Category Archives: parenting

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As a busy Mom, you can often feel like you’re running a million miles a minute (on empty!), there’s always a chore to be done, or that you’ve forgotten to do something. It’s bittersweet. One moment, it can feel like the greatest thing in the world – you have a beautiful family, great work and a lot to keep your mind active. Then the next, it can feel like a curse – you’re always tired, you never know what time or day it is without asking, and you’re forever wondering when you’ll get a break.

Wouldn’t it be great to land somewhere in-between both scenarios, every single day? It is possible, but it will take a lot of organisation.

If you’ve never felt as if you’ve gotten your organizational skills down, now might be the time to work at it. We’ve started a new year and after the Holidays, we all should have a little more energy to go around too. Getting more organized and leading successful Mom, work and social lives are just seven steps away.
Each of the seven steps tackles an area of your life. They might not all apply to you, but you can still take away something enriching and rewarding, but looking at the solution. It might work for you in another way. So if you’ve been wanting to switch from tired, lost and in need of a break, to happy, grateful and stress-free (or somewhere in between), this fool-proof plan might be all the motivation you need.

Parenting

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Let’s talk Mom life to kick us off. You’re busy, and it’s unlikely that you can change that. Not only do you have commitments, but you also kind of enjoy having things to do and being needed. And that’s okay, we all do. But, you just wish things ran a little smoother from time to time. If you struggle to get from school to work or home, to school, to practice or rehearsal and back again in one piece, to get your chores done, or to get through to your fussy eater, or even to get your kids to listen to you at times, you might feel like you need a little magic. When all you need is a plan.

The Solution:

Whether it’s educating and disciplining your children, or getting things done in-between your duties as a Mom, you might need to pick up a few tricks. Whether that’s hacks on keeping your kids calm when they’re unhappy with something, or getting them to help out with chores, these handy hints will give you that AHA moment!

Health

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As a Mom, you’d probably get a ton of A+’s for looking after your kids’ health. When you have more than one, you’ll feel like a seasoned professional at medicating the flu, wiping noses and even scrubbing the floor after an accident. But, when it comes to yourself, you may have no idea when you last went to see a medical professional. Either it’s too hard to focus on yourself when your family needs you, or you feel like you don’t have the time. But, it’s time to drop that attitude and make sure your health is covered in the easiest of ways (and no, we’re not talking insurance here).

The Solution:

Forgetting about yourself is easily done. The best way to stop it from happening in the future is to have a quick and easy way to get appointments made. When you need to find a new doctor or dentist, you can often feel like you put off doing it, thinking that it will take you hours 

to do. Instead, find a directory site like Dentists.Local24Hour.com to find a new one quickly and easily, book your appointment and remember to show up!

Home

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Staying organised around the home is probably one of your biggest concerns. It’s not always easy to prioritise what needs to be done and when. Between making sure your children are cared for and at the right place at the right time, and that you are too, work on your house can often take a backseat. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and then, before your now it, years have gone by without a single home improvement taking place.

The Solution:

Although home improvements, renovations and decorating can seem like huge jobs, they don’t have to be. You just need to adjust your mindset when it comes to getting them done. If you really want to improve your home, you can – regardless of the time, you have to do it in and your budget. Start by sitting down. Take fives minutes to write up the jobs that need doing, then walk away. The next day, spend five minutes prioritising them. Then, the day after that, work out a budget and time frame for the task at the top of your list. Tackling things bit by bit will allow you to become more organized in a short space of time.

Socially

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How often do you feel like your social life is either entirely forgotten about or non existent? You’re not the only one! When you’re schedule is jam packed with playdates, practice, tutoring, work, volunteering and keeping your house in order, how are you supposed to have the time to interact with your friends (and not other Moms)? You might even feel like you can’t think about a social life, when you have other priorities to focus on. Well ladies, that just won’t cut it. You’re a person as well as a Mom and you need to interact! 

Chores

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If you ever hear another mother saying that they love doing chores, they’re probably lying. Or embellishing at least. Nobody loves to do chores. They’re a called a ‘chore’ for a reason. But, you can learn to love them. If you feel like you run on a never-ending cycle of doing the laundry, vacuuming, making beds and cleaning the bathroom, it’s time to draw up and schedule and call in some help.

