As we celebrate the fathers and father figures who have impacted our lives, let’s also think about championing fatherhood. Not just as a holiday to buy ties and tools, but also as an opportunity to redefine and revalue fathering as important work. Last year, I made the apparently very controversial decision to forgive $38,750 amount of my ex husband’s child support arrears. Read why below in my piece on NYTimes.com, and let me know what you think..

But too often, fathers are seen as accessory parents or bumbling second rate caretakers. On the other side, our society only defines fathers as deadbeat or not, solely by financial contribution. And we lump the unwilling to pay and the unable to pay in the same prison-bound barrel, regardless of what other meaningful contributions that father may make to the child’s welfare.

Here’s my story:

Earlier this year, I spent three hours sitting on a hard, wooden bench in the Queens County Family Court, waiting for a judge to approve my petition to forgive $38,750 in child support arrears from my ex-husband.

The judge said, “Well this is a rare one,” then asked me several times if I was aware of what I was doing and if I had received legal counsel. When I told my single mom friends, they looked at me as if I had committed an act of treason. “Child support is all we have!” one friend exclaimed.

Is it?

Read more
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“Poppin Bottles” Video

(No, It’s Not What You Think)

There comes a time in every new parents  life where they realize their life will never be the same! Check out this hilarious Youtube video, “Poppin Bottles”  and enjoy the new way to celebrate parenthood…it’s a party like no other! Trust us, you will be up all night:-)

Special thanks to Ron “R.S.” Stephenson and his cute little co-star for sending us this video!

Follow Ron on social media to enjoy and share more funny videos here:

 As National Breastfeeding Month is coming to a conclusion, our Kimberly Seals Allers encourages moms and dads to discuss the lighter and funny side of breastfeeding. We’re proud to work with the creators of a new, humorous webisode, Double Leche , for our first #BreastfeedingGotJokes social media campaign. Watch the hilarious Double Leche Trailer on Youtube and join in on the conversation all day today on Twitter and Facebook beginning at noon! Tell @iamKSealsAllers and @Double_Leche  your funny #breastfeeding stories using the hashtags #Breastfeedingisfunny, #BreastfeedingGotJokes and #bfisfunny. Looking forward to hearing from you!

#Breastfeedingisfunny: Why Breastfeeding Makes Me Laugh

by Stephanie Faith Scott and Jennifer Weedon

When I became a mom, I couldn’t believe all of the discussion around nursing. I had always anticipated a natural, simple, universal experience, the way humans had fed their young since the beginning of time. Yet, it made some people uncomfortable (myself sometimes included).  The momosphere was humming with blogs on the mommy nursing wars.

Double Leche  is the brainchild of me, Jennifer Weedon, and J. Sibley Law. We were all involved in the film business prior to becoming parents. We spoke about how the three of us all had one thing in common. After the birth of our children changed our lives, we found it more important than ever to keep our senses of humor. Parenting is the toughest job we will ever have and  the one with the most impact! In order to keep one’s sanity in the midst of the hard work and discipline it takes to be a good parent, we must keep laughing. Double Leche  is our attempt at that.

Double Leche  is an official selection in the comedy category for the 8th Annual Independent Television and Film Festival, taking place September 26th – September 28th, 2013.  For more information, go to www.itvfest.com.  You can also watch the Double Leche trailer.

Why Breastfeeding Makes Me Laugh

2) Dad, father-in-law, step-dad, grandpa…..yeah, you get the picture.  Having to nurse in the presence of these dad types can be quite uncomfortable, especially if you have nowhere to excuse yourself.  Like that first time they visit you in the hospital after your birth.  Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and way too exhausted to think yourself out of that one while holding your newborn.

4) There is always a husband or significant other out there who wants to taste the breast milk.  Please just humor him.  Then take him to get some Breast Milk Ice Cream.

5) Breastfeeding causes jealousy.  I laugh at how different we all are and the incredible pressures we put on ourselves to be perfect mothers.  You may have it all planned out during your pregnancy exactly how your breastfeeding experience will go, and read tons of breastfeeding books.  However, for some of us, the reality of it is not as simple as the books say.  Life is unpredictable, and sometimes things can get in the way of your plans.  We’re not always prepared for the unexpected.

Our web series, Double Leche , explores the funny and awkward moments of breast feeding.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoubleLeche and follow us on Twitter @Double_Leche.

