I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am scrambling more and more looking at my May calendar than I do in December! Talk about total May madness.
My oldest is in Kindergarten so this is my first full year with all the school activities so I never really understood the meaning behind Maycember until this year. He brought home his May calendar from school about a week ago and I never knew there could be so many days that have things going on! Brings back so many memories though especially seeing field day on the calendar. But all the end of the year parties, teacher appreciation week, performances, field trips, spirit type week days.
I defiantly feel the pressure of trying to keep everything straight. Especially when you throw in all the extra activities for both kids. Ball games, dance recital, birthday parties, Mother’s day, Memorial day weekend, trying to be in two places at once at times.
The feeling of an endless to-do list is real.
And we wonder why it’s so easy to get burnt out as a mom?
The part keeping me going though? It’s just a season.
It will pass and I will look back and I’m sure wish I could do it all over again because secretly the chaos is fun. I love being busy with my kids. I love supporting them and cheering them on and being there for as much as I can and showing the people who deserve it how much we appreciate them.
But that isn’t saying that all of it isn’t overwhelming because it is.
To help break up the chaos a little I’ve started writing everything down.
Prioritizing and making lists on what to get each week for the week coming up.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I fortunately have a wonderful support system and have family to help when my husband and I can’t be in two places at once.
Push things that aren’t pivotal that month to later in the next month to help loosen the up load of things to do.
And most importantly give yourself grace, remember you are doing the best you can and no matter what, you are doing a wonderful job!
I never knew how much I needed a little girl until you came into my life.
Your head full of hair and sweet little cheeks, nose and lips I could not stop staring at when you were born.
The dreamy after feeding smiles and the long nights of walking around rocking you while you wailed and wailed.
My sour patch kid, and I could not love you more.
Your independence and your strength are admiring. Of course keeping up with your older brother I’m sure has contributed to that strength and sassiness you have but that’s ok. I hope you never lose it. It’s so important to be strong and independent as a child and as an adult, especially as a woman. I just know you will move mountains.
I hope you know how beautiful you are, even now at two-years-old with your blonde curls and big blue eyes, that cheeky little grin. I hope you never stop saying “I so pretty” when you put on a new dress or a new bow in your hair that you love. My words to you will always, always stay positive and I only pray your words to yourself will as well.
I hope you know I will always be there for you as your mom but as your friend as well. I will never let you feel like you can’t come to me for anything, no matter what. I will be there to help, to teach and to comfort and to listen to you and your brother, always.
It’s such a privilege that I was picked to be your mama.
Always keep your strength, your sassiness, your sweetness and your attitude. Your independence and your love for adventure. Your positivity and your love for everyone in your life.
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)
This day seemed so far away for such a long time didn’t it? I thought so too and sometimes I still can’t believe we are on the full on school journey now.
It seems like just yesterday that we were rocking, burping, pacing the living room floor just trying to get adjusted to having a new baby and now our baby is growing up.
We were listening to baby shark on repeat and holding chubby little fingers to steady them while learning to walk. Going through the emotional journey of potty training and their preschool journey learning how to be a friend, leading us all to here.
This moment.
Kindergarten.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t keep me up at night thinking about it.
Just hoping and praying that it will be a great year and that he will thrive and be happy being in school and make lots of friends, be kind and have a wonderful teacher who is patient. That’s all you can ask for right? That’s what we have been teaching and preparing for.
Even sitting here typing I can’t help but cry and our first day is still a week away.
I guess I am writing this to let you know mama, you are not alone. Your fears are rational. It feels like you’re sending your baby out into the big scary world without being able to be there to protect them every minute of the day.
But I am choosing to embrace this new journey and make it the best I can for my little man. Making sure lunches are fun to open each day, volunteering for all I can, being involved in his school journey as much as I can. Attending every event or field trip he asks me to. I think that’s what helps your little one and you in this adjustment and school years to come.
So don’t be afraid to cry after hugs and drop off, don’t be afraid to think about your little one every second of their first week because it’s normal and it will happen.
Schedules might be a little more crazy, doubts might be a little more high, evenings a little more busy, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.
I wish you the best of luck on the new school year! I hope it’s successful and fun and that you both enjoy it.
I swear, some days it feels like I just had my sweet babes. They sure were right when they said time flies when you’re raising kids.
I wish it would slow down.
I’ll tell ya what though, we have been BUSY. Busy busy with life and learning the new stage of “activities”
My son and I just went to kindergarten round up. Cue the waterworks because I can’t believe it, my mama heart is not ready! Even though I am so excited for him but secretly a little scared too.
T-ball sign ups are this week!! Let’s hope for some grass stained baseball pants and lots of fun.
Also, my two year old daughter has such a loud personality and needs to be busy so let’s throw in a fun dance class for her this Spring! I mean why not?
I just find myself all the time asking lately how did we get here already!?
What happened to the middle of the night bottle feeds and the sweet sweet smell of newborn baby.
I have loved every stage of motherhood no matter how hard it can be and I know I am still just at the beginning stages but I can’t help but feel sad about how big my babies are getting already.
At the same time though, it is so exciting experiencing all these firsts.
Motherhood is such a whirlwind.
Watching them become their little selves and learning and growing is such a gift.
I am just embracing this season of life.
Trying to slow down as much as I can and give my all to my family.
That’s what matters most to me.
