Kids Archives - The Motherly Heap

Halloween Family Ideas For Fun At Home

Jordan N. — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:07:46 +0000

Spread the Love3 3SharesSpooky time is here! Are you out of ideas to try this Halloween? Check out the list of simple yet fun-filled ideas for Halloween family activities at home. No need to leave your house, if you prefer to stay in. Fun right at your home and yards (front/back). You can check out this post if you want well-rounded fall family traditions. That includes pumpkin patches, hiking, feasts, Halloween, etc. Whatever your family decides to do this year, there are endless options for making this one day a year of spooky, fun, and happy Halloween. So whether you are planning to go all out with the Halloween feast or create Halloween moments with stuff already in the house – let everyone pitch in on the fun. 13 Halloween Fun Ideas at Home with family! Poke the pumpkin game. You use cups and place candy or stuff inside each cup. Cover with wrapping paper for easy poking. Some cups will be empty—two tries per person. Build your scary popcorn. Heat popcorn per instructions. Prepare toppings and drizzles on the side. Decorate as you like. Wrap the body. You’re going to use a roll of toilet paper per team. The first team to mummy wrap the person in the group wins. You’ve got 3 minutes to complete the challenge! Eyeballs Hunt. Get as many eyeballs as possible and hide inside the house. Then, the Eyeball Scavenger hunt begins. You can exchange as many eyeballs for a prize or treat. Guess the spiders. Print out the picture. Have the person guess how many spiders are in a jar in 5 seconds. The closest number to the total count gets a prize. Download and print this game! Spooky Movies. Gather the whole family and pick a Halloween movie to watch. Set up movie treats and enjoy. Here’s a spectacular list of movies for you to watch! Draw Scary Pumpkin. Get a box of big chalks. Go out in the concrete front or backyard, and time to let lose the Halloween pumpkin creativity. The scariest pumpkin wins. Related Posts: Halloween Costumes for The Whole Family Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Camp out in the dark. Prepare the tent ahead of time. Set it up in the afternoon and get lanterns inside the tent. Turn off all outside lights. Go inside and do hand shadows or read a spooky book. Tell a spooky make-up story. Gather round a firepit. You can roast some marshmallows for smores if you want. Share a spooky story, made-up or real. Let everyone take a turn. Make fun treats. What a fun way to create Halloween memories than baking or making fun treats for everyone. Grab your favorite cookie or cupcake recipes and go all out on decorations. Pin the witch’s broom. Draw a witch on a piece of paper or cardboard. Then draw a witch’s broom and cut it. Finally, have each person pin the broom to the witch while blindfolded. Prizes await. Download Small Template. Chocolate Blind Test. Get 4 or 6 pieces of different chocolates to taste. Unwrap each one of them and place them on a plate. The person who can guess most chocolates will receive a treat/prize. Cute face painting. Keep hypoallergenic face paint on hand. Prepare a table and two chairs. The person can choose what animals they want. For another twist: Write down a Halloween character or superhero on a piece of paper. Roll the paper and place it in a bowl. Each person will pull a piece of paper and have the character drawn on their face. What are your Halloween Family Ideas To Do at Home? There are many Halloween ideas you can try out this year. However, these are only a few of several activities you can do with the family without leaving home. I hope you try one or more of the fun ideas. Happy Halloween! Spread the Love3 3Shares

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10 Simple Father’s Day Breakfast (Kids Can Easily Pull Off)

Jordan N. — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:17:18 +0000

Spread the Love3 3SharesKids, put on your aprons and get ready to make breakfast for dad on Father’s Day! These recipes are simple and delicious, so you can’t go wrong. It will be a delight for Dad to wake up to a breakfast made by his little one. Happy Father’s Day! Facilitating and coordinating a morning celebration for your spouse with the kids in participation may make the kitchen messy later. But everyone will forever remember the memories made. No fret; cleaning up will also include kids helping out. So, let’s get on with it. 10 Easy Father’s Day Breakfast Round-Up Recipes 1. Bacon and Waffles You can never go wrong with the two combos for breakfast. So let the kids have at it by crisping the bacon and top this yummy breakfast with your favorite maple syrup and one fried egg. 2. Fruit-filled pancakes Who wouldn’t love a combination of pancakes and fruits? A twist, hide the fruit inside for a sweet surprise for dad. 3. Potato, Eggs, and Cheese Scramble A classic breakfast that the kids can easily pull off. Gather the ingredients and assemble dad’s favorite breakfast staples. 4. French Toasts and Fruits Need to spruce up some toasts? Why not make it into French Toasts – seal with fresh fruits from your garden or the farmer’s market. Dad’ll be sure to love it. 5. Super Oatmeal Bowl Why not start dad’s day with a protein-packed breakfast to begin the Father’s Day celebration? Grab a big bowl with high-grade yogurt, oatmeal, protein powder, and favorite toppings. RELATED POST: 12 Fun Ways for Kids to Celebrate Dad This Father’s Day 25 Best Gift Ideas To Buy for Father’s Day 6. Cheesy Eggs and Bacon Hash Prep, cook, and serve – as easy as 1,2,3. There’s no more straightforward breakfast recipe than this hash. So get it going before dad wakes up. 7. Ham, Eggs, and Butter Toasts Want to be creative this Father’s Day? Skip the breakfast sandwich style. Instead, choose this open-faced sandwich for dad’s toasts. Check out how easy it is for the kids to do. 8. Sausage and Potato Skillet Is dad a sausage fan? Then this recipe will blow his mind. Pick a supreme sausage, or even better, surprise him with a different flavored link. Get those potatoes sliced and seasoned too. Put it all together, and dad will enjoy them. 9. Supreme Blueberry Muffins Who says muffin is bland? Not in your house, when these great muffins are served breakfast in bed. Try out this recipe, and I’m sure this might become a breakfast staple in your home. 10. Egg Quiche + a side of fresh fruits Let’s not forget a good quiche, shall we? But whatever floats your boat in this recipe is delicious. Don’t forget to have a side of the fresh fruit bowl for dad to enjoy. Breakfast Cooking Ideas for Father’s Day by Kids Why not let the kids take over in the kitchen this Father’s Day for breakfast? Some simple and delicious recipes are rounded up for you to make Dad feel special. These recipes are sure to please, from cinnamon French toast to bacon and eggs. We hope you have enjoyed this roundup of breakfast recipes that the kids can help make for dad. Let them get creative in the kitchen and have some fun! Who knows, dad might start requesting these special breakfasts more often. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! So get your aprons ready and let the little ones show you how it’s done! Which recipe will your family be trying this Father’s Day? Spread the Love3 3Shares

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Mother’s Day Pamper Gifts for 2022

