Family Life Archives - Sleeping Should Be Easy

How to Encourage Table Manners for Kids

Sep 27, 2023

Tired of how your children behave at mealtimes? Learn how to encourage table manners for kids and have a pleasant experience with the family. We were sitting at a table next to a mom with her two kids. She had been trying unsuccessfully to get them to sit down properly and finish their meal. She eyed my kids sitting quietly and, with an exasperated chuckle, asked, "How do you do it?" First, a disclosure: my kids aren't "perfect" at the dining table. The strangest phrases have come out of our mouths to get them to behave, from "Please stop scraping your fork along the table," to "The … [Read more...]

What to Include in a Daily Routine for 1 Year Old Toddlers

Routines and Schedules

Sep 18, 2023

Does your toddler need a change of schedule? Here's what to include in a daily routine for 1 year old kids—perfect for the stay at home mom or dad! Tell me if these words sound familiar: "Am I playing enough with my toddler?" "Should I go on daily outings?" "Why can't I keep up with laundry and meals?!" If you've lacked a routine with your 1 year old all this time, it's all too easy to question everything you do. You might feel completely all over the place with no sense of routine whatsoever. The household mess is up to your eyes. You feel guilty any time your toddler seems bored, … [Read more...]

How to Enjoy a Restaurant with Kids — Without Screens or Snacks

Eating

Sep 11, 2023

A restaurant is supposed to be a treat, but you feel more stressed. Learn how to enjoy a restaurant with kids without screens or snacks. With three kids, I've had my fair share of restaurant madness. They'd switch seats and wouldn't stay put, or they'd drop one of their burger buns or fries before they even had a bite of it. By the time I was able to eat, my pizza was disappointingly cold. It definitely hasn't always been easy. But each time I've gone, I pick up more tips to enjoy a restaurant with my kids. Now, for the most part, they behave well in restaurants and eateries. What … [Read more...]

How to Respond to Your 5 Year Old Starting to Poop Their Pants

Little Kids

Sep 04, 2023

Is your 5 year old starting to poop their pants, whether on purpose or not? Learn how to respond to your child suddenly having accidents again. Your 5 year old had been fully potty trained for years now—so long that you can't recall a recent single accident since he was a toddler. But now he's starting to soil his pants out of nowhere (and doesn't care one bit, either). Usually, this happens when he's playing and gets caught up in what he's doing (ahem: screen time). Or he doesn't want to stop playing with his toys or crafts, afraid that they might get cleaned up and put away. But … [Read more...]

What to Do When Your Toddler Won’t Poop on the Potty

Potty Training

Aug 29, 2023

Potty training poop anxiety is a common issue with kids. Learn what to do when your toddler won’t poop on potty, even when they hold it in. I didn't know what I was more tired of: buying pull-ups or cleaning accidents. I couldn't for the life of me get my toddler to poop on the potty. He'd go days without pooping. Or he'd poop in his pull-ups before naps or bedtime—and not tell anyone he was sleeping in poop. The thing is, he was already peeing on the toilet seat for a year, all without accidents. He knew exactly what to do—he refused to poop in the potty. I tried sitting him on … [Read more...]

What to Do When You’re Stressed About Money

Family Life

Aug 24, 2023

Feeling worried and anxious about money all the time? Learn what to do for you and your family when you're stressed about money. Before I had kids, I was able to save half my income. I lived frugally and didn't need much to keep me happy. I even got a kick to see how much I could save every month. But with the arrival of three kids, money didn't always come so easily. Hearing that I was expecting twins heightened my financial anxiety, as I wondered how we'd ever cover two babies plus a preschooler all at once. At one point, our childcare costs—preschool and a nanny—were double the … [Read more...]

Essential Breastfeeding Supplies That Can Help

Breastfeeding

Aug 21, 2023

Want to know what you need to breastfeed successfully? Check out these breastfeeding supplies that can help you reach your goals! There's a common mistake a lot of new moms make with breastfeeding: we think it'll be the easiest thing ever. After all, women have done this forever, so it's fair to assume that: our babies can latch correctly the first time with no issues we can breastfeed right on schedule we can enjoy breastfeeding breastfeeding won't hurt I know I sure did. I had done my research on the correct latch and knew the differences between fore milk and hind milk. … [Read more...]

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