Successful Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is hard. There is no denying that fact. Even people who are lucky enough to have very few issues, like myself, can admit that it’s hard. Breastfeeding is emotional, and often times painful. It is lonely and exhausting. But it is also the most wonderful thing in the world. With persistence, dedication, and the right support breastfeeding can become a bit more feasible than you’d think. According to the CDC, 83.2% of babies born in 2015 received breastmilk at one point, however, only 24.9% of those babies were exclusively breastfed through 6 months old and only 35.9% were breastfed through 12 months old. I think it is amazing that breastfeeding rates are climbing, but I can’t help but notice how many mothers quit because it is too difficult or they don’t receive the support or education they need. That is why I am writing this. I have heard from many women that they wanted to breastfeed their babies but couldn’t due to low milk supply, tongue tie, postpartum depression, and pain. Here are some of the common problems women face with breastfeeding and advice to help overcome them.

Low milk supply

        Low milk supply seems to be one of the most common reasons for women to give up breastfeeding in the early days. A lot of women don’t know that breastmilk takes a few days to come in and they get discouraged thinking they aren’t producing enough. Other women have complications with child birth or premature babies, which can have a massive effect on milk supply.  The most important thing for moms who want to breastfeed  to remember is to not be bullied into supplementing with formula and don’t get discouraged. It is important to know that in the first few day it is completely normal for your baby to lose a little. This doesn’t necessarily mean your supply is low. Watch your baby’s urine output to get a clearer picture.  
If you do have a low supply contact a certified lactation consultant. A lactation consultant is a great resource for all breastfeeding issues. Most hospitals with a maternity ward will have a lactation consultant on staff.

If not, your doctor should be able to help you find one. The next thing you should do is check your baby’s latch. The next thing you can try is using galactogogues. These are herbs that help to boost supply. I personally, used Mother’s milk Tea, but herbs like fenugreek and blessed thistle are easy to come by. Oatmeal is also great for boosting supply and there are several recipes online for lactation cookies. Pumping is also helpful. Pumping can be difficult in it’s own ways, but once you get the hang of it pump both sides after offering your baby the breast. It’s extremely important to continue offering your baby the breast at the first sign of hunger and to offer both sides.

Latching Problems

   Incorrect latching is a huge problem with breastfeeding. Here is what a correct latch should look like.

To get a correct latch, grasp your breast with one hand at the areola and squish your breast into a ‘c’ shape. Aim to get as much of the breast into baby's mouth as you can. Ensure the baby's lips are flared out by using a finger on the bottom lip first. For fussy and irritated babies try letting them suck on a clean finger before offering the breast, or squeeze a drop of milk onto their lip. This will help calm them so they fully open their mouth. The key is to get as much of your breast tissue in your baby’s mouth as you can. Being comfortable is vital for  proper latch. Experiment with different positions, so you and your baby can be as comfortable as possible.

LIP AND TONGUE TIE

Babies with lip or tongue tie often have problems latching and breastfeeding. If you suspect it may be a problem be sure to have your baby examined. The sooner the problem is addressed, the sooner your baby can relearn how to eat. Cranio-sacral therapy can be effective in improving your baby’s latch. Don’t give up on your breastfeeding relationship. Be patient as you and your baby relearn together.

BREASTFEEDING PAIN

As I said earlier, breastfeeding can hurt. It is common for women to experience nipple pain, cracked nipples, and sometimes bleeding. Ensure your baby has a proper latch, as most pain is related to other issues. Keep your nipples clean and allow them to air dry to prevent infections and thrush. It is also helpful to use a non-lanolin nipple cream. Mastitis is another very common problem. Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue, usually caused by a clogged duct. There are several remedies for this extremely painful problem. Try taking warm showers and alternate hot and cold compresses. Nurse your baby as often as possible and if you can have your baby's chin point towards the clog. Dangle feeding is also helpful, as you relieve the pressure and let gravity pull the milk down. Use gentle massages down toward the nipple and be sure to rest. Mastitis can be very taxing on the body, so rest is crucial.

