3 Ways That Technology Is Brilliant For Our Kids

September 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Technology can be a tricky thing to manage as parents. Our children are growing up in a digital age, where technology is all around them and entertainment and answers are at the tips of their fingers. It is a common complaint that we feel that our kids are having too much screen time or that they are asking to be in front of their video games and favorite TV shows rather than getting outside and playing, spending time with family and reading. It is quite easy to see the downsides of all of this tech, but perhaps there are some real benefits too? We think so, which is why today we are sharing with you 3 ways that technology is brilliant for our kids. 

Image Pixabay – Pixabay License

 

To answer all of those burning questions

 

We all know that children are endlessly inquisitive. They ask question after question and occasionally they will ask you something that you simply do not know the answer to. This is where technology becomes our very best friend.

 

Whether the children are asking ‘what is the capital city of Afghanistan?,‘how do you become a guitar luthier?’ or ‘how do people build houses?’, you know that all that you need to do is pop online to provide them with their answer.

 

YouTube can be particularly effective at answering any burning questions as they have thousands of child friendly explanations for just about any topic. You can search there to explain anything from how an aorta functions to where zebras live. It can also be great for helping to spark an interest in a subject, so use it to introduce new topics and passions to your children. 

 

To supplement their education

 

Technology can be a great addition to your kids’ classroom learning. There are so many online sites and tools that can complement all that they are being taught at school and help them to become more confident. 

 

Perhaps they would benefit from tightening up on their addition, then try some quickfire math games. Perhaps they are fascinated by their current history topic, then encourage them to delve into it a little more online. 

 

It can also be useful in helping with homework and many schools use online homework systems now allowing you to keep up to date with what your children are learning so that you can support them at home. 

 

To keep them out of mischief 

 

Now, we are not suggesting that you use screens to babysit your children all day long, but there are real benefits to using them to keep them out of mischief from time to time.

 

There is nothing wrong with popping them in front of an afternoon movie after a full morning out whilst you get a few chores done and get dinner ready. You will know that they are safe and entertained whilst you get your jobs out of the way. 

 

Using screens in this way, when the majority of the day is screen free, can work well for everyone in the family.

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How To Prepare For Your Family’s Future

September 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

Image by Mario Renteria from Pixabay 

 

If you have just started a family, then you’re probably very busy with feeding, bathing and bedtimes and with all this going on, looking ahead to the future may seem a long way away. However, now that you have a family, it’s more important than ever to plan for the future, and it’s never too early to start. 

 

Education, Education, Education

As early as possible, you need to think about children’s education. From teaching them the alphabet and making sure that you are giving them the best start in life you can, you also need to look ahead at their education in the future. While you don’t want to put too much pressure on your child, it’s important to have a back-up and be prepared financially for your child’s higher education. Make a plan as early as possible as it’s a long-term goal and make allowances for inflation and other potential unforeseen issues.

 

Make Memories And Live In The Here And Now

When thinking about planning for the future, it’s very important not to forget to concentrate on the here and now of your family life. It’s good to make sure you’ve got a good life balance and ensure that although working hard for the future is important it’s good to create happy, joyful memories that you and the kids can both enjoy. You also have a job in raising the kids; you need to be aware that life is not just a financial goal, but the children need education on life and guidance from you.

Make A Will

It is also really important that you make a will, and this will ensure your wishes are followed in the event of your death. It’s not just about distributing your finances, but a will covers other things such as funeral arrangements and what happens with your children in the event. Take the appropriate advice; you will need to speak to someone specializing in estate litigation; make sure your views are known, legally, in this document.

 

Make Sure You Have Insurance

Adequate life insurance is very important, and especially if you are the main earner in your family, it is essential for your’s and your family’s peace of mind. Should the worst happen, your family will be provided for financially? Have a look at life insurance quotes to find out what the best policy is for you.

 

Teach Children From Your Mistakes

An important lesson in life is for children to learn is that everyone makes mistakes and that there shouldn’t be too much pressure to live up to an unrealistic notion of perfection. You can teach them that failures and setbacks happen to all of us, but it’s how we deal with them that’s just as important as the failure itself.

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Single Mothers – It’s Okay To Enlist Help

September 4, 2019 Leave a Comment

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If parenting is one of the hardest jobs out there (and it is), then it’s not hard to imagine how doing this alone could be one of the most challenging things anyone could experience. However, many single parents take care of their children brilliantly, and are shining examples of the unconditional love that parenthood brings.

 

However, it can sometimes be that single parents are unfortunately happy to denigrate themselves, to believe they do not deserve help. Sometimes, they have been told these very things by unsupported parents or other guiding figures, and the wish to go against that advice and help their child become raised in a loving environment is more important than anything.

 

It’s fine to enlist help if experiencing this yourself, particularly if you do not know which way to turn. In fact, it is absolutely essential. When we think of this we often think of our child having to be taken over by some kind of child protective service, but enlisting help needn’t be anything as extreme or unnecessary as that.

 

Let us see what those practical solutions could be to make your life just a little easier.

 

Legal Assistance

 

Unfortunately, many single parents are there because of the ineptitude of their previous partner, which may not have showed itself until your beautiful child was here and in need of care. But there’s no reason why you should have to take this treatment. Finding legal assistance to defend yourself, utilizing a child support calculator to ensure you are being paid the amount you are due and keeping the records of correspondence or previous issues may denote the need for a restraining order, or perhaps a healthier means of setting up contact with said defunct parent. When you are assisted legally, you have a better chance of keeping yourself supported in the manner you deserve.

 

Family & Friends

 

It is not a great sin to ask for your parents to babysit while you experience some fun with your friends, or have a night on the town. Many mothers can feel absolutely terrible about needing some time to let their hair down, but actually, this can keep them sane and comfortable. That’s not to say that motherhood is some kind of crazy venture that leaves people distraught and unable to function, but a little break from any intense issue is fantastic now and then. Even if it’s just an evening to read, soak in a bath and watch a movie, this could be appropriate.

 

Care For Yourself, Too.

