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Pool Party Etiquette + A Simple Solution To Party Gifts

August 8, 2016 by Danielle 2 Comments

We’re sharing some tips on pool party etiquette and our simple solution to picking the perfect party gift with help from our partner Google Express. Also? You can score a free 6-month membership by using code FREETIME when signing up! More savings at the bottom of this post including $15 off your first order.

This past week was very busy. It was the first week the kids didn’t have camp and things were a bit… busy… in our home. Not only was I working from home while the kids tried to entertain themselves, but we are also preparing for vacation.

And that means extra work, extra things on my to-do list (what items did we need for our trip?) and extra chores. You see, I hate leaving the house un-tidy when we leave for vacation. It’s just not fun to come back from being away and not having things perfect at home. Does that make sense? Basically I had to do all.the.things in one week.

So when we were invited to a pool party for my son’s friend that weekend, I wasn’t sure if I could do one more thing. But luckily with the help of Google Express, I was able to not only tackle my to-do list from my house, but I was also able to pick up pool supplies and a gift for my son’s friend all from the comforts of my home. And it was all delivered with time to spare. That means less running from one store to the next to the next and more spending time at home getting things ready here.

Checking off things on my to-do list not only give me personal satisfaction but also free up time during my day so I can do fun things with the kids. Total win in my book!

I just perused the site (and over 25+ stores) and added what I needed to my cart. Sunscreen, cell phone tripod, sea bands for the trip. A LEGO for my son’s friend’s gift. And cleaning supplies for the house. All within 15-20 minutes of looking for what I needed. That would have taken me a lot more time driving to a few different stores. In two days the items arrived at my doorstep and I was able to continue to go about checking off everything on my list before our trip. And next month when we need more sunscreen I know exactly where to go!

Pool Party Etiquette

1. Bring Your Own Towel

And goggles, and floaties, and change of clothes, and… you get what I mean. Don’t expect the host to provide anything you might need at the party. I also find that it’s helpful to bring a wet bag to put the wet clothes in after the kids get out of the pool and dry off.

2. Make Sure To Designate Supervision

For me, personally, if my kids are in the pool, so am I. While my son is a strong swimmer, my daughter still lacks the confidence to swim for a long period of time without me close by. Even if I’m not right there in the pool, I’m on the side of the pool with bathing suit on just in case. If you’re dropping your child off at a pool party, don’t feel weird asking the host how many parents will be watching the kids and if the parents will be in the pool.

3. Go Over Pool Rules

Before you leave the house, remember to go over the pool rules with the kids so they’re up on pool safety and what’s to be expected of them. Make sure they understand who’s in charge, what is ok and not ok, and what to do if they need something. I find that the kids actually remember the rules when I go over them a few times.

4. Remember Sunscreen

It may be obvious but for our family we stock up on sunscreen like it’s going out of style. And then we buy more. Because even when wearing sunscreen I will burn. So I am that parent who will re-apply my kid’s sunscreen every 1-2 hours. I’m also the parent that has extra for the kids who forgot their sunscreen. It’s an important part of the pool party equation.

5. Have Fun!

Whether it’s fun in the pool or out, the key to any good party is to have fun. And that means SAFE fun. Plan a few activities for the kids to do outside of the pool so that when they’re done playing in the water, they have a safe activity to participate in.

Great Gift Ideas with Google Express

With over 25 stores to choose from, you can find everything from pool toys from Target, to LEGO sets from Toys R Us , to books from Barnes and Noble. And don’t get me started on the awesome Costco finds I was perusing! There are so many great gift ideas all in one place.

Plus, you get same-day, overnight or 2-day delivery from these stores with Google Express. It’s your everyday, delivered. We’re at Target or Costco at least once or twice a week so the fact that we can shop at these stores all in one place, add items to our cart, choose when we want delivery from each store, and check out using Google Payments makes everything so much easier. One place, not 10.

With a Google Express membership, you can get fast and free delivery on eligible orders. For non-members, delivery starts at $4.99 per store for eligible orders which is definitely reasonable for what you’re getting.

