Mom Life
My husband and I were picking up the house after we finally got the kids in bed for the night. Toys, laundry, cleaning up after dinner, and finally throwing away the hidden snickers wrapper from earlier in the day. Yes, I eat hidden snacks when my toddler isn’t looking. I’m not ashamed to admit that. By the time we finished picking up [...]
DeploymentThe Magic Way Military Families Stay Connected Across the Miles
I heard the phone ringing and the feeling of pins and needles immediately rippled from my shoulders down to my fingertips. I was right in the middle of giving my son a bath. With urgency in my voice, I told my son, “Hurry daddy’s on the phone. It’s time to get out.” I scurried to pull my son out of the bath, grab a towel, and run to the [...]
Raising Kids15+ Best Ways to Manage Aggressive Behavior in Toddlers
When my daughter was born a few months ago, I was anticipating lots of hands-on management of aggressive behavior in toddlers. It's no secret around here that my toddler struggled with biting for over a year. He is energetic, curious, and often unaware of his own powerful strength. Related: One afternoon, I laid my daughter [...]
25 Life-Changing Essential Oil Hacks for Busy Moms
Essential oils are all the buzz and craze it seems these days. A few years ago it was the snuggie. You know, the onesie pajamas for adults? Last year it was the Paleo diet. I recently heard wood sunglasses are taking the world by storm. So the real question is do you really need essential oils and do they really live up to the hype? In a [...]
7 Small Ways to Help a Military Spouse and Make a Huge Difference
A few years ago when we were still stationed on the East Coast, my husband was gone for several months at a military school. Right before he left, I quit my job as a nurse to be a full-time stay-at-home mom to our 6 month old son. I didn't know it yet, but I was about to turn into a lonely military wife. It was an odd feeling at the [...]
Schedule / Routine7 Parenting Hacks for an Easier Bedtime with Kids
Inside: If you are struggling with toddler tantrums at bedtime, these are easy, yet effective tips to help for a smoother bedtime with toddlers! Plus, tips for an earlier bedtime! Sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, my forehead pressed against my hands which clenched the wheel beneath them. My sweet baby girl wailed in [...]
MilSpouse Life31 Perfect Military Spouse New Year’s Resolutions
Military life can feel like a lot of pressure sometimes. There are countless ups and downs to navigate, requiring you to adapt year after year. I’ll be honest with you right now: I’m not usually big on New Year’s resolutions. I’m in the camp, where I believe if you truly want to do something, you will make a goal and strive to meet it [...]
Military ResourcesBest Military Life Blog Posts of 2015
It's 5:30 am here in Okinawa. I'm sitting on my balcony today looking out at the beautiful island sunrise. I feel the dew on my cheeks from the warm winter air. It's 70 degrees here, and it doesn't feel anything like the cold bitter Midwest winters I grew up with. Both my kids lay nestled in their beds, while I sit here drinking hot [...]
I’m Terrible at Being a Military Spouse
Last week my husband and I attended an annual military family mandatory fun party. This party included a meal, live entertainment, and of course, a bouncy house for the kids. Secretly, I was dreading it. As a military spouse, I should be more enthusiastic about these “family fun nights,” but often times we get there, spend the [...]
Bossy Toddler: How to Keep the Upper Hand
Funny there’s no chapter in any parenting book called Advanced Toddler Negotiation: How to Keep the Upper Hand. I think there should be. Because somewhere between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old your sweet obedient child will turn into a rebellious teenager overnight. Of course it seems cute and funny at first. But after a few [...]
