Train potty: Mommy

Tampilkan postingan dengan label Mommy. Tampilkan semua postingan

Senin, 21 Agustus 2017

Guest Post Beauty by Mommy

I'm excited to share another guest post today!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nikki is a wife to a loving husband, a mother to a lovely and bright little girl, a lifestyle blogger, and an aspiring beauty guru. You can find out more on her blog http://whatzbuzzin.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to build a relationship with your child

How is your relationship with your child/children? How much time do you spend to just sit and talk to them about their day? Do you make it a point to spend the weekends playing and hanging out with them?

These are some of the questions I asked myself when I was still working. Whenever I dropped my daughter off at daycare, I felt heartbroken. I’m sure all of us parents felt the same way at some point. It was so hard for me to leave her there knowing I wouldn't see her until 5:00! The pain was so excruciating that I had to quit my job and become a stay at home mom. That’s when I learned that having a relationship with your kids is very important.

I was raised by a single mom. So it was just me and my mother for about 22 years. Like other parents, she sheltered me all those years. I remember going to the mall with her and just spending time, bonding and talking about stuff. We didn’t have much but it didn’t matter, because as long as we were together we were happy. I had a great relationship with my mother, and now we still have that unbreakable bond. We fight like normal mothers and daughters, and we argue, but at the end of the day it’s the relationship we built for the past 22 years that keeps us together. This is the kind of relationship I want to have with my daughter. A bond that will last for all lifetime.

As a stay at home mom, I have all the free time to make sure she gets the learning she needs. Even though she doesn’t go to daycare yet, I intend to at least teach her the basics. With learning comes fun and play. Below are some things I do to help my daughter learn and also to build a relationship with her.

Make A Play Area

When I woke up this morning, I decided to make a “play corner” for Cassie. So I rearranged my living room. Seen in the picture are some of Cassie’s toys. As you can see we have a theme going on. The Disney princess table is a set that I bought from a garage sale. The Disney Princess Magic Rise Kitchen Playset and Disney Princess Magic Rise Enchanted Oven are bought from Craigslist by her Grammy just yesterday. The personalized purple toy bin in the corner was made by her God Mother. She didn’t have a play area before but after seeing her play with her kitchen last night (and Grammy almost had an accident because of her toys), I decided to do this. Now she has her own area to play and just enjoy.

Learn With Them

Cassie loves to draw, write and color. So we make it a point to do things that she loves to do. Lately, I have been teaching her the numbers 11-20 since she knows how to count from 1-10. I also bought these alphabet and number posters from the Dollar Store and posted it on her room wall. I remember that’s how I learned since I could see the posters everyday.

I don’t like Math, but I don’t let it stop me from teaching my child the opposite. Learning with them not only makes it a special bonding time, but the life teachings will eventually pay off.

Read With Them

For some parents, reading before bedtime is a huge part of their nightly routine. Reading allows your child to have great vocabulary, but it also a perfect way to bond, especially for working parents. Don’t complain when they ask you to read “The Little Mermaid” for the thousandth time, it just means they love hearing your voice read their favorite book.

Be Silly With Them

Do they want you to wear silly costumes? Does your daughter want you to wear tiaras? (Yes Dads, I’m asking you.) Do they ask you to hula hoop? Then do it! Being silly as a parent means more than you can imagine to your child. I’m sure that when we were kids we asked our parents to do silly things, and we loved it! Acting immature once in a while with your kids makes a great bond. So if your kid asks you to slide down a very narrow slide with her, even if you end up getting stuck in the middle, do it. And yes, that was based on experience.

Go On A Family Vacation

Now this is a “no brainer." We went to Disneyland this year, and it was a lot of fun. Cassie was able to see her favorite Disney Princesses. Going on a vacation doesn’t have to involve riding airplanes. You can go on road trips, visit other cities, or even go camping. This is another way to bond and get away from your normal routine.

Play With Them

Sit down on the floor, and play with their toys with them. Chase them around the house, play peek-a-boo, build a fort, or play dress up. Playing with them builds one of the greatest bonds because it lets them feel that you are interested in what they do. They will cherish these moments forever.

Talk To Them

Do a “how, what, why, where” question.

*How was your day?, How was school/daycare?

*What did you do today?

*Why are you upset?

*Where did you play today? Where did you go today?

