Parenting – Page 3

Teething Tips and Tricks: Simple Ways to Soothe Baby When Teething

July 11, 2016 by Danielle

We’re chatting teething tips and tricks, in partnership with Orajel™. If you have a baby or toddler who’s in teething hell, we have a few great ideas to try to reduce the stress and pain of teething on both child and parent.

If you’ve raised children then I’m pretty sure you’ve dealt with teething. It can be a nightmare at times. But there are some things you can do to alleviate the pain for both the child who is teething and the parents who have to care for the child.

First I’ll start off with the symptoms of a typical teething child. I want to warn you that some babies do these things even when they aren’t teething (especially the drool and crankiness). My middle child started drooling when she was 3 months old and didn’t have a tooth until almost a year old. Every child is different. And always remember to consult your pediatrician when using medicines with your child to ensure proper dosage.

Classic signs and symptoms of teething often include:

Drooling, which may begin about two months before the first tooth appears
Irritability or crankiness
Swollen gums
Chewing on solid objects
Fingers in mouth constantly
Waking more frequently at night

Teething Tips and Tricks

Now that we’ve gone over the symptoms, what’s the best way to soothe sore gums? If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple teething tips and tricks:

Rub your baby’s gums.

Use a clean finger, moistened gauze pad or damp washcloth to massage your baby’s gums. The pressure can ease your baby’s discomfort. My daughter loves when I take a frozen wash cloth and use my finger to rub it all over her gums. The massage helps alleviate her pain and sometimes I catch her grabbing a washcloth and trying to use it herself.

Offer a teething ring.

Try one made of firm rubber. My children all thoroughly enjoyed Vulli teething rings and Sophie the Giraffe as well. The liquid-filled variety of teething rings may break under the pressure of your baby’s chewing. If a bottle seems to do the trick, fill it with water. Prolonged contact with sugar from formula, milk or juice may cause tooth decay.

And if you are on the go, I highly suggest investing in a few pieces of teething jewelry. I own a pendant necklace and a bangle bracelet and love both. My son and daughters use them not only for teething but as entertainment when we’re in the store, out to dinner or simply going on a car ride. I’m surprised with how much my kids love these items especially because the jewelry is so cute.

Keep it cool.

A cold washcloth or chilled teething ring can be soothing. Don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold may hurt, doing your baby more harm than good. If your baby’s eating solid foods, offer cold items such as applesauce or yogurt. When we’re dealing with a teething toddler, we like to freeze yogurt tubes and give as a treat.

One of the best things I’ve found to use for my young teething infants is the use of a mesh feeder filled with frozen fruits. My son especially loved frozen melon in his mesh feeder. He would quickly get sick of his cold teething rings and this feeder would save my sanity some nights.

Dry the drool.

Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent rashes and possible break outs, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby’s chin. You might also make sure your baby sleeps on an absorbent sheet.

Try an over-the-counter remedy.

If your baby is especially cranky, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may help. I’ve had good luck with Baby Orajel™ Homeopathic Teething Gel with my third child. And with the soothing power of Chamomilla (commonly known as Chamomile), Baby Orajel™ Homeopathic Teething Gel offers safe, effective, and naturally derived teething pain relief for your baby. I love that I can grab this and take it with us so that while we’re traveling or at Grandma’s, we can soothe the pain teething can bring to her. Especially the eye teeth she is getting right now. Oy!

What are your best teething tips?

Sources: The Mayo Clinic, Kelly Mom, Ask Dr. Sears

Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Baby Orajel™, however all opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Teething

How I’m Teaching My White Children That Black Lives Matter

July 10, 2016 by Danielle

Things have been quiet over here. My family and I are on the road driving back home from a week away. We were in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a blogging conference and I decided it’d be fun to turn it into a family road trip. While we were away we learned of the horrific tragedies that took place in the US. Brutal, un-provoked murders of yet two more men. Black men.

We were sitting in a McDonalds for one of our many pit stops during the long drive and a TV was on and turned to the news. The first thing we saw were the headlines. Alton Sterling, a 37 year old black father of 5, died of multiple gunshot wounds to the back and chest after a homeless man called 911 outside of a convenience store.

I’m sure by now, many have been able to read and research this shooting along with that of Philando Castile. Philando. A man who was in the car with his girlfriend and 4 year old child. Stopped for a broken tail light. Both incidents filmed and shared on social media.

In that moment, with the tv on and my middle child right there listening to everything, I knew that I had to do something. Even if it was as small as what I chose to do. Because this is just too much. I turned to my daughter (as my son ate his chicken nuggets and played on my husband’s phone a few inches away within ear shot) and watched her reaction. Watched her take in the information she was hearing and seeing. And I allowed asked questions – as she does about everything. I tried my best to answer. I was open with her. I was honest. And I voiced my opinion.

I am a white woman who fully acknowledges that I live with the white privilege I was born with. And I didn’t fully realize this until earlier last year after speaking with and reading comments from friends and colleagues. I have not stopped reading, watching, and listening to the pain my friends are crying out on social media. The outrage, the anger, and the helplessness they feel. And with this witness to their raw emotion I cannot help but feel drawn towards wanting to do something – anything – to acknowledge it.

And I’m trying to do the only thing I can at the moment. I will try to share those voices, to talk with my black friends, and to educate my children on the inbred racism that not only exists in this country but in our own daily lives. I want them to see me challenge racist comments made by strangers and/or family members. I want them to hear me when I explain their white privilege and how they can use it for good. I am teaching my children to speak up and speak out for and with their black friends. Even if that means calling out a family member or feeling uncomfortable. Or coming to talk to me about it. Because I am teaching my children to respect and to love. To be less judgmental. To be accepting of those who appear different. And to question the events going on around them.