Want to check out Google Express yourself? Sign up for a FREE 6 month membership by using code FREETIME. Just click on the Try It Free button after following the link. Then you can shop and use BJK8N924Z at checkout for $15 off first purchase. You will need to sign up first with code FREETIME before you can use the $15 off referral code.

Once you’ve enjoyed the freedom Google Express brings, post a comment or photo of your Saturday on social media with the #MyNewSaturday and #GoogleExpress hashtags to share how you’re spending your newfound free time!

How will you spend your free time this summer?

Give $15, Get $15: Offer may end at any time/valid until 08/31/2016 while your account is active. Limited to Google Express accounts that received the offer from Google. Each valid referral gets you a $15 courtesy credit when the new users you referred place their first order using your referral code. Alcohol, gift cards, membership costs, and shipping & service fees excluded. Credits you give are subject to these terms. Credits you get are subject to these terms.*

Filed Under: gift ideas, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Birthday Party, gift ideas, gifts, Google Express, pool, pool party

2 Ingredient Silly Putty

August 7, 2016 by Danielle 1 Comment

This post featuring how to make 2 Ingredient Silly Putty was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

All summer the kids and I have been finding fun ways to stay busy together. Whether they’re messy crafts, DIY jewelry or other projects, or taking road trips to fun new places. So when my daughter came to me this morning and asked if we could do something together before the baby and her brother woke up, I knew I had to get a little creative and make it happen.

With ingredients we found around the house, we experimented a bit in finding a way to make 2 ingredient silly putty right in our back yard. And we cleaned everything up afterwards with the WaterWipes I purchased at Babies R Us a few weeks ago. We were able to do this fun craft in less than 15 minutes and she’s still playing with the silly putty now! So fun.

2 Ingredient Silly Putty

What you need:

1 part corn starch
1 part dish soap
measuring cup
mixing container
spoon
WaterWipes

What you’ll do:

1. Add equal parts dish soap and corn starch to mixing container. Start with 1 cup of each.

2. Stir ingredients together until combined. Add corn starch if more structure is needed.

3. Play with your silly putty!

2 Ingredient Baby Wipes

Just like this silly putty, WaterWipes contains only two ingredients, 99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. It’s also chemical free which is a huge plus in a baby wipe.

And it’s durability? Well lets just say that it can withstand my 18 month old, 5 year old, and 7 year old! Not just for wiping during diaper changes but after messy projects like this one as well! It’s definitely a safer, natural option for our kids.

How do you deal with messy situations?

You can find Water Wipes right by the diapers in your local Babies R Us store! They come in this convenient 60 count size that I keep in the diaper bag, next to the changing table, or near the craft area.

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY, Keep Kids Busy, Uncategorized

Making Friends In Your Thirties: The Hard Truth No One Told Me About

August 5, 2016 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I’ve always been somewhat outgoing. I’ve always been able to easily strike up a conversation or find something I could relate to the other person. My my has stories of me making friends with other kids on the McDonalds playground or just about anywhere else we went. As I went through school and into my 20s, I had no problems finding friends and people to hang out with. But I didn’t realize how different it’d be once I hit thirty.

The biggest thing, I think, was the realization that it’s SO much harder to find a solid tribe as you get older.

One thing I’ve learned, after the many friendships I’ve held, is that I have become more selective in who I bring into my tribe. Sure I have a lot of acquaintances but there are few I let into my life. And even though I’m more selective, I’ve found that the friendships I make are stronger and easier. On a recent trip I was invited on courtesy of Kia, I was able to strengthen some of those friendships I hold dearest to me. The unexpected ones.

I packed my new luggage up with cute outfits and a band t-shirt – Sublime of course – and headed down to the Hardrock Hotel San Diego to spend a few days with Kia and a few girlfriends – old and new. Now I thought I was just heading down to learn more about Kia and their brand, but what I also learned was how important I hold these relationships I’ve forged online. And how much girl time really means when you work full time and care for kids full time. Those two days saved my sanity when I needed it most.

Even though we hardly ever see each other in person – sometimes only every few years – each time we meet up it’s as if we’ve never been apart. I don’t have to censor myself, I don’t have to think about what I’m going to say next. Because these friends I’ve formed bonds with get me. They get my world.

