10 Things Not to Say to a Working Mommmy

Since I did a post on what not to say to a Stay At Home Mommy, I figured I would flip the table and do one for the working mommy. Obviously, I have a little more experience with this one since I am a working mommy. However, I still got input from other working mommies and did a little research as well! Enjoy!

 

1) You should be a stay at home mommy. This is time you will never get back.

Chances are, she knows this. All this statement really does is put a guilt trip on the mommy. She knows that it is precious time and that her kids are only small once. However, she knows that bills don't pay themselves so she really has no choice. She buckles up everyday and says goodbye to her little one because she has to, not necessarily because she wants to. When her child runs into her arms when she sees them after work, it makes everything worthwhile. You can never take away those precious moments! And P.S., aren't all years of your child's life precious?

 

2) Don't assume every working mom wants to be a stay at home mommy.

There are many women out there who pride themselves in their job. They enjoy working. They enjoy what they do and they think their job is valuable. That is totally okay! I know a mom who works because it makes her miss her kids more during the day and enjoy time together at night more. I know another who works because she values her education and wants to teach her kids that she is not confined to the home. Not all working moms desire to stay home. It is all personal preference! It doesn't make them any less of a mom!

 
3) If you really wanted to stay home you would find a way to make it work.
This is not necessarily the case and it is wrong of you to assume the financial situation of her and her family. Just because you may think they have enough to "make it work" doesn't mean that they do. Any mommy who wants to stay home has probably tried all the logistics to make it work. Sometimes, they just can't. Don't assume that if they don't "make it work" that they didn't try hard enough or give "enough up". Also understand they may also be helping with saving for a college fund for their child or other things that they think are valuable things to have.

 
4) Stay at home mom's are more dedicated to their children.
This is completely false. Working moms are very dedicated to their children. They are dedicated to providing needs for their children. They sacrifice their wants and desires to stay home so their children have what they need. Both mommies provide, just in different ways!

5) I don't know how you work. I couldn't be away from my kids that much.
"It is very easy to say goodbye to my child as they reach for me every morning saying 'Mommy'", said no mother ever. Saying this is basically saying to her she is insensitive and doesn't miss her kids and wants to be away from them. Just because she works doesn't mean it is easy to be away from her kids all day. Every morning it is hard to say goodbye to her children. Every. Morning. But she does it because she has to, not because it is easy. She learns how to deal with it. It makes her a strong woman doing something that is so hard for her to do daily to help her children.

6) Don't you worry you will miss out on things if you don't stay home?
No, I don't want to see my child roll over for the first time or take their first step. I don't want to see them play with toys and hear their sweet giggle or watch them sleep during nap time.
Yes!!! Of course the mommy probably worries she will miss these things but you asking this question doesn't really help that worry for the mom. However, she probably really cherishes her time when she is with her children since she doesn't see them throughout the day. When you are away from your child in the day, it makes you miss them. It makes it that much sweeter when you get to get home after you have missed them all day. This is just something she can't dwell on or it will drive her crazy. You should not either. She knows that she will just have to soak up her time with her little one when she can and leaves it at that!

7) I couldn't let other people raise my child.
First of all, a day care/pre-school is not raising their child. The day care providers do not make decisions for the children - the parents do. The day care providers are not home with the child when they are sick, the parents are. The parents provide guidance, are at all the extra things they do, provide needs for the child, disciplines the child, gets up with them at 2 am in the night and at 5:30 am on the weekends. The parents instill the values in the child and raise the child. Although the family is thankful for help from those around them and the day-care/pre-school is a great asset to the child, the parents ultimately are raising their child.

8) I bet your child misses you during the day OR I would miss my child too much.
Yes, I bet they do. And yes, mommy misses them like crazy! But you buckle down and do it because you have to. Not because you don't miss them or they don't miss you. It is just life and life isn't always easy. Both mommy and child make it through the day and both are okay!

9)I would give anything to be able to be away from my kids during the days.
If so, let's turn in your resume somewhere! Just like a SAHM mommy is more work and can be way more tiring than you know, so can a working mom. Try working at a job all day, coming home, spending time with kids, cooking dinner and cleaning it up, getting kids ready for bed, packing lunches, taking kids to events, grocery shopping, taking care of bills, and any other household chores that need to be done, all within a 3-5 hour period. It is tiring and not an easy thing to do!