How I’m Teaching My White Children That Black Lives Matter

Here’s what we’re doing more of:

Asking Questions

While my son is still very much in his own world and doing his own thing, my daughter is very aware of the outside world. She hears and sees everything and there’s not much you can keep from her. She’s also pretty darn smart. Now I’m not saying that my son isn’t smart, he’s just not as vocal as she is. With her increased desire to experience the world around her, she asks a lot of questions. A lot. And I’ve tried my very best to be open to her questions and helping her find the answers.

I’ve realized that I can’t shield her from the news. I can’t shield her from hearing the bad that is happening in the world right now. I can’t shield her from her emotions after hearing someone has been shot and died and his kids don’t have a daddy anymore. All I can do is provide a listening ear and help share the information I can find with her. Even if that means I don’t have all of the answers.

Saying “I Don’t Know”

Because I am a white woman, I cannot possibly fully understand what some of my friends are going through right now. The fear they feel as their black husbands walk out the door. The concern they have for their black son’s future. So when I run into a question from my children that I don’t know, I am more than welcome to acknowledge that I don’t have an answer. But I offer to research and read more to help educate us all. I will continue to read personal stories and reactions from those around me and keep my eyes open to what is going on around us.

Acknowledging Our Situation

And with listening and answering my kids questions, as well as helping learn more about what is going on, I also will acknowledge our part in what is going on. I will acknowledge that I cannot speak for those affected. I cannot can only share their voice. And I can teach my children to do the same. I can teach them that there is power in stepping aside and allowing others to speak in our place. Because we can’t even begin to understand what our friends have had to live with their whole lives. And we can only help that by sharing our platform that we can educate others and open their eyes to what is going on right in front of us.

Black Lives Matter.

Lets teach our children to be advocates for change. Let us end unnecessary violence and killings.

And just so it’s clear… I am pro-cop and pro-black. And I am also raising my children to respect law enforcement. I acknowledge the fear that families of law enforcement also live with and appreciate all that those officers and families sacrifice for my family’s safety. Trevor Noah said it better than I could in the statement in the picture above. This statement may be why I’ve only discussed this topic and others with my family and close friends and not publicly. Along with the fact that I’m admittedly really uncomfortable with controversy. Especially when I don’t have all of the answers. I like to be prepared. And I’m not. And it makes me feel uneasy. But if that’s all I have to feel while others feel so, so much more, then I can’t stay silent.

All I ask is that you open your minds and your hearts to hear what the black community has to say.

A few words from my friends and colleagues. I hope you’ll watch and read.

Speak Up. Say Something. #AltonSterling – Brandi Riley

It’s Time For You To Say Something #AltonSterling – Amiyrah Martin

This Is Bullshit #AltonSterling – Amber Dorsey

Groundhog Day of Police Brutality Bullshit. ‪#‎AltonSterling‬ – Awesomely Luvvie

10 Reasons I Don’t Want To Be Your White Ally – Colleen Mitchell

Please feel free to link to your posts below in the comments as you #SaySomething and I’ll share.

Trading Clean Time for Screen Time This Summer + a free chore chart printable

June 27, 2016 by Danielle

Kids are getting way too much screen time these days. With the help of this free chore chart printable and our sponsor, Walmart and SheSpeaks, we’ve create a way to trade clean time for screen time in an effort of reducing screen time and getting the kids more involved in the household chores!

My son has been out of school for two weeks now and my daughter graduates preschool tomorrow. To say that we’re in full summer mode is pretty accurate. And when you work from home, that means you have to get creative with ways to keep them busy without resorting to letting them watch tv all day. Because what’s that going to do for them when they get back to school, right?

In an effort to lessen the amount of times I hear, “I’m bored,” and to try and ramp up the kids involvement in household chores after starting them slow with cleaning their rooms, I created a system where they earn screen time (up to 2 hours a day) in exchange for doing certain tasks. And in an effort to better keep track of those hours – because it was getting quite difficult in my head – I created a free chore chart printable as well.

Once we got going I realized we needed to restock the cleaning cabinet so I headed over to www.avoidtheoops.com and grabbed a few essentials including:

Dawn dish soap
Mr. Clean magic erasers
Cascade detergent pods
Swiffer refill pads
Dawn dish soap
Febreeze spray

I was able to order everything online and, with orders of $50+, get shipping to my door free. Took the hassle out of bringing all of the kids to the store with me and trying to haul everything around! The best part is we were able to stock up on larger sizes and simply refill our smaller bottles and keep the larger sizes in the garage. This means we’re less likely to run out without a back up. And when we do run out? Walmart.com will be there to help!

How to Trade Clean Time for Screen Time

Come up with a list of tasks your children can do or help with
Assign a minute value to each task
Create a max number of minutes the children can earn each day (sometimes we even throw in a bonus or two)
Stock up on cleaning supplies from Walmart.com
Let the kids start tackling things on the list
Put the responsibility of tracking in the kids hands – have them check off tasks as they complete them
Once the kids are done with accruing their minutes, let them know how much screen time they have for the next day (this is key)
Start the whole process over the next day

What I’ve found over these past few weeks after instilling this system in our home is the following:

My kids really hate cleaning but REALLY love their tv and tablet time.
My son has been more eager to help when we offer to find new games on the tablet for him to play as well (including educational games).
Making sure they know that the time they earn that day is for the NEXT day is really important. And, hopefully, it’s teaching them delayed gratification.
Our limit of 2 hours max has still yet to be met. The kids usually earn between 30-55 minutes each day.
We still need to re-evaluate our weekend tv and screen time rule. That might change as we move forward.
Family movie time or family shows watched together is not counted against their earned time.
If mom or dad turns on the tv, they don’t lose their earned time.
The kids are really getting creative in finding ways to keep them entertained AND they’re actually playing together!
This means a whole lot of oops moments. Spills, messes, general disaster areas in various rooms of the house. But that’s OK! With the help of our www.avoidtheoops.com supplies and their willingness to earn more time for the next day, most of the oopses are picked up.
Their moods have improved. We have less fighting, less bickering, and more helping.

