Raising Kids
Tall and skinny. Those are two words that perfectly describe our preschool-aged son. At 6 months old his weight dropped from the 60th percentile down to the 16th percentile. The nurses and doctors at the clinic expressed concern that perhaps he wasn’t getting enough to eat. Back then I was a new mom and this worried the [...]
Military ResourcesThe Ultimate Guide to Military Spouse Resources and Support
When I first met my husband I was convinced I'd never fit into the military community. It's overwhelming trying to figure all this stuff out. Back in the Midwest, where my husband and I are from, people keep the same friends their whole life. They live down the street from a whole network of grandparents, aunts, cousins and close [...]
MilSpouse LifeHow Military Spouses Make Friends After PCSing (25+ Ideas)
"Let's go sit in the driveway with our firepit and drink a beer," he said. With that one simple suggestion, we were searching (sitting 😉) to find some new friends after PCSing. Grab the dog and the kids and make them come out there too. We're like a display at a mall. We should've made a sign that read, "In search of friends. We aren't [...]
19 Must-Have Books for Military Kids During Deployment
Inside: Learn some of the best books for military kids during deployment. Plus, 3 different ways to read to military kids to help them make sense of deployment. The Military Wife and Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which means if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may make a small [...]
Schedule / RoutineBusy Stay-at-Home Mom? 7 Ways to Manage Your Home More Efficiently
I was taking a shower and I heard the door creak. Immediately, I knew who it was and my heart sank. "Mom, can I have a snack?" I didn't answer. 3 seconds pass and a small hand pulls the curtain. A head peeks into the shower. "Mom?" My daughter persists acting like this is normal. At least she isn't asking me to help her find a toy or [...]
7 Core Following Directions Activities for Kids That’ll Improve Listening
Inside: Quick and easy following directions activities for kids that will help them practice self-control, emotional regulation and improve listening skills. There was a joke traveling around years ago from Carrie On Y’all that said, “Maybe if I start yelling ‘Get your shoes on!’ the night before, we could get to school on time the [...]
BEST 1 Year Old Sleep Schedules from Real Mamas
Sometimes you hear advice that a 1 year-old sleep schedule or routine is going to bog you down. It's like a nagging chore you cannot erase. Instead, they say to live free and go with the flow. Let's just be whimsy, they say. That is...until you're about to lose your ever-loving-mind with a one year-old tantruming child who will [...]
100+ Printable Chore Cards for Kids to Teach Responsibility, Helpfulness and Independence
Inside this post: How to use printable chore cards for kids to teach responsibility, promote independence and encourage hard-work. I sat in the car driving the kids to preschool, when she said something brilliant. “How would it feel to have your kids grow into adults who could make good choices without a threat, bribe or [...]
31 Printable Affirmation Cards for Kids – They’ll Actually Use
Inside: There's huge benefit to using children's affirmation cards if done with a few important concepts in mind. But, there are a three big mistakes I notice. Post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affirmation cards for kids seem to be all the rage these [...]
Mom LifeMy Favorite Things Family Gift Guide for 2020
It's been a unique year. We've heard this over and over again from news outlets, friends, family and beyond. And during this unique year - an opportunity presented itself - to either bring out the best in us OR the worst in us. Over the past 8 or 9 months, some really amazing things happened in our family.... We learned to cope [...]
