Tag Archives: parents

May3

Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

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Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

Hello! A couple of weeks ago, my niece made my mom and dad the cutest necklaces with Blues Clues pendants on them. I’m not going to lie, Johnny and I were pretty jealous that we didn’t get one too. So, the next time we watched her we asked if she could make us some necklaces and she said yes! They are absolutely adorable and my mind is blown by how much necklace making technology has improved for children. Check it out:

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I loved making necklaces when I was little… Until it was time to tie the string together, that is. Without fail, my necklace would end up falling apart and always resulted in frustration. I had to share the necklaces my niece made because 1) How could I not? and 2) The rubbery necklace strand is literally fail proof.

When my niece gifted my parents with their new bling, my dad’s came off and it happened in slow motion when it fell to the floor. I was positive that the beads would be flying off and tears would start to fall. But that wasn’t the case! The end of the necklace strand has two thick posts with one being hollow to attach the sides together. This change in width catches the beads every time for hours of jewelry making fun without the possibility of a masterpiece being ruined.

The amount of options for toys, clothes, TV shows, and everything in between has grown exponentially since I was a kid. These necklace strands are definitely one thing that I wish had been invented in my youth! I can’t wait to rock my new Blues Clues necklace and this improvement to jewelry making will be a fun activity for your little ones come summer break. 🙂

What was your favorite activity as a child? How about your favorite childhood TV show? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr27

Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

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Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

One of the biggest challenges any parent has is trying to work at home with kids in tow. You may struggle to keep them occupied over the summer vacation, but when you are working at home with kids around, there is no one size fits all approach. But here are a few ideas that you may want to get inspiration from:

Don’t Work From Your Couch:

The most important takeaway from Work From Home 101 is that if you really have to sit down on the couch while your kids are running around, you are not going to get anything done! You need to have a space that is purely for work and work alone. When you go there, you need to almost instantly click into work mode.

If you have a spare room, that’s great, but if you need to set up a space in the kitchen or carve out a corner in your bedroom, it has to feel like a working environment. If there’s room for an adjustable desk, set it up with work related paraphernalia so, at the very least, you’ve got the opportunity to focus. When you’ve got a working space you need to communicate this to your children, and when you really have to get things done, they need to know not to bother you. This is not always easy, but this is where the next rule might be worthwhile.

Relaxing Screen Time Rules:

You may be very strict when it comes to screen time but if you have a chunk of time where you know you’ve got to be focused, giving your kids the tablet will help you out here. The great thing is that now there are plenty of apps out there that will help you to keep track of what your kids can and cannot watch, as well as the time limits.

Get Up a Little Earlier:

This is something that many parents swear by, but in order to do this effectively, you’ve got to understand what you need to achieve by the end of the working day. Rather than defining your day based on how many hours you work, look at the tasks you need to complete and which can be broken down into tasks where you need supreme focus or lesser focus. For example, emails may require you to focus in bursts of five minutes or so, but more time intensive tasks may require you to get up before the kids and get this done.

Keep Your Stress Levels Down:

It’s so easy to get frustrated when your children are vying for your attention. But as many people have had to figure out how to do this during the pandemic, they couldn’t wait for kids to go back to school. But the reality is that there are so many more people working from home now, so you need to get the balance right when the kids are home during summer vacation or spring break. You need to remember that it will pass. Because there’s no point in getting hugely frustrated by it as it’s only going to intensify the situation and make it worse.

Working from home with kids can be a huge challenge but it is doable. Follow the tips above to help you get started!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr6

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Hello everyone! Today is a happy wonderful day because it’s my dad’s birthday!! Although he hates celebrating his big day – I sure don’t and it will always be blog worthy in my world. ❤ My dad is the best, funniest, kindest man on the planet and he sure is handsome too. He deserves to be celebrated every day and I am so lucky to be his daughter!

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My dad is a gardening expert, a friend to all of the little woodland animals, and is a vacation planning extraordinaire. He is always cracking a joke and I am constantly in stitches in his company. One of my favorites has to be before I got married and informed him that I just had one last appointment to get my tattoos touched up before the big day. Without missing a beat, he replied with “How about getting some of them removed?” Lol, what a card!

