7 Gift Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

By

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April 28, 2017

Great teachers educate, innovate, support, and encourage their students to explore their own minds. They touch the lives of millions of children every day and the impact they have extends far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. My son has encountered such wonderful teachers in his ten-year-old life. I don’t think we can ever do too much to show our appreciation for these real-life Superheroes!

May 1-5 is Teacher Appreciation Week and I’ve compiled a list of ideas for gifts and ways we can show our appreciation for the teachers who are making a difference in our children’s lives.

SWEET TREATS – Being a baker, my go-to is almost always sweet treats. Sundae cupcakes with a nice little tag are a sure hit. A tin of cookies or a travel mug filled with a favorite candy also makes nice gifts.

STOCK THE FRIDGE – in the teacher’s lounge. This is a terrific group activity and would benefit the entire staff. Get together with a bunch of other parents and load the fridge up with bottled waters, yogurts, fruit, veggie tray, string cheese, even boiled eggs. Anything that can be a quick grab-n-go snack.

GIFT CARDS! – Whether it’s an Amazon card, coffee card, ice cream/frozen yogurt card, movie card, or a card to their favorite restaurant, you can’t go wrong with a gift card. Gift cards for lunch places near the school are especially handy! One year we gave my son’s teacher a gift card for The Mall at Partridge Creek, that way she had plenty of choices on how to spend it.

THEMED GIFTS – These are so much fun! For instance, a Movie Night theme might include a popcorn tub filled with microwave popcorn packs, candy, and a gift card to either a theater or RedBox. Or a Pampering Basket loaded up with bath salts, a loofah, maybe a candle, mud mask, one of those inflatable bath pillows, a bottle of lotion. A gardening theme is easy, toss a couple packs of seeds, some gardening gloves, maybe a little shovel, and garden markers into a flower pot or watering can and you’re all set. Another favorite of mine is a beach theme!

Grab a cute beach bag and pack it with a rolled up beach towel, sunscreen, a book or magazine, flip flops, sunglasses and anything else you can think of, maybe a personal fan? One last theme idea: Teachers Survival Kit. Pack it like a tool box or tackle box furnished with pencils, sticky notes, red pens, Sharpie markers, dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, Tylenol, ear buds, band-aids, lotion, a pack of Thank You cards, personal size tissue packs, CHOCOLATE, and a piece of bubble wrap, ya know, to relieve tension 🙂

FLOWERS – I haven’t met a teacher yet who didn’t like flowers. In a vase or potted, flowers are always so lovely. These pretty DIY faux flowers (more below!) will brighten her day every day of the year!

HOMEMADE CRAFTS/CARDS – Knowing that you and your little one took the time to create something from home will warm her heart. Haul out the construction paper, crayons, glue, markers, scissors, GLITTER!!! And have a ball. Pinterest has loads of terrific ideas for any age. We made coffee filter flowers for a very special teacher a few years ago. They are so pretty, and easy!

SEND FOOD – Teachers are often so busy they skip meals. We can help with that! A basket of muffins, lunch delivery, perhaps a deli tray (another great group idea).

There are so many ways to show we care. Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher, let’s support those who are. How will you be showing your appreciation?

The Benefits of Exercising {While Pregnant}

By

aubreymoon

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April 26, 2017

Note: Aubrey Moon is a certified Pre/Post-Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist through Fit For Birth and while she shares this information willingly, you should always consult with your health care provider before participating in any physical activity.

So you just found out you’re pregnant and are unsure if you should continue working out. You’ve Googled too many questions to find yourself even more confused than when you started. While all pregnancies are different in many ways, more often than not, the benefits of exercising {during a low-risk pregnant} outweigh the risks; Even Fit Pregnancy says so!

Think of childbirth as a marathon. You wouldn’t decide to run 26.2 miles without the proper training, right? The same goes for giving birth. Did you know the first-time mom can be in labor anywhere from three to 21 hours {or more!}. Low-impact exercise can go a long way in terms of revving up your stamina and endurance throughout the 10 months your body prepares for the “race.” Take a look at the benefits below broken up by the recipient and/or timing.

