Category: Lifestyle

Top Five Genius Mom Hacks!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 41 Comments

After becoming a mom, I love finding any useful hack that I can to make days just a little bit easier.

The days can be long with our kiddo’s but I am forever grateful for the genius mamas out there who have come up with some amazing mom hacks (Motherhood Sprouting)! I swear I spend lots of Pinterest time just scrolling through hacks and trying them out.

I will also tell you, my mind is blown by most of them.

So today I thought I would share with you the best mom hacks I have found and you will most likely be like me and think, HOW HAVE I NOT DONE THESE SOONER!?

Let’s check them out!

Bathe Your Baby In A Laundry Basket.

I know, I know sounds so weird! But I am telling you guys, I have huge anxiety about my wild 11 month old slipping in the tub and hitting his head so I have been trying to find the best way to give baths without an injury and when I saw this hack a lightbulb instantly went off in my mind.

THIS IS GENIOUS! And I can’t wait to try it because not only will it help with my slipping fear but his toys will stay right by him as well so he won’t try to venture out to get them.

Love Love Love Blog

Use Tape To Prevent Doors From Locking.

Another one of my fears as my son is getting taller and more curious is locking himself in a room! Right now he is so into climbing on doors and swinging them back and forth so once he starts walking around and can reach door knobs I am so using this hack to hopefully prevent any breaking down doors in the house.

Kids Activities Blog

DIY Stain Remover.

I just tried this on old sweet potato and carrot stains on my sons clothes and WOW! I am telling you genius, and so easy! No other stain remover that I tried to use fully got those orangey stains out so I am so happy I found this!

Mix a little and equal parts of hydrogen peroxide, dawn dish soap and baking soda together. Let it sit for a little bit and throw it in the washer! Magic, I am telling you 🙂

Attach Cupcake Holders To Your Popsicle Sticks.

It’s Summer and popsicles are all the rage with the kids. The sticky mess though afterwards? Not so fun, especially when you are out in public so how awesome is this hack? I can’t tell you how many unused cupcake holders I have sitting around so this is on my to-try list when giving my son his first popsicle.

Mom Loves Best

Put Water In A Pacifier And Freeze For Teething Relief.

Oh teething! THE WORST! My son started teething very early, as soon as he turned 4 months. He just turned 11 months and now has 8 teeth! So I can tell you, this is an awesome hack! Something to defiantly try on your teething baby.

Love Love Love Blog

Mom hacks can be total life-savers and we need as many as we can get.

Do you use any of these hacks yourself? Be sure to let us know the best hacks you have used that work.

Let’s Talk about Mom Friends…

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 25 Comments

This is always something I personally have struggled with.

Just think about it, a person that is going through the same thing you are at the moment. It’s 3 AM, and this is the fourth time you’ve been awake with the baby. You just WISH there was someone you could reach out to, someone that would understand the total body exhaustion you feel. Messy bun, yesterday’s makeup running down your cheeks because the tears streamed down your face, wet t-shirt from the spilled milk.

This is something that we STRIVE for. The perfect friend.

I’ve surrounded myself with so many people, it’s hard to say that I have that BEST friend. The person I tell all my secrets to.

For some people it’s your mom or sister. Someone you that has known you from the beginning of your life. Some one that understands every thing that has made you, you.

It could be the friend you met at the Mommy & Baby music class, at the downtown library. Kids who are the same age, and you know they would make a great long time friend to your daughter.

Maybe it’s your husbands coworkers wife. They are the couple who is older and wiser, and will always give you the best advice. Someone who you became friends with their whole family, and know that your village is getting bigger, and stronger.

Your high school best friend, that even though is worlds away, and when her world is completely different, you know she is always just a text or phone call away.

It could be a new friend. An unexpected friend. You know that she would never judge you, and would do anything to keep you and your family safe and happy.

The sister in law that is always there for your children no matter what. Someone you can share all of the best memories together. Watch each other’s kids grow up. Enjoy big life moments, like marriage, child birth, birthday’s and so much more.

And, your person. The person that chose you and you choose over and over. The one you know has seen all your darkest days, but will easily brighten them. The one you will do life with in the bad, and the good.

These are crazy times, and we all need that friend. So when I say “mom” friend, I don’t mean a friend that IS a mom. I mean any friend that you know you would never want to do life without.

These are my true friends. This is what my village is made of.

Love you friends. ❤️

Why Are We So Quick To Compare Ourselves To Others?

