Wondering how to get kids to take medicine? Discover the biggest reason your child puts up a fight, despite all the tips and hacks you've tried. For some reason, when I was younger, someone thought it'd be a great idea to smash a pill into crumbs and mix into my glass of water. Back in the day, you didn't have cherry-flavored medicine or chewable vitamins. Instead, when kids refused to take medicine, apparently you crumbled it into water, hoping they'd drink it. While medicine has improved over the decades, many parents still find themselves struggling with getting their kids to take … [Read more...]
Baby Refuses to Eat Solids? Simple Hacks for Easier Mealtimes
Frustrated because your baby refuses to eat solids? Discover simple hacks to introduce new food and get your baby excited to eat! If there's one task I loved most about parenthood, it's making baby food. I geek out over planning which foods to offer and the different combinations I can make. And for the most part, all three of my kids have taken to eating pretty much everything I've made. But, of course, there are those days. Those days when your baby refuses to eat anything—even his favorites—because his gums are tender from teething. He might try a few bites, but will certainly fuss … [Read more...]
When Does Breastfeeding Finally Stop Hurting?
When does breastfeeding stop hurting and being painful? Many moms say THIS was the turning point that finally made breastfeeding a pleasant experience. No one told me how much breastfeeding would hurt, at least in the beginning. But for the first few days and weeks, I'd tense up when it was time to nurse, bracing myself for the inevitable pain I'd feel during and after. I even had a lactation consultant at the hospital check the baby's latch, and sure enough, it was fine. Only later did I finally hear that breastfeeding can be painful in the beginning, that it was normal in fact. … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Baby Wants to Breastfeed Constantly
Struggling when your baby wants to breastfeed constantly but falls asleep, spits up, or is still hungry? Learn why this is normal and what to do to make your evenings easier. "Maybe he's hungry." The dreaded three words. I seriously think I shot dagger eyes whenever anyone suggested feeding my baby during those first few weeks of bringing him home. Anyone caring for a newborn has it hard, but unlike other adults, newborn moms struggle even more. For one thing, we're often healing from the physical pains of childbirth. We're also extra emotional from the hormone changes that happen … [Read more...]
Toddler Travel Essentials for a Fuss-Free Family Trip
Traveling with a toddler on a plane or road trip? Take a look at these toddler travel essentials and gear recommended by a well-traveled mom of four! By: Rachael Robison Some might think I'm crazy. After all, in the span of just four years, I've taken a: Thirty-two-hour drive to Florida with a three- and a one-year-old Twenty-six-hour drive to Ohio with kids aged four, two, and three-months Twenty-hour drive to Texas with three kids while pregnant And my favorite: a 7,000 mile, five-week road trip with a seven-, five-, three-, and one-year-old. After thinking, She's crazy, … [Read more...]
The Real Reason Kids Should Have Chores
Should kids have chores? You may have heard the benefits of chores, but here's one compelling reason parents overlook that will have you giving kids chores. There was always an excuse that held me back from having my kids load the dishwasher after meals. I worried that the dishes might break and we'd have to fish broken glass shards out of the tiniest nooks. They might not rinse the dishes well enough in the sink, and end up clogging the dishwasher pipes. I even blamed how roughly they turned the faucet on and off, convinced they'd break it given enough time. It wasn't just the … [Read more...]
Weighing the Real Pros and Cons of Baby Led Weaning
Debating whether to introduce baby led weaning to your little one? Take a look at the baby led weaning pros and cons to help you make your decision. By: Tania Griffis During my pregnancy, I was consumed with reading baby books and browsing online forums. I was about to be a first-time mom and wanted to make sure I did everything perfect for my daughter. During one of my frenzied research sessions, I came across a board for "BLW," that I later learned stood for "baby led weaning." What is baby led weaning? Rather than making your child a special meal of purees and mashes, you give … [Read more...]
How to Rock a Morning Routine for Toddlers
Wondering how to have a smooth morning routine? Learn the best tips to rock a morning routine for toddlers and finally have a stress-free start of the day! You'd think one hour would be enough, but according to my toddler, no amount of time would make our mornings at home any less hectic. My husband and I would try to get all three kids out the door on time before school. I figured one hour would be enough to get through our morning routine. Except every morning seemed to have some degree of drama. A tantrum would erupt out of nowhere, and I'd even hear myself giving empty threats ("If … [Read more...]