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pregnancy tips A young pregnant woman is standing in a harbor looking at the ships and boats

5 Important Tips to Follow During and After Pregnancy

by LifeAsMama January 13, 2020

From proper self-care, learning about how your body changes during pregnancy, all the way to tending to your needs as well as your baby’s health after giving birth, becoming a parent takes tremendous effort and plenty of time. Unfortunately, giving birth doesn’t make you an instant parent, nor does it prepare you for changing diapers, handling ear infections, and managing your own recovery. You’ll need to get to know yourself from scratch and slowly find the mindset and the rhythm that suits you most.

Some basics, however, apply to every single soon-to-be new mom. Whether you’re a few months away from giving birth, you’ve just conceived, or you’re looking at your newborn as you read this post, some tips are timeless. Here are a few of those suggestions you can keep in mind for a healthy pregnancy and proper self-care after giving birth, and hopefully, these pregnancy tips will help you enter parenthood more confident and with a smile on your face.

Baby steps for your new role

Although the nine months of preparation certainly help, it takes a lifetime to continuously grow into your parenting role. It’s one never-ending learning curve and there are always different ways to become a better parent, since none of us are ever perfect.

Remember that when you start to build your mindset as a mom: you’ll never be perfect, so be more realistic with your expectations so that you can love yourself even when you make mistakes as a parent, and learn from them as you move forward.

Ask other moms

Support is vital during pregnancy as much as it is after giving birth. Some women have a strong support system within their families and plenty of women to talk to when they come up with issues and questions. Others, however, could benefit from a helpful community. You’ll find many useful new mom apps that provide such a safe space with ample support, advice, and guidance during this sensitive time.

This can complement your current support system consisting of your partner and your family, but for single moms, this can be a safe haven of interaction and love. Talk to other moms so that you can discover their own personal tips on how to better adjust to your new role. Both during and after pregnancy, this can help you reduce stress and feel better in your own skin.

Fit and healthy in pregnancy

Although health and fitness with the right nutrition plan and exercise regime should matter in every stage of your life, they become even more essential when you have a bun in the oven. Why? Because now you’re not just eating for yourself, but you’re nurturing your little one in your belly, and you need to give your body everything it needs to support carrying the baby. That is why your doctor will prescribe all those prenatal vitamins and minerals to boost your diet, and that’s why you need to manage your cravings by ensuring optimal macronutrient intake.

Add to that, your activity choice and levels will change depending on your pregnancy, since some forms of pregnancy require more down-time, and others can let you pursue your fitness goals. Regular walks, performing yoga asanas, bodyweight exercises, as well as Kegels are all useful to keep your pelvic floor strong and your core ready to carry your baby. Keeping your low-back strong also prevents that low-back pain so common during pregnancy.

Plan the birth

It might be many months away, but the sooner you start educating yourself on your options and contemplating the best solution for you, the easier it will be to prepare your body and your mind for childbirth. Although most soon-to-be moms will reach for Google at the earliest stages of research, make sure you also talk to medical professionals and especially the doctor that will guide you through your pregnancy and monitor your baby.

Your plan should consider the people you’d like to be present, the procedure you’d prefer (epidural to manage your pain, for example), the atmosphere you’d like to create (the music in the background, lighting, candles if allowed, etc.), and the position you’d like to use (squatting, lying on your back, birth in the water). There are so many different options out there, you most likely haven’t heard of many before you got pregnant, so it’s useful to learn more about them and then decide.

Educate yourself on postpartum depression

The notion of such tremendous emotional turmoil can be daunting, but learning about postpartum depression can be a helpful way to prevent its occurrence, or at the very least reduce your risk of becoming depressed by taking all the needed precautions. Parenting is stressful to put it mildly, but depression is a result of so many complex processes in your body and mind that it cannot be ascribed to stress alone.

Talk to your doctor to learn how to recognize the earliest signs of depression and what to do when and if you spot them. Look for local support groups you can join, even if never really need to use the information, just have it there on the fridge. Write in a journal to monitor your emotions as they evolve, and you might be able to spot early symptoms of depression.

In case you still haven’t tried any of the listed tips, there’s no time like the present. Becoming a mom is far from an effortless journey, and you’ll need plenty of support and guidance, since the learning curve never truly ends. Make the pregnancy and the postpartum recovery as seamless as possible with these pregnancy tips, and make the most of your new role in life.

About the Author

Mia Taylor is 33 year old blogger who writes about beauty, fashion and travel. She had always been passionate about fashion and over time she had developed a style of her own. Mia loves to mix and match and get inspire girls with her advice about outfit and accessories. She loves telling a story about her travels, providing beauty tips with readers.

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Back to school! Child is learning to write. Adult woman teaches child the alphabet.

