Tag: guest blog

Guest Post-Must-Have Baby Gear for First-Time Moms: A Comprehensive Guide

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 4 Comments

Welcoming a new baby is an exciting journey, especially if you’re a first-time mom. Navigating the world of baby gear can feel overwhelming with so many options available. This guide aims to simplify the process by highlighting the essential items that will make your parenting experience smoother.

From must-have clothing to crucial health and safety items, you’ll find everything you need to ensure your baby’s comfort and well-being. By focusing on the essentials, you can better prepare for your little one’s arrival with confidence and peace of mind.

Baby Essentials

Getting ready for your new baby can feel like a whirlwind, but focusing on the essentials can simplify things. 

When it comes to baby essentials, clothing and diapering are top priorities. You’ll want to stock up on onesies, which are versatile and perfect for layering. Sleepers are equally important to keep your baby cozy at night. Don’t forget hats and mittens; they help regulate your baby’s temperature and prevent them from scratching themselves. 

In the diapering department, you must decide between cloth and disposable diapers based on your lifestyle and preferences. Ensure a reliable diaper cream to prevent rashes and a convenient changing pad for those inevitable diaper changes. Having these essentials on hand will make your early parenting days much smoother.

Feeding Supplies

Feeding your baby is one of the most intimate and rewarding experiences, but it can also come with its own set of challenges. Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, having the right supplies can make all the difference.

For breastfeeding moms, comfortable nursing bras are a game-changer. They provide the support you need and make feeding sessions more convenient. A good breast pump is another essential—it’s invaluable whether you plan to return to work or just want to create a stash of milk for those moments when you’re unavailable. Reliable pumps can also help maintain your milk supply and prevent engorgement.

If you opt for bottle feeding, having a variety of bottles and nipples can help you find what works best for your baby. Some babies have preferences, so it might take a little experimenting. A bottle warmer is a handy tool to have around, ensuring that your baby’s milk is just the right temperature, especially during those middle-of-the-night feedings.

When it’s time to introduce solid foods, a sturdy high chair is essential. It provides a safe and comfortable spot for your baby to explore new tastes and textures. Baby-friendly utensils, such as soft-tipped spoons and small bowls, are designed to be gentle on your baby’s gums and easy for little hands to manage. Making mealtime enjoyable and stress-free helps you and your baby build a positive relationship with food from the start.

Sleeping Gear

Ensuring your baby has safe and comfortable sleeping gear is crucial for their well-being and your peace of mind. A crib and mattress should be your first investment, as they provide your little one with a secure and cozy sleeping environment. Swaddle blankets are lifesavers when it comes to helping your baby feel snug and sleep longer, mimicking the comfort of the womb. Lastly, a reliable baby monitor allows you to move around the house while keeping an ear out for your baby’s needs, providing that extra layer of reassurance during those precious sleep hours.

Travel Essentials

Going out and about with your baby requires some key travel essentials to ensure safety and convenience for both of you. From car rides to leisurely strolls, having the right gear can make all the difference in your daily adventures.

The first thing to secure is an infant car seat. This is non-negotiable, as it ensures your baby’s safety during car rides. Look for a model that’s easy to install and meets the latest safety standards. Many car seats also have a base that stays in the car, making it simple to snap the seat in and out as needed—perfect for those frequent errands and visits.

A lightweight stroller is a parent’s best friend when getting around on foot. It’s less cumbersome than other models, making it easy to maneuver through crowded areas and transport in and out of the car. Despite its lighter frame, ensure it has sturdy construction and sufficient storage space for diaper bags and other necessities.

A baby wrap or sling is incredibly useful for hands-free mobility, especially in more confined or rugged environments. These carriers allow for close physical contact, which can be calming for your baby and convenient for you. Whether navigating a busy market or doing chores around the house, a wrap or sling lets you keep your baby close while freeing up your hands.

Health and Safety

Ensuring your baby’s health and safety is paramount, as it lays the foundation for their overall development and happiness. By being prepared with the right essentials, you can effectively manage minor ailments and everyday hazards, providing a safe and nurturing environment.

