Parenting

A Montessori Summer Break Schedule: Unleash Your Child’s Creativity at Home

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The Social, Educational and Organizational Skills Your Child Needs by 8th Grade

Parenting

Best Educational Apps for Kids Who Learn Through Technology

School

Your Complete Forest School Packing List: What to Buy and Pack

In Seasonal

Unique & Practical Teacher Gifts

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T’is the season to start thinking about gifting. that doesn’t come as a surprise, but as a parent, the thing that always does catch me off-guard is the amount of gifts I need! Between my two kids, we have 6 teachers, 4 coaches, plus the 3 lovely ladies in our aftercare program. That’s an additional 13 gifts I need to consider!  They would all be grateful for a card, but I’m a gift-giver! I just love to show how much people mean to me, and gifting is my love language! I’ve found the solution to the perfect unique and practical teacher gifts – without overspending and still keeping it special and personalized! I’ve been using Mabel’s Labels since my kids were babies, and I’m a huge fan! Their labels are stuck on my kids’ stuff through everything! Plus, we never lose anything! That’s NOT because my kids are organized, but…

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In Pregnancy

Top Baby Names at Mabel’s Labels

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In 2023, we had the pleasure of printing out adorable names for labeling your kid’s things! Whether it was for back-to-school supplies, baby bottles, or sports equipment, we saw a lot of name trends that caught our attention. Some cute names stood out more than others, and we couldn’t help but notice their popularity. Top baby names at Mabel’s Labels & baby name predictions for 2024. We’re grateful that we get to see so many gorgeous kids’ names each year, and we hope to continue seeing them year after year! Most popular boys’ names at Mabel’s Labels and what they mean (according to Nameberry): JACK: English origin meaning “God is Gracious”. #14 most popular in the USA, and first at Mabel’s HENRY: German origin, meaning “Estate ruler”.  #7th most popular in the USA, and second at Mabel’s Labels CHARLIE: English origin, meaning “Free man”.  #178…

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In Mom Moments

The Pros and Cons of Elf on the Shelf; How I’m Choosing Self-Care Before Elf-Care

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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…

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Receiving Blankets for Babies: Are They Worth the Hype?

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Any new mom knows that you get a lot of receiving blankets for baby, perhaps a pack of two, tucked into almost every baby shower gift you receive.  I recall, as a new mom, wondering what a receiving blanket is really used for and why they are the go-to gift. To my surprise, the blankets I received became one of the most hard-working baby items we had! We used many daily and for a wide variety of jobs! What are receiving blankets used for? A receiving blanket is typically made from a lightweight, breathable material, usually printed in cute patterns and a variety of pastel colors. Receiving blankets have a wide variety of uses: -Wrapping baby (more on that later!) -A nursing blanket -A stroller cover (see safety tips!). -A tummy time rug -A burp cloth -A last-minute emergency wipe -A makeshift changing mat -A game of peek-a-boo! Receiving blankets…

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In Parenting

Parents’ Top Sleep Questions: A Sleep Consultant Answers.

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I get a lot of questions about sleep – from clients of babies and clients of toddlers, moms and dads, grandma and grandpas, inexperienced parents, and parents who are on their eighth child. I have answered questions on the phone, via email, through text message, in line at the farmers’ market, and in the bathroom at Starbucks. I… have… heard… it… all.

A few questions never get old; they are asked over and over again because they are top of mind for virtually all parents of babies and young children. So, here are parents’ top sleep questions: a sleep consultant answers the biggest hurdles to those baby sleep challenges!

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In Daycare

How to wean off a soother / pacifier, including a few ideas you haven’t tried!  

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The soother, pacifier, sucky or binky… whatever you call it, weaning off it can be challenging. The pacifier is both a blessing and a curse for parents, as is the process of getting rid of it! However, it is an important step towards their development. Too many years of a soother can lead to dental problems and speech delay (unfounded scientifically, although it does limit the opportunities to babble, resulting in late talkers). Here are some unique ways to wean off a soother/pacifier, including a few ideas you haven’t tried! Word of warning: it may not be fun. When is the best time to wean off a pacifier/soother: Sleep experts show that weaning between 6 – 9 months of age is the easiest time. Beyond that, the child may have developed an emotional attachment to the soother, which can make it harder to remove. After the age of 2, watch…

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In Daycare

Minimize The Childcare Germs: Tips to Keep Your Little Ones Healthy and Happy

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As a parent, one of the biggest worries when it comes to sending your kiddo to childcare is the spread of germs. Daycares can be a hotbed for germs, with little ones constantly touching and sharing toys. But don’t worry, childcare providers are superheroes in keeping our little ones happy and healthy. And hey, a few sniffles here and there just mean your child’s immune system is getting stronger! However, there are ways to limit the spread of germs and keep your child healthy. Here are the easiest ways to limit daycare germs: 1. Keep Your Child Home When They’re Sick When your little one is under the weather, it’s best to keep them at home instead of sending them to daycare. Not only will this ensure that other kids don’t catch the bug, but it will also help your child feel better faster. Remember to follow your daycare’s sick…

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In Parenting

5 Reasons I’m Thankful to be My Kids’ Mom

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Mom life is wonderful, but it can be easy to get lost in the everyday chaos of parenting. What is new math? Do those shoes still fit? Have you eaten a vegetable today? When is that dentist appointment? Do we REALLY have another PA Day coming up?? It’s no surprise why we start to wonder about the reasons to be thankful for our kids. While I love my kids more than anything in the world, that love comes with extra feelings like guilt, worry, and exhaustion. There are times when you stare at your kids’ beautiful faces and are overwhelmed with joy, and times you stare at the clock and count the minutes until bedtime. (For what it’s worth, the latter doesn’t make you a bad person.) When things get crazy and I’m beating myself up for forgetting to sign my kid’s reading log because I was busy doing ONE…

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In Pregnancy

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Your 2024 Birth

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Packing your hospital bag is an important and exciting job before your baby arrives! A well-organized hospital bag ensures you have all the essentials for yourself, your newborn, and your partner.  Being prepared ahead of time will allow you to feel less stressed out in the weeks leading up to the baby’s arrival, and once in the hospital, it will make your stay much more comfortable (and when in the hospital, we need all the comfort we can get!). Many new parents turn to the internet to ask what to pack in their hospital bag for their 2024 birth. Firstly, make sure you pack your hospital bag ahead of time. It often seems daunting, so we put it off, but believe me… you do not want to get caught off-guard and end up at the hospital without a bag! The hilarious (in hindsight) items your partner will pull together in…

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