 

As a new single mother, your time is going to be fraught. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to care for yourself, too. You have your own needs, and if you ignore yourself it will only have a negative impact on how irritable you are. Purchasing an exercise bike for ten to fifteen minutes of exercise in the morning, eating healthy foods and adopting a meal plan Sunday routine to save time through the week can truly help you reduce stress and maintain yourself. It’s in this way that you are strengthened over time, just as you need to be.

 

With these tips, we hope the burden and beauty of single motherhood can be just a little bit easier to deal with or comprehend. You’re doing a fantastic job.

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Fun Ways To Teach Your Kids

April 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Children develop from a. Dry early age, and their first 10 years of life and crucial for their development and educational later on in life. Teachers, of course, provide most of the teaching a child needs in their weekday, however, they aren’t the only ones who should be teaching valuable lessons to your child.

 

As a parent, you should try every day to teach your child different subjects and get them interested in science, nature, and maths. There are plenty of early learning centers which you can send them to, but you can also do your bit by teaching them in a fun way at home and out and about. Here are some of the ways you can teach your child today.

 

Go Outside

Children love nothing more than to be outside and active. Take this as the percent advantage to teach your child about nature and science. For example, you can buy a Collins bird book online for your child and when you are out and about in the countryside they will be able to identify different species. If you have a pond in your back garden or there is one near your home you can go and investigate the species of frog, newt and insects in there too. Children learn best by getting their hands dirty so this method is a brilliant way to get them interested in nature.

 

Play a Game

When you are teaching your child it doesn’t have to be a chore. When you are at home you can make learning into a fun game between you and your child. For example, you can teach them maths with marbles or balls. You can even teach them square roots by using a Connect 4 Board. When your child puts together a square which has 4 counters down and 4 across: as them to count the number of counters in total. 16 is 4 squared, so this will teach your child in a simple way what a squared value really means.

 

Get Crafty

Children love to be creative and this is a fact you can exploit to teach your child about maths and even about art. You can cut out shapes to teach your child about the different shapes for maths, you can write things down on colorful paper to make them feel as if they are playing while learning: and you can even make a playhouse out of cardboard with them and this will actually help them learn how to measure. You can use great resources online such as with pandaparents to give you inspiration and make your children learn lots of amazing things.

 

Visit a Museum

If you want to have a fun day trip as well as teach your child about science and history then going to a local museum is the perfect option. Museum,s are filled with amazing artifices, interactive displays, and information which will get your child completely immersed in the subject and make them interested in different things. Once the trip is over you could by them a book about what they have seen to encourage them to do their own further reading afterward. A lot of children are fascinated by history and science so this could be a great way to teach.

 

To The Stars

 

One of the most magical things you can teach your children about is space and everything in it. Taking the time to teach your child about planets and the solar system will be a great way to open their eyes and make them want to learn even more. For example, you can show them some NASA learning resources which will help your children understand more about the planet. And as a fun evening trip, you can take your child into the country and let them watch the stars in the sky. You can even bring a sky map so you can show them the constellations too. It will be a great way to teach because children find stars magical.

 

Play Science

 

Interactive learning is the most fun way to learn for your children, and also a fun way for you to teach them. There are tons of different experiments you can perform for your child to get them into science, and one of the things you could do is make your own putty. Children love playing with putty so if you show them how to make it, it can be really fun for them. You can teach them about chemical reactions with baking powder and vinegar, and you can teach them about

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TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snack Nabisco Sweepstakes

September 11, 2017 Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Nabisco as part of an Integrated Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Since Hurricane Harvey, life is slowly getting back to normal. For the first time in two weeks, I got to shop at my favorite store, Wal-Mart. My first mission was to find some type of snack that was different since we had eaten the same foods for two weeks. I was so excited to find these new TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snacks!! These snacks are made with quality ingredients such as milk, eggs, and chocolate. The best part is they contain no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, and no artificial colors

My children have always loved the Teddy Grahams so I knew they would love to try these. I purchased both the vanilla filled and chocolate filled to see which one they liked best. Of course, both were winners in my house! I can see another trip to Wal-Mart in our future for more TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snacks!!

After all the devastation around us, it is nice to have something the children can enjoy and take their minds off of the “bad storm”.  They are requesting them in their lunch boxes for snack time since their day cares aren’t able to cook right now. They even offered to take extras to give to those children who lost everything. These are a fun snack to not only eat but to share!

 

I am excited to offer the Nabisco Snacktime Sweepstakes! The prizes are 12 prizes ($50 Walmart gift card each) and two grand prizes ($200 Walmart gift card each) and are going to run from September 11- 29th, 2017. So hurry and enter today!!

“I-C will randomly select 14 winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes.”

Nabisco Snacktime Sweepstakes

 

Filed Under: Children, Food, Healthy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Your Kid Wants Their Birthday To Be One Thing: Exciting

August 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

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We wish we could look forward to anything in life the same way a child looks forward to their birthday. The excitement on their face, the way they can’t sleep at night, how much they can’t wait to see their cake, or their friends, or what you have got them, or what you have planned, or just the fact they get to wear a badge that proudly displays that this is their day and nobody else. It is the most infectious type of euphoria we have ever experienced.

 

The problem is, this total elation that bursts out of them like sweets from a pinata really heaps the pressure on us parents. They are so excited about this day and it is our duty to make sure that it somehow exceeds all expectations (knowing that we are setting the bar dauntingly high next year, and all the years after that).

 

But no matter how hard we try to do something special, we always have that niggling feeling at the back of our heart that says we need to do more. We think back to our own childhood birthday’s, think how hard our own mum’s worked to supersede our imaginations and then try and work out how we can achieve the same thing, but on steroids.

 

The thing that probably stands out more than anything, though, is the fact your parents always made every part of that day about you. You’ve probably forgotten what you did, who was there, what sort of cake you had, how many candles there were and the fact you got to tear the wrapping paper off Disney Princess mystery box and fawn over it with momentary joy. All of these details seem to fall away. What lasts a lifetime is that feeling of excitement, and that is exactly what we are going to try and help you take to another level because we have come up with a list of ways you can keep the surprises coming and the feeling of joy bubbling away like a pan of custard left on the hob.