I love my dad’s relationship with my mom and he is such a doting father and grandpa too. Whenever my parents are out shopping, he is constantly on the lookout for new toys and books for my niece! It is so sweet to watch them together. I truly couldn’t ask for a better dad and even though he’s probably annoyed at this post, I think he’ll secretly like it anyways. ❤ 😀

I love you, Dad!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

Apr1

Creating A Healthy & Active Lifestyle For Your Family

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Creating A Healthy & Active Lifestyle For Your Family

One of the most important things you can do for your family is foster a healthy and active lifestyle. This means making sure that everyone in the family has opportunities to be physically active and eat nutritious foods. It can be tough to make changes in your routine, but you can create healthy habits for your whole family with a bit of effort! In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for getting started:

Make physical activity a priority:

One of the best ways to get your family healthy is to prioritize physical activity. This means setting aside time each day for everyone to be active. You can go for walks, play tag, ride bikes, get active in your Feelnets, or do any other activity that gets everyone moving. If you make being active a regular part of your routine, it will become easier and more fun for your family over time. In addition to scheduled activities, try to be active as a family whenever possible. Take walks after dinner, play in the park, or go swimming. These spontaneous moments of activity will help get everyone moving and have some fun together!

Choose healthy foods:

Another vital part of fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for your family is choosing healthy foods. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It can be tough to switch to healthier eating habits, but with time and effort, you can do it! One way to make things easier is to plan out your meals ahead of time. This will help you stay on track and ensure you have all of the ingredients you need for nutritious recipes.

Another great way to get your family excited about healthy eating is to involve them in cooking. Let them choose which fruits or vegetables they want to include in a meal or give them their kitchen tasks (such as chopping vegetables). By making healthy eating fun and interactive, you can encourage your family to make healthy choices when it comes to food.

Be a role model:

As parents, it is so important to be a good role model. This means setting a good example for your kids by being active and eating healthy yourself. If you make physical activity and healthy eating a part of your everyday life, your kids will likely follow suit. It’s also essential to be optimistic about being active and healthy. Avoid making comments like “I don’t have time to work out” or “I hate vegetables”. Instead, try to focus on the positives of being active and eating well. For example, say things like “I feel energized after I work out” or “I love how fresh fruits and vegetables make me feel”. By setting a positive example and emphasizing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, you can help your family live a healthier life.

Getting started with the tips above will make it easier than ever to create lasting healthy habits for your family!

Featured Image By: Alexandr Podvalny

Apr1

Types Of Childcare Settings And What They Offer

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Types Of Childcare Settings And What They Offer

In the US and many other countries, there are three main stages of education. However, children in the states can attend daycare settings from the age of just six weeks old. This can be quite common if the parents have to go back to work and there is nobody to look after the child.

It is important that you view childcare settings before sending your child to ensure they are safe and secure. Take notice of small things such as the classroom furniture being used and how the staff interact with the children. If you are unsure of when your child can attend school, then here is a list of ones available that may be suitable for you and your child:

Early Childcare:

Daycare centers can usually accept children from as young as 12 weeks of age until the age of 5. They will provide structured care and follow your set routine until the child is around a year. Once your child is over a year they will move to a different class within the daycare center. This is when they will start to follow the daycare’s routine relating to meal times and sleep times. However, you still get a say in how long your child naps for. These programs help ease the transition into preschool for your little ones. It might seem far off but it is never too early to start thinking about it. To begin researching preschools, simply enter a search for “preschool programs near me in Fallston, MD” (or your local area). Then you can adhere to enrollment guidelines way ahead of time.

If you want your child cared for in their own home, then look at hiring a nanny or an au pair. This can start and finish at any age and doesn’t have a cut off point when they start attending school. You can even hire before and after school nannies if you need to start work early or finish late. You might find that in home childcare is cheaper than what you would pay at a daycare. Enter a search for “how much does an au pair cost” and compare with your local childcare center to determine your best option financially.

K-12:

Once your child reaches legal school age, this will differ from state to state but is usually around the age of five that they will attend formal school. This is a legal requirement, however, you are well within your rights to home school if this fits in with your lifestyle.

Your child will be in elementary school from the ages of 5 to around 10, although some do go from the ages of 6 to 12. Be sure to check what your school is so you know how long your child will attend for. Here they will learn all the basics in the world of math, geography, English, history, art, physical education, and science.

Once your child reaches the age of around 11 they will attend a middle school, such as this college prep middle school, which goes up to the age of 13 and is where your child will learn more in depth about the previously mentioned subjects. This is such an important time for your child educationally, so you will want to make sure that you find them the best school possible in your area where they will be well-supported in both their learning and development This well surely set them on a good path for when your child is 13/14 and will start high school.

Finally, from the ages of 14 to 18 your child will attend high school. This is the most important and your child will be closely monitored with exams and internal markings to ensure they are on the right track for success after their education is complete.

Setting your child up for success in school from the jump starts when they’re young so it’s always important to plan ahead when it comes to their education!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar31

Simple Ways To Support Your School Aged Child

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Simple Ways To Support Your School Aged Child

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to support your child as they make their way through school. The years fly by quickly and, before you know it, they will be graduating and moving on to college or the workforce. You can do many things to support them throughout their school years, including the following:

Make sure they get a good night’s sleep:

This is crucial for their success in school. Most kids need around eight hours of sleep per night but it can vary depending on their age and individual needs. If your child is struggling to get enough sleep, try setting a regular bedtime and enforcing it as much as possible. You may also want to limit screen time before bed, especially if it is causing them to have trouble falling asleep. It’s also essential to make sure your child has a healthy diet and exercises regularly – both of which can help them get the rest they need.