The Solution:

A schedule. Plain and simple. With a chores chart, everything will get done a lot more efficiently. You’re able to see clearly what jobs need doing around the house and on what days – even if some things are done every day. Then, you can allocate a specific job to each person (if they’re old enough) in the family. Just because you’re a Mom, it doesn’t mean you have to do everything for everyone.

Food

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Whenever the idea of food is brought up, it’s likely that you immediately are full or panic and guilt, or you’re full of exciting foodie ideas and recipes. Or, of course, you could be completely lacking in any sort of reaction. Either way, the idea of food and children can either excite you or fill you with fear. When you have fussy eaters, meal times can feel like a nightmare. If you struggle with healthy recipes, getting food prepared fast enough or knowing what you buy, hopefully, a little organization will help.

The Solution:

Having healthy children doesn’t have to feel impossible, especially not when you have a system that works. Organize yourself when it comes to your children’s food and eating habits by getting them involved, creating (even more) charts and even educating them a little. Firstly, you’re going to need to find some recipes for inspiration – Pinterest is perfect for this. Then write up an ‘essentials’ shopping list that you can work off each week for a variety of different meals. Next, you’re going to want to involve your children in the shopping and preparation periods. This way, they’ll take an interest in food and how it’s prepared, and they’ll likely be more interested in eating it too.

Fitness

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And now we’re on to the seventh and final step. By this point, you’ve probably learned a little, taken in a little, and be wondering what could possibly be left. It might be last, but fitness certainly is a step not to be missed. You might think that your fitness levels can be forgotten about when you have everything else to do – but that’s not a good enough excuse. After all, if you’re fit and healthy and full of energy, you’ll be more productive with the other six steps and be able to show your kids how it’s done.

The Solution:

You don’t have to set exercise or fitness goals to want to work on your health and fitness. All you have to do is do! As long as you start to do something, you’ll be well on your way to a better level of fitness. But, if you find organizing it hard, why not join a weekly class that is local and at a convenient time? You might also want to rope in a friend and go running in the park after the morning school run, or maybe even swimming. The trick to organization here is to plan ahead and find support, not drown in the thought of doing something on your own.

Study after study has shown that children learn from their environment. That’s why as a parent it’s important to lead by example, to ensure that your little ones grow up to be healthy, happy and well-rounded adults. When it comes to raising kids, most of us moms focus on teaching our little ones to be kind, honest, loving, and friendly, by making sure that we are all of those things.

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However, one area that we so often fail to think about is how our health and happiness habits impact our children. A lot of parents presume that as long as we feed our kids healthy foods and encourage them to play outside as much as possible, they will learn the importance of looking after themselves. However, it’s not just a case of helping them to get into healthy habits, because as studies have shown, kids learn from their environment which means that you need to lead by example.

Leading by example means ensuring that you are as healthy and happy as can be so that your children see how you look after yourself and take note. If you want your little ones to grow up to be healthy adults, you need to make sure that they see you taking care of yourself. With that in mind, below are some tips and ideas for becoming a healthier and happier parent, so that you can set a good example for your children.

Tackle your unhealthy habits

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Whatever your unhealthy habits are, you need to put an end to them before they rub off on your children. Because believe it or not, they will do.

Take smoking, for example, children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to smoke. This is because they see their parents doing it, and so think that it’s a good habit to get into. Or, at least, some children do anyway. Not only do children who come from homes where their parents smoke have a higher chance of becoming smokers themselves, but they are also more at risk of becoming unwell, both in childhood and in later life, due to the risks associated with secondhand smoking. Kids whose parents smoke are at higher risk of asthma and chest infections and in later life cancer and COPD. So if you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. If you can’t go cold turkey and quit completely, perhaps you could learn how to vape. Vaping is much better for your body than smoking is, and is also much better for those around you too, so it’s definitely worth considering swapping to it, instead of smoking.

Another example is drinking. There’s nothing wrong with having a glass of wine every so often or treating yourself to cider at a BBQ, but if your kids see your drinking and getting drunk on a regular basis it may have an unhealthy impact on them. Just like with smoking, if your children see you drinking a lot, they may think that it’s a normal habit and in later life may mimic your behavior. If you are going to drink in front of your children, make sure that you only drink small amounts and don’t get drunk in front of them. Yes, it’s fine to have a drink, but it’s not ideal to get drunk in front of your children or let them see you drinking a lot of alcohol on a regular basis. If you want to have a blowout, go out with the girls and have a drink away from your little ones.