 

This is your kid’s birthday and it is going to be the best birthday yet!

 

  1. Make The Build Up As Exciting As Possible

Your kid is going to be naturally excited by their birthday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fuel that gorgeous little fire a little bit more. As we’ve established, the excitable thing is the best part, so latch onto this and have a countdown that lasts the entire week leading up to their big day. Have a black board in the kitchen that counts down or a calendar where they can mark the days off with a big, fat, red pen. Maybe have a bouquet of ten balloons, and let them take one away every morning. It doesn’t even have to be a countdown if you don’t want. It could be a series of clues, each clue leading them to another until they finally discover their stash of presents you’ve hidden somewhere genius. Whatever you think will get their excitement boiling over, do it. Your kid will love this as much as their actual birthday.

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  1. Nothing Beats A Birthday Breakfast

Every child has a favorite breakfast, that thing usually only reserved for special occasions. Well, whatever it is, make it with sprinkles. Literally. If your kid hasn’t got a favorite, know that you cannot go wrong with the smile-inducing classics. We’re talking a stack of pancakes (covered in sprinkles) or a breakfast milkshake (with extra sprinkles) or a pile of waffles (yes, with sprinkles). Anything that can be deemed fun and special and worthy of the best birthday breakfast ever. Oh, and if you can, try and add a candle or ten just to add to the joviality that much more.

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  1. Decorate The House While They Are Sleeping

Nothing beats that moment where you wake up, rub your eyes, stretch out your arms and legs, ponder the world for a moment and then suddenly remember that it’s your birthday, motivating you to jump up and run downstairs to find the whole house has been decorating in your honor. So go utterly crazy on this front. Buy a selection of shirts for the birthday boy and lay them out for them to choose a birthday outfit from. Hang up streamers and balloons and banners. Get pictures of their life up to now printed out and stick them all over the place. Write birthday messages on the mirror in the bathroom. Absolutely everything and anything you can think and, remember, the wilder your ideas the better. Get all creative on this birthday.

 

  1. Decorate Your Car Too

There is nothing that will make your kid feel like their birthday is 100% their day than having random people and passersby celebrate it with them. They kind of expect you to celebrate it with them, but they do not expect everyone to get involved. That’s why you need to get yourself some colorful window marker and cover your glass in messages like, “Birthday Boy!” and “Ten Today!” And “Honk for Sam!” And anything else you want to add, like pictures of balloons and cakes and all that kind of jazz. Having people honk as they drive past will have your little one smiling and laughing, and it won’t get boring for any of you either. Every single beep of a car horn will fill your little world right up, which is just how it should be.

 

  1. Little Things Can Make A Big Difference

The little thing on their day is what makes all the difference. Things like declaring it a screen free day for their siblings and you, the parents, will ensure that all the focus is directed towards them, which is a nice feeling to have. If it is their birthday on a school day, then why not go the extra mile and wrap every single item in their lunch box in birthday wrapping paper, while also throwing in a couple of balloons and party poppers and that sort of thing. Measure them too. Every kid wants to see how much they have grown since their last birthday, so make sure you have a wall chart you can add to, or start. Make this a new tradition in which to follow because, for them, every birthday is proof of how much bigger they are, and they will want to see that first hand. These are all little things, minuscule and minute things that can go easily unnoticed, but they are things that will make all the difference.

 

  1. A Very Special Meal Out

Go to your child’s favorite restaurant, or to that place that will completely blow their mind because it is more than just food on a plate, it is an experience that will totally blow their mind. This could be somewhere you have heard people rave about, or it could be somewhere you stumbled across in a local magazine, either way, indulge their childish fantasies. Just remember to call ahead and let the restaurant know that it is your kid’s birthday. Like we said with the whole decorating your car thing, the more strangers that celebrate their birthday with them the more special and unique it is going to feel, and nothing says that like a restaurant full of strangers singing happy birthday to you while sliding a cake you didn’t expect onto the table in front of you. This is what magic looks and feels like. These are the things that will stay with them for a lot longer than presents.

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  1. Get All Creative With This Day

We’re not just talking about arts and crafts here, although yes, please do indulge this side of things too. Make a special (non-alcoholic) cocktail or smoothie with them that they can get involved with, and let them name it. Maybe even add the recipe to a book of your creation, one that you can add to at every special occasion. It could be that you make a birthday crown with them too, something they can wear all day and attract calls of “happy birthday” from people everywhere they go. The other type of creative we were alluding to, however, was to do with memories. Set up a special interview with them. Have a video camera and ask them questions while filming, things that will make them smile and laugh years down the line, maybe even prove they were right about their hopes and dreams and aspirations. We live in a world where we can document things like never before, and these will be cherished in time. It doesn’t even have to be a video interview, though. It could be a written one, with you tucking the paper into their memory box to open on their 21st.

 

Making your child’s birthday is all about building their excitement, devoting every part of this day to their happiness and creating memories that will easily outlast the toys that you give them. Of course, the presents are an important aspect, but it is the feeling of this being their day that will make them happiest of all. So get your thinking cap on and think outside the box a little. There are ways to build their glee that you have never thought about, and it is up to you to exploit these.

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How To Keep Your Kids Safe And Protected During Summer Break

July 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Summer break always seems to come around so quickly. One minute, you’re getting school supplies ready for the next year, juggling carpool and homework, and then next it’s all done again for another year. And then comes the fun of the summer. When your kids are off school, you often want to make sure that you’re able to keep them entertained, that they enjoy their time off, and also that they’re safe. But it’s often hard to make all three of those happen at once. One thing that you can control is their safety, so if you want to make sure your kids are protected during the summer, here’s what to do.

 

Wrap Them Up

 

When your kids are out playing in the garden or with their friends, you need to make sure that they’re going to be as safe as possible. So, if you know that they’re going outside to play on their bike or skateboard or inline skates, you need to make sure they’re all wrapped up. Be sure to put their protective gear on them, or make them know how important it is to put it on themselves, and you’ll rest assured that they’re covered.

