Kids Archives - The Motherly Heap https://themotherlyheap.com/tag/kids/ On Motherhood and Extras Mon, 23 Jan 2023 18:53:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/themotherlyheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cropped-TMH-Logo.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Kids Archives - The Motherly Heap https://themotherlyheap.com/tag/kids/ 32 32 190800540 Halloween Family Ideas For Fun At Home https://themotherlyheap.com/halloween-family-ideas/ https://themotherlyheap.com/halloween-family-ideas/#respond Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:07:46 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=8304 Spooky 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! 

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/halloween-family-ideas/feed/ 0 8304 December Family Bucket List https://themotherlyheap.com/december-family-bucket-list/ https://themotherlyheap.com/december-family-bucket-list/#comments Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:44:12 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=7449 Week 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 – Including...

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/december-family-bucket-list/feed/ 2 7449 Holiday Gift Guide for Learning Toys https://themotherlyheap.com/gift-guide-for-learning-toys/ https://themotherlyheap.com/gift-guide-for-learning-toys/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2021 18:28:10 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=7417 Parents 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.

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/gift-guide-for-learning-toys/feed/ 2 7417 Cultivating Your Child’s Interests https://themotherlyheap.com/cultivating-your-childs-interests/ https://themotherlyheap.com/cultivating-your-childs-interests/#respond Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:14:29 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=7299 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. 

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/cultivating-your-childs-interests/feed/ 0 7299 Helping a Sibling of a NICU Baby Adjust https://themotherlyheap.com/helping-a-sibling-of-a-nicu-baby-adjust/ https://themotherlyheap.com/helping-a-sibling-of-a-nicu-baby-adjust/#respond Mon, 04 Oct 2021 04:53:03 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=6835 Parents 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 he visited...

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/helping-a-sibling-of-a-nicu-baby-adjust/feed/ 0 6835 NICU Baby is Ready for Discharge https://themotherlyheap.com/nicu-baby-is-ready-for-discharge/ https://themotherlyheap.com/nicu-baby-is-ready-for-discharge/#respond Mon, 20 Sep 2021 04:07:06 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=6623 Is your NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) baby ready for discharge? Babies born too early (before 37 weeks) weighing 5 lbs or less are considered premature. Parents celebrate when it’s time to bring a NICU baby home. So what does it take to get ready for discharge with your NICU baby? What developmental milestones do your premature baby need to meet before leaving the hospital? When my premature daughter was admitted to the NICU, I received a checklist of conditions to meet before bringing her home. I want to share some of the discharge standards we’ve encountered and what you can expect in preparation to go home with your premature baby.  That was almost six years ago when we took our 28-weeker preemie daughter home from the NICU. A joyous occasion for our family and also laced with concerns regarding taking her home. Today, she’s a five-year-old kindergartener with the same feistiness when she was born. Before this significant milestone happens, there’s plenty to check off from the NICU Discharge list.  NICU parents take the lead in getting everything ready for the baby to go home. Thus, seeking education when it comes to caring for their newborn, adjusting from NICU to home life, and keeping a home that’s safe for a premature baby to transition. From feeding, monitoring essential body functions, and passing screening tests, these are the primary basis for your NICU baby’s discharge. What are the discharge criteria for a NICU baby? NICU babies are discharged when these criteria have been met. Parents can be confident that their baby is monitored during this time closely to determine physiological maturity. The healthcare providers will be by your side as your baby undergoes these tests and explain what will happen. It’s important to understand that every baby is not the same with their development, recovery, and even healing from illness. The healthcare team may set the date your baby is for discharge depending on how they adjust to the test, and corresponding results give the best indication that your baby is ready to come home. NICU baby is gaining steady weight with the nutrition the baby is receiving If your premature baby is feeding on their own with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding expressed milk/fortified breast milk/premature formula If your premature baby is gaining weight NICU baby can regulate their temperature in an open crib When your baby is moved to an open crib, their temperature can drop and fluctuate. One criterion for discharge is when your baby can continue to adjust their body temperature without the help of an isolette (incubator).  Stable breathing and heart rate of your NICU baby Premature babies can have heart issues such as PDA (patent ductus arteriosus), an opening in their heart structures, and low blood pressure (hypotension).  Their breathing may not stabilize; these premature babies may experience what they call the apnea of prematurity (when babies stop breathing). There are other two breathing problems that premature babies may experience: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) the lung structures of a premature baby are damaged, destroying the lung tissues inside the air sacs and Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) a baby’s lungs aren’t producing enough lung surfactant (the substance that keeps the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Other discharge criteria for a NICU baby ready to go home include: Able to pass the car seat test The NICU staff are testing your baby’s heart and lungs’ stability at this time. When premature babies aren’t tolerating the car seat challenge for 90-120 minutes, it will be repeated to reassess readiness. Able to pass a hearing test This hearing test is usually done the day or a day before the discharge date. Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity performed by a pediatric ophthalmologist Your baby will be followed up closely for a year or more after discharge. What are classes or education do NICU parents need to attend before bringing a NICU baby home? It’s great to know how to care for your NICU baby at home. However, it can be intimidating to new parents when their newborns can have health issues added to being a newborn. This time, the purpose of parental education is to ensure the safety and proper care of the premature newborn and the adjustment of parents to the needs of their baby at home. Infant CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Ask your NICU nurse about the schedule and requirements to attend an Infant CPR class. Make sure you and your spouse attend the CPR class intended to educate parents on CPR steps in case of an emergency at home. Safe sleep Your neonatal doctor will recommend a safe sleep method and discuss SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Be certain to clarify any unclear information you received. It’s best to keep babies around your bedroom in their safe bassinet or attached bed at night.  