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DIY Kids and Toddler Halloween Costume Ideas

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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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

How to Raise a Gemini; Traits of Your May/ June Baby

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Ahhhh, Geminis. As someone who lives in a house with not just one but TWO Geminis, you’d think I’d be an expert on what to expect, right? Well, full disclosure…I’m not. Not even a little bit. My husband is a Gemini, and our youngest son is a Gemini as well, and I can at least tell you one thing from personal experience – it’s never boring. Here are some tips on how to raise a Gemini.  While I was researching the stereotypical traits of Geminis, I found myself nodding along and smiling because some of them were completely spot-on for either my husband, my son or BOTH! Maybe that’s why they butt heads so much. They’re too much alike! Or perhaps it’s the mood swings Geminis are known for. Of course, they’re known for being affectionate too, so hopefully, things balance out.   Now until June 20, we’re celebrating Gemini. So, what can you…

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In Mom Moments

Grandparents and Their Positive Effect on Child Development

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As parents, we know how our relationship with our children significantly affects how they will turn out as adults. Parents, however, are not the only close relationships that inspire the children. For example, studies have shown how significant grandparents are in children’s lives and how living close to them can affect their well-being. In my experience, the impact of the grandparents has has a positive effect on their development. I am an immigrant from Pakistan. Living in a joint family system is a norm there. I was raised living in the same household as my grandparents. I had my daughters in the same household as their grandparents until they turned 5 and 3 years old. My daughters enjoyed being pampered by their maternal and paternal grandparents while we lived in Pakistan and still share a unique bond with them, even while being thousands of miles away from them. Bilingualism My…

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In Mom Moments

Why Small Moments Matter

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I am not usually the weepy type, but the other day, all it took was a small moment at a school bus. It was around 8:45 a.m. and I was driving to the grocery store, taking the “back way” to avoid traffic. As luck would have it, I ended up behind a school bus. I groaned inwardly as I realized I was now the second vehicle in a slow-moving convoy that would be making frequent stops. As I pulled up behind the motionless bus, I looked over and saw a dad dressed in work boots waving dutifully. As the wheels began slowly rolling forward, the dad blew a kiss toward one of the bus’s windows. Once it had moved on, he shyly turned and walked back to the house. Around the corner, we paused at another house, where a mom in slip-on sandals ushered her energetic child toward the bus.…

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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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In Parenting

How to Raise a Taurus

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Ever since I was young, I was always interested in astrological signs. I was never one of those people that read my horoscope every day and believed every word or anything, but I thought it was fascinating. I enjoyed reading about my sign and all the personality traits that went with it to see if I could relate. Turns out, everything they said about my astrological sign was pretty spot on. So, I decided to start learning about ALL the astrological signs to see if they matched with people I knew under each sign. For the most part, they did! I was intrigued. As an adult, I still find astrological signs interesting, but I don’t believe every single person is exactly how they’re described by their sign. I do feel like it gives us a glimpse into their personality though. I’ve read the characteristics associated with each of my own…

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In Summer Camp

Helpful Tips for Day Camp Rookies

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Sure, sleep-away camp is great with its bunk beds and bonfires, but why should it get all the hype? Day camps can also provide exciting and memorable experiences for your kids this summer. Here are some tips for day camp rookies, and advice from the YMCA camp staff. The benefits Day camps offer a practical solution for working parents, as well as kids who may be prone to boredom at home. Here are a few compelling reasons to register: Close to home. While some kids crave the adventure and independence of overnight camp, others may prefer a familiar environment where they sleep in their own bed. More affordable. A Monday-to-Friday day camp typically costs less than a sleep-away camp that involves extra travel and amenities. High structure. If your child thrives in predictable routines at school, they will likely transition well to the similar format of day camp, with an…

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In Parenting

Birth Order Theory; The Leader, the Negotiator, and the Baby

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We have no control over our birth order, whether we’re first, middle or youngest child – there is nothing we can do to change that. The Birth Order Theory shows how birth order plays a role in our personality traits. This is disconcerting when studies show where we sit in the birth order plays a profound and lasting effect on child development. However, Birth order is not a personality trait that appears at birth. Instead, it’s a theory that develops based on family structure and dynamics and how they shape personality traits during a child’s developmental years. These can also change and evolve; gender, adoption, blended families, and child death all play a role in the structure of birth order.   We all know a typical firstborn and a rebellious middle kid and a spoiled last child. We’ve probably also seen the comical depictions of birth order on TikTok. How much does our birth order impact our…

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