10) There are not enough parents raising their children at home.
I agree! Unless you want to pay bills for people, fight for paid parental leave, or flexible work schedules, you cannot really point this out. I am sure some dad's would enjoy more time at home with kids too. With the financial strain so many families face already, is it really wise to have more parents at home just to have them at home? I disagree that it is better to do that and cause financial strain on families. Families look at what needs they have and what they can do and if the mommy has to work then that should be accepted and not questioned. There is very good, quality child care available for children and is the only option for some people unless they put themselves in finanical ruin, which in my opinion is not smart.

Ultimately, just be sensitive to the mom and try to put yourself in her shoes and what it would be like in their position. Like I said in 10 Things Not to Say to a Stay At Home Mommy, you may have a close relationship where you can talk about this openly with a mommy, but be careful not to place guilt on the mommy. Also, try to understand their situation and why they do what they do. Be sensitive of other people and their feelings.

God has a plan for everyone. Whether that be a working mommy or a stay at home mommy. Where ever He has placed you, do your best to accept it! He has you there for a reason. If He changes your position, try to accept it and understand His will is perfect. He will always provide! On my personal blog, you can see how He provided perfectly for our family! He will for you too! Just trust.

 

Until next time, 

 



10 Things Not to Say to a Stay At Home Mom

As most of you know, I am not a Stay At Home Mom. I know, so how in the world am I going to write this if I am not even a SAHM, right? Well, this post is not from personal experience, but from what my friends have told me and some research I have done. I realize that not all SAHM's will feel exactly the same about this post, but I have used how the majority felt to create this.

 

 

1) Does your husband really make enough for you to stay home?

Honestly, this is not your place to ask and should not concern you. It is her and her husband's choice. Let them make it and be supportive of their decision.

 

2) You are JUST a stay at home mom, you don't have a job.

From SAHM's I have talked to, this is very offensive. I can definitely see why. A SAHM is a full-time job. It is full of house cleaning, laundry, playtime, feedings, changing diapers, play dates, library time, errand running, snot wiping, throw-up cleaning, tantrum bearing, activity planning, and much, much more. I am a teacher, so I am home for 3 months in the summer and I can testify that it isn't just sitting watching movies all day.

 

3) Since you are a SAHM, it must be nice to take naps whenever you want.

It would be nice. However, those dishes don't clean themselves, laundry doesn't do itself, and dinner sure doesn't cook itself. Many SAHM's are doing the necessities of the home while their child naps so they can be on child duty again once their child wakes from their nap.

 

4) It must be nice to not have to work everyday.

Have you ever tried to keep a 6 month old from waking up while your 2 year old is screaming? For hours on end? It is a full time job. You can't let a 2 year old and a baby do as they please as you curl up with a book in bed.  Well, unless you are ready to call the fire department when your 2 year old swallows the bathroom cleaner they found while you were reading and if you can drown out the deafening scream of a baby when they are hungry. It is a full-time job and can be frustrating, tiring, and just plain overwhelming just like any other job.  

 

5) Your husband must make really good money. I could never afford to stay home.

Don't assume this is something they can "afford" or the amount of money her husband makes.  They have found a way to make it work for their family. You don't see the sacrifices their family makes on a daily basis. It is unfair for you to assume this.

 

6 )Do you feel like your degree was a waste of time and money?

Just because they are a SAHM now doesn't mean they won't ever go back to work. However, if they never did, that is their decision. And that is totally okay! Many professionals are not working in their specific "degree" area. Many SAHM also may have not known they wanted to stay home when they got their degree. It may have been a desire after their child was born. That is okay too! Their profession may not be their "degree", but it is still a very important one!

 

7) I could never stay home. I couldn't be without adults all day.

This is like telling the mom that she doesn't long for adult interaction. That may not be true at all. In fact, it most likely isn't true. You also don't know that she doesn't have play dates planned. Even if she doesn't, that doesn't mean she doesn't long for it. She probably takes the situation at hand day by day and just deals with what she has to.  

 

8) What do you do with all your free time?

Oh, SAHM's sit around eating candy and drinking soda while watching Lifetime movies or take long, relaxing bubble baths. Meanwhile, they let their kids run amuck while doing this. I mean, come on. Seriously, children cannot take care of themselves. If you have children, you know it can be hard to find time to go to the bathroom by yourself, let alone have free time.