Know the precautions for preventing sleep accidents or injury.  Make sure everyone is aware of what not to place in your baby’s crib or sleeping space. Proper feeding Suppose you decide to continue breastfeeding your NICU baby. In that case, there may be a need to fortify some of the feedings along with your breastmilk to help the NICU baby gain more weight. It’s important to discuss this with the neonatologist. Familiarize yourself with slow-paced feeding when introducing bottles to your NICU baby. The nurse can guide you through bottle-feeding your NICU baby with the slow-paced feeding technique. The nurse can also stay by your side while you bottle-feed your premature baby and check if everything is good.  Car seat fitting and use Premature babies gain weight progressively. However, some infant car seats have weight limitations, and your baby may be weighing less than the required weight.  Make sure you purchase the appropriate intended car seat according to your premature baby’s weight when the time comes. The NICU nurse will do a car seat test (tolerance test) in days before discharge. This test will also be the perfect time to ask for other precautions to safely strapping your premature baby in the car seat. Signs and Symptoms to watch out at home The nurse will also go over all the signs and symptoms your premature baby may experience at home and what to watch out for. Don’t hesitate to ask a question from the NICU doctor (neonatologist) about your baby’s health conditions. Oxygen use: Premature babies may require supplemental oxygen when they are discharged from the NICU.  Your assigned nurse will instruct you on how to manage oxygen use with your baby at home.  List down the precautions and what not to do when oxygen is used around the home. List down the settings, prepare the oxygen accessories and tank. You may also ask for a direct number to order the next oxygen tank to replenish your supply. Again, the social worker will let you know about resources on this, or they may have set it up for you already. Preparing to take your NICU baby home can bring up anxieties and worries typical of your experience.  You may be doubting yourself if you’ll be able to care for your premature baby. Unfortunately, it’s common for parents to feel this way. Seek additional support when you think everything becomes overwhelming. The parental classes/ programs are set to help NICU parents prepare for an easy discharge and transition from NICU life.  This post may contain some affiliate links. When you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. RELATED POST: Tips for a Struggling NICU Mom: Surviving the NICU Life What can you do to prepare and get ready for discharge with your NICU baby? 1. Prepare the home for your premature baby – safe environment/ purchase the essentials. You may want to change the air filters on all vents in the house. Procure a room HEPA air portable A humidifier  A white sound machine Getting a bassinet or safe sleeping space for your baby Make sure no smoking around the baby and in the home (shower if you do before getting close to the baby) Purchase a first-aid baby kit for your premature infant, apnea monitor/oxygen monitor (if baby uses oxygen), and thermometer. Newborn Clothing and accessories Baby Caddy for Essentials or Baby Roller Organizer. With this in mind, I couldn’t get everything ready beforehand as I did with my son’s full-term birth. I could only shop for a few outfits and a homecoming outfit closer to the discharge date for my daughter. We used the items listed above to make our home as ready as possible for the baby. You may be wondering why the white sound machine. You already know there are plenty of beeps and alarms buzzing 24 hours a day in the NICU. My daughter has been used to these hospital sounds. So, I made sure that what she hears besides our voices is a soothing sound that can calm her. 2. Confirm you have a proper car seat fit for your baby – current safety standards. Make sure you purchase the appropriate car seat for your premature infant. In addition, you may need to buy a travel system that goes with the car seat for ease of baby transport in and out of the home and clinic visits. Always double-check the car seat expiration date. The car seat must be a rear-facing one and has no extra things around it. 3. Arranging a leave from work to support the critical transition of your baby at home If you happen to work outside the home, you may request several days off or officially apply for an FMLA (Family Medical Leave of Act) extension to care for your newborn. Back when I was still working as a nurse, and I got approved for extended leave to bond with my premature daughter for an additional one month at home. That was very much needed and helpful as our family transitioned with her being home with us. Contact your human resource department and your boss on what you can avail yourself of at this time of transition.  This arrangement will also depend on the type of work you have, so check with upper management what benefits you can avail. 4. Setting up follow-up appointments for your NICU baby with their doctors and therapists. Planning your routine includes appointments with your baby’s pediatrician to check for growth, development, and overall health. Your premature baby may be at risk for any developmental delays. Your baby may also see therapists the same as when they were still in the NICU. The home routine will include visits to these early intervention sessions. 5. Prepare your other children for the homecoming of their premature sibling(s). Your other children will have a big transition once the baby is home. Let them know that they can bond with the baby, and they also need to be gentle around the baby. Talk openly and let them understand why they need reminders about washing hands regularly and keeping hands away from the baby’s face and hands (baby puts hands in their mouth all the time). It’s helpful to answer your children’s questions about the birth/NICU time of the baby and have age-appropriate answers. Not knowing all the answers are okay. Then, you and your children can look them up and learn together. There’s also a program in NICU about sibling’s experiences; check with your nurse. This resource prepares your children to visit the NICU. However, they can also talk about strategies in helping your children with their questions when their premature sibling is coming home.  Have them make something special to welcome their baby sibling. Also, let them participate in the preparation, like putting the baby things in order in the bedroom/baby room.  Read books about Premature Baby and Siblings: Our New Baby is in the NICU by Lindsey Lucky or Waiting for A Baby: A Sibling Visits the NICU by Jennifer Bracci RELATED POST: Helping a...