Prenatal Benefits

Less weight gain*: Moms who exercised throughout their pregnancy gained an average 7 pounds less and 3% less fat when compared to those moms that did not exercise during the same time frame
Reduced likelihood of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (by 43%)*
Reduced pregnancy-related complications and better ability to deal with any pregnancy-related stress or trauma
Increased energy: Physical exercise can increase the capacity to secrete adrenaline, providing better energy production to the body’s cells
Reduced aches, pains, and injury: Common pregnancy-related aches and pains such as lower back pain, SI Joint Dysfunction, Pelvic Girdle Pain, etc.
Building and maintaining strength: Including physically, mentally and emotionally
Increased mind/body connection
Stress relief

Labor & Delivery and Post Natal Benefits

Reduced complications or need for intervention (by 50%)*: Complications such as bleeding, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational hypertension, infections, gestational diabetes, low amniotic fluid. Needs for intervention such as artificial rupture of membranes, forceps or vacuum used during delivery, or cesarean delivery
Increased physical & mental strength and stamina (by 75%)*
Decreased need for pain relief (by 35%)*: Specifically administration of an epidural
Less time spent in labor (by 33%)*: Babies of the women that exercised during pregnancy were also born five days earlier than those where women didn’t exercise
Fewer issues with core and pelvic floor (by 55%)*
Quicker recovery time

Fetal Benefits

Increased nutrient & waste exchange and better than average placental growth & function (up to 15% better)*: Because more oxygen-rich blood is flowing through your body, the baby is reaping the same benefits
Better able to deal with the stress of labor & transition to life outside the womb*: Because the baby is already used to doing more with less, they’re in better condition at the start of labor and tolerate the stresses of labor better. They’re also able to transition to life outside the uterus easier and tend to be alert and easy to care for.
Healthier birth weights and body composition*: These babies are less likely to be born with macrosomia, or a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces regardless of his or her gestational age.
Babies to fit mothers have better mental and physical performance*: Think better APGAR tests, along with standardized intelligence tests.

*According to research performed by Professor and Exercise Physiologist Dr. James F. Clapp

Exercising during pregnancy has so many benefits for not only the mom-to-be but also the growing fetus. It’s important to listen to your body’s needs and the opinions of your health care provider when considering prenatal exercise. What is your favorite way to stay active throughout pregnancy?

Still interested in learning more about prenatal fitness benefits? Check out this video from CBS Miami that features Fit For Birth founder, James Goodlatte.

My Kids Tried 200 New Foods in 90 Days: Yours Can Too

By

Amy W.

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April 25, 2017

My kids, ages 3 and 5, had fallen into that horrible rut where the foods they would eat were limited to chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, ham sandwiches, carrots, apples and berry yogurt. And of course, goldfish. Those darn fish.

I was so sick of stressing out over what they would eat, especially at holiday parties. You-know-what hit the fan when my husband and I got into an argument at a Christmas party because I hadn’t ensured that there would be foods for the kids to eat. There was plenty of food for the kids to eat, but they wouldn’t eat it.

Enough was enough. I resolved to fix the problem. I implemented a few rules – and boy did I get results! My five-year-old was begging me for new foods to try! The three-year-old took a bit longer to come around, but he did. Turns out he is more amenable to most foods than the big one.

I’m not saying my plan is perfect. But it worked for us. My kids tried 200 new foods – EACH – in three months. I’m at the point where I’m struggling to think of new foods for them to try. Take my ideas and mold them into something that works for you.

Track the Progress. We used a sticker chart. I did it 100 foods at a time, drawing 100 boxes on some paper for each kid. They earned one sticker for every new food. I used those foam shape stickers you can buy 1,000 for $3.99. By food #200, my kids were trying a food, then running to the chart to put up their sticker. Then counting how many they had to make sure I had labeled them right. (Bonus: The three-year-old can definitely count to 100 – that’s a kindergarten goal!)

Offer Incentives. For the first 100, I offered an incentive for every ten new foods. Something small – five extra minutes of iPad time, a new book, a dollar store toy, swimming at the rec center. For the second 100, I offered the incentive every 25 foods – a Slurpee, ice cream, etc. The incentives didn’t cost much if anything, but the kids really liked having something to work towards. They were so excited to reach a reward. Plus, they encouraged each other to try and reach them at the same time!