 

9) It must be really nice to stay home. I really want to, but we just can't financially.

At times, this can make the SAHM mom feel bad that she is able to stay home and you cannot. You do not want to put this strain on your friendship. Your finances are totally different than theirs. Try to be supportive of her opportunity to stay home even if you cannot. You don't want to throw guilt their way for you not being able to stay home. That is not their problem. It is something you have to work out with YOUR family. That is not pleasant to be around. Try to think positive.

 

10) Ultimately, don't get too nosey.

This is a family decision. Unless you are in the family, or they ask, it ultimately has nothing to do with you. Sorry to be so blunt, but it is true. Let their family make the best decision for them and you make the best for yours. If you are close friends with the person, there will probably be times you can ask questions about staying home, but do remember to be respectful of their personal decision. Be careful not to assume and to respect them as you would want to be respected of your decision.

Some of these may be hard to do! :) Especially if you want to stay home but cannot. From personal experience, I try to think positive and look at my situation totally separate and realize it is best for my family. Not that I don't get down sometimes, but throwing a pity party doesn't change things. Just enjoy your sweet blessing from God when you are able to be home with them in the evenings and realize He has a plan for you!! Trust Him and try to make the best of the situation!
 

 

Until next time,

 





To Stay Home or Not to Stay Home!

This is a huge question new mommies and even mommies of more than one ask a lot! Should I be a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) or work or send my child to day care. There are several things you need to consider before making this decision.

 

1) First and foremost, is this something you want to do or feel pressured to do?

If you want to stay home, then you for sure should consider it! However, if you don't want to, it is totally okay. You are doing what makes you happy and that in turn will make your family happy. Don't ever be a SAHM because of pressure. You are no less of a mommy if you decide to work instead of stay home. Some women have to work and some enjoy working. Both are fine!

 

2) Second, you need to look at your finances.

Is staying at home something your family can financially do? You need to calculate your bills and expenses and then calculate how much money you will need. If you cannot financially meet your bills without an income from you, than you should not stay home. I personally cannot be a stay at home mom because of finances. I really want to stay home, but for our family, that is what is best. Is it better to put your family in a financial strain or to provide for the needs of your family? That is something that you have to decide.

 

3) Third, decide if you will be a full-time stay at home mom or not. Sometimes, it is good for the mom to get out and work a little or volunteer a little and to let the child have some time interacting with other kids at a pre-school or day care. It is healthy for both of you. Either way, you just need to make this decision.

 

4) Take it year by year.  

Don't feel pressure to make a plan for two years down the road right now. Take it year by year and month by month with your family to decide what is best. When a few years down the road comes, you can make decisions then. Enjoy your decision now and don't worry about the future.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

 

5) Talk to other SAHM's and other working mom's to see what life could be like both ways.

Sometimes it helps to see other's points of few on the situation who are actually in the situation. I recommend talking to several women in both categories. This will help you see a wide view on both options and which fits you better. Try to really understand what everyday life would be like in both situations. (Although all situations are different, this gives you a better understanding.) Make a pros and cons list. Be very honest!

 

6) Consider a job where you can work from home.

The option of a SAHM mom may not be available for your family, but you may possibly be able to work from home. Maybe this is an option with your job or you may be able to find a position where this is available. This is a good option for those who need the mother's income but it still allows her to be at home. It would be totally different than a SAHM mom that doesn't work, but at least you could be home and find a balance that way.

 

Hope this helps you! Pray about it and make the best decision for your family. Neither is right or wrong. Look out for the next two blogs: What not to say to a working mom and What not to say to a SAHM.

 

Until next time,



 

 

 



5 Ways to Help Your Child's Development

As Brody gets older, I really am watching his development to make sure he is on track. I also really want to help anyway I can to help improve his development and keep it on track. Here are some ideas I have seen and tried and Brody loves them and so do I! I have found that when I give Brody these activities, he ask to do them again. He enjoys the challenge and having to use his brain to think.

 

1) Read to them. You can actually start reading to your kids when they are just a few months old. In fact, doctors recommend this. This is helpful for development from a very young age. Brody is now old enough to where he loves books and enjoys reading them with us. It is lots of fun! We read at least one book a night before bedtime.