Grab your free chore chart printable here!

(or click the photo below)

How do you get your kids involved in household chores? What age do you start?

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: chores, clean, clean routine, cleaning, cleaning tips, free printables, kids cleaning, printables

5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Summer + an outdoor movie night idea on a trampoline

May 20, 2016 by Danielle

We’re thankful for summer and sharing a great way to get outdoors with an outdoor movie night idea brought to you thanks to our partnership with Hershey’s via MomTrends.

Summertime always comes and immediately the one thing that runs through my head as a work from home mom is: how in the world am I going to take care of the kids all day AND get work done?

But this summer I’m approaching things differently. I’m not resenting the fact that our school cancelled their summer program right after all of the local museum classes filled up, or the fact that I don’t have a backup child care set in place because I didn’t think about it in February when apparently everyone else did. I’m going to make the best of our summers together and really strive to be thankful for summer.

At the end of the day, summer is the only real time I have to fully enjoy my kids until they move out of the house. That means 10 summers left with my oldest, 12 with my middle, and 17 with my youngest. Those are going to go by FAST!

5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Summer

1. More Time With The Kids –

While having the kids home all summer will be hard to balance my work/life workload, having more time with the kids is always a good thing and something to be thankful for. Even though I still have to work, I can take an afternoon or morning off each week to really spend one on one time with the kids. Plus we have some help from family so they can have fun adventures with Grandma, their great aunts, or their cousins throughout the summer too.

2. Later Bedtime –

Because we don’t have to wake up early, I can choose to spend more time with the kids at night (watching movies outside!) or catch up on work after bed time. The kids love having the freedom of no bedtime and actually get to bed by 9pm when this happens so they’re not up too late. And everyone is in a better mood when we go to bed and get up when our bodies tell us to.

3. No Alarm Clock –

Ok, confession: I don’t use an alarm clock. But I do have to wake up at 6:30am every day during the school year to make sure the kids get out the door and to school on time. Because we don’t have to actually get up and go somewhere (if we choose not to), we can sleep in. AND? We can have pajama days. Lots and lots of pajama days!

4. Warm Weather –

I love that we get to enjoy all summer together when the weather is nice. Sure there’s a few weeks where it’s unbearably hot. But living here in San Diego means that we can take full advantage of the beaches, pools, and other outdoor (and some indoor) areas to keep cool. I fully plan on taking advantage of our location this year and have quite a few beach days planned for us. Even if that means I have to get my keyboard a little sandy while I work and they play.

5. Fun Adventures –

With the warmer weather and lack of an actual place we have to be, we can have fun adventures this summer (and every summer) that we wouldn’t have had the freedom to do during the school year. As I mentioned previously, we’ll take full advantage of our location. But I’m also planning at least one road trip and a few staycations to enjoy ourselves this year. I’m also hoping to schedule at least one activity outside the home a week. That way I’m not too stressed about too many activities but we still get to do fun things.

So far here are some of my ideas for summer fun adventures: hikes, beach/pool days, zoo trip, free days at museums, movies in the middle of the day, trip to the water park, trip to the mountains, gardening club, city clean up days, trip to the aquarium

One of our fun adventures this summer will be getting outdoors and enjoying movie night on our trampoline. And it’s SUPER simple!

Outdoor Movie Night On A Trampoline

Grab a white sheet plus a pile of blankets and pillows.
Hang the white sheet over one side of the net on your trampoline and clamp down with clamps (I just use the clamps I use for my photo backdrops here).
Set out the blankets and pillows so everyone is comfy.
Make some fun snacks with the kids like this delicious homemade chocolate ice cream in a bag with Hershey’s Simply 5 Syrup or popcorn in a bag.
Grab a projector and start playing the movie!

What #Simply5 words describe a sweet memory that’s made your day special?

Sometimes, even the process of enjoying the little things in life – like movie night – becomes complicated. It shouldn’t require a year-long commitment or tons of planning.

In honor of the sweet and simple ingredients in Hershey’s Simply 5 Syrup and the sweet and simple memories that it inspires, we want people to share the sweetness in everyday moments. Take a moment to “stop and smell the chocolate” and share your #Simply5 – a five word recount of what makes your day sweet.

Post your #Simply5 on social media by sharing a five word recap of what makes your day special!

Hershey’s Simply 5 Syrup is a sweet and simple take on original Hershey’s Syrup, now made with five simple ingredients. You can find more recipes and fun things to do with Hershey’s by visiting them on Facebook or following along on Twitter.

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Hershey’s via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hershey’s or Momtrends.

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY, Outdoor Crafts and Activities, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: ice cream, movie night, Movie Night Ideas, Snack Ideas, summer activities, trampoline, trampoline ideas

Science in the Kitchen: Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream In A Bag

May 11, 2016 by Danielle

We’re getting creative in the kitchen with this fun Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream in a Bag recipe brought to you thanks to our partnership with Hershey’s via MomTrends.

