeding technique. No dogs or psychopaths required. The best part about feeding ‘em outside is the hosing down of the feeding area afterward. Your kitchen will be SO clean this summer!
Nan’s last blog post..Intrepid Explorers With Big Muscles: First Day
There must have been some cosmic alignment of the heavenly bodies. Or else….when was the last time you fed them. lol. Just checking.
James (SeattleDad)’s last blog post..A Few Miles West of Expected
Funny how everything seems to fall into place when the weather is pristine. It’s true… I swear…
KathyB!’s last blog post..This is just the tip of the iceberg, isn’t it?!
Evan looks sooo grownup! what happened here? its only been a month since we saw him! put up an umbrella for when it rains and serve all meals outside.
dock in at end of pier, summer is coming. and soon you will be here as well. Beach toys ready and waiting and a surprise on porch.
I remember the feeding like a dog posting. As well as the clean plate posting. That photo is SO charming.
What did you put in the food?!?
T Rex Mom’s last blog post..My Second Award!!!
I love when the kids eat without me hovering over them! I love it even more when I hear them say “you make the best dinner ever!”
Tricia’s last blog post..I Feel So Loved!
Oh how I love nights like this. Had one Monday night :) Can’t beat beautiful weather and children behaving when they think you aren’t looking !!!
Kristin’s last blog post..Because I said so…
Too funny, and so true! My 4th grader still picks at her plate, but my 7th grader would eat all of our dinners if we let her. :)
Lynn from For Love or Funny’s last blog post..Recession and the SAHM
Something about making dinner seem like a vacation makes kids want to eat. I used to light candles and pretend we were at a fancy restaurant. Whatever it takes, you know?
Teri’s last blog post..Walk This Way
And you even get a great photo out of it!
Jingle’s last blog post..Frosted Treats – ***Etsy Love***
There’s something about eating outside that makes it all okay….must be something about fighting off west nile while eating that makes them work up an appetite!
Cute picnic table!!
Futureblackmail’s last blog post..CAMPING – PRONOUNCED H-E-L-L
you know momma, that has to be the best pic of the kids to date. you captured them in their own state of mind, no posing for a picture at all. what is the word I’m looking for? they just look so content yet humanly. innocence too, but them being them, you know?
love this pic the most.
dawn’s last blog post..chocolate-coconut covered Cheez Its
OMG! Peace? No begging, bribery, or drug induced stupors involved? You are one lucky Momma!
Christina’s last blog post..I’VE BEEN HOARDING AWARDS
I don’t care if Phoebe wants to use a shovel. If it gets her to eat her broccoli, by all means
Jessica’s last blog post..Honey, is it me or is the EARTH MOVING?!
Reagan does the whole eating like a dog thing too… I think I’ll let her eat outside by herself tonight. Or maybe the whole family can have a “picnic” so she is not all alone out there. Although it would be nice to have a quiet meal with the hubby…
Tiffany @ Paging Doctor Mommy’s last blog post..By the Numbers
That’s awesome! Congratulations to you =)
that is awesome. Kudos to you! Jealous here of your 70 degrees too. I live in Florida and it is a sauna already. (blah!)
Obnoxious’s last blog post..What makes a good wife?
Adorable. That is definitely a picture you should frame!
Jessica’s last blog post..Whoa!
How funny!
Even funnier is when it’s the middle of November and they’re out there eating in their coats…
Coma Girl’s last blog post..On Writing
I can’t wait to start eating outside…
cristin’s last blog post..Saddest Words I Ever Heard
What a great idea. I say get a cover and stick them out there every day.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Picture of Bravery
OH my goodness how cute!!!!!
That looks like fun.
DCUrbanDad’s last blog post..Chia Obama, falling undies and Charles Barkley: WTF Wednesday is here
Now THAT is amazing! I long for the day that I can stop with my helicopter impressions and she’ll EAT. The boy is a hoover.
Karen MEG’s last blog post..‘Wordless’ Wednesday – Lows and Highs
I have a feeling it’s going to be a very good summer with lots of good meals eaten ahead! :)
Aww! How sweet!
Natalie’s last blog post..Happy Birthday, Princess!
I just got a cavity from all that sweetness.
LiLu’s last blog post..Come and Play With Me… But Not That Way. (You Kinda Smell.)
He even ate the spinache? See, miracles do happen!
THAT is adorable!!!!!!!!!! I would still be tearing up if those were my children. That’s just great!!!!!!!!!!!
Live.Love.Eat’s last blog post..Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
I wish I may…I wish I might… Hasn’t happened yet – but I keep wishing. You give me hope.
Kate Coveny Hood’s last blog post..Magical Thinking, The Secret and Wishing Really, Really Hard
when they’re young, it’s TOTALLY overrated and stressful, but when they get older – dinner time is way cool for fun and interesting discussions! this pic is WAY TOO CUTE tho – sometimes we just need to get outta the way!
scrappysue’s last blog post..wordful wednesday – one of these people is enjoying this more than the other
I’d congratulate you, but I am too busy dying of jealousy.
Marinka’s last blog post..Trying on Clothes
Oh my god- adorable!
Wish mine would take notice!
Jessica’s last blog post..Let’s Recap-
I love it when my kids will eat without me hovering!! My oldest loves steak…..he also thinks pork chops are steaks too. We grilled the other day and The Boy was all kinds of POd that he had to have a hamburger and not steak! No one had steak. s-p-o-i-l-e-d
That is awesome! And such a cute picture!
John Deere Mom’s last blog post..Sucker
I thought this was SO cute. I read it on my cell phone one night and I couldn’t comment for the life of me. I did try eleventy eleven million times!
So, I know you told me NOT to go over to the other girls site that won the award, but I just had to. I mean, I had to find out how she could POSSIBLY be cooler than you. So I went over (via the link in YOUR blog Jill : ) and I was astounded at how PATHETIC and RIDICULOUS her site is compared to yours. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Seriously. How on earth did she win? It is blowing my mind. Her blog wasn’t fun or cool at all.
I hope your Memorial Day weekend is wonderful!
Life with Kaishon’s last blog post..Big G’s Birthday Bash
I have found it. The thing that will kill my weight, yet make me so happy in the process. It used to be Bacardi Razz, but noooo, they had to go and make TORCHED CHERRY!!! I love it so much. What am I going to do?