Dina Ley
Medium
Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Past articles by Dina:
Teachers Are Done. No, Really.
I've been asked often why teachers are fleeing the classroom and while I can't speak for all teachers, many of our reasons appear to be universal. Teachers are leaving the classroom for a multitude… → Read More
I Crowdfunded My Classroom’s School Supplies. Here’s Why I Shouldn’t Have To.
Why should children enjoy the comforts of a beautiful, clean, airy and bright classroom only in affluent areas? → Read More
8 Breastfeeding Mom Stereotypes That Are Definitely Legit
When my daughter was born, she wouldn't latch. No matter what I did, or how many times the lactation consultant came by, I couldn't get her to latch. As a result, our breastfeeding relationship didn't "go the distance." My son, however, latched on pr… → Read More
7 People Who Can Make Or Break Your Breastfeeding Journey
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful, wistful dream, or a horrid nightmare. Lucky for me, I had the chance to experience both. People, as well as circumstance, can make or break your breastfeeding journey, and each one of my journeys was so different tha… → Read More
7 Creepy Things People Have Said To My Son... Right In Front Of Me
I first started paying attention to the things people said around children after I had my daughter. She'd be on the receiving end of those "aren't you a little princess?" comments that made my skin crawl. At first, I didn't really understand why I wa… → Read More
6 Things Moms Raising Compassionate Sons Never Do
My son is the sweetest kid I know (don't tell my daughter I said that). He is kind, compassionate, and constantly happy. Last week, while he and his sister were playing on the living room rug, he threw a toy and accidentally hit her in the face. She … → Read More
Craving Comfort Food While Pregnant? These 19 Moms Have Suggestions
I was obnoxiously sick during the first trimester with, "lucky" for me, both of my pregnancies. For the first three months I lived on saltines, lemonade, and fresh bread. Once I was able to eat, however, all I wanted was savory and sweet comfort food… → Read More
7 People You'll Legit Hate In Your First Trimester
In my experience, the first trimester is the absolute worst. With both my pregnancies I was nauseated, moody, exhausted, and full to the brim with anxiety. And you know what made it all worse? People. The people you will legit hate in your first trim… → Read More
I'm A Millennial Mom & These 7 Stereotypes Are Definitely True
According to, well, everyone, millennials are narcissistic, self-involved, constantly oversharing, and perpetually lazy. Such stereotypes clearly don't paint my generation in the best light. But, as a millennial mom, I can say that some millennial st… → Read More
6 Reasons Why I Refuse To Apologize For Planning My Life Around My Baby's Sleep Schedule
A sleeping newborn is one of the best types of newborns. Watching my baby snooze in her crib was easily my favorite pastime when she was an infant and I was a new mom. After a strenuous day of feeding, changing, and more feeding, naptime was essentia… → Read More
7 Reasons Why I Don't Play With My Children
Yes, you guessed it: I'm an imperfect mother. I'm more than imperfect, actually, and I'm sure some could even argue that, from time to time, I totally suck at this whole mom thing. You see, I don't play with my children, I don't pack their lunches, I… → Read More
Your Biggest Challenge As A New Mom, According To Your Zodiac Sign
My grandmother studied astrology and loved learning everything about the Zodiac. She religiously read the weekly horoscope and believed her future was hidden within those few sentences. As a result, I started dabbling, too. I enjoyed reading about my… → Read More
7 Ways Your Baby Is Trying To Say "Hey, You're Doing Amazing"
The first few months of motherhood are probably the roughest months of parenting. And while I'm sure they are plenty of non-verbal ways your baby tells you that you are doing amazing, somehow everything you do feels horrifically wrong. I had no idea … → Read More
7 Reasons Why The Second Year Of Motherhood Is Way Harder Than The First
The first year of motherhood can be brutal. Having a baby is a huge shock to your body, mind, your relationships, and your finances. Nothing can quite prepare you for the reality of a newborn. No advice, no anecdote, no story. Nothing. Because there'… → Read More
7 Reasons Being Pregnant During The Holidays Is The Best
I, like many people, have a love-hate relationship with the holidays. I love the season for its cozy, happy, giving mood, but I hate the panic and frenzy that come with it. All of the running around and the shopping and the giving can be really overw… → Read More
7 Things Mom Have To Deal With Today That '80s Moms Just Didn't Have To Worry About
"Parenting today is so much more difficult than it was back when you were a kid," says my mother-in-law, and I have a feeling she's right. Parenting is never easy, regardless, but I'd argue today's parents have a slew of new challenges that are nothi… → Read More
8 Signs You're *Clearly* A Basic Target Mom
My mother-in-law once told me she refuses to shop at "big box" stores and would rather support local businesses. While I think supporting local mom & pop shops is important, I wanted to divorce her son and run away the moment she turned her nose up a… → Read More
Actually, Social Media *Is* Ruining Parenting
A few weeks ago, a mom named Alex McDaniel, wrote a seemingly benign joke on Twitter: "3-year-old for sale. $12 or best offer." Soon after the tweet, Child Protective Services showed up at her doorsteps with concerns over human trafficking. McDaniel … → Read More
8 Ways To Raise Resilient Kids
Can resiliency be taught to a child with no life experience? Sure, but parents must actively foster resilience in their kids. Usually individuals become resilient after they've endured hardships and disappointments. Kids, and especially white, cisgen… → Read More
7 Things Your Colicky Baby *Needs* You To Know
For an inexperienced mother, colic can be torturous. I had no idea why my child was hysterical and couldn't be soothed. I wondered what I was doing wrong and even briefly considered the possibility that my baby was possessed. I mean, there were defin… → Read More