Creative Ways to Help Your Child Learn This Year

by Jennifer Landis January 9, 2020

written by Jennifer Landis

As parents, we want our children to be knowledgeable and intelligent, amongst a million other good traits. Indeed, even the best students aren’t the best learners, so it’s often necessary to supplement what’s taught at school with at-home education. You don’t have to pull out a whiteboard and show your kids how to do geometry, but there are ways to help them stay on track. Here are a few suggestions to allow you to do just that.

Social Skills

This is a terrific way to teach kids how to follow directions and complete projects. These days, you’ll find printable online resources for every topic, including socialization. Children can improve their social skills as they finish worksheets, which makes it easy to teach and build upon them. Like any subject at school, these need worked on as kids grow older. Usually, students are used to a set of rules they need to follow for each assignment. When they complete worksheets at home, you’re able to encourage them to ask questions and think a little more freely. These lessons then translate directly back to the classroom.

Reading

A child’s literacy skills begin to develop as soon as they’re born. Think about it – the more you talk and make sounds around your baby over the years, the more they’ll retain and understand later on. Therefore, when you read to your kids, you open up a realm of possibilities. Make an effort to get through one story every night before bed. Have them choose the book and read it with them. If it’s one they’ve chosen before, stop to ask them if they remember what happens next. Doing this helps to boost memory. You may also want to create a relaxing reading environment. Turn on a soft light and cuddle up in bed. This way, your child can focus on enjoying the story, instead of any distractions.

Math and Science

Math and science are crucial subjects but sometimes aren’t taught in ways that children can apply to their own lives. Though they may learn how to add and subtract, you as the parent can help them even further. When you’re in the car, ask them to identify the shape of a stop sign. If you take them to the grocery store, prompt them to find the cheapest carton of ice cream. Point out a dog and tell them what breed it is. Allow them to help you take care of your garden. This way, they’re able to apply what they already know to real-world situations. When your child isn’t sure about something, help them work through it, so they understand going forward.

Creative Arts

When children are in touch with their creative side, they gain a host of benefits beyond their standard curriculum. Most schools now require art and music classes, but you can expand upon this at home. Keep your playroom well stocked with paper, markers, crayons and paint. Encourage your kid to make whatever masterpiece they envision. Afterward, hang up their work so they can see it displayed throughout your home. Play music and sing along to it. If your child expresses interest in the piano or guitar, book them a few lessons. Remember to make this a fun experience, not one where they feel the need to impress.

Social Studies

Many people believe that the best way to learn is to do. When it comes to social studies, one of the best ways to do this is to explore. Purchase a map, globe or themed puzzle to help your kid identify and place countries around the world. Visit different parts of your city or head to a museum, where your child can see and hear about local history. If you’re going on a family vacation, try to plan an activity that puts you all in touch with the culture. You may also find it helpful to explore different restaurants to try new cuisines. All of these are ways that will expand your child’s knowledge of the world around them.

Physical Education

In the United States, about one in three children are obese. Thus, your kids should get enough daily exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Encourage them to play outside after school or take them to the park after dinner. Even if they run around in an open space inside, they’re more active than they would be watching television or playing video games. The school your child attends likely has a recess or some form of physical education, but this is still something to incorporate. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach your kids about their health, as well as how the mind and body work. It’s possible that if they know why they should exercise, they’re more likely to do it.

Learning Is All Around Us

School teaches children the basics and then some, but often, it’s up to parents to bridge the gap. There are dozens of ways you can supplement your kid’s education at home, no matter what subject you want to focus on. This way, your child will learn all there is to know about the world.

vacation planning Multi Generation Family On Vacation Walking Along Beach Together

Family Kids Little Kid Travel

Vacation Planning: 8 Secrets to a Great Family Vacation

by LifeAsMama January 9, 2020

written by LifeAsMama

Bringing kids on vacation may seem like a crazy idea, especially if you are eyeing a relaxing getaway. While it may be true that they can often be a bit of a pain in the ass, letting them join your trip is an experience that can indeed be one for the books.

If you think that traveling with the whole family is more stressful than it should be, then you are probably planning it the wrong way. Challenges are sure to join your trip as well, but that doesn’t mean that you let them take the wheel and dictate the mood of your entire vacation.

To avoid any of the stress hazards that alarm you just by thinking about getting on a plane with the fam, here are some eight secret recipes to a great family vacation.

Set goals and expectations

Learning what you want and what you want everyone in the brood to experience will help you set the theme for your trip.

Do you want to spend a couple of days at the beach? Or do you want to go on a little adventure and hit the mountains (that are kid-friendly, of course) instead? You may also want to explore a new city and hop around museums and galleries.

