The Mabelhood

In Parenting

10 Ways to Show Love to Our Kids on Valentine’s Day (No Toys Needed)

February 6, 2026 No Comments

Valentine’s Day can easily become about baskets, chocolates, and tiny toys, but what our children really want is to feel deeply known, cherished, and loved. Research shows that a meaningful parent–child connection is linked to children’s emotional well-being, resilience, and self-esteem. This Valentine’s Day, let’s go beyond the glitter and focus on moments and words that whisper “You are loved, truly.” 1. Look Them in the Eyes and Say Their Name Slowly When you call your child with full attention, eye contact, soft voice, and no rush, it tells their heart they matter deeply to you. 2. Tell Them What You Love About Who They Are “I love how curious you are,” “I love how you make others laugh.” Specific, genuine praise tells a child you see them, not just what they do. 3. Ask Them What Makes Them Feel Loved And really listen. Some kids feel love through words,…

In Parenting

10 Tiny Things That Make a Big Difference in Baby’s First Year

February 5, 2026 No Comments

Being a new parent can feel like juggling all the balls at once. But sometimes it’s the little things, the tiny tweaks and clever tricks, that make the biggest difference. Here are 10 surprisingly simple ideas that can make your first year with baby a little smoother, a little brighter, and a lot more fun. Warm the Crib SheetsNothing says cozy like a soft, warm bed. Pop a hand warmer or heated blanket on the sheets for a few minutes before bedtime, then remove it before laying baby down. That tiny touch can make crib time instantly inviting. Scented Comfort ObjectA small cloth or lovey with your worn t-shirt tucked nearby can be magic. Your scent is comforting and familiar, helping your baby feel secure even when you’re not in arm’s reach. Mini Hand MassagesAfter bath time, spend a minute gently massaging your baby’s hands and fingers. Not only does…

In School

Best Kids Thermoses for Winter to Keep Lunch Warm & Cozy

January 30, 2026 No Comments

Winter mornings are hectic enough without worrying about whether your kids are going to eat a warm, satisfying lunch at school. Between bundling up, packing backpacks, and getting out the door on time, it’s easy to forget that a chilly lunch can make even the hungriest kid grumpy. That’s where a good kids’ thermos comes in, the right one keeps soups, stews, and hot drinks cozy until lunchtime. With the right tools, you can rest easy knowing your kids are warm, full, and ready to tackle the cold school day. Tips for Using a Kids’ Thermos Pre‑heat your thermos: Pour hot water in for a few minutes before adding hot food, this helps maintain heat. Fill near the top: Less air inside equals better temperature retention. Cut food into smaller pieces: Makes it easier for kids to eat with a spoon and reach the bottom. Remind your kids to shake…

In Daycare

I Didn’t Think Baby Bottles Would Be This Overwhelming

January 27, 2026 No Comments

And yet… here we are. Before your baby arrived, you probably spent hours researching car seats, strollers, sleep sacks, and monitors. You compared features. You read reviews. You made thoughtful decisions. Baby bottles? They barely registered. Sure, you picked a brand (or three). Maybe they came in a registry box. Maybe someone told you, “Just try a few and see what works.” Easy enough. What no one tells you is that bottles don’t just feed your baby, they quietly take over your kitchen, your counters, your sink, and a surprising amount of your mental energy. And when you’re already tired, hormonal, and adjusting to a brand-new human, that part can feel overwhelming fast. The Bottle Challenge No One Warned You About You expected sleepless nights. You expected laundry. You expected your house to feel a little messier than usual. What you didn’t expect was the logistical nightmare of bottles and…

In Parenting

What “Low-Dopamine Parenting” Really Means (And What It Doesn’t)

January 16, 2026 No Comments

You’ve probably seen it trending on TikTok: low-dopamine parenting. The term gets tossed around as the “cool new way” to raise kids, but like most viral parenting ideas, it’s often misunderstood. Here’s the truth: it’s not about being boring, outdated, or cruel. It’s about helping kids (and parents!) navigate the modern world’s sensory overload, screens, and overstimulation in a healthy, balanced, normal way. What Is Dopamine? Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps us feel motivated, rewarded, and focused. Think of it as your brain’s “feel-good messenger.” It spikes when you eat a tasty snack, win a game, or get praise, giving you a little burst of happiness or excitement. Screens provide this same dopamine hit through bright colors, fast movement, notifications, and instant feedback: likes on social media, points in a game, or new content constantly appearing, giving the brain frequent bursts of stimulation. Too much of…

