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Motherhood

The 6 Best Ways to Get Your Sweat On This Spring

by Jennifer Landis April 10, 2019

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and we’re starting to forget about all the time we spent under sweaters and blankets this winter dreaming of these days.

Now that spring is here, we may not feel like we’re ready for it. We may be feeling less than confident about our bodies that have been hidden under cozy layers for four months.

Curb the End of the Winter Blues

Regardless of the number of workouts we may have skipped to cozy by the fire, let’s cut ourselves some slack. I wouldn’t change time spent with my hubby or girls for the world. They’re growing more each day, and I’m not going to miss it for a half-hearted time at the gym.

Taking care of our bodies is a priority, but spending time beating ourselves up about winter workouts is unproductive and detrimental to our confidence. So it’s time to give ourselves a break and celebrate all our bodies have done for us, like delivering our babies.

Since the winter blues and gym workouts are finally behind us, we can express gratitude for our bodies and the sunny days ahead.

Why Outdoor Workouts Are Better Than the Gym

Outdoor workouts provide benefits that exceed the gym, aside from just the absence of muscle tanks. Research has shown that being exposed to trees and plants decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, resting heart rate, and blood pressure. Please, Mother Nature — from one mama to another — lower my blood pressure.

Getting your sweat on outside also elevates vitamin D levels. This boost from the sun is synthesized as a fat-soluble vitamin, boosting your immune system and bones.

Here are six of the best outdoor workouts you should try.

Outdoor yoga: I’m a little partial here, but taking my mat outside the walls of my house is something I dream of every January. Practicing in the outdoors allows every breath to bring a lungful of fresh air into my body. That’s a welcome change after months of being cooped up.
Park bench HITT workout: We can take our kiddos to the park and find a bench to get our sweat on. Try this quick park bench workout:

Five jump squats
10 step-ups on each leg
10 pushups
10 tricep dips
30-second plank

Complete this set, then rest 60 seconds and repeat. Push yourself to do as many sets as possible. You got this, mama!

Exercising around our kids is a great way to be mindful of the example we’re setting for them. As a mom, I want my girls to see me pushing my body, taking care of it and appreciating it. Raising girls in today’s world is a big responsibility, but what an opportunity to set an example of loving our bodies for what they can do, rather than the size of our jeans.

Obstacle course: Set up an obstacle course in your backyard. You could run between stray toys scattered throughout the yard. If you’re looking for something a bit more intentional, give this DIY obstacle source a try and repeat as many times as possible:

30-second jump rope
10 weighted ball tosses
30-second frog jump
30-second cone agility work

Walk the neighborhood: I don’t know about you, but my girls love to go for walks. Let’s break out the double stroller and get a sweat in! Start with a speedy walk and work your way up to a jog as your body allows. Jog for as long as you can, then walk for a minute and repeat.

The change in landscape makes you feel less like a hamster on a wheel, and more in tune with nature and your body. The varying nature of outdoor terrain challenges your body with different levels of incline, putting more muscle groups to work than indoor equipment could.

Workout tribes: Your own tribe of mindful mamas makes perfect workout partners. Get a group to stick around after you drop your kids off at preschool and take to the playground for a more intense workout and repeat as many times as possible:

Swing on the monkey bars
10 leg-raised push-ups on the balance beam
10 jumps over the balance beam
Run up the slide

Getting outdoors with the gals that inspire us will lift our spirits and maybe our bums, too! Who doesn’t want that?

Carry a car seat and groceries from the car to the front door: This is self-explanatory — and it is totally a valid workout, mamas. After all, you’re lifting heavy weights and getting your cardio in.

Let’s get our sweat on and appreciate the weather these beautiful spring days have to offer. The sun is finally shining, and it’s time to get moving!

Family Humor Motherhood

5 Parenting Tips From My Mother-In-Law That I Couldn’t Follow

by Guest Contributor April 3, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Parenting is already hard. But you know what’s harder? When somebody is constantly telling you what to do and what not to do with your kids. Now, what if that “somebody” is none other than your mother-in-law? Scared already? Been there, done that.