Whatever you feel like doing with the rest of the family, make sure that you have set your expectations for the entire trip. You may want to ask your kids some suggestions on what they want to see so you can plan accordingly.

Decide where to go

Now that you know what the family wants and what feels convenient for everyone, this is the perfect time to pick which destination you are heading to.

Take note that you have to consider kid-friendly destinations. Just because some tourist destinations look good in photos doesn’t always mean they are perfect for children. You don’t want to ruin the trip by choosing the wrong place to visit, and you end up being more stressed than relaxed.

You might also want to consider the dates of your trip. Research what the weather is going to be like when you’re there. Ask yourself whether you are ready to take the kids into such a particular weather situation.

Find the right accommodations

Finding the right accommodation means you have figured out what works best when you have your kids around. What you need to understand is that although hotels may seem like the best option for a family trip, renting homestays is ideal just because you have plenty of space to move freely.

Find unique things to see and do

When you take on a trip with the family, it’s a great opportunity to make lasting memories—something that the kids can keep in their treasure trove of happy days until they grow old.

Traveling doesn’t always mean you have to go where the rest of the crowd is heading to. Finding new stuff to do and new places to explore other than the usual touristy stuff that we’re so used to should always be on your itinerary. As you may know by now, kids can get bored quickly, so to set a day of discovery for them can heighten their excitement.

Create your travel itinerary

If you’re the organized mom who loves to make lists of everything up to the smallest detail, creating itineraries is your jam.

Find a way to break your day’s activity into morning, afternoon, and evening. This is to ensure that you don’t exhaust your kids by putting in so many activities in one day that you forgot to take a break and rest.

Build your travel budget

You don’t want to go over budget, so setting your travel expenses right before you board the plane is a good way to manage the matter.

It’s time to bring that good old calculator out and see how much you are willing to spend for the entire trip, including emergency purchases when your kid is throwing a tantrum.

While you’re at it, don’t be too stingy to a point where you don’t enjoy much of the local delicacies around or not wanting to spend on a museum entrance fee just because you are on a tight budget. Make sure that you still have room for some enjoyment despite budget constraints. That’s what a travel budget planning is for.

Pack wisely

You may have mastered to pack your own suitcase for a trip, but since this time you are about to bring your kids with you, it’s time to up your packing game and do it wisely!

I’m sure you already know what essentials to bring and what types of distractions to leave behind. Apart from what suitcase to use to maximize space, you also need to identify the best carry-on luggage to bring with you, especially when you are traveling with a baby or a toddler. That’s how your packing skills will be tested. It’s like solving a puzzle where you ask yourself, should this item be in the suitcase or inside my carry-on?

Don’t stress out – you’re on vacation!

And the topmost secret to having the best vacation is just to chill and don’t stress too much. After all, you took this trip to enjoy and bond with the family.

Some situations may frustrate. That’s a given, but don’t let it consume you. There are some things that are inevitable, and to stress yourself out for a matter that you don’t have control over is pointless. Just try to see the silver lining in everything, and you’re off to a great adventure!

No matter how many problems you have encountered or any situation that has tested your patience, if you’re happy and the rest of the family is happy, then there’s nothing to worry about.

Home Kids

How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Child’s Room

by LifeAsMama December 26, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Once you have a kid, they become your priority. In addition to making your home safe for them, you will also invest a lot in their room to make it as interesting and cozy as possible. Besides a comfy bed, plenty of toys and enough storage space, you will also have to think about the carpet that you will put in their room. This might seem like a minor detail but this is something you should put a lot of thought into it. While finding the right rug for your child’s room can be difficult, the guide below should help you find the perfect one.

Carpet or rug?

While it might be tempting to install a wall-to-wall carpet in your kids’ room, that might not be the best idea. Sure, this seems warm, soft and safe but it actually traps a lot of dust and dirt, which can be quite hard to clean. A much better option would be getting a rug for a certain area of the room and leaving the rest of the hardwood floors exposed. This will make the space much easier to maintain and the kids will still have a warm place where they can crawl or play on the floor.

Where to place it?

Where you will place the rug depends on many factors. First of all, what will be its purpose? Will it be used to divide the room into several areas? Will it define the play area of the room? Is it supposed to be a focal piece and add an accent to the room? Answering these questions will help when deciding where to place the rug. For defining a play area, you can put it in a corner where all the toys are – that way, your child will recognize this zone as the activity area. Then, you can put it in the center to highlight the furniture around it. Also, for safety, it’s best for some sturdier pieces of furniture to overlap with the rug’s edges.

What material and texture to look for?

