When we travel, we travel with this old lady. Suggie has always been a great traveler, but sometimes she gets motion sickness just like a human. If you’ve ever suffered from motion sickness, you know it’s no fun and can make your trip miserable. So here are a few tips on helping prevent and treat motion sickness in your four-legged friend. Click right here to be magically transported to this post
Archives for November 2015
Teaching Our Kids Kindness During the Holidays
Here’s what I say every single day when my kids are heading off to school and I’m wrestling them for one more kiss and hug, silently praying I’ve signed all the forms, and hoping their underwear is on the right way, “Have a good day… I love you…Make good choices… Be Kind!” As parents, we can talk about kindness at home and model it for our kids, but we aren’t always there to whisper in that creepy, loud mom whisper “be kind.” With the craziness of the holidays around the corner, there are so many opportunities to teach our kids to be kind. So here’s two activities that are perfect for the entire family to be kinder and share kindness.
Catching and Spreading Kindness– This idea helps motivate your entire family to be kind, catch others being kind, and spread kindness. Grab an empty jar and the spare change that’s weighing your purse down or hanging out in your car. Explain to your family everyone will be “catching” each other being kind and every time a family member is caught being kind, a coin goes into the jar. Be sure to give them age appropriate examples:
- Saying thank you without being reminded
- Sharing toys
- Helping clear the dinner table
- Helping younger siblings get ready
- Picking up litter in the street
- Helping out around the house when it’s not part of your regular chores
- Being kind to a friend or family member when they need a friend
- Mommy having patience when she has zero patience
- Daddy completing a task the first time Mommy asks him (see what I did there)
You may find at first it’s the parents catching the kindness, but it won’t take long for your kids to catch some kindness. This easy activity makes everyone more aware of the good things we do every single day (as opposed to just focusing on the negative). So now there’s a lot more “I love that you just picked up everyone’s shoes and put them in the closet!” or “It was so kind of you to help the neighbor by raking their leaves.”Big and small actions, doesn’t matter—catch them being kind and add a coin to the jar!
Now it’s time to spread the kindness! After a designated amount of time has passed (maybe the weeks before Christmas), as a family, decide where the money will go. Maybe it’s buying food and warm beds for the animals at a local pet shelter or purchasing warm coats for needy kids. The idea is to catch kindness, have the jar as a constant reminder, and spread kindness by doing something kind for others with the money collected.
Grateful Gifts- You know that moment when your kids are faced with a pile of presents that were carefully selected by loved ones, beautifully wrapped, and probably cost a small fortune? You know how it takes mere moments for kids to rip through each and every package and your darling children look up and say what you’re dreading the most, “Are there any more?” Instead of hiding your face in piles of shredded wrapping paper, give your kids a practice run and the right words to say with “Grateful Gifts.”
Have the kids go through the house and select three “gifts” for each other— only items that are already in your house. Here’s the rules:
- The first gift has to be one the other person will LOVE.
- The second gift has to be a practical gift.
- The third gift has to be a super silly gift.
Help the kids wrap the gifts for each other (newspaper works too!). Now everyone unwraps one present at a time while everyone else watches—this is helping them slow down when they are so, so excited.
After they open the gift, they must look at the gift giver, and say “Thank you, ______. I really like this gift because_____.” Then the next person can open a gift.
A few things happen with each gift:
- When picking out the gift another person loves, (think about their favorite toys,books or games–things we already know they love. My son wrapped up his iPad for his sister to borrow ), you can explain how much time and thought is put into all those gifts loved ones will give them for the holidays. Plus it’s just awesome to make someone you love happy by getting them something they really like. So we’re practicing and thinking about kindness.
- When they get the practical gift—shoes, shirt, a toothbrush—they still have a kind response because even though a toothbrush isn’t super exciting, we still need those practical gifts and can be kind and grateful to the person that gave it to us. Help them out if they are stuck on what to say “I really like this toothbrush because now I won’t get cavities.”
- And the silly gift, well that’s just fun and around here, usually it’s a pair of underwear because, come on, underwear are funny.
The holidays are the most magical and wonderful time of year, and being the supermom that you are, you want to make this holiday season spectacular for your kids. So in a few weeks, if you find yourself at the end of your holiday garland and vow to never go through all the trouble to make everyone’s holidays merry and bright again, maybe these activities will remind your family to be a little kinder. Just in time for you to squeeze your kids a little tighter and wish the holidays lasted a little longer.