Jordan N. — Mon, 09 May 2022 03:01:59 +0000

Spread the Love5 5SharesIt’s that time of year again when we all scramble to find the perfect gift for our mothers. But why not skip the flowers and chocolates this year and go for something a little more indulgent? How do pamper me gifts for mother’s day sound? Here are some great pamper gifts for mothers day that will show how much you care. She’ll love anything on this list, from shower steamers to body care sets! No time to shop? No worries. I have put together a list of great ideas to make your mom feel special. So take a look and get inspired. Happy Mothers Day! **Links in this post are affiliate links. I get commissions for purchases made through links at no extra cost to you. Read more details on this disclosure.** 16 Pamper Gifts for Moms This Mother’s Day Mom Gift Box Are you looking for a well-put-together Mother’s Day box? Then, check out this pretty gift box designed for moms. The box includes a tumbler, a bracelet, a scented candle, etc. Mom will have a pamper day using all the products. Spa Shower Steamers Wouldn’t mom love these high-quality aromatherapy shower scents? Shower bombs that relax her senses for a great start in the morning. If you want other scents or different aroma purposes, check out the other options from this brand. Planters Here are three beautiful, well-made plant pots for Mom. She can choose which succulents to plant or grow her favorite plants in them. Mom Pullover A cute sweatshirt she can use as she runs errands or drops off kids at school. There are also plenty of colors, and you can pick her favorite. Pajama Set for Mom Who doesn’t love cozy pajama sets? So, let her sleep and rest in this silky fabric. Body Care Set Philosophy always delivers when it comes to pampering someone or even yourself. I highly recommend this scent, which isn’t overpowering. It has a light, floral scent with a hint of cleanliness. Give her this gift set. She’ll love it. Body Butter Are you pampering her with luxurious lotion? Then, you can’t go wrong when choosing this gift for her. It applies smoothly to the skin, can be unscented for moms sensitive to scent, and lasts longer. Travel/Sport Bag If she goes to the gym or travels frequently, this bag is a great companion. You can easily fit her essentials for working out or traveling items inside, with room for more. RELATED POST: 32 Exciting Things To Do This Mother’s Day at Home Water Fruit Infuser Fruits and water! Yes! Give this uniquely designed water infuser to mom. She can quickly chop up her favorite fruits and infuse them with her water for a refreshing drink. Hand-Held Massager Does she need a break? Then, get this particular massager for her tensed muscles. The attachments have relaxing and customizable options. Kindle Fire She can have a wonderful, quiet afternoon with any great book on her list. Easy to use and has lots of storage capacity for her favorite reads, music, or shows. Shoes Check out this pair of shoes for her. Then, when she’s running errands or working out, she’ll be glad to use these shoes. Silk Pillowcases Durable and soft pillowcases will let Mom sleep comfortably. Would you be willing to give her a set or more? Essential Tote Mom could use an everyday tote that is functional and quality. Check out this unique pattern, perfect for spring and summer. Hydrating and Moisturizing Serum When she uses this rich serum in her skincare routine, her skin will feel smooth and supple. She’ll love this splurge gift from you. Special Necklace for Her A tree of life necklace fitting for a mom – a precious gift of remembrance of her love. Time to Pamper Mom Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate all that she does for us, and what better way to do so than with a few gifts that show how much we care? I hope these Mother’s Day pamper gifts have given you some ideas for what to give your mom this year. From relaxing massages to indulgent beauty treatments, these gifts will help her feel special and loved. So go ahead and spoil her rotten! And if you need any more convincing, remember that it’s the thought that counts. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Spread the Love5 5Shares

