For a patient person, my patience is thin and you know what? It’s ok.
Do I feel guilty about it? Sure.
Do I wish that every day could just be rainbows and butterflies? Absolutely.
This motherhood journey is not all rainbows and butterflies though, and boy don’t we know it.
The other day both my kids were crying. One because he couldn’t have a snack right before dinner and the other just because her big brother was crying and she thought she needed to as well.
A glass of wine and a bathroom break with the door actually shut and not being opened or pounded on sounded so amazing at that moment.
I feel like sometimes the pressure just builds up for us with every cry or every tantrum and it’s tough to not be bothered.
Throw in a long day at work and I am just exhausted thinking about it.
It’s hard to keep your head up as a mom.
I think sometimes we just feel beat down. Weather it be a rough night of sleep, a bad potty training day, a crying baby you just can’t seem to soothe, a guilty day of work when you just wish you were home, a sick kiddo that has you feeling miserable as well.
The list goes on and on.
It’s all ok though and I really hope you know that when you feel this way, how great of a mom you are.
It’s the toughest job in the world that you show up for every single day. But the reward? It’s the greatest of all time.
Keep your head up, make sure you take the breaks you need.
Take time for yourself, use your tribe of people when you need the help and DO NOT feel guilty about it.
Take a deep breath and know that the guilt will subside and there will be far more better days than bad ones.
Just know that you’re a wonderful mother and we are all in this together.
I know for me rainy days can sometimes be a blessing and relaxing! I love curling up with a good book or finding my favorite movies on TV. The gloomier the better!
But for kiddos!? Not so much! Spring/Summer time can be tough to keep these little ones from going crazy with all the back and forth weather. I know here in Michigan it’s 80 degrees one day and then 40 degrees the next!
So I’m sharing 7 rainy day activities that kids will love!
Build An Indoor Fort.
My son is obsessed with this lately. He loves building blanket forts and playing with his toys in them. For older kids it’s fun to build one and read in them or even play games or watch a movie on a tablet. So many possibilities!
Paper Airplanes/ Crafting.
Who doesn’t love making paper airplanes? You can either have a paper airplane toss or even make those paper footballs and click field goals. Anything paper crafting is so fun for all ages!
Board Games.
Always a classic. My kids are still very young but I always say I can’t wait for the days until we can have family board game nights! Something I always enjoyed as a child and even as an adult.
Play-Doh or Sensory Bins.
This is geared more towards the toddler age like my son but play-doh and sensory bins can keep him busy for a while! Kinetic sand is always fun as well.
Library Day.
If you must get out and about, I think the library or a bookstore is such a great rainy day activity! Nothing better then finding a good book to bring home and read the rest of the day! Plus sometimes your local library has fun things going on.
Indoor Bowling.
So fun! If you have some plastic cups laying around and a ball you are good to go! I love bowling in general and bowling toys or making your own are so fun.
Baking.
I love baking and I plan to get my kids involved when it comes to baking and cooking as much as possible! It keeps you busy, plus it’s just fun and the outcome is delicious of course.
I hope these ideas help you for the next rainy day coming your way this Spring.
What are some of your favorite rainy day activities?
When your baby is teething, and you’re going through the stages of teething, it can be tough not knowing what to do.
Many questions come to mind, like what if he stops chewing for a week or two? Can food allergies cause my baby doesn’t enjoy his food anymore? Will my baby have bad breath because of her teeth coming in now?
Like so many other things in life, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Here are some tips to help your baby through teething.
Signs Your Baby is Teething
If your baby is teething, you may notice a few signs. Wet cheeks from drool and more chewing on toys in the mouth are common. Some babies might get fussy, want to nurse more than usual, or wake up more at night.
You can also look for swollen gums and a red rash around the mouth. Some babies develop a fever when their teeth start coming in, but that’s not always the case. Here are some signs of teething to look out for:
Drooling
Chewing on things
Gums that feel swollen
A minor fever of 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit (rare)
How Long Does Baby Teething Last?