 

2) Create fine motor skills games. The game I love for fine motor skills is putting pipe cleaners into a colander. You give your child a pipe cleaner and they have to put it in a hole on the colander. Brody loves this game. Once they get good at putting them in, you can even have them make a loop and put both ends of the pipe cleaner in holes.

 

 

 

3. Play sorting games. Brody LOVES this game! I got a muffin tin of 6 and put small objects in each one. Each tin as the same object and at least 2 of that object. I show him how it should look. Then I take them all out and put 1different object in each tin and he has to match the same objects with the ones in the tin. He picked it up quick and loved it! For more challenging tasks, you can have your child sort colors or even numbers as pictured below.

 

 

 

4) Allow your child to help you put things away. This will help teach them organization and also help them learn where things should go. It will help them know that socks do not go in the refrigerator.

 

5) Use lots of vocabulary with your child. Make your child try to say what they want before giving it to them. For instance, if they want bubbles and just point and grunt, make them say "bubbles" before allowing them to have it. Also, point out things to them. When an airplane passes over, point to it and say, "Look, an airplane." Do this every time you see one and they will catch on. This will help boost their vocabulary and talking.

 

These are only 5 things to help, but there are so many out there. If you just google activities to help fine motor skills, vocabulary, development, etc. you will find countless activities to do with your child. Just keep your child's brain actively thinking and moving daily.  Happy learning and having fun with you and your little one!

 

Until next time, 

 



Fun Family Fall Activities

Does your family ever get in the same routine of doing the same thing over and over again every day or every weekend? Now, this is not a bad thing, but over time it can get monotonous or boring. Here are some fun ideas to try with your family if you are in a rut.

 

1)With fall right around the corner, find a pumpkin patch to go to. Look at the pumpkins and pick one as a family or let everyone get their own. Take it home and have a pumpkin carving/decorating night as a family.

 

 

2) For older kids, create a treasure hunt to do with your kids. Even though you know the path and what is at each spot, your kids don't and they will love the adventure! You can do it just in your house, in your neighborhood, or even at a park area.

 

3) For younger kids, as a family create a masterpiece of art together! You can either get a large piece of paper and color with either paints or something like pudding or you can make a fall picture! One idea is to draw the trunk of a tree on paper. Then, have everyone have their own cork top and dip it in paint and use colors like red, yellow, brown, and orange to create a tree with fall colors. Here is a picture from the Picky Apple and how they did it.

 

 

4) Other crafts you can do is to find fall leaves, dry and press them, then decorate them with puff paint. Another fun one is shaving cream leaf painting. Check out Little Wonders blog to see how they did! It looks like fun!

 

5) Take a nature walk with your family. Find leaves, cool rocks, fun sticks, etc. Be adventurous and let your kids be adventurous and find new things in nature! Let them climb trees, skip rocks, and whatever else seems fun in nature (as long as it is safe of course!:)

 

 

6) Make fall treats together. Make pumpkin sugar cookies, caramel apples, party popcorn (popcorn drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkles), smores over a fire/grill, Halloween Rice Krispies, etc.

 

 

7) I found a fun pumpkin bowling game on this blog. It looks easy and like a lot of fun. It is at the bottom of the page.

 

8) Take a picnic on a pretty day! Pack your lunches and head to the park to eat and have some fun exercise together. Let the kids help pack the lunch too!

 

9) Make homemade ice cream together. If you dare, let the kids pick the flavor and "special" ingredients!

 

10) Make fall scented rice! This activity looks super fun! Kids love playing in rice. Plus, it will smell good! Check out this blog to see how to do it!

 

 

Bonus: You should make these divine looking cookies just because it is fall and just because they look delicious! I will be trying them soon and I will let you know how they are! To find the recipe, go to this blog!

 

 

Hope you have fun with some new activities! Enjoy the start of fall!

 

 Until next time, 

 

 

 

 

 

What to expect when you have a baby

One of the things that scared me a lot when I was pregnant was the hospital stay. I didn't know what to expect or what was going to happen really. So, since it is my son's second birthday today and I am reminiscing on his birth, I thought I would share some important things to expect when you have a baby!

 

1) If this is your first baby, expect a long labor and delivery. This may not happen for you, but it is better to be ready that it will likely happen and expect it than be surprised. My labor and delivery together was 14 hours long.