There are many great resources for breastfeeding moms to get help. If you want to have a breastfeeding relationship with your baby don’t give up. It's possible with the right help and support. Below are my favorite resources to answer all breastfeeding questions.

   

Le Leche League
Kellymom
AAP

My Family's Thoughts on Smoothie Bowls

   I've seen recipes for smoothie bowls all over the internet, so I decided to try it out this morning. I have to say, it's worth all the hype. I made this smoothie bowl for my 3 year old daughter. What was left I divided up for my husband and myself. I might have also, given a little to the baby. It was amazing. There is something about a healthy breakfast that really makes you feel good, and I'm not a breakfast person. My daughter was enthralled with the bright colors of this super simple breakfast. Here's the recipe I used:
Smoothie mix
1 frozen banana
5 frozen strawberries
1/2 cup strawberry Greek yogurt
2 tbsp acai berry powder
1/2 cup milk )I prefer whole milk but any kind will do. Coconut milk is a good alternative)
Place the the smoothie ingredients into a blender and blend until ssmooth. You want it to be thick and not runny. Pour the smoothie into a bowl.
Toppings
I used a sliced banana, fresh raspberries, chia seeds, granola with almonds, 1 tsp of bee pollen, and a drizzle of almond butter.
Chia seeds provide a nice kick of protein, plenty of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, the bee pollen is a great immune booster, and the almond butter is another great protein source.
These smoothie bowls are amazing because you can customize your recipe to your taste and they are packed with healthy goodness! The bright colors make children love them and they think they are getting a treat when they are really getting a nutritious breakfast. If you've been on the fence about making your own, I recommend you do! Share your smoothie bowl recipes below! I might add coconut next time!

Confessions of a Broke Mom

  Yesterday, my 5 year old walked up and asked me for a new toy, again. There's been a few toys that she really wants and they just so happen to be horribly expensive. This was in that category. So, in typical broke-mom fashion, I said she could wait for Christmas. Well, this was simply unacceptable. She absolutely can not wait. This is life or death, here! I managed to swallow down my frustration, explain for the 3,557,657th time why she needs to wait until Christmas because, "If I buy you everything you want now you'll get no presents later,"etc, etc. Then, I walked outside. I just needed a minute to clear my mind, gain perspective. That's when it hit me, everything emotion my parents probably felt when I was a kid. You see, growing up we didn't have a lot of money. I can remember wanting the big expensive toys. I remember my mom and dad giving me the same excuses I give my girls.  As I got older I can remember learning about money and how hard my parents worked for us kids. But I never really understood. Not the way I do now. My mom used to always say the phrase, "You'll understand when you're a parent." Well, guess what mom, I do. I do understand now and I am so sorry for any time I was ungrateful.

  There is a feeling deep down inside that parents get when they feel they've let their kids down. You know the one, right? I'm not saying you should give your kids everything they want, but sometimes when you have to say "no" to every single thing, it can really get you down. It's that feeling that you aren't good enough. I think every parent gets that feeling at some point and it sucks. We all want our kids to have a better life than we did. I had a pretty great childhood thanks to my parents. It makes me set the bar higher for myself. My childhood was great and their's will be better. It stings when you feel you're failing your own expectations. But after the incident with my daughter, while I was feeling down about myself and thankful toward my parents, my sister sat down and gave me a nice little lecture. She told me to stop being so hard on myself and how great I am as a mom. I could tell it wasn't just empty platitudes but a sincere, heartfelt assessment. It helped me swallow my pride and see things clearly. It's not about the things I provide for my children. It's about the the memories, the happiness, the future I set them up for. If you ever find yourself feeling subpar because you have to say "no" remember that. One day they will understand and one day they will say thank you. 