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 37 Comments

Every morning when I sip my coffee I take some time alone to scroll through Instagram.

It’s maybe been ten seconds and I find myself scrunching up my nose and whispering, “how does she get her baby to sleep 12 hours every single night!?”

Or, “How in the world does this mom of four look put together every day when as a mom of two, I struggle to just blow dry my hair most days?”

I know I am not alone in this world of comparing and criticizing ourselves.

It’s just human nature.

No matter how much we talk about it though, why is there such a craving to still show only the glamourous on social media?

You never see the dark circles from night time feedings, from bad dreams that meant a night with a shared bed or just from no sleep at all because your mind won’t shut off.

You only see the beautiful hair, not the Ms. Trunchbull buns you know we all rock at least a couple times a week.

The unworthiness and the just not good enough comes on strong, and it lasts long as well.

We are all so unique though, and I think that’s an important thing to remember when you are a woman and a mom.

Sure, the girl you knew in High School might have a fabulous kitchen and the latest home upgrades, but she might not have the awesome cooking skills to utilize that wonderful kitchen like you do.

And yes, the mom who’s baby sleeps 12 hours each night is beyond lucky, but she also doesn’t get those 3am snuggles that even though you are dead tired, you cherish those snuggles with your baby.

Everyone has different strengths and your mind is one of them and maybe even the most important. Think of the positives in your life when you find yourself jealous of a positive in someone else’s life. The uniqueness that makes you, you.

I am just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to comparing myself to others, it’s a habit that sure is hard to break.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself or being jealous, I am going to try to better the areas in my life that have me feeling that way.

So next time you see those flawless Instagram pics, give yourself a break and remember what you bring to the table.

Don’t be so quick to compare and know that you are enough.

You are valued, and you are just as worthy!

Meet My Quarantine Chicks!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 24 Comments

We were bored in the house, and in the house bored. So we decided to get CHICKENS!!!

I went, alone, to Tractor Supply to get dog food, and I walked out with four chicks! I think Cody just about died when I called him. Oops!

We got two Silver Laced Wyandotte’s, Lacey and Ella (or Kylo Hen as we like to call her), and two Ameracauna chicks, Lucy and Emily. Both breeds are known for being calm, and good overall family farm birds. Unfortunately, one of our Ameracauna’s, Emily, didn’t make it.

Here is one of our babies, Lacey, when they first came home! So tiny and fluffy!

Becoming a chicken owner is definitely something you should think about BEFORE you get them. We really had so much to learn, but over time, and after losing one, we definitely learned a lot!

These babies grow SO FAST!

With in a few weeks they had doubled in size. From a little fluff ball that would fit in the palm of my hand, to an almost full sized bird who wanted to roost on my arm, we knew we needed to get working on our chicken coop! Here is Lacey at 3 weeks old:

She started getting her feathers which meant we could start to lower the temp in the brooder. The brooder is the little bin that they stay in until they are fully feathered.

Not long after they started getting their big bird feathers, did they begin to want to fly. Yes, I said fly. I didn’t realize they could get as much air as they did. We didn’t initially keep a lid on the brooder, because when they’re not feathered, they don’t even attempt to “fly”. Right around 5 weeks is when they were ready to get out and explore!

I went back to work after having these babies for a few weeks, but my flock was about to get bigger! We added three Silkie chicks! They’re names are Piper, Penny and Fancy. Fancy is actually a showgirl Silky, so her neck and her bum is naked.

I could go on and on about their cute little faces, but I would never stop writing.

On my next post, I’m going to show you our next step in “chicken farming”, the coop!

I’ll share more about my other birds in the next post, because my flock just keeps growing!

Here’s one more picture for the road! (;

6 Essentials For All Working Moms

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

I don’t know about you, but my work weeks are pretty hectic! The madness that is trying to get ready in the morning (thank goodness for dry shampoo and concealer). Your actual work day and then coming home, figuring out dinner and trying to find time between bath and bed to actually play with your kids.

I’ll say it though, there are seriously not enough hours in a day!

Just craziness! So I have come up with some essentials I use throughout my work weeks to make them a little more bearable and cuts down a teeny bit of the crazy.

Amazon Prime.

Can I get a high-five for this one? Amazon is a life-saver when you need something fast that you forgot about. Need a last minute gift? Amazon Prime is there for you. Need something super random just because you were scrolling around at 11pm? Amazon Prime is there for you. Defiantly an essential for a busy mom.

A Large Bag Or Purse.