Look, there is no way you can avoid conflicts with your mamma-in-law. No matter how hard you’re trying to give your children proper care, they will find a flaw in it.

I know she means well. After all, my kid is her grandkid as well. So instead of misunderstanding her or getting into a nasty argument over parenting decisions, I simply unhear and unfollow all the ridiculous parenting tips she keeps throwing in.

Here’s a narrow down of the 5 most irrational and terrible parenting tips from my mamma-in-law (I hope she’s not reading this!):

1.“So what? He’s just a kid”

Guess what? I know. I popped him out of my uterus.

Once my 3-year-old boy snatched toys from a kid at a birthday party. Not just that, he pulled his hair and when scolded, he started throwing tantrums. I gave him a good talking to when we got back home. No matter how small a kid is, this is not an acceptable way to behave with others.

You know who interrupted me by saying “let it go, he is just a kid, he’ll grow out of it”? My mother-in-law. I know that she loves her grandkid but this is like encouraging him to be a bully. I can’t let that happen. You should know that sometimes a persuasive argument is not enough. You will have to be strict to keep your kids grounded, humble and kind to others.

2. The Brandy Solution

One day, Nathan woke up midnight crying as his gum pain worsened. He probably had a tooth infection. Instead of suggesting something logical like taking the appointment of a dentist, she asks me to do this:

“Rub a nip of brandy on Nathan’s gum, will you?”.

No!

I know that hard liquor like brandy or whiskey can ease the pain but we are talking about a baby here! Even a tiny dose can be harmful to children, causing seizures, a spike in the blood sugar level, vomiting, respiratory problems and it can even put him in a coma. Never rub alcohol on your children’s teeth or gum. It could be fatal.

3. “That baby walker will break his bone!”

Kind of a legit fear but still stupid. I bought a baby walker after taking into consideration all the safety aspects. The model he uses is specially made for uneven surfaces like carpet. It has buckles and everything to keep him secure in the walker. Plus, the wheels are specially designed so that they don’t move too fast or topple over.

No matter what your mother-in-law tells you, as long as your child is under the supervision and the walker is well-made, it’s completely safe to use.

4. “No need to homeschool my little boy”

I do believe that the teachers at school would do a wonderful job. But I want to be a part of his teaching team too. Reading, writing, and learning are complex tasks. If Nathan gets to learn the basics from me, he’ll do much better at school. Moreover, teaching your kids is a great way to bond with them as well. Do you hear me, dear mother-in-law?

Cute adorable newborn baby wrapped in colorful blanket, sleeping and dreaming. Closeup of peaceful child, little baby girl . Family, Birth, new life. Swaddling as method for calm child

5. “Stop swaddling that tiny kid”

Swaddling is a scientifically approved method of restricting a baby’s frantic movement. It soothes and comforts the baby. In fact, swaddling reduces the risks of anxiety in babies and helps them sleep peacefully. It is also known to reduce SID or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

My in-law is not much of a science person.

The Bottom Line

Having said all that, don’t be too hard on your mother-in-law. She probably got these parenting tips from her parents. In their times, parenting and baby care were not as advanced as they are today. So the next time they butt in with a piece of unwanted, crazy advice, explain to them how they are wrong. If they don’t understand, just laugh it off and peace out.

Author Bio

Alvina Emmy is a dynamic mother, always on the lookout for fun activities with her precious daughter and fun-loving techie husband. She is keen to share everything that she has learned on her site Parentloves.com

Breastfeeding Motherhood Pregnancy

5 Hacks To Make Your Life As A Breastfeeding Mom Easier

by Jennifer Landis March 8, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

The joys of a new baby are endless. The snuggles! The new baby smell! But we’d be lying if we didn’t say new babies come with their fair share of challenges, as well. One of the biggest challenges facing new moms is breastfeeding. It may be natural and it may be beautiful, but honey, it can be a real challenge for some people. If you want to breastfeed your newborn, here are some hacks to make your new-mom life a little bit easier.