 

2) Expect lots of beeps and noises. You are hooked to several machines. Sometimes they beep loudly and make lots of noises. Don't be alarmed and automatically assume something is wrong with you or your baby. The nurses stay at a nurses station and constantly monitor you. If something is wrong they will know immediately and come to you.

 

3) Expect lots of pokes and "checking". If you are induced, then you will have to have pitocin and an IV for sure. They will check this and change this. If you have an epidural, you will have several more pokes. And by the way, I was petrified of the epidural and it was not bad at all. Just a little sting and it was over! However, make sure your anesthesiologist is available for a little while after you get it in case it doesn't work. They will also come and "check" you often to see your dilation, effacement, etc. This can very uncomfortable but isn't always.

 

4) Expect that if something goes wrong, to stay as calm as possible. You don't want to get too worked up for yourself and the baby. The nurses and doctors know what they are doing so trust them.

 

5) Make sure you rest while you can. Lots of people will be checking in and wanting to know if your baby is here! Try and relax during all labor if you can and then let people know when the baby comes. Labor and delivery is hard work and you need your rest!

 

6) Expect to have your baby about 45 minutes to 1 hour after they are born and then for them to go to the nursery for a while. They have to clean them, test them, etc. During this time you will likely be moved to another room if delivery and post-partum rooms are separated.

 

Hope this helps to know what to expect a little more! Good luck!

 

Until next time, 

Milestones: Month 5

Your baby is almost 1/2 a year old! Time sure goes by fast, doesn't it?!? There are some things you should be looking for that your baby is doing and some new things to try with them this month!

 

1) Recognizing Sounds: Your baby should be able to recognize sounds, their own name, and when you are talking to them. They should be able to turn their head in the direction the sound is coming. It is very important to talk to them at this age. They learn words and language best from you!

 

2) Emotions: Your baby's emotions should start having a wider range by now. They can let you know more when they are hungry, tired, wet, happy, etc. They are also more likely to laugh at funny faces, silly noises, etc. They may even reach for you to pick them up and give you hugs and kisses.

 

3) Feeding Themselves: Your baby should be able to start holding their own bottle soon. However, do not leave your baby unattended while they feed themselves at this age. They could choke on the milk or get overheated.

 

 

4) Sitting alone: Your baby may start to sit alone this month. Try letting them balance it out on their own, but be near by in case they take a tumble!

 

 

5) Stranger Danger: Your baby might start to be afraid of people they do not know. They may get anxious and cling to you. Know this is totally normal and don't be embarrassed. Try to soothe your baby and introduce them to new people slowly. Also, tell others of their anxiety and have them approach your baby slowly.

 

6) Tracking Toys: Your baby should be getting good at tracking toys by now. They may also go for toys they see and like. Place toys near them and let them try to get it on their own. Also, read color books to them. They are starting to see more pastels now than just the bold colors.

 

7) Distractions: Your baby is easily distracted. If they get upset about something, try singing a song to them or getting out their favorite toy or book. Enjoy this while it last because it won't last forever!

 

8) Bringing Objects Closer: Your baby should be able to rake objects closer to themselves by the end of the 5th month. Place an object near them to let them practice this skill.

 

9) Babble: Your baby should be babbling lots now. Many common babble sounds you will likely hear are "ma", "ba", "ga", etc. Encourage this and talk back!

 

To do this month: Start introducing solids! Towards the end of the month, give your baby some rice cereal. If you are nursing, mix it with breast milk. Otherwise, mix it with formula.  They may not like the flavor at first but they likely will soon. They may also not get much down because they are used to sucking liquids down every meal. Be patient and realize it may take many tries for both of you to get it!

 

  At six months, you can start giving your baby solid foods. This is fun to see what they like and don't like. Get ready for some awesome faces!

 

 

Happy 5 months of life to your sweet little one!

 

**Remember, every child is different. These are general milestones and babies may hit milestones at different times. Concerns to look for:
- Your baby is not reaching for objects
-Your baby is not tracking objects
-Your baby does not babble at all
-Your baby does not turn towards sounds
 If you are concerned about your child and their milestones, make an appointment to see their physician so they can assess your child. **

Until next time, 



Pacifiers: If you should use them & which ones are the best!

Should you or shouldn't you use pacifiers with your baby? If you should, which kinds are best? I've got those answers for you!

