About Bethany Prange
Bethany Prange's 'MoCo Mommy' column reflects upon on the trials, tribulations and joys of raising children.
Bethany grew up in downtown Fults, and now lives in Waterloo with her husband, Kevin, and their sons, Remy and Ty.
A former full-time print newspaper journalist, Bethany now runs her own digital marketing company. Writing MoCo Mommy keeps her writing skills sharp and more importantly, keeps her sane during the hijinx and hysterical mayhem that often overcomes their boy-filled home.
Read MoCo Mommy
Brutal Honesty Is A Weapon In Kids’ Arsenal
by Bethany Prange Kids are good at a lot of things. Dropped your phone into a tiny crevice and your annoyingly large adult hands won’t fit? No worries! Your kid’s itty bitty hands will slide right in and nab it. Got all adult-y and started to think dandelions are just a noxious weed? Get a …
Preparing For School Is Harder On Moms
by Bethany Prange I once drove to a farm field in the middle of nowhere Missouri, got into a small biplane literally held together with duct tape, and then trusted a complete stranger when he hurled both of us out of the plane at 14,000 feet. Still, I felt more emotionally, physically and mentally prepared …
Mom Shaming Can Make Parenting Harder
by Bethany Prange Prepare yourself, friends. Here come some confessions of a run-of-the-mill, overworked mommy. My kid is and has always been a co-sleeper. And yes, he still sleeps with us at age 5. I feed my kid fast food, often more than once a week. Sometimes we skip his bath, especially in the summer …
Kids Need Time To Find Who They Are
by Bethany Prange He didn’t look nervous at all. No, my son strode confidently between the packed rows of parents and grandparents, beaming in his cap and gown. He didn’t even notice the little tassel periodically whacking him in the face. Where, I wondered, did that self-assuredness come from? A year or two ago, he …
Making The Best Of Gagging Noises, Germs And Goofiness
by Bethany PrangeEven though Calvin and Hobbes went out of syndication back in 1995, I sometimes think my son is modeling his life after the spikey-haired comic strip character.Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, didn’t have kids – crazy right? He has said that the mischievous and hilarious Calvin is really based on …
Making The Best Of Gagging Noises, Germs And Goofiness Read More »
Vacations Are Not All That Relaxing For Moms
by Bethany Prange Before I had kids, there was this feeling I’d get on vacations that I can’t quite recall. After a few days at the beach, or even just at a hotel in a place where I didn’t have to work or face the responsibilities of my day-to-day life, my perpetually-tight neck and shoulder …
Parents Turn Into Germ Phobes When Kids Get Grubby
by Bethany Prange There was a time, though I can scarcely remember it now, when I didn’t carry hand wipes and antibacterial spray in my purse. But back then, I didn’t have a walking germ magnet following me around either. I swear, I wasn’t always a germophobe. But the longer I’m a boymom, the more …
Parents Turn Into Germ Phobes When Kids Get Grubby Read More »
Parenting Skills Are Easy To Perfect – Unless You Have Kids
by Bethany Prange Of all the emotions you go through as a parent, the blissful feeling of pride isn’t one you get to experience often. Yes, yes, I know. You feel proud of your kids literally every waking second of every single day. But I’m talking about self-pride – as in, pride in your abilities …
Parenting Skills Are Easy To Perfect – Unless You Have Kids Read More »
My Son Has Learned A Lot So Far… I Just Wish He Knew How To Nap
by Bethany Prange They say we aren’t born to hate. Hatred is something we learn. In the context for which those statements are intended – I’m talking hatred of others, groups, animals, political and religious beliefs, etc. – I whole-heartedly agree. However, when it comes to one particular thing – one arbitrary, seemingly benign thing …
My Son Has Learned A Lot So Far… I Just Wish He Knew How To Nap Read More »
Pointing Fingers At Causes Of Childhood Obesity
by Bethany Prange I’ve done some pretty extraordinary things in my life. I’ve dipped my toes in the Dead Sea in Jordan, and rode a camel next to the pyramids in Saqqara, Egypt. I’ve reported on high profile news events and written inspiring, impactful stories that have graced the pages of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, …