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December Family Bucket List

Jordan N. — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:44:12 +0000

Spread the Love145 145SharesWeek two of December 2021 is done! Got two more weeks to spend some family time with this December Bucket List! How’s the holiday spirit? Is your Christmas tree up? Since when? Or are you gathering your Christmas decorations to put up this weekend? Either way, ready or not – Christmas is coming. When it comes to holiday celebrations, each family has its traditions and celebrates this beautiful festive season of the year. Does your tradition involve making cookies, attending a Christmas party, driving around town to see the lights, or lining up children’s Christmas arts to do? If you want to add some new family tradition ideas this year, you can check out this December family bucket list! This post contains affiliate links to products. I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase from the product links at no cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here. Let’s get on with Our December Bucket List for the Whole Family. 1. Check out Christmas Tree Lights. You can grab your jackets, and winter hats and get ready to check out Christmas lights around the neighborhood. You may get lucky to see a decorated house with a lights display and enjoy the show with the rest of the other people around. By this time, the city’s Christmas tree had already been lit a week ago; this is an excellent opportunity to visit the area with the whole family and take a photo. 2. Go Ice Skate with the whole family. With young kids up to teens ice skating activity, you can’t go wrong. There’s a magical aura in dancing on ice or even just gliding and listening to holiday music. You can let the children do the ice skating, and you and your spouse can sit back on the sidelines while sipping on your warm chai latte. The cool part is you can do this outdoors or indoors. 3. Make a gingerbread house. Grab your family’s gingerbread house store-bought and get the kids around the kitchen table. If you prefer to make your own gingerbread house, you can use your own family’s recipe or check this gingerbread house recipe by Sugar Geek Show. You let the children assemble the gingerbread house with some assistance from you. Take photos of the children building their gingerbread houses also when they’re done. To make this a yearly tradition, you can create a gingerbread house scrapbook of the kids. Their gingerbread photos will be dated, and as the year continues, you can add new pictures of them with their gingerbread house. 4. Donate New Toys to Shelters. With the holiday season and a lesson of kindness at home, you can extend this valuable opportunity to give. Take some time to talk about sharing what you have and making someone else happy. If you have unopened, unused toys at home, you can wrap them up with Christmas bows and bring them to shelters. You can also buy new toys to donate to shelters or orphanages for the kids. Let your children help wrap up the new toys and write a Christmas card for each toy. 5. Decorate Homemade Donuts Baking time for everyone! Either you can make the donuts or have your children help you make the donuts – the decorating becomes the fun part for kids. Create some simple homemade buttercream frosting and use Christmas colors on the frosting. You all can be creative in decorating these homemade donuts at home. If you need inspiration on what to decorate it with, you can check out this fun Christmas wreath donut decorating idea by Savvy Saving Couple. Also, here’s a quick and straightforward baked donut recipe by As Easy As Apple Pie. 6. Christmas Movie Marathon Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie marathon countdown to Christmas? Here’s how it goes: 7. December Hike or Bike If you’re in a state with stable weather around 50 to 60 degrees, this family activity can be a great one to do in December. Whether you choose to hike or bike with a family, it’s going to be a fun outdoor activity for everyone. 8. Bake Christmas Cookies/Sweets Our family loves cookies and sweet treats – we call them Yummies! How about giving this family bucket idea a chance to get on your December Traditions? My family bakes cookies every December 23rd – the kids help with gathering the ingredients, prep, and baking. Then we get to have fun decorating them while sipping our hot cocoa. These cookies are prep and ready for Santa’s visit. Of course, there may be some licking the royal icing frosting too. Just have fun! Here’s a quick recipe for a sugar cookie to follow from the Preppy Kitchen. Simple to make and fun to decorate with kids! Have a go! 9. Paint your Christmas Tree Your toddler can quickly do this December kid’s craft. Get them the art supplies and let them paint their own Christmas Tree. Their Christmas tree can be embellished with glitter, sequins, buttons, or pom-poms after painting, or leave them as-is. 10. Build a Snowman You can’t skip building a snowman if you are somewhere based on a snowy winter place. Snow is a kid magnet to play with. Start a snowball fight with the entire family! You can also invite the cousins and make it a massive – snowball war if you’re into it! Here in South Texas, we rarely get to experience snow. While last February this year, the kids had another opportunity to play with snow and build a snowman. Even though the snow brought on no power – it was one to remember. 11. Christmas Pajamas Family Photo Coordinating a family photo wearing Christmas Pajamas may require you to buy a family set. However, if you sew and have time, make the entire pajamas for the family. Whichever you decide, the exciting part is to document a family photo this year around your Christmas Tree. Suppose you can also be casual on a sofa or bed. Have fun, and the pictures will be a great memory keepsake. 12. Decorate the Christmas Tree When does your family start decorating the Christmas tree? Is it before Thanksgiving or around December? The fun part of decorating the tree as a family is putting up the Christmas ornaments collected through the years. You can be reminiscing what year, why that particular ornament, or simply remembering. You may have had your ornaments from when you were a child from your parents. Also, you certainly can add more as the family grows—first Christmas for Baby, First house, any special event that happened that year. Parents and kids can equally have fun with this December bucket list idea. 13. Do It Yourself Natural Christmas Wreath If you don’t plan to buy a $60 and above ready-made wreath, you can make your own. These examples of natural Christmas wreaths are easy to do. Check out these two: 14. Make a personalized decorated ornament There are plenty of options when making your Christmas ornaments. You can purchase Christmas balls and write on them using paint pens for a design or name. You can also make homemade clay ornaments with your kids in Christmas shapes. Again, be creative and make it memorable. DIY clay ornaments recipe by Tips from a Typical Mom. 15. Create a Warm-Up Care Package and Give What is this? A warm-up package is a box filled with items to keep someone warm during winter. It can include a pair of gloves, a scarf, thick socks, a jacket, or a blanket. You can add winter hats and thermos as well. Assemble what you want to give and keep it in your car. Prepare two or three boxes. You can provide these as a whole Christmas donation for a church, or you can give these warm-up packages to someone you see on the streets. The point is to give the gift of warmth during these holidays. 16. Christmas Loveys for NICU Babies If you are a NICU parent, a handmade blanket is one of the things you may receive during your baby’s NICU stay. I certainly did receive one from a generous NICU parent who donated blankets in the NICU. I truly appreciate the beautiful gift for my premature baby. To think she still uses the blanket after many years. I felt supported when I received one, and I’m always grateful for that kindness toward my baby and our family. So for this Christmas, my daughter and I are sewing loveys for NICU Babies. 17. Write a Letter to Santa Kids are writing letters to Santa – one of the many Christmas traditions that families do. If you’re looking for a template for this Letter for Santa – here’s one I made you can download and print. Letter for Santa. 18. Offer a Mass for a Dearly Departed Holidays come with the sadness of missing a loved one who passed. Instead, families celebrate their lives by offering a mass of intention. Offering a mass doesn’t have to be on their death anniversary. You can also provide during this time of year. Make sure you check with your church for dates. 19. Hot Chocolate Afternoon Do you have a hot cocoa bar in your house? Pick a day for the family to enjoy hot chocolate one afternoon. Make your hot cocoa or use ready cocoa mix – let the kids choose their toppings. Use Christmas mugs or kids’ favorite mugs and enjoy the fabulous, warm hot chocolate. Christmas Mugs for everyone: Set of 6 Christmas Mugs 6 Ceramic Christmas Mugs Personalized Christmas Mugs 20. Christmas Game Nights Did you want a family fun night? Then game night may be the answer to boredom when indoor activities are on the table. Too cold to roam around with young toddlers? No problem, grab your favorite games and set up a fun-filled night for the family. You can check out some of your favorite family games to play. 21. Christmas by the Sea If you are in a warm climate during the holidays, you can do this bucket list idea for December. Grab your favorite drinks and a blanket or folding chairs. Go to a nearby beach and enjoy family time. 22. Advent Calendar for Kids Seeing the excitement as one opens each door leading to Christmas sounds fun. I opted for a chocolate Advent Calendar to do this year. It’s a hit with my kids. They get to open a door with different chocolates while counting down to Christmas. There are several kinds of Advent calendars you can choose from. You may see in the stores they have Advent Calendars with toys, crafts, chocolates, and even adults also do their advent calendars. Barbie Advent Calendar Slime Advent Calendar Harry Potter Advent Calendar Playfoam Pals Advent Calendar You can make one at home if you want 12 days before Christmas. Here’s an easy one to Do It Yourself advent calendar by Slick Slime Sam. 23. Read Christmas Stories Together Reading to your kids is a great way to boost their vocabulary and learning. So why not grab some Christmas-themed books and read together? You can also include these books for the kids’ Christmas Eve Boxes. Here are some Christmas Books to check out: Don’t Push The Button! Cami and Wyatt Share the Christmas Spirit How to Catch an Elf The Night Before Christmas A Christmas Tree for Jesus The Carpenter’s Gift 24. Book a Cabin for a Family Weekend Up for some adventure? You can spend family vacation time in a cabin for the Holidays or get away for a December weekend. It may require you to search and book this bucket list way ahead of time since availability may be slim this time around. This bucket list idea will be an opportunity to slow down, disconnect from the digital world, and indulge in some quality family time. You may start ten books before the Christmas tradition; you read one Christmas Book daily leading up to Christmas. 25. Lazy Day for All...

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Holiday Gift Guide for Learning Toys

