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tips to get kids to open up about their day
In Parenting

Tips to Help Your Kids Open Up about Their School Day

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One of the most exciting things about our kids starting a new school year is hearing all about it. But, in fact, that rarely happens. Kids are notorious for giving one-word answers or clamming up when we ask about their days. It can be heartbreaking to parents who want open lines of communication and are eager to hear the details of their kids’ day. Kids’ minds work differently than adults; developmentally, they’re just not ready to recall all the details of their day after school. Unfortunately, this is often the time that we see meltdowns happening or our chatty kiddos shutting down. But don’t worry, this is normal. While we may think we need to embrace what happens at school, stays at school but not all hope is lost. Here are a few tips to help your kids open up about their school day. 1) Don’t bombard them with questions.  …

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daycare drop-off
In Mom Moments

Daycare Drop-Off: Short & Sweet

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Daycare drop-off can be a teary-eyed ordeal for parents and kids. The tears, tantrums, clingy to mom or dad, and screaming can be painful for parents to watch. The guilt is heart-wrenching, but there are ways that you can make it easier for everyone. We asked several daycare providers their top tips for a smoother drop-off. The consensus, keep it short and sweet. Here are five tips to keep the dreaded drop-off as smooth as possible  Prepare the night before.  Don’t rush! Do as much as you can the night before; rushing kids overstimulates them and increases their stress hormones, which leads to tantrums. Be prepared the night before, so you’re not rushing your kids and creating a stressful morning for everyone. Stick to a routine.  Babies and toddlers do better when they know what to expect. Keeping a routine means knowing what steps are coming and feeling less anxious about what’s coming.…

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lunch box review
In School

Bento Lunch Box Review

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With so many different brands and styles of lunchboxes available, selecting the right one for your child can be easily overwhelming. Will it break? Can my child open it? Are the more expensive brands worth it? Here is a review of six of the most popular bento style lunchbox brands on the market to help with your decision making process. Bentgo Cost: approx. $30 How is it to open: The two clasp style can take a little practise, but overall this is one of the easier lunchboxes for younger children to open. The lid is tough to lift up with the first use, but overtime it loosens up, making it easier for little grasps.  Benefits: Fits standard lunch bag. Removable, dishwasher safe tray. Easy to clean. Microwave and freezer safe. Leak proof seal around each compartment. Very durable.  Dislikes: A bit on the heavier side Smaller compartments, not ideal…

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In School

How to Prepare for Kindergarten, Tips from a Teacher and Mom

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With our kids starting school in just over a month, many first-time Kindie moms are beginning to feel like they can’t be prepared enough for what is about to happen. From the emotional rollercoaster, the school lunches, routine changes, worries about our kids’ making friends, eating their lunch, and all the other elements of independence they’re about to embark on. It’s hard to know where to begin with getting our kids prepared. Here is how to prepare for Kindergarten; tips from a teacher and mom. The only thing most of us know for sure is we’re about to be a sobbing mess on that first day of school. Have I prepared my little one for this?   We asked Kindie parent and teacher, Ms. McNulty, what tips she would give to other parents. What does she expect kindies to know on the first day of class, and how she’s preparing her…

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back-to-school shopping
In School

Tips to Save Money on Back-To-School Supplies

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Times are tough; with interest rates and inflation rising rapidly, we’re all starting to look at our spending. Back-to-School is one of those times of year that can add up quickly. Before you know it, you’re over budget. But, there are ways to shop smart. Here are some tips to save money on back-to-school supplies for 2022. It’s time to get creative and shop smart! 1) Buy only what you need. Before buying everything you need, check with the teacher and request a supply list. Perhaps you don’t need to buy as much as you think. So save your money and only purchase what the teacher requests. If you’re eager to start, check out these Free Printable School Supply Lists by Grade. 2) Bundle and buy in bulk. Sometimes purchasing items together is cheaper than individually. If you find your kids don’t need everything in the bundle, you can pair up…