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/nicu-baby-is-ready-for-discharge/feed/ 0 6623 How to Start a Family Game Night Tradition that Everyone can Enjoy https://themotherlyheap.com/start-family-game-night/ https://themotherlyheap.com/start-family-game-night/#comments Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:18:17 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=6565 A fun-filled game night is one way to foster family connections and start building traditions. Kids and parents enjoy each other’s company in the comfort of your home. Who doesn’t want a night packed with fun, surprises, great food, and prizes?  Family time is an essential aspect of keeping the family bond strong. It helps the kids feel that they belong and that they are loved.  Focusing on making time for the whole family creates a sense of security for kids and will also help parents stay connected with kids on a different level. If you or your kids have a slight disconnect or strife, the family game night can help you reconnect and mend those cracks. It can also set the mood for the whole week ahead. For kids, it improves mental and emotional development. Lessons your kids can learn while participating in a family game night includes: Team work Problem Solving Communication Integrity Flexibility Confidence Follow Directions and Rules Social Skills This night of game activities will be personal device-free, family-focused, and entertaining. You can start a family game night tradition when kids are still young and continue to do so even in the teenage years and beyond.  Our family game night falls every Friday. It’s the day we all look forward to after a long week of school and work. So when I hear the “let’s do this again,” I know for sure that it’s a jackpot of a fun night!  There’s plenty of ideas for your family to enjoy and bond together – game night takes the top place for most families! 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. How to organize a game night with the family 1. Select the best day and time for everyone.  Everyone takes part in the family game night. So it’s best to check and ask when each member of the family is available. Be sure that you can commit to these activities as consistently as possible. You can set this game night weekly, every first and 3rd Friday of the month, or add to any special events (birthdays/holidays). You know which schedule works best for everyone, so start with that. 2. Choose 2-3 games to play.  Getting every member to pick a game in which everyone can play. If the whole family agrees to play a specific game or add it to the list of games for the next round, that’s great!  Not all the time; everyone can decide which game to play, so make sure everyone has a say on what to include in family game night. It will be helpful when there are already lists of games to be played each time (listed below). Then, all you’ve got to do is vote- the majority wins. 3. Create a family game night prize basket.  Another way to spark up the spirit of game night is to have a basket full of prizes and goodies for everyone. Having fun while competing in a friendly manner will boost confidence for everyone.  There will be prizes as well for participating in the games. Everyone gets something out from the game night basket! Young kids tend to get excited when prizes are handed around. You can include toys, books, and other coveted items based on your family members’ interests. 4. Start a game night feasts for the family.  As the name implies, prepare some great food for the big family game night. Have kids choose the menu and let them help prepare the food for the family night festivities.  5. Let children lead the activities.  You may want to take the reins when planning game nights for the family; however, it’s great when the kids can have a turn of planning everything down to the last activity of the night.  Then, have them plan and let them surprise you. What’s not to love about this, you’ll get to sit and relax.  RECOMMENDED READ: 12 Fun Ways to Celebrate Dad 6. Setting game rules.  For young members of the family, it can become a bit complicated. So make space to readjust some game rules when planning which games to play for the night.  Also, if kids are all in the school-age range, game rules can be strict. 7. Be spontaneous or plan ahead.  Planning builds up anticipation for the game night that your family has chosen. It’s a way to look forward to each week.  Here’s the thing, you can also make a surprise quick game night any time of the week as well.  The kids won’t expect it, and it’ll boost their spirit, especially if it’s been a tough week in school. But, of course, you’ve got to be flexible to squeeze in spontaneous game nights once in a while.  8. Model good sportsmanship.  Win or loss, everyone gets to have fun, right? This activity can also be a teaching moment for the youngest members of the family. You can give some gentle reminders, especially for kids who don’t understand the concept of winning and losing, to others. Don’t forget to praise each other for playing a good and honest game. Thank each other for a great family game night! 9. Make it a family tradition.  It becomes part of your family calendar. Reconnecting with your kids is a great way to treasure togetherness. It helps boost family strength and promotes deep connections through fun-filled activities.  Traditions can be passed down to the future generations and something to look back to when kids are grown and have families of their own and game night traditions. 10. Enjoy the conversations and, yes, laughs. As you enjoy these family activities, you also get to learn from each other. How you interact with one another also lessens stress from overwhelmed parents and school-tired kids.  Your teenager may also open up and share something you didn’t expect to hear.  It can be a chance to reconnect with your spouse while watching the kids play with each other in one of the games. You both can look back on these moments when time moves quickly, and the kids leave the nest. 11. Extras and more fun.  Do you want to invite cousins and other close friends to one of your family game nights? The more, the merrier for these nighttime fun-filled activities.  Make it a family team versus a family team or kids versus parents – it’ll be an excellent way to reconnect with everyone. RECOMMENDED READ: 32 Exciting Ways to Celebrate Mom at Home The Best Games for a family game night.  You can add board games, card games, PlayStation games, Wii games, or other creative games your family enjoys. The objective is to have a line-up of fun activities to play on a particular weeknight/weekend night.  Games aren’t made equal; there are more challenging games out there. So work together to achieve a goal when it’s a coop game.  Here are some family game favorites you can try! Monopoly Battleship Simon Game Buildzi by Tenzi Jenga Dominos Uno Connect Four Scrabble Pictionary Operation Twister Watch Ya’ Mouth Checkers Snakes and Ladder Pie Face Game 5 Second Rule Clue Game Sequence Hedbanz Chess Yahtzee Boggle Any games on PlayStation (cooperative or competitive): Sackboy: A Big Adventure Sonic All-Star Racing Lego Marvel Super Heroes Minecraft PS3 Sports Champions Just Dance Some more Games for Families with Younger Kids: Don’t Spill the Beans Memory Card Games Pictures Charades Don’t Make Me Laugh You can also take these game nights outside the backyard or patio. It doesn’t have to be just played indoors.  You can consider the season at the moment, with crisp fall air or just as the sun sets during summer. Or on a spring or winter night to appreciate. It can be an excellent ambiance to enjoy while playing these games with the family.  What do you think of the idea of starting a family game night?  Grab this chance to build a stronger relationship with your kids and for your kids to feel connected with you. Choose the best games that everyone can participate in and have fun with. When you start a family game night not only lets you restore connections, but it’s also a great way to continue that bonding experience as everyone enjoys the whole family activity. Do you have a game night tradition? How do you set it up for your family?