When it comes to the type of materials, the selection of quality rugs online is huge. First of all, you need to look for something safe, durable and easy to maintain. Start by getting a rug pad that you can put under the rug as that will keep it in place as well as protect the floor. Now, you can look through a variety of materials and textures until you find something that suits your needs. For example, an affordable option is cotton dhurries. They are a bit thinner than other alternatives but very easy to clean. Then, soft wool rugs are great insulators and they can repel stains and water. They do shed a bit in the beginning but it decreases over time. One durable option to consider is jute rugs although they can be a bit harsh on the skin. Finally, synthetic rugs can take a lot of abuse and are easy to clean.

How big should it be?

Now that you know where you will place it and what type of material you need, you can measure the area in question and decide how big it should be and think about the shape you want. For instance, for an elegant touch, you can get a small circular rug for your child’s room. On the other hand, if you want to cover a big part of the room, a large rectangular one will work wonders. Finally, you can also look for some interestingly shaped ones that your kids will love, maybe something in the shape of a flower or car or whatever their interests are.

What color to choose?

Choosing the color and pattern of the rug can be a challenge. On the one hand, you don’t want it to simply blend into the background but, on the other, you don’t want it to not fit in and stick out. Therefore, if the room is full of patterns and very colorful, you should go for something a bit subdued, in a solid color. Alternatively, if the room is made up of neutral colors, you can add a pop of color by finding a dynamic, patterned rug. You can also opt for some educational models with playful shapes. Finally, to hide any stains and dirty spots, you can get a marbled, medium-toned rug that will make these imperfections a bit less noticeable.

Sure, buying a rug for your child’s room doesn’t seem hard but you have to keep in mind that there are many aspects you have to consider before you make a purchase. Keep its purpose, placing, material, size and color in mind when doing so and you should find the perfect rug for the room.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

indoor activities A family draws on paper lying on their free time on the floor in the room.

Family Kids

7 Awesome Indoor Activities to Do as a Family This Winter

by Jennifer Landis December 17, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

As freezing temperatures and icy conditions roll into town, it can be challenging to figure out how to stay entertained. There comes the point when no amount of outerwear will keep you warm enough to warrant a day outside of the house. Thankfully, there are plenty of indoor activities that you and your family can try this winter. Here are a few ways you can remedy that inevitable bout of cabin fever.

1. Get a Little Crafty

Crafts are an excellent means for your family to have fun, be creative and learn something new all at the same time. You’ll most likely already have the necessary materials and ingredients on hand to make some of these masterpieces.

Slime:Elements like glue, shaving cream and contact lens solution come together to make a squishy material that is so much fun to play with. Add food coloring and you’ll get a vibrant, gooey mixture perfect for hours of play.
Homemade playdough: Your kids will love customizing their very own playdough. Store it in an airtight container and it lasts for months.
Origami: Try your hand at making a variety of origami art This is a unique and enjoyable skill that everyone can learn.
Glow bubbles: Next time you’re at the store, pick up some non-toxic glow sticks. Your kids will spend hours with these bubbles.
Paper bracelets:With some paper and a little paint, your family can make beautiful paper bracelets.

You might also want to take a trip to your local science center, where you can do a ton of other interesting learning activities.

2. Build or Visit a Play Area

If you’ve never built a fort out of pillows and blankets, or a house out of a big cardboard box, then you’re in for an exciting experience. You can push chairs and couches together to construct walls and a support system. Lay a blanket between them as a makeshift roof. Before you recycle that old refrigerator box in your basement, bring it out so your kids can make it into a house. Have your them decorate with drawings and make it their own.

See if there are any indoor play spaces near you. Many have inflatable structures and bounce houses that are perfect for kids — some of which even allow them to play as various objects and characters. Let their imaginations run wild!

3. Try an Indoor Sport

There are several sports you can modify so that you can play them inside of your home. Create a soft landing space with pillows and blankets. Then, start a wrestling tournament between friends and family. Set up basketball hoops on either end of a room – you can make them with cardboard and tape. If you don’t have a small ball, you can use balled up socks instead.

Your family can also go ice skating at a local rink, try indoor rock climbing or head to a trampoline park. These are fantastic ideas to blow off steam and remain active when it’s cold outside.

4. Have a Scavenger Hunt

Put together some clues and hide items around the house for your family to find. Be as creative as you wish! You can do a theme, like a treasure hunt with riddles written in pirate lingo, or be a little more straightforward. This activity allows people to work together to solve problems, which is a handy life skill. Check out some of these pre-made clues to help get you started.

5. Bake Treats

Baking is a terrific way to bond as a family. Grab a box mix at the store or pull out the flour and sugar to start from scratch. Should you find yourself stuck inside all day, there are plenty of simple recipes for kids to start with. You can use fun cookie cutters and shapers and let your kids decorate to their hearts’ content. Doing this is an excellent way for them to get a little messy and learn the basics of cooking at the same time.

