Mom Moments

The Pros and Cons of Elf on the Shelf; How I’m Choosing Self-Care Before Elf-Care

School

Keep Your Child Motivated for School All Year Long!

Pregnancy

Choosing the Right Postpartum Underwear: The Pros and Cons of Disposable vs. Period-Proof

Fundraising

Tips For a Successful PTA Experience: How to Make a Real Impact as a Parent Volunteer

In Mom Moments

The Pros and Cons of Elf on the Shelf; How I’m Choosing Self-Care Before Elf-Care

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I LOVE the Christmas season; It gives me strong Christmassy vibes at the first sign of a snowflake. The magic, the smells, the family time, and the joy it brings the kids. Having said that, I also find it to be a stressful time. Like many moms, I feel the burden from the most wonderful time of the year. This is the first year that I have considered Elf on the Shelf. My daughter is now at an age where she’ll hear stories from classmates about the shenanigans their Elves are getting into. As an Elf newbie, I am considering whether I want to bring this relatively new tradition to my family. I just don’t know if I’m one of those families—an Elf family.  This time of year, my sanity hangs like a heavy Christmas ornament on a floppy tree branch. The season is labor-intensive and stressful, and busy. You’re…

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In School

Keep Your Child Motivated for School All Year Long!

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As the back-to-school excitement fades and routines settle into place, it’s easy for your child’s initial burst of motivation to fade. But keeping that enthusiasm alive throughout the school year is crucial for their success, and well-being! By staying engaged and offering the right support, you can help your child stay focused and motivated at school, even after the novelty wears off. From setting clear goals to creating a positive study environment, there are simple strategies you can use to keep their interest in learning alive and thriving. Here are some tips to ensure their motivation remains strong long after the first day of school. Communicate with your child’s teacher If your school hosts an open house, movie night or other special event, make an effort to attend as a family. Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher and find out their communication preference, so you can stay in contact during…

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In Pregnancy

Choosing the Right Postpartum Underwear: The Pros and Cons of Disposable vs. Period-Proof

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Congrats, new mom! So, you’re thinking about postpartum recovery? Postpartum recovery comes with its own set of challenges, and one of the most common concerns is managing postpartum bleeding (yep, we’re gonna go there!) With so many different types of underwear on the market, choosing the right postpartum underwear can feel overwhelming. We’re breaking down the pros and cons of two popular options: disposable postpartum underwear and period-proof, non-disposable underwear. Hopefully, this will help you decide which option suits your postpartum recovery journey. If you’re a first-time mom, it’s hard to know what will suit you best – but hopefully, reading the pros and cons, something will resonate with you and give you a starting point of what you’d like to try! Disposable Postpartum Underwear: Pros and Cons Pros of Disposable Postpartum Underwear: Convenience and Ease of Use: One of the biggest advantages of disposable postpartum underwear is its convenience.…

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In Fundraising

Tips For a Successful PTA Experience: How to Make a Real Impact as a Parent Volunteer

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Joining the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) can be a rewarding experience, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially if you’re a newbie. Whether you’re diving in headfirst or approaching with caution (and maybe a little reluctance, that’s me!), bringing your A-game can make a significant difference. Here’s some tips for a successful PTA experience and ways to make real impact as a parent volunteer. Know Your Mission (and the Bylaws) Before jumping into PTA meetings with enthusiasm, it’s essential to understand the lay of the land. Start by reviewing the PTA’s bylaws to know how things work, including voting, membership, and decision-making rules. Familiarize yourself with the association’s goals—what are the key objectives for the school year? Knowing these helps you align your efforts with the group’s larger mission. Also, look at ongoing projects so you can see where your contributions will have the most impact. Being informed makes you an effective…

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In Parenting

DIY Kids and Toddler Halloween Costume Ideas

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With fall finally here, it’s time to start thinking about the Halloween festivities that will soon be approaching. When it comes to Halloween, there are usually several different events involved that will require a costume and who has time to go out and find all different options? October is busy for so many parents with fall/winter activities starting up, back to school finally settling down and just the regular hustle and bustle of family life. Let’s make Halloween easier by creating some fun and memorable costumes for our kids with things you should already have laying around your home! Here are some toddler Halloween costume ideas that we are loving: Rainy Day What you’ll need: rain gear (hat/jacket/boots/umbrella), cotton batting, construction paper, string How to make it: once your child is all dressed up and ready for rain, use a hot glue gun to glue the cotton batting on top…