Baby-led Weaning for the Paranoid Parent

Photo by Sydney Troxell from Pexels

  With my first two children I knew nothing about baby-led weaning. I didn't even know it was a thing until I had my third. Now, he is 9 months old and the only pureed foods we use is for pancake mix and oatmeal. When I first started baby led weaning I watched my son like a hawk, constantly fearing he would choke. If you have similar worries you're not alone.  At first I followed our pediatricians advice to the "T". No food was bigger than my son's pinkie finger. It only took a couple of days for me to realize this was going overboard, so I hopped on Google and did some research. Becoming educated was the best thing I could do to eliminate my fears. Here's the most useful, mind- easing tips to start your journey.

• Gagging is natural. When your baby first begins eating solid foods they ARE going to gag. Relax. Don't jump forward sweeping your baby up in a panic. This will just traumatize them. Instead pay attention and wait a moment. Your baby will continuously get better at clearing the food from their throat and eating without gaging. Remember, that gagging does not mean choking.
• Don't be afraid of spices. Seriously. There is nothing wrong with introducing spice to your child's life. Watch out for salt content but a few spices wont hurt. By introducing different seasonings at an early age your child will be more likely to enjoy those foods later in life.
• Cutting the food. When I first started baby led weaning I cut everything into microscopic pieces and it made meal prep a tedious chore. Then I stumbled across the website, http://www.jennahelwig.com/blog/how-to-cut-foods-for-baby-led-weaning/, which provides visuals for how to cut up foods for your baby. A lot of foods are great cut up into thin strips perfect for little hands.
• Nutrition matters. When implementing baby led weaning be sure to pay attention to what they are eating. It is important to provide plenty of iron rich foods. Don't rush your baby during meal time. Give them plenty of time to eat as much of the food as they want and don't stop with formula or breast milk. Breast fed babies are also advised to take a daily iron supplement.

With these tips in mind set off on you're BLW adventure and enjoy it! Before long your baby will be feeding themselves and meal times will be a breeze. Also, check out mykidslickthebowl.com for some amazing BLW recipes! If you have any BLW tips share in the comments.

A Stress Free Guide to Sick Kids

  Here we are,  mid September. It's a frigid 60 degrees here and my sinuses hate me. It's not just my sinuses either, my entire family has gone into snot mode. It freaking sucks. Now, I love fall! I'm not a pumpkin spice latte kind of girl and I don't own uggs, but I do enjoy the beauty,  feastiveness,  and clean crisp air of the season. However, it also happens to be cold and flu season. At four o'clock this morning the first wave of snot induced vomiting and sore throats began and I'm dreading what's to come. Fortunately, I've become a pro at handling the less desirable parts of the season, mostly stress free. Here's my tips for handling sick kids (and husband) with a lot less stress. I'll also debunk some common cold myths while we're at it!

 The most important thing you can do is prepare yourself. Here, I'll help. "You're going to get covered in bodily fluids and germs! You're going to be fine. You're kids will be fine. You're husband might not be fine, because seriously, the man-cold is the deadliest disease in existence. There's no need to stress!" Okay, so there's the mantra you will repeat to yourself for the next several months. Let's move on.

  Stock up ahead of time. Seriously! Nothing is worse than realizing in the middle of the night that you don't have supplies. Run to the store and grab some tissues, saline, Tylenol, water and sore throat pops now. I also recommend a few bottles of Zarbees, which brings us to our first myth. A lot of people believe that coughing is bad, but it's actually great for clearing the lungs. Don't buy a cough suppressant unless directed by a doctor. I use Zarbees to help soothe the cough but not eliminate it.

  Watch for the signs. The moment your child starts gagging on snot, grab your saline spray and moisten things up. It also helps to get steamy. Let them spend time hanging out in the bathroom while you take your scorching hot shower. I'm not the only mom that likes hot showers, right? Turn the vent off and let the steam work on their snotty little noses. Take this time for yourself, too. Relaxation is important.

  Keep them distracted. Just because a child is sick doesn't mean they are bed bound. It's okay to spend a little extra time in bed, I even recommend it. Enjoy those cuddles, mama, but don't let your child get overwhelmed by the sickness. Read books, build forts, break out the arts and crafts, even go outside a little. Did you know going outdide in the cold doesn't make you sick? That's another myth. Bundle your baby up nice and warm and let them have fun. I've learned that my girls are much less whiny if they are distracted.