I will admit, my husband got on my case the other day saying I needed to clean out my jungle of a purse. I have a large purse but it holds my life’s needs. I may have a diaper or two in there and some wipes. I may have emergency snacks. A book. A couple water bottles. Honestly, who knows what is in there but the point is, you can go from work to hockey practice with one large bag or purse and be prepared!

Reusable Tumbler/Bottle.

I carry one constantly! I’ve been trying to keep up on my water intake lately which is it not hard? I find it hard to consume enough water in the day when I really just want to chug coffee or have a nice ice cold coke. Which brings me to why reusable tumblers/bottles are awesome because you can use them for all three! Could probably even splash some wine in there at the end of the night.

By the way, I am typing this without even really looking because my son is going crazy at the moment…

A Good Schedule Or Calendar.

I love a cute calendar planner. I actually like taking a minute at the beginning of each month and filling one out as well. It just keeps things in line and I will actually know what I am doing each week or month. Your phone calendar or a scheduling app works wonders though as well. There are even some apps where you can sinc your schedules with others.

A Good Podcast For Commute Time.

I love Podcasts, they are becoming quite popular lately and there are so many out there! Podcasts are great if you have to commute for work but they are also great for just putting on when you are doing things aroung the house as well. Personally I love True Crime Podcasts! My current obsession is Crime Junkie Podcast.

Snacks.

Oh snacks, last but certainly not least. As a mom we are the snack getters, the snack makers and packers. You know what though? We need snacks too! So I always pack a few of my own favorite snacks in my purse and maybe a snack or two my son likes in there too…either way snacks are defiantly essential!

I hope at least one or two of these are essential for a busy work week for you as well! Weather you are a busy mom or just a busy person in general these can go for anyone.

What are some of your essential work week things that weren’t mentioned above? I’d love to know!

Thanks for reading!

Back to Work!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

I started back up to work last Monday, and I am TIRED!

We called this blog the Quirky Workin Moms, because that is who we are. We are both moms who work. HARD!

I work for two eye doctors as an optician. I L O V E my job so, so much. However, during this pandemic, I’ve faced many challenges.

I don’t know if you’ve been to an eye doctor recently, but the thing about my profession, is we are in your face ALL. THE. TIME!

I could not do my job, 6 feet away. It’d be impossible. From measuring your glasses, to adjusting them, or training you to put contact lenses is. I’m right there, 6 inches away.

I have found a few things to be useful though during these crazy times, and it’s nothing new. It has given me some piece of mind!

PPE has been a must. I wear a mask majority of the day. If you are in my optical, I have my mask on.

Excessively washing my hands, and using hand sanitizer. My hands are fried. I’m not sure if they will ever recover.

Coming home and putting clothes right in the laundry basket. I don’t want to bring any germs into my house where I could potentially expose my family.

Shoes are kept OUTSIDE! It’s a rule I strictly follow at this point.

It has been difficult getting used to this new “normal”, but I am so grateful to have a job that has opened back up!

I hope everyone stays healthy and safe.

And if you’re essential, THANK YOU!!!

See you all next Thursday!

Tips And Tricks To Keep Up On Housework

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 42 Comments

Is it even possible to be a neat freak but not even like cleaning?

Well it’s defiantly a thing in my world. I love a clean house and things to be exactly in their place but I hate the getting there part!

Housework in general is just A LOT OF WORK. Throw in a kid or two and a husband? That’s a tornado waiting to happen. Toys all over, socks meant to be thrown into the hamper end up right next to it. Dirty dishes in the sink, Random half-eaten snacks in the couch cushions.

So now on top of our busy as it is schedule just trying to be a normal wife and mom, how are we supposed to keep our house looking like no one lives there as well?

My house is in by no means clean all the time, but navigating through this new mom life I have found a few tips and tricks that help me maintain my housework.

And, I am sharing them with you today in hopes that it might make your cleaning duties a little bit easier each day as well.

Quick Pick-Up

I do this throughout the day so it dosen’t need to be done at night. Just go around your house after some play-time is done and quickly pick up some toys, or put away kitchen items left out from breakfast or lunch. I do this a couple times a day that probably only amounts to 15 min a day so that I don’t have to do as much pick-up at night and can get under the covers faster and finally breath.

Fold Your Laundry On Your Bed

I am the queen of laundry procrastinating. Right along with cleaning bathrooms, laundry is my least favorite housework. Putting laundry in the washer and switching it out into the dryer? Easy. Folding it and putting it away? No thanks. So what I have found that works for me is to fold my laundry on my bed and if I feel like leaving it there for a couple hours that’s fine, but I know at some point it will get put away because I need a clean bed to sleep in.

