When we think about toddlers, we often dwell on their challenging traits and behaviors: Throwing fits, being picky eaters, having mercurial moods, etc. These traits earned the toddler years the moniker of “The Terrible Twos.” If we really take a look at our toddlers, though, we’ll quickly see that the toddler years really aren’t that … [Read more...] about The Terrific Twos: Why the Toddler Years Aren’t All That Terrible
Raising an Inheritance
Pattern Sheets to Accompany the Green Toys Shape Sorter
My daughters received the Green Toys® Shape Sorter for Christmas. It’s a wonderful toy, but right now it’s a little advanced for my 6-month-old daughter and a little basic for my 2-year-old daughter. I’d like for my older girl to get some use out of it as we wait for my younger girl to be interested in it. (Please note that this post contains … [Read more...] about Pattern Sheets to Accompany the Green Toys Shape Sorter
DIY Splatter Shield for Spraying Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapering an exclusively breastfed infant is really easy. Once a baby starts complimentary foods, though, it becomes a little challenging! This is because diapers covered in soft, water-soluble breast milk poop can go straight into the wash without any special preparation. However, the bulkier poop associated with solid foods must be … [Read more...] about DIY Splatter Shield for Spraying Cloth Diapers
The Best Ways to Ease Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
My toddler woke from nap with a fever one day this last fall. By the next morning, she had sores in her mouth and red spots over a good portion of her body. A quick visit to her pediatrician confirmed that she had hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one in our family who developed the disease. Within … [Read more...] about The Best Ways to Ease Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Why You Should Consider Donating Breast Milk
Being able to breastfeed my children is an incredible privilege. Breast milk is a very complex and beneficial substance that contains nutrients, growth factors, hormones, enzymes, and other substances that are immune-protective (source). Moreover, human breasts have the astounding ability to produce milk that dynamically responds to changing … [Read more...] about Why You Should Consider Donating Breast Milk
Thriving Amid the Messes of Motherhood
Being a mother means facing one mess after another. There are poopy diapers, floors covered in toys, appliances covered in greasy handprints, backseats strewn with snack crumbs, and bedsheets soiled with vomit. When I work to get one of these messes cleaned up, you can be certain my kids are busy making the others! Literal messes are … [Read more...] about Thriving Amid the Messes of Motherhood
FUNtastic Tools for Teaching Toddlers About Shapes
When my oldest daughter was 18 months old, we gave her a puzzle that featured 8 common shapes. Within days she was able to identify a couple of them. However, it took her a little longer to learn the remaining shapes and to differentiate between similar ones (e.g., square and rectangle). Thankfully, we discovered many fun, useful … [Read more...] about FUNtastic Tools for Teaching Toddlers About Shapes
A Skill You Must Master In Order to Get Things Done When You Have Young Kids
There are a lot of skills you must master when you become a parent. You eventually get comfortable and confident in your new role and are able to balance parenthood with all of the other tasks you face. I felt I arrived at this point about the time I found out I was expecting my second child. Learning how to mother two little blessings … [Read more...] about A Skill You Must Master In Order to Get Things Done When You Have Young Kids
