It's hard enough caring for one baby, but with twins you're caring for two. Here's how to take care of twins and still get stuff done. I cried when I first learned I was expecting twins. For a whole week. Every day of that week. You see, I wanted to add to the family and give my eldest a sibling. I was expecting one child. So, when my doctor announced she had good news ("Yes, you're pregnant!") and better news ("And you're expecting twins!"), I thought she was joking. It already took me a while to feel comfortable having a second child (not until my eldest was 2.5 years old did I even … [Read more...]
How to Involve Dads at Home
Do you find yourself doing everything, and leaving your partner out of the picture? Here's how to involve dads at home — and why you should. "What's the matter?" my husband had asked me. I had been huffing and puffing around the house, upset that he hadn't figured out what was bothering me. Shouldn't he just know why I felt upset and take care of it? Of course not, I quickly realized. No person is a mind reader, nor is it fun trying to read between the lines. (I could just picture what that would look like—"Let's see... what could I be in trouble about?") Dads should contribute to … [Read more...]
How to Run Errands with Kids (And Not Go Crazy)
Avoid the madness with these practical tips on how to run errands with kids. Get things done and even enjoy your time together! Errands and kids. Somehow, they don't mix as well as I wish they would. Sometimes I'm alone with them and need to run an errand, like picking up a forgotten item at the grocery. Other times, I'd rather not wait until they're asleep or at school to save more time for myself. But of course, getting settled into the car takes at least 10 minutes. I come home with bags galore. When my twins were babies, I couldn't push the double stroller and the shopping cart at … [Read more...]
Want to Be an Organized Mom? 3 Tips That Will Actually Help You!
Have you vowed to be an organized mom only to still scramble and feel overwhelmed? Learn 3 tips that will actually help you reach your goals. It was the worst after-school combination: I needed to prepare the kids' snack, cook dinner, and fold laundry, with only an hour and a half left. All while listening to my kids' stories about their day and doing my best to give them attention. As organized as we all try to be, there eventually comes that day when no amount of planning can prepare for it. But sometimes, those hectic days of scrambling to catch up happen more frequently than you'd … [Read more...]
Want to Practice Minimalism with Kids? Focus on These 3 Key Areas
Want to practice minimalism with kids, even with a large family? The best way is to start with these three key areas, guaranteed to keep your home—and life—clutter-free. By: Rachael Robison I’m not sure of the exact moment I lost it. Maybe I had stepped on yet another Lego, or possibly it was the sound of a toy with no off-switch and just two volume settings: loud, and ear-splittingly loud. I had three children under the age of five and so, unsurprisingly, toys were everywhere. Regardless of which specific toy it was, I was done—I literally broke down in tears because the toys were … [Read more...]
How to Avoid Baby Clutter
Whether you're expecting your first baby or not, your home doesn't have to be a mess. Learn practical ways to avoid baby clutter! My husband and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment when we were expecting our first child. We couldn't afford to let the baby items clutter our tiny space. Even now, three kids later, I learned that our home—and our lives—would never be the same. It's not unusual to see a toy banana, wooden trains, a Lego digger, a monster truck, dominoes, papers with drawings, and a ball—and that's just on the coffee table. And a baby seems to need so many items, and … [Read more...]
How to Manage Being Alone with the Baby
Are you scared to be home alone with your baby? Learn the sanity-savings tips that will help you manage taking care of a newborn alone. I dreaded the day my husband was scheduled to return to work. Until then, he and I had been caring for our first baby, tag-teaming with putting him to sleep and getting him fed. With my husband returning to work, I was scared of taking care of a newborn alone with no one else to share the responsibilities. I imagined failed nap attempts and things not getting done. And what would I do if I couldn't get him to stop crying? As if caring for the baby … [Read more...]
Raising Twins When You Already Have an Older Child
nYou're having twins, except you already have an older child, and dealing with all three can be a challenge. Here are tips on raising twins after a singleton. I'll be raising twins... AND my toddler, too, I thought to myself. Before I knew I was having twins, I was barely adjusting to the idea of even raising two kids, much less three. I had no idea if I could handle it, and wondered how in the world other twin moms survived this stage. Was it a matter of resorting to sleep deprivation, eating junk food, and not showering for days? Do older kids have to tough it out and accept that … [Read more...]