Finding friendship in my thirties has been hard but it’s also been the most rewarding.

So as I headed out to tour my dear city in a Kia Sedona with friend and fellow blogger, Heather Reese, I got to enjoy the smooth ride, adaptive cruise control, and heightened visibility while we talked about everything from our childhoods to our futures. We were able to simply relax and be ourselves even when we were sharing in a brand experience. Because that’s Kia. Down to earth, easy, and fun. Not to mention very, very comfortable. I may or may not have seen myself as a converted minivan mom. Can’t wait to see how the carseats fit in the back!

When we arrived back to the hotel after driving around and experiencing a bit of everything San Diego has to offer – from sea to mountains to desert – we spent a little more time with Kia. We enjoyed the Harman Kardon sound system as we rocked out and watched the talent that was around us. Live band karaoke and amazing videos created by the influencers as they cruised around in the various Kia vehicles available to us to test drive.

If there’s one thing that can bring friends together, it’s music. We belted out tunes together and enjoyed the talent of those around us who took to the mic. I may or may not have also stepped up on stage. After, we were able to chat more into the night and simply enjoy time together as friends. And it was exactly what I needed.

I know how important it is to carve out time for friendships. To continue growing those friendships and focusing on the good people around me. While I don’t have as many friends as I once did in my teens and twenties, I know that the friendships I do have are stronger than ever. And I’m already planning my next girls night…

Have you found it difficult to make friends as you get older? What are the changes you’ve seen?

While at The New Kia event we were introduced to two new vehicles from Kia to hit the market soon. The new Kia Niro and Kia Cadenza. The Kia Niro is a hybrid utility vehicle – the first of it’s kind and the first Kia to be built from the ground up as a hybrid. We cannot wait to test drive it once it hit’s the market. This is exactly what my husband’s been looking for!

Thanks again to Kia for inviting me to The New Kia event!

Filed Under: Mom's Night Out, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Kia, Kia Sedona, Mom Time, Mom's Night Out, San DIego

Exploring Santa Fe With Kids: Meow Wolf

August 4, 2016 by Danielle 1 Comment

A few weeks ago our family set out on their first summer adventure. We hit the road in a Kia Sorrento that Kia so graciously lent us and traveled across two states to arrive at our destination – Santa Fe, New Mexico – for a few days. I was there for a conference and the family came along for the adventure.

While there, we wanted to find fun, new things for the kids to explore so the first thing we did was spark up a conversation with a few parents we ran into and asked what they did with their kids for fun. And while we got some great suggestions for various things to do around town, the one suggestion that was the same from everyone was to visit Meow Wolf.

Meow Wolf? What could that possibly be? Well let me tell you. If you are anywhere around Santa Fe, you NEED to check out this exhibit. It is absolutely amazing. And the perfect experience for adults and children alike.

Meow Wolf: The House Of Eternal Return Exhibit

When we first stepped inside The House Of Eternal Return exhibit at Meow Wolf all we saw was what appeared to be the yard of a large house. There was a mailbox, a porch, and we entered into the front door. Inside we walked around the house and saw the various rooms inside. Kitchen, dining room, living room downstairs, and bedrooms upstairs.

After exploring each room downstairs, we headed up to the bedrooms. And from within the bedrooms we found our way into what appeared to be a different dimension. We walked around the exhibit allowing the kids to lead. Around every bend was another crazy, amazing room after another filled with various sites and sounds.

What was most enjoyable about Meow Wolf was the hands on feel. Our kids could explore this exhibit with every sense and really experience each new finding. We didn’t have to worry about standing back and watching, or keeping our voices quiet. Although the sites we explored did leave the kids quiet as they busily walked (and ran) around to find the next new thing.

About Meow Wolf

With the help of George R.R. Martin, who recently purchased a vacant former bowling alley, Meow Wolf has converted the building into a multi-use Art Complex. The Meow Wolf Art Complex stands as a beacon of creativity and community in Santa Fe’s emerging Midtown Innovation District, welcoming locals and tourists alike to take part in fun, enriching art experiences, workshops, and community activities.