Having the right tools and items on hand will make it easier to handle unexpected situations with confidence. Below are some crucial health and safety items every parent should consider:

  • Baby Thermometer
  • First-aid Kit
  • Baby-Proofing Items

Playtime and Development

Playtime is not just fun for your baby; it’s a crucial part of their development. Toys play a key role in stimulating their senses and encouraging motor skills. Books are fantastic for fostering early language skills and instilling a love for reading from an early age. A soft, colorful play mat provides a safe space for tummy time and other activities, helping to strengthen your baby’s muscles and coordination. By incorporating these elements, you’re setting the stage for a well-rounded and happy little one.

Bathing and Grooming

Bath time can be a special bonding experience with your baby; having the right tools makes all the difference. A baby bathtub provides a secure and comfortable space for your little one to splash safely. It’s designed to support your baby and make the whole process easier.

A gentle baby wash is essential for keeping your baby’s delicate skin clean and irritation-free. After the bath, wrapping them in soft towels will ensure they stay warm and cozy, making the transition from water to the outside world a delightful experience for both of you.

Conclusion

Caring for a baby involves a lot of preparation and attention to detail, but remember, you’re doing a great job! From travel essentials and health items to playtime and grooming tools, these are key components that help ensure your baby’s comfort and safety. The effort you put in now will pay off in your baby’s well-being.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or need extra support, countless resources and support groups are available to help you navigate this journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out—you’re not alone on this wonderful adventure of parenthood.

Author Bio

Andrea Gibbs, a lifelong New Yorker, balances the demands of being a work-from-home mom with her expertise in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. Andrea contributes to the Kemit Academy blog in Chicago, IL, offering insights and guidance to help parents set their children up for academic success. In her role as Content Manager at SpringHive Web Design Company, she ensures the delivery of exceptional content for a wide array of clients. When not immersed in her professional duties, Andrea finds joy in exploring new recipes and spending quality time with her family.

(Serve as reference, please don’t include this in the article)

Outbound link:  https://kemitacademy.com/our-programs/ 

Keyword: confidence and peace of mind 

Location: under Introduction, 2nd Paragraph

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Guest Post- What Self Care Means To Me.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 29 Comments

I’m going to start this post with a bit of an understatement: the last year has been a tough one. Next week will see us meet the one year mark of when our lives all changed dramatically, and what a year it has been. Despite many of us spending more time at home, very few of us have been prioritising taking care of ourselves despite this playing a huge role in our general wellbeing. With parents having to take on the new role of a full-time teacher, key workers under extreme pressure and people struggling to gain a work/life balance now their homes have become offices…where is the time? Sometimes just making it through the day is a success story in itself but these additional stresses that have fallen into our lives only further prove the point that self-care is vital to a healthy mind.

There is still very much a culture where taking time to look after yourself can be seen as an unnecessary luxury but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to be the best version of yourself in work, life or relationships you need to feel like the best version of yourself. 

Often when you see the term ‘Self Care’ you think of face masks and massages but actually, the practices are endless and, since we’re not going to be able to get to a spa any time soon, it’s important to find other ways to bring you that same level of peace. Often, the kindest things you can do for yourself have nothing to do with pamper sessions (although I wouldn’t say no!) and everything to do with removing negativity from your life where you can. I’ve listed some of my favourites below.

My Favourite Self Care Methods 

  • Take 30 minutes a day to do something you love – Read that book, listen to a podcast in the bath, be creative…it doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure it’s something that makes you happy.
  • Social Media detox – Take a day away from your Social Media apps, the constant stream of news and other peoples polished lives is a lot and you often don’t realise the damage it’s doing until you take a break.
  • Review who you follow – Make sure the people you follow on social media are accounts and/or individuals that bring you joy or valuable information. Anyone else can and should be removed (or muted at the very least).
  • Move your body – I’m a huge advocate for exercise for your mind rather than your body but this doesn’t always have to be an intense workout. I love basic Yoga videos on YouTube, stretching with some relaxing music is really calming even if for 10 minutes.
  • Get some fresh air every day – This one is so important, especially for those that are working from home every day at the moment. Sometimes getting yourself outdoors if you don’t “need to” is harder than you think, but it’s a wonderful way of taking a moment to breathe.
  • Journal – Keeping emotions or stresses bottled up inside can only last so long. Talking to other people about these things is so important but if you don’t feel ready or able, writing in a journal is an excellent way to let some of those stresses or worries free.

