Tips & Tricks Archives - Page 3 of 6

30
May
2017

10 Reasons to Have a Second Child

When I married my husband, my plan was to have 10 children. His plan was to get married. Lucky for me, we found ourselves with a son pretty quickly and as they say, that was the best birth control.

In the back of my mind I still knew I wanted more, but for a long time I wondered if there was actually a secret joy only known by those raising only children. It was a blessing.

Until I had my second. Then I realized that was the blessing.

For me, without a shadow of a doubt, 2 is better than 1.

So if you’re on the fence about your second child, consider these reasons for rounding out your brood:

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24
May
2017

How to Cut Your Packing in Half When Traveling with a Baby

categories: Family Travel, Parenting, Tips & Tricks, Travel

How to Cut the Packing in Half When Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with a baby is no small endeavor. Yes, they’re tiny. But holy moly, their stuff certainly is not.

My husband and I travel all the time with our baby. Over the summer it’s often every weekend. So we’ve come across some great tricks, tips, and work-arounds that make the process easier.

The name of the game is obvious: figure out what you don’t need and find the most space-saving version of what you do need. I was advised to look into something like best bottles for travel, as it saves you a lot of stress when going out with your baby, especially if they are breastfeeding or using a bottle. (more…)

22
May
2017

Is the NoseFrida Really Worth It?

categories: Parenting, Tips & Tricks

Sometime between my first child and second child a new product was born: the NoseFrida. Had I not come across a Facebook thread full of raving mothers I probably would have never even considered trying this medieval-looking device. But I was a heavily pregnant woman and there’s one thing I remembered vividly from my first – those snot sucking bulbs are worth their weight in gold. I had forgotten it once on a trip and that was the last time it ever left my side. When you’re baby is stuffed up, it’s the only thing that will fix it!

But this snot sucking device was different. You suck the boogers out of their nose with your mouth. I’M SERIOUS.

Why?? Isn’t there another way? Is it really that important for the suction to be coming from our mouth? Would this really be any different from the age-old bulb aspirator?

Basically – is the NoseFrida really worth it?

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28
Apr
2017

The Best TV Shows to Watch When You’re Up At Night Breastfeeding

categories: Attachment Parenting, Breastfeeding, Parenting, Tips & Tricks, TV, TV, Movies & Books

I know I’m supposed to stare longingly into my baby’s eyes while I breastfeed her, but let’s be real. Half the time she’s suckling away WHILE sleeping, the other half I’m struggling to keep my own eyes open. And books just don’t do it for me when I’m drained and tired. But TV does. And not just any TV. Only certain shows make the cut when I’m trying to keep my cool at 3 am.

There’s something special about these kind of shows. They’ve all got strong female leads (duh, those are the best), but more importantly, they won’t leave you in tears. Sorry Grey’s Anatomy, you’re a wonderful show but NOT what I need to see while hormones are zipping through my sleep deprived body and I’m cradling my newborn.

So if it’s 3 am where you are and you’re trying to figure out how to keep yourself awake, distracted, and calm, add these shows to your list and relax a bit!

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27
Mar
2017

5 Co-Sleeping Alternatives for When Your Baby Just Wants to Sleep with You

categories: Attachment Parenting, Parenting, Tips & Tricks

Co-sleeping alternatives that provide the best of both worlds!

Over the past 4 years, I’ve had a crib-sleeper, a co-sleeper, an in-his-own-room sleeper, an only-in-your-arms sleeper, and a next-to-my-bed sleeper…and that was just one child. Now I have a newborn, so the joy starts all over again…and this time with two to juggle. While I love co-sleeping, the fear that’s been instilled in me has led me on a search of all the possible co-sleeping alternatives. And luckily, there are quite a few (looks like I’m not the only one trying to make things work).

So if you’re wondering what your options are if your baby or toddler wants to co-sleep, but you (or your spouse) really aren’t into it, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of your other options:

Related post: 12 Ways to Make Co-Sleeping Safer

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13
Mar
2017

10 Reasons to Let Your Toddler Watch TV

categories: Parenting, Tips & Tricks

We hear so much about limiting screen time for kids, but there are still a lot of good reasons to consider letting them watch tv!

I will never forget my pediatrician’s fateful do-or-die advice at my son’s 9 month check-up. I had asked about co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babysitting, crying-it-out, napping, feeding solids, sun exposure, eye contact, bathing vs. showering, first words, crawling, walking, teething, socks or no socks, and over-mothering. He said: “Whatever you decide to do is fine. Just don’t ever let him watch TV.”

What?? I just nodded my head. I had gone in worried that he’d think I was crazy and walked out thinking he was crazy. Of all the controversial concerns we have about toddlers, TV was the last thing I was worried about – and to be honest, it still blows my mind that people worry about it so much.

For me, I’m actually glad that I let my son watch TV. In fact, I think we’re both better for it. So before you rip your hair out trying to avoid the inevitable, consider these reasons for giving into a little screen time:

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20
Feb
2017

10 Jobs that Will Let You Bring Your Kids to Work

categories: Financial Freedom, Parenting, Tips & Tricks, Working from Home

Jobs that let you take your baby to work with you

I LOVE the idea of being able to take your kids to work. I wouldn’t trade being a stay-at-home mom for anything, but I also know I’d probably go crazy if I didn’t have at least some amount of work to do too. Not to mention that the extra money really helps!

I’m always so impressed when I come across someone that has figured out a way to experience the best of both worlds, so it’s time to share!

So if you’re looking for jobs where you can bring your baby or kids to work with you, consider some of these options:

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Category: Tips & Tricks