The common misconception with pacifiers is that they cause crooked teeth and/or interfer with breast-feeding. According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), pacifiers do no interfer with breast-feeding or cause crooked teeth. However, they do suggest you wait until your newborn is 1 month old before giving them a pacifier to make sure that breast-feeding is firmly established.

The AAP actually recommends pacifiers at bedtime and naptime for the first year of your child's life. According to studies done, pacifiers actually reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). (Note: It is suggested to stop all pacifier use after the age of 2.)

We used a pacifier for Brody at naptime and bedtime and during the day to soothe him until he was a year old. When Brody turned one, we cut the pacifier time to only when he was sleeping. Whenever he would wake up, we told him that paci had to go "night, night" and we had to leave it in the bed. Surprisingly, he was just fine with that and transitioned well.

It is also important to note that not all babies will use a pacifier. Some love them and some want nothing to do with them. It all depends on your child and their preferences. However, if you can get them to take a pacifier over thumb-sucking it is recommended. Thumb-sucking causes your child's top jaw to go forward and bottom jaw to go backwards. This can cause jaw malformation over time. Their thumb can also contain harmful germs.

So, since pacifiers are recommended, which ones are the best? There are so many out there. We have a WubbaNub and Brody loves it! It is a pacifier attached to an animal of some sort. There are all kinds of animals you can get with them. It is great because he is old enough to find it in his bed while he is sleeping if it falls out and put it back in his mouth. It saves us a trip to his room! Being from Texas, naturally we have a Longhorn WubbaNub!

 

 

When we were at the hospital, we got a Soothie pacifier. Brody loved this brand and used it for a long time.

 

 

Brody also really liked Gumdrop pacifiers. He always used either the Soothie or the Gumdrop. He did not like "traditional" pacifiers at all.

 

I think these pacifiers are the best. I like the shape that represents a nipple (it helps them stick with breast-feeding easier) and the holes on the sides for breathing. I do recommend getting a few different types of pacifiers and see which one works best for your baby. They may have a few they like or they may have only one brand they like. Each baby is different. I do recommend using one for at least the first year of life. My main motivation for this is to help prevent SIDS.

Good luck paci searching!

Until next time, 

Choosing a Preschool

First, I am glad to be back blogging for you! I took a little time off this summer to spend some time with my son! I highly recommend you take time with your kids when you can. Just worry about spending time with them and nothing else! It is glorious!

With school starting back, many parents are contemplating sending their children to preschool. Sending your little one to preschool can be scary. They are so young and won't be with you! Since both my husband and I have jobs, we had to find one for my son when we moved to Arkansas. Here are some things to look for when choosing a preschool for your little one.

1. Ask around about different preschools. Sometimes the best information is from people who have experienced the preschool themselves. Get a feel for different preschools and the pros and cons of each. A good reputation shows you a lot about a school!

2. Find out the teacher to student ratio. You want this to be low. You don't want to have a teacher who has to keep track of 12 two year olds by themselves. It isn't good for the teacher or the children. My son has 10 children in his class with three teachers. It is wonderful. The children are able to connect with a teacher and the class is able to stay in control.

3. Look into the cost of the preschool. Preschools vary in price from low to extremely high. Make sure that the cost of the preschool fits into your budget and doesn't cause you financial instability.

 4. Distance from your home. This is important because you will have to take your child to school in the morning before work or while others are going to work if you do not work yourself. Traffic can be heavy in the mornings and after work so look at the routes you would take and factor in how long it will take you. This will affect your morning routine, what time you have to get up, leave the house, etc. This is important!

 

5. Find out if the school is accredited. You want a school that is driven to meet educational standards and actually meets them! You also want to make sure they have a valid and current license to run a preschool.

 

6. Find out the schools philosophy on discipline, rules, and philosophy on education. These are all very important since your child will be affected by these. Make sure the schools has a positive and inviting atmosphere to learning and exploring. This includes their philosophy on playing and activities as well! Kids need to learn but also have fun at school!

 

7. Take a visit to the school and meet the teachers and principal/coordinator of the school. Make sure you are comfortable with them and the location at which your child will be. Make sure the facility is clean and well kept. Then take your child to the school and see how they react in the environment. It is good for them to get comfortable with the school before the first time you leave them there. Especially if they have never been to preschool before. It can be scary for little ones!