  Be sympathetic. It's sometimes hard to remember to be sympathetic. I've caught myself telling my daughter "It's just a cold! You're not dying!" That's not helpful. When kids don't feel good they need a little extra love and cuddles. Remind yourself of that and keep your cool. Try to make your child laugh, be a kid yourself, spend a few extra minutes rubbing their back at bed time. Just show them you understand and it's going to be okay.

  Stay healthy. Do whatever you can to keep them from getting worse. Increase their water intake or add in some Gatorade. Still offer nutritious meals, but have some homemade chicken soup on hand. Chicken contains antibodies that can help fight infection. Add some vegetable broth or fresh veggies to provide a ton of vitamins and nutrients. Avoid store bought soup, as the sodium content is ridiculous. Make frequent handwashing a priority and remember to have them cough in their arm rather than your face.

  Don't overmedicate. I've hand many people look at me like I'm crazy if I don't immediately offer Tylenol for a fever. Here's why, though. When you have a fever your body's immune system is working and a low grade fever is not dangerous. Sudden spikes and drops in temperature can be a problem but not simply having a 100 degree fever for an hour. Monitor their temperatures. If it remains high for several hours, offer Tylenol to bring it down but watch it first. Most fevers will break on their own.

  Once again, the most important thing is to relax. Mom's don't get sick days (isn't that a Dayquil commercial), so, don't stress yourself out and tax your body.

*Be advised, I am not a doctor and it's always best to consult with a doctor for medical advice.

Why My Kids Have Chores

    For those who don't know, I have 2 daughters, ages 5 and 3, and a son who is 9 months. I am also a chore mom. That's right. My girls have chores and responsibilities. I've heard the great debate over whether chores are actually needed or basically child abuse. Here's my thoughts. My five year old daughter, let's call her Pri, has 5 chores. She is responsible for taking out the bathroom trash, washing her plastic dishes, putting away her laundry, making her bed, and cleaning up her toys. My three year old, Car, has three chores. She is responsible for the livingroom trash, her toys, and her bed. Sometimes she helps me with other things, like switching laundry or cleaning out the car. Ocassionally, my girls will do other things, like dust furniture or wash windows. This is done only if they want to and they usually get money for it. I don't know why they really need money but they have a nice amount of savings and want to spend it all on ice cream and present a for each other. Its helpful in teaching the value of money and other unrelated skills. It also makes them feel good.
   I have one main reason for giving my children chores, responsibility. I believe a child is never to young to learn such a valuable life lesson. I'm not an evil person, forcing poor children to attend to all my needs. No, I'm a mom trying to give them the best chance in life. By teaching responsibility now, I'm giving them the tools to be successful in school and extracurricular activities. I'm teaching them work ethic and gratefullness. I've actually found several web articles on the subject supporting my decision. I want to hear from other parents on the topic. Do you support chores or disagree? I fully believe each parent will make the decision they feel is appropriate for their family. Here are some great resources for deciding what chores your child is capable of.
https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/should-kids-do-chores/

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/chores-for-children

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Chores-and-Responsibility.aspx