 

Use Sunscreen

 

But then there’s also another kind of protection that you’re going to want to do. When it comes to the summer, we all know it’s important to keep out littles ones out of the sun, or at least wearing sunscreen when they are in the sun. So, when your kids go out in the garden, or you’re all out for the day, be sure to lather up the best sunscreen, and you’ll know that their skin is protected.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/bridge-child-children-fashion-191034/

 

Top Them Up

 

You’re also going to want to make sure that their health is protected too. Now, this is probably something that you do all year round. But, it is important to make sure that their vitamin and mineral levels are topped up with the right supplements, just to make sure that they’re getting all of the nutrients they need. That way, you know their bodies are topped up, and they’re able to fight off germs.

 

Stay Stocked Up

 

You should also make sure that your home is stocked up when it comes to everything from medical dressing supplies to medicines and home remedies. When your kids are out on summer break, as much as you’d like to wrap them up in cotton wool, you can’t. So there is a chance that they may fall down and hurt themselves while outside playing – or even in the house. But when your supplies are stocked up, you know you’re prepared.

 

Be Strict

 

Finally, you’re also going to want to make sure that your kids are fully aware of your rules ahead of the summer break. If you want to ensure that they stay safe at all times, they need to be able to know that they’re aware of why your house rules are important. Staying within the garden boundaries and not talking to strangers may just be some of them, but your kids need to know why they have to stick to them.

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Create The Perfect Playroom For Your Kids

June 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

(image: flickr)

Your child’s playroom is the one room in the house where you can let your imagination run riot. From bright, funky colors to wonderfully themed wallpapers, there are many ways you can be creative.

So where to start? Here are some ideas you might find useful.

Talk to your kids

Before you make a start on the room remember one important thing. This isn’t your room! You are designing it for your children. You might want to let your inner child cut loose and design everything your way, but you need to compromise. What are your children interested in? Superheroes are the in thing at the moment, but your kids are guaranteed to tell you what they want in no uncertain terms. As far as is practical and affordable, create a room that suits their imagination.

 Flooring ideas

The room needs to be child-friendly. While carpeting will be soft on your child’s feet, it may not be the most practical choice. Instead, you may consider laminate flooring. This is ideal as you will easily be able to mop up any drink spills your child makes.  Another flooring idea is rubber tiles. There are many colorful and themed designs dependant on your children’s age, and it will be comfortable underfoot too.

Older children will be keen to invite their friends over and hang out. Therefore, consider seating, from beanbags to inflatable chairs. Sofa beds are also a good idea as they are perfect for sleepovers.

Storage options

A playroom needs somewhere to store toys and books. You can purchase brightly colored bookshelves and storage boxes that are good to look at as well as being practical. You should also color coordinate them with the overall look of the room. A moveable trolley is also a helpful solution when space is an issue. Remember to be safe. Your child needs to be able to reach their belongings, so don’t store toys on high shelves, and where possible attach storage units to the walls.

You can add to your child’s learning in your storage. On each toy box stick on an appropriate picture so your child can quickly access the toys they need. For example, a picture of a car or a Disney character on appropriate boxes will make it easier for you and them to find what they are looking for. Of course, getting them to put their toys away in the right boxes is another matter.

Creative spaces

Play is one way your children use their imagination, but you should also consider their creativity. Should you have space, create a designated area for whatever they are interested in, from reading to painting, as well as a homework corner. You should allow them to use their creativity in the design of the room, so have one wall that can be used as a blank canvas. Using paint or chalk that can easily be washed away, this is the perfect place to let their artistic imaginations flow.

 

Remember, your children will grow and their tastes will change. You will need to be flexible and adapt the room accordingly.

 

 

 

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5 Amazing Family Experiences To Embrace This Summer

June 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Summer is officially here. People are wearing shorts and sandals, people are complaining about how hard it is to sleep at night and some people are already wearing sunburned sleeves. Oh, yeah, summer is well and truly here and we absolutely love it. The days are long, the kids are outside, the smell of barbecues fill the air and people are just in such high spirits.

However, for all the amazing wonder that arrives with the first days of summer, after about a week, almost all parents suddenly find themselves sweating a little bit because they’ve already run out of things to do with the kids. It happens every year.

Luckily for you, we anticipated this and came up with a summer vacation bucket list to help you keep your kids entertained and happy right the way through. We hope it helps.

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  1. Camping Trip

The chance to go camping as a family doesn’t come around often enough, so the summer weather should definitely be utilized as a chance to break out the tents, buy too many marshmallows and get your outdoor cooking expertise down to a tee. First off, it is the ideal way to have budget-friendly fun and, secondly, it is just one of the most amazing family memories you can make.

  1. Home Makeover

There is no better time to get stuck into some home improvements than when the sun is out and the kids are off school. It is one of those activities that can be super fun and super practical, as this guide shows. Get your kids on the paintbrushes, move some furniture around and just do whatever you need to do to make your home beautiful again, and do it as a family.

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  1. Backyard Garden

Planting your own little garden comes with so many added bonuses. Not only will it teach your kids some vital skills and reduce your family’s carbon footprint, but food from the garden just tastes so much better when you have grown it with love. Fresh food is simply unbeatable. It’s delicious, nutritious and cost-effective too.

  1. Zoo Time

The zoo is one of those places that you can visit and revisit and it never gets boring, a lot of the time because there is too much to do in just one day. Lions, tigers, rare monkeys, elephants, and just about every almost-mythical animal you can possibly imagine. The other great thing is, you can visit different zoos. Start local and then branch out.

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  1. Outdoor Movies

Kids aren’t impressed by films like we used to be impressed by films. Nowadays it is a matter of going on Netflix and watching something at the click of a button. It’s not an experience like going into town on a Friday night, visiting the local video store, studying the shelves, picking two or three films to rent out and enjoying a movie night. So, why not make movie night an experience by taking your kids, even your toddler, to an outdoor movie, getting tons of popcorn and watch as they have their minds blown a little.

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Disney Princess Mystery Box

June 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

 

Upon receiving the Disney Princess Mystery Box, I was anxious because I did not know what to expect. When it came in the mail I’m not sure if I or my grandchildren were more excited about it. It brings back many memories of me falling in love with Disney movies when I was younger.