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/start-family-game-night/feed/ 4 6565 Chore List for Kids by Age and Getting Kids on Board https://themotherlyheap.com/chore-list-for-kids/ https://themotherlyheap.com/chore-list-for-kids/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2021 00:20:25 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=6498 Have you implemented a chore list for kids in your home? Do you know that at any age from 2 and above, kids can help with chores around the house? Find out how your kids can benefit from doing chores and help them feel great about it. Chores are routine tasks in the house to be completed. Chores can be an annoyance to kids but are necessary. Parents do chores every single day, and that’s a given to keep the household running, and kids can help too. Having a chore list will guide your kids to follow based on their age range.  A chore chart for kids that post all the tasks needed to be completed can be written, typed, or printed to keep a visual reminder. Reading in younger kids might not have been mastered; it will be enough to use images of their assigned tasks. How Do Kids Benefit from Doing Chores at Home? Doing chores teaches kids the meaning of responsibility. It also teaches them to build self-reliance. It can boost their self-esteem and self-confidence. Chores reinforce the value of teamwork and being dependable. It teaches them essential life skills. Chores promote respect among the household members by witnessing how they can contribute to cleanliness or add to the home’s mess.  It develops a sense of belongingness and plays a big part in caring for the family. It shows them the value of time management and setting priorities. How to Persuade your Kids to Participate in Housework Set Your Expectations as Realistic They Can Be Parents will have to consider the age of their kids when assigning chores. Don’t assign duties that aren’t up to their level and end up frustrating them and yourself. Also, it could be that you want things done a certain way; however, if you’re going to redo or re-adjust how your kids completed their chores – resist that urge. Perfect is not the end goal here; done is enough.  Be Patient, and lots of them. When your 3 years old decides to help you fold newly washed clothes, take the time to slow down. Show them how to fold a shirt; step-by-step instructions. At first, they won’t get it right away. But as you continue to do hands-on folding lessons with your kid, they’ll eventually have it down as they practice. Same thing with other chores that are new to younger kids, repetition is key in mastering their skills in a particular chore. Sometimes being quick and efficient gets thrown out the window when teaching your kids tasks around the home. So be ready to spend as much time as you can for kids to grasp the task assigned to them.  Show support and appreciation.  As your kids perform their tasks without prompting, tell them you witness it and thank them for showing initiative in completing the chore. Most significantly, your child will know that their work is appreciated when they hear you say it. They’ll also feel more capable and supported.  Make sure to ask them if there’s another need to show them how to do a newer chore again. Let your kids understand that you are there for them; you’re ready to guide them.  Doing the chore together can also help your kid get oriented with the task, and you both get to bond as well.  Photo Credit: pixelshot Make the chore fun to do If your kids love listening to upbeat music, blast off the speakers while doing chores. When it’s time to pick up the floor, and my kids aren’t in the mood to do it, I play the clean-up song and start picking up. Then they’ll follow my lead and even finish before I do.  We also do a short TV time when it’s folding “your clothes” time. Yard work on Saturday is one of our morning chores as a family. They get to run around while we gather items around the garden.  Sorting clothes by colors is a fun way for your kids to do laundry with you. They’ll be delighted to extend a helping hand when tasks are done happily and fun.  Be consistent Chores become part of their everyday routine. When kids know what’s expected of them, chores tend to get done without a fuss. For example, making their beds in the morning knows that this chore gets done first. Then other tasks follow.  Reminding your kids about their chores doesn’t need to be on repeat every single time. Nagging about chores makes them not want to do them in the first place. Why not introduce a chore chart. A chore list for kids can also be pinned on the refrigerator or calendar, or a simple chore chart printed out for them to see.  Starting Early On Introducing chores to your kids can begin when they’re interested in helping you with simple tasks such as picking up toys or books.  The complexity of the tasks will grow as your kids’ age. The key to getting them motivated is to show appreciation and rewards for positive behaviors. Photo Credit: Getty Images Signature Encourage Open Discussions When their chores are consistently left undone or incomplete, get into the habit of having a family meeting at the end of the week and review what happened.  Ask your kids for input or solutions in tackling the obstacles arising from not doing or completing their chores.   Provide positive feedback on completed chores to promote morale and cooperation.  Showing Them That You Complete Your Chores too What better way to model, especially to younger kids that mommy and daddy are doing their chores at home.  Your kids are constantly observing and watching your moves. They may even copy what you do, like wiping the table, or they might want to try washing the dishes too. As soon as they start asking you if they can help, YES – grab that opportunity as a learning moment.  