Bios of the “Double Leche” team:

Jennifer Weedon Palazzo is a mom and SAG-AFTRA actress who has appeared in films The Height of the Sky, A Beautiful Mind, commercials for Coca-Cola and Old Spice, and theater Under Milk Wood. Jennifer blogs for ParentSavers.com and DigitalChickTV.com. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, actor and pianist Evan Palazzo of The Hot Sardines, and their son. She is the producer/writer of the web series, Double Leche andSlummy Mummy. Visit www.jenniferweedon.com or follow her on Twitter: @Slummy_Mummy

Stephanie Faith Scott is an actress, producer, grants administrator extraordinaire, and mother.  She is the star and creator of the web series, The Retributioners, and was one of the very early creators of web programming starting in 2007.  She also co-produced the short film That’s What She Told Me, which was an official selection in several film festivals.  As an actress, she been in such films as The Video Guys, S&M Queen for a Day, and Plus.  She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two-year old son. You can follow her on Twitter at @retributioners.

Valisa Tate was born in Kalamazoo, MI where she studied the arts and excelled in sports. While attending Michigan State University, she earned a B.A. in Advertising and began modeling. She continued her studies with an emphasis in Art Direction and Graphic Design at Portfolio Center in Atlanta. Shortly after graduating,Valisa moved to New York City towork as an Art Director. After a long spell of creating ads, she decided she wanted to be in them. She broadened her career and currently works as an Art Director, Model, Actress and Stunt Woman… a quadruple threat of sorts. Valisalives in Brooklyn with her husband and is the mother of two girls which is the hardest job of all. To learn more about Valisa, visit: www.valisatate.com or www.valisatatedesign.com/.

J. Sibley Law, Founder and CEO of Saxon Mills, is the creator of a twenty online television series ranging from cooking shows to animation series to political spoofs to comedy series. One of the first YouTube Partners (ever), he is extraordinarily prolific in both his creative and business ventures. An Official Honoree of the Webby Awards, he regularly creates commercials for broadcast. Additionally, he co-founded the NYC Web Series Writers Group for the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV).  He is a co-founder of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (CT) and was its executive producer from 2005-2010. Follow J. Sibley on Twitter at @moonbath.

#One Haute Mama!

Part 2- Destination Maternity Presents

Holiday 2013 Fashion Preview in NYC

By Colleen Gwen Armstrong 

As we’re preparing for one more brutal month of heat in August, we realize before you know it, winter will be here! Our social calendars will be filled once again with invitations to holiday parties and visits with family. To make things a little easier for all the moms-to-be this winter,  Destination Maternity has an array of holiday dresses and chic comfortable looks to choose from.

On July 9, 2013, Destination Maternity presented their Holiday 2013 Fashion Preview featuring A Pea In The Pod, Jessica Simpson Maternity and Motherhood Maternity. We loved each collection and we think you will too! 

Motherhood Maternity

A Pea In The PodJessica Simpson Maternity

Special thanks to Sally Fischer Public Relations and Destination Maternity for the invitation to this wonderful event in NYC!

Colleen Gwen Armstrong is a Fashion/Entertainment Publicist based in Brooklyn New York. While spotting the next fashion trends and working with designers for Fashion Week Brooklyn (formerly known as BK Fashion Weekend), Colleen will be the resident Fashion Blogger for the Mocha Manual #WomenWednesdays, #OneHauteMama series.

If you have a fashion topic or trend you would like us to discuss, tweet Colleen @4Publicity and  @MochaManual using the hashtags #WomenWednesdays or  #OneHauteMama. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

My Kid-Free Summer

Kicks Off At The Residence Inn

by Marriott

By Kimberly Seals Allers

Every year since my divorce, my summer ritual includes packing up my children, going to the airport and putting them on an international flight to London, England where they spend the summers with their Dad, the “wasband.”

This is never easy. But after a few anxious hours until I know they have safely landed and have been picked up, followed by a few transitional days of mixed emotions, I’ve learned to ease into my kid-free summer.

Usually, in preparation, I outline my work, personal and home projects that I want to take on. This year, my plan was to dive in head first into the edits for my upcoming book, prepare for speaking engagements, strategize next steps for my First Food Friendly movement based on a new way to think about supporting moms and their infant feeding choices–BIG PLANS!!