The building is home to the JoAnn and Bob Balzer Creative Maker Studio hosted by Make Santa Fe, The David Loughridge Learning Center inhabited by Meow Wolf’s non-profit educational outreach program Chimera, and the 20,000 square foot interactive art experience “House of Eternal Return.”

What Else To Do At Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf does not just house The House of Eternal Return exhibit. You can also participate hands-on in some of the artist’s projects in the Maker Studio as well as various workshops held. But make sure to check out the website before visiting so you can sign up in advance for the workshops you or your kids are most interested in.

When we visited, after exploring the exhibit, we headed to the Learning Center where, after a small donation, the kids could paint, build, and create various pieces of artwork. They were able to meet other children and have a bit more fun before we returned to our hotel. If we had thought about it ahead of time we would have looked into the workshops they also held to sign the kids up. But that’ll be for next time…

If you’re in Santa Fe and haven’t been to Meow Wolf, go!

Give yourself about 2 hours to explore (maybe a little longer if you want to spend some time in the Learning Center). Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for children 12 and under, and $16 for seniors (cheaper for New Mexico residents). You can purchase tickets online in advance here.

And make sure to bring your camera!

Have you been to New Mexico with kids? What was your favorite part?

Looking for a new family car? Check out the Kia Sorrento. Roomy, smart, and so comfortable.

My family of 5 was able to get 3 carseats in the back (2 Britax Frontiers forward facing and 1 Diono Radian rear facing) and while it was a tight squeeze, it worked. There’s an option for a third row for larger families or those who don’t want 3 carseats across. Our favorite features? USB plug ins + 110 volt power inverter to keep all of our tech charged and ready to go, advanced smart cruise control, and superb navigation!

Thanks again to Kia for loaning us a Kia Sorrento for our family road trip. Stay tuned for more adventure updates from our trip!

Filed Under: Travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: Kia, Kia Sorrento, New Mexico, Santa Fe, Travel, travel tips

Instant Pot Recipes: Individual Crustless Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

July 30, 2016 by Danielle 4 Comments

Sometimes you just need a good dessert to fall back on. Even if you decided to go low carb and kick sugar. And especially if it can be made in the appliance you purchased on Prime Day on a whim because it has been in your cart for so long you forgot why you wanted it and it was finally on sale.

Yup, I was like the thousands of others who purchased an (get ready for an affiliate link…) Instant Pot on Prime Day. And I also made this recipe three times to perfect this crustless peanut butter chocolate cheesecake in an effort to have an awesome alternative for dessert when my family baked their Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chip cookies they keep in the freezer for random “cravings” in the evenings.

Dude. This recipe? Is now my go-to whenever we’re heading to a birthday party, family get together, or on a Sunday night when I watch the kids and husband down cookies. Because while I’m not a huge cheesecake fan, it’s just enough peanut butter chocolatey goodness that I forget I’m watching my carbs and really feel like I’m indulging.

Now less talking and more sharing recipes…

I’m sharing this one on my dedicated low carb site. You can just click right here to grab it in it’s entirety! Including directions on how to cook it in the Instant Pot.

Crustless Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, LCHF, Recipes, Uncategorized, weight loss Tagged With: Instant Pot, Instant Pot Recipes, Low Carb, low carb high fat, Low Carb Recipes, Low Carb San DIego

Low Carb Fish Tacos + a Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

July 20, 2016 by Danielle 2 Comments

It is summer and I just do not feel like cooking big, heavy meals. So when I grabbed a box of salmon fillets from Costco a few weeks ago, I was dying to try them out. The fillets go in the oven (boo) but cook really quickly and what you can do with them afterwards is even better!

We had been just serving the fillets with some veggies or over a salad but I decided to get a little creative and create some mock fish tacos that fit my low carb lifestyle. I’ve been low carb since the beginning of June (actually started last year but that lost steam around the holidays). With my new lifestyle, I also started a blog because… why not? It’s a local blog that covers local restaurants and how to eat low carb around San Diego but it’s also going to be chocked full of the LCHF recipes I try out. Like this lettuce wrapped mahi mahi taco with low carb tartar sauce.

I’ll make sure to share a snippet and photos of my recipes here with a link over to the full recipe on each post so you can stay in the loop! And if you’re living a low carb lifestyle already, I’d love to hear your go-to food ideas!