Reward System I know this part is to each their own. Families decide what works best for their own tribe. It can be adjusted to your family’s specific needs; one system may work now that kids are younger and may need to be changed again as they get older.  If money incentives are given at the end of the week with completed chores, then make it known.  If chores are done because you are part of the family and allowances are given separately from completing chores, then have an open discussion. And if the reward system falls under-earning privileges after completing a week of chores, then make sure everyone is on the same page. Now let’s go over the list of age-appropriate chores for kids. Here is the Chore List for Kids By Age: 2-3 years old Kids Chores List The kids within this age range manifest an eagerness to help. So, take advantage of these early years of exploring and wanting to help out. And sure enough, they can be a great help. Their completed tasks may not be pristine at this time; however, the sense of accomplishment within them is a marvel and can be seen in their faces. Kids in this age range appreciate stickers, art items, and toys as rewards for helping out. Pick up books and toys around. Put clothes on hanging hooks.  Put dirty clothes in the laundry bin. Set the placemats on the dinner table. Help make the bed. Help wipe spills and messes. Start to sort socks/pile up books with guidance. 4-5 years old Chores for Kids Checklist These preschoolers are gaining confidence and want to show independence. Let them practice these traits through chores. In addition, they are eager to explore new things around their environment. As we know, they are a curious group and desire to understand how things work. So take this chance to show them how to clean an item properly or sort it by colors or shapes. Preschoolers appreciate the same rewards such as stickers, toys, or other specific items of interest when they complete their tasks. All previous chores listed Making their beds without guidance Putting away lunch box and school backacks in their proper place Setting and Clearing the table Light gardening: watering the plants, pulling out weeds  Sorting socks and pairing gloves Help folding clothes and putting them in the closet/drawers Carry light groceries and help arrange the pantry Wash plastic dishes and utensils with supervision Help unload the dishwasher Dust appliances and windows Feed pets 6-10 years old Kids Appropriate Chore List As your kids begin to take on more responsibility, their enthusiasm for doing chores may dwindle, or they may even rebel. Or it may be the opposite. So take a deep breath, Mama. This shift doesn’t mean it’s going to get worse; your patience and your kids’ attitude will need some flexibility this time around. You can encourage your primary schooler by providing extra incentives, pocket money, and even favorite outings/activities that they can look forward to. All previous chores listed. Clean their bedrooms/Make Beds. Pick up things from the floor. Do vacuum Sweep the floors Empty the dishwasher Empty the dryer (their clothes) Fold their clothes and put them away Empty their bedroom garbage into the big trash bag to take out. Keep their bathroom tidy Help prepare meals and clear the kitchen Help with garden/yard work Assist in giving pets bath Photo Credit: Gemütlichkeit 11-13 years old Kids Checklist of Chores The age range during these years may need balancing in handing out chores. Yes, your preteen can handle more complex tasks and responsibilities. Yet, taking the time to listen to them and come to an agreement on chores will take you far beyond the start of power struggles. The aura can become tense, and they may be resentment towards you. Be clear about your expectations and remind them that doing chores help the whole family and home management.  The same thing as above is to set up a reward system that motivates your kids to do their chores. For example, you can provide additional playtime on their favorite games, tokens for activities they like, or simply an allowance for them to spend on items they want. All previous chores listed. Clean their bathroom. Mop the floors They can do independent laundry with their clothes. Take out the trash for pick-up. Help unbuckle younger siblings in the car. Can watch younger siblings at home; parents are around the house. Heat food for themselves or cook a simple dish. Help with the grocery and prep ingredients. Help clean the car. Organize books and school supplies Help clear the garage. 14 years old and above Chore List Teenage years can become challenging with chores getting done on time. Their sleep habits can change, their moods are unpredictable, and their activities are increased. Time management and accountability are good traits to strengthen these years. Also, discipline and organizational skills are encouraged. Active listening and openly discussing chores with them go a long way.  Your Kids can do chores as quickly or as efficiently as an adult. However, taking on the complex tasks that are challenging to handle can give them a sense of accomplishment in the end.  Teenagers may respond to more rewards related to independence, more screen time, and having more time to be with friends. Allowances can also become part of the reward system; it will also serve as a lesson on managing money and being responsible.  Additionally, through chores, you can help your kids prepare themselves to be ready for the real world, to be self-sufficient and responsible. Mow the lawn Help clean the house (bathroom, kitchen, living room) Do laundry for their own or family’s clothes Update grocery lists and prepare/cook meals Clean Furniture/Appliances Wash windows and wipe doors Clear out the fridge and clean it Babysit younger siblings only for a short time without supervision Iron clothes as needed.  Grab mail from the mailbox and get packages at the front door. (16 and above) Independent pet care; including walks with pets...