But this year, instead of getting into being distracted by work, I did something else first. I got away…

I escaped to a Residence Inn by Marriott within driving distance, for a three-day mommy retreat. Of course, my house is empty, why do you need a retreat, you may ask?  Well, sometimes the emptiness and the extreme quiet reminds me of the reasons why my house is empty and extremely quiet and that can sometimes spark emotions that are counterproductive to getting things done; especially creative things that need your full mental game.

With my Kid Free Summer Kick Off Getaway—I got to enjoy the pleasures of a one-bedroom suite, the wonderful breakfast (I can still taste the waffles), the indoor pool and hot tub, while having the option to make a snack or cook a meal in my fully equipped kitchen. It was just what the doctor (Dr. Phil, I suppose) ordered.

A few days away at the Residence Inn gave me ample space to work, a big bed to lay in, a living room area for a change of scenery (when said bed was tired of me) and then a late night swim and hot tub soak–things I could never get at home (especially the ready-made breakfast that I didn’t have to prepare!) Oh, and I started my day in their great fitness room. Score!

It was such a great kick off for my kid free summer, I came home energized— excited about the strategic planning I had done, and the book pages I had written, and all the sausages I ate at the free breakfast!

I guess next time; I should go WITH the children. Until then, I’m grateful to have been a part of the Resident Mom Club and the opportunity to turn a usually difficult transition period into a great Mom getaway!

We’re giving away a $250 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card to an Amaz-INN Resident Mom! Nominate your favorite mom to win. Tell us on Twitter or Facebook in 150 characters or less why this mom is so Amaz-INN and deserving of a Residence Inn gift card. You must LIKE our Facebook page (if you haven’t already done so), and be a follower of @MochaManual and @IamKSealsAllers on Twitter to make a nomination. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #AmazINNMom & #RIMoms

Speical thanks to the Residence Inn by Marriott  for this Amaz-Inn treat!

Our giveaway ends July 29, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.

One Haute Mama!

Destination Maternity Presents

Holiday 2013 Fashion Preview In NYC

By Colleen Gwen Armstrong 

On July 9, 2013, Kimberly and I received an invitation to attend the Destination Maternity Holiday 2013 Fashion Preview featuring A Pea In The Pod, Jessica Simpson Maternity and Motherhood Maternity collections. After viewing all three collections, it’s safe to say if you’re a mom-to-be seeking a new haute look for the holidays this winter, Destination Maternity has got you covered…all of you!

Jessica Simpson Maternity

A Pea In The Pod

To nurture and pamper expecting moms the event featured beauty products by Basq Products and Mama Mio skincare to help prevent stretch marks. All products can be found at Edamame Spa. Destination Maternity premiered the new natural lactation supplement, Milky! by Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley. Milky! can be found exclusively at Destination Maternity.

 Special thanks to Sally Fischer Public Relations and Destination Maternity for the invitation to this wonderful event!

Have You Ever Fought With Your Man While Naked?

According to Niecy Nash it’s Virtually Impossible To Do!

When it comes to relationships, everyone has some sage advice. From 90-day rules to being unavailable, there has always been something said about what it takes to get a man and keep him.

Actress Niecey Nash, star of The Soul Man, (Wednesdays 11pm ET on TV Land) is the author of the new book, ‘It’s Hard to Fight Naked.’

Nash appears on the cover of the (July 1, 2013) JET magazine issue with these words of wisdom: “If you keep a man’s stomach full and his penis empty you won’t have a problem.”

Although you may be more diplomatic in how you say it, you cannot deny the truth in her comments. I believe Chris Rock has also said that men’s needs   are very simple: “food, sex and silence.”
 
So do women shoot themselves in the foot by trying to overcomplicate men instead of just keeping their bellies full and their penises empty? Are men insulted by this summation of their needs? I think not.
 
Join the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mochamanual

As an expecting mom, Angela Burgin Logan dreamed of breastfeeding her baby. But when she nearly died from undiagnosed severe pre-eclampsia which led to heart, lung and kidney failure, her breastfeeding experience dramatically changed. Listen to Angela’s powerful story and learn more about pre-eclampsia at http://www.ladiesliveandlearn.com

In the West Indies, breastfeeding was a given, but in America it’s another matter.  Hear Onica’s surprises, disappointments and sheer delights of her two-year breastfeeding experience.