You Get a Dose… You Get a Dose… Here’s How to Make Sure Everyone Gets a Safe Dose
Achooooooo–All it takes is one little sneeze and I know what’s coming next. Achooooooo– the next kid goes down. A day later, Achooooooo-and now it’s me. Finally it’s the most dangerous Achooooooo–of all, my husband with the dreaded “man cold.” And all with that first Achooooooo– no one is sleeping, everyone is miserable, and I look like a zombie straight out of the walking dead. During cold and flu season you need some Mom Hacks to help everyone feel better especially when it comes to giving your kiddos medicine.
- Tissues, Tissues everywhere and here’s how to fix it! Cut down on the mess from dirty tissues and keep kids from jumping in and out of bed all night to blow their nose by taking two tissues boxes, one full and one empty, and wrap a rubber band around both boxes. Your child can grab tissue, blow their nose, and drop the tissue in the empty box. I even attach a small bottle of hand sanitizer for super messy nose blowing.
- Popsicles make everyone feel better (even in the winter!) soadd Jell-o to homemade popsicles and they won’t melt as fast! If you add some fruit, you get a something healthy into a sick kiddo with zero appetite.
- Soothe those coughs and sore throats by grabbing a few spoonfuls of Jell-o, warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds, and adding a tablespoon of honey. The gelatin and honey combo will calm their cough and take away throat pain–great for right before bed. Just remember that honey should only be given to children over the age of one.
- Hydration is key but if your kids are lying down or napping, you can fully expect spills on their bed and your couch—but not anymore! Grab a cup with a lid and put a crazy straw in upside down. Even if the cup falls over, it won’t spill!
- We’re already suffering from Mommy-Brain (am I right?) Here’s something that helps: If you’re handing out doses of medicine and need to keep track of the times and doses late at night and during the day, use a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror to remind you who got what medicine.
Of course any time we give our kids medicine, we have to keep their safety in mind. My friends at KnowYourOTCs have some reminders for parents as we head into cold and flu season.
Especially since a 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics reported that every eight minutes, a child under the age of 6 experiences a medication error outside of the doctor’s office or hospital.
Here are some important tips for parents from the KnowYourOTCs:
- Always read and follow the label.
- Alway give the recommended dose and use the correct measuring device.
- Only use the medicine that treats your child’s specific symptoms.
- Never give two medicines with any of the same active ingredients.
- Never use cough, cold, or allergy medicines to sedate your child.
- Never give aspirin-containing products to children and adolescents for cold or flu symptoms unless told to do so by a doctor.
- Do not use oral cough and cold medicines in children under four.
- Do not give a medicine only intended for adults to a child.
- Stop use and contact your doctor immediately if your child develops any side effects or reactions that concern you.
- Keep all medicines — and vitamins, too — up and away and out of your child’s reach and sight.
- Teach your child about using medicines safely. Tell your children what medicine is and why you must be the one to give it to them. Never tell children medicine is candy to get them to take it, even if your child does not like to take his or her medicine.
So even if it’s late at night and everyone is sick, take the time to measure out their medicine and yours too. And in the morning, take lots of naps and watch a lot of Netflix… a of Netflix.
This post is sponsored by the CHPA educational foundation,KnowYourOTCs.org but all opinions are my own.
DIY Car Upholstery Cleaner
Did you know that some people have super clean car floors? Those people are called “people that don’t have messy little kids.” For the rest of us, we can expect big messes from little people in our car. While some of those messes are easy enough to clean by vacuuming, for those bigger messes and stains we need to really scrub, there’s car upholstery cleaner and I’ve got a way to make your own upholstery cleaner. It’s fast, simple, and really effective. Now I just need someone to scrub the upholstery of my car *drops hints to husbad* Click right here to be magically transported to my DIY Car Upholstery Cleaner Recipe.
How a $1 Cookie Sheet Can Entertain Your Kids on Long Car Rides!
Did you just read this title and say, “Amanda, you are crazy,” and I would say, “Yes, you are correct.” However, if you are traveling with your young kids, I can show you a few ways to change up games, books, and puzzles all with the magic of a $1 cookie baking sheet. I’m always looking for ways to keep my kids happy and entertained in the car, and I promise you will love these ideas and the price tag! Want to know more? Then click right here to be magically transported to my post over at Thompson Hyundai!