Grab the full recipe here:

LETTUCE WRAPPED MAHI MAHI TACOS WITH LOW CARB TARTAR SAUCE

Filed Under: Dinner, Health & Wellness, In the Kitchen, LCHF, Recipes, Uncategorized, weight loss Tagged With: fish, Low Carb, low carb high fat, Low Carb Recipes, Low Carb San DIego, tacos

What Is Pokémon Go?

July 18, 2016 by Danielle 1 Comment

The entire Internet, nay the entire world, seems to be buzzing about this whole Pokémon Go thing. You probably remember Pokémon as being a card game that little kids played back in the late 90’s, which accompanied a Saturday morning cartoon of the same name. So why are adults and children alike hooked on this mobile version today… and what exactly is it?

For starters, Pokémon Go is a free mobile app. While you can use real money to buy in-game currency, you don’t have to, and the game is actually more fun if you have to use your time and energy to get further in the game (because it means you physically have to go out into the world and interact with other people to advance). I explained it to my son this way, “If you want to just sit at home and pay . money to get coins to purchase things instead of go out and find these items on your own, you’re better of playing something else. Pokémon Go isn’t for you.”

How Does It Work?

The game uses your phone’s GPS for your real-world location, drops an avatar of yourself onto a map of your area, and then shows you where to go to catch Pokémon (or “pocket monsters”). You then have to physically go to the location in order to “catch” the Pokémon.

Your collection of little monsters is stored away in a Pokédex, where you can break them out later at your local “gym” to battle them against other, real-live people’s collections. (The players are referred to as trainers, by the way. You’ll have access to gyms, where you can battle other trainers using your collection of Pokémon, onceyou get to level five in the game.

Time to geek out: Each Pokémon has a “CP” designation, or combat power designation. The higher the CP, the stronger it will be in battle.

When you see blue diamond markers on your map, it means a Pokéstop is nearby. These are places where you can interact with other trainers or pick up other items important to your game. When you find a blue Pokéstop close by, you can spin the center medal to reveal Pokéballs, eggs, potions and more.

How To Get Started

If you want to give it a try, download the app. Once you open it, you’ll be prompted to sign up with either your Google account or a Pokémon Trainer Club account. You’ll get a brief how-to tutorial before three Pokémon pop up on your map. Swipe your finger across the screen to throw a Pokéball at one of them (which captures the creature). Practice makes perfect! After this, you’ll be able to explore the app. Look for blowing leaves, which mean there are hidden Pokémon nearby.

FYI: Highly populated areas tend to have more Pokémon and Pokéstops.

What To Look Out For

A few warnings: The app itself warns users to be aware of their surroundings when playing the game. There are a few obvious dangers, such as paying so much attention to your phone that you walk into oncoming traffic, but there are also more troublesome crimes being reported, blaming the app. Some people have been lured into unsafe areas and robbed, with the hope that Pokémon would be at the scene of the crime. The best way to avoid criminal activity is to use common sense when playing. Don’t go to unfamiliar, isolated places at 2:00 a.m. for example… On the whole, the game is harmless fun, so don’t be scared.

These isolated incidents aside, Pokémon Go is catching on because it combines gaming, physical activity and making new friends…in the real world! When you look at it this way, it makes sense that everyone’s “gotta catch ‘em all!

Have you downloaded Pokémon Go yet?

We’ll be sharing tips on playingPokémon Go next so stay tuned! And hopefully on your adventures you don’t get this screen…

Filed Under: Technology, Uncategorized Tagged With: app, apps, apps for kids, games, Pokemon, Pokemon Go

9 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Stop Swim Lessons After Summer

July 15, 2016 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We’re about 1/2 way through summer and I can tell you that we’ve spent a lot of time at the pool or the beach already. Because we live in Southern California, I found it really important to teach my children how to swim from an early age. And I’ve found the importance of continuing swim lessons even after summer has ended. With the help of our partner, SafeSplash Swim School, I’m sharing 9 reasons why you shouldn’t stop swim lessons after summer.

As soon as my kids took interest in the water, and from a young age, I wanted to teach them water safety. It wasn’t just about learning how to swim, or feeling comfortable in the water. I wanted to make sure that if something happened and they found themselves in the water, they would know how to safely react until help arrived.