Throw Them A Bone. Give them some softballs every now and then. Sure, PB&J yogurt (BTW – YUM) isn’t the greatest new food ever, but technically it is a new food. Give them something easy every now and then to show them that they will like some of the foods and encourage them.

Get Creative with your Utensils. My kids did not want to try balsamic pork chops. They thought it looked disgusting. So, I pulled out some chopsticks and asked if they wanted to use those to eat them. The answer was a resounding YES. Not only did they eat three pieces each, but they also tried the balsamic onions that I cooked the pork with. With chopsticks, of course. So get creative – use chopsticks, serve it on a tiny spoon or fork. Use a toothpick. Anything to make it fun!

Look to To Things In Their Everyday Life. We have a book about a boy who eats a food called “bulgogi.” We always read about it (it is an Asian dish – thin slices of pork in a soy marinade) so I decided to make it. My kids loved it and scarfed it down. Not sure if I made it that well or if it was the familiarity, but it worked. So find something they can relate to and make that.

Listen When They Ask. My three year old asked if he could dip his apples in mustard. My first inclination was no because that’s disgusting. But then I realized he wanted to try mustard, just like his grandpa, and apples were his comfort vessel. So he tried it. He liked the mustard…”but maybe not on an apple next time.” Mission accomplished.

Encourage/Commiserate. Obviously, the hubs and I encouraged them to try new foods. I even forced my husband to try the same new foods (he’s almost as picky as the kids.) If something wasn’t good, we admitted it and thanked them for trying the foods. I also told everyone in their life about our challenge. So the boys were constantly questioned about what new foods they had tried. It helped build the excitement!

That’s it. No fighting, no begging to try something. We just implemented these seven “steps” and they tried 200 new foods in 90 days! I’ve never been more proud! We’ve quadrupled our dinner options, which makes life much easier on this working mama!

What tips or tricks have you used to get your kids to try new foods?

I Want to do Allthethings, I Just Don’t Have Allthetime!

By

Courtney

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April 24, 2017

Lately, I’ve really felt the weight of allthethings bearing down on me. Like I don’t have time to catch my breath before one activity starts and the next begins. That it’s impossible to complete one single task before being interrupted by someone or something. Honestly, my life seems to be in a constant state of chaos, with little or no downtime. And you know what? It’s frustrating!

I want to do allthethings!

Homeroom mom? Sign me up! Preschool classroom volunteer? Me! A good and supportive friend who has time for an impromptu cup of coffee or a glass of wine? Yes, love it! An active part of my book club who actually finishes or frankly even has time to read the monthly book? My hand is raised.

I just don’t have allthetime!

Busy Mamas, I know you get it! Mom Life is busy. It may sound trite, but there really is no other word that describes it more fully or succinctly. All moms deep in the trenches of raising their kiddos are crazy busy. And I’m going to go out on a limb here and just say it:

Moms are the busiest people I know. If there is an equal to the type of busy that is inherent to being an active and involved mom, I haven’t yet encountered it. We wear so many hats and do so many different things, sometimes all at once. It’s not just one type of busy. It’s allthebusy, allthetime!

If only we could freeze time. I want to be like Hermione Granger with her Time-Turner in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. Imagine if there was really a way to somehow capture a few more hours or even minutes throughout the day, between one commitment and the next. Honestly, with three little ones, I don’t feel like I have much time at all beyond what I’m actually responsible for doing and being. I’m not complaining, and I don’t feel guilty. But, again, I feel frustrated. Sometimes I even feel inadequate.

A very rare moment of down time, just goofing around!

My husband is the first person to point out how foolish this is. He fully respects and recognizes that like many busy moms, the amount of work that I do from 6 am until lunchtime could and should occasionally qualify for Olympic Sports status. He’ll say nice things like “Well, you packed lunches, made breakfast, got three kids dressed, ready, out the door and to school on time, and made it to a morning meeting. I think you’re doing alright”.