DIY Armor All Car Cleaner Wipes
I’ve heard rumors that there are parents out there that can actually keep their cars clean! You’ve heard about these urban legends, right? Apparently they have rules like “no eating in the car” and I suspect kids have to take their shoes off before they get in. To those parents I say, teach me your ways!!! For the rest of us, I’ve got a simple recipe for DIY Armor All Car Wipes that you can make for just a few dollars and store in your car. So when you’re waiting for your little ones to come on out school or practice, you can give your car a quick cleanup! Click right here and head over to Fitzgerald Auto Mall to see my super easy DIY Armor All Wipes Recipe.
Easy Games for Kids on Long Car Rides
It takes me exactly three hours to get from my house to my parents house. Now, add my kids to that trip and we’ve got potty breaks, pulling over to pass back snacks and drinks, DVD change, and yet another potty break, searches for lost toys, potty breaks again, more snacks, another drink, I lost my crayons, and yet again another potty break. So that three hour ride, just got a whole lot longer. So I need to get super creative and a few games that take little prep from me. I’m sharing our super easy and super fun games on long car rides. Head over to Len Stoler Doge to check out my games! Click right here!
Losing His Nap and Finding Inner Peace
Namaste, friends. Please, come into the little Zen Garden that is my home.
Why the sudden nirvana —and I don’t mean the Kurt Cobain kind? Well friends, this new enlightenment stems from my son’s nap. Actually, it’s the release of his nap that has me in perfect chi. Sounds absurd, right? I’m really thinking Oprah is just minutes from calling me to share my “A-ha!” moment on her network.
After months of fighting the inevitable, reading All The Books and following All The Rules of sleep, after years of glorious naps, I have finally let go of my son’s afternoon nap. And then “Poof,” the naps are gone. It’s as if they never existed. Life in my house is still going on without these naps. So why was I holding on for so long? I have a couple of theories.
Theory One
I am a moron who likes to drive myself insane. Apparently I enjoyed fighting with my son (for over an hour) to take a nap (that would usually last 45 minutes). Each nap turned into an epic showdown, and each time I was the big loser. I rocked that kid, sang sweet songs to him, and tickled and rubbed his precious face and chubby arms. Then after an hour of this nonsense I started to unravel. My blood boiled and that crazed, exhausted mother that hasn’t stepped out of her yoga pants in days and cannot remember the last time she showered reared her scary face and unwashed hair. Nothing says slumber like a mother on the edge screaming “GO TO SLEEP BEFORE MOMMY LOSES IT!” Oh, honey, you already lost it.
When the naps were coming to an end, if my son napped at all, it was a lame, short nap, but when it was bedtime, he was ready to Party! Party! Party! No. Just no.
I love my kids more than life itself, but dear Lord, —enough “togetherness” time.
On the days I won the nap battle, I’d start skipping (quietly, very quietly) down the hall for a few glorious moments of freedom. But as if on cue, I’d hear my daughter waking up from her nap.
Their timing would be hilarious if I wasn’t so busy dropping to the floor to weep, and I may be hearing things but one of those tiny humans may have sang “You got bags under your eyes and I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a nap ain’t one.”
Theory Two
I held on to those naps far longer than I should have because of my inability to break our schedule. From the minute my son was born, I’ve been the queen of schedules, and that was the key to good naps—our schedule. That was the key to good night sleeping—our schedule. I followed all the rules:
1.Follow a routine
2.Keep the room dark
3.Speak only in whispers
4.Never post on Facebook that your kid is a fabulous sleeper because that angers the baby sleep gods and surely your kid will never sleep again.
Aren’t kids supposed to nap every day? May I remind you that I read All The Books and I never saw the chapter that said naps come to an end! What a cruel, cruel joke.
I was afraid of doing something wrong and messing up that sweet boy for life. If I let him stop napping too early would he always make questionable life choices? Would he end up living the streets with a sign that said,“If my mom had only made me nap, I wouldn’t be in this mess today. Strangers that would throw him change and judge me for my parenting choices. So in reality, I was making him nap to keep him from spiraling into a life of bad choices, right?
Theory Three
His daily nap was the last “baby” thing. I knew that at three and a half my boy wasn’t going to pack his bags, fall in love with some terrible girl that I hate, and move across the country, but he really isn’t a baby anymore. WAHHHHHHH!
Whatever my well intentioned but misguided reasons for holding on to the nap for too long were, I am happy to say that life got a lot better around here. I took my daughter upstairs for her nap and he headed to his room for “quiet time.” However, quiet time really didn’t last too long because he’d come downstairs to tell me that “daddy penguins take care of the eggs while the mommy penguin hunts.” Thanks, Captain Random.
So we’d do things that we couldn’t do while my hurricane daughter was awake, like play Candy Land 584 times, or color without her eating the crayons. So he and I would snuggle and play rather than me being so angry he wasn’t sleeping.