 

 

8. Ask about the policies of the school. Things you may ask about are illness policies, absence policies, when money is due each month, how does the school deal with social and emotional issues, etc.

 

9. Ask and see what the parent involvement is. If you are wanting to be very involved in your child's preschool experience, this is an important question!

 

10. Pray about it and really talk to those your trust most about it. Really put thought into it before you choose one. Do not be afraid to ask questions at the school and questions to those who are already experiencing preschool with their children. Your child's happiness is your number one priority and seeking to find the perfect preschool is totally acceptable.

 

Good luck! I hope you find the perfect preschool for you and your child!

Until next time,







Exercising While Pregnant

 

A common fear of getting pregnant is the amount of weight you will gain with it. It is a justifiable fear. You will gain weight when you are pregnant and most people would rather not keep that extra weight. So what can you do to not gain a extra weight, help with labor, delivery, and get that weight off after? You can exercise during your pregnancy.

 

Exercising while pregnant is not a dangerous thing. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it. It is important to exercise and be active while pregnant. It can help with aches and pains and give you more stamina for labor and delivery. However, there are some things you need to know about exercising while pregnant.

 

1) Be aware of the signs of something that is not right. This would be things like spotting or bleeding, pain, fluid coming from your vagina, decreased fetal movement, rapid heart rate, dizziness, headache, chest pain, calf swelling, muscle weakness, or labor pains. If you are ever in pain or uncomfortable, stop exercising and see your doctor. Do exercises with caution.

 

2) If you are exercising before you get pregnant, you can do a similar workout once you are pregnant. Your body is used to it and it is okay to maintain that. However, if you are not exercising before pregnancy, do not pick up a vigorous exercise routine. Start slow.
 

 

3) Do not do exercises or do activities that can be harmful to you or your baby. These would include the following exercises and activities: activities that cause you to hold your breath, activities where you can fall (horseback riding, skiing, etc.), contact sports, any activity that could potential cause abdominal trauma, activities with lots of jumping, skipping, hopping, bouncing, running, etc., and activities with heavy weights. Others things you should not do are bounce while stretching, exercise in hot weather, waist twisting, or sit-ups, leg raises, knee bends, and toe-touches.

 

4) Choose activities that do not require a lot of coordination and balance as this will be off while pregnant.

 

5) If you are a runner you can continue running. However, your running should be moderate jogging.

 

6) The safest exercises include swimming, brisk walking, stationary cycling, elliptical machines, and low impact aerobics.
 

 

7) You should not participate in exercising if the following apply to you: your doctor does not recommend it, if you have asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, if you have bleeding or spotting, if you have a low placenta, if you have a threatened or recurrent miscarriage, if you have had previous premature babies or a history of early labor, or if you have a weak cervix.

 

8) Always consult your doctor first before doing exercises. Be aware of your body and listen to any warning signs. Exercising is very helpful while your pregnant because it keeps your body healthy and blood flowing, it helps during labor and delivery, and it helps you loose weight after your baby. However, make sure you are exercising correctly and taking the right precautions.

 

Stay healthy and active for you are your baby! It is important.

 

Until next time, 

Is Baby Detergent Necessary?

One of the first things that came to my mind once I started processing being pregnant and all that it would involve was laundry. I am awful at laundry. I hate doing it. It is not hard, but it is just a hassle and I would rather clean the bathroom than do laundry. Yuck. But once I started thinking of all the laundry that a baby has, I started thinking of detergents. My sister and sister-in-law both used Dreft with their kids so I decided to check out what detergent I needed to use when washing Brody's clothes. There were several questions I asked myself and others when looking into this.

 

Is baby detergent necessary?

Unless your baby has an allergy, then no, it is not absolutely necessary. Baby detergent is good for babies because they have sensitive skin. However, if they are not allergic to adult detergent, it will not hurt them to use adult detergent. Adult detergent also tends to get stains out better than baby detergent.

 

Why do they suggest using baby detergent?

It is suggested just because your baby's skin is very sensitive when they are newborns and infants. It helps prevent break outs that could happen if you used a more powerful detergent. If your baby does have sensitive skin, baby detergent usually helps with that.

 

How do I know if my baby has sensitive skin?

If you are in a debate over whether or not to use baby detergent or adult detergent, do a test. Wash a few articles of your baby's clothing in adult detergent and allow your baby to wear them. If it does not bother their skin wearing those clothes, they likely will be fine without baby detergent.