This weekend the kids and I got a little creative in the kitchen. After finding that my husband ate the last of the ice cream, they were determined to make a fun sweet treat to enjoy while we watched movies together. So I suggested we make ice cream. Now their first reaction was one of disbelief. Not that they hadn’t made ice cream before, but because our ice cream maker has been in the garage since we’ve moved here and they knew that wasn’t going to happen. So when I suggested that we shake and make our own homemade ice cream in a bag like I used to with my grandma, their eyes lit up and they were 100% on board to try things out.

While we were going over what ingredients we needed – ice, ice cream salt, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sugar – my son spotted the HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup and asked if we could turn our ice cream into chocolate chip ice cream like the kind we’ve made before with a ribbon of homemade ganache. Instead of nixing the idea right away, I asked him what he’d do to make chocolate chip ice cream from the syrup. His mind started going and the ideas started cranking out.

He settled on an experiment he wanted to try out: If we squeezed a ribbon of HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup onto wax paper and froze it, would it become hard so we could break it up into our ice cream?

So I let him set everything up and try it out. After about 3 hours in the freezer, though, the syrup was very cold, but not solid. So he decided that we’d just drizzle the chocolate in the ice cream mix to make a chocolate ice cream. Even though his hypothesis was wrong, he still ended up with a pretty yummy outcome!

Each of the older two had their own bags of ice cream and both decided on stopping when it became the consistency of soft serve vs. waiting until it became a more formed ice cream (see the photo below). If you don’t like a little melted ice cream, feel free to shake until the ice cream turns harder.

Just a little squeeze of the HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup, brings back cherished childhood memories I created with my family so it was fun to do this with my kids. It’s an easy way to share a sweet and simple moment with my family. We also love enjoying a glass of milk with a little swirl of syrup inside!

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream In A Bag

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 drizzle of HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup
6 tablespoons ice cream salt
3 cups ice
1 gallon size zippered plastic bag
1 quart size zippered plastic bag

In the quart size zippered plastic bag, add heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla, and HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup. Seal tight making sure to get most of the air out.

In the freezer size zippered plastic bag, add the ice and ice cream salt. Then add the ice cream mixture bag. Shake, shake, shake like crazy until your ice cream starts forming (about 3-5 minutes of shaking). I suggest putting on some dance music to make it more enjoyable!

Once your ice cream has formed, wipe off any excess salt from the bag and snip a corner of the bag with some scissors (if soft serve consistency) to pour into a cup or bowl. Or use a spoon to scoop out (if harder consistency). Drizzle with more HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup and enjoy!

HERSHEY’S SIMPLY 5 Syrup is a sweet and simple take on the HERSHEY’S classic, now made with five simple ingredients. You can find more recipes and fun things to do with HERSHEY’S by visiting them on Facebook or following along on Twitter.

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Hershey’s via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hershey’s or Momtrends.

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Keep Kids Busy, Parenting, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: chocolate, hersheys, ice cream, ice cream recipes, parenting, Science

Finding Teachable Moments With Our Kids

May 6, 2016 by Danielle

This conversation featuring 10 places to find teachable moments is brought to you by Vroom.

Over the past few years I’ve come to realize how important it is to turn average, everyday moments into teachable moments with our kids. Not only are they the most relaxed when we’re just doing our own thing and going through our day, they’re also more apt to ask questions and really take in what you’re telling them when you share something with them in the moment.

In an effort to take advantage of these moments, I’ve listed our top 10 places to find teachable moments below.

10 Places To Find Teachable Moments

1. In The Car

The one place that I find ourselves the most disconnected from tablets and computers and phones is the car. For one… no wifi! And we’re in the car at least twice a day to and from school for drop off and pick up. While we don’t necessarily talk the whole time we’re in the car, we are together in a confined space with no where else to go until we get to our destination.

I’ve found that this is the great time to not only ask about their day, but to open up about topics we might not have thought about. And what’s most crazy is that those topics don’t just pop up… they’re provoked by the one thing that is on in the car: the radio. Whether it’s a song that comes on, or something the announcer says, my kids and I have had great talks about everything from racism to politics to math after a topic was sparked by what we hear on the radio.

2. On A Walk

We love taking family walks. It’s important for us to get outdoors with the kids so we try and make time for walks as a family. Whether we’re heading out to the park or up the road to grab an ice cream cone after dinner, it’s a great time to bring things up. We also love talking about what’s going on in our neighborhood and what we see around us.

3. After School

I don’t know if this is the same for everyone but my son never gives me any information about what’s going on at school or what’s coming up. My daughter, on the other hand, gets in the car after school ready to share about her day. But when I do want to know what’s going on with him I don’t just ask what he did at school. I find ways around the obvious question and ask him other things that might lead to a conversation about his day. I found some really great conversation starters here.

4. During Dinner Time

Dinner time in our home is family time. And it doesn’t just start when we sit at the table to eat. By getting the kids involved in making dinner with me, I can teach them little things in the kitchen that they can continue to learn as they get older. Whether its dumping in the ingredients into a bowl like my 15 month old, chopping up veggies like the older kids, or unloading the dishwasher like my husband, everyone has something to do when we get dinner ready. This gives us the opportunity to spend time with one another while we teach each other new things. You can find more tips for creating a family table at meal time here.

5. On A Trip

When we leave home for trips, whether it’s for vacation or a simple get away for the day, we try to take any opportunity we can to teach our children about something. If we’re heading to Boston to visit family, we make sure to schedule a few historical stops along the way, or if we’re going to the San Diego Zoo, we try and get the kids involved in learning more about the animals we see. By just exploring the world around them, they soak in everything.