Make healthy eating a part of daily life

It’s no secret that a lot of children don’t like eating their greens, in fact, many of them downright refuse. Although green foods, and other healthy foods for that matter, aren’t always that appealing to kids, you need to ensure that your children know the value of leading a healthy lifestyle.

One way to do that is to make sure that the food you serve each day, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is always wonderfully healthy. However, it’s important to remember to lead by example and make sure that healthy eating is also a part of your lifestyle. It’s okay to get a takeaway now and then, of course, it is, but takeaways shouldn’t become a regular part of family life. At least 95 percent of your meals should be healthy and homemade; this ensures that your family is healthy and also that your children understand that healthy eating should be a part of life. To make this easier for yourself, invest in a slow cooker – it will be a lifesaver!

When it comes to snacking, it’s a good idea to opt to eat healthy food over junk. If your children see you munching on biscuits as a snack, that’s what they will do. However, if they see you eating a banana as a mid-morning snack, the chances are they will also opt to eat fruit. The same goes for drinks – if your kids see you drinking sugar-packed fizzy drinks, they will want to drink them too. So aim to drink mainly water, to encourage your little ones to do the same. To make water a bit more interesting, infusing it with fruit or carbonating it with a Sodastream machine can work well.

Be more active

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It’s all well and good encouraging your children to be more active, but you need to lead by example. If you are already active, then you can skip this section, if not it could be worth taking note, especially if you want to ensure that your kids understand just how important regular exercise is for their health.

Aim to exercise every day. In the mornings head out for an early morning jog, or in the evenings head to a yoga class. If your children see that you are active, they are more likely to take the time to be active too. To encourage the whole family to be more active, put up an exercise chart where everyone can fill in their daily exercise choices and times. This should encourage some healthy competition, with everyone trying to be more active than each other.

When it comes to making exercise something that everyone makes time to do, it’s important to make it fun. By teaching your kids that exercise can be fun, you can help to make sure that as they get older, they make the choice to make activity part of their lives. To make exercise fun, spend time as a family exercising. Go for bike rides. Take long walks and go Geocaching. Go swimming. Play sports with your children. Show your little ones that you enjoy being active and they will too.

Limit your screen time

When it comes to technology, we spend a lot of time using it. From watching TV to using our smartphones to browse social media, a lot of people spend at least two hours using technology a day, often more than that, and kids are no exception.

If your children see that you are constantly on your smartphone or spend all of your free time watching TV, they will do the same. So it’s important to limit your screen time as well as your children’s screen time, to show them that there’s more to life than TV, computer games, and apps. To make this easier to do, set time limits on all technological devices, from TVs to tablets, to make sure that no one in the family has too much screen time.

Instead of spending all of your time using technology, take up a hobby that is technology-free. This will show your children that you don’t have to use technology to have a nice time. Things like crocheting, knitting, adult coloring, and doing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles are ideal. There are plenty of hobbies to choose from, from collecting old coins to learning a new language, so get researching and find one that appeals to you. Perhaps you could get your kids involved in your new hobby and do it as a family?

As a parent, it’s natural to be busy, which can sometimes mean taking shortcuts such as getting takeaway for dinner and spending your free time passed out in front of the TV. However, if you want to ensure that you are setting a good example for your children, and are showing them what they need to do to lead happy and healthy lives, you need to make sure that you are leading by example. For instance, you can’t tell your children that junk food is unhealthy and then munch it yourself, you need to set a good example. It may be hard at times, but if you want to make sure that your kids grow up to be adults who lead healthy lives, you need to be a responsible parent. This means no smoking, no drinking in excess – at least not in front of your little ones, and making sure that you lead a healthy life by being active and eating healthy foods.

Every parent should take efforts towards creating a child friendly home. Knowing your children are safe anywhere in your home will allow you to breathe easy. Creating that child-friendly atmosphere is easier said than done. There are hazards you wouldn’t have considered before having children. Childproofing may not be easy, but giving a little thought to the problem will be worth the effort. Here are some things you might want to consider.