6. Make a Reading Nook

Make a quick trip to the library and pick out a few favorites. When you get home, set up a cozy reading nook, which can also work as a fort for even more fun later on. Your family will love to snuggle up and dive into a book for the afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity to implement more consistent reading in your house. You can also use this spot to play board games.

7. Watch a Movie

When all else fails, movies are there to save the day. Set up an area in the living room and pick out a couple of movies you and your family love. Pop some popcorn, make some yummy drinks and have yourselves a movie marathon. You can use this as a way to wind down after an action-packed day.

Have Some Fun!

With this wide range of activities in your arsenal, you’ll be ready to face the frigid winter days head-on. These ideas will help you introduce entertaining and educational opportunities to your family – all while staying warm.

Happy adorable kid boys and little girl eating healthy food, fresh watermelon in kindergarten, nursery or at home. Fresh fruits as organic bio snack for children. Three kids.

Healthy Eating Kids

How To Get Your Kids To Eat Less Sugar

by LifeAsMama December 13, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Do you know how much sugar your children consume on a daily basis? The answer may shock you, and you will want to start making sure your kids eat less sugar.

Surveys report that the sweet stuff makes up roughly 17 of what children consume each day. That’s a lot of sugar—and 50 percent of that comes from drinks with added sugar, according to research.

Toddlers are also having a lot of it—in fact, as much as seven teaspoons of sugar each day for toddlers aged 19 to 23 months in the U.S., according to findings by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2011-2014.

To put this in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends that children consume less than three teaspoons—or 12 grams—of sugar per day.

Why is sugar bad?

Sugar is one of the single worst ingredients you can put into your body, and here’s why.

Excess intake is linked with dental caries, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Not only that, it can also impact the child’s food habits and preferences, likely setting them to unhealthy eating later in life, research reports.

Name a disease, and there is a strong chance that excessive sugar intake has something to do with it.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. With a few dietary changes, your kids can be encouraged to eat healthier and thus reduce sugar intake, which will set them on the path for healthier food choices into adulthood.

Here’s how to help your kids eat less sugar—without causing a rebellion.

Read Nutrition Labels

The ingredient lists on some of your children’s foods might sound like an alien language, but it’s critical to learn what words stands for added sugar. This will help you quickly realize how often sugar is added to foods, even to items that don’t even taste sweet, such as salad dressing, dried cranberries, ketchup, and baked beans.

Before you toss a product in your cart, scan the food label for the following:

Fructose
Fruit juice concentrates
Corn sweetener
Crystalline fructose
Dextrose
High-fructose corn syrup
Lactose
Maltose
Brown sugar
Agave nectar
Corn syrup
Cane sugar
Cane crystals
Glucose
Evaporated cane juice
Invert sugar

As a rule, any food that packs in more than 22.5 grams—or five teaspoons –of total sugar per 100 is high in sugar, and items below 5 grams—roughly one teaspoon—are considered low in the sweet stuff.

Limit Sweetened Beverages

Over 40 percent of added sugar in your kid’s diets comes from sweetened drinks, contributing little to nothing in the way of nutrition. Not only that, research also shows that the average child in the US gets 120 calories a day from soda alone.

What’s more?

One can of soda contain more sugar than the daily recommended limit for the whole day, depending on the brand.

For these reasons, reducing—or downright boycotting— these sugary bombs will have a substantial impact on your kids’ diet.

Instead of gorging on loads of empty calories, give your kids lime water, fresh fruit juice, or unsweetened lemon tea.

Clean your House

Ever heard of the adage “out of sight, out of mind”?

It applies particularly well to sugar-rich bites such as cereals, crackers, and drinks too.

If your kitchen drawers and pantry is loaded with toaster pastries, mini muffins, doughnuts, chocolate chips, your kids are far more likely to ask for them—maybe eat them behind your back.

Stop buying packaged snack foods and bites to eat at your own house. Go through your pantry and make a clean sweep and restock with healthier alternatives.

Find healthy alternatives

Getting your kids to eat less sugar is not all about limiting food choices. It’s also about adding healthier options to the menu.

That’s why I’d recommend coming up with healthy and tasteful alternatives, rather than denying your kids a snack or a treat. Not only doing can it help tame your kid’s cravings, but it also helps them meet their daily nutrition needs.

Healthier alternatives include:

Air-popped popcorn
Whole-grain crackers
Cut-up grapes and bananas
cut-up veggies with guacamole
Sliced apples
cheese sticks
Pears with peanut butter
low-sugar dressing for dipping

Lead by Example

To properly teach your kids how to curb their sugar intake, you have to be the role-model. What you do, both consciously and unconsciously, affects their behavior and their day to day choices.

