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Oz Spies

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How to Leave the House With a Toddler in 26 Easy Steps

How to Leave the House With a Toddler in 26 Easy Steps

When in doubt, follow Daniel Tiger’s sage advice: take a deep breath and count to ten.

Toddler

The Worst Mistakes I Made When Encouraging My Kids to Give Back

The Worst Mistakes I Made When Encouraging My Kids to Give Back

One sentence, spoken in frustration, set my kids’ charitable inclinations two big steps back.

Parenting

How to Potty Train Your Toddler in 38 Easy Steps

How to Potty Train Your Toddler in 38 Easy Steps

Step 20: Rejoice when your toddler eventually pees in the potty three times in one day ...

Toddler

About

Oz Spies lives, writes, and works in the nonprofit sector in Colorado. She and her firefighter husband have three children, a basement full of Lego bricks, and too much sports equipment.

Website

Hometown

Colorado

Kids

3

Fun Facts

The amount of coffee I drink in a day:

Too much.
Something I hide from my kids:

Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
3 things I can’t live without:

My family, coffee, and a good pair of running shoes.

Posts by Oz Spies

21 Reasons Why I’m Probably Going to Be Late Again Today

21 Reasons Why I’m Probably Going to Be Late Again Today

Before kids, I was on time. Early, even. But eight years of motherhood and three kids changed that.

Parenting

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler on the Playground

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler on the Playground

Dirt isn't to eat, huh?

Toddler

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler on Christmas Morning

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler on Christmas Morning

Here, I’ll help you open your presents. Let me do it. LET ME DO IT LET ME DO IT LET ME DO IT!

Toddler

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler Getting Dressed in the Morning

Inner Thoughts of a Toddler Getting Dressed in the Morning

Why are pants even a thing, though?

Toddler

15 Inner Thoughts of a Toddler at Bedtime

15 Inner Thoughts of a Toddler at Bedtime

#7. Now is the perfect time to share all my burning questions with my parents.

Toddler

9 Creative Ways to Take Inside Play — Outside

9 Creative Ways to Take Inside Play — Outside

For those days when your kids say they're "so bored!"

Parenting

33 Reasons Why My Toddler Can’t Sleep

33 Reasons Why My Toddler Can’t Sleep

#21. I need a kiss. On the other cheek. And now each of my 312 stuffed animals needs a goodnight kiss.

Toddler

Two Truths and a Lie: The Parenting Edition

Two Truths and a Lie: The Parenting Edition

It's the ultimate game of parenting confessions.

Parenting

32 Reasons Your Toddler Might Be Throwing a Tantrum

32 Reasons Your Toddler Might Be Throwing a Tantrum

The weather is “itchy.”

Toddler

How to Leave the House With a Toddler in 26 Easy Steps

How to Leave the House With a Toddler in 26 Easy Steps

When in doubt, follow Daniel Tiger’s sage advice: take a deep breath and count to ten.

Toddler

The Worst Mistakes I Made When Encouraging My Kids to Give Back

The Worst Mistakes I Made When Encouraging My Kids to Give Back

One sentence, spoken in frustration, set my kids’ charitable inclinations two big steps back.

Parenting

6 Ways You Can Help Underprivileged Kids Get Ready for Back-to-School

6 Ways You Can Help Underprivileged Kids Get Ready for Back-to-School

Six ways to make back-to-school better for all kids, from school supply drives to backpacks for homeless kids and places to donate gently used sporting goods.

Babble Cares

What To Do With Old Shoes

What To Do With Old Shoes

Here's how to donate your old shoes, from gently-used running shoes to destroyed, falling apart sneakers.

Babble Cares

Give A Little More: 10 Baby Gifts With A Charitable Spin

Give A Little More: 10 Baby Gifts With A Charitable Spin

Looking for a cute baby shower or new baby gift that does more than make new parents happy? Look no further. These gifts make the world a better place and provide a warm welcome to a new babe.

Babble Cares

7 Fun Charitable Projects for Preschools and Playgroups

7 Fun Charitable Projects for Preschools and Playgroups

This time of year, lots of classrooms and moms groups put together community-focused projects to coincide with Thanksgiving feasts or wintertime celebrations. For younger kids, the best charitable activities are those that connect with their everyday experiences or interests, from a love of animals to the understanding that everyone needs food to thrive. My kids...

Mom

Loss & Miscarriage

Loss & Miscarriage

A few days ago, I was pregnant. For 12 weeks. And now, I’m not. I’m sharing this here because miscarriage is something that women don’t talk much about, though it’s common – I can barely talk about it myself, but I can write about it. One in five pregnancies ends this way. Knowing that doesn’t...

Babble Voices

Frightening Parenting Topic of the Day: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Frightening Parenting Topic of the Day: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

The parenting nightmare that keeps me up at night rotate on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s worrying about my boys being bullied or becoming bullies; other times it’s car accidents, or worrying that they’ll manage to choke on a piece of play clay or wedge cashews up their noses. This week, it’s one that’s pretty...

Babble Voices

Dr. Sunshine and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Sunshine and Mr. Hyde

Smiley. That’s the word people use to describe my boys. Smiley. This is true – they are pretty cheerful. Especially when they’re in public. They grin, giggle, coo, blow kisses. Jonas’ style of blowing kisses is in reverse – he waves his hand out, and then makes a smacking noise. It’s like he’s sweeping kisses...

Babble Voices

25 Indoor Activities. What to do with your kids when the weather outside is frightful. The Babble List.

25 Indoor Activities. What to do with your kids when the weather outside is frightful. The Babble List.

Indoor activities to keep your kids happy - and you sane.

Kid