6. In The Bathroom

So if you’re a parent you know that you can’t do anything alone anymore. And that includes going to the bathroom. While it may not be the most enjoyable thing, I’ve found that my kids curiosity in the bathroom has helped open our channels of communication about things we might not have discussed until a later age. I’m pretty open about the birds and the bees with my kids. While I do make sure to keep it at an age appropriate level, most of the talks I’ve had with my son and daughter have started in the bathroom.

7. In The Back Yard

Our back yard is our oasis. Whether we’re gardening together, playing together, or taking care of our many animals, having an active back yard has allowed us the opportunity to continue to teach our children about how to grow their own food and how to take care of another being. By just making things available to them, like a few planters to plant whatever veggies or flowers they want to plant, I’ve come to realize how independent they become and how much they’ve learned by just observing us.

8. In The Classroom

Now this might sound like a no-brainer but it’s not on the list for why you think. If you work outside of the home it may be hard to do, but volunteering in your child’s classroom can really open the doors of communication and help in teaching them at home.

I’ve found that by observing my son in class and seeing how he learns things there has helped how I approach teaching him certain things at home. Homework time is also a great time to check in with them and see how they’re doing. By being active and in communication with his teacher, I’ve been able to see what his strengths are academically and what he needs help with.

9. At A Friend’s House

Growing up I learned so much about the differences between each family after heading to a friend’s house for a playdate or sleep over. The family dynamics are so different between one household and another and by going to friends houses to see their family dynamic, we’ve been able to teach our kids that being different is great. We also make sure they feel comfortable in asking questions they have about those differences.

10. With Family Members

One thing I absolutely love about living close to family are the different life lessons their grandparents and aunts and uncles can teach them. Whether it’s just hanging out at Grandma’s house or going on an adventure with their Great aunts or uncles, being able to learn different ways from different people has allowed our kids to get a bigger perspective on the world around them.

In an effort to inspire every caregiver to think more about teachable moments, the Bezos foundation has started a fun campaign called the Vroom initiative. Vroom was developed based on the premise that every child is born with enormous potential, and every parent can help them realize that potential. The Vroom Superhero campaign demonstrates the heroic role that every parent and caregiver plays in the lives of children, and reinforces the message that anyone can be a Vroom Superhero to a child.

You can find a little more about the campaign in the video below:

Vroom was designed to give parents and caregivers simple tools that turn everyday activities, like mealtime and bath time, into brain building moments. We want to empower parents and caregivers like Camellia to interact with their children during their daily routines, engaging them in activities that require no additional time or resources but have outsize long-term benefits.

Become a superhero and join Vroom today!

How do you make teachable moments fun?

Filed Under: Outdoor Crafts and Activities, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: family, Family Activities, family meals, family table, Family Trips, parenting

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

April 25, 2016 by Danielle

This shop featuring medicine cabinet essentials for baby checklist has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyLittleRemedies #CollectiveBias

When you have 3 kids, you get very familiar with your medicine cabinet. And having it stocked up on all of the essentials is quite important. Because when something happens, you don’t want to have to drive to the store to take care of it. Over the years our medicine cabinet has mostly stayed the same. Save for a few new items from brands we’ve come to trust, you can find just about everything we stocked for baby #1 is still there for baby #3. It helps that I have a retired nurse for a mother-in-law! We’re sharing our list of medicine cabinet essentials for baby.

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

What to add to your medicine cabinet

Creams, Lotions & Gels

Diaper rash cream Diaper rash is inevitable for all babies. Look for a product that contains zinc oxide, which is best for soothing irritated skin. Now there’s even diaper rash spray so you don’t have to worry about a mess on your hands.
Hydrocortisone cream This anti-inflammatory salve is sold in pharmacies in 1/2- or 1-percent strengths. Both are mild enough for infants and are used mainly for eczema; dry, itchy skin; or to treat bug bites.
Triple antibiotic ointment Once your child is crawling and walking, he’s likely to get minor cuts or scrapes. This topical cream can be applied to scratches, cuts, or abrasions to prevent infection.
Petroleum jelly Besides working wonders on dry skin and eczema, this cheap, tried-and-true moisturizer can be applied to diaper rash to shield the skin from contact with irritating urine and stool. We’ve also had to use it when our children have constipation issues to help things along.

Tummy Troubles

Probiotics If your child has tummy troubles, or has been prescribed antibiotics, it’s a good idea to consider a probiotic for them to help rebuild their gut bacteria. Little Remedies® Probiotic Plus Electrolytes contains 5 billion active cultures of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which helps keep the digestive system in balance and supports immune function.* Little Remedies® Probiotic Plus Electrolytes also contains electrolytes to provide vital minerals and nutrients to help support hydration.* Plus, there are no artificial flavors, artificial dyes, or parabens and it is a great berry tasting dissolving powder. You can pick up some in the Digestive aisle at Target!
Simethicone (Mylicon) drops This over-the-counter gas remedy stays in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed into the body. It doesn’t always produce results, but it’s safe to try.
Gripe Water

*This statement has not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Pain Relief

Acetaminophen We always have a bottle of infant Acetaminophen at the ready just in case our littles are experiencing pain or we’re trying to bring down a fever. And on our fridge is the exact dosage we can give to our child depending on their age and weight. Read the label to check the dosage, and use the dropper that comes with the product or another dosing instrument.
Ibuprofen As with acetaminophen, ibuprofen infant drops or liquid can relieve pain and fever. Never give it to a child younger than 4 months old without your doctor’s consent. We’ve used this when our littles were teething and inconsolable by alternating between Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as directed by our pediatrician.