If you want your kids to exercise more, then exercise more.

If you want them to eat more fruits, then eat more fruit.

When you lead by example and hold the pedal to the metal when it comes to eating healthier, you can help your kids maintain a healthy weight and normal growth.

Here are a few healthy eating habits to cultivate in yourself:

Portion control
Eating mindfully
Eating slowly
Eating in moderation
Reading food labels
Eating more veggies
Drinking more water

Don’t have hidden compartments, too. Your kids can tell.

Sugar is not inherently bad in itself. However, consuming a natural source of sugar, let’s say from fruits, is better for health than gorging empty sugar calories from a drink. And the above dietary guidelines are all you need to get your kids to eat less sugar.

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions in the section below.

In the meantime, thank you for dropping by.

Keep eating healthy.

Cute baby 1,4 years old sitting on high children chair and eating fruit alone in white kitchen

Baby Healthy Eating

6 Baby Superfoods to Start Them on Solids Right

by LifeAsMama December 10, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Infant firsts are the best, aren’t they? From when they learn to walk using a baby walker for carpet to their first bit of solid food. But there are always doubts, especially if you’re a new parent, as to whether you’re starting them out on these new things properly or not. When it’s time to replace purees with solid foods, these baby superfoods are great ones to introduce to your sweetie.

1. Oats

A nutritious breakfast for mommy and the newest addition to your family are oats. Whole grain oats are full of B vitamins and fibre.

Be sure to choose the unflavoured ones as they have less sugar and sodium than the instant packets. Try adding some stewed fruit too for extra nutrition for their first meal of the day.

2. Eggs

Of all the baby superfoods on this list, eggs are likely the ones to surprise you the most. Traditionally, eggs weren’t something to introduce to youngsters until the 1-year mark because of allergy risks.

However, recent research suggests that delaying the introduction of certain foods early on, such as eggs, has actually contributed to the prevalence of food allergies in recent years. Instead, there is a paradigm shift to giving children cooked eggs from 6-months-old onward.

Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and good fats. Of course, check with your doctor first if you’re not comfortable with feeding eggs to your young one.

3. Spinach

If it was good for Popeye… It’s no wonder that it’s on this list of solid eats for baby!

Spinach is high in vitamins C, A, and K. It’s also full of calcium and beat-carotene. With these nutritional benefits in its favor, many parents are feeding pureed spinach to baby when they’re ready to take on solid foods.

4. Bananas

Along with introducing a vegetable like spinach, it’s time for fruit too. A great quality of bananas is that they have slow-release sugars to provide a steady amount of energy to the body rather than a sudden spike, making them one of the best baby superfoods.

That’s not all the benefits of this carbohydrate, either. Bananas are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6.

5. Broccoli

A range of veggies is great for your kid now that they’re opening their mouths to new experiences, literally. Broccoli has a ton of vitamins, such as vitamin C, and strong anti-cancer properties too. It is filling, as well.

This vegetable can be tough to digest, though, even as a puree, so you might want to wait until 8-10 months of age before introducing it to your cutie. It can also cause your baby to be gassy.

6. Red meat

For iron-rich eats, it’s hard to beat a terrific source like red meat. While you might assume breast milk is full of iron, unfortunately it’s not from 6 months old onward, so getting additional amounts of it is beneficial in pureed form.

Speaking of iron, opt for iron-fortified baby cereal to provide a bit more iron when your baby is ready to take on solids. Iron is important for healthy development because this mineral is imperative to making hemoglobin, which is the protein that takes oxygen to cells across the entire human body.

As your little one evolves daily, it’s important to feed them foods that help them grow physically and mentally. Start to include these baby superfoods within a balanced eating plan for their proper development.

About the Author

Stella Ryne is an art historian, traveller, conscious consumer and a proud mother. When she is not trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to lose herself in a good book. Stay in touch with Stella via Twitter and Facebook.

Kids

Simple Hacks That Will Help You Raise Successful Kids

by LifeAsMama December 9, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Raising children is never easy, especially if you truly want them to succeed. Sometimes, parents can get carried away with their ambition, which often results in misunderstanding and tears. If you’re an ambitious parent, that’s great, because it’s normal that you want your child to grow into a successful and productive individual. Yet, in order to avoid typical mistakes, here are some simple hacks that will help you raise successful kids smoothly and efficiently:

Invest some effort to get to know your child

Your child is a person of their own, so it’s important to treat them that way. You might want them to play piano or ace basketball, but before you sign them up for lessons, you should take time to learn about your child’s preferences and abilities. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to spend afternoons practicing scales that don’t interest you in the slightest or training a sport that you’d rather watch. Knowing your child well can help you build a meaningful relationship based on love and trust, which will help you communicate any potential issues that might arise.