1. Invest in Nursing Pads

Your baby isn’t always on the boob when you let down, which can result in a milky mess. Being around someone else’s baby, hearing a baby cry, the cold air after a shower, and a number of things can trigger this response. Invest in nursing pads you can stick to or place inside your bra to catch the excess milk. If you need to store breastmilk for when you go back to work, consider investing in some Milk Savers — little pouches you can wear inside your bra that capture leaky breast milk so you can freeze it for later.

Milk Savers, Amazon

These little things are lifesavers if you’re the kind of mom that loses 3-4 ounces of breastmilk from the opposite breast during a feeding. The Haakaa – a silicone suction based breast pump – is another incredibly popular and easy to use “milk catcher” if you let down from the side you’re not feeding on.

The Hakaa, Amazon

2. Take Care of Your Nipples

We won’t beat around the bush — breastfeeding is hard on your nipples, especially in the early months when your little one is eating every couple of hours. If you don’t take care of your nipples, they’ll crack and bleed, and each feeding will be your own personal hell until they heal.

If you notice some cracks, start treating them immediately by rubbing some expressed breast milk onto the area, and let it air dry. You can also apply a nipple ointment like after each feeding. (Lansinoh, makes a good one.)

Lansinoh Nipple Cream, Amazon

Make sure you read your labels, thoroughly, as some are safe for baby to consumer and others must be washed it off thoroughly before the next time you feed.

If your nipples are getting cracked a lot, take a look at your latch and how you’re holding the little one. Shifting your position and making sure they’re latched properly can save you a lot of pain.

3. Feed Yourself Too

While feeding your baby is important, don’t neglect yourself in the process. Meal planning is a literal lifesaver when you’re too tired to do anything other than throw something in the microwave — a common state for new moms.

If you find yourself with a lot of leftovers, you don’t have to eat the same thing every day. You’ll get bored, and that makes it even harder to make yourself eat. Instead, repurpose your leftovers into something new and tasty. Turn leftover vegetables into a wild rice and veggie salad, or leftover sweet potatoes into pancakes you can eat with one hand while feeding your baby.

4. Pay Attention to Your Supply

It’s not always easy to tell if your little one is getting enough milk. Pay close attention to your supply, and take steps to supplement if you’re not producing enough. This is especially important if your baby is into cluster feedings, which can swiftly sap your supply.

One thing that many new moms neglect is their water intake. Your body needs water to produce milk, so make sure you’re getting enough to drink every day. If you’re worried about your supply, let your little one nurse on each side, then use a pump to empty each breast. This helps to augment your supply naturally, while also giving you a stash of breastmilk in the freezer if you ever need it.

5. Don’t Ignore Pain

Breastfeeding is hard, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you are experiencing lasting pain that gets worse when you’re feeding, or something other than standard engorgement pain — which, if we’re honest, is bad enough it’s own — talk to your doctor or pediatrician. If you’re feeling feverish, it could be Mastitis – a common infection that breastfeeding moms experience where your milk duct becomes inflamed and clogged, and can be extremely painful if untreated. You should also rule out the possibility of a tongue tie in your little one – which makes it difficult for them to latch properly and can cause extreme pain and discomfort while nursing.

Sore nipples and engorgement are one thing. If you’re experiencing additional pain, don’t ignore it. Don’t assume it’s a natural part of breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant to make sure you’re healthy and everything is working like it should.

Hope for the Breast

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your little one! It’s essential to remember that this is a learning experience for you and your infant. Ask for help — your hospital will likely have at least one lactation consultant on hand. Remember to take care of yourself, too. As a breastfeeding mother, you are your infant’s whole world – and sole food supply – so if you’re not feeling well, it’s harder to do your job as a new mom.