Jordan N. — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 18:28:10 +0000

Spread the Love12 12SharesParents are all in when it comes to toys that spark learning in kids. So what would support your kids as they grow while exploring their world? Learning through play. Here’s a gift guide of learning toys that’ll help them out as early as a year old through the teenage years. As you prepare to buy holiday gifts for each kid in the family, you’ll be drawn to presents that can also enhance development and learning in them. Finding those practical toys that promote skills and development can help parents encourage their kids’ learning. Hands-on play and creativity for kids are one-way toys can be enjoyed. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Here are the Learning Toys Gift Guide for the Holidays 1-3 years old Learning Toys Leapfrog Learning Friends This interactive learning book helps your toddler start learning words by introducing familiar animals, items at home, food, and more. Toddlers learn to repeat words and lessons that pique their interests. Wooden Pattern Blocks What is not to love about puzzles? These puzzles will promote creative thinking and shape recognition in your 3-year-old. Let them make their shapes or follow the guide to create simple, innovative shapes. Spike the Hedgehog Practical toys for your toddler to play with to enhance fine motor skills. Spike is a great learning companion – grab those spikes and let them complete the Hedgehog as they play. Shape Sorting Toy Box As far as I can remember, this shape toy has been around for generations, even as I was young. It’s basic, yet it gets your learning toddler excited as they play and figure out which one goes into the box. You guide their learning by pointing out each shape and pushing these shapes into the wooden box. You can encourage color recognition as well—plenty of learning opportunities in this simple shape box for your kids. Activity Center A complete learning center for any young kids to explore. Whether for independent exploring or guided play with you, this learning toy wins for toddlers and parents. Alphabet Apple When we received this interactive musical toy for my son, it was a hit! Before they hit two years old is a sweet spot for them to be exploring this learning toy. Alphabet recognition while playing helps preschoolers learn the letters in a fun way. We kept this toy in our learning bin for years, and now my daughter has been playing with this alphabet interactive learning toy as she practiced her letters. Discovery Activity Cube This is an activity toy that promotes the discovery of things around your toddler—packed with music, gross motor learning, spinning item recognition, shape sorters, and more. Let your toddler explore these interactive toys for hours – a learning cube! Magnetic Tiles Building, creativity, and motor skills combo! What a fun way to let your preschoolers learn. A good bonus it’s magnetic easy to handle, and creates endless constructions. Pick up these bunch and let your young kids explore on the floor. Then, wait for them to call and show you what they’ve been building. 4-6 years old Learning Toys Wooden Reading Blocks As your kid learns to read, these reading blocks complement their learning. If you’re a homeschooler mom, this can help with your reading time. In addition, it also supplements any early readers for kids attending school. There’s nothing not to love on these simple wooden spin reader blocks. Make their learning fun and have them read simple words for a start. Primary Science Lab Activity Set Nothing like science exploring and learning in a day for your early school-aged kids. Let them follow the experiment cards and journal what they learn in a notebook. Have your kids write down their observations and take a picture of their science make. Creative Starter Kit for iPad Art can bring out learning and creativity in your kid’s life. So check out this creative kit designed for iPad and let them enjoy some quiet time while learning. Word Builders Words and pictures associate learning and vocabulary building – getting them to learn shapes, colors, and even their CVC words. Playing while learning is a win for parents! So, grab this word builder set! Learning Gears Putting it all and rearranging them as kids wish makes them learn how things work. For example, trying to figure out what gears can do, helps them think and find out how it all works. Simple gears and constructing it all together for a fun play! 7-10 years old Learning Toys Gravity Maze Marble Critical thinking? Yes, and more. When you give a chance for your kids to explore on their own, you provide them with the gift of learning. So do it with this maze – when they can plan out what they’re going to do and let them develop spatial reasoning. Engineering can be fun too! If building and constructing is what they love, get this maze set! Robot Kit This particular robot is a coding robot that your kid can have fun with. You can program them with your kid and let them create codes—a remote-controlled robot to interact with built-in programmed characters. Endless possibilities of learning and having fun for your kids. Card Game Card games are a fun way to learn. This game not only makes them problem solve, but it also encourages creative thinking and decision-making skills as they communicate during game time. Fun game to include in your family game nights; let your child animal planet play with the whole family. Science Experiments Has anyone said magic and science? You heard it right! These rounded-up science magic experiments for kids create the basis for learning through hands-on. Don’t miss this chance to let them practice and learn through guided experiments that scientists’ techniques used. Get them to observe and learn facts that broaden their knowledge. For any homeschoolers, this kit is a great one to have around! 11-13 years old Learning Toys Coding Robot Build, code, and have fun! You can encourage your preteens and teens to learn the value of creating and programming for any young coders out there. Learning through building skills is still a hit even for teenagers at this time of year. Coding is trending, and it’s only going to be more advanced as they complete each coding set. They can play with this toy for years. Here are some benefits of coding for kids. Possibilities for kids to grow as they learn the program, code, and discover what they can accomplish. Rocket Launch Kit Have you ever thought of kids launching their rocket? Well, you’ve just found one that does just that! It’s a complete set to launching a rocket – an outdoor play for fun and learning. Check this out together or observe how your kid transforms this set and get this rocket to launch. Enjoy the countdown and the rocket speed up! Jewelry Making Kit Are you looking for your kids to make their jewelry? Let them create and be crafty for days. It can open up an interest in them about arts and crafts, fashion, or anything that helps them be creative. Crystal Growing Kit Experiments with crystals are a different way for kids to learn and be patient. So if they’re into geology, this learning kit is for them. Once their crystals are grown – they can easily display them around their bedroom as projects. Related Posts: Simplify To Ditch Holiday Stress December Family Bucket List Let them have the fun with toys while learning at the same time! These learning toys under this gift guide for the holidays are the ones to grab and give. So check them out and see what other parents are saying about these fun, interactive, and learning toys for kids. Let me know which ones are in your households already and which ones are you planning to buy. Share this gift guide for learning toys with everyone and pin it for later. Spread the Love12 12Shares

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Kangaroo Care for NICU Babies

Jordan N. — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:44:51 +0000

Spread the Love50 50SharesBabies born prematurely have extensive need for medical interventions. However, what struck me the most was preterm babies’ responses to skin-to-skin experiences with their mothers. This healing and therapeutic experience are called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care for NICU babies. Having gone through a NICU experience when my daughter was born has been a frightening journey for our family. Prematurity had not been on my radar when I became a mom, but life has many surprises. What I loved and looked forward to the most during our stay in the NICU was the Kangaroo Care time. I remember holding my preemie daughter for the very first time. It was scary because of how fragile she was; simultaneous, it was a beautiful moment. First, the nurses helped me get settled on the recliner. Then, they carefully handed her to me on my chest along with the attached wires on her. The happiness I felt when she snuggled around me was incomparable. I grasped the reality of her being born at that time. I know, she was born five days ago. But when we both had that moment together, to be this close with skin-to-skin, I felt blessed – I was her mom. She was mine. Kangaroo care became our daily mommy-me time. I couldn’t imagine not holding her for a day, and my heart ached when I couldn’t as I lay on my bed at home. My husband did kangaroo care with our daughter too. When we visited with our son, he was close by gently putting his hand on her arm or back. We forged our family bond during this difficult NICU time. Our kangaroo care time was sacred to me, to our family. How and When Kangaroo Care Became part of the NICU Developmental Care As soon as kangaroo care is initiated, it can help your premature baby tremendously. However, it also depends on when babies are stable enough to be held by mom/dad per every NICU protocol. Even the tiniest premature babies can benefit from these moments of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. Two physician-researchers first developed the kangaroo mother program in the late 1970s in Columbia. Back then, premature babies died of respiratory issues, infections and had very high death rates. The moms acted as human incubators and also did exclusive breastfeeding during the study. Conventional incubators were challenging to obtain at that time. Moms who were holding their premature babies most of the day – their babies thrived and survived. A new clinical trial was conducted among 2944 mothers and 3211 infants (2.2 lbs-3.7 lbs birth weight) with two methods: immediate kangaroo care and conventional care (kangaroo care initiated only after premature infant stabilization). The trial found that those infants who received immediate kangaroo care had an improved survival rate of 25% than infants stabilized before kangaroo care. This study involved four different hospitals in Africa and one hospital in India. The Benefits of Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies Stabilize their vital signs (heart rate, respirations) Promote growth and development, such as gaining weight Connection with parents. Keep the baby warm. In deep sleep and more calm wake hours for brain development. Reasons Why Kangaroo Care Helps Mom Too Helps with healing Supports breastfeeding Lowers stress and anxiety Fosters bonding Promotes confidence as you care for your premature baby. What can you expect during Kangaroo Care time? Talking with the NICU healthcare providers when you can do kangaroo care with your premature baby is essential. Once everything is determined that your baby can receive kangaroo care, you will be informed by the NICU staff. The nurses will assist you in getting situated first before they’ll get your baby out of the isolette. Then, the NICU staff will provide a comfortable seat or recliner to you. Wires and equipment are connected to your baby. It will not get in the way, so don’t worry. Make sure you take a bathroom trip ahead of time. Eat your meal, and you can pump your milk before doing kangaroo care. Silent your phone or keep distractions out of the way. Your baby will be placed tummy down on your bare chest. Then a soft receiving blanket will cover your baby’s back to keep warm. You can hold your baby for an hour or how long you and the baby can tolerate it. The nurses will check your baby through the monitors, and if sometimes alarms are going off, the nurses will be nearby. Keep your drink close by and the call light close to your chair if you need help from the NICU staff. RELATED POST: Helping a Sibling of a NICU Baby Adjust Kangaroo Time with your Premature Baby You can stay relaxed while holding your baby. You can talk to your baby quietly or sing. Tell your baby the story of your family, siblings. Or you can stay quiet together as your baby sleeps on your chest or listens to your heartbeat closely. These skin-to-skin care helped premature babies thrive in so many ways. In addition, NICU babies are comforted and feel secure when close to their moms and even dads during kangaroo care. There may be times that you aren’t around in the NICU; the nurses and even therapists who work with your baby will hold them for the time being. Knowing these makes your mama heart grateful that someone besides you cares for your baby. But, likewise, you may feel a slight pang of jealousy when you walk into the NICU seeing your baby being held by the NICU staff. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re the mom of your child. Nevertheless, these feelings are surfacing, maybe accompanying some guilt that you can’t be there 24/7 in the NICU. Your feelings may be unsettled right now, which is understandable. However, you can speak with the NICU staff about it if it bothers you the most. They’re there to help you and your baby. Dads can also do kangaroo care. This presents the best opportunity to also bond with baby starting at the hospital. What if you’re not ready to do Kangaroo Care Not all moms are ready to do kangaroo care immediately when able. Moms who have experienced traumatic birth or past difficult birth experiences may delay holding their babies. Some emotions are best-addressed head-on when it comes to these situations. For example, moms are having a hard time connecting with their newborns. Give yourself some time. Sitting beside your premature baby near the isolette may be enough right now. That’s okay. Coping with traumatic birth can sometimes pile on a mom’s mental space. Then seeing your premature baby and having a fear of the unknown can be too much to bear. Talk to your healthcare provider about it. Please don’t bottle it all up inside. Speak with your spouse or trusted friend. Another alternative to kangaroo care is the hand hug. You can place one hand on the baby’s head and the other hand on the baby’s tummy or chest. You may hold the baby’s arm or leg with a gentle touch. It’s natural to be fearful when caring for your premature baby, especially in your baby’s fragile state. RELATED POST: Tips for a Struggling NICU Mom: Surviving the NICU Life Giving Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies in the NICU Holding your baby skin-to-skin is part of caring for your baby. Both baby and mom will benefit from doing kangaroo care when the opportunity presents. The timing as to when this will happen will also depend on your premature baby’s condition. However, this isn’t a hindrance to kangaroo care time. There are ways in which you can still touch or hold your baby even if life-saving equipment such as a ventilator is attached. Being around your premature baby will help with your healing and also boost your confidence as a mom. Your premature baby knows mama is close by and will feel your loving touch through kangaroo care. I hope as you go through NICU time, you’ll be able to have the chance to do kangaroo care. Doing so will pave the way to a smooth transition of your premature baby into the world. Continue kangaroo care time even after babies are discharged from the NICU. You’ll feel closer and bond with your premature baby at home. You’ll remember that first time you held your baby close to your heart – as you do kangaroo care. Share your Kangaroo Care story in the comments. How was your experience? Share this post to any mom who has a baby in the NICU. Spread the Love50 50Shares