There is no set age for teething to begin because every child is different. However, most infants start teething between six and twelve months old. There are rare cases of early teething where babies can cut teeth as young as three months old or as late as fourteen months old.
There is also no set amount of time that teething lasts because it doesn’t stop until a baby’s teeth have all erupted through the gums. Teething may last up to three years in some children, but the average length is six to nine months.
During this time, your baby may go through several weeks or even months between cutting teeth. Once your baby has all twenty primary teeth, they will stop teething altogether, which means you won’t have to worry about it again until they get their permanent teeth at around age six or seven.
Use Teething rings and toys.
Your baby may feel relief by biting on something hard or cold. Try a rubber teething ring, a chilled washcloth, or a spoon cooled in the refrigerator (but not frozen).
When choosing a teething toy, make sure it’s soft and flexible, so your child doesn’t hurt himself if he falls while holding it. And be sure to choose one that’s BPA-free. Never tie a teething ring around your child’s neck or attach one to his crib — he could choke on it or become entangled in it if he rolls over while wearing it.
To soothe an older baby who can chew on solid food, try giving him a firm, unsweetened teething cracker to gnaw on. It also may help with drooling because your baby will swallow more saliva instead of dribbling it out as much as before.
A chilled pacifier or teething toy may provide extra soothing for your baby during the day (if you use pacifiers). Or try putting cooled boiling water from the tea kettle into ice cube trays and freeze them for homemade teething rings!
Cold food.
If your teething baby tends to grab whatever you’re eating and put it in their mouth, offer chilled foods such as applesauce or yogurt. You can also give frozen bananas, which some babies love.
You can also try cold liquids such as water from the refrigerator. Frozen fruit juice bars (made without sugar) are another option.
Don’t be surprised if your baby rejects solids during this time, even ones they usually enjoy. Most babies go through a stage where they lose interest in solids when they are around eight months old. It is called the “baby food strike.” It’s frustrating, but most babies come out of it within a few weeks on their own.
Rub your baby’s gums.
One of the primary side effects of teething is gum pain, and if you’ve ever had any experience with this yourself, you know that rubbing your gums can often provide good relief.
Your baby’s no different in this respect, so getting in there with a clean finger or—if your little one’s more averse to having fingers in their mouth—a wet gauze pad for a gentle massage may be all you need to give them some comfort.
(Bonus: This can also toughen up their gums for when their teeth start cutting through, so it’s worth doing on the regular even before they start teething.)
Pain Medications
Several different medications are available over the counter and by prescription to help relieve pain. However, it’s important to remember that before giving any medication to your baby, you should always consult with your pediatrician. Even natural pain relievers like teething tablets or acetaminophen can be dangerous if not used properly.
For example, ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug widely available over the counter and in generic form. While it won’t cause harm when used properly for short periods as directed, ibuprofen can have serious side effects for infants who are given too much or for too long. Too much of this medication can cause kidney failure in babies, and some studies have even linked high doses of ibuprofen to childhood asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Try a little white noise.
In a quiet room, do you hear the sound of your refrigerator humming? Is the heat turning on? The coffee pot beeping when it’s done brewing? These are examples of white noise. White noise can also be played through recordings, like using a fan or an app on your phone.
Babies are used to hearing white noise while growing inside their mother’s womb because there is constant background noise from the mother’s breathing and heartbeat. White noise can help calm and soothe babies by blocking out new noises in their environment and helping them sleep.
You could try using a humidifier for added moisture and white noise in your baby’s room. If you’re out of town or flying with your baby, downloading an app that plays white noise might be helpful to keep them calm too!
Final Thoughts
Teething can be very stressful for many parents. Still, it’s essential to realize that teething does not inherently mean your baby will cry inconsolably or suffer from explosive bouts of rage. Sometimes, teething is just a part of growing up.
Children go through spurts at various stages in their lives, including when they are teething. No matter how your baby behaves during these times, it’s always important to look for the signs that something is off before assuming the worst.