These questions are great conversation starters. It’s a way of them telling you how their day went. This is also a good way to let your kids feel that you are interested. I also learned that by doing this, you also know if your kid is being bullied.

Every parent has different ways of building a relationship with their kids. It doesn’t matter if you are a stay at home parent or a working parent, spending time with your kids every day won’t hurt. As the saying goes, every second counts.

Minggu, 30 Juli 2017

Mommy and Baby Matching Headbands Review and Giveaway

I got an Instagram comment one day that said, 'My friend runs a small headband business and I wonder if you'd want to do a giveaway on your blog for her stuff?' I went to the shop's account and said, 'Yes, please!' because having a matching headband with my girl is RIGHT up my alley. And plus, I really need to wear headbands other than my 'sporty' Lulu ones....just for days when I pretend to be dressed up and not always in athletic gear;) Cecelia is certainly not hurting in the hair decoration department but she one can never have too many options for little girls, right?

Danielle from Pieces to Peaces Boutique emailed me after her friend connected us through Instagram. I told her I'd love to try one of her mommy and me sets of peace bands in any color/print. She sent me gray chevron ones so maybe she knows me better than I thought;)

I am dying over how adorable Cecelia looks in her new band. With her wild hair sticking out everywhere I think she pulls off the wider fabric really well. And I keep playing with where I want to put the little gathered seam. And yes, a popsicle was totally necessary to keep her entertained.

2013-06-09_0004

My band is super comfortable and 'dressier' than my athletic headbands, for sure. I think I like my gathered seam right in the middle of my head, but I also tried putting it in the back, under my pony tail, too. I also want to wear this with my hair down---but that will require a blowdryer and flat iron, so it might not happen for a bit. Loving how easy it is to throw this on and look somewhat put together even when I'm straight of the shower with a wet ponytail.

2013-06-09_0001

Also, matching my daughter is fun. Also, I need to learn to sew asap because I want a lot of other products from Danielle.

2013-06-09_0003

So now it's time for you to get a pair of your own 'peace bands', my dear readers.

Comment in this post to enter from now until Wednesday night, June 12. Then on Thursday morning, June 13 I will randomly select a comment as the winner in a different post. You don't have to say anything special in your comment, or you can tell us your favorite product on the Pieces to Peaces FB page (she is working on her Etsy page, too). Go crazy;)

Best of luck!!

Senin, 29 Mei 2017

Items for a New Mommy

When you imagine coming home with your new bundle of joy, you probably think about swaddling blankets and stuffed animals and tiny outfits. You probably have a supply of diapers, wipes, and baby lotions as well.

Just remember, as a new mom, you'll need some items for a smooth recovery too.

As I prepare for baby #3, here are the items I will have waiting in the bathroom cupboard. The hospital I delivered at in the past sent me home with some of these items, but I usually needed more than the one sample.

Having these items on hand is convenient and makes for a more pleasant recovery.

(Just a note, I have never had a C-section, so this list is for new mommas who deliver via pushing. . . )
If you considering a home birth, read my friend's amazing home birth story here.

1. Dermoplast

You'll use this to ease the pain "down under" from swelling and stitches.

2. Tucks Medicated Pads

Also for use "down under" to help reduce pain from swelling and stitches.

Their cooling effect is very comforting, and they help clean as well.

3. Stool Softener

After pushing your newborn into the world, you don't want to "push" hard for anything else. My doctor writes a prescription for stool softeners at the hospital, but I don't think you have to use hard-core prescription strength softeners. Pick a brand from the store, and have it waiting at home.

4. Squirt bottle

Keep the squirt bottle the hospital gives you!!!

Fill it with warm water, and squirt yourself off after you use the restroom. You won't be able to wipe normally until the stitches and swelling heal. The squirt bottle will be your best friend at home.

5. Lots of pads

Whatever brand you choose, stock up. You'll continue bleeding for a couple weeks or so after delivery.

6. "Grandma" Panties

Because you'll continue to bleed for a few days (as mentioned in #5), the hospital will send you home with some massively large mesh panties. But the mesh wears out quickly. So buy a package of grandma panties

to hold those pads in place.

I hope you find this list helpful!
Prepare for labor with some guided imagery exercises found here.
And if you'll still be pregnant in October, check out our awesome pregnant Halloween costume idea here.