In Parenting

Is Anyone Else Completely Done? Why January Is Hard for Parents

January 5, 2026 No Comments

If December is powered by adrenaline and joy, January is powered by… well, nothing. The holidays end. The lights come down, and the house looks blah. And suddenly, parents everywhere are asking the same quiet question: Why does this feel harder than before? You’re not imagining it. January parenting is uniquely brutal. The joy is gone, the demands are back, the weather is relentless, and the mental load returns with zero warning and no buffer. If you’re exhausted, unmotivated, snappy, or just done, this isn’t a failure. It’s a season. And you’re not alone, we’re all feeling it. The Post-Holiday Parenting Crash December runs on momentum.Deadlines, traditions, parties, concerts, countdowns. Even when it’s chaotic, there’s a sense of purpose, and it’s outside of our routines, and fun! January strips all of that away overnight. There’s nothing much to look forward to. No payoff. No sparkle. Just routines, high expectations, and…

In Parenting

“Sharenting” For You or For Them? Trading Kids’ Privacy for Likes

January 1, 2026 No Comments

There was a time when sharing photos of our kids meant pulling out a phone at a family dinner and saying, “You have to see this.” Now it means tapping post and instantly sharing that same moment with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people. That’s sharenting. If you’ve never heard the term, don’t worry. You’ve probably done it. We all have. That first newborn photo. The missing-tooth grin. The back-to-school pic with the adorable, too-big backpack. Sharing our kids online feels joyful, normal, and honestly… kind of expected. But lately, parents are starting to ask a bigger question: Just because we can share, should we? What Is Sharenting? Sharenting is the act of parents or caregivers sharing photos, videos, stories, or personal details about their children online. Sometimes it’s sweet or it’s funny, and it’s often deeply relatable. While our intentions are almost always good, our kids don’t get a say.…

In Mom Moments

New Year, New Parenting Goals: Resets You Can Actually Keep

December 26, 2025 No Comments

Ah, January. The air smells like fresh Plum Paper day planners, glittering calendars, and hope. As parents, we often use the new year to rethink our own lives: health, finances, careers. But what about our parenting? What if instead of lofty, guilt-laden resolutions, we tried a few realistic, actionable resets that make life with kids smoother, more joyful, and less chaotic? Here are some practical parenting “resets” to kick off the year: 1. Reconnect With Your Child Even for 10 Minutes a Day It’s easy to get buried in schedules, chores, and endless school runs. This year, commit to one meaningful 10-minute connection daily. It could be: Sitting together at breakfast with zero phones. Asking about the “best and hardest part of their day” before bed. A spontaneous dance party in the living room. Consistency matters more than duration. Ten focused minutes can reset your bond in ways hours of…

In Mom Moments

I’m Proud to Be a One-and-Done Mom; Why the Stereotypes Need to Go

December 8, 2025 No Comments

Only-child families aren’t an accident, a compromise, or a failure. They’re a modern, intentional family structure backed by strong research and lived experiences. Studies consistently show that only children often match or outperform peers academically, build deep bonds with parents, and develop rich social lives through chosen friendships. As the world shifts, economically, professionally, and socially, more families are choosing one child because it aligns with their values, bandwidth, and mental health. This is the story of why my one-and-done family works beautifully, and why only-child stereotypes need to go. The Landscape: Single-Child Families Are Now Mainstream In Canada, roughly 45% of families with children have just one. In the U.S., the percentage of mothers with only one child reached 22%, nearly doubling in recent decades. A global meta-analysis places the prevalence at 41%. In other words, the “only child” label isn’t an outlier anymore, it’s a cultural shift. Why…

In Parenting

Kid-Friendly Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

December 5, 2025 No Comments

Thanks to TV commercials, video ad breaks, and glossy catalogues entitled “Holiday Toy Guide” and “Wish Book”, our kids are presented with endless ideas about what they might want for Christmas. However, it’s important for them to remember that this is a season of giving, not just receiving. Fortunately, this is an ideal time of year to teach kids how to be grateful and generous to others. Here are some age-appropriate actions for kids to spread joy and goodwill this holiday season. Support local charities Here are some ideas to make a positive contribution in your region: Shop for a toy drive. In the weeks prior to Christmas, charities collect new, unwrapped toys for kids in need, typically at a convenient location like the mall, fire hall or police station. Involve your child in selecting and delivering a toy for someone else to open on Christmas morning. Re-home existing items.…