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REMOVE HAZARDS

Removing hazards will save any unpleasant injuries. Think outside the box to ensure you remove all possible risks. Make sure you lock any cupboards containing alcohol or chemical cleaners. Remove, too, any sharp corners or tripping hazards. Sharp corners are asking for trouble. And we all know children don’t look where they’re going! It’s worth taking some time to block off any falling hazards too, such as the top of the stairs. Child safety gates are an easy way to block off the areas you want to keep your little one away from!

KNOW HOW TO ACT IN AN EMERGENCY

A lot of things can go wrong in the home, from accidents and emergencies to plumbing problems and electrical faults. You need to know how best to act should anything happen. Work out the fastest route to the hospital in case there are accidents. Work out, too, what to do if there’s a leak or electrical hazard. Write down numbers for emergency service companies such as www.plumberwilloughby.com.au, so any problems are fixed straight away. Do a little research, too, on temporary measures you can make to stop the problem while you wait. The same goes for electrical faults. Left unchecked, these could become a fire hazard. Make sure to keep the area clear. Don’t attempt to solve the problem yourself. Familiarize yourself with how to turn the electricity off at the mains, just in case.

NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS

Cleaning products contain strong chemicals, which won’t do any good to your children’s health. If you are using traditional cleaners, keep them locked up, and make sure to wash away any traces. Using natural alternatives would eliminate the risk altogether. Most natural cleaners are easy to make at home, using ingredients you already own. Sites like www.realsimple.com can give you examples of where to start with making your own.

ALARMS

Alarms are a crucial piece of home safety kit. Find out what alarms you need, and make sure to get them. Alarms you can’t go without are fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Once you’ve purchased these, make sure you check them regularly to ensure they’re working. Should anything happen, those alarms could be the difference between life and death. You owe it to your children to keep on top of your alarm game. It may also be worth investing in home security systems. That way, you can rest easy that you’ll be alerted of any break-ins, which will allow you to get the children to safety. Don’t take risks when it comes to keeping your children safe!

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Finding out you’re pregnant comes with so many different emotions, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fear and excitement will spur you into wanting to get things organized, and it’s important that you start getting everything sorted early on. Here are a few things you’ll want to do in the days following your positive pregnancy test.

Start taking folic acid

Proper nutrition while you’re pregnant, is vital for the baby’s growth and a healthy pregnancy, so it’s good to start taking some prenatal vitamins pretty early on.

Stop smoking and drinking

If you smoked, you’re going to have to stop immediately. Cigarettes expose your baby to harmful chemicals such as tar and nicotine and can have awful impacts on the health of the baby and its development. Avoid being around smokers too, as secondhand smoke will also have an effect. Alcohol drunk throughout pregnancy will also have an adverse impact on the baby’s health, so it’s important you stop as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.

Avoid certain foods

Some foods can cause harm to your unborn baby if you eat them through pregnancy. Avoid meat that isn’t cooked all the way through, unpasteurized cheeses, eggs with runny yolk, sushi, and various other things, as these can cause toxoplasmosis, which can affect the baby’s brain and eye development. Caffeinated drinks are also problematic.

Check any medication

Read the labels of any medication you take to check they’re suitable for use while pregnant. If you’re in any doubt, speak to your doctor.

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Decide on your healthcare provider

It’s a huge decision to choose who will be with you throughout your pregnancy, and not one to be taken lightly. Spend some time researching what is available in your area, and consider your own medical history before you make a decision. For example, in the Colorado Springs area you can contact Springs Midwifery & Women’s Care, LLC for more information, and similar companies are available nationwide.

Don’t tell too many people yet

As you still have a high chance of miscarriage before the end of your first trimester, it’s best to inform only the people close to you. Once you’ve hit that mark, you’re ready for the Facebook announcements and phone calls to extended family.

Document your pregnancy

For posterity, keep a pregnancy diary. It’ll be useful to refer to if you decide to have more children, but it’s also a lovely keepsake.

Find a prenatal workout plan

It’s important you stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy. Swimming and specialized prenatal workouts are great to keep you in shape, while not causing you any more discomfort than pregnancy already does.

Start shopping

You’ll appreciate the comfort of maternity clothes from quite early on, and it’s a great excuse for a shopping trip. Stretchy waistbands and maternity bras can wait a little while, but comfy shoes are an absolute must from the start. Also, start researching the things you’ll need once the baby is born, as you don’t want to leave it too late and be rushing to buy everything at eight months.