Feel Better Essentials

Medicine syringe or dropper These little suckers will end up in just about every room of your home. But never when you need it. They are essential to ensure that you’re giving your child the right amount of medicine. Syringes, which are measured off in teaspoons and milliliters, are best. They don’t drip and are easy to direct into the mouth of a squirming baby. Make sure to clean it out after every use and put it away where you’ll find it to reduce the chance of a minor freak out occurring when its the middle of the night and you need it.
Nasal aspirator ditch the one they give you at the hospital! It isn’t as efficient and gets gross pretty quickly! We love the type that you physically suck on to get everything cleared out. Sure it sounds gross but it works 10 times as well. There are a few types out there and they even started selling them at major retailers like Target.
Saline nasal drops or spray Made from pure salt water, these drops help loosen and clear baby’s stuffy nose. They can be used alone or with a nasal aspirator (I highly suggest using these before using the nasal aspirator). A cool-mist humidifier will also soothe upper respiratory infections and loosen up the “gunk” in there.
Cotton swabs Use swabs to clean the folds of the outer ear. Never insert them into the inner canal of baby’s ear; you risk perforating the eardrum.
Bandages Don’t leave a child younger than 2 years old alone with a bandage on unless you’re sure it’s securely in place or that he can’t reach it. Bandages can become choking hazards!
Digital thermometer Now many experts and pediatricians claim that you should be taking your baby’s temperature rectally until they’re about 6 months of age. And I have to tell you… I’ve never done this. But neither has my pediatrician. We like to use the forehead thermometer that doesn’t even have to touch our kid and gives a reading instantly. Not only is it non-evasive but if you’ve ever had to comfort a sick child, it’s a lot less of a stressor on them as well!
Nail clippers Infants grow so quickly, they may need their nails trimmed every five to seven days. Use clippers designed specifically for babies, and be careful not to cut their fingertips. If your baby is resistant, try clipping her nails while she’s sleeping or otherwise occupied. I’ve also gotten away with using a small nail file.

Don’t forget anything! make sure to take this Medicine Cabinet Checklist with you when you head to the store. That way you won’t have to run back for one last thing in the middle of the night. You can laminate it and keep it adhered to the inside of your medicine cabinet for quick reference. I’ve added a spot to include the expiration dates of the items you are using so there’s no risk of using an expired product. Make sure to check with your baby’s pediatrician before administering any medication.

(click to print)

Plus, the list can double as a packing checklist in case you and baby are travelling! We’re heading to a conference later this week so I packed everything I needed in a first aid kit so we’d have everything ready to go just in case.

Need to stock up on your medicine cabinet necessities? You can find everything you need at Target. Print this helpful checklist so you won’t forget anything!

And while you’re at it, take advantage of the Buy 1 Little Remedies product and get a $5 Target Gift Card offer starting 4/24 at your local Target store. This deal runs through 5/14 so stock up now!

What essentials do you keep on hand at all times?

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Kids Health

Tips For New Soccer Moms

April 22, 2016 by Danielle

Soccer can be a great activity for kids who are looking to burn off some energy and learn some new skills. These tips for new soccer moms can make the transition to this sport a bit easier!

So you’ve signed up for soccer. Now what?

If you’ve never played the sport like me, you’re probably scratching your head and wondering how to help your child succeed in this new sport. And if your child isn’t as athletically inclined as his teammates you might want a few pointers on how to nudge him in the right direction. You never know! She may turn out to be a rockstar on the field after a bit of practice and learning the ropes!

Ever since I found out I was pregnant with my son I had visions of him on the field. I didn’t know what sport he would play but I knew I wanted to share my love of sports with my kid. So when he finally turned 3, and then 4, and then 5 I would ask if he wanted to try this sport or sign up for that. And the answer was always a resounding no. That is until he started kindergarten and found out that all of his friends would be on the soccer team. Then we finally got the commitment we were waiting for. And he’s played for the past two years.

Over these two seasons I’ve come to learn a few things. I’m sharing these tips for new soccer moms as a way to ease you into the game and give you some ideas on how you can help your child transition into a new sport.

Tips For New Soccer Moms

1. Get Organized

When you first get on the team: Use a site like Shutterfly to create a team page (or ask the team parent if they’re going to set it up). Not only is it a great source for information about the players and the schedule, it’ll also send you friendly reminders about practices, games, snack schedules, and just about anything else you add to it! I use this one each year.
At the first practice: Create a roster or ask for a roster of players and phone numbers so you have everyone’s contact information. It’s also helpful to have the schedule printed on the bottom of the roster along with any other important information – like the snack schedule – so you can keep it handy on the fridge.
Before a game: Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have already inputted the address of the game you’re driving to in Google maps so you have an idea of when to leave your house. There’s been more than one occasion when I didn’t check an address before and assumed the field was only 15 minutes away when it was, in fact, over 30 minutes away!

2. Be Prepared For Everything

Make sure to pack the essentials: chairs, outdoor blanket, water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, an umbrella (you never know!), etc. Keep it all in your soccer bag so that come game day all you have to do is grab the bag and the chairs and head out the door. Or just keep them all in your trunk like I do. You might also want to consider seeing if someone on the team has a pop up tent to set up on the sidelines for the kids who are sitting out that half. One game I even saw a team with this awesome bench of chairs for the kids to sit on!
Keep a box of Costco-sized snacks in the trunk: On one or two occasions, one of the parents assigned snack duty will forget. Come to the rescue with some goldfish or even some mandarin oranges and you’ll be the team’s new favorite mom.
Bring a first aid kit: I was surprised to find how few people carry first aid kits in their cars these days. Head over to the store and grab a basic first aid kit to keep on the sidelines just in case. It’s also helpful to have a cooler with ice packs too.
Have toys on hand for siblings: If you’re like me and have not one but three kids, distractions for the other kids is important. We can get away with distracting them with an extra soccer ball and some fun portable toys to play with the other siblings at the game.

