apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We love what Amy writes about the reason for the badges: "Overly sentimentalized depictions of motherhood belie the actual daily duties that alternately feel like drudgery, brave political acts, and absurd performance art. This irreverent award system invites public dialogue about and visual recognition for the unpaid and often ignored labor that is parenting."

So, you decide when you think a scenario or achievement merits a badge. Iron or sew them on to your sling, blanket, or diaper bag. Hang them on your wall or fridge, put them in a journal or scrapbook, or give one to a fellow parent who has just weathered a heroic ordeal. Choose from breastfeeding, shopping, birthday parties, diaper, medical, traveling, and sleeping- to name a few. Each badge is $5 and available right here.

There's even a fun section for "Merit Badge Tales" where you can read the stories of other parents and how they earned a badge, or send in your own story.

We know some of you don't like things that seem to exclude dads or other parental figures. Amy says they were designed "by a mama for a mama," (hence the name) but of course, anyone can use them.

Which merit badge have you recently earned?