Disney movies are a huge part of childhood, and being able to relive the atmosphere of my childhood by seeing these Disney princess mystery boxes has brought so much joy to me. It was a beautiful pink box with “fun has arrived it is playtime!” written on it. Peering inside the box was beauty and the beast themed toys!! Complete with a beautiful gold tiara with a pink stone centered in the middle, sprinkle with uniquely placed colorful stones. Along with a yellow shirt decorated with Belle on it. Beauty and the Best figurines complete with Belle, tea cut, the beast and much more and, a castle to build from the box (which was the coolest part, in my opinion, creating the castle), and a magazine that every little girl will love! In the imagines, you can see all the figurines and beautiful tiara on the beautiful little girl. I like to see items that little boys and girls can share together as you can see.

I love this product because every month it is a new surprise! How fun is it to get a mysteries box of surprises every month? This item would be perfect for a Christmas gift, birthday gift, a “you did well on your test” gift. Perfect for little girls who love Disney princesses. This is definitely something I will recommend to someone who has a little girl who LOVES Disney movies. I cannot wait to receive the next box and the mystery it is going to present. Please stay tuned till next time!!

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Tips For A Budget-Friendly Summer

June 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

Summer has a way of making us feel carefree; we happily spend more money on treats, family outings, or activities for the kids, only to check our balance in September and realise that we might have taken too much out of the savings account. While it’s true that you can’t put a price on the memories you make with your family, you do still need to have enough put away to make more memories in the future. If you’d like to have your cake and eat it too, here are a few tips so you can have the best summer ever on the lowest budget possible.

Cheap vacations

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It’s tempting to opt for a staycation each summer because this is when flights are usually their most expensive, and you don’t often know if there’s enough in the budget to book in advance. Fortunately, you can still take the family somewhere exotic with a few money-saving hacks. Flights tend to be more expensive from Friday to Sunday because most people want to make the most of the weekend in a foreign country. Since you have the whole summer holiday to choose from, try to book a flight that leaves in the middle of the week to save a few dollars. You can also save if you aim to travel the week before the kids go back to school, as this is when prices might start to drop. Websites such as Skyscanner can help you compare flight prices across a whole month so you’ll know the cheapest days to fly, saving you a potential packet. Going all-inclusive can save you more money, especially if you take full advantage of the breakfast buffets and the hotel swimming pool. Spanish destinations such as Majorca and Tenerife, or Algarve in Portugal, are always a hit with families, so these are good places to start looking for an all-inclusive vacation.

Camping

The great outdoors can be just as engaging as a games console, and it’s usually free. Although some campsite will charge you to pitch your tent, there’s no cost for sleeping in the back garden with your younger kids, or out in the woods with more mature children. Brush up on some simple survival skills and teach them how to survive in the wild, introduce them to the simple thrill of climbing trees, see who can spot the most species of birds, and in the evening you can show them how to make perfect s’mores over the campfire. Not only does this experience get everyone out of their comfort zone and encourage the kids to work together to put up the tent and start a fire, but it will help them appreciate the things they take for granted at home; hot showers and indoor plumbing seems like a luxury after a weekend in the woods. Most importantly, however, spending time outdoors will teach children how to respect nature and the environment.

Rent out your house

You don’t need to have a second home or spare room to make money from a lodger. If you’re planning on spending a few weeks away, and you live in a popular area, you could make some extra money by renting out your house to other holidaymakers. You can sign up to be a host on Airbnb, put out feelers with friends, or by making a website advertising your house to people looking for nice accommodation for their vacation.

Packing for vacations

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Hard as it may be to admit, your little ones aren’t as little as they were last year, and all their clothes from the previous summer no longer fit. Before you start packing for your vacation, you need to make sure you have enough summer clothes that fit them comfortably, not to mention all the other summer essentials you need to buy like sunscreen, allergy medication, and travel sized toiletries. To make sure you still have enough left for vacation spending money, you can go to the stores armed with discounts from Coupon Sherpa and make substantial savings on clothes and other items. It might require you to do a little legwork and shopping at several different stores, but it’s worth it just to save a few dollars.

Active family

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If you’ve been trying to find a way to motivate yourself to do more exercise, there is no bigger encouragement than your children; not just because you want to be healthy, but because they will drive you crazy when they start climbing the walls with boredom and the only solution is to get everyone out of the house. If you have fairly young children, take them to the park and actually play with them; run around to catch them on the slide, push them on the swings, or try getting involved in their game of tag. With slightly older kids, you could get everyone on their bikes and ride down the coast, whip out the water pistols and having an all-out war, or check your local area and see if there are any events that will get them walking. If you show your children the value of getting out of the house and having a good time, they may never catch on that you’re doing this for the exercise.

Rainy day fun

Despite all your best efforts to get the kids away from the electronic devices and out into the fresh air, sometimes the weather will conspire against you. Fortunately, you can still find ways to keep the kids busy without the lure of technology. One way to keep the kids occupied is by teaching them how to cook. Your options are endless; you can have them help you make the family’s favourite dinner, you can choose a new recipe to try together, or you can teach them how to make a really easy dish so they can begin building their cooking skills. If you have them help you with dinner, be sure to compliment them on their contribution and watch their little faces light up with pride.

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Baby’s First Home: Buyer’s Guide For Expecting Parents

June 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

There’s nothing like having a baby to make you realise that yours and your partner’s ‘young couple’ flat doesn’t have enough space for your growing family. Unfortunately, you have to balance your budget so you can afford both a bigger place, and everything else your little one might need. It’s an overwhelming, but necessary, undertaking. Here are a few tips to get you through this exciting time.

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Brainstorm

When it was just you and your partner, you might have been happy living somewhere within your price range, close enough to work, and not too far from any amenities. Now that you have a baby on the way, you might want to narrow down your criteria. Do you want to live in a good school district? Would you prefer a bungalow so you don’t have to babyproof the stairs? Be clear on what you want before you officially start your search.