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Cultivating Your Child’s Interests

Jordan N. — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:14:29 +0000

Spread the Love34 34Shares Raising a well-rounded child takes effort and dedication from parents. Finding ways to pursue your child’s interests and cultivating them can be one of the most time-consuming yet best feelings in the world. Remember the astonishment you felt when you were younger as you spent time doing the things you love? Yes. I most certainly do. Your child can also partake from that feeling and let it unfold. What’s excellent about cultivating your child’s interests and passion? A research center shows that pursuing something children love provides them with many learning opportunities for growth and self-discovery. It also promotes self-esteem as they master these skills and excel in them. Your child can experience greater satisfaction in life as they explore their interests in a non-judgmental way. Your child’s learning is also seen as nurtured through cultivating these interests in ways that aid in creativity and self-expression. I am amazed at how a child can truly shine as they go through steps from the beginning and continue growing their interests and talents. I’ve been fortunate to witness these with my children as I recall how my parents made every effort to encourage me to do what I love the most. Supporting your child and interests takes commitment on your part and most understanding of the benefits of letting it bloom. Post may include affiliate links to products. If you click the links and purchase from those links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full Disclosure. Tips for Parents to Cultivate the interests and talents of children Let your child explore diverse activities. Allowing interactions and experiencing new activities can spark an interest in them. Your child, while trying out new experiences, can open up many possibilities for growth and creativity. You may not see it happening right away; one day, you’ll be surprised that they’re asking more questions about a particular past event that kept them interested weeks after. As children’s age progresses, they will be more selective about what piques their interests and makes them happy. Therefore, considering a child’s many aspects, you balance it out with their physical, mental, social, and emotional development and needs. Discover the interests themselves. Letting your child lead the way of selecting what they want to do and observing on the side as they engage in the chosen activities. When a child is given space and uninterrupted time to explore their interests, they tend to develop more on where their interests lie. What your dream may not be your child’s. Letting your child freely choose what they’re into, rather than you selecting for them. There’s a thin line between letting your child encounter what you experienced as a child and allowing your child to find it with your guidance. No to pressure. The word is to encourage and not push. Letting your child venture is one thing while trying to find what activities they are most leaning to is excellent. However, making and pressuring them to take lessons or classes that they’re resistant to may be counterproductive. Your child may exhibit unwarranted behaviors. May complain of physical ailments such as headache or stomach pain. It’s good to be attentive to these cues and assess the situation for you to help your child. Examine if they may just be exhausted or overly scheduled, or even stressed. Then, openly discuss with your child – ask what’s bothering them and plan together what to do. Sometimes, all your child need is a break. Provide a learning environment at home. These strategies help your child explore in a safe, familiar environment – your home. Books and learning centers are a great place to start. You’re spending extra time with them as they engage in their chosen activities. Learning music or musical instruments are available to use. Art supplies are readily available that your child can use. Encourage imaginative and creative plays. You don’t need a huge backyard to play sports. Instead, you can accommodate their play around with what’s available in and outside your home. RELATED POST: How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy Refrain from criticizing. There’s loving feedback, and there’s a harsh comment. But, unfortunately, both aren’t the same. Your child can sense your tone, your actions. It may be a brief statement that wasn’t intentional and may have opened up some gap or doubt on what they’re capable of. Don’t shut it down—gentle corrections instead of degrading comments. Show interest. Whether you have to go down on the floor or be eye-to-eye level with your child, your body language says more. These gestures evoke a sense of security and pride within themselves. They are seen and heard, and you are interested in what they like or what caught their attention. Listen intently. Taking the time to listen to what your child says will give you enough clues about what they’re interested in participating in or doing. Your child may switch up interests on any given day or have lost enjoyment in their previous chosen activities. Sit with them and be empathetic. Invest in experiences and trips More often than not, what they experience or have been around sparks interest within your child. Let your child immerse in the event and encourage questions. Start visiting museums, space centers, garden centers, historical landmarks, state parks, and more. In addition, new cities and communities offer new encounters for your child. Travelling is an excellent teaching method for your child to experience new places, people, cultures, and languages. Different settings they can run into expand their learning and interests. RELATED POST: Family Road Trip Checklist for Summer (Plus Printable Packing List) Give praise for your child’s effort. Paying attention to your child’s progress and giving credit to them is better than focusing on the outcome. It’s a given to celebrate growth and mastery. Children can pick up on any feelings shown or not – joy, pride, or displease, etc. They will internalize your words, and they’ll play it on repeat in their head. As a result, they will feel unsupported, especially when they sense they’re not living up to your standards. Your words of encouragement can also serve as a booster of confidence within themselves. It circles back to getting more motivated to pursue their likes and interests. Go beyond the lines. Parents can teach science to children in many settings, as well as math. Set an afternoon to explore measurements, causes, and effects within the confines of your home. For example, in the kitchen or the yard, be hands-on. Books around the home. Books can indeed take you to places you dream of, and some can bring you into another world. In addition, books serve as an instrumental tool for finding what best interests your child. Let them choose books to purchase based on their interest. Then, visit a local library and read books together. You certainly don’t have to limit the book’s genre on children; they can also enjoy learning from other literature to expand their interests. Nurture your child’s interests and cultivate their talents Time will come when your child has selected what interests them and begins to engage more in it. These critical times of establishing the ground for exploring and mastering their interests can lead to more profound commitment in them. Be the cheerleader to encourage them to put effort towards it. You may rearrange your schedule, time, and other commitments to open up some allotted time for your child’s interest. Life lessons are just a tip away when an opportunity presents them. RELATED POST: 10 Basic Ways To Teach Kindness To Your Child Use community resources and engage with people from all different walks of life. Local community centers are a great source of learning activities. Connect with other community people who can speak or are around your child or group to show their craftsmanship, career, or any endeavor. Schools have career days and encourage children to dress up for what they want to be when they grow up. In addition, community workers are invited to speak with the school children about their jobs. Even daycare centers have small learning centers that young children can choose to participate in. So there’s plenty of opportunities for each child to find what sparks and what they love to do. There are free art classes or chess clubs that your child can participate in—even free swimming lessons from a swim coach who retired a few years back. Cultivating your child’s talents and interests Navigating these explorations for what your children are interested in and love to do can be time-consuming. It can also be a financial load that parents face. We are our children’s providers; what I mean to say is talking down on them that money is wasted or what can harm them. There are ways to speak with them about finance without criticizing anyone. Showing positivity towards their interests will stretch more than encouragement on your part. It acts as a spring step for your child to pursue what they love to do, and you’re right behind them. Make an effort to learn your child’s interests, showing genuine support and cultivating them. With these thirteen steps, you can start to help your child with what interests them, nurture and support them. Parenting takes a lot. Showing how everything works are good for our children. Yet, it is extraordinary to support your child in the crafts and activities they want to explore and contribute to how the world works. If you liked this post, let me know in the comment below or share this post with everyone. Thank you for stopping by today. Spread the Love34 34Shares

