Issue 18: Glute Camp
What is the hardest part of parenting and why is it potty training?
Every so often, Ashley will share her expertise as a movement educator in a series we’re calling Movement Snacks. Each video gives you a handful of exercises to counteract some of the ways parenting can challenge your body. You can catch up on previous Movement Snacks in Issue #7 and Issue #11.
This week, it’s all about the glutes. We all want a perky ass, but maybe more importantly at this point in our lives, we want to be able to get off of the ground pain-free and confidently. I’ll share a few hip mobility, stability, and strengthening exercises to help us better access the strength of our legs as our tiny tots require the agility of our much younger selves. Enjoy the video below - unwashed mom hair and all (more opportunity for me to test all your dry shampoo recommendations)!
-Ashley
Event Spotlight
Join The Soft Spot and Becca Piastrelli for a Women's Circle for Hudson Valley Mothers at Three Waters Farm in Ghent on Sunday, March 9th from 10am-12pm. Together, over tea and nourishing snacks in a cozy private space, we'll explore what community means in modern motherhood. We’ll reflect on who our village is, how we want to show up for those we love, and what it truly means to be in community with other parents. This is a space to connect—with yourself and with other mothers—so that you leave feeling supported, seen, and held. We only have a couple spaces left, so book your free ticket here.
What We’re Reading
[Ashley] - Potty training has consumed my household once more with our second concerted effort. Maddie shot us this Healthy Children podcast episode - short and sweet while incredibly informative and validating. My daughter is having HUGE emotions around the potty, resulting in an inability to sit and “let go” (she’s going to kill me reading this in 10 years) - why doesn’t anyone talk about this at length in the many, many potty training courses? Dr. Becky, I’m looking at you. We’ve ordered more books on big emotions to to better navigate her potty anxiety. Added to our list are What are Feelings? And What If I Know My…Feelings?. Growing up is hard stuff.
[Genevieve] - Melissa Viator and her family lost everything in the Eaton fire in Los Angeles, and now she is graciously sharing her story in the aftermath — a perspective we don’t usually see after the news trucks drive away. Her newsletter A Cleansing Fire shows what happens after the cameras turn off: the National Guard, hazmat debris cleanup, charred remains of their subway tile shower. An important read for sure.
[Maddie] - Thank you to my sister for introducing me to “The Plaza”, a short story by Rebecca Makkai and a prequel (of sorts) to Kay Thompson’s Eloise. If Jane Eyre has Wide Sargasso Sea and The Wizard of Oz has Wicked, doesn’t Eloise’s mother deserve a Holly-Golightly-esque backstory?
Our Picks
[Ashley] - I wasn’t lying - all potty. All the time. At this point, if anyone tells me it was easy with their kid, I’ll disown them. Circle facilitator extraordinaire Becca Piastrelli recommended the Daniel Tiger potty episode. It showcases the successes and challenges of the sweet characters and helps my daughter sit on the potty. And shout out to my best friend and yoga instructor, Lindsay Freeman, for the accident cleanup solution I needed. Cover with baking soda, vacuum it up, spritz with a nice vodka to disinfect and take the scent away. Works like a charm. And, if you’re in the lower Hudson Valley, Lindsay is just as brilliant in all things yoga.
[Genevieve] - I’m a slut for mugs. To me they stand tall at the crossroads of comfort (warm drinks!), power (strong arms made these!), and beauty (they are art!). My kitchen is overrun with My Pieces from ceramicists I’ve come to adore, if not fully obsess over. My proud collection of Lolly Lolly mugs is strictly for gazing-upon. My Catskills-based Wild Bower Studio “Abortion is Healthcare” mug is brought out often with great pride. I’ve acquired several deeply loved pieces by local artists from the extensive stock at Batterby House in Hudson. And I adopted my single-knot mug from Lost Quarry founder Doris at Field+Supply. I could go on and on for hours. Perhaps over tea?
[Maddie] - I’ve been using the SOS Daily Rescue Spray from Tower 28 to tame redness and dry patches on my face, but I recently realized that my baby’s diaper rash spray has the same active ingredient at a comparable concentration. Sharing products with the baby? It’s skin basting all over again.
Working Together
Read up on the SAVE Act, a bill currently in Congress that could severely curtail voting rights, especially for elderly, transgender, and disabled voters, as well as voters whose names on their government IDs might not match the names on their voter registration. The tool 5 Calls continues to be our fave for contacting our congressperson and senators and sharing our views on issues like this one.
In the Neighborhood
We live in the Mid-Hudson Valley and we’re keeping tabs on these (mostly family-friendly) events near us. If there’s another event you’d like us to share, please send it our way!
Thursdays until April - Music & Movement Storytime, Hudson
Saturdays until April - Hudson Indoor Winter Market, Hudson
Sundays until March - Long runs with Return Run Club, Hudson
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Thursday, February 20 - Analog Jazz Orchestra plays the music of Sesame Street, Marlboro
Thursday, February 20 - All Fours Book Club at Made X Hudson, Catskill
Thursday, February 20 - Kingston Cooks workshop, Kingston ^
Thursday, February 20 - For the Many Ulster County community meeting, Kingston
Thursday, February 20 - Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock ^
Thursday, February 20 - Columbia County Recovery Kitchen Benefit at Union Street Brewing, Hudson ^
Starting February 20 - Baby & Me, Toddler & Me, and Prenatal Yoga at Sadhana, Hudson (use code FRIENDS10 for 10% off)
Friday, February 21 - Two-step lessons with Wild Leek River at The Half Moon, Hudson
Saturday, February 22 - Port Jervis Cocoa Crawl, Port Jervis
Saturday, February 22 - Lego Discovery Workshop at Play Pop, Hudson
Saturday, February 22 - Wassail Winter Fest at Angry Orchard Cider House, Walden ^
Sunday, February 23 - Girl Dinner at Local 111, Philmont
Sunday, February 23 - Maple Sugaring Workshop at Ashokan Center, Olivebridge
Sunday, February 23 - BreakBread World Potluck at Woodstock Community Center, Woodstock
Monday, February 24 - Moonburger and Oona Wine Pop-Up at Mirador, Kingston
Wednesday, February 26 - Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Day of Action, Albany
Wednesday, February 26 - Chamber of Mothers Town Hall, Virtual
Thursday, February 27 - Caribbean Roots Dinner with Oona Wine at Mill & Main, Kerhonkson
Friday, February 28 - Remember You: Friendship at Setu Yoga, Kingston
Saturday, March 1 - Taste of Phos Greek Night at C. Cassis, Rhinebeck
Wednesday, March 5 - Baby & Me Meetup at Play Pop, Hudson
Friday, March 7 - Supervised Play Day at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Saturday, March 8 - Celebration of Maple Sugaring at White Feather Farm, Saugerties
Saturday, March 8 - Children’s Planetarium Show at SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz
Sunday, March 9 - ❣️The Soft Spot Women’s Circle with Becca Piastrelli❣️, Ghent ^
Wednesday, March 12 - La Leche League meeting at Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Wednesday, March 12 - Fix-It Picnic at Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Starting the week of March 17 - Parent-child garden classes at Hawthorne Valley, Ghent
Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 - The Goddess Party Unplugged, Saugerties ^
Starting March 22 - Innate Postpartum Care Workshop at Play Pop, Hudson
Sunday, March 30 - Laurie Berkner Band at The Egg, Albany
^ = for adults
* = will likely sell out, so book soon
As we find our rhythm, please reply with what you want to see in our emails. We have toddlers, we’re used to tough feedback.
perky ass slut mugs! excellent SEO additions