Mandy Dawson

Share this story

Mandy Dawson is the creator of In Mandyland, an almost daily blog recording her adventures in juggling a part-time job, two active children, one melodramatic dog, three arguing chicks and one long-suffering husband. A self-diagnosed gardening and crafting addict, she often finds herself gluing together clay pots and trying to discover the cure for brown thumb. In her spare time, she likes to can, pretend she can rollerskate and make balloon animals for her adoring fans - er - children. Her writing has appeared in Mamapedia, BlogHer, the Telegram-Tribune, and The Mommies Network. Visit her at www.inmandyland.com.
 

Articles by Mandy Dawson :

    Sunday, May 19, 2013

    It's rarely disputed by parents, but seems to always surprise aunts and uncles, friends and random strangers; it's just a simple truth of childhood: if you ask a kid a question, he'll give you a no holds barred, honest answer.

    Friday, May 17, 2013

    Every now and then, I see evidence that my son—for all his strong physical resemblence to my side of the family—is really his father's child.

    Tuesday, May 14, 2013

    Last night, tired from a week that already seemed too long, I came home from work and decided to pretend it was Saturday. An active imagination is both a blessing and a curse—a curse namely when I'm home alone and imagining a serial killer using glass cutters to make a perfect circle in my sliding glass door to let himself in while I lay sleeping peacefully in my bed.

    Monday, May 13, 2013

    I'm very proud of the fact that my little red heads have never had a sunburn.

    Knock on wood.

    Friday, May 10, 2013

    Tuesday, May 07, 2013

    My town librarian joked that the reason I got the Memorial Scholarship was because I'd paid for it over the years with my late fees. She wasn't far from wrong.

    Sunday, May 05, 2013

    It never fails. It's almost a cliche. It's almost a law. Like Murphy's Mom's Law. Whenever a child has a school project for which the child needs to dress in costume, said child will not mention the project until the morning said project is due.

    Thursday, May 02, 2013

    I picked up Elizabeth after work the other day only to find her with two skinned knees, a skinned elbow, scratched palms, scraped ankles, and cheeks rosy with the beginning of a sunburn. 

    Tuesday, April 30, 2013

    When I was pregnant with my oldest, a married couple who had an adorable one-year-old invited us over for dinner. I glowed with excitement over our pending arrival (the glow mostly produced by sweat and nausea), and listened carefully as these veteran parents filled my head with advice.

    Sunday, April 28, 2013

    I never realized how short shorts were until I became a parent to a daughter. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a prude. Far from it. I rocked Daisy Dukes and micro minis in my day. Or back in the day, rather. But I was twenty-one and hoping some guy was looking. Now, I'm a mother who is trying to talk her three year old into wearing boy shorts even if they aren't pink and purple just to keep her little bum covered.

    Thursday, April 25, 2013

    This time of year, our garden is in full spring swing. Seedlings are growing, strawberries are ripening, tomatoes are flowering, and aphids are attacking. Luckily, this is also the time of year when my local nursery keeps a handy supply of ladybugs in their refrigerator.

    Tuesday, April 23, 2013

    One of my biggest mommy fails is having a seven year old little boy who doesn't know how to ride a two wheel bike. It's not all my fault.

    Sunday, April 21, 2013

    "I'm sorry, Mama, but my friends are a little bit like wild animals," Joseph said sweetly as I tucked him into bed. I smiled at him, pretending my hair wasn't standing on end and my makeup wasn't smeared by a combination of dust and sweat.

    Tuesday, April 16, 2013

    I still remember the first time my mom served me Brussels sprouts. I poked the soggy lumps of green on my plate and tried to figure out if I could lure one of the dogs under the table, which is, let's be honest, the very best reason to have a family dog.

    Tuesday, April 16, 2013

    I sat at the table and explained my plans for Joseph's birthday party to a childless friend. Her eyes widened. She smiled a bit and said, "When I was a kid it was usually just me, my family, one or two friends, three or four balloons, a couple streamers, and a cake."

Share this story

Also on Momtastic

article thumbnailDIY: Splendid Hair Bow

This bow is the quintessential girl hair accessory that goes with everything and is darling to boot...

Read More
 article thumbnailDIY: Sunshine Sugar Scrub

This home-made scrub is the ideal solution for the woman that has everything...

Read More
 article thumbnailDIY: Rock Your Alphabet

This project is so entertaining!  And, a great summer-time craft...

Read More
 article thumbnailDIY: Fabric Pendant

Looking for more unique ways to use up my fabric scraps, I turned to jewelry making...

Read More

Must Haves

6 Spring Dresses Under $100

Follow Momtastic on Pintrest