3. Make Friends (and Carpool Buddies)

Chat with the other parents at the game: It helps to know a few parents on the team. Exchange numbers and find out if they live close to you. It might be fun to get together between games to work on skills and build fun friendships outside of school. It also will help if you get in a bind and need someone to help carpool your kid to a practice or game.
Plan a fun activity outside of practice and games: build comraderie and coordinate a fun pizza outing or other activity after a game.

4. Utilize A Few (Inexpensive) Tools

Make sure you have the right size ball: Depending on your child’s age and level, you need the right sized ball. Check with the coach to make sure you purchase the right one.
Get a pair of cleats and shin guards and a few pair of socks: Take your child in to get fitted for cleats to make sure they’re the right size. The sales associate can make sure you don’t buy the wrong pair and end up with football cleats. There are different kinds of shin guards on the market. There’s one that you just put in your socks as well as one with elastic bands with velcro on them that your child can put around his/her calf. The first season we got the latter and my son HATED them. So this time around we got the one you put in your socks. So much easier for him. Multiple socks are a must if you have a child who loves to get dirty as muc has mine. That way you aren’t sending your kid to practice or a game with stained and dirty socks (yes… I’ve done this before).
While not required, having a collapsable goal is nice: We like to practice in the front yard so we picked up a collapsable soccer net that we could put up and down as needed.
Grab a Sockit: If your child needs help with their soccer skills, consider grabbing a SOCKIT*. The SOCKIT is a light-up kicking device designed to improve your soccer game so you can level up on form, power, and technique. It’s simple—kick the ball right and it lights up, giving you instant feedback. We’ve been using it for the past week and have loved how it’s taught our son where to aim his foot when he takes a shot. The SOCKIT trainer goes over your child’s cleat and, as I mentioned before, lights up when they kick the ball in the correct place. It’s amazing how motivating the Sockit can be! It lights up with every correct kick so when your child is practicing they can focus on hitting the ball with your foot in the right place. It’s a great tool and easily portable so we could bring it to practice with us.

*You can purchase the SOCKIT here and can get 15% off with code simmworksfamily15. This code expires on 4/30/16 and must be entered at check out.

Feeling more confident about starting a new sport? You got this!

Have any tips to add? What sports do your kids play?

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: boy mom, soccer, soccer mom, soccer tips, sockit

Tips On Making Healthy Living A Priority For Moms

March 30, 2016 by Danielle

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Heart Association. All opinions are 100% mine.

Like most moms, my number one priority is my children. Our day to day lives, as well as the decision we make for our future, revolve around them. So when it comes to our health, I also want to make sure I remember to not only take care of the kids but myself as well. By making a few changes to our daily routine I’ve been able to focus on my health without drastically changing how I’m living or taking too much time on one thing. Because we all know if it takes too much time, it isn’t going to happen.

We want to experience more of life’s precious moments. But to do that, we must be healthy in heart and mind. As the American Heart Association reminds us, the heart is where life’s moments are felt most, and the mind is where we relive them again and again. Making healthy living a priority for moms is easy when you have the right tools! By making these changes we can impact better heart and brain health. You have the power to affect real change!

Tips On Making Healthy Living A Priority For Moms

Make Simple Changes

Healthy living doesn’t mean changing your whole way of living. It means changing a few small things to make a big impact. Here are a few changes you can implement in your daily lives that have big impacts:

Eat more fruits and veggies – Consider joining a CSA or a food delivery program that delivers fresh produce right to your door! We love Farm Fresh to You’s veggie/fruit deliveries.
Eat less sodium – Read labels and see where sodium is hiding. Then reduce the amount you’re eating!
Drink less sugary sweetened beverages – Do you drink soda? Cut down your consumption or switch it for flavored water!
Increase your physical activity – just add a 30-minute walk in a day! Then increase from there.
Check and control blood pressure – regular check ups with your doctor are important for overall health.

Find a Work-Life Balance

Sometimes the stress in our lives is made when we try and do too much or take on too many tasks. Finding that work/life balance can help ease stress and reduce health problems. Here are some basic changes to make:

Set office hours and stick to them! If you work outside of the home, this may be easy, but if you work from home like me, office hours are a must. This also applies to SAHMs. You can create a schedule around kids activities, focusing on the home, etc so you are using your time more efficiently.
But also, schedule some family/home hours as well. Between school pick-up and bedtime are the times during the week that I focus on the kids and after 10 a.m. on the weekends is family time. I try not to work on holidays as well so I make it clear that I’m not available on those days.
“Me time” is important as well. I make sure to get out once a month and focus on myself. Whether that’s mom’s night out, getting a pedicure, or getting my hair cut, even as little as one hour is enough for me to recharge. You could even consider creating a Moms group where you get together once a month at each other’s houses just to get some mom time in.

Implement Change One Step At A Time

Don’t rush into these changes all at once. While one or two changes may be ok right now, making too many changes may lead to defeat. Consider adding 1-2 new changes into your routine a week and work from there. By the time you realize it, you may have already implemented some great changes in your life and are already becoming a healthier you.