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/chore-list-for-kids/feed/ 6 6498 The Doctor Visits Your Child Will Encounter Before Entering Kindergarten https://themotherlyheap.com/doctor-visits-for-your-child/ https://themotherlyheap.com/doctor-visits-for-your-child/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2021 17:19:36 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=5864 Children need a regular wellness check-up at least once a year. You can arrange all the doctor visits for your child ahead of time because the clinics’ schedules can quickly fill.   Also, parents can schedule appointments with other doctors that their child will need to see about their eyes, dental, or specific health issues. These check-ups are aimed to make sure your child’s growth, development, and health are evaluated.  When a child enters Kindergarten in the U.S., the school may also require documentation of a vision screening, dental visit, or hearing exam.  Kindergarten program requirements vary in every state. Therefore, verify with your child’s school or school district for more necessary required information. Parents can request a proper health assessment for their children before starting school and getting their children’s immunizations up-to-date. Why do your child need doctor visits? Having your child evaluated by the doctor can help pinpoint developmental delays, aid in getting early interventions for diagnosed health issues, and ascertain your child is healthy. It can also create a solid foundation of health baseline for your child’s wellness. Learning is contingent on your child’s vision, hearing, and oral health. Your child may need corrective eyeglasses to help to identify learning materials. Your child may need dental interventions for proper teeth development and structures. Teeth braces, retainers, and teeth filling. Adjusting to these health plans can affect them tremendously. Hearing is paramount to a child’s learning. Children learn through listening and hearing sounds. In addition, there’s an interlink between hearing and children’s speech development. Listening skills for children help them learn to write, read and even improve social skills. Who are the Healthcare Providers that Your Child Needs to See? Eye Doctor The eye doctor (optometrist) will examine your child’s eye health at this visit. Eye check-up schedules recommended by American Optometric Association start at six months of age to a year for eye health baseline assessment in low-risk young children. The second visit happens when your child turns three years old – 5 years old. Third eye doctor visit occurs at age six years old. Then yearly after that. If your child is categorized as High-Risk for Eye Health Issues, you are encouraged to follow the above schedule plus the recommendations of the eye doctors for close follow-ups. These eye health assessments are performed to ensure proper eye development is noted, vision problems are identified, early diagnosis of eye issues and treatment plans, and to ensure your child’s learning will be optimum. The eye doctor will dilate your child’s pupils using a medicated eye drop to see the overall eye health and structures.  Another eye doctor who checks eye health for high-risk young children is an ophthalmologist. These children are seen and monitored closely with frequent appointments in addition to the regular schedule. When children fall under the high-risk category, it means they have a significant risk for eye or vision issues. Such risk factors can include: Prematurity, Long-term supplemental oxygen use in the NICU Babies with Low Birth Weight Pregnancy complications of the mother  Moms who had difficult labor or assisted labor Familial history of eye disorders Any visual impairments Vision is only on one eye Previous eye surgery/injury And other eye health problems These children are given a more comprehensive eye check-up and a thorough eye care plan. Parents are encouraged to keep these eye doctor visits for proper monitoring of children’s eye health. With my preemie daughter, we visit her eye doctor to monitor her eyes and vision regularly. The same doctor performed retinopathy of prematurity exam before leaving the NICU and succeeding follow-up visits afterward. Dentist Oral care and health are essential for your child’s growth and development—time for the dental check-up. What age does your child need to see the dentist, and how often are the visits? Based on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommendations, your child needs to make the first dental visit around age one to establish a foundation for their dental care.  Also, the AAPD recommends a check-up every six months to check dental health, prevent cavities and other dental problems. Your child’s pediatric dentist will recommend how often and what dental follow-up schedule is based on your child’s oral health. When your child is around three-four years old, oral health habits are starting to form. Visiting the dentist can help promote good oral hygiene through healthy routine check-ups and dental recommendations.  Why do your child’s teeth need to be assessed before school? Your child’s oral health is significantly linked to overall health and growth. Cavities can appear as early as two years of age. Preventive oral care is a key to keeping your child’s dental health good.  Schools often note that children with poor dental hygiene or teeth cavities have more absences than their peers with regular dental care. Plenty of school-age children missed school due to high dental-related illnesses. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2000. “The consequences of poor oral health have a negative influence on children’s speech, growth, function, education, and social development.” Tips for Parents to Keep-up with Children’s Oral Health Have your child brush their teeth twice daily. 2. Choose a toothpaste with added fluoride. 3. Floss regularly. 4. Keep up with every dental check-up (twice a year) unless otherwise recommended by the dentist. 5. Contact your child’s dentist for any oral illness/injuries. 