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Halloween Costumes for The Whole Family

Jordan N. — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:50:22 +0000

Spread the Love3 3SharesAre you getting ready for the coming Halloween? Do you and the whole family dress up with Halloween costumes? Are the kids’ excitement building up in anticipation of trick or treating this year? If you’re still looking for a last-minute buying guide for Halloween festivities, I’ve rounded up some spooky, fun, or both costume categories. There’s plenty to choose from in this unique Halloween outfit guide for mom, dad, brother, sister, and even the baby! My family had been enjoying our Halloween Costumes Tradition. We pick a theme and prepare our costumes for a quick photo shoot; good thing my husband has a photography hobby. When Halloween comes around, we put on our costumes and go around the neighborhood trick or treating. We started this family tradition when I was pregnant with our son. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Family Halloween Costumes you can check out this year! For Mom and Dad: Star Wars Fan Dad It is suited for any dad who loves being the Villain during Halloween. CHECK HERE Last Jedi: Rey Costume for Mom This costume is a full-on outfit and accessories for Mom to enjoy and have fun while trick or treating with the kids. CHECK HERE Pirate Costume for Dad Dad can play the pirate for the night and makes sure the treasure is guarded. CHECK HERE Western Costumes for Mom Mom has to purchase a western hat to complete the get-up and put on some heels! CHECK HERE For Brother and Sister: Red Ninja Costume Big brother can become the great Red Ninja of all time! Have him pick his Ninja sword, and his outfit will be Ninja ready. CHECK HERE Witch Costume Big sister can be the meanest witch in town as she circles the Halloween night in the neighborhood. CHECK HERE Related Posts: Halloween Family Ideas For Fun At Home Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year PJ Mask CATBOY The little boy can be chasing Romeo away with his superpower. CHECK HERE PJ Mask Owlette She and Catboy will defeat the night ninjas and Luna Girl together. They’ll be a super team! CHECK HERE Teen Zombie Your teen will be ready to have some fun with the family or attend a friends’ party with this scary outfit. It will be another spooky night to remember! CHECK HERE Miss Reaper for your Teen Your teenage girl can spook out some of her friends and schoolmates with this scary set. CHECK HERE For the Baby: Baby Dear Costume This costume ranges from infant to 18 months. Your adorable baby will look cute in this outfit on their First Halloween. CHECK HERE Baby Lamb for Baby Your darling baby girl will look adorable in this soft, cuddly baby lamb outfit. Take some Halloween pictures to remember. CHECK HERE Disney Baby Snow White When your baby is too young to go around trick or treating, you can still have them dress up for the Halloween family pictures. CHECK HERE A Peacock for a Baby What a cute outfit for your infant. Soft and warm enough to keep them from a cold Halloween Night Stroll. CHECK HERE Before purchasing any clothing items, please check the materials if your kids have allergies to fabrics and accessories. In addition, some things in the costumes may pose a choking hazard, so checking before putting them on is good. Finally, please be cautious when placing your infant in a costume. RELATED POST: Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Your family can enjoy the Halloween Festivities with these costumes! Make it a family tradition to take a yearly family photo with Halloween costumes on! You can coordinate to do a themed Halloween outfit or be any random costumes that make each of you happy. What else is there not to love about dressing up for fun and strolling down the neighborhood with your Halloween bags full of treats! If you love to make your costumes for this year, you can check out these DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids. You can also visit some amusement parks offering Halloween programs or family activities like the local zoo or children’s museum. Check out your community on what’s happening around town. So, what are you waiting for? Before the clock strikes midnight on All Hallow’s Eve, make sure everyone’s ready for some Halloween fun! Share this article with your families and friends! Also, pin for later. Thank you. Spread the Love3 3Shares

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Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year