And the most important and compulsory form of self-care is to be kind to yourself. Life isn’t easy even at the best of times and it’s made ten times harder if you let that negative voice in your head make its way to the front. We’re all just doing our best so make sure you are acknowledging your achievements no matter how small. I’ve said it before but sometimes just making it through the day is a win, so take a minute to say you smashed it!

Benefits of Self Care

  • Increased positive thinking
  • A reduction in anxiety
  • Finding outlets to relieve stress throughout the day can result in an improved sleep pattern
  • Taking time for yourself will give renewed focus, increasing productivity levels
  • Improved relationships
  • Learning how to recognise your real emotions/feelings.

Sometimes it feels easier said than done but you need to prioritise yourself. No matter the job, situation or environment you find yourself in, you can’t pour from an empty cup so eventually, something is going to have to give. Please don’t let it be your health.

Thank you so much Amanda and Marissa for having me on your blog and thanks to everybody for reading. If you would like to check out more of my posts you can find my blog here and Instagram here. 

Stacey

Guest Post- Whole-Home Wellness For You and Your Family.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

       Creating a better quality of life for our families doesn’t have to be complicated. If you are ready to start on a path to cleaner living and whole-home wellness, you are in the right place.      

 You would be surprised at the number of harmful chemicals in the products that we breathe in and apply to our bodies daily. Literally hundreds before breakfast ALONE (especially women). We are exposed to chemical combinations all day every day and no safety data exist on these. It’s impossible to know how much damage we are doing to our bodies.  Have you ever started coughing immediately after using a cleaning product? Yea, me too!

  Even if we do not feel an immediate reaction, we are not in the clear y’all. Over time, these chemicals build up and create a toxic overload. Many of these chemicals are synthetic—that means they are FAKE.  Our bodies do not know what to do with them. Our liver, our bodies filter is overworked, our hormones are out of whack and our body can be out of balance and cause a whole host of problems like eye and throat irritation, headaches, respiratory issues, allergic reactions, worsened asthma, and possibly even cancer.   Yep, you read that right.

I was shocked when I learned what was being used in so many of my favorite products.. Don’t think that some brands that say “natural” or “toxin-free “are safe.  Always check your labels. Here are just a few to look out for.

 SLS—Sodium Lauryl Sulfate—cancer neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation, endocrine disruptors (hormone/thyroid). Benzisothiazolinone—eye and skin irritation.

 PEG-2 Cocomonium Chloride—evidence of cancer, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects; damage to DNA.

 Methylisothiazolinone—possible neurotoxicity, nerve damage, lung toxicity, and allergic reactions.

 Phenoxyethanol—eczema, life-threatening allergic reactions. 

Fragrance—this is a BIG one y’all!! An undisclosed chemical cocktail—trade secrets.A WHOPPING 12,500 ingredients fall under the umbrella word, FRAGRANCE on a label.

  •  Manufacturers are not required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels.
  • Often only one-word ‘fragrance” or “parfum” is used on the label and can hide a cocktail of more than 100 ingredients.
  • 75% of fragrances contain phthalates which have been linked to cancer, infertility, pregnancy loss, and birth defects.
  • Fragrances are common triggers of asthma, migraines, allergies, and sinus problems.

Fragrances are linked to so many profound health risks that avoiding them is probably the #1 change you can make to reduce your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals. It only takes 26 seconds for chemicals in your cleaners to enter your bloodstream through the skin, this includes EVERYONE in your home especially our kids since their little bodies are still developing. It is just not worth the risk!!