Cue the Oprah “A-ha!”
Even the nights were better because he was so exhausted, he couldn’t keep his eyes open past seven. I LOVE putting him to sleep. He’d fall asleep quickly in my arms, but I hold on to him for a few extra minutes, kiss his sweet, sweet face, and whisper in his ear “I am only this crazy because I love you and I don’t want you to end up on the streets…. or marry some awful girl.”
Hacks to Help Your Kids Sleep When They’re Sick
A few weeks ago both of my kids were sick and nighttime was really rough around here. In the light of day I had a slight resemblance to a zombie from The Walking Dead, and I mumbled something that was supposed to sound like “Will I ever get to sleep again?” but I think it sounded more like “Coffee…. Get me coffee.” But I’m a mom and it’s my job to keep it together at 2 PM or 2 AM. So when my kids are sick and no one in this house is sleeping, I do two things: Call my mom to cry a little and wait for her to give me pep talk—you can do this… you can do this!, and I pull out some life hacks to get everyone feeling better and back to bed.
Coughs and sore throats can keep your little ones up all night so grab some Jell-o, warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds, and add a tablespoon of honey. The gelatin and honey combo will calm their cough and take away throat pain and get them back to sleep. Just remember that honey should only be given to children over the age of one.
During cold season, we go though A LOT of tissues and a long night with a stuffy nose usually means a big mess. Is my dog the only one that LOVES a used tissue? Cut down on the mess and keep kids from jumping in and out of bed all night to blow their nose by taking two tissues boxes, one full and one empty, and wrap a rubber band around both boxes. When your child can grab tissue, blow their nose, and drop the tissue in the empty box. I even attach a small bottle of hand sanitizer for super messy nose blowing.
If you have a kid with tummy trouble, you are in for a long night. Take my “lasagna method” for their beds one step further and do the same for the “sick bucket.” Grab a stack of plastic shopping bags and line the bucket that has the unfortunate job of being the catch-all for sick kids. If they get sick at night, just pull out the top bag and another one is waiting for the next round. This helps keep clean up to a minimum and your little patient can get back to sleep.
For those times the “sick bucket” didn’t catch the mess, carpet cleaner meant for pet stains is great option. If you don’t have any on hand, throwing some baking soda on the mess helps to make clean up easier and vodka is a miracle worker on getting smells of carpets and furniture. If you choose to use that vodka for something else, I won’t judge… just invite me over.
We’re already suffering from Mommy-Brain (am I right?) Here’s two things that help: Grab a marker and create a small chart on the side of medicine bottles for doses and the number of days kids need to take the medicine. Also if you’re handing out doses of medicine and need to keep track of the times and doses late at night and during the day, use a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror to remind you who got what medicine.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate is a Mom’s mantra when you have a sick kid. But getting to the store late at night for those electrolyte drinks isn’t always possible. You can easily make your own:
Mix together
- 1 quart water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
You can always add a few splashes of juice for flavor and I’ve found that warming the water first helps dissolve the salt and sugar.
To prevent spills in bed, turn any cup into a spill proof sippie by adding press and seal wrap to the lid and sticking a straw in the cup or putting a crazy straw upside down in a cup with a lid.
Painful headaches are absolutely miserable and always worse at night. Comfort your child, soothe their headache, and get them back to sleep by massaging their head and neck with coconut oil and a few drops of peppermint oil. Just be sure to keep it away from their eyes.
A nasty cold and stuffy nose doesn’t have to keep everyone up all night, with a super easy recipe and 20 minutes you can create vapor rub cubes for the shower that will have everyone breathing easy and sleeping in no time.
Here’s how you make them:
- Mix three tablespoons of vapor rub with one cup of cornstarch
- Mix together (the vapor rub needs to be mixed really well before it begins to warm up and mix with the corn starch. Just keep stirring!)
- Add two tablespoons of water. You want a thick paste and can add a few splashes of water at time (not too much) to get the right consistency.
- Press the paste into an ice cube tray and put it in the freezer for 20 minutes. Store in the freezer or at room temperature in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to use the vapor rub cubes, put one near the drain and turn on the steamy shower. Older kids can stand under the water (you can put the cube in a dish if you’re nervous about a slippery tub floor) and for younger kids, just snuggle with them next to the shower and let them breath in the steam and vapor smell.
Just like the terrible twos, this too shall pass and soon everyone will be healthy and sleeping again. Until then, there’s always Starbucks. Lots of Starbucks.