Author Bio
Andrea is currently the head of content management at SpringHive Web Design Company, a digital agency that provides creative web design, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool where she writes storytime themes, parenting tips, and seasonal activities to entertain children.
Since becoming a mom, I feel like sometimes Mother’s Day is more hectic than some normal days! Anyone else!?
Sure you get some relaxation, maybe breakfast in bed or a delicious dinner but sometimes it just ends up being a busy day in general and that’s not always a bad thing.
Lately though, I’ve just been feeling burnt out. Between mom life, work life, wife life, never ending housework. It’s a lot to keep up with.
So this Mother’s Day, fingers crossed I get to sleep in!
I wanted to share my favorite “Me Time” indulgences that keep me sane through this hectic wonderful life. Maybe they will inspire you to do something relaxing for yourself on this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend!
1. Reading
I have always been a big bookworm and it’s by far one of my favorite “me time” indulgences. Lately a couple times a week when I’m lucky enough to get the kids to bed early, I’ve been grabbing a good book and pouring a glass of wine.
2. Binge Watching Shows.
It doesn’t happen often, but when I get to sit down with my favorite snack and binge watch some shows it’s a great day! What are your favorite shows right now?
3. Self Care Days.
I am such a self care advocate and I really don’t do it as often as I should. Lately my favorite self care indulgence has been my new Auraglow teeth whitening kit.
I am an avid coffee drinker and it’s honestly helped so much, I was starting to get self conscious! If you would like to know more on my thoughts let me know and I can do a separate post.
4. Writing.
Sure I’m a blogger but one fun tid bit about me is I’ve always loved writing short stories. I’ve once thought about putting them all together into a short stories book but….dreams. Sometimes they are hard to follow. Writing is so soothing to me though, especially pen to paper.
So moms, let’s find some time to crunch in more “me time” in our days!
Let’s throw out the pressure, let’s throw out the guilt, let’s throw out the “I have to do everything” attitude and take some time for ourselves.
We deserve it and I hope all you moms out there have a wonderful Mother’s Day and know that you are doing an amazing job!
While men undoubtedly have communication challenges at work, there are common themes for women that often lead us to feel disempowered, ignored or struggling to fulfil our potential. Some worry about being ‘too passionate’ or overemotional, while others don’t feel confident to speak up in a male-dominated environment. What is often overlooked is that as women, we have incredible natural qualities when it comes to communication. One thing’s for sure ladies – you don’t need to act like a man to succeed at work. You have all the tools you need to fulfil your potential already. Here are three examples…
Rapport building
Women have an advantage when it comes to building rapport – making others feel important and feel heard. It’s not just asking questions and showing interest, we also do this by keeping eye contact, often using a relaxed, softer gaze, and with nods and smiles. In general, we have far more capacity for inviting others to feel relaxed.
Top tip:
Asking questions is a great way to take back control of the conversation in a calm and grounded way. It maintains rapport, even encourages it, and yet puts you back in the driving seat. State your idea with conviction and then conclude your idea with invitations. “What do you think?” “Do you think this could work?” “What’s your take on it?” Inviting others to contribute their own original thinking after you state your idea will empower others and ensure that they feel valued. Be sure to avoid disclaimers – more on that here.
Empathy
Empathy is perhaps one of the most effective communication resources at anyone’s disposal. And women do tend to have a more natural capacity for empathy than men. Particularly when leading a team, empathy is invaluable. It means women are more inclined to perceive and tune into issues people are facing, so they can deal with problems before they get out of hand. Their empathy also creates a sense of safety within a team, so that colleagues are more empowered to take risks and express greater creativity. The value of this cannot be overstated. Read our blog on why honest and open communication is getting respect at work.