I often beg to differ, but I understand and appreciate his point and the gentle reminders that:

It’s ok to slow down every once in a while. It really is.
Slowing down, or not completing every item on my “to do” lists doesn’t make me inadequate, and I shouldn’t feel frustrated when all of my obligations aren’t fulfilled, or if I need to drop a few items or plans from my schedule.

How many of us really take the time to just RELAX?

Easier said than done, right?! Yes, but not impossible. So, as we embark on a new season with the start of Spring, I’m challenging myself to start a new chapter in my life:

I will commit to being open and honest with myself and with others about the level of commitment that I am capable of exercising during this crazy busy time in my life.
I will attempt to recognize that not everything on my to-do list will always get checked off, that not all of my obligations will necessarily be met.
I will try to learn that I can only do what I can do with the time that I am given. It serves no use to get frustrated about what I cannot change. I’m not Hermione Granger {although really, busy mamas, imagine what we could all accomplish with that Time-Turner!}

Most importantly, I will try to learn that it really is OK to say: “yes, I want to be there, I want to participate, I want to do allthethings. But I can’t right now. I just don’t have allthetime.”

Survivor’s Guilt: A Journey Through Infertility

By

Jesi FG

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April 23, 2017

After years of struggling with infertility, November 2014 brought the best news of our lives: we were almost two months pregnant! A lot of screams were followed by back-to-back doctors appointments to confirm, and more screams from two excited sets of grandparents. (You can read more about our struggle with infertility in my introduction post to Detroit Moms Blog)

While it was the happiest moment of our lives, my heart and mind immediately went to a few amazing friends struggling with their own fertility issues. Infertility can be so lonely, and with these ladies, I knew I always had someone. Whether it was a tearful cry over an unexpected pregnancy announcement, or anxious texts struggling with the side-effects of the various treatments, they were always there.

From that moment forward, I was plagued with guilt. Guilt that somehow, after losing all hope, moving on, and preparing for a childless living, I was pregnant. Guilt that some of the most amazing, caring, and loving women I know were still struggling, and I was with child.

That guilt never left my mind. Throughout my pregnancy, it was always something I thought of. I never lost sight of our journey and the emotions that came along with each step. While in our journey, there were many things that I would hear in conversation or see on social media about motherhood or children that would be upsetting to me. Knowing how sensitive emotions can be during infertility, I never wanted to be the source of pain for anyone.

Pregnancy wasn’t easy on me. From all day sickness to multiple trips to the hospital, to other pains that plagued my time with ‘Baby Sprout,’ it was no walk in the park. However, few knew what was happening behind the scenes. No matter how hard pregnancy was, I was carrying our child, and that is a feat that only some can dream of.

Even after having our beautiful son Blake, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt. I know that social media can be a big source of anxiety, so I try to be thoughtful about not over posting or having too many SnapChat videos of silly things he does. I will never be the Mom to post about wanting to get away from my son, or needing a break from ‘momming.’ Even on our toughest days, I remember, there are those that would do anything to have any kind of day with a child of their own.

I am not sure if the feeling of guilt will ever go away. To be honest, I am content if it never does. While the journey to our son was long and difficult, it made me the mother I am today. Knowing how hard it was to have a child of our own, I hug a little tighter, say goodbye a little longer and cherish every tiny moment.

As I snuggled my son to sleep tonight, tears streamed down my face as they often do in those quiet moments. Every night as he is drifting off to sleep, I tell him the same thing: “I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being my baby. I am so glad that God gave me you.” As he softly mumbles “I love you, Momma,” I am reminded of just how lucky I am to have ‘survived’ our struggle, and to say a prayer for those still in the battle.

I Can’t Wait for my Kids to Stop Napping!

By

Erin Piper

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April 20, 2017

Call me crazy, but I can’t wait for naps to be done! As my daughter grows tougher and tougher to put down for both naptime and bedtime, I can’t help but look forward to the day when my kids are done with napping forever. If you know me, this may amaze you, because I LOVE me some sleep, but hear me out.

Cute – but this sleeping beauty doesn’t go down without a struggle!