Help them stay organized:

One of the biggest challenges for students is staying organized and on top of their work. This is where parents can help out. Give your child a place to study, do their homework, and provide them with enough storage space for their school supplies. You can also help them develop good habits when researching and completing assignments. For example, you can encourage them to start working on their homework as soon as they get home from school, rather than waiting until the last minute.

Find a tutor if they struggle in a subject:

If your child is struggling in a particular subject, it’s essential to get them help as soon as possible. A tutor can provide them with one-on-one instruction and help them catch up on the material they are struggling with. There are many different types of tutors like a Maths Tutor available so you should be able to find one that fits your budget and meets your child’s needs. Many schools also offer tutoring services for free or at a discounted price, but sometimes professional tutors can show the time and effort other individuals can’t.

Help them stay positive:

It can be challenging for kids to deal with stress and anxiety during their school years. This is where parents can step in and help out. Make sure your child knows that it’s okay to feel stressed sometimes but that they should always try to stay positive and focus on the good things. You can also encourage them to exercise, spend time with friends, and get plenty of rest – all of which can help them healthily deal with stress.

There are many things parents can do to support their children throughout their school years. By following the tips in this blog post, you can help them achieve success in all of their classes and stay positive!

Featured Image By: Karolina Grabowska

Mar22

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hello everyone! Today is a special, wonderful day because it is my mom’s birthday! JANE is my best friend and is the best mom in the whole world. I love her so much. My dog loving mom is a hilarious little ball of energy and is such a gift to both mankind and four legged friends alike. She is also the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on:

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Any time spent with my mom is the best time and, even though I only live two minutes away from my family home, it just doesn’t feel close enough! I always tell my parents that I want to move into their basement with Johnny and nine times out of ten I usually mean it lol. JANE was promoted to grandma three years ago and it is such a joy to see her with her grandbabies, although, let’s be real: I will forever be her baby no matter how old I get. ❤

Her and my dad’s relationship sets an amazing example for all of us kids and I always look forward to hearing about the shenanigans that they get into together. They are truly #relationshipgoals! I could go on for forever about all of the things that I love about my mom and she deserves to be celebrated every day. She is kind, intelligent beyond belief, adorable, and the literal definition of beauty and brains.

I love you so much, mom, and I hope you have the best birthday ever! See you later! ❤

Happy Birthday!!! ❤

Feb3

Establishing An Effective Bedtime Routine For Kids

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Establishing An Effective Bedtime Routine For Kids

Kids can be enormous bundles of energy. But like all people, they still need to recharge their batteries. The appropriate hours of sleep for a child depends on their age, with younger children needing more sleep to help their bodies grow. For example, kids between the age of 3 to 6 years old need between 10 to even 12 hours of sleep. Not all this sleep is done at night, with parents heavily encouraged to put them down for afternoon nap times.

However, for the main event at night, it can be difficult to get your kids to settle down, especially if they are excited. One of the best ways to get your kids to sleep better and quickly is through an efficient bedtime routine. If you are struggling to get your kids enough hours of sleep, try these tips for an effective bedtime routine:

Limit the Sugar:

Unless you want to start rooting around your medicine cabinet for expired melatonin, you do not want to feed your children anything overly sugary after dinner. Not only can they become hyperactive from too many sweets, but the resulting sugar crash can also make their night’s sleep uncomfortable. This means you need to regulate the kind of dinner you give your children.

First, avoid sodas and sugary drinks and instead serve fruit juices or even just plain water if possible. If your kids still want to eat dessert, you may opt to give them only a small amount of something. Or you can choose to give them fresh fruit.

Bath time:

After they’ve eaten, it is now time for them to have a bath. Research has shown that taking a bath about 90 minutes before going to bed can be helpful in cooling down the body and getting you into a more restful state.

Remember to use bathing products that are appropriate for their age. For example, some facial foam brands are formulated to clean skin that experiences heavy exposure. Although this is great for adults who routinely spend time outdoors, it can be strong for children. Make sure to temper their bathwater as well, making it warmer if it’s chilly or a little cooler if the summer air is too hot.

Some Screens:

Your kids may want to use the internet or some form of digital device to watch their favorite cartoons or play some games. After dinner, it may help them wind down to have about a half hour to an hour of screen time. This can mean playing with a smartphone or some time in front of the television screen. Just make sure to supervise the content that they are viewing.