The Dreaded Public Meltdown

  We went shopping yesterday to grab our son a coat and some rain boots for the girls. While browsing for a coat, I found some great sales on my favorite brand of baby clothes so I decided to look around. What began as a seemingly normal shopping experience soon became a nightmare. Usually, we spend most of our time in the store chasing our 3 year old around and removing her selections from the cart but not this time. Our 5 year old dramatically morphed into a 16 year old spoiled princess.
   Cue the public meltdown. She wanted something,I have no idea what it even was, and I told her to hold on a minute so I could find her brother some clothes. 60%off baby clothes, guys! Wouldn't you be looking too? That lit the fuse. She started crying very loudly because she never gets what she wants. Now, I want to clarify, I am the kind of parent that likes to spoil my children a little, but we set firm bounderies and we say "no" more than we say "yes" on trivial items. Her crying escalated the more I tried to make her stop until she's, finally, laying on the ground in the girls clothing department an inconsolable mess.
   At this point, my husband offered to take the kids to the car and let me finish up. I really wanted to jump at the opportunity but I said no. Here's why. Public tantrums, which don't happen often with my kids, don't bother me. I don't feel embarrassed and I ignore any looks shot my way, because I believe children should learn how to appropriately express themselves. Dragging them from the store kicking and screaming doesn't solve the issue. It just teaches my children that if they don't get what they want they can make everyone else miserable. So, how do I deal with a public tantrum? I get at eye level, explain how's she's not being good, listen to her concerns and tell her to straighten up or she gets nothing. If the tantrum continues, I put back what ever she was going to get and continue my shopping. I'm not a parenting expert. Honestly, I don't even think the "experts" are experts; but it's what works for my family. 
  Eventually, I found a coat I liked, decided to wait on buying more baby clothes, checked out the rain boots, which I deemed way to expensive, and we left. My daughter cried for another twenty minutes about not getting her way and we talked after she calmed down. I've discovered most tantrums are not about what they want, but rather an under lying issue. Turns out, she was tired and hungry. A little food and she was back to normal. How do you deal with public tantrums? I'm always open to new perspectives. Either way, just know you're not alone. Learn to laugh at the situation and it's a lot easier to cope, just don't let the children see!

DIY Cardboard Dollhouse

Last Christmas, I bought my girls a tiny $20 dollhouse house. I thought it would be tons of fun and they would love it, but I quickly realized its way to small. Since then they have been begging me for a Barbie dream house. I remember, quite vividly, how much I wanted one as a child, yet I haven't come to terms with spending that kind of money. So I had an idea. Why not just build a doll house? I'm not a carpenter at all and wanted to use material I had on hand, so I decided on a cardboard doll house. I'm not quite done adding details but the girls are already playing with it and love it! Here's step by step instructions on how I built this adorable and simple doll house. 

Step 1: Draw up plans

I wanted a doll house that would suit both Barbies and little figurines, so my front wall was about 19 inches tall. I measured a Barbie to be sure and doubled it for a two story house. Decide how many floors, rooms and windows you'll want.

Step 2: Gather supplies

 Everything I used for this doll house I had readily available. I used a large cardboard box, a tape measurer, duct tape, a hot glue gun, colored tongue depressers, interior wall paint, old clothes and a box cutter.

Step 3: The cutting

First, I measured and cut the front wall. I decided to draw and cut a door imediately to avoid the cut piece from getting mixed up with the scraps. Once all 3 sides are cut, measure and cut 2 floors. Take this time to also cut out the windows. It is much easier than waiting until it is assembled.

Step 4: Assembly

Start by assembling your outside walls and gluing them together. I recommend using a high heat glue gun for maximum stickability( I think I made that word up). Next, glue your walls onto the bottom floor. The bottom floor is, by far, the easiest. For the upstairs floor you may need to use duct tape for security. I can't cut a straight line, so the duct taped help keep everything lined up. For the roof I used a side panel from the box and bent it in half to give the triangular look. I attached it to the walls with duct tape and used an outer piece of the cardboard layers to fill in the triangular hole between the roof and walls. I recommend taking time to cut a piece of cardboard for this, but by this point my girls were urging me to finish.

Step 5: Paint

I took the doll house outside and quickly gave it a single coat of blue interior wall paint. I used white acrylic paint for the door and window trim. If you are striving for perfection apply two coats of the paint to hide any flaws. Note, that the duct tape will definitely need a second coat but let it thoroughly dry first.

Step 6: The details

Next, you want to personalize it. I used acrylic paint to add bushes and flowers to the front. I let my daughter pick an address to paint by the door and even added a door bell.

  I placed strips of duct tape over the roof to give it a metal look.