Show your child unconditional love and support

Now, unconditional love and support don’t mean you get to bury your head in the sand in case something bad happens, but rather being there for your child anytime they need you. If you want them to be hard-working and thriving, it’s important they know they can count on you no matter what. That way they’ll be more inclined to confide and tell you everything that you should know. Instead of instilling fear and obedience, you should be having honest and open discussions, as that is the best way to create a meaningful bond with your child and a great way to raise successful kids.

Don’t neglect the importance of additional hobbies and activities

Doing homework and other school-related projects is a must, but if you truly want your child to grow and learn, you should consider some extra hobbies and activities, such as swimming, dancing, karate, or painting. Kids need to learn how to express their creativity in a constructive manner, and some artistic hobbies can certainly help them there. Additionally, doing sports can help manage all that extra energy. Learning things outside of school can help your child become more self-confident and knowledgeable. Investing in language skills is always welcome, so hiring an expert English tutor will help your child do better at school. So, adding these activities into their routine can be of great help, but don’t forget to leave some extra time for fun activities such as playing with friends and watching TV.

Instead of being pushy, aim to show them the right way to be

The majority of pushy parents tend to do so because they regret their own missed opportunities. This is crucial to know because, in many instances, parents tend to push their children, not out of malice, but more because they truly believe that having a successful child will fill in their own emotional void. Instead of forcing your child to do ballet, practice violin or play football, it’s better to explain to them the importance of having skills because that can be useful for their future. Talk to your child and try to determine what hobby or activity would fit them best. If your kid isn’t a sporty type, doing sports will only make them frustrated and anxious. That’s why it’s better to lead by example: try to spend time with your kid doing fun activities such as baking, drawing, playing some sports or learning a new language. That way, your kid will become more self-assured and open-minded towards different hobbies and other pursuits.

Bottom line

These tips will surely help you build a healthy relationship with your child and raise successful kids. Rather than pushing them into a certain direction, you should strive towards being supporting, loving and kind because that’s the sure way to have an ambitious and smart child who will do good in life.

About the Author

Chloe is a journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.

Happy family travel by car to the sea. People having fun in cabriolet. Summer vacation concept

Kids Travel

7 Important Tips For Traveling with Kids

by LifeAsMama December 6, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Traveling is one of the best gifts you can give to your kids. It’s a great way to explore the world, meet new people and learn about geography, religion, culture and art. However, kids can be quite demanding, so traveling with your little ones without proper preparation can quickly turn into a cry-fest. Here are all the best ways to make traveling with kids easy, fun and fuss-free.

Make it simple

Solo or couple travelers usually make their vacations fast-paced, but when you’re traveling with kids, you have to slow it down. Make sure you set realistic goals about what you can see and do at your destination. Cramming too many things into your itinerary will just make everyone nervous, exhausted and disappointed. A good rule is to organize a trip that’s suitable for the youngest child—if they can handle it, everyone can. Also, don’t forget to include plenty of stops, potty breaks, naps and snack stops into your day.

Be flexible with dates

If your kids don’t go to school yet, always choose to travel off-season. This will provide you with huge savings on both accommodation and flights, but also ensure you have a fuss-free, quiet and private vacation. Even if you have school kids, see if they can miss a few days of classes in order to travel outside major school holidays. If this is your kids’ first vacation, it’s best to explore the destination when there are no huge crowds of yelling tourists around.

Consider taking your car

Of course, if you travel overseas, you can’t really take your car, but if you’re hitting the next state or the neighboring country, you might want to consider having a road trip. This is not only a more immersive way to travel, but it’s also much more comfortable and flexible than a plane or a bus. You can make your own itinerary, stop wherever and whenever you like and enjoy a trip filled with privacy. Just be sure to grab good car insurance that will keep you covered in case of an accident, natural disaster and theft. And ensure you opt for a comprehensive insurance deal that also offers emergency roadside assistance—you never know what can happen on the road. Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with your tired and hungry kids in the car is not a good experience, so be protected.

Consider renting an apartment

Sure, hotels are luxurious, but most of them are not built from families with young kids. There’s not enough floor space for play, neighbors will be able to hear every tantrum and you will be left without a proper fridge and microwave. So, consider ditching hotels and opting for rental apartments instead. These will provide you with more space and you will have all the amenities at your disposal when you’re traveling with kids. Picking something with a washing machine is also a great idea, especially if you’re staying for more than a few days.