So yay for early dinners because we have to get to practice and uniforms to wash.
Bring on this new season of parenting!
This mama is ready to take on the new title “sports mom”
I’m struggling with the fact that I have a preschooler.
Where did the time go?
You were just a little rolly polly baby asleep in my arms yesterday, I swear.
Time is such a thief.
Even at a young age, you try to give your child all the tools they will need to succeed in any new adventure in life.
When the time comes to use the tools though, it’s both exciting and scary.
I feel like a tiny part of your innosence will be chipped away as we enter school age, even if it is preschool.
Yet, I want you to flourish and meet new friends and learn all you can at the same time.
Bring me home all the fun crafts you do each day to display, I hope I see a big smile at the end of each day and hear nothing but re-telling of fun things that happened while you were at school.
I know drop off’s will be hard and pick up’s will be exciting and it’s all apart of growing up for both you and me.
I swear, being a mom is the biggest emotional rollercoaster there is.
But just know mama’s, your baby will be fine.
I’m here to convince both you and myself.
Trust the teacher’s.
Trust that you raised a brave, smart and fun little one who will be nothing but great and kind.
And know it’s ok to cry, just hold it in until after drop off as to not scare them.
Know that they are ready, they have all the tool’s you’ve given them.
I know the hardest part will be getting yourself ready though.
I know how hard it is to let them grow, and even harder to let them go just a tiny bit.
Let’s get through the first week of preschool together mama’s!
We’ve got this and know as always, we are in this together.
You want to know what I think one of the biggest blessings in life are? Mom friends.
Even more specific, mom friends and coffee dates!
Seriously, it’s so nice to have someone to talk to who knows what you are going through, or at least has been there before. Everything just seems a bit more manageable when you have someone there that is deep in the trenches of motherhood just like you.
Sporting those messy buns, dark circles and weird stained clothes because for some reason, I don’t know about you but I find a weird stain from my kids yucky fingers on something I am wearing almost daily? Hope I’m not alone in that one.
Anyways, you just feel less alone! And let’s be honest here, motherhood can be extremely lonely.
A walk to a cute coffee shop, sunshine and some chit chat with a friend though? Could cure the soul I swear, even with kiddo’s tagging along.
Marissa and I did just that yesterday, she was kid free but I instantly squashed that when my little’s had to make the trip with us to an adorable coffee shop in our town, The Electric Coffee!
It’s such a cute spot with a fun seating area to chat, work or read a good book!
I just feel like I can take a deep breath when I get myself ready for the day, get outside in the sunshine and have an iced coffee in my hand. It sounds so cliché’ I know but in my life it really is the little things that make me the happiest.
So let’s talk about 5 ways to make yourself get out of the house and call up your mom friend because who says kids are the only ones who get to have play dates!?
Go for a walk.
One of the easiest ways to both enjoy your kids and friends is defiantly taking a walk. Find a trail to get some exercise. Walk your downtown area. Grab the bikes or rollerblades to make it extra fun for the kids.
Visit your favorite coffee shop.
Coffee dates are the best, chatting over coffee is one of my favorite things to do. It’s so relaxing and it is a great way to meet up with your friends and catch up.
Wine tasting.
Something I love as much as coffee? Wine! Wine nights are so fun and if you enjoy wine, I feel like wine tasting is the perfect moms night out!
Workout together.
Take a workout class together! Yoga or Zumba are always fun. Take a hike somewhere you both enjoy walking. Join a gym and plan weekly workouts.
Start a book club.
I love reading and so do a lot of my mom friends! So why not start a book club? You get to do what you love and share your favorite or least favorite parts with your friends.
So make sure to connect and make some time for yourself and your friends. They are so needed to survive this crazy adventure of motherhood.
Most importantly enjoy your favorite cup of coffee at your local coffee shop and chit chat a little, I promise you will feel refreshed! 🙂
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.
Do you ever remember the rejection you felt when you were younger and someone didn’t want to play with you or sit with you or even just talk to you?
It was the worst getting your feelings hurt or feeling left out at recess or not having a partner for a fun activity.
I think about that way more often now that I have children.
I wish someone would have told me to make sure you play with them whenever you are asked. That advice is actually worth getting.
When I’m busy and feel like I have so much to do and a little voice comes up behind me and says “mommy, will you play with me?”
A far too usual reply ends up being “in a minute, let me just finish this really quick”
Sometimes do you even look behind you at the little face so eagerly waiting for you to be done when you are busy with your tasks? I’ll be honest, not always.
I feel like we think because they are so little, they won’t understand. But trust me, they do.
A bad day or a sad day could easily be cured by simply sitting down on the floor with your children.
Let them take the wheel, trust me their imaginations are enough to sweep you up into their worlds.
Sit on the ground and be present.
Let them bring you things, let them dance around you and zoom across the living room.
The laundry can wait to be folded and put away.
The dishes can stay dirty for a little while longer.
The floors don’t need to be swept right this minute.
The housework never goes anywhere, but these little moments with your children do.
Give them your attention.
Let them make you laugh and be silly.
You need it just as much as they need it.
My favorite is when my son tells me he had the best day ever with me when all we did was play for a little while or went out and about as a family.
So the next time you hear that little voice come up behind you asking you to play or to talk or to sit with them.
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?
Quirky Workin' Mom's 
