Tag: toddler mom

Kids don’t need more “stuff”. They need outdoors & adventure.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 24 Comments

There’s something about being cooped up all Winter and then a sunny Spring day comes along and you just think “it’s all alright” 

We had a Sunny Spring day here in Michigan last week and the kids and I took total advantage! 

Growing up my parents always had trails in their backyard, back then they were pretty wooded and used a lot for four wheeling which we would do but now it’s a lot more cleared so it works so well for walks and adventures in the sun. 

My favorite part was listening to my kids get excited about finding deer tracks but then thinking “is it a Bigfoot!?” Or finding big sewer drains and thinking “I wonder if ninja turtles are down there”

I love imagination 🥺 I think it’s just the best thing ever and I make sure I can bring it out as much as I can. 

Days like this one just put in perspective how much you need outdoor time. Especially as a child, the best memories are made and it helps them reset so much. Get that pent up energy out. Unplug and plug back in!

Although if you live in Michigan or a state like it, Spring can still be chilly and very rainy but that shouldn’t stop the fun and the excitement that the warmer weather is coming.

Here’s our 5 favorite activities in the Spring to get outside even if it’s just for 30 minutes or so. 

Bike riding 

Hikes/trail walking

Bubbles/Chalk 

Park Play Date 

Scavenger hunts

Cheers to all the sunny days coming our way! ☀️ Let’s take full advantage of them and spend as much time outside as we can 😃

Dandelion Days.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

Some of my best memories of childhood are walking around picking dandelions as you go adventure outside just knowing it’s going to be the best day.

Spending a whole day outside getting dirty, swimming and being with family are my fondest memories and it’s what I strive for my children’s childhood.

Especially now.

So when my 4-year-old son came up to me while we were playing in the backyard after I was home from a long day at work and handed me a handpicked dandelion just for me I was so happy.

And then when my 2-year-old daughter followed suit and soon I was blessed with a bouquet of dandelions my heart burst.

So of course we had to make a wish on some of our dandelions, pick them apart and keep a couple as well.

As the days are becoming warmer and Summer finally is almost upon us I strive for dirt filled finger and toenails, chasing butterflies, bug hunting, riding bikes for hours, a day full of swimming.

There’s something so magical about a young learning mind. Creating fond memories for them that they will think back on when they are older just like me reminiscing on a dandelion.

So next time you see a dandelion, I hope you don’t get annoyed about the weed in your perfectly green lawn and think of it instead of happier Summer days spent soaking in the warmth that the world has to offer.

Peel apart the petals, make a wish and a perfect time to make some memories with your littles because it’s ones they will always remember.

It’s a gift.

To the mama’s having a bad week.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

I am right there with you.

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.

Driving While Pregnant – Cooper Hurley

I wish someone would have told me..

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

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.

Make sure you do.

Play with them, it matters more than you know.

Adventures of a Toddler/Puppy Mom.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 42 Comments

So I’m a pretty big optimist. It’s definitely one of my weaknesses but also strengths.

I had this perfect picture in my mind when thinking of getting a puppy. Anyone who knows my sweet bub knows how much he loves dogs.

Every time he sees a dog he points to them and yells dog! Excitement in his eyes. So my hubby and I were so excited at the opportunity to bring a pup home shortly after Christmas.

Well…..my son still loves dogs but a new puppy in his home getting the same attention he does?

Uhhh yeah…didn’t go as planned

I was so worried about if Boomer would bite Easton and all of that but I didn’t realize I would have to worry about bub being nice more!

I think I yell NO or STOP and there’s definitely some GET OUT OF THERE’s about 20 times a day.

But soon it eventually turned into one of those TikTok videos (if I knew how to make one I would) when they say “what I thought having a toddler and puppy would be like” then it rolls into “what I got” and you suddenly hear the bad sh*t song come on.

Not even joking, these two are partners in crime and when I say they get into everything I mean EVERYTHING.

I don’t even know what’s hidden under my couches with the little hands pushing things be the little tail wagging around.

Bub is sweet but has learned how to get into the dog food container and secretly feeds Boomer extra food even if it’s just a few pieces at a time.

I now never ever go to the bathroom alone. There is a toddler getting into the vanity and there’s a puppy getting into the bathroom trash.

When I leave the room and it’s quiet, you better bet mischief is happening.

But we are a little over a month into this new toddler and puppy life and they are slowly getting used to each other.

Yes there’s some puppy bites.

Yes there are accidents.

Yes there is some tail pulling.

But we are navigating and embracing this new adventure (told you embracing was my 2021 motto!)

And it’s been fun and exhausting and super cute and the cuddles are the best ever because I get cuddles from both and sometimes at the same time! I missed my feet being warmed by soft fur❤️

Moral of the story is, I love my little family so much! I can’t wait to share more adventures of Bub and Boomer with you all!

Guest Post- Navigating a Busy Toddler During a Pandemic.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 8 Comments

Ahh toddlers..

I Lost count on how many times a day I say “what’s in your mouth” “come back here please”, “no get down.” It must be enough because my toddlers favorite word is NONONO now…oops! (She’s a week shy of 17 months by the way.)

Yet still my baby who likes to be rocked and cuddled to sleep and is still so so sweet. I miss the baby stages I really do, but this new adventurous toddler stage is so fun and so exhausting. 

Patience

How does one have enough patience in the day without full break down and exhaustion… the answer is.. well you nearly don’t. 

I became a “stay at home mom” the week my daughter turned one and this pandemic shut down began. I was and am SO excited to stay home and spend more time with her but it was so draining to not see any friends or family or basically the outside of our house since it was still cold out. 

Now that we are looking at this being the new “normal” for a while here are some tips that have saved me!

Tip 1: The mom guilt! Don’t feel guilty about napping when they nap. Or even to binge watch TV all day.  There’s so many expectations that the house should look immaculate if you’re a “stay at home mom”, but let me tell you, its just going to be messy in 5 minutes again, so TAKE THE NAP! Or do something for yourself mama.

Tip 2: Make mommy friends! It can be the most uncomfortable feeling putting yourself out there to make mommy friends but its been so worth it for me AND my toddler! Find a local group if available and reach out you never know you might have a reply within 5 minutes (I did!) Pre Covid we attended a weekly music group and newborns support group and I’m so thankful to have met some lifelong friends from those groups, so it’s never too late to find mommy friends! I also used the peanut app briefly when my daughter was first born, it’s a great way to connect with other moms either in your area or not in your area.

Tip 3: Get adventurous, and don’t be afraid to get dirty !  Check out the site “busy toddlers and beyond” on Facebook it’s been a lifesaver. Parents/caregivers provide pictures of activities to do with your toddler or any age! Some favorites for us have been sensory boxes, water activities, or using recyclables.

Or another way to get adventurous is to try out a new park and have a picnic! I know for a while the playgrounds were closed down, it was even refreshing to go for a daily walk or two to a local park and just let your toddler RUN!!

I hope my three tips helped you maybe get out of a funk of feeling like you’re going crazy or out of ideas and remember YOU’RE NOT ALONE, and THEY ARE ONLY LITTLE ONCE!

– Halie Porritt