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In Parenting

Kids Getting Braces: Essential Tips for Parents

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As parents, many of us have hang-ups about braces, with the terms “metal-mouth,” “railroad tracks” and “headgear” echoing in our teen memories. However, if your child needs braces, you’ll be glad to hear that they’re extremely common now. So, if your kids are getting braces; here are some essential tips for parents to help you and your child navigate this new orthodontic experience. Easing your child’s worries about getting braces As with anything new, your child may feel stressed about getting braces. They may be concerned that they will look different and not fit in with their peers. The good news is: if you look around any middle school, junior high, or high school, you’ll see kids with braces everywhere. Your child is not alone – in fact, they’re joining a large group of classmates who already have braces. Encourage your child to talk to siblings, peers or cousins…

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In Parenting

Best Sleep Schedule and Routine for Kids Who Struggle to Fall Asleep

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If you’re a parent dealing with a child who struggles to fall asleep, I get it—bedtime can feel like a never-ending battle. You might spend hours tiptoeing around, hoping that this will be the night they finally drift off peacefully. I’ve been there, too, and it’s tough. But with the right sleep routine sleep routine for kids, and some patience, you can help your little one sleep better—and in turn, give yourself some much-needed rest, too. Why a Consistent Sleep Schedule is Key Consistency in a child’s bedtime routine works wonders. Just like how we adults rely on our routines to function, kids do, too. Setting a consistent sleep schedule helps regulate their body clock, making bedtime smoother. Once they know it’s time to settle down, it becomes easier for them to relax into sleep mode. So, what does a consistent sleep schedule look like? Here are a few things…

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In Parenting

How Disorganized Parents Can Teach Organizational Skills: Even When Your Own Life Feels Like a Circus

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So, you’re the parent who always seems to be running late, has a never-ending pile of laundry, and might have once lost their phone in the refrigerator (true story!). And now, you’re tasked with teaching your child the art of organization. Panic not! You don’t need to turn into a model of perfection to guide your little ones toward becoming organized superstars, disorganized parents can teach organizational skills too! With a bit of creativity, a dash of humor, and a few practical tips, and some faking it, you can help them master organizational skills for school and life—even if you’re still working on finding your keys every morning. Here are some ways disorganized parents can teach their kids organizational skills. Turn Chaos into a Learning Opportunity: First off, let’s embrace the mess. If your house looks like a whirlwind hit it, don’t hide it—use it as a teachable moment. Be…

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In Parenting

How Often Should You Replace Bottle and Sippy Cup Nipples or Spouts?

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Baby bottles are a huge part of parenting, and sippy cups are super important when your little one is moving from bottles to regular cups. But you’ve got to take care of them to make sure they stay safe and work well! One big thing to keep in mind is when to switch out the bottle or sippy nipples or spouts. Here are tips on how often to replace baby bottle or sippy cups nipples and spouts, and how to know when it’s time to make the switch. How Often Should You Replace Baby Bottle or Sippy Cup Nipples or Spouts? The lifespan of sippy cup nipples or spouts can vary a lot based on the material, how often you use them, and how well you take care of them. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to swap these parts out every 1-3 months. Checking them regularly and…

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In Parenting

How to Wash Your Kids Football Gear

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Football is a game of athleticism, aggression, speed, toughness…. and of sweat-soaked equipment that absolutely reeks. As a football parent, you need to be ready to battle the odor, moisture and bacteria after every practice and game. Here are some all-pro tips to help wash your kids’ football gear. How to Wash Your Kids’ Football Helmet For the helmet’s outer surface, avoid using abrasive cleaners or coarse pads that may scratch the finish. Use a soft cloth to wipe off dirt and debris. For football helmets with removable inner pads, detach the padding and set aside. Use a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild detergent to clean the helmet shell and chin strap. To clean the pads, mix warm water with mild detergent and wipe the pads gently using a soft cloth. Let them dry and use a disinfectant spray to neutralize any remaining bacteria. Once all the parts…

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