6. Read books about dental hygiene with your child. (Recommended book list at the end of this post.) Primary Care Doctor Parents bring their children to see the pediatrician for wellness appointments and sick visits. The doctor will examine your child: a complete review of any developmental achievement/delay, growth charts, and immunization schedule. Then, you can expect a routine physical evaluation in this visit.  In addition, assessing your child’s motor, language, cognitive, and personal skills is performed accordingly.  These exams are crucial and completed to make sure your child is prepared to enter Kindergarten. During this visit, the clinic may perform a hearing test and a quick eye reading exam. The clinic nurse will perform these tests on/with your child. Evaluating each eye equally, the clinic nurse will use those tiny chart symbols (♥, +, o, and others) and use a spoon-like vision covering tool. It’s good to tell your child what expected tests she may encounter in this check-up. However, most times, children also get anxious when they go to the doctor’s clinic.  By letting children know ahead of time what to expect, it helps alleviate those worries and fears. Other Specialists These other specialists consist of medical or other healthcare providers that see your child on an annual or regular basis. Several children may not need other doctor visits before entering Kindergarten; however, it’s good to see these other doctors/specialists for your child. For instance, if your child has asthma and has a lung specialist managing their care, it is appropriate to have a visit before entering school. With that in mind, you will also need the doctor to fill out the Asthma Action Plan for the school clinic. This Asthma Action Plan is a health form primarily used by school clinics to help assist and manage any child’s asthma disorder. It tells the school nurse what medication, dose, and frequency of your child’s prescribed inhalers.  This health form also includes your child’s triggers, their best peak flow reading, symptoms to watch out for, what to do in case of emergency and information about their doctor. The school nurse or school website will have a downloadable link for this health form. However, if you don’t have it – you can also download this Asthma Action Plan from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The lung specialist will fill it out, sign the form, and then you can bring it to your child’s school clinic. Health Evaluation of your child is important before entering school through these doctor visits. Health assessment is vital to maintain your child’s overall health through check-ups and fulfill any particular school requirements for Kindergarten. Being proactive about your child’s health helps lessen the stress of having to scramble around nearing the beginning of the school year.  Also, maintaining these doctor visits can help your child keep up with recommended immunizations, address health concerns and evaluate their growth and development. Setting up appointments for your child’s check-up can also be overwhelming when a clinic has fully booked days. So, make sure to plan ahead of time. Advocating for your child’s health is one of the many responsibilities that you have as a parent. Bringing your child to the doctor’s clinic for a visit will show your child that health is essential.  It’s also a great way to build a parent-doctor connection for the proper health management of your child.  Ensuring good, timely doctor visits for your child can aid in attaining better health, learning optimized, and getting ready for Kindergarten. Related Post You Might be Interested: Kindergarten Readiness **As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my product links, I may be eligible for a commission at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure here. What are other doctor appointments that you think need to be included before entering school? Let me know in the comments.  Also, feel free to email this article to families and friends you know with a child entering Kindergarten.  Thank you for all your continued support of The Motherly Heap. I truly appreciate that you take the time to read and share. Pin it for your reference later.

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]]> https://themotherlyheap.com/doctor-visits-for-your-child/feed/ 10 5864 Family Road Trip Checklist for Summer (Plus Printable Packing List) https://themotherlyheap.com/family-road-trip-checklist/ https://themotherlyheap.com/family-road-trip-checklist/#respond Sun, 18 Jul 2021 04:04:00 +0000 https://themotherlyheap.com/?p=5722 It’s the middle of summer, and families are heading for road trips these few weeks before school starts. Having a checklist for your family road trip can save you tons of worries and time. A road trip is fun until whining starts, and emotions run high. Having a solid plan and getting organized ahead of time can ease this tension and cries. Our family has been traveling on road trips ever since we got married. And then, we had kids, and we continue to make one or two road trips a year.  The covid pandemic had made it hard to travel last year since restrictions had been in place. So our family had stayed put and skipped travel for a year.   So, why go on road trips?  The thrill of adventures for families.  Delightfully seeing nature’s beauty along the way. Emersion of your chosen vacation destination. Great family bonding. Simply enjoying the journey together on the road. It need not be complicated. Enjoy the scenery, take breaks along the way, and celebrate your family by creating lasting memories for you and your kids to remember. What information do you need before going on your planned road trip? Itinerary Hotel Accommodation Maps (in case GPS stopped working) Weather Report (online update)  Knowing where the Rest Areas for a break Why do you need a general family packing checklist? If you’re planning on a road trip for your family, it’s crucial to have a packing list of items to bring. It’ll help you be in control of what and what not to bring and be on top of what you need. Even though you are traveling via car, you don’t want to overpack as well, even as much you’d like to bring the whole house. We moms can go overboard with our packing, so the checklist will help us not go that route. Whatever items you plan to pack will be based on the season and type of weather at your destination. The basics and the must-have items are non-negotiable. This packing list is geared toward a summer road trip and vacation places. So let’s get on with the packing, shall we? **This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the product links and purchase through the links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This purchase helps balance the costs of running this blog, and I thank you for your continued support! See the Full Disclosure Here.