Read to Them:

Reading to children at bedtime has been a custom with children for centuries and it is a great way to bond with them. You can also expect them to develop vivid imaginations and enjoy reading, a useful hobby to instill early on. Let your kids select their own reading material from a selection of books and be sure to ask them frequently if they have any questions.

Kids take time to comprehend what’s happening and you may need to read something slowly or repeatedly. Picture books will be a sure hit with kids since they allow children to visualize what they’re reading with you.

Careful with the Light:

A final consideration that many parents have to face is whether to use a nightlight. These devices are used to comfort children with illumination when they are still afraid of the dark. However, some parents may feel that a nightlight only keeps kids awake due to the illumination. You can avoid this by buying a nightlight with adjustable brightness and placing them close to the floor rather than high up, where the glare can wake your kids. Finally, you may wish to employ some strategies to slowly wean your kids away from using them.

A successful bedtime routine can help your kids settle down at night and get the rest they need. Fine tune these tips to accommodate your their needs and you can look forward to restful evenings and healthy children.

Jan26

Happy Haulidays: Parents Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Parents Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last edition of my holiday haul compliments of my parents! The one thing that I asked for for Christmas was a new set of pots and pans and they definitely delivered. I can’t wait to use the beautiful set that they got me and it will be nice to not have to do dishes immediately after cooking dinner as I originally only had a handful of pots and pans before! Check it out:

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Thanks to my husband’s family graciously giving us a new air fryer for Christmas and the new cookware from mine, we have everything that we need in our kitchen now. I am so happy! I try to cook an “actual” dinner instead of air fried foods several times per week so these pots and pans will certainly come in handy. My old cookware is also, admittedly, not the best so using quality cookware for the first time is something that I’m really looking forward to.

While some might consider cooking to be a chore, it is one of my favorite things to do. Serving food for someone is an act of love, and I always enjoy whipping up mine and Johnny’s favorite meals. Our middle class fancy conversation after dinner usually is something along these lines…

Me: I love cooking you dinner.

Johnny: And I love eating it!

Lol, there is nothing more satisfying than that to me!

After a much needed curbside grocery order, I have a feeling that I will be cooking up a storm. Thanks to my parents, I have all of the tools I need to make my time spent cooking an even more joyful experience. ❤

What are some of your favorite vegetarian recipes? How do you show love to someone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan18

Helping Your Child Choose The Right College 

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Helping Your Child Choose The Right College 

Going to college can be one of the biggest and most exciting things for you and your child, but when it comes to choosing the right one? It can be a challenge, to say the least. College doesn’t suit everyone, and not every college will suit every person, either. Many colleges offer different clubs, opportunities, career pathways, and support. Scholarships, grants, and other funding will also vary from school to school.

So how can you make sure that your child finds the best place for them? One of the easiest ways is to see what others say about it. For instance, it’s a good idea to read Alpine Academy Utah reviews or other colleges to get excited about what they offer. Read on to find out more:

Career goals:

One of the most important things to know about the colleges in question is if it supports your child’s eventual career goals. While many colleges have prestigious reputations, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be the right place. Educational institutions like Rockford Career College often offer a clearer view of career prospects after graduation. You have to work with your teenager to figure out what they want. If they idolize people like Travis Preston CalArts, then it makes sense that they head to places they feel like they’re going to learn. Helping your child to fulfill their goals is exactly what you should be doing and enhancing their career will be an important step in the right direction.

Applications:

After you have created your shortlist, it is time to apply. Make sure that you have all of the paperwork that will be required. The application packs should have all of the information you need about costs. It can also be a good idea to discuss if your child should stay at home while they study or how accommodation might look if the commute is too long.

Be sure to spread the application process over a few days so that you and your child don’t get tired. Each one needs to be as good as possible.

Visiting:

Traveling to visit all of the universities can be an expensive endeavor, but it is essential. This means that you and your child will have a good idea of how it is situated, the student body, and even speak to some teachers. It is vital to find somewhere that your child feels comfortable – it is often obvious where they feel the most at home and which establishment sparks the most joy.

Practical:

It is often our biggest hope that they will get into a prestigious school on a full scholarship and be happy. But this doesn’t always work out. It might be due to grades; it could be because of financial situations or distance. When you first start browsing all of the options, practical things are up for discussion too. It isn’t about quashing dreams but tackling some things on a reasonable level. Ensure that each application they send is somewhere that they will be happy to go and that it makes practical sense in terms of their situation.

When your child is getting ready to leave for college, it is a big thing for everyone. You might have some hesitations about them leaving the nest, but you must move into a supportive role. College is often one of the first times that older children are allowed to spread their wings and see what truly makes them happy.

Arming them with knowledge and support is a must, so here is a great post that can help: 3 Things All College Students Should Know | lifewithlilred.

Featured Image By: Rui Silvestre on Unsplash