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Mothers with ADHD
In Mom Moments

Mother’s with ADHD; Strategies, Struggles and Support

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For a long time, we’ve been talking about the “hot mess mom” we’ve created memes about her disorganization and laughed collectively about the struggles. Unfortunately, for many Mothers, the hot mess mom is far more than a joke; the prevalence of women being diagnosed with ADHD is growing, and we’re learning that some of the “hot mess moms” are struggling to fit into an ablest, neurotypical parenting world. The largest group of people currently diagnosed with ADHD/Autism is women, primarily Mothers.     Parenting isn’t easy at the best of times. ADHD is added to the regular Motherhood struggles, becoming completely overwhelming. It can bring up feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and anger. Anything from forgetfulness, difficulty planning and following through, focusing, and decision-making becomes a massive burden as you try to cope with your struggles and manage your enormous role as a parent.  Parenting with ADHD can leave you feeling like a…

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In Parenting

Swim and Water Safety Tips for Kids This Summer

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With the summer months now upon us, we’ll be getting outside more, swimming, and enjoying the hot weather. However, we must never forget that anytime we’re near water, it’s important to remember the dangers that can come with it. Swim and water safety tips for kids are crucial to remember in the summer months, and so important to brush up on your swim and water safety skills. As you spend time in the water, it is essential to remember the importance of swim safety. Being knowledgeable about swimming and water safety can spell the difference between a fun time in the water or an increased risk of drowning, whether in a pool, river, or lake. We spoke with Bear Paddle infant swim lessons, where they teach basic water safety. They reminded us that learning how to swim is a gradual process that can be improved over time. Children can start with…

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teen life skills
In Parenting

Basic Life Skills to Teach Your Tween & Teen to Set Them up for Success

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Studies show that many students these days have little skills when entering the real world. We live in a world with helicopter parents and apps that do everything for us, but we need to be teaching our kids actual skills. Some students have little to no understanding of how to cook a meal, manage their money, do laundry or even how to make a phone call for themselves! They’re increasing having difficulty transitions from home to college, and that responsibility begins at home. The younger you can teach your kids these basic life skills the more confident they become overall. It’s so important that parents don’t do everything for our kids, we need to let them fail a little, we need to give them the knowledge needed to be independent. Here are some basic life skills to teach your tween or teen to set them up for success. Transportation: How…

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In Parenting

Worrisome Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Totally Normal

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Toddlers are weird. Yea, I said it. You’ll have a hard time finding a mom who hasn’t questioned their behavior at some point and in some capacity. Parents are usually prepared for tantrums, crying, hitting, and even biting. But sometimes, our toddlers throw us for a loop when they do something outrageous that we’re not prepared for. So, when you find your toddler acting in a way that seems highly unsocial, bizarre, or harmful, we can worry about why it’s happening and whether we need to seek advice or be concerned. Often, the behaviors aren’t as destructive as we think. Here are a few common worrisome toddler behaviors that are actually totally normal. Some weird toddler behaviors that make us nervous wrecks but relax, mama; these odd things are normal: Hair twirling or pulling: This behavior can be alarming or frustrating if they’re tangling their hair. But, it’s simply…

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In Parenting

The Complexities of Mother’s Day; Tips on How to Celebrate as a Single Mom

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With Mother’s Day around the corner, we need to remind ourselves that while it’s a beautiful day to celebrate, everyone experiences it differently. It used to be a day when mothers were doted on by families with flowers and homemade cards. But, lately, we have begun to wake up to the complexities of Mother’s Day. Those complexities include so many different reasons people find this day hard. Perhaps you’ve lost your mother or are struggling with infertility. So many people had mothers who weren’t there for them, some are watching their moms fade away to disease, or perhaps they live far away from their mom. There are so many ways the day can be triggering and complicated and stir up trauma. We recognize all these complexities and struggles with the day. If this feels like you, then feel free to take a pass on this post. Celebrate, or don’t, in any way…

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