Why would companies do this?   It’s called Greenwashing, they mislead consumers about the health, safety, and environmental impact of their products. They use those cheap synthetic fillers that we talked about earlier. Some popular brands in candy-colored bottles seem eco-friendly, quirky, hip, and homemade—but hold up check the label. 

We’ve all used products that aren’t the best for us, but we can’t let old habits dictate our future. Companies are smart but WE are smarter and as the gatekeepers of our homes, WE get to decide what comes in. So, what can we do?  

Thieves the Day my friend!

Thieves is an ultra-concentrated, versatile formula made with plant-based ingredients that can be used on virtually every surface in your home. Formulated with the power of Young Living’s Thieves oil blend, you can get a deep clean without dangerous or synthetic ingredients. Thieves cleaner also includes the scent of Lemon essential oil for an even more uplifting aroma. Infuse your entire house with the power of Thieves with a whole line of Thieves products.


Thieves contain no harsh or dangerous synthetic chemicals that need to be rinsed after use. Thieves is safe for septic systems, pets, and children. BONUS, you can have your kids clean safely and easily.   Just one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner to 2 cups of water will cost you less than $1 a bottle making it a healthy, thrifty choice.

 Using Thieves Household Cleaner is the single best thing you can do to reduce those harmful cheap synthetic chemicals that are so prevalent in most cleaners.  This one step will lessen your toxic load allowing your body to function optimally, the way it is supposed to.


     Thieves products extend into the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room where even more harmful synthetic chemicals are found. Dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, cough drops, hand sanitizer, and more make Thieves versatile for any lifestyle.

  Thieves dishwashing soap uses natural grease-cutting agents and essential oils. THRIFTY TIP>> I split my dish soap into threes, add a little Thieves Household Cleaner and baking soda, and stretch it even further.

  • NO SULFATES
  • NO DYES
  • NO FORMALDEHYDE
  • NO PHOSPHATES
  • NO SYNTHETIC PERFUMES

  Bringing the power of Thieves to your laundry room with enzymes that combat dirt and stains. A highly concentrated formula so one bottle will last a good while.  THRIFTY TIP>> I split mine into threes, add water and stretch it even further.

  • NO SLS
  • NO DYES
  • NO PETROCHEMICALS
  • NO FORMALDEHYDE
  • NO SYNTHETIC PERFUMES
  • NO OPTICAL BRIGHTENERS

Thieves toothpaste and mouthwash support healthy-looking gums and teeth with ingredients from nature and pure essential oils.

  • NO SULFATES
  • NO SYNTHETIC DYES
  • NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS OR COLORS
  • NO PRESERVATIVES
  • NO FLUORIDE
  • NO SLS
  • NO PARABENS
  • NO PHTHALATES
  • NO MINERAL OIL
  • SYNTHETIC PERFUMES

Thieves essential oil can be used to make your own DIY cleaning and wellness recipes. Thieves essential oil blend is a powerful combination of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils that fills any space with a rich, spicy aroma. It is one of Young Living’s most popular essential oils so it’s no wonder that Thieves is included in so many of the home cleaning and personal care products. It is a key ingredient in Thieves Cleaner, Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier, Thieves Wipes, and Thieves Foaming Hand Soap. Thieves blend is your go-to for an invigoratingly clean and spicy scent that smells more like fall baking than harsh cleaning formulas.

 So where can you get all the Thieves goodness? 

You can buy it retail from my website  HERE 

You can become a Young Living wholesale member. What does being a member mean? Think Costco’s or Sam’s. That’s it, You never have to share with anyone if you don’t want to.       ( There are two sides to Young Living.   Over 80%of the wholesale members are product users only and approximately 8-10 % are members who have chosen to build a business with Young Living ). There are no monthly requirements or quotas.  Your membership will get you wholesale prices on over 600 oil or oil-infused products like Thieves.

 
You can join Young Living’s Essential Rewards program and earn free products and reward points on every purchase every month. It’s like FREE money back every month to be used on future purchases. DOLLA DOLLA BILLS Y’ALL.  