Set up alerts

With some much going on at home, you might not have time to search the classifieds, property websites, or peek through the real estate agents’ windows until you find something you might like. Instead, have someone else do the searching for you. Agencies in your local area, such as Manausa Realty, have expert agents that are paid to take all your requirements on board and mind a property that meets all your criteria. Alternatively, you could go to a property comparison site, fill in your budget, area, and room requirement, and sign up to get emails whenever a property that meets your criteria goes on the market. However, you might be better off with an agent; they can let you know about new properties before they go on the website, increasing your chances of getting your dream family house.

Check the surroundings

Remember, you’re not just buying a house; you’re buying the whole neighborhood. Will it keep your kids awake at night if they live close to a busy road, or if the neighbors are too loud? Can you live next door to someone who doesn’t keep their front lawn up to standard? Is it better to live close to a park or a small corner shop? If you think you might like one of the houses on the list, take a walk around the block and see if you can imagine your whole family happy in the area.

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Get an inspection

Before you sign any documents, you should request an independent inspection of the house. The home inspector will look for hidden problems with the house, and you can learn about any issues that may prevent you from buying the property before it’s too late. This may include mold problems, termites, foundation problems and a bad roof. The last thing you need is a faulty house when you have to look after a newborn. The inspection can save you thousands in repairs later on, and you can rest easy knowing your new house is child friendly. If there are problems, you might be able to renegotiate the price.

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Your Child & Confidence: Tricks To Implement

June 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

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We all want our children to be forthright, confident people, not shy and retiring. It’s a delicate balance to make. After all, we don’t want to be over protective, and it’s important to let our kids find their own way in life. So what can we do to help our children develop in a way that is best for them?

Think About Your Compliments

It all starts when they’re really little. You need to think that if your kids are used to hearing “that’s great” every time they build a tower out of bricks, or they kick a ball, and then they may struggle to understand when it’s actually worth celebrating their achievements. Instead of lavishing praise on them every time they brush their teeth, say “thank you.” It also helps to be specific if they’ve done something that is worth noting. For example, if they’ve done a drawing, you could point out the nice use of a certain color.

Let Them Interact More

If you’ve got a young child (more specifically, an only child) and they don’t interact with people their own age, it can be a harsh lesson in life. If you keep them in their own bubble where they are the focus and attention, it can be a shock to the system when they realize that they’re not the most important person in the world. Conflict is a natural part of life, and if you let them make their own decisions without any recrimination, it will be a big dent to their pride. It’s never too late. Even if you have tweenagers, you can enroll them in debate summer camps or try them with an after-school drama class. The more different types of people they can interact with, the sooner they will understand the concept of conflict. Conflict is really important because it teaches us all the skill of resilience. And this will only be achieved if we do the next point…

Let Them Make Mistakes

Decisions and mistakes are all part of life, and while it can be very demoralizing to constantly make mistakes, this is where you can help them to focus on the glass being half full rather than the other way around! Because if they come home and didn’t get the lead in the school play, it doesn’t help for you to say to them “well, I think you’re a star!” Instead, you can say something like “I can see that you’re disappointed, why don’t we come up with a plan so you can get the part you want next time.” By protecting them from their failures, they will never learn the value of problem-solving. It’s difficult to strike the right balance between being “too sensitive” or hardening up every time they get a knockback, but mistakes are very important to learn. From the very start, you can tell them not to touch something, but if they don’t know why they just feel that they’re being told off for being naturally curious. Mistakes are important.   

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How To Plan The A Baby Shower For A Friend

June 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

Throwing a baby show for a friend is one of the greatest, heartfelt gifts you can give them. It’s a rite of passage for many women, who are pregnant for the first time, and what better way to celebrate an upcoming birth of a baby, than crossing the line into womanhood surrounded by friends. But this in itself, poses a huge challenge for friends and family, as the challenge is to differentiate your party from every other baby-related gathering or celebration. Luckily there are a few common codes of conduct that are flexible enough to give you creative control and allow you to make a truly bespoke baby shower.

 

The location

There is a whole range of differing locations that present contrasting vibes for baby showers. You could rent out a luxury apartment in the city, in a high-rise building so you can sip wine and enjoy the view while your pregnant friend opens presents. You may find renting of a 40×60 steel building cost is less than a hall venue in a grand hotel, yet provides bigger room and more options for facilities, such as a band, outdoor play area for visiting children of other moms, and a large main room for a large guest list. Parallel to the seating arrangement, you could have tables set up with a buffet food offered to the attendees. If you’d rather do it at your own home, that’s a great decision too, because it’s more personal and provides you with a chance to show the mark of a great hostess.

Image by – Lori

Setting the tone

It’s pivotal to the select a theme that your friend will relate to and enjoy. It’s got to be expressive of their nature, or perhaps from a childhood memory, and possibly even a theme that’s reflective of their baby’s gender. The easiest way to lose a grip on the overall look and interior design of the party is to move forward with just a vague hint, perpetuating a stride with no clear direction. Set out the day and what you want to achieve. For example, the catering, you could start out with a light brunch, reminiscing about the past with a close, tight-knit bunch of friends. Next onto an afternoon tea or lunch, where each person could swap stories about the first time they had a child and exchange tips and tricks on how to cope with a newborn.

Source – TerriC

The plentiful bounty of gifts

Make sure you brief your guests before they come to shower, and inform them well in advance that gifts should be baby proof and practical and something that will be detrimental to raising a baby. Apparatus like a breast pump, advanced guide to the stress calls and crying a baby makes life hacks that will save her time and money with the proper planning advice, clothing for the baby such as hats, mittens, and footwear, etc. These gifts should be given to make the life of the pregnant woman easier and less stressful, so try to steer away from food items and makeup.

 

 

 

 

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5 Small Ways to do Your bit for the World

June 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Every day, the world gets a bit scarier, a little bit more unsafe and a little bit less protected from destruction. Our newsfeeds and TV screens are filled with bias and war, our political leaders are neglecting our planet, and there are so many scandals that they have almost become normal. With all of this going on, it can be easy to feel as though there is little we can do to make a difference in this big bad world. But, as parents of the next generation, we must be strong and bring our little people up as movers and shakers, carers and lovers.

