They Say Parenting

17 Time-Saving Parenting Tips

(Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2019) 10 Comments

What is it “they say” about time? Time is money. Time is gold.Yep, it’s gold. It is something I always wish I had, but it’s really hard to find.

Sometimes I feel like nothing gets done. With so many interruptions it’s hard to finish any of the tasks I start.

One day while I was in the middle of doing laundry, my toddler was calling for me, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!”

I thought to myself before responding, If I hurry, I can finish folding this laundry really quick. After all, I am almost done.

The next thing I knew, he was coming up the stairs carrying the little … read more

My Mom Life in Pop Song Lyrics

(Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2019) 32 Comments

Much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, music is a wonderful form of art where lyrics can be interpreted in many ways. Lyrics or poetry can mean something entirely different to two people or even to the same person on different days.

Sometimes music makes me feel better. Sometimes it makes me feel understood.

On a rare occasion, I was driving alone in the car listening to the radio [instead of the typical nursery rhymes or Disney sound tracks]. On that day, I had a peaceful moment of clarity where I was able to focus on the music— … read more

Managing Self-Talk As a Parent: Ask Yourself This Question

(Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2019) 10 Comments

They say, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

I disagree. Sometimes words can hurt even more than physical pain.

Let’s say for a second someone threw a rock at me. This is not outside of the realm of possibility with a toddler around. Yep, that would hurt. Or more realistically, let’s say my toddler smacks me… maybe on accident [or to be honest] maybe on purpose. Yes, that also hurts, but the pain goes away.

Now words, on the other hand, can hurt for quite a long time. There are words that were said to … read more

Why I’m Not Making a True New Year’s Resolution This Year

(Posted on Thursday, January 3, 2019) 12 Comments

They say we should make a new year’s resolution.

You know what I need to work on more than anything else this year?

Giving myself some grace… cutting myself some slack. Because the truth is, I know I’m my own worst critic.

I could focus on all the things I need to change… yelling less, being more present, more patient, more organized, less cluttered.

And let me tell you, these are all great things to work on, but sometimes focusing on these thoughts only makes me feel like I’m failing. I mean I’m human. I am going to make mistakes.

I’m going to yell. … read more

3 Steps to Raise a Resilient Child Who Bounces Back

(Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2018) 12 Comments

I am thrilled to be featured in a podcast from Dinner Table MBA. The podcast focuses on how to raise a resilient child who can bounce back.

Resilience is not something we are simply born with. It is something that is learned. On the podcast, I talk about three ways we can help build resilience in our children. I will summarize these three ideas here.

You … read more

6 Keepsake Ornament Ideas

(Posted on Thursday, December 6, 2018) 6 Comments

Baby’s Hospital Hat and Bracelet Ornament

These are our favorite ornaments. What a great way to save the hospital baby hat and hospital bracelets. Every year I decorate the tree I am reminded of the most special days of my life, the births of my three babies.

To make this ornament, simply place the baby hospital hat and mom and baby’s hospital bracelets into a clear ornament. We chose plastic, so we didn’t have to worry about it breaking.

Here is a clear plastic ornament which is four inches across. In this ornament, the opening is in the top, so … read more

Top Christmas Gifts for Kids 5 and Under

(Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2018) 20 Comments

Here is a list of our favorite Christmas gift ideas babies and toddlers are sure to love. Whether you are putting together your Christmas list or have found yourself looking for a last minute gift idea, hopefully this list will help!

Gifts for Newborns

Teethers

Sophie the Giraffe is a favorite in our house.

Jewelry Teethers are great gifts for both mom and baby. Mom can wear them as jewelry and baby can chew them from her lap.

The Nuby Hanging Pendant Teething Necklace is another teether we know and love. This one is easy for baby to … read more

Times I Am Thankful for My Toddler

(Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2018) 18 Comments

In this season, we are reminded to think of all the things we are thankful for. Even though parenting can be a tough job, I know there are so many reasons to be thankful each and every day. Today, I am going to share with you the times when I am thankful for my toddlers… believe it or not, there are times!

Here goes! I am thankful for my toddler when:

We are literally walking out of the house and he reminds me he doesn’t have shoes on. Yes, this has happened… more than once.

When I’ve had a day when I’ve lost … read more

Top 10 Products for Toddlers on the Go

(Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2018) 26 Comments

Taking a toddler or baby out into the world is not always an easy task. You never know what could happen. Usually getting out of the house is a chore in and of itself. If you have tried putting shoes on a toddler, then you probably get it. And then, there is always a blow-out or an, “I have to go potty” right before heading out the door. This usually occurs once the said shoes are already on the feet.

Then, once we are out, one moment I could have perfect angels, and the next, one of the kids could be … read more

Fed Is Best

(Posted on Thursday, November 8, 2018) 10 Comments

As if we don’t already have enough to worry about while raising our children, we also have to deal with mom-shaming. I know you have heard the term and I am sure there has been a time when all of us have felt it—through words or eyes.

Formula feeding, breastfeeding in public, breastfeeding longer than the average parent, feeding packaged baby food… the list could go on and on. It is so hard to parent in a world which is so focused on what is “right” or what is “better.”

It is easy to judge when another parent is parenting differently than … read more