This is how I get most of my essential oils. I buy my household products, makeup, supplements that I am going to buy anyway. Then I use my points  I earn to get the oils I want plus the ones I get for FREE every month. It’s a good deal but it’s also totally optional. 

 There are a few different options to start your wholesale membership.  The biggest bang for your buck is the Thieves Starter Bundle. When you use my referral number at https://bit.ly/startYLNOW to start and choose a Premium Starter Bundle with Essential Rewards, you will get $25 cashback from me plus FREE SHIPPING and you will earn $10 in Rewards Points to use on future orders.WHOOP!!

 We can also put together a customizable membership and I am happy to help you with that. Email me at  hello@marieinmontana.com or comment here.


 You can see all the starter kits right HERE


***Young Living just added on another Premium starter kit and it is not on my website yet. It’s called the ” Little Oilers Premium Starter  Bundle” and it formulated for kids so it is already diluted so just add a roller to the top and start rolling. This starter bundle does qualify for the $25 cashback from me when you start with Essential Rewards plus the free shipping from Young Living.

 I am happy to answer any questions you may have about Thieves, Young Living, or Essential Rewards You can email me at hello@marieinmontana.com  or comment below. 

 Join our newsletter and get a free All Things Thieves Switch List and  Thieves recipes.   http://marieinmontana.com/landing/september-lp

 You can check out my website at www.marieinmontana.com  or follow us   athttps://www.instagram.com/mylife_inthe_middle/

Avoiding synthetic chemicals in your home may seem daunting and overwhelming but the payoff will be worth it. Your body will function better without the toxic load that comes from using cheap filler synthetic chemicals.  Switching to Thieves makes it an easy process to turn your home into a safer place for you and your family.  


To Your Health,

 Marie

Guest Post- How To Find 2 Extra Hours a Day.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 17 Comments


Let’s chat about how to find 2 extra hours in your day! That is right, 2 extra hours! And you are going to be able to use that extra time to do all those amazing things you set out to do this week! These are 10 things that I do throughout the day that if you do a quick time audit, will easily save you 2 hours or more.

The #1 question I get asked is how do you fit in all the things. So I thought this would be a fun way to share.

  1. STOP SCROLLING. Despite managing my business on social media, I am not online very much. I do it very strategically. I set aside time to connect on social media and then get off. And I do it in 20-50 minute increments. Otherwise, while I am working on other tasks my phone is in airplane mode! Crazy concept, I know. But it works. There are also a few browser apps that you can load that block you from social media sites after a certain amount of time. And most importantly, do not scroll first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed. Do you want others to influence the most important times of your day? 
  2. DO NOT HIT SNOOZE. Do not hit snooze. I repeat. Do not hit snooze. Snooze is the worst. And actually makes you MORE tired. (Because you aren’t getting into that deep restful sleep again). II know from prior experience this will save you 30-40 minutes alone! Go to bed the night before with intention. Map out what you want to do first thing in the morning and then do it! I heard a quote earlier this week that inconvenience exposes commitment. If you are committed as in truly dedicated. Snooze won’t be an issue. You gotta find something that makes you jump out of bed in the am! 
  3. SAY NO. UNLESS IT IS ONE OF YOUR TOP 3 PRIORITIES.Only say YES, to what is going to support your goals. My girls and I use this when it relates to healthy choices. All the time (eat your veggies). Cupcakes (sometimes).  Netflix at 9pm? Maybe a sometimes task instead of all the time? See what I am saying? I talk about this a lot in my podcasts, but you should only pick 1-3 priorities a day. And sometimes even that is too much. If you know your priorities than it is way easier to say no to something that doesn’t support them. 