For the curtains I cut a piece of pretty fabric from old clothes and hot glued it above the windows. I gave it a little crinkle to resemble real curtains.

On the inside you can really add a lot of detail. My oldest daughter is going to paint the walls and floors to her specifications. If you want to add stairs, cut a small square from the upstairs floor. Then, using halved tongue depressers glue them to a piece of cardboard and glue it at an angle against the wall.

The details are all up to you and your child. Use your imagination. I plan on adding to this doll house as I have spare time. A small shoe box glued to the side would make the perfect garage. Have fun with this project and your kids will love it!

How to Save Money on Birthday Parties

 My son's first birthday is fast approaching and, while horribly sad he's growing up so fast, I am super excited to start party planning. With him being my third child, I like to think I've become an expert at party planning for cheap. Here are some easy ways to save money on a great party!

Pay attention to the venue

 When picking a venue for your child's party make sure to focus on what is included. Try to pick a venue before your other plans are under way. If your going to pay for a party room ensure that you know the venue's rules and what's included in the package. A lot of times it is more cost effective to provide your own food, than to rely on the venue for catering. Always check to find out if outside food and drink is permitted. If food is included in the party package that can be a plus, but don't pay extra for a slice of pizza if you could bring your own for less. Also, see if the venue includes party favors and decorations in their pricing so you can get the most value for your money. Having the party at home or a family members house is another way to save a lot of money.

Food

 Party food for a kid's party is fairly simple. Kids usually don't care if the food is gourmet. Keep the food simple. Choose kid friendly foods like pizza, hot dogs, or fruit and veggie trays and your kids will be perfectly happy. Most kids really only care about the cake. I say to always provide some sort of veggie, however, to encourage healthy eating. If you can make the cake a lot of money will be saved and you may have more options on flavor, as store bought cakes can often limit your options. If baking is not your area of expertise buying a generic pre-made cake and topping with figurines of your child's favorite characters is a great solution, also. Most grocery store bakeries will even write "happy birthday" on a pre-made cake for free.

Decorations

I absolutely hate spending money on decorations. I do so when it's a matter of convenience, but if I have the time and will power, I would prefer to make my own. A lot of decorations can be printed on card stock straight from Google. Get creative with your decorations. Check your venue before investing time and money into hanging and wall decor. When it comes to table clothes and balloons, shop around before your purchase anything. Simple colored table clothes are widely available and easy to make match any theme. Dollar stores are a great place to check but may not always be the cheapest. I've found table clothes and balloons for less money at party stores. Sometimes, it is better to do arts and crafts then to buy plastic party favors that will be lost in an hour; so, do your research before spending money. Also, l,ook into handmade invitations or e-vites.

Keep it simple

 As I parent, I completely understand the desire to make things perfect for your child. It's easy to get wrapped up in your own wishes and carried away, but remember that all your child really cares about is having fun. First birthday parties can be the worst. Such a big milestone deserves a huge party, right? However, your child will most likely not remember or care how extravagant you make their party. Rather than stress over perfection, spend your energy on making the experience fun for the children. Be sure to check out my Pinterest page for more great budget friendly party ideas!

Phonics or Sight Words

In light of read a book day, let's talk about learning to read. I started teaching my 5 year old the basics of reading early this year. She got the letter sounds down without a problem and teaching sentence structure and punctuation was a breeze. We started with some basic words; cat, hat, can, etc. I taught her the sounds for "ch", "th", and "sh" fairly quickly. But then, I found a little problem. I took the sound-it-out approach when we first started and later realized how complicated the English language can be. Do you know how many words can not be sounded out? So,I started to think about the sight word method. I've never liked sight words because it's just memorizing, rather than teaching, in my opinion. What other option is there, though, for words that can't be learned with basic phonics? I've come to the conclusion that the best approach is to combine the two methods. Explain the basics first. Then, when you come across words your child can't sound out, use repetition and let them know it's a word you have to memorize. Another useful tip; explain to your child that most words that have a vowel with an "e" at the end use the long vowel sound. For example, "ate". The "e" makes the "a" sound like "A" instead of "ah". Leave a comment with your useful reading tips. I'm always looking for innovative ways to enrich my child's mind. And don't forget to read a book today!