 

Change begins at home, and here are some small things you can do to make the world a little bit happier and healthier.

 

Buy ethical

 

Changing your shopping habits isn’t always easy, but buying local and buying from ethical companies are a big step in changing the world. By purchasing from local suppliers, you will reduce your carbon footprint but not buying products which have been flown halfway around the world to your supermarket shelves, as well as putting money back into your local community rather than in the pockets of big business. There are also many clothing companies out there who use natural materials and stay away from exploitation. An example of this is Il Gufo Clothing, a great alternative for children’s clothing without feeling guilty about where you are shopping!

 

Take time out to volunteer

 

Volunteering doesn’t have to take too much of your time but can be a rewarding way to give back to your community and do your bit for a better world. Volunteering comes in many shapes and sizes and can involve one day a week spent in your local charity shop, planting trees, spending time playing cards with the elderly or helping out at your local food bank or soup kitchen.

 

Offset your carbon footprint

 

If you are a family that flies or drives a lot, there are many ways in which you can offset your carbon emissions. Websites such as carbonfootprint.com and cotap.org allow anyone and everyone, from large businesses to individuals, to calculate how much carbon they use and then options for offsetting it – from tree planting to contributing to sustainability projects.

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Give blood

 

Giving blood is one of the most rewarding ways in which you can give back to both your community and the world. By taking some time out to give blood, you can directly save someone’s life who has been in an accident, needs surgery or even a transfusion. How amazing is that? You also get given tea and biscuits at the end, which is always a win in my books too!

 

Leave the car at home

 

Not only will walking save you money on fuel, but it will result in less pollution and a boost in fitness for you and your family. As a general rule, if somewhere is less than a five-minute drive away, it’s usually within easy walking distance. Using public transport is also a great way to do your bit for the environment, and save you money too!

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Easing The Stress Of Being A Mom Will Help Your Family

May 25, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Working comes with a whole host of stress. You’re basically dealing with stress from nine to five, with small glimmers of hope and sunshine dotted about. Working as a mum is 24/7, which kind of gives you some inkling as to the amount of stress that is involved. Thankfully, it i the best kind of stress imaginable. It is fun and unique and amazing, inspiring and worthwhile, totally worthwhile, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stressful too.

Yes, every single mum situation comes with its very own unique set of circumstances. It comes with the territory. But so does the need for you to constantly place an emphasis on your own health and well-being, and don’t for one second think that is selfish. Your being healthy is the catalyst to your family being healthy too.

So, here are some top tips on how to stay healthy, stress-free and sane as around the clock mum. After all, you deserve it.

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Get A Granny-Nanny

We all have that moment when we search the internet for some help, someone who can assist with the kids for just a couple of mornings a week. That would be enough. Well, why not make that someone a granny-nanny. These are semi-retired women that typically don’t have family close by. Nurturing people that will cherish everything you do. They are people that love baking, gardening, reading, colouring-in, and they know how to ace homework, while also cherishing the wonders of children. They are people that want to be involved with children, that’s the key and, in return, you’ll be relieved of some of the stress. You can do those errands you needed to do or just grab a pinch of personal time.

Schedule Your Personal Time

Yeah, this may sound sad, at least to begin with, but if scheduling in some personal time in the same way you would schedule an appointment is the only way you’ll get it, then do it. Personal time is so important. Seeing friends, getting that soft tissue massage you promised your doctor you would get, seeing friends for a coffee, going for a run, having your nails done, or just sitting in a quiet park. Whatever floats your boat on that day. Don’t feel guilty about this either. We all need a bit of peace and quiet, and your family will thrive if you grant yourself that space. Just make sure your family knows that these are appointments, one’s that you can’t miss.

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Bring A PA Into The Family

This idea of having a personal assistant to help in your personal life can be so rewarding, for everyone, especially if you are a mum that balances working with being a mum. The more you accept them into your family the better it will be too, not least because they will have such an important part to play. The reason we are referring to them as a PA is because that will help you distinguish their role a bit more. In the same way, you would lay out a set of tasks for an assistant at work, do the same for them each morning. Then they will know exactly what you would like doing, what principles you cherish and what is important to you, like the operation #dontforget you are championing. All this can be achieved while they also ensure your kids laugh from the moment they get picked up from school to the moment you get back from work, and you won’t feel stressed about the tasks that haven’t been done because, well, they will have been done. A PA is a right-hand person, someone you can trust no end, so why not have someone like that to help with your children?

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Operation #dontforget Don’t forget a child in the hot car!!

May 22, 2017 2 Comments

The summer months are sneaking up on us, it is already hot here in South Texas. I always stress this time of the year! As a Mimi of three grandsons, I can’t help but worry about making sure the kids are not left in a car.

I was coming home from the grocery store the other day and it dawned on me, I can’t forget my grandson in the back seat. This isn’t a usual thing for me to have him with me while grocery shopping so I began to think, how can I make sure to not forget when he or any of my grandbabies are with me….

So I came up with operation #dontforget, it is a simple concept. You add a clothespin to your AC vent I put my grandson’s names on them. When they are with you move it to your keys or even your door handle. This way before you get out of the car you are reminded to #dontforget.

This could even work with pets! I hate to see one left in a hot car.

I have come up with a printable list to place in your car until it becomes a habit.

 

 

I had to make my clothespins cute and of course get your kids or grandkids to help you. They will also remind you to move the pen! I made extra for my children to give out to anyone that may be picking up or keeping my grandchildren.

 

 

 

Please share how you #dontforget your loved one.

Email me at reviewsbykathy@gmail.com if you would like to place an order for one, with your child’s name and color. We will do them for $2.00 shipped anywhere in the US.

Check out this video, here is how I use mine!

 

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Top 15 Things Your Child Should Know Before Entering Kindergarten Free printable packet!