Jordan N. — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 04:59:25 +0000

Spread the Love147 147SharesFall is that time of the year when everyone is getting cozy and laid back. Families and friends gather around the table or outside to create memories to last. So if you’re newlywed or had your first baby this year – are you open to start your fall family traditions? Family traditions are passed down to many generations, and creating one of your own for your new family is special to do. Whether you’re a young family or have teenage children, family traditions create family connections that go beyond years to come. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Here are 18 Fall Family Traditions to Start This Year Fall Family Pictures Coordinating colors, scouting for a fall outdoor backdrop, and getting everyone rounded up for smiles are great ways to spend a slow afternoon. Taking the whole family for a great picture taken during this fall season is one memory to last you can always look at down the line. Grab some props if you’re all for the all-out photoshoot, or be there with your warm sweaters and strappy boots with your gorgeous smiles. Here are some cute fall outfits for your little ones. Pumpkin Patch Nothing like visiting a pumpkin patch with the kids during this crisp air season can perk up your spirit. Get into the corn maze and make it a race – the first ones to come out. Then, walking down the pumpkin patch with a camera in tow as you capture your kids’ delight. How about those pumpkin-flavored drinks to enjoy with your spouse while watching the kids play around the hay. Don’t forget the famous hayride and cherish the downtime from the kids’ energy. Buy some pumpkins you can all carve at home—easy stencils for pumpkin carving. Exchange Thanksgiving Homemade Fall Gifts What better way to express your gratitude to each other is to create unique Homemade Gifts to give to your extended family and close friends. These gifts can range from fall-themed candles, fall wreaths, unique home-cooked fall recipes, or even photo collections of the families and friends throughout the year. Bake a Pie (Apple or Pumpkin) Never forget the PIES! Oh, delicious pie recipes to your heart’s content are all on the internet for grabs and try with the whole family. Pick a theme: Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie. Then, save these recipes and store them in your favorite recipe boxes. Check out these fall-themed pies from Homemade Apple Pie With Eikorn Crust by Farmhouse on Boone, Mini Pumpkin Pies by Preppy Kitchen, Vegan Apple Pie by Ela Vegan. Fall Donation Drive Giving your gently worn or most loved things from the house to donate. Pick a charity or shelter to drop them off. You and your kids can also donate your time to help the organization with whatever fall festivities they have planned for this year. Extending a helping hand can also show your kids that helping others is the right thing to do. Family Camping as part of your Fall Traditions Ever tried building a tent and setting camp during fall? Well, this year may be a great one for you. Outdoor activities like fall camping can help you get out of the same routine centered around the house. When packing your bags, tent, and sleeping bags: be sure to grab your insect repellant, matches, S’mores kit, and all essentials you’ll need for a great family camping trip! Fall Hiking This activity may go hand in hand with camping; however, you can do this separately with the family. Search your local state park or even national park near your area and inquire about their open hours. Some parks may be free for entering, or there may be a small fee involved. Plan it out. Hiking and going outdoors for the whole family are other great fall traditions to start. Teenagers may enjoy this fall activity to reconnect with you. Take this unique opportunity to forge a closer relationship with your kids. Host a Halloween Party No fall traditions without having or hosting a family Halloween party, right? Time to bust out those scary costumes or comical gear up. Pick your theme if you plan to take pictures. It’s great to have coordinated Halloween outfits for you and your kids. Be creative as well; you can create your homemade costumes to show off. With the party comes Halloween-themed games. Check out these Halloween games you can play with the whole family and friends. Of course, there’s no party without Festive Fall appetizers by number-2 Pencil or Halloween food ideas by The Dating Divas. FAMILY POST: Halloween Costumes for the Whole Family Trick or treating with Kids This fall tradition never goes away – ANY KID would want to participate in the neighborhood’s trick or treating activity. While you’re in your Halloween costumes, grab your goody bags and go door to door around the neighborhood. Last year, our family didn’t participate in trick or treating because of Covid-19 restrictions. So instead, we did a Halloween Scavenger Hunt (pdf download) in our backyard. Fall Picnic For an easy, laid-back fall activity – grab your picnic basket and blanket, then visit your favorite park. Prepare some simple snacks (sandwiches or fresh fruits) for the entire family and bring unexpected fall-themed drinks to enjoy. Let the kids run around and cozy up with your spouse while watching them. Capture these rare moments with your kids. FAMILY POST: How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy Explore a New City with Beautiful Fall Views Your country may restrict travel to where you are right now; you can travel anywhere by plane, car, or however, you intend to travel in the US. Planning this memorable fall trip needs plenty of time and coordinating itineraries. Involve your kids in the planning and packing for this trip. You can even plan this trip out way earlier in the spring or summer that way – it’s something for the whole family to look forward to in the fall. Check out these places to see fall foliage for your family to visit this fall. Shop at a Farmer’s Market Where are my farmer’s market shoppers at? Yes! Grab your crossbody bag, get the whole family ready in minutes and visit your local farmer’s market shops. Prepare to purchase pumpkins, apples, and fall vegetables. In addition, some markets will include fall-themed decors, accessories, and even sweets. Let this activity be a yearly tradition for the family. Get your needed ingredients for those fall pies you are planning to make with your kids. Fall Movie Weekend Pick spooky, family-friendly Halloween movies for you to enjoy the whole weekend. It can be a routine family activity every weekend for the entire fall season. Pick a movie per night and grab those cozy, fuzzy blankets. Don’t forget to prepare some delicious movie treats and drinks for the family to enjoy. Decorate the house with Fall Outside Elements If you like to decorate the house on October 1 for fall, this tradition is a must. The challenge is to use outside elements like fall leaves, pinecones, and twigs to decorate some parts of your house. Ask your kids to pitch in by helping you gather the exterior materials. It’ll be fun for them, and you’ll be surprised what they’ve gotten outside to bring in. Grab some dried pampas outside, large wheat, or even hay bale. Don’t forget fresh Mums that can add splashes of colors to any corner in your home. Read your Thank You Jar Notes Have you ever heard of Thank You Jar? Some families will create a Thank You Jar every Thanksgiving Day. These thank you notes are written by everyone in the family for a whole year. So you can drop in a quick note anytime you want to thank somebody in the family. At the Thanksgiving Dinner, you will open the Thank You Jar, and each one can read a note from it. A big thanks for a whole year of love, blessings, and friendships. Create Fall Arts and Crafts Here are another fun-filled family fall traditions you can start with the little ones. Grab some paint, watercolor, sketchpad, paint canvas, and other art materials for these activities. Ask your kids to create art that reminds them of your family or a simple portrait of everyone (their version). You can also try out this unique Halloween candle-making kit with your kids or create DIY turkey crafts for everyone. After all, have been crafted, display them in your living room or the server area in your dining room. Make a Thanksgiving Wreath This fall tradition may be done once (artificial) or every year (fresh) with the whole family. You can choose a theme of fall wreaths to make this year. Examples are below – check them out. Modern Fall Wreath by The Festive Mommy 20 Simple Fall Wreaths by Frugal Family Times You can place the wreath in your dining area or the front door, or anywhere you think the wreath can delight anyone looking at it. Send a Family Thank Your Card Either homemade or ready-made cards; it’s a great way to start giving out these thank you cards each year. You can give them to a fire station, police station, library, hospital, or notable organizations that made a difference in your family or others. A simple note of gratitude will brighten up anyone’s day and make for a great remembrance of extending kindness outside the home. Are you going to start your very own family fall traditions? Let this year be a new season in your family life to start a new family tradition. Pick one or more to try, and who knows; you will love them and continue to do them for every fall season that comes. Please share in the comment if your family has a particular annual fall tradition you observed. Happy Fall, y’all! Spread the Love147 147Shares

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Helping a Sibling of a NICU Baby Adjust