Marriage Motherhood

5 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Became A Mom

by Modi Ramos March 6, 2019

written by Modi Ramos

Before I had kids, I was a completely different person. I embrace motherhood as my authentic self, and I don’t try to fit into a mold of what I am “supposed” to be, but rather, what I want to be. My late mother was by no means a traditional mother, and I applaud her for that. Being true to your authentic self will help you to be happier and not feel as if you’ve lost your identity when you are deep in your journey of motherhood.

Here are 5 things I wish I had known before I became a mom…

You Will Turn Into Your Mother, Regardless of The Million Times You Swore Up And Down That You Never Would

Ladies, you know exactly what I’m talking about right here. It’s that moment when you’re frazzled, tired, probably haven’t showered, laundry up to your eyeballs, and some tiny human is begging you to make them macaroni. You lose it. All the cool flies out the window. You’re huffing, puffing, feeling defeated. I have definitely been there. It’s like I’ve been teleported back to my own childhood, and I’m shaking my head at this mother I’ve become. But you know what? Parenting is hard work! I don’t care what the scenario is, it’s not for the faint of heart. And that full circle moment when you flip the script is when you’ll see that look in your kid’s eyes mirroring back at you what you once felt. Hint: there’s a reason moms like wine! (AKA mom juice.)

You Will Not Always be Perfect. Learn to Let That Sh*t Go.

Oh, man. I cannot preach this one enough. I am a person who sets the bar for myself extremely high. I want to do it all, have it all, be it all, and I want to look good doing it. But that is just not real life. After my son was diagnosed with Autism a few years ago, I realized it wasn’t worth killing myself over all the things I thought I could do. I learned that sometimes in life the little moments are actually the big moments. And it’s not about an award, or fancy jewelry, or a raise, or clicking with the PTA kiss-ass moms at school. It’s about those tiny humans and the person you’re raising them with. Stop and smell the roses sometimes. It’s worth it.

Your Partner Should Always Be Your #1

What came first? The chicken or the egg? In the case of kids, it’s the partner. It doesn’t matter if you’re married, dating, engaged, whatever. You are committed to the tiny humans that you created or adopted together. That’s what’s most important. I know we can become wrapped up in all our kids’ schedules, needs, care, etc. But putting your spouse on the back burner time after time is a recipe for disaster. Your partner needs to know that they’re still clinching the top spot. Value them, lift them up, be a team. And if they’re guilty of putting you on that back burner, don’t be afraid to voice your needs. It’s okay, and sometimes, they won’t know unless you tell them!

There is Beauty and Kindness in This World, Be The One To Show it and Teach it

It doesn’t matter where you live, if you turn on the local news, you can feel as if you’re raising your kids in a scary place. Although there is danger out there, there are silver linings and beauty all around us. There are still good people in this world even if you feel that we hear more sad stories than good. It’s up to you to show your children the beauty all around us and to teach them to treat others kindly regardless of the way they look, act, or speak. We are all different, and the world would be a boring place if we were all the same. Encourage your children to be unique and embrace their originality. If more of us appreciated differences, the world would be a much better place. And more importantly, negativity towards others is a learned behavior. Children are so sweet and pure, but they’re also little sponges that pick up on your actions and words. I know I sometimes let curse words fly, I’m not perfect by any means, but I treat others with kindness and teach my kids to do the same.

Self-Love and Self-Care Go Hand-in-Hand

Look, I get it. I’ve gotta do beauty on a budget, too, most of the time. Sure, I wish I could afford to buy nice things for myself or to spend money on things for me, but that’s not something I can do. Self-care doesn’t have to cost a dime. Sometimes it’s as small as reading, going for a walk, working out, maybe even taking a hot bath. In some cases, it’s just getting a few minutes alone to yourself each day. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else. Value yourself and do not feel selfish for needing time to just be you. Something I like to do is to take showers in the evening while my husband can watch the kids, and it sure beats shower Schizophrenia that most moms can relate to.

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