April 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

   

Be able to state first and last name when asked.
Be able to write first name with first letter uppercase and remaining letters lower case.
Use appropriate three-finger grasp when using writing instruments (pencils, crayons, and scissors)
Count to at least thirty and tells what number comes before or after a given number to 20.
Know all the letters in their first name.
Identify basic geometric shapes (triangle, circle, square, rectangle, oval, star, rhombus (diamond) and heart)
Know basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink)
Identify numerals 1-10 in random order.
Make most letter/sound matches.
Identify most upper and lower case letters.
Use finger to accurately touch count items to ten.
Knows concepts of print (front and back of the book, which page comes first, track words left to right).
Be able to rhyme words.
Retells simple stories in sequence.
When given a word (“man”) and a new beginning sound (/f/), creates the familiar word (“fan”)
Socially Your child should be able to…
Adjust own clothing before and after using the restroom.
Use restroom independently including washing hands without a reminder.
Take off and put on outer clothing
Sit for a story for 5-10 minutes
Clean up after themselves
Shares materials and toys with other children.
Attend kindergarten with a positive attitude
Be confident and ready to separate from the parent.
Be able to listen and follow 2-3 step directions.
Be able to solve problems without aggression.

Help Prepare Your Child by…

Going to interesting places such as the beach, park, zoo, airport, farm or lake. (Example: Use car rides to play I Spy, this encourages children to identify shapes, colors and helps develop their vocabulary in fun ways.)
Encourage your children to observe and talk about their experiences, as conversations with adults who care enrich a child’s vocabulary and understanding of the world.
Make eye contact with your child while listening to them speak, showing them that you value what they say.
Expose your child to many kinds of literature by reading to them daily.
Praise and encourage your child’s efforts and curiosity, knowing that from mistakes come learning and confidence. Criticism can discourage children from trying new things and lower self-confidence.

Here is a great free printable packet to help your little one get ready for that first day!

 

 

 

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10 Letter activities to prepare your Preschooler for PreK / Kindergarten & Free Printables

April 27, 2017 18 Comments

As a retired teacher, I can’t stress enough the importance of helping your child be prepared for Kindergarten!

The advantages:

  1. They are confident, because not only have they heard this before but it is easy since it is familiar.
  2. They learn how to lead, other children look to those who already know for help.
  3. They can see that it is easy and are less likely to struggle later in school
  4. They can read earlier and quicker than the others.
  5. They will spend quality time with a loved one, one on one learning!

The Cons:

  1. NONE

I always felt sorry for the children who struggled in my classes, I taught middle school and a lot of times they were just moved up and couldn’t even hardly read. This was obvious when they didn’t want to participate and usually tried to get in trouble when they feared they would be called upon.

No child should have to experience this!

If you spend 30 minutes a day with your preschooler on activities you would be amazed how quickly they absorb the information.

Here is my top ten list of letter activities:

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq3yfQnllfQ (Letters and sounds video extremely important for them to learn the correct letter sounds)
  2. http://www.worksheetfun.com/category/letter/letter-tracing/ Free printable letter sheets.
  3. http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/05/sidewalk-chalk-4-letter-activities.html  (Sidewalk chalk fun!)
  4. http://www.learning4kids.net/2011/08/16/alphabet-sponge-letters-bath-time-fun-2/ (DIY Sponge Letters)
  5. Interactive Notebook – (This is very important for them to learn, they will use interactive notebooks in school, so teaching them early is a plus and they can get all their work in one place to show their loved ones!)
  6. https://www.education.com/games/alphabet/ (this is a free online interactive game, I would limit it to maybe 15 minutes a day).
  7. http://www.abc.net.au/abcforkids/games/ (another online free site)
  8. http://www.themeasuredmom.com/letter-recognition-activities/  (A variety of letter recognition games)
  9. https://www.pinterest.com/explore/dollar-tree-classroom/  (Dollar Tree finds to use for letter games)
  10. Write their name on everything, toys, cups, and even their clothes tags, they will learn to recognize their name!

Feel free to add some ideas that you have used, I really just want to stress the importance of doing some daily with your little one and given them a huge advantage in school!

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Dear Mom, What a Mother really wants for Mother’s Day 2017 #mothersday

April 26, 2017 15 Comments

First and foremost, I love being a mom. I am a mom to three grown children who are finding their own way.Even more amazing is now I have three adorable grandsons. Knowing they are healthy and happy makes my heart happy. I like most moms would be perfectly happy just spending time with the family for Mother’s Day.  I have come up with a basic Mother’s Day gift list that would make me extremely happy as I am sure it would most mothers.

 

  1. Family time, with no gadgets or technology, maybe even a family game night!
  2. A picture of everyone, they grow and change every day, I would love an updated picture.
  3. A simple Thank You! (Maybe with why you are thanking them, mom’s work hard!)
  4. Okay, so this is my infatuation right now…  Crossbar Necklace  (25% off for mother’s day Kim Kardashian wears this).
  5. A dinner date with my Mr.
  6. Handmade items (my grands make the best)
  7. Bath Bombs
  8. https://www.etsy.com/featured/mothers-day-gifts
  9. Kim Kardashian long Medallion
  10. Lastly, an “I love you”!!

This year will be the first in 20 +years I get to spend with my own mother. I realize turning the big “50” this year, I need to enjoy life every chance I get, I am going to Georgia to spend this mother’s day with her.

So my hubby, children, and grandkids are spending mother’s day the Friday before because they realize the importance of family and spending time together!!

 

I have this elaborate plan for all of us sisters to take our mother out to eat for lunch and spend some quality time with our her. You see my sisters live throughout Georgia, and I live in Texas this will be the first time we all spend mother’s day with our mother in years.

So this mother’s day, keep it simple tell your mother you love her, tell her thank you and mostly just spend time with her.  The truth be told, if I receive only a hug and love you I would be happy!!

So here is mine!!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for always wiping my tears when I cried, thank you for always telling me like it is. Thank you for raising me to be a hard worker and great housekeeper. Thank you for teaching me to be a great mother and thank you for your unconditional love! Mostly thank you for dragging me to church every Sunday!!

For these and many many more reasons, I hope to never allow you to spend mother’s day alone again.

Love, Kathy

 

 

 

 

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