It’s a scary time, but remember you’re not alone. Take advice from family, friends, and health practitioners, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Good luck!

Have you or your kids watched Stranger Things on Netflix?

For you, it might harken back to the daily bike rides, Dungeons and Dragons sessions or even just the laid-back lives of the time period.

Things aren’t like that anymore, and that’s for better or for worse. We can’t stop the passage of time and the changes it brings, but what we can do is try and adapt.

It’s not a bad thing, but these days, children and teens have more options for fun than ever before. Why opt for a bike-ride when you can sit down, link up with your pals over the internet and play your favourite game? It doesn’t seem such a hard choice when it’s laid out like that, does it?

But still, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the kids and leave them to their own devices. You should endeavour to get out and about once in a while.

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The obvious method for this is bike-rides. Fitness is important as our livelihoods are growing increasingly sedentary and it’s more important than ever to get moving. Buying a few bikes and riding around the local area and park is fantastic way to bond with your kids and get them out of the house for an hour or two a week. It’s a good habit to build and even affords them their own method of transport so you don’t have to be ‘Mom: The Taxi’. Of course, check a few reviews of bike models before you purchase. You want this to be long-lasting.

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Secondly, you should consider a camping trip. Some parents choose to ban technology on such trips and that is totally up to you. Personally, this might shut off the kids to the idea of getting out as it would seem like some sort of punishment. Maybe they should be encouraged to share their experiences of camping and capture the moments they enjoy. Who knows, in time they might be begging you to go again! Remember, if you’ve got children with bags of tech, it’s worth making sure that the gadgets can be juiced up. Look at solar power for the answer to this and make sure to study some solar generator reviews before investing.

The answer to getting out and about may just be in your daily routine. Ask the kids if they’d like to go shopping with you, if they’d like to go swimming at your gym or even swap out a few home cooked meals for a restaurant once in a blue moon. There are so many ways to get the children involved so they can be interested in hobbies that exist outside of their bedroom door and even then, you might consider watching films or forming a family book club.

The answers are absolutely everywhere and even though getting out and about with the kids seems like a task unto itself these days, just ask yourself what you could be doing with your kids and do it. It’ll be worth it in the long run.

I think as parents the top thing we hope for is that our kid looks back at their childhood with fondness. After all, we want them to have happy memories to tell their future kids and grandkids about! Therefore, here is some advice you need to ensure your child has happy memories when they grow up!

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Go on plenty of days out together

It’s often not the things you buy your kid, but the time that you spend together that they remember. After all, a toy will only last a few years, while a day out will create memories that will last forever. Therefore, make sure you are putting your kid first by spending quality time together as a family at weekends. Days out to theme parks and the zoo will be memories your child looks back at with fondness. You can check out our previous blog for more ideas of ways you can spend the day with your child.

Limit rows with your partner

You will be surprised how much kids can remember about rows between their parents. After all, it’s scary to see two people they love arguing in front of them. And it can often dampen their memories when they look back at their childhood. Therefore, to ensure they have a happy childhood, you need to avoid rows with your partner in front of your kid. Of course, you might have little rows with your spouse; no one gets on 24/7! But try and do it away from your child to ensure they have happy memories.

Ensure they have special birthdays

As much as buying your child a great present will fill them with joy on their birthday, it’s often how they spend the day which will create a lasting memory. Therefore, make sure they have a special birthday party which they will love. You might want to arrange a family party so that they spend their birthday with their loved ones. Or you could even arrange a fun party with their friends. You could do an activity such as bowling or laser tag. And you could even contact the venue to see if they do kids birthday parties. That way, you can all enjoy the cake at the center without having to go back to yours! It will definitely leave happy memories for your child!

Record the happy times

It’s often hard for kids to remember their childhood. But if you want to remind them of the good times, you should ensure you record the happy events in their life. Take plenty of pictures and videos which you can show them when they grow up. That way, you will give their memories a boost. Some moms even start a diary which they use to record special moments as their child is growing up. Then they give this to their little one when they are fully grown up. This article has some good tips on keeping a memory journal for your child!

When was the last time you told your kid you loved them? It’s so important that you tell them and cuddle them as much as possible so that they know how much you care! That way, they will look back fondly at their childhood.