Top tip:
Be aware that we tend to prioritise being liked, and therefore in an attempt to empathise, we become reluctant to offer feedback that could be interpreted as harsh, or to give a direct order when one is needed. Most of the time, empathy will work in our favour, but there are times when we will need to express ourselves in other ways. To show authority and certainty, make sure you use downward inflection – this is when you let your voice go down at the end of your sentence. It’s important to ensure the tone of your voice matches the situation you are in.
Reading cues
It’s been scientifically proven that women exhibit higher sensitivity to nonverbal cues. We are usually more attuned to how our behaviour affects others and this sensitivity allows us to respond more effectively to a situation. We have learnt to talk in ways that balance our own needs with those of others, to save face for one another.
Top tip:
Sometimes something needs to be said that causes conflict – and sometimes that conflict is helpful and necessary. If you struggle with being assertive, read this blog for some top tips.
So there you have it, a few examples of our tremendous natural qualities and why it’s important to capitalise on these skills and learn how to amplify them in the workplace. You don’t need to dominate to have impact. Of course, there are men that will identify more with female characteristics and vice-versa, but all are important, and all need to be valued. When your communication starts becoming more powerful, you’ll find that your team members benefit from their contribution, and other women will be encouraged to be more authentic and powerful too.
At London Speech Workshop we empower our clients to be confident, clear and impactful communicators. We help people remove barriers that get in their way due to their communication. They might want to get a promotion, be more respected in their work, have more authority or gravitas, increase in confidence at work and in personal life. Or they may have trouble delivering presentations and speeches, dealing with nerves, connecting with others, building rapport, getting their point across or being articulate. If you’d like to find out more about what we do, book a free 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss your goals and challenges with our Client Success team.
Author: Hannah is the Marketing Executive at London Speech Workshop, an industry-leading communication training and coaching institute. The proven Serlin MethodTM uses a combination of modern psychology, performance technique and memorable tools, empowering people to be the best communicators they can be.
I know what it’s like to be completely frazzled to get things done with how busy you get being a mom. Being a wife. Being a career woman. It can get overwhelming.
I’m here to give you some tips on saving time and saving yourself from getting run down and fed up.
I hope you find some that help you below.
Get things ready the night before.
This is especially important if you have school aged kids. Put out their clothes, pack lunches, have things ready the night before. Or if you have young ones, I still love to have my toddlers clothes ready and all the baby’s bottles ready to go for the night and the next day.
Always have a to-go bag.
I always have my diaper bag packed for both my baby and my toddler but I feel like even if they were older, having a bag filled with small things to keep them busy and snacks is always so important to be able to grab on the way out the door.
Calendars and lists.
I am such a list person. I love writing out to-do lists and scheduling out my months in calendars. It really helps to put pen to paper for me and to keep appointments, meetings and family schedules on track.
Meal service delivery.
Seriously makes dinner time so much easier. The last thing I want to be doing is spending an hour preparing dinner after a busy day and the prices are so comparable to what you would buy for ingredients on your own at the store.
Meal prep.
Something I am so bad at but I know it would make my life so much easier. Meal prepping is a great way to save time for all three meals of the day. Crazy how much time during the day we spend on food.
Being present.
Something I’ve really tried to do this new year. Staying off social media. You can spend hours scrolling through reels and stories and your Facebook feed. I know this because I’ve done it, since staying off some social medias I really have freed up a lot of my time to make life easier by doing other things.
Routine.
Sticking with a routine is such a life saver. You know when bed time and wake up time is for your kids and it helps you get your tasks done either after bed or before wake up. Plus it’s just good all around for everyone in the family.
Although you still have your occasional date nights, Valentines Day sure does change once you become a parent.
The best part though? It’s still so much fun, but instead of romantic quiet dinners as a couple, it can become a loud family date night.
I’m here to give some great ideas to celebrate Valentines Day as a family. It is after all, a day full of love and what better way to spend it than with ALL the people you love the most?
Let’s check out some fun ideas for the family below 👇
Ice skating/ roller skating night out.