When my son was nearing the end of his napping days (at age three), I fought and fought to get him to sleep for a nap for several months. His naps rarely coincided with my daughter’s, and I felt like I spent all my time trying to keep small people in their beds. When I came to terms with the fact that he had just outgrown the need for a nap, it was like a world of opportunities opened up for us. (Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic!) I loosened up a bit on making sure my daughter was home for two naps a day, and let her snooze in the car sometimes because it was awesome to be able to be out and about without the need to rush back home for a nap. Going from two to one napping kids has been way better than I would’ve guessed, so I’m reaaaaaally hoping my vision of no nappers is going to be as awesome as I imagine (because parenting always works out like that, right?).

Here’s what I won’t miss about napping kids:

Once they’re REALLY ready to drop their naps, kids who don’t nap go to bed easier. Yeah, yeah, I know that if kids are over tired they turn into crazy people who never sleep, but kids who are just actually ready to stop napping tend to go to bed earlier, in my experience (and I have one non-napping kid, so I’m pretty much an expert).

No planning your whole life around who’s napping when. You know how lame you feel when you tell your childless friends “Sure, we’ll be there, but we’ll be late because of so-and-so naps until 3?” Well, gone are these days! You’ll still be late, because . . . well . . . kids, but at least you can insert whatever weird, kid-induced reason you have that day and be rid of that feeling that you’ve lost all sense of cool.

If you have two kids, there is no “break” when only one kid’s napping anyways! Sure, my son can entertain himself fairly easily at age four. But, he’s still four and has a real knack for needing a snack, butt wipe, you name it, at the worst times. Let’s just say that anyone with two kids is not “sleeping when the baby sleeps,” all that often, so a midday snooze, a chance to catch up on laundry (is that a real thing people do?), etc. is probably not going to happen.

The nap struggle is real – and I’d just as soon be done with them! I know some moms with magically good sleepers. Some are naturally good, others have good sleep habits as a lot of hard work from parents. I read every popular baby sleep book on the market when my son was young, have a decent routine, and still . . . my kids hate going to bed. Naptime is no different for my daughter. She usually goes down somewhat quickly, but it’s not exactly fun for anyone involved. I’ll happily bypass this battle as soon as I think she can make it through the day napless without turning into a total grump.

The car nap. If you know me well, you know that I have NO SHAME in driving around for two hours to keep a kiddo napping if I have to. In fact, I even have a routine. It goes like this: kid falls asleep, I instantly start craving a McDonald’s diet coke (by now it’s a Pavlovian response), find the nearest drive-through, put on a podcast, and hope the preschooler has enough battery in the iPad to last for the duration of naptime. Why do I do such things? Because CAR NAPS SUCK. I have actual envy of people whose kids fall asleep in the car and easily transfer to the crib, but my kids have never ever done “the transfer” successfully, so instead I just drive around looking lost for as long as I can keep her asleep. People, living your life craving McDonald’s every time your child falls asleep is no way to live. So, no, I will not miss the car nap. And hopefully, I will not miss the napping stage at all.

Moms of older kiddos, what do you think? Do you love the freedom of having non-nappers, or miss the days of snoozing toddlers?

How I Became a TV Junkie

By

chelguild

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April 19, 2017

We didn’t have cable TV while I was growing up. That was a luxury to be enjoyed at our grandparents’ house (and I definitely didn’t feel deprived by this). In my young adulthood, I would splurge for cable on and off during various promotions, but would always end up ditching it because I couldn’t justify the cost. I was rarely home and was busy anyway, so it was a complete waste. When Netflix came along, I especially felt this way. With Hulu, YouTube and Redbox, cable was totally obsolete in my book. Then I had a baby. That’s when I got hooked.

I don’t want to fuel the stereotype that stay-at-home moms sit on our butts, stuffing our faces, and watching TV all day, but in the first year of my son’s life, I spent a lot of time glued to the recliner, rocking my baby, and turning to the tube as an escape.