** Family Packing Checklist for Your Next Road Trip: Clothes These are a no-brainer—plan for outfits being on the road and for your final destinations. You can set up paired outfits (tops and bottoms) together, pack underwear and socks, seasonal clothing items, and other essential clothing.  Packing cubes help you segregate clothing per day or location. Footwear Wherever you plan to go, you already have an idea of what you’ll be bringing for you and the whole family. Feet protection and comfort are a must for every person traveling. So, packed the ones you think can do that. You can use shoe bags for trips to keep your other packed items free from dirt and such.  Other Wearable Items It’s important to pack what you need that fits your travel location and pack adequately.  Family Road Trip Essentials Packing List – For the Car What you’ll need: Car Insurance Your Car Keys/ Spare Keys Car Manual Car Registration Car/Roadside Emergency Kit (rope, spare tire, pressure gauge, jumpstart kit, etc.) Any Car Organizers Car Seats/ Booster Seats (appropriate seats for kids, check expiration date) Cash/Coins Cooler Driver’s License Credit/Debit cards Maps Activities for You and Kids Art/Sketch Book Activity Books (word search, coloring books, etc.) Crayons/Markers Chargers/Cords Handheld Devices (DS, Switch, Kindle Reader, Cellphones, Players) Headphones/ Ear Buds Magazines/Books (if no one gets car sick) Paper/Pen/Extra Notebooks Kid Toy for babies and little ones Basic Items Blankets Travel Pillows Paper Towels Wet Wipes/ Disinfectant Wipes Trash Bags First-Aid Kit Flashlights/Batteries Sunshades for Car Windows Umbrellas Sanitizers Ziplocks Scissors Seat Belt Cutter Camera Bag Best Camera Camera Stand Camera Cards/Batteries GoPro Selfie Stick (for quick set-up) Road Trip Checklist for Family Food Items To Bring Snacks: Crackers (Wheat thins, Ritz, Cheezit) Single Pack Snacks (goldfish, Grahams, chips) Protein Bars  Granola Bars Mixed Nuts (if not allergic) Dried fruits Jerky Packs String Cheese (keep in the cooler) Chocolate Dip Crackers Sour Patches Fruits: Apples, oranges, grapes Vegetables: Baby carrots, celery stick Nut spread (almond/peanut/hazelnut) Sliced bread or homemade loaf bread Fruit cups (keep in the cooler) Portable Meals: Egg sandwich spread (keep in the cooler) Tuna salad sandwich Breakfast Wraps Hummus and Crackers Drinks: Water Juice/Milk Water Bottles Drink Tumblers Extras:  Ziplocks (sandwich bags) Napkins Disposable Cutlery Road Trip Checklist for The Whole Family  Main Items:  Suitcases (Large/Small) Clothes (tops, bottoms, dress, pajamas) Underwear Socks Hoodies/Light Jackets Hats Sunglasses Appropriate Shoes Toiletries: Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Mouthwash Conditioner Shampoo Body wash/wash puff Bath Soap Comb/brush Detangling spray Razor/Shaving Cream Epilator Deodorant Cotton Buds/Balls Sunscreen After-Sun Gel/Lotion Sanitary Pads/Tampons Nail Clippers Tweezers Wipes Basic Skin-care Bag (cleanser, serums, moisturizer, BB creams) Roll up Make-up bag Small jewelry pouch Beach Essential Wearables/Items These listed items are what you’ll be needing to enjoy the beach and sun. But, of course, safety and protection from the sun is Top Priority for everyone. Swimming Wear: Swimsuit, swim shorts, kids swimming outfits Goggles Snorkels Flippers Floaties (check requirements) Life-Jackets (check requirements) Water shoes Quick Dry Towels Sandproof beach blanket Beach Umbrellas/Tent Sandals UV protection Sunglasses for parents and kids Scuba gears/suits Water Bottles Sunscreen/After-sun Gel Safety and Health Essentials Making sure that emergency items and basic kits are included, you never know when you’re going to need them. Health Insurance Cards First-Aid Kits Prescription Medicines **Medical Equipment: Portable Nebulizer, BP apparatus, Glucometer Essential OTC Medicines: Fever/Pain Reducer, Antidiarrheal, Anti-nausea, Motion Sickness Thermometer Medicine dispenser/cups Personal Protection Kit for Covid: You want to make sure you have all the essential protective items for you and your family. Masks Hand sanitizers Gloves Disinfecting Wipes Trash bags Alcohol-filled spray bottle Lysol Wipes/Spray Packing for Baby’s Diaper Bag: Packing your baby’s bag is probably the easiest for you since you make use of it every single day. So you are already ahead in the game, and you know what you’ll need for your baby during any trip. Diaper Bag Diapers/Cloth Diapers (Babies) Baby Wipes Butt Cream Boogie Wipes Baby Nasal Aspirator Ear Cleaner Baby Bottles Baby Formula Bottle brush/detergent Burp Rags Blankets Extra sets of clothes Breastfeeding mama: Nipple Cream Nursing Cover Teether necklace Extra Mama Nursing Top Bottle Brush Cleaner Baby Dish Soap There you go, never go on a road trip without a summer checklist for the family. This road trip essentials checklist aims to get you and your family organized in your packing and hopefully not forget anything. I understand what you need for your family might not be what I need for mine; however, you can take off or add what your MUST-Haves are.  Remember to pack a separate overnight bag for each person if you stop by a hotel to rest before continuing the trip.  And, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures to capture the moments, but remember to savor the experience along with your family. You can download the FREE Road Trip Packing List and print it for you and your family. Have Safe and Happy Travels! Grab Your FREE Summer Road Trip Checklist Here! You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Opt in to receive news and updates. Yes, I want the checklist! Loading… Thank you! Your checklist was sent to your inbox. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Please share this post with your friends and families. Thank you! Get connected with me on Pinterest.

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