How fun does this sound? Ice skating is such a fun winter activity in general but I feel like it, along with roller skating if that’s what you prefer could be such a fun Valentines family date. I wish my kids were just a bit older so we could do this as a family this year!
Family game night.
These are always my favorite type of nights. Game nights are so fun for any type of night but it would be a great Valentines Day family date! Order a heart shaped pizza to go with it and you’re all set.
Movie night in or movie at the theatre.
There are finally good movies coming out again and movie nights are such a great classic family night idea.
A trip to the bookstore.
Grab a hot chocolate, a heart shaped treat and hit the book store! Pick out a good book and have a cozy family reading night.
Family karaoke night.
Along with game night, I think karaoke is so much fun even if I do have a terrible voice. Get creative and have fun! I’m sure the kids will love it as much as you do.
There is so much you can do to have a great Valentine’s Day while including the kiddo’s.
I hope some of these ideas helped you out and as always, thanks for reading!
Happy New Year, friends! I hope your holidays were filled with love. We had the BEST holiday season. I loved just spending time with our daughters and my husband. We made so many memories!
I wanted to share with our community a challenge my family agreed to do this year. You may have heard of it… 1000 hours OUTSIDE challenge!
It can be REALLY hard to WANT to go outside in the winter, when it’s 7°F outside, and actually do things. I mean there are the usual outside activities like, sledding, snowman building, skating and snow ball fights, but what about those cold days, where there is just no snow.
I wanted to share some tips, ideas and some links that I have found super helpful! The team over at 1000 Hours Outside has a ton of great resources and that’s what I used to start finding fun activities. I will link their website here.
Make sure you have really good snow gear! That’s my top tip. Invest in a nice warm winter coat. We went with the Columbia Bugaboo II coat for both of my daughters. I like it because it’s a 3 in 1, so the can wear it all year long! My younger daughter always gets the hand me down snow pants from her older sister. Insulated boots are a must, too!
Another tip, make sure you prep the water for cocoa BEFORE you go out! That way it’s ready when you come in from the chilly outside.
Next year, my husband and I are going to try to make an ice rink. We thought about doing it this year (and we may still if I can convince him), but he’s afraid by the time we get it up to use, it’ll be time to take it down (LOL). There are so many great ideas on Pinterest and google on how to build. When we do ours, this year or next, I’ll be sure to share that tutorial!
Another fun thing I saw was building an igloo! A friend of mine, her husband and her two kids are actually working on one right now! I can not wait to see how it turns out! we have our fort (I will insert a picture below) and it is so fun. I love watching the girls use their imaginations when they’re in it!
How do you track each of the 1000 hours you spend in the great outdoors? A coloring sheet of course! They have so many options for trackers. They hold a contest on their social media each year to design the next years trackers. If you’re crafty, it’s a great opportunity to share your art.
I hope you use these tools and resources to help enjoy winter again! I’ll update you in the spring with how many hours we will have on the tracker!
With a busy bee of a toddler running around at all times, books and coloring are so important to have accessible when it’s time for some down time.
Redfin reached out to us and asked to write a short piece describing an at home learning area that would work well.
You can read the full article here but I thought it would make a fun post to show you the little nook my toddler has for all his fun activities.
When it comes to at home learning or activity areas it’s so important to have everything open and easily accessible because I feel like it makes less of a mess. That way your kids will see it automatically and be able to grab what they need.
I love using little bins for crayons, art stuff and activity books. I use this cute personalized basket for my toddler’s things.
Another great tip is storage cubes! I feel like they are so great for toy organizing, book organizing or even learning and school organizing.
Adding pops of colors with books and crayons are always great to keep your kids engaged.
I like to keep our seasonal or favorite books on this bench ottoman and a couple inside it as well for easy reading access since majority of our time is spent in our main living area.
Also it’s a great place to store toys away and still have your living space look nice!
So many fun ideas you can do for a little learning nook but these are some of my favorites!
What type of areas do you have for your children when it comes to their learning and activities?
Quirky Workin' Mom's 