I have to tell you a secret. Motherhood is really, really hard sometimes. Well, actually that wasn’t a secret. I’m fairly certain all moms know that. What you may not know is that every mom out there, no matter how perfect she may seem, needs encouragement. Even when we act like we have it completely together, I’m pretty sure we all [...]
Archives for May 2014
Teaching a Child to Play Independently (Hint: No Electronic Devices Required)
Ever dream of a morning where you are drinking a cup of coffee, checking e-mail, paying a few bills, and you are without interruption and it’s quiet?! This is no dream. Teaching children to play independently, while you get some business done around the house, is totally possible, and you can start from birth! Today I’m continuing on with [...]
How to Never Play the Pick up Game Again with One Simple Trick
Isn’t it exhausting going to a restaurant as a family, only to spend the entire meal bending over to pick up your child’s toys? It may as well be called a work-out for parents. At least, we find time to fit in our ab work-out during dinner. Now that’s multitasking! But seriously, I was determined to never play the pick up game again. What [...]
Preparing Emotionally for a PCS
Looking into my son’s room, I imagine it empty and the tears well up. This is our first home as a married couple. This is our first home with a child. This home is our first everything. It’s so sad to think sweet little Jameson won’t even remember this special place where everything began. By the time he is old enough to remember [...]
5 Simple Ideas for Teaching Kids About Memorial Day
For many Americans, Memorial Day often marks the beginning of summer and the start of barbeque and camping season, but the meaning of this holiday runs much deeper than a casual barbeque. In fact, the true meaning of this holiday is to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces. Even as a [...]
How to Sleep-Train Using Babywise
Sometimes when we start something new, it’s difficult to know where exactly to begin and what exactly to expect. After reading On Becoming Babywise, my husband and I knew we wanted to sleep-train using Babywise, but translating written content into real life application involves a learning curve. I really fumbled along for quite some [...]
Helping Children Cope with Runaway Emotions
Climbing into the refrigerator, chewing electrical cords and putting hands in the toilet are all things I'm constantly trying to prevent my son from doing as of late. Sometimes he sneaks one past me, and I will catch them in the act. I tell him no and move him to another place, and suddenly my delightfully happy baby starts sobbing to no [...]
9 Tips for Successful Air Travel with Infants
By the time my son turned seven months, we traveled traveled together on eight different domestic flights to visit family and friends. Of all the flights, my husband was there to help me during four of them; the other four, it was just my son and me. Some were good, some were bad, and one was down right ugly (more about that at the end [...]
Starting Babywise: Why We Chose This Method
Babywise is the baby sleep tips that my husband and I chose before our son was born, and we are so glad we did. Our son was a horrible sleeper from birth; awake for what seemed like all. day. long. He was very difficult to get to sleep, and he was very difficult to keep asleep. We tried it all: swing, wrapping, holding, pacifier, shorter [...]