 

Is it better for them since adult detergent has more chemicals?

The chemicals will not hurt your baby if you are just washing their clothes in them (unless they are allergic). It is only harmful if ingested, like all other household products. Keep all chemicals out of the reach of your children.

 

Which baby detergent is best?

Dreft, All Baby, and Purex Baby detergents are the common ones you can find at places like
Wal-Mart. They are good and are sensitive. Dreft is pretty expensive. All Baby is cheaper and does the same job. Purex is the cheapest where we live. I personally like the way Purex Baby smells the best and the way it works the best.

 

You can also get all-natural detergents online. Here is one website you can look at for those. 

 

Should I make my baby's detergent?

It is totally up to you! If you want to, there are recipes out there that are supposedly safe for babies and sensitive skin that you can try. I have never done it so I do not know that it works for sure, but I have heard great things. It is also much cheaper!

 

 



 Happy Washing!

 

Until next time,  

 

 

Milestones: Month 4

Milestones are a big part of your baby's life. Don't get frantic if they don't hit a milestone at the exact time they suggest. However, if they continue not to hit that milestone, consult your pediatrician to make sure everything is okay. Here are month 4 milestones for your baby!

 

1) Smiling: Babies should be smiling a lot by 4 months. They should be able to smile at people when they play with them and enjoy playing.

2) Movements: Babies should be able to start to mimic movements and/or facial expressions of you or others.

3) Babble: Babies should begin to start babbling.

4) Cries: Babies generally start crying in different ways for hunger, sleepiness, upset, hurting, etc.

5) Response: Babies can now let you know better when they are happy or when they are sad. They can also respond more to affection.

6) Coordination: Babies should be reaching for toys and following toys with their eyes. They should also be able to hold a toy and/or bring it to their mouth.  They should also start shaking toys slightly.

7) Recognition: Babies should be able to recognize people and watch faces closely.

8) Head: Babies should be able to control their head steady without support.

9) Feet: Babies should start to be able to push down on a hard surface that is below their feet.

10) Rolling: Babies should start to roll over from tummy to back or be close to it.

11) Hands: Babies should start bringing their hands to their mouths.



12) Elbows: Babies should start or try to start getting on their elbows when on their tummy.

Remember, these are general and not all babies meet milestones at the same time. That's okay. Brody didn't crawl until after he walked and he is just fine. Do, however, consult your pediatrician if you see any of the following happening within your baby.

1) Don't watch things as they move
2) Don't smile at people
3) Can't hold their head steady
4) Don't coo or make any noises
5) Don't bring their hand to their mouth
6) Don't push down with feet when feet are placed on a hard surface
7) Has trouble moving eye(s) in any direction

Have fun watching your little one grow and develop! Treasure this time, it goes by quickly!

Until next time, 

 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is quickly approaching us! Congratulations on being a mommy this Mother's Day. Whether it is your first or your 51st, they are all wonderful! Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts a woman can receive.

 

As Mother's Day approaches I think about my mom. I am so thankful and grateful for her and what she means to me in my life. She is my best friend and I owe her so much and I love her with all my heart. This Mother's Day I wanted to do something different. I like to receive meaningful gifts from my son on Mother's Day, like things he makes or things that are more than just picking out a shirt on a rack. Therefore, I like to give meaningful gifts. If you are looking to do something like that for your mom this Mother's Day, here are a few ideas!

 

1) A wreath made by you! Mom's love things made by their children, no matter their age. Here are a few ideas.

   





 

 

2) Create something with your child for her. I guarantee she will love something from her grandbaby!

 

 

 

3) Take her out and treat her. Take her with just you and her and get your nails done, or go to lunch, or go shopping. Do whatever she enjoys doing!

 

 

4) Get her a piece of jewelry that represent something special.

 

 

5) Get her a basket of her favorite things.

 

6) Write her a sweet note.



 

7) Get her a good book and journal.

 

 

 

8) Make her favorite snack.

 

 

 

9) Send her text messages throughout the day with reasons why she is such a great mom.

 

10) Tell her how much you love her!

 

 

I hope you have a Happy Mother's Day and that you enjoy celebrating your mom as well!

 

To my mom: Happy Mother's Day and I love you!

 

Until next time,