    As an example, on Friday nights we have a family movie night. So when a friend asks me to a girls night on the same night, I typically will say no, OR I will make adjustments so that movie night is on Saturday and my priorities are intact. Use your schedule to your advantage to help you make decisions. 
  4. SINGLE TASK WITH A SINGLE FOCUS. Don’t multi-task. This one is pretty straight forward, but the days of multi-tasking are over. Even if you are just focused on one thing for 10 minutes, you will get WAY more done in that 10 minutes than you will be doing 3 different things at one time. 
  1. I also use this to set boundaries. As an example. When I am in my office, my kids know that I am working, so, for the most part, they are aware that it isn’t time to ask me a million questions. When I am in the kitchen and trying to work as an example, they think I am available. So I try to focus my work time on one task in one area where I can knock it out and be done. It isn’t to say I don’t check my phone while in other areas, but when I am in “shared” areas, it isn’t my priority. 
  2. TIME BLOCK – You guys. I chat about this EVERY DAY. It works. And it works. I have a template in my WFH guide that is attached and also in my Systems Shop. You have to do it. 

    One thing I will add is to watch your energy levels with this. As an example, I come out the gate strong on Monday but I leave time for planning and strategizing. Tuesdays are almost interview and podcast days along with other meetings but by Friday. I try not to schedule meetings so I can “catch up”. I know I will be tired. And ready for a break. So don’t save your biggest task for Friday night! Just as your energy fluctuates throughout the day and week so does your attention. 

    I also almost always schedule a “maintenance” day, which is usually Friday or Saturday AM depending on the week. Clear out your inbox. Review your projects. Re-look at your to-do list. Do the laundry 🙂 Clean house. Organize. It helps. And sometimes is my most creative time. As a note, you don’t want to have your “maintenance day” on the same day you have 5 meetings.

    In addition to time blocking you can also do a few fun things to motivate you to be super focused during the day by bookending your day. I pick the first two hours of the day to focus on my self-care and my VIP tasks as I call them. Don’t leave the hardest tasks for when you are the most unproductive. Then at the end of the day, I block out time for family and a least one hour before bed relax!
  3. DON’T COMPARE. Your schedule isn’t going to look like anyone else’s. Just because I get up at 5am, doesn’t mean you need to. You have to play around with what works for you and when it feels good and you feel fulfilled, stick with it!
  4. BLOCK TIME TO CHECK EMAILS. Only check email 1-2 times a day. This will probably save you an hour alone!! You want to say NO to busy work as much as possible. And if possible even automate repetitive tasks. As an example, when I have a new client sign up for our wellness package, I have a welcome email I send. I tweak it a little for each client but it is the same information. I don’t need to re-write it every time. 
  5. STOP EATING LIKE CRAP.Don’t eat sugar. Or at least limit it when you are trying to knock out some deadlines. Fuel your body with nutrients that are going to help you thrive!
  6. SET ASIDE TIME FOR YOU! Reward yourself at the end of the day for working on those goals! (Or the beginning! Move your body. Meditate. Take a walk. Give yourself time to think! Your best ideas will come from this time and save you more time later!) And you know I am going to say this. But block off your calendar. Hit pause right now. Block out “ME TIME” for 30 minutes every day for the next month. See how it goes. 
  7. DO MORE WITH LESS. CLEAR YOUR SPACE. Work from a state of inspiration! Clean your desk. Go work in a coffee shop. Surround yourself with an environment that supports you!

BONUS: 

Think about where you can outsource! I recently started a whiteboard in my office where I write down all the tasks weekly that I could outsource. Some of these are business tasks but some of them are basic tasks that you might not think of when you think to outsource….Outsourcing is really just saving you time!!!

  • Grocery delivery
  • Dry Cleaning pick-up
  • Meal kits / delivery
  • Outsourced Shopping (Such as Stitchfix or other services)
  • Proofreading (I use an app on my laptop)
  • Other apps that help with Time Management – Asana, Loop Habit Tracker, Trello, Calendly, Google Keep etc.
  • Tutor
  • Mother’s helper
  • Virtual Assistant

So tell me. Which one are you going to do this week? Or are you going to be a rockstar and do them all?

Click here to set up your mornings freebie!

Thank you so much to Holly for guest posting today! Be sure to connect with her!

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