If you’re already decking the halls and singing Christmas songs at the top of your lungs, chances are you’re getting prepared for the holiday season. This time of year is supposed to be full of joy, laughter and rest. For moms, however, it can be a time of stress, exhaustion and overwhelm. Here are five simple ways to overcome feeling overwhelmed this holiday season.
Each year we want to show our deepest gratitude to the teachers who do such an outstanding job. However, it can really add up financially when we start counting each child’s teachers, plus bus drivers, crossing guards and before & after care providers. We want to show our appreciation, but we also need to be aware of our budget. Here are some ways that we can still offer these amazing people cute custom gifts, while still keeping our budgets in check. Everybody loves a custom gift; it truly shows the thought and care that went into it. Gift cards are great but can be picked up in bulk last-minute without much thought, so to show you’ve put thought into your gifting, keep it as custom as possible and you’ll make an impact! Here are three ideas of how to take a simple custom gift, and make it extra-cute, all while…
Moms are busy. We lead hectic lives juggling the needs of other people. This holiday season, if you want to really make the mama in your family feel special, consider the following gifts: TIME Time is precious, and moms don’t have enough of it. So how can you give her time? There are several ways: A meal service. Take a task away from her or make it easier. I recently had a HelloFresh box arrive at my house and I couldn’t have been happier. All the ingredients and easy to follow recipes made for a meal that my entire family loved. If you have not considered this service, now’s the time. This busy mama’s quality of life increased significantly once I discovered HelloFresh A cleaning service. Although keeping the house clean should be a family affair, the stress of it often lands on mom. Buying a family gift of having a…
Since everything is more expensive these days, I’m aiming to go smaller (not bigger) this December. Rather than overspend and overdo it, I’m planning to scale things back and focus on the simple pleasures of the season. If you’re also cringing at the high totals on your gas and grocery receipts, here are some fun, low-cost activities to bring your family comfort and joy this holiday season. See the light. This year, my budget won’t have room for tickets to an indoor light festival or drive-through attraction of elaborate LED shapes. Instead, I’ll be taking evening walks to admire the front yard displays in my neighbourhood. Or, when I’m driving at night, I’ll turn on some Christmas music and take an alternate route to admire the twinkling lights and illuminated inflatables. Let it snow. Fresh air is good for the body and mind, so head out into the winter wonderland…
Energetic. Extroverted. Enthusiastic. If you have a bundle of energy running around your house, they might just be a little Sagittarius. Now, full disclosure here, I am a Sagittarius. Growing up I always found astrology to be fun and interesting to read about, so I know a fair amount about this specific sign. Of course, I didn’t take it very seriously, but that being said… I’m pretty darn close to being your typical Sagittarius. Sagittarians are known as the travelers of the zodiac, and I laughed a little bit when I read that because our family went on FOUR vacations this past year. We were making up for lost time due to the pandemic and don’t typically take that many vacations in a year but trust me – I’d LOVE to! So, what else can you expect if you’re raising a little Archer or expecting one to arrive very soon?…
One of my earliest memories is of being in a Thanksgiving play at school. It was first grade, and everyone in my class was assigned parts. Some of us were ‘Indians’, some of us were pilgrims, and some of us (including yours truly), were turkeys. I still remember the brown construction paper hat with the red, orange, and yellow ‘feathers’ that kept falling in my eyes as I gobbled my way across the gym stage. Back then, no one my age questioned the Thanksgiving narrative, which was more giant potluck and trading of essential goods, rather than genocide, colonization, and smallpox. Given that Indigenous peoples are still suffering from the violence white colonizers inflicted on their people, their land, and their way of life, it can be difficult to feel celebratory around Thanksgiving. In fact, Native Americans and their supporters have been gathering in Plymouth on Thanksgiving Day since 1970…
Winter is a great time to curl up with a good book, isn’t it? I can already picture myself snuggled up in my reading nook with a warm blanket, cozy slippers, and a mug of something hot while the snow falls outside. Talk about a great way to spend a cold, winter afternoon! And I know I’m not the only one looking forward to those snowy days where all you need to worry about is where you left your bookmark. Sure, I could switch to an e-reader and not worry about bookmarks, but I just love the feel and smell of actual books so much. So, I’ve put together a “Winter Reading List” to give you some ideas for both kids…and Moms! We’ve also added in some of our mom friends who are some amazing authors- so make sure to give these moms a read too. Kid List InvestiGators –…
It seems there’s never any shortage of ‘must-have’ holiday items—things marketers bend over backwards trying to convince us are essential. Cedar-scented candles, Santa-themed dishtowels, and endless strings of twinkle lights are lovely to have, I’ll admit, but it’s not illegal to celebrate the holidays without them. What is a must-have in my house, is an advent calendar. Although my kids would disagree, it’s not about the toy or the chocolate; it’s about the daily reminder that the second-most magical season of the year is upon us. (The first being back to school, obviously.) Opening that tiny, perforated square is a chance to pause and appreciate what a special time Christmas and Hanukkah are, and to build excitement not just for stockings and toys, but for time together and (if we’re really lucky), the true meaning of the season. So here are 22 of our favorite advent calendars for kids; from…
The days can feel long when the whole family gets taken out by a cold, flu (or dreaded stomach bug). Parenting when you’re under the weather is the pits, so being prepared ahead of time can help keep everyone comfortable and cozy, all while keeping your sanity intact. Keeping a sick-day survival kit can help when you need it the most. Everything from medicine to activities, you’ll thank yourself. Also, being prepared is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick – it’s murphy’s law. You need a sick day survival kit; be prepared for cold and flu season! It takes a few kids and late-night horror stories for most parents to learn that this kit is essential. So, do yourself a favor and prep your equipment today- before it’s too late and you’re scrambling to find Tylenol at 2 am. Here is a list of things you’ll want…
When sending your baby to daycare for the first time, it can be daunting to know what to pack. Daycare providers often provide a list of what to pack, but they’re usually short on details. So, here is our list of what to pack for daycare – a little more informative. There are many things to think about, especially if you have a child with medical needs, sensitivities, or who’s just quite emotional; all these aspects affect your packing list. So, while this list is the essentials, you know what’s best for your child as a parent. First things first, purchase your adorable daycare labels! A change of clothes Your daycare may suggest you pack a change of clothes. We suggest packing two. Remember the changing weather, so while you may provide a spare onesie- great for a hot day, you’ll also need long sleeves. So, we suggest packing two…