Jordan N. — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 04:53:03 +0000

Spread the Love48 48SharesParents walk into a new world when a baby is in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Having other children at home and another at the NICU can turn your lives upside down, and it certainly makes you wish to be split in two. As a NICU mama myself, I’m sharing some ideas to encourage you in helping your child adjust to having a baby sibling in the NICU. It may not be precisely the same circumstance as to what you’re going through. Although it may look similar, you’ve got a baby in the NICU and their siblings at home with you. During our NICU time, I’ve felt broken and lost – for thinking how I will do all these. Yet, I knew my son at home needed me more than ever, and my NICU baby daughter also needed me. You can navigate this difficult situation with all the possible solutions in your mind. However, be prepared that this may bring on emotions that you’ve never thought you’d uncover within you. You’ll be thrust into a world of uncertainty and void of predictability. At first, you may think, this isn’t happening to you, your family, and especially your newborn. So that, you’ve been careful, and you’ve attended every pregnancy visit without fail. Yet, it still happened. Your baby came early. You may feel angry for how this turned out to be. I hear you, and I feel for you. Suppose you feel like screaming and asking why – do it. Let it out and weep. If only you could give something else rather than be in this situation. Any mama would do anything. Sadness may sweep over you as you soak in the experience of being a NICU parent. Then realization follows that this is what it is – the journey you didn’t intend to be in. But the experience your children will know and remember for the rest of their lives – can be attributed to how well they were able to adjust during these difficult times with your help. Helping with your children’s adjustment with a baby sibling in the NICU. You start to plan how you divide your hours and days between the NICU and home—listing down what you need as you go back and forth in caring for your children. One thing first is for you to acknowledge your feelings towards the NICU life you’re in now, so you’ll be able to support your children at home during these times. Be honest with your emotions. Talk it out with your spouse, someone close to you, or even a healthcare professional. Those mixed feelings I was mentioning earlier need to be talked about and heard. Once you begin that, you can move forward into focusing your effort on helping your children transition as they care and bond for their NICU baby sibling. Look into how your children at home are talking about the baby sibling in the NICU. Are they curious, fearful, or distant – this will help guide you to be there for them as they take on their new role as older siblings. They may be puzzled as to the reasons the new baby isn’t coming home yet. There are countless corners of the NICU life you are going through as a parent right now, and it’s hard. So seeking those strategies to help you navigate NICU life as a parent is crucial for you. One of those ways is to support your other children in adjusting to this new routine, a massive change as part of their lives. It’s all new to them as much as to you. So let this NICU journey of your family be a chance to find meaning and establish a stronger connection between your children. RELATED POST: Tips for a Struggling NICU Mom: Surviving the NICU Life Tips on how to support a Sibling of a NICU baby 1. Acknowledge your children’s feelings Listen to their questions intently and ask what they want to know about their NICU baby. Also, responding to their questions in a way they can easily understand will be easier to do when you’re open and honest to them. Siblings of a NICU baby may feel worried, jealous, lonely, guilt, and other emotions you may not recognize. But, of course, it’s natural for them to miss you too. There will be questions from them that you can’t give wrong or correct answers to, especially if they’re asking when the baby is coming home. Please take a deep breath when you feel like drowning from it. Do what you feel is right for you to tell your children. NICU life is full of uncertain and unexpected turns. It’s living from a terrifying edge of a cliff – in a constant stressful atmosphere. Accepting your children’s take on this experience and their worries and fears. Help them through the process by letting them know you are there for them. Whenever they have the same questions, answer them patiently. But, of course, it’s also okay to say you don’t know anything. 2. Create Art for the NICU baby One thing that your children can do is to make something to show their love for their NICU baby sibling. They can draw or paint something for the baby. For example, they can decorate a name tag for the NICU isolette. You can encourage them to do what they want to create. They can also write letters to their NICU baby siblings – to write about themselves as brothers or sisters. They can include news about their school in their letter or what they’ve been up to at home. 3. Read books about NICU or being a Big Brother/Sister. As you go through these new experiences, let your children read anything about NICU and their new baby sibling. Plenty of books explain the situation, including artful images, to understand what’s going on. You can purchase some sibling books for them to read and explore. First, let them tell you the story of the book they’re reading. Then, ask them questions about their thoughts on the book. Doing this will help them explore their feelings towards this new chapter in their lives. 4. Alone time with your child No matter how it is right now, your children will crave more attention. Give them undivided time. Spend one on one time with your children and enjoy each other’s company either at home or out. Show them that your love hasn’t changed at all. Set aside special time/hours of the day to be with them. Go somewhere that’s fun, like your children’s favorite place or spot. You can also honor their preference to be alone, especially the older children (teens and older). Although they may process this time unusually, your support is crucial to them. Don’t rush any of your children to express what they want to say or do. Being present at each moment will give them more assurance and love while understanding the home life situation. It will be helpful if you also keep their home routine as unchanged as possible. To take on that requires tremendous support from your spouse or trusted someone. For example, you may read them a bedtime story before they sleep or have a quick lunch at school together. 5. Visit together as a family in the NICU. Preparing your children to visit the NICU for the first time can be overwhelming for both of you. Let them know what they’re going to see once you’re inside the NICU. Take a picture of the NICU baby beforehand and show it to your children days ahead before visiting. This gesture will prepare your children to visualize what their baby sibling will look like in the incubator. It’s okay if your children are fearful and don’t want to visit yet. Take their cues when they are ready. They may start to ask more questions about the baby or wanting to see more NICU pictures. Let them guide you; you’ll know when they’re ready. Visiting together can help your children cope with seeing their baby sibling in the NICU. In addition, it facilitates and promotes bonding. 6. Explain the NICU gadgets to their understanding Once in the NICU, they’ll have more questions about what’s happening. Let them know that those wires, alarms, tubes, and medications are there to help their siblings grow, heal, and feel better. My son was curious when he saw his baby sister for the first time. He thought that she was too tiny – which she was, as a 28 weeker preemie. Eventually, as he kept visiting her, he saw how she grew inside the isolette. He also was fascinated by how she responded to his gentle touch. He kept telling her that he loved her very much and couldn’t wait to take her home. As a parent, seeing that made my heart burst with joy and full of love. There’s no definite explanation for what you’re feeling. It’s all mixed up in there – inside your heart. RELATED POST: NICU Baby is Ready for Discharge 7. Encourage them to read/sing to their NICU sibling. Babies can already hear the voices coming from outside the womb. They become familiar with these voices in the family. Sibling bonds can naturally begin when you let them unfold. If they want, let them read their favorite book to their NICU sibling. Or sing to the baby with their favorite song. The baby can hear these sounds, which are already familiar to them, and will help them calm down. Your child can feel closer to the baby when they can share what they wish to do. For example, as they express how much they love their new baby sibling. 8. Pray together This one is big for our family. Prayer to us is talking to God and telling Him how we feel and our fears. For me, it was difficult to see what was ahead, what His plans were. But, what I learned by praying is to surrender everything and trust that His will be done. Let your children pray when they want to. A moment of silence in a busy NICU to spend time in prayer with your children. Or a quick visit to your church to light a candle of healing for their sibling. It may be hard for you as well to lean on your faith at this time. There may be instances that you also aren’t able to pray. However, experiencing this challenging journey can put a gap that presents questions on the purpose of everything. When your child asks to pray, hold hands and let them say the prayer. You’ll find that their innermost desires are simple yet powerful. It opens up a different connection that’s deeper than what you have imagined. 9. Let them help do NICU care for the baby sibling. The NICU allows time for parents or families to perform simple tasks for the NICU baby. With careful guidance, you can also let your children tend to their NICU siblings. These can be as simple as taking the temperature in the armpit or changing the diaper. Your children can participate in any NICU care that is simple for them to perform and easy for you or the NICU nurse to guide them. Celebrate together with every milestone. For example, how many ounces of weight was gained or the NG tube (feeding tube) had been discontinued. 10. Take a picture of the NICU baby and them. Pictures are encouraged to have for the children to remember. But, again, check with the NICU policy on this. It shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’re only including your NICU baby and your family. It was allowed for us in the past few years; there may be a strict policy of visitations now that Covid-19 is still ongoing. So it’s good to check with your specific hospital facility. We were able to take pictures with my preemie daughter and my son when...

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