The holiday season is here, and with it comes the fun (and sometimes chaos) of Elf on the Shelf! While elves are often known for their mischievous pranks, they don’t always have to get into trouble. If this time of year already bring enough chaos and mess into your life – then why make it more complicated? Instead, your elf can be a helpful holiday assistant, spreading cheer and joy without adding to the mess. Elves Don’t Need to Be Messy and Mischievous! While the mischievous side of Elf on the Shelf is a lot of fun, it’s important to remember that the holidays are about kindness, togetherness, and celebrating family traditions. Elves don’t need to cause chaos to be magical. By having your elf focus on being helpful and spreading holiday cheer, you keep the spirit of Christmas alive while teaching kids about giving, generosity, and family. With these…

One of the biggest milestones us parents prepare for is the first day our little’s start their daycare journey. It’s one that takes a lot of preparation, planning and decision making when it comes to what things you want them to have with them for their first big day. You make sure they have their extra clothes bagged, their belongings labeled and their favorite blanket or object to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. When it comes to diapering, there is more than just the one option to consider. There are lots of pros and cons to weigh when we think about packing disposable vs reusable diapers and we’ve compiled those here for you to help you make the decision that’s right for you and your family between disposable or reusable diapers for daycare. Disposable or Reusable Diapers for Daycare: Pro’s of packing reusable diapers: Environmentally friendly! Using…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…