School is Back in Session

 Yesterday was my oldest daughter's first official day of kindergarten.  I've seen tons of back-to-school pictures, memes, parodies, and videos. I'm a proud supporter of parenting comedy. I have been looking forward to school starting just like the rest. I have to say , I couldn't be more excited. Its not for the reason people think, however. While, yes, having a little me-time is great, I'm really stoked because I finally have some kind of routine and I, actually, feel like a better mom. Now that school has started I feel as though my day has a little more structure. There are drawbacks too, of course. Who came up with this early morning thing? And juggling everyone's schedule is a tedious chore. But at least now I have something I have to do besides keeping little people alive. I figured out fairly quickly to have clothes, backpacks, hair bands, and shoes ready the night before. Coffee gets made before I even consider getting anyone dressed. I am forced to go walking to take her to school, which means I'll eventually get back in shape.  I, also, now have a purpose for that double stroller I bought that doesn't include collecting dust in the garage.I feel like I have more hours in the day and more time to spend with my other two children. The tv has been on much less. I am finally enforcing their bed time routine. Even though I miss having my baby girl home during the day, she's a spectacular helper and a major source of entertainment, kindergarten is so much better than half day preschool. I get a small break that I desperately need. I'm also, forced out of my own personal laziness. I didn't think that one child being in school everyday would impact me this much. Yet,  I'm glad it does because everyone is happier. I really do feel like a better mom. I hope everyone else is enjoying school being in session. Go watch some back-to-school parody videos while you have the free time and share your favorites with the rest of us. Here is my favorite: https://youtu.be/sQCvZrkZfas
Happy school year parents!

Make learning fun!

 Whether you're drawing the life cycle of a butterfly or building a Lego tower, there's always an opportunity for your child to learn. I am consistently looking for new ways to immerse my kids in the academic world,without boring them to sleep. When I was in college it was easy to get my daughter excited about what I was learning (pre-nursing major and EMT), but since then I've found myself struggling. How do you get a kid excited to learn? I'm not the best teacher, and I definitely don't think I'm a thrill to listen too. So, I began googling fun, educational activities. It took a while for me to realize that learning doesn't mean textbooks and assignments, it means asking questions. Encourage your child to ask questions and they'll never stop learning. Here are a few ways to make anytime learning time.

Smart Play time

 During your child's play time ask questions; what color is this block? How many wings does your butterfly have? This gets a kid thinking. Let them use their imaginations to answer how something works then explain it or use art to help them visualize it. Make sun catchers or ecosystem bottles.

Bath time

 Bath time also is a great time for learning. Teach them about density by putting different toys in the water. First ask what will sink and what will float. Then ask them why. Kids are creative. You might be surprised by their answers. I also like to have my daughter write the alphabet during bath time. Grab some bath crayons and make it a game. See who can write the fastest and maybe let your child win from time to time. 

Engage their interest

 Find your child's interest. My oldest likes to cook so I let her help. Cooking is great for developing math and reading skills. Help them sound out words in a recipe or figure out which measuring cup is the right one. Don't be scared of a little egg shell in your pancakes. If your child likes playing outside, make mud pies and experiment with how more water changes the consistency. Or teach them about the water cycle with a bowl of water in the the sun. Start a garden with your child so they can learn about plants.

Its not bribery

 Use incentives. I found a video by a kindergarten teacher that said, "if you can count it you can keep it." Watch the video here: https://youtube/jYloCGfSoOk

I've used this method for everything. If you can read 5 words you can have 5 crackers. If you can count 8 goldfish you can eat 8 goldfish. By giving them an incentive they may be willing to try a little harder and pay attention longer.

Experiment

 Science is always fun if you make it an experiment. This site has many fun and cheap experiments, like the cardboard boat using soap as a propeller. https://sciencebob.com/category/experiments/ Here's another great site for fun science experiments.

