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?
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!
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.
My daughter is approaching a year old. I was not ready. There wasn’t nine months to prepare. I had about two days. From the beginning motherhood was hard. I didn’t get to go to parenting classes or stock up on parenting books. I wasn’t yet a member of Facebook mom groups or subscriber of mommy vlogs. The doctors in the ER told me I was pregnant and then two days later popped out a baby.
Today, motherhood is hard but worth it.
Even after reading the parenting books, chatting on the mom groups, and watching endless mom vlogs I’ve learned nothing could have fully prepared me for motherhood. The lack of sleep is indescribable. Anxiety and postpartum self-care (or lack of) isn’t talked about enough. If the amount of crying doesn’t frustrate you the mommy burnout might. Not to mention that sometimes the societal representations of motherhood is less than ideal. Still, motherhood is hard but worth it.
I am evolving as a mother every day. Coffee fights off my tiredness. Postpartum therapy has helped me manage my anxiety and place importance on self-care. Crying still frustrates me but now I’ve become pretty good at distinguishing between my daughter’s cries. I’ve learned to lean on others and even cry myself to prevent mommy burnout. I’ve discovered through social media that there are plenty of moms like me who don’t hold back just how challenging motherhood can be. Yes, motherhood is hard but worth it.
Motherhood is my favorite occupation. I don’t care about the clichés or trying to be perfect. Each day I do my best to be the best mother I can be for my daughter. She is my pride and joy. She has changed me for the better. As I watch her grow I know one thing is for sure: Motherhood is hard but worth it.
Mom With No Plan is a first time mommy who didn’t realize she was pregnant until two days before giving birth to her daughter. When she’s not juggling her newfound journey of motherhood she’s blogging about it. She enjoys a daily cup of coffee, occasional glass of wine, and spending time with her family.
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?
From the moment those two pink lines show up, you are being told how hard being a parent is.
Constant crying, feeding on demand, diaper overloads.
And of course those 3am wake up cries.
But they never tell you the pure emotional exhaustion you will truly feel from trying to be the perfect mom.
And I’m not talking about I’ve just worked a week of 12 hour midnight shifts in a row…I’m talking your whole body is tired, your shoulders and neck are sore and kinked from constantly looking over at your baby, chasing after your toddler. Your mind is on auto-pilot and you forever hear crying even when they aren’t.
It’s just exhausting being a mom.
Period.
There’s no explanation needed.
It’s. Just. Hard.
You put all your energy into these tiny little humans that you have been so blessed to have.
Every thought is about them now.
How do I make my baby happy today?
Is my toddler getting too much screen time?
What can I do better so we sleep better at night?
How do I split up my attention equally?
How do I keep them healthy and safe always?
How can I be better?
How can I be perfect for them?
How do I make time for my husband? For my home? For my career?
That’s the root of it all. We always want to be better, we want to do better for our babies.
We want to be the perfect mom.
The one who looks flawless without a hint of dark circles under her eyes.
The one with hair that looks like she is able to wash and exfoliate regularly.
The one who never has a spot of spit up on her clothes or the smell of it radiating from them.
The one who looks like she’s never changed a blow out diaper in the Target bathrooms in her life.
The one who’s kids look like they would never have a tantrum in aisle 5 at the grocery store.
It’s impossible.
There’s no such thing as a perfect mom.
Yes, some might hide it way better than others but we all have one thing in common.
We are all exhausted.
We are all at some point everyday dealing with diaper overloads and spit up and drool stained clothing.
Meltdowns during the day and waking up to those 3am cries at night.
So don’t ever think you aren’t a good enough mom, please.
Because we’ve all been there.
We are all exhausted.
We are all emotional.
We are all so blessed to have these babies.
But one thing I hope to never happen to any mama’s in this world? You will never be alone in your feelings, EVER. Please just know that.
And if you ever need a reminder? Well, we are here even during those 3am wake up cries.
If you’re a busy working mom like me, you know what it’s like to juggle a hectic personal and professional schedule with a never-ending list of things to do. One of the few benefits of the global COVID-19 pandemic is that it has caused many people to pause and reevaluate who and what truly mattered in their lives. I used the time during lockdown to launch my dream coaching business My Life Couch and more importantly – to learn how to take care of myself, respect my own time and ask for help.
I compare us working mothers – and parents in general – to a very sophisticated smart phone: Running a ton of applications at once, a life saver for many and a constant companion that always deliver value. But what is the use of a phone if the battery is low or not charged? It becomes a very expensive paperweight, right? Or whatever use you have for a phone that isn’t charged at all. We need to be intentional about carving some time to nurture and care for ourselves more, not just when the battery has died out completely, so we can be the best mom/dad/sibling/friend we can be.
Here are my 5 strategies to recharge your batteries to be always on and full of energy:
• Take some time off
Knowing yourself, what makes soothes, heals, recharge you is key to defining your self-care exactly HOW and WHAT you want it to be. Whether is being surrounded by people or staying alone to do some self -discovery, meditation, reading a book , journaling, running a bath, do whatever nourishes your soul
• Learn the power of NO
If like me your natural tendency is to say yes to keep people happy, you will quickly feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of commitment you are taking on, without the bandwidth to match. By being selective on the responsibilities we undertake, we can truly focus on the tasks at hand and being present – think quality vs quantity – and deliver outstanding results every time, minus the extra stress.
• Ask for- and accept help –
Asking and accepting for help doesn’t always come easy for working mothers, myself included. I used to see it as a reflection of my inability to “be it” and deemed myself a failure. But you realize that by asking, you are opening your doors, your mind to the kindness of people who in some case may just be waiting for you to ask. Asking for help is another way to extend your reach and getting things done. And you have to be willing to accept the help, even if it’s not exactly how you are doing it, aka don’t focus on the HOW it’s done – of course safety is primordial – but WHAT is done. At best, you and your family are exposed to a different way of doing things! And you can always repay the favor when someone else needs help .
• Move
Get your body going by incorporating movement into your routine. It could be a walk, running or even dancing to your favorite tune or playlist. Exercise is proven to release tension and stress and it’s good for your mental health overall so it’s a win- win. Find your movement and practice. I also count singing on top of your voice on a song you like – karaoke nights anyone – as exercise, although your family, neighbor etc… might disagree.
• Have your tribe
Have in your circle, someone other than your spouse that understands the pressure you may face. It could be another mom, a close relative, or a friend. The point is to be having a safe place to show up as you, to share your joys, doubts or vent your frustrations. It’s a place to been heard, understood, and connect with another person on common topics and interests and get another perspective on things. Bonus point if you combine making a phone call with that friend whilst going for a walk!
It’s sometime feels we don’t have time to even recharge, but let’s not leave until our batteries are completely out to put a plan in place shall we. By carving a non-negotiable time often to do things for ourselves, we are filling ourselves so we can pour out love, support , focus , guidance or whatever we can , instead of constantly running on an empty tank. I would love to hear about what works for you and if you need some motivation to create a recharge plan , I’ll be happy– to be part of your tribe !
If you would like to read more about my self-love tec
Gladys Simen – a life coach for moms who are trying to balance their work and family life.
She is a life enthusiast who lived in 5 different countries, mastered 2 languages, and changed several professions. It took becoming a fabulous mama for her to tap into some BIG superpowers within herself.
Former quiet introvert, today is passionate about helping women live big, beautiful, shooting-for-the-stars kind of lives right now. Gladys considers herself an advocate for the working mama!
Quirky Workin' Mom's 