Pack smart

Remember that young kids can’t really help with luggage, so everything will be in your hands. For that reason, it’s better to travel light than to drag pounds and pounds of unnecessary things behind you. In order to reduce your luggage, roll clothing, wear your largest and heaviest clothes on the flight and minimize toys and electronics. It’s best to pack a lot of neutral, comfy and versatile clothing items you can combine and wear on many occasions. Also, allow your kids to choose a few clothing items to prevent meltdowns when getting dressed.

Bring a few comfort items

When your kids get tired, sad or bored, it’s a great idea to have their favorite toy, some familiar reading materials and good music at hand. These activity packs will be life-savers on a plane or in the car, so everyone can stay busy and relaxed.

Have a small surprise up your sleeve

Kids love a good surprise, so when you notice everyone is feeling a little tired and nostalgic for home, it’s time to spice things up. “Forget” to mention a visit to the waterpark, theme park, Legoland or zoo, but you can also have a no-warning ice cream stop. Pick something your kids love and it will bring a smile on everyone’s face.

With these travel tricks, you will not only provide your kids with an unforgettable vacation but also teach them to love traveling. Soon, you’ll be a proper adventurous family!

About the Author

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Pre-Teen Teenager

6 Things Moms Can Do to Help Boys Express Emotions Freely and Honestly

by LifeAsMama December 5, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Raising teen boys is quite an experience, and it can be difficult to help boys express emotions. Many parents think that bringing up boys is easy because they don’t have as much drama going on as teen girls. This couldn’t be further from the truth. They do have drama, they just express it differently.

Unfortunately, society teaches boys that they have to be strong and stoic. They are discouraged from expressing any emotions that indicate vulnerability like fear, intimidation or sadness. Showing such feelings is considered a sign of weakness. The only emotions they are encouraged to express are anger and aggression so they learn to tamp down or ignore all other emotions.

However, suppressing emotions creates a whole new set of problems including depression, poor sleep quality, mood swings or even physical ailments. Additionally, it robs them of the ability to have rich emotional lives and to form deep connections and relationships with others.

To avoid this, it’s crucial for us to help our sons learn how to freely express their emotions. Here are 6 ways to help boys express emotions that:

1. Expand their emotional vocabulary.

Starting from when he’s young, equip your child with a varied emotional vocabulary. Since babies and toddlers don’t have words for their feelings, they need to be taught. You can say things like, “You look happy today” or “You must feel sad” and eventually, your boy will learn to correctly identify and recognize his feelings.

2. Set a good example of emotional expression.

Many times we hide our emotions from our kids, especially negative ones because we feel that they’ll be overwhelmed. On the contrary, seeing you comfortably expressing a wide array of emotions, from sadness to joy, can encourage your son to be more expressive as well. It’s also important for him to see you handling negative emotions in healthy ways so that he can learn to regulate his own. So be careful how you act when angry or disappointed because your son is watching and he’ll take his cues from you.

3. Give your son the freedom to express himself.

Society is constantly ridiculing and judging teen boys who choose to express their feelings. Counter this by making your home a place where your son feels safe embracing and exploring all his emotions. Give him the freedom to be himself and don’t curtail his emotional expression by trying to dictate the feelings that he should convey.

4. Listen to him.

One of the simplest ways to encourage emotional expression and to improve communication with your teen is to listen to him without judgment. This means giving him your complete attention when he is sharing his feelings and not jumping in with comments, advice or suggestions. Paying attention to your son validates his feelings and sends a message that you consider what he’s saying important. This will encourage him to open up and share more with you.

5. Establish boundaries.

Encouraging your boy to express his emotions doesn’t mean condoning aggressive actions. Emphasize that while getting angry is perfectly okay, hitting anyone or insulting them isn’t. He is still responsible for his behavior regardless of whatever emotions he has churning inside him.

6. Teach him to cope with negative emotions.

Negative emotions are a part of life and it’s important for your teen to find healthy ways to express such feelings too. Left unchecked, negative emotions have the potential to wreak havoc in your teen’s life, making him lash out or leaving him overwhelmed. There are different ways for him to deal with emotions such as anger, grief, disappointment, etc. Some of these include talking things over with a trusted adult, releasing these emotions through physical activity or sports or even finding creative outlets like art or music to express himself.

As society does its best to turn our boys into men who are only capable of expressing anger or aggression, it’s up to us to counter this message and help boys express emotions. By teaching our sons to understand, embrace and freely express their emotions in respectful and healthy ways, we’re helping them take steps towards having well-balanced, fulfilling lives.

About the Author

Cindy Price is proud wife and mom to three teenagers. She would like to say she’s a parenting expert but she knows better than to do that. As a parent educator and writer for over 15 years, she’s well-aware how quickly parenting practices evolve. Family is her greatest joy and she hopes her writing can help make families stronger.

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