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html However, you don't have to experiment just for science. Write letters on blocks and let your kids experiment with making words or mix paints for different shades.

 No matter what you do there is always a chance to learn something new. Don't get frustrated if you feel you aren't a great teacher and don't give up. You'll find your groove. 

Be sure to check out my Pinterest page for more fun!

On the Flip Side

 When I conceived  my eldest daughter, I had parenting all planned out. I had always known exactly what kind of mom I intended to be. I would be the mom that only fed my child organic foods. I would never curse in the presence of my child and breastfeeding was a surety. There would be no yelling, and spanking was out of the question. I would have the smartest child because I would make everything an educational adventure.

Then she was born. Her first 6 months were great. I was a natural at breastfeeding and I had the opportunity to devote all my time to nourishing her body and mind. I had it easy, except for the sleep deprivation; I even found a solution to that. We started co sleeping. However, soon she was mobile. It was still pretty easy, but I had my share of parenting adventures. Once, I took my eyes off if her for only a couple of seconds, and she  ate soap! Two seconds, that's it! Go ahead; shake your head in judgement. But honestly, it was kind of funny.

Then my second daughter my second daughter came along. That's where things started to become difficult. I decided I'd tandem feed feed both of my girls. While I'm glad I did, I was quickly disenchanted with the idea and craved personal space. The sleep deprivation amped up and I realized I didn't want two babies addicted to sleeping in my bed. So, I put my newborn in a bassinet and started trying to get my then 2 year old to sleep in her room. Recipe for ultimate failure. It seemed to take forever to get her out of my bed.

I devolved from my idealistic parenting daydream. I was simply too tired, and slightly addicted to taking the easy route, for preparing extravagant home-made, organic meals. Hello, bbq chicken and boxed mac-n-cheese. Despite having had the best of intentions, I didn't have the energy or drive to get physically fit again. I then decided to return to college. This meant I was gone from my daughters. I weaned my elder daughter from breastfeeding and pumped for the baby. I was never been able to pump enough, and eventually I had to supplement with formula.  I missed all the precious moments with my youngest that I'd had with my eldest daughter. Things were changing.

When my eldest was around 4 years old, I had started to become a yeller. Not over the top really, but I'd get frustrated and overwhelmed. Then on top of that, I've on occasion even given them a smack on the rear. So much for that idealistic parenting.

Now, I find myself always questioning my parenting; am I a good mom? I know deep down that I am. I feed my kids as healthy as I am able. They never go without their needs and get a lot of what they want. I am aware of, and accept,  my short comings. I try to learn from them and do better. I introduce my girls to educational activities as opportunities present themselves, but at least twice a week. My children are clean and healthy. But, the doubt still lingers in my mind.

Some parenting experts stress no screen time. Well, my kids watch a lot of t.v. I'm not proud of that but it happens and I'm working on it. My kids get sweets, like lollipops when we go shopping. However, that is not too often. They do eat desserts full of sugar and they drink juice! However, they usually do not get those sweets without eating their dinner first.  They have to drink more water than juice, and I make sure they are brushing those pearly whites. I might have scared them into thinking all their teeth will fall out if they miss a single brushing. My children have spectacular manners for the most part and, while they drive me nuts at home, they are angels in public. Though I am certainly not the parent I thought I would be; I try the best I can manage.

The point here is:  we all have dreams and ideas of how we will parent our children. But when the reality of being a parent sets in, it's not always what we imagined. Once you're on the flip side of parenting, you realize it's not as easy as taking care of your childhood dolls or babysitting someone else's children that go back to their parents. But it's okay. It's okay to become frustrated. It's okay to break the rules every now and again. As I said in my first post, it's okay to not be perfect. What are some of your parenting short comings? Do you yell when you swore you wouldn't? Do you allow screen time? Has your kid ever eaten fast food? Make light of your imperfections. Share your laughable parenting moments. Most of all  take comfort in knowing you aren't alone. We are all in this together!