For the first two kids we tried a few different variations of swim classes. From the rec center down the street to the local YMCA, we couldn’t find something that we absolutely loved for all of the kids. And especially for babies.

Luckily, we found SafeSplash swim school this year for my youngest’s first experience in the water. And I have to tell you, I think we have another water baby on our hands! Not only did she LOVE being in the water, now she enjoys practicing the skills she’s learning any time we are in the pool. And I’ve realized the importance of continuing swim lessons even after summer has ended.

9 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Stop Swim Lessons After Summer

1. Stick with a Routine – I’ve found that while we don’t care for busy schedules in our home, a routine is a good thing. And when my kids do the same thing frequently, they come to realize the important of a routine. By taking them to swim every week they’ve started to get excited about going and genuinely look forward to their next lesson.

2. Safety First – Just because it’s not summer doesn’t mean children aren’t near water. Whether it’s ponds, lakes, the ocean, etc, or even a pool in their friend’s back yard, continuing to learn swim techniques and becoming a stronger swimmer can help reduce the chance of an accident should a child fall into a body of water.

3. Swim Parties – If you live in SoCal like we do, swim parties can pop up throughout the year. And if your child is rusty on their swim techniques, they may not be as confident in their swimming skills when a party comes around. By continuing their swimming lessons, they’ll be a pro at the next swim party.

4. Reiterate What You’ve Learned – Practice makes perfect, right? As each lesson passes, children will learn to become a stronger swimmer and gain confidence in their ability in the pool. There won’t be any down time to get rusty!

5. Creating A Love of Swimming – My children are water babies. As soon as they see water they get excited. I can only hope that by continuing swim lessons, they’ve created a love of swimming that will last their whole lives.

6. Great Exercise – Swimming is a great stress reliever but it’s also great exercise as well. Plus? It’s not hard on joints or bones so it’s great for all ages. And there are so many ways to challenge oneself in the water. From underwater weights, to water aerobics, to laps, there are great opportunities to strengthen and stay fit.

7. Individual and Team Sports – With a love of water, and great exercise, comes great opportunities. From water polo, to competitive swim, there are so many different sports for children to learn after they’ve mastered the basics of swimming. This can help them greatly in the years to come.

8. Helps Kids In School – Your kids’ time in the pool can translate to higher grades in school. Swimming has been scientifically linked to an better academic performance. Studies have found that children who swam during their developmental years achieved several physical and mental milestones faster than their non-swimming counterparts. How cool is that?

9. It’s Fun! – I don’t know about you but some of the best memories I have of the water are good ones. My friends and I playing marco polo, or siblings diving off my Grandma’s diving board into her pool. Running into the ocean and swimming out just a tad farther than I could touch and riding the waves back into shore while body surfing. Water can be fun when you have the skills to do so.

With over 150 locations across the US and Mexico, The SafeSplash/Swimtastic brand family is the largest and fastest growing group of swim schools for kids in North America. At each one of their swim schools, they understand swimming is a life skill® that is extremely important to your child’s safety and development.

To learn more about SafeSplash swim schools and see if there’s a location near you, check out www.safesplash.com and www.swimtastic.com. You can also check out their blogs at https://www.safesplash.com/blog and http://blog.swimtastic.com.

Are your kids in swim lessons?

Want to read more? Consider these articles:

Water Safety Tips for Kids

5 Reasons to Drink Water for Kids

15 Water Activities for Kids

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: swim lessons, Swimming, water, water safety

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

July 10, 2016 by Danielle Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: black lives matter, current events, parenting

25 Kids Crafts for Those “I’m Bored” Summer Days

June 29, 2016 by Danielle 1 Comment

Both kids are out of school for the summer and it’s the first time I’ve had them both home all day. And while I love summer and all of the fun adventures we get to have, I still need to work during the day. So I’ve checked out a few of my favorite crafts from some awesome sites and am going to start setting up crafting kits for the kids on the weekend so they have 2-3 crafts to do during the week. These summer crafts for kids are great for all ages and you can make them with your child or let your child do it themselves with some guidance.