Remember, these changes are not only for you but for your whole family! Make it fun and challenge the other family members in your home to participate as well! Take a walk at night as a family to tackle increasing physical activity AND spending family time together. Or consider a screen time ban after dinner so you create family time.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has resources for healthy living, like recipes, healthy tips and tricks for moms, and information and resources on heart and brain health. They’re working to improve the health of communities by affecting laws through advocacy initiatives. As an organization, the AHA is funding life-saving research and science advances to help people live healthier, longer lives. You can find more resources by visiting Life Is Why.

Looking for more support? The Moms Unite Facebook Group is also a great place for fellow moms to get together in an effort to encourage one another and share tips for leading a healthy life. Check out what they have on Pinterest too!

Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life. What’s yours?

Filed Under: Life, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Adult Health, AHA, Health, Motherhood, Women's Health

Sleep Tips for Kids + A Peppermint Coffee Sugar Scrub Recipe

March 21, 2016 by Danielle

Last week I was invited to host and attend a seminar hosted by Radys Children’s Health Network and Children’s Primary Care Medical Group. Cleverly titled, “Good Night, Sleep Tight” the conversations of the night covered the topic of sleep. We were greeted by two local physicians who both chat a lot about sleep with their parents. Dr. Adrienne Lostetter is a pediatrician and member of the Children’s Primary Care Medical Group. And Dr. Rakesh Bhattacharjee is a pediatric pulminologist and director of the Sleep Center at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego.

Both tackled the topic of sleep as Dr. Lostetter covered typical sleep cycles and how to help our kids get to sleep. Dr. Bhattacharjee helped us understand the issues that arise when there are sleep problems (more on that topic later!). Then we had a little fun when Jimbo’s… Naturally! shared some fun sugar scrub recipes with us. Including an adapted version of my Vanilla Mint scrub that the attendees could make and take home with them! I share the peppermint coffee sugar scrub they demonstrated for us below!

Now I know that each kid is different, as is each kid’s sleep patterns. And each family is different too. While below is the advice of Dr. Lostetter, I do want to note that we have co-slept with all three of our kids. I feel that having them near me is the safest when they’re infants and my older two have since transitioned to their own beds in their own rooms easily and without issue. But more on that later!

Sleep Tips for Kids

from Dr. Adrienne Lostetter of Children’s Primary Care Medical Group

Infants & Toddlers

Infant sleep cycles may vary until about 6 months of age. Newborns can sleep about 16-17 hours per day but might only sleep in 1 or 2 hour chunks of time. As babies get older, they need less sleep. However, all babies are different – even each of your own kids are different!

The best sleeping surface is a firm mattress without all of those cute bumper pads and comforters. SIDS is a real concern at this age so make sure they are “back to sleep” in a safe crib.

Toddlers need plenty of sleep as well. About 11-12 hours of sleep a day, including naps, will help them grow up healthy. Like teens, children who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese. They also tend to have tired cues and reading these can help prevent bedtime battles.

Preschoolers

Preschoolers need 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Somewhere between ages 3-5, your child will likely stop nap time. This transition can be hard. To make it easier on both parents and kids, move their bedtime earlier slowly over time so they get plenty of sleep. Make sure to establish bedtime routines – kids thrive on routines.

Teens

For adolescents, 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep a night is recommended. Keeping a similar weekday and weekend schedule leads to less fatigue.

Teens who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression. They are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents and have better grades/higher standardized test scores. Most importantly, they will have an overall better quality of life.

You can find more tips on developing better sleep routines for kids here and a few bedtime tips here.

Peppermint Coffee Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup organic coffee grinds
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
1/2 cup organic jojoba oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Combine all ingredients & mix well. Store in an air-tight container and enjoy in your next bath or shower. Should last 7 days in the shower.

Once you finally get your kids in bed, what’s the first thing you do?

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: co-sleeping, CPCMG, infant sleep, Rady Children's, Safe Sleeping Tips, Sleep

Teething Tips and Tricks

Rub your baby’s gums.

Offer a teething ring.

Keep it cool.

Dry the drool.

Try an over-the-counter remedy.

What are your best teething tips?

How I’m Teaching My White Children That Black Lives Matter

Asking Questions

Saying “I Don’t Know”

Acknowledging Our Situation

Black Lives Matter.

Please feel free to link to your posts below in the comments as you #SaySomething and I’ll share.

How to Trade Clean Time for Screen Time

Grab your free chore chart printable here!

How do you get your kids involved in household chores? What age do you start?

5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Summer

1. More Time With The Kids –

2. Later Bedtime –

3. No Alarm Clock –

4. Warm Weather –

5. Fun Adventures –

Outdoor Movie Night On A Trampoline

What #Simply5 words describe a sweet memory that’s made your day special?

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream In A Bag

10 Places To Find Teachable Moments

How do you make teachable moments fun?

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

Creams, Lotions & Gels

Tummy Troubles

Pain Relief

Feel Better Essentials

What essentials do you keep on hand at all times?

Tips For New Soccer Moms

1. Get Organized

2. Be Prepared For Everything

3. Make Friends (and Carpool Buddies)

4. Utilize A Few (Inexpensive) Tools

Have any tips to add? What sports do your kids play?

Tips On Making Healthy Living A Priority For Moms

Make Simple Changes

Find a Work-Life Balance

Implement Change One Step At A Time

Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life. What’s yours?

Sleep Tips for Kids

Infants & Toddlers

Preschoolers

Teens

Peppermint Coffee Sugar Scrub

Once you finally get your kids in bed, what’s the first thing you do?

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