My husband is a serious fan of cable TV and movies, and since he’s been working in the TV industry for more than a decade, it makes sense. He was more than happy to take advantage of the bundle services available to us. (Because when you add cable, On Demand, DVR, and multi-room service, the price you pay for internet goes down and the whole thing seems to make financial sense. Seems to. . . )

My son has always been a problem sleeper, and during that first tumultuous year, he would only nap while being held and rocked. When I wasn’t in the recliner, I was attached to a breast pump so, I started to allow myself TV as an indulgence. That’s also when I upped my social media game, as I never had a smart phone until I had a baby, either, but that’s another blog post. Watching whatever show I wanted, when I was forced to sit patiently anyway, became an addiction. It’s not that I started neglecting other things in favor of TV; it’s that I could no longer see a world where I would be forced to choose from whatever garbage programming was on during nap time.

On Demand was a gateway drug to really crappy reality TV. I have never watched Keeping Up with the Kardashians and generally can’t get down with Bravo, but HGTV led to MTV and then to obscure channels somehow. I found myself watching Après Ski and Slednecks. . . all because I missed the mountains while I was stuck in the 90-degree, year-round heat of Florida at the time. I watched a few episodes of Shahs of Sunset and RuPaul’s Drag Race because I missed art, makeup and anything remotely glamorous in my life. Some of the shows just left me depressed. Does anyone else feel ancient while watching The Real World?

As my son got older and I started working from home, watching TV became less of a pastime and I had to choose my shows my wisely. I would gladly give up reality TV for Game of Thrones any day! Now that he’s two and my business has picked up, the only person watching an insane variety of programming is the very person who is supposed to have the most limited screen time of all of us! Even my husband, lover of all-things-TV, admits we don’t have time to enjoy the services we have. The catch is that the cable provider (or dealer, if you will) really knows how to keep us hooked: if we get rid of all but our internet service, our monthly bill will be almost as much as it is now, not to mention the cancellation fee we’ll be hit with.

A part of me wouldn’t mind paying more for Internet in exchange for getting temptation out of our home. I want to be forced to be more creative, to work more, to read more, to listen to music more often in lieu of watching television. I’m a modern mom who needs all the help she can get in making sure her kid doesn’t watch too much TV. I honestly don’t want my son to rely on television or use it as a crutch in any way. And, hello, whose love life couldn’t benefit from less TV watching?! Tell me you haven’t had the Netflix or chill discussion with your too tired spouse at 10:00 p.m.

I’m not interested in going off the grid and you won’t catch me on an episode of Tiny House Nation, but I have been making a conscious effort to live with less clutter (physically and in the cyber world) and fewer extravagances that we often take for granted. So I do feel guilty spending anything on cable these days, but then I rationalize it in some way and it sticks around . . . and will continue to stick around at least until our contract is up. Until then, I raise a glass of Riesling to latest episode of Detroiters because I would be doing our city a disservice if I didn’t tune in.

How have your TV watching habits changed since becoming a parent? Do you find you watch more of it or less?

April is for Autism Awareness!

By

kristinevazzano

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April 18, 2017

In honor of April’s Autism Awareness Month, I wanted to share some basic facts about autism, local resources, and upcoming Michigan events.

Simply put, Autism is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral difficulties. Autism occurs on a spectrum, which means it affects individuals differently, and in different degrees. One person with autism is one person with autism—the experience is unique to each individual and should be approached and understood this way.

Autism occurs on a spectrum. Autism prevalence is now in 1 in every 68 children in America (Center for Disease Control, 2014).
Early intervention and diagnosis of autism improves treatment outcome. It is important to know the signs and symptoms!
Children (people) with autism may struggle understanding and communicating emotional experiences but they have feelings, can recognize emotion and experience empathy.
There are many treatments available for people with autism. A treatment plan should be developed based on the individual’s needs, strengths and weaknesses.

Check out these Great Resources to Learn More!

Autism Speaks: General information and research about autism. Great toolkits for parents regarding what to do for the first 100 days following a diagnosis, behavioral treatments and advocacy

Autism Alliance of Michigan: Provides up to date information about autism, resources in Michigan and an age by age guide for navigating a autism across childhood. The Alliance also has a navigator system providing free case management services for access to services and resources in Michigan.

Get Involved to Raise Money and Awareness! Save the Dates!