Wipe Down Counters and Tables At Night

I’m sure we all do the after dinner clean up which is good! I’ve found that wiping down my counters after dinner and my kitchen and coffee tables at night really eases my mind. That way when I wake up in the morning they are clean and ready to go and it just starts my day off right.

Clean The Shower While In The Shower

A big hack right here ladies. Buy a scrub brush that holds soap in it. Fill it up with equal parts white vinegar and dawn dish soap. I don’t do this all the time but it’s an easy way to keep up on your shower cleaning, it works great at getting soap scum off and it’s an easy way to do a quick clean while you are even in the shower as well!

Frequently De-Clutter

I know, the big dreaded word de-clutter. It’s a huge task and it’s at the center of our frustration when it comes to housework. Too much stuff. Why do we have this? Where did this come from? Have we even ever used this? I am guilty of pushing off de-cluttering every single year but I have found that the more frequently I do it, the easier it is to keep up on. A de-cluttered house makes a huge difference to us moms, so just keep up on it little by little and you won’t find yourself with the overwhelming task of a huge clean out in January.

These tips help me out when it comes to the everyday chaos of life. Having a clean home makes us feel a little more put together in the world so I hope these tips help you out as well!

Do you use any of these tricks to keep up on your housework?

What other tips and tricks could you give all of us Quirky Workin’ Moms so housework doesn’t consume us?

Also, if you are interested in a free weekly cleaning checklist let me know! I’ve been thinking about making one 🙂

Making Time For Self-Care As A Busy Mom

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 43 Comments

Putting yourself last, I feel like that’s a mom mantra.

We are so busy taking care of our little ones that by the end of the day we barley have enough energy to make it under the covers. Which I know, because I am guilty of it myself.

Being a first time mom, I find myself trying to pack a million tasks into one day. Instead of sitting down and enjoying a simple hot cup of coffee during nap time I am running around switching out laundry, folding laundry.

Seriously though who else hates laundry!? By far a moms worst nightmare.

Vacuuming, picking up toys, emptying the dishwasher…

It’s like there is not enough hours in the day for some me-time and sometimes there really isn’t.

Trust me mama’s, you are not alone in this.

The thing is though, self-care isn’t a treat, it is a necessity.

We need it.

To be a better mom, to be a better partner, to be a better person.

These little ones have the power to drain us, but we need to have the power to take care of ourselves.

So luckily, with Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday I am here to give you some great self-care ideas that are sure to make you feel a little more refreshed.

Sleep In

Doesn’t it just make a HUGE difference? Sleep has such a big impact on your body and the way you feel, so for your well-being and mental health, get some extra sleep as much as you can.

Read A Book

Some of you who know me already probably could have guessed this would be on my self-care list. I love reading and I try everyday to sneak away to get a couple pages read in the book I am currently reading, which is, Where The Crawdads Sing and it is AMAZING.

Drink A HOT Cup Of Coffee Or Tea

Seems like such a simple task. For most moms this is probably a long ago wished for thing, but me being a new mom since my son is only 9 months old it’s still fresh for me. I miss a hot cup of coffee! I don’t like having to re-heat the same cup five times in the span of 30 min. So yes people, being able to sit on the couch with a hot cup of coffee or tea is most defiantly on my self-care list.

A Mini Spa Night

See if your partner will hold the fort down for bedtime routines. Run a hot bubble bath, put that new face mask on, moisturize your skin, paint your nails. You will feel like a million bucks after a night of pampering yourself.

Write In A Journal

You may have already figured this out, but I love writing. I try as much as I can to write down all my thoughts, all my worries, my happiness in journals or by blogging. It helps so much and it’s so relaxing to curl up on the couch or in bed and write your heart out.

Light A Candle Or Diffuse Essential Oils

So relaxing, and you know what? while you are at it turn on the Netflix or Hulu show you need to catch up on.

Take A Walk

During this crazy quarantine situation this has defiantly been one of my biggest self-care things I have done. It just refreshes your whole mindset and burns off nervous energy in these uncertain times.

The list could go on and on but the most important thing is to find something that helps you feel like yourself again and make time during the week to do it!

Being at home all the time right now, it is so needed and you know what?

We deserve it!

Now if you will excuse me, my self-care is going to start with a glass of white wine tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!