Autism Society of Michigan 5K for Autism Acceptance Saturday April 29, 2017 @ 9:00 a.m. Lansing, Michigan

Michigan Shines for Autism Gala Saturday April 29, 2017 6:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. DTE Energy Headquarters Detroit, Michigan

Navigating Autism Today Regional Conference Friday May 12, 2017 Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth, Michigan Conference is free for families, professionals are asked to pay $50.00

Third Annual Autism Hero Walk Saturday July 30 7:30-11:30 Detroit Zoo

Save It For A Rainy Day: 75 Fun Indoor Activities

By

Kelsie Rodriguez

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April 17, 2017

In my pre-mom life, there was something comforting about a rainy day at home. Brew a cup of tea, listen to calming music, curl up with a good book. Now, add children into the equation, and inclement weather can leave us feeling more like we’re under house arrest. Save this post for a rainy day as we give you some unique ideas for surviving a day inside with your children of all ages.

Create:

1. Do an art project. There are too many ideas to list, so let Pinterest be your guide!

2. Bake. Let your child stir the batter, roll the dough, or add frosting.

3. Construct things using marshmallows and toothpicks.

4. Build a tower out of whatever you can find in the recycle bin.

5. Make homemade Playdough.

6. Let your child sit inside a cardboard box and color all over it.

7. Make a playlist of your favorite songs for your next car trip.

8. Record a song together on your phone. Encourage your children to sing along or use musical instruments.

9. Record a movie.

10. Assemble a drum set out of pots and pans.

11. Make a paper chain to count down to an upcoming birthday, holiday, or fun event you have planned.

12. Draw a map of your neighborhood.

13. Design your dream home together.

14. Make paper airplanes and see how far you can fly them.

15. Make paper dolls. You can do a quick Google search for printable templates.

Sensory:

16. Make a sensory bin using cotton balls, packing peanuts, shredded paper, or get more ideas here.

17. String buttons, beads, or noodles to make necklaces.

18. Bury toys in a large bin of rice and dig for artifacts.

19. Play with shaving cream on a high chair tray or in the bathtub.

20. Mix different types of dry noodles and practice sorting them.

21. Blow bubbles in the house.

22. Place different foods in clean baby food jars (think: herbs, citrus rinds, or essential oils) and smell them.

Write:

23. Write a letter to someone you admire. Search for the addresses of characters and famous people. Here’s a link on how to send mail to Disney characters.

24. Write a letter or draw a postcard for a friend or family member who lives far away.

25. Call a local nursing home and ask if your kids can send cards to the residents.

26. Write/illustrate a story. (You can even publish it using a service like this.)

27. Tell a story together by taking turns each saying one word.

28. Make a time capsule. Write down information like the cost of a gallon of gas, current news headlines, and a list of your child’s close friends and favorite things (songs, movies, books, toys). “Bury” it in their closet to look back on later.

Explore:

29. Go on a treasure hunt around the house. See how many things you can find that start with the letter B, for example, or how many things you can find that are red.

30. Scavenger hunt.

31. “I Spy.”

32. Measure things around the house to see what’s longer/shorter.

33. Search for hidden treasures with flashlights under furniture and in closets. (Who knows, you may just find a stray puzzle piece that’s been MIA for a while…)

34. Freeze toys in blocks of ice and have your children “excavate” them in the bathtub with utensils.

35. Look at a map and ask everyone to pick somewhere they’d love to visit one day. Spend time learning about each place and planning what you would do there.

Relax:

36. Give yourselves mani/pedis.

37. Give each other back rubs or foot massages.

38. Soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath.

39. Take bubble baths.

40. Meditate.

41. Pajama party in the living room with sleeping bags.

42. Quiet reading time.

Move:

43. Dance party.

44. Hide and Seek.

45. Yoga. Search Youtube or listen to Musical Yoga Adventures on Amazon Music.

46. “Red Light, Green Light.”

47. “Simon Says.” (Help your little ones develop their listening skills. Win win!)

48. Invent a new sport.

49. Play catch and count how many times until you drop the ball.

50. Build an indoor obstacle course.

51. Place pillows and blankets on the floor and play “don’t touch the lava.”

Pretend:

52. Play restaurant. Older kids can create a menu with meal options and prices.

53. Tea party with dolls and stuffed animals.

54. Put on a puppet show.

55. Play house.

56. Play store.

57. Play dress-up.

58. Play zoo with toy animals.

59. Fashion show in Mom or Dad’s clothes.

60. Play doctor or dentist.

61. Play library. Organize your books by author, genre, color, or size, and then check them out.

62. Play movie theater. Make tickets, set up a concessions stand, and watch a movie together.

63. Christmas For a Day. Set out a few decorations, listen to carols, watch holiday movies, bake cookies, and wear your Christmas PJs.

64. Pretend it’s Halloween and bring out your favorite old costumes.

65. Give your plastic toys a bath in the sink with soapy water and an old toothbrush.

66. Indoor picnic.

Miscellaneous:

67. Photo shoot.

68. Look through photo albums or watch a photo slideshow on your computer. Talk about the people in each picture and what was happening.

69. Play with puzzles.

70. Create your own puzzle out of an old cardboard box.

71. Play board games.

72. Pool party in the bathtub. (Bust out the goggles and snorkel gear, if you have them.)

73. FaceTime with a friend or family member.

74. Rearrange your bedrooms.

75. If all else fails, bundle up for the elements, go outside, and play in the rain. After all, no childhood is complete without splashing in a few puddles.

What are your go to to rainy activities? Which from the list do you think your kids would love to try?

I’m a Stay At Home Mom and I Still Need Help!

By

Meredith Weston-Backaitis

-

April 17, 2017

Yesterday I called my mom and actually said these words: “I need my mommy.” I am a 35 year old mother of two with another one due in a few weeks. And, yes, it is true. I still need my mom. Life is crazy right now. We are in the midst of packing up our house and staging it for sale. It will go on the market exactly four weeks before my scheduled c-section. Why? Because I love to create drama. Just kidding. It is just the way timing worked out. I am a stay at home mama and I’m finally not ashamed to say it: I need help and can’t do it all on my own.

In my perfect world I would have a nanny, night nurse, full time housekeeper, and hair and make-up team on call (okay . . . that one is a little overkill, but we can all dream, right?) But that just isn’t in the cards. I stay at home for a reason. To me and my family it was a choice we made and were lucky we had the option of making that choice. But, holy smokes it is a lot of work!

With my first baby, Charlie, I didn’t realize how good I had it. He was happy, slept well and was pretty easy going. Moving on to my adorable second, Henry, the complete opposite of his brother (but I love him just the same). It was at that moment I realized staying at home wasn’t just a cake walk. With the third blessing on the way I just thought I could power through. I could pack and clean and de-junk when they were at school and napping . . . nope! And, of course do all my normal ‘mom things.’ All I want to do is sleep. I have officially lost it. My boys, husband and probably my friends think I have gone nuts. I had to do something about it.

So, I re-prioritized. If I wasn’t in a good place I realized it had a negative affect on everyone else in the house and around me. So I called in the troops. I took up my moms offer to help me organize and stage our house. God Bless her soul. I have hired a house cleaner to come every other week. Yes, I still vacuum, sweep and tidy up, but at this point in my pregnancy I’m not getting down on my hands and knees, scrubbing behind the toilet (If you have boys you know why this needs to be done). I have enlisted the help of a neighborhood high school student to help me a few hours after school each week. She loves hanging out with the boys and I can sneak out to run a few errands, or even take a half hour rest that my body so desperately needs. Last but not least my husband has several carry out menus at his desk that he can whip out when I call him at 3:00 that afternoon and let him know that I have nothing in store for dinner, he can cook or grab something on the way home. Guess which one he usually picks!!

I used to think I could do it all, but I can’t be a good mom and do everything else right now on my own. So, I choose being a good mom and saying yes to the help I am offered. I realize these are first world problems, but this is the world I am living in right now. To the women who work outside the home and do it ALL by themselves: I give them so much credit. To the women who stay at home and do it ALL by themselves: you are a Goddess and I worship the ground you walk on. I, on the other hand, don’t feel like a failure for needing and accepting help. I welcome it.

So, when the baby comes and you politely ask if I need anything? I will be honest and tell you I do! Casseroles, childcare, baby rocking and supportive words will all be welcome.

Detroit Mom