Baby bassinet… the very thought of one makes me envision a sweet, cozy rocker enveloped in copious amounts of white ruffled bedding and fluffy canopies.  Elegant, heirloom, romantic even.  Something sort of a novelty (but necessarily practical).  Perhaps that very idyllic notion is why I have always wanted one, even though I never really thought I’d have much use for one. We hardly even used our (huge) fancy pack n’ play with our first two children.  It took me having a third child to finally get my bassinet.

Meet the modern bassinet: Kolcraft’s Contours Classique 3-In-1 Bassinet, a stylish and practical (and safe) approach to the old-fashioned cradles.  The very elegant, solid wood framed bassinet features:

• Removable Moses basket with carrying handles and hood
• Changing table – attaches to the top of the bassinet or clips underneath when not in use
• Full-size storage basket
• Diaper stacker and mesh pockets
• Quilted and padded interior fabric
• Mesh side windows for increased air flow
• Vinyl covered mattress with washable fitted sheet
• 4 locking wheels for portability
• JPMA Certified

Since our babies have all slept on our beds at night, a tradition that my first (clingy) child started long ago, I thought this bassinet would be most useful as a changing table in our room for those nightly changes. However, in just its first day of use it became an essential part of our daily routine.

Though very stable, it is lightweight enough to wheel around.  I simply roll the entire bassinet around my home throughout the day with the baby happily tucked away inside its cozy nest and still at my side constantly - sort of a twist on baby-wearing.  I keep it in my kitchen when I’m cooking or emptying out the dishwasher.  I wheel it into the bathroom when getting ready in the morning. Just about anywhere and everywhere.  Even though the wheels aren’t of heavy duty quality, I haven’t had any issues with them.  They roll along on carpet or tile without a hitch.

This bassinet has definitely allowed me to be more hands-free when I just want a small break from baby-wearing and carrying, or when it’s not safe or appropriate to have the baby so close to me (i.e. cooking or showering).  It also has a conveniently portable Moses basket.  Although I don’t ever see myself using it (since the entire bassinet is so portable), it is still nice to have the choice of carting around the entire unit or just the basket.

There is no doubt that its portability is my favorite feature, but another wonderful feature is all the storage space around and underneath the bassinet.  I keep items such as diapers, burp cloths, extra bedding, extra sleepers (in case of nighttime accidents), wipes, and more.  I just change the baby right there in the bassinet in whatever room I happen to be in at the moment.  It’s been quite a time saver for me.

There isn’t much padding in the mattress, but it actually has more than my (stored away) pack n’ play.  For safety reasons (suffocation, SIDS), baby’s mattress should never been fluffy and thick anyway.

This is a perfect alternative to those huge and bulky pack n’ plays with the nap time bassinets and heavy swing-away changing tables, especially if you lack the space in your home.  However, just like those play n’ play bassinets, the Contours Classique is designed to be used for only the first 3 months of a baby’s life or up to 15 pounds.  If a baby can roll over or push up on hands and knees, discontinue use.  The life of the bassinet is conveniently extended to 25 pounds by converting it to a changing table (my 2 year old weighs 25 pounds), so you can definitely get your money’s worth in usage!

BUY IT!  The Contours Classique 3-in-1 Wood Bassinet retails for $199.99.  Amazon currently sells them for $160.99 with FREE shipping.

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Other Official Rules and Details: Winner will be emailed after the giveaway closes and also announced on this blog under the featured “Recent Giveaway Winners” section on the homepage of our blog-azine within a few days after the close of the giveaway. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to our email, or another winner will be drawn. We never share your email with third parties. Prize(s) will be mailed directly from the sponsoring brand. No purchase necessary. Erroneous entries (specifically those that did not follow the entry rules) will not be considered. Non-US resident winners may have to answer a series of simple questions in order to comply with international regulations on sweepstakes. To view our complete rules and regulations, please click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely that of NoM, and are completely honest and without influence. NoM has chosen to host a giveaway for this product(s) because we think it would benefit our readers. NoM will not responsible for prizes that have not been received, but will make every attempt to assist winner(s) in securing them in a timely fashion. It is the winner’s responsibility to make contact with NoM in a timely manner (within 30 days after the close of the giveaway) to report that a prize(s) has not been received or the prize(s) may be void. NoM may or may not be an affiliate of one or more products mentioned in this review, and by clicking on and/or purchasing products from a banner or link on this page, NoM may make a small commission at no cost to you.   Click on the appropriate links to view our full policies, giveaway rules and disclaimers.

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Have you ever heard anyone complain or warn about using plastic?

How many times a day do you use plastic?  Everyone uses plastic….why shouldn’t I?  We have been using plastic, as a society, for over 100 years and to put it in perspective, in 2002 107 billion pounds of plastic were produced in North America, and the average American throws away about about a half a pound of plastic each day.  Not only does plastic come from petroleum and have the potential to pose toxic chemicals to our bodies, but, if not recycled, has a great impact on our environment.

Well, I haven’t completely given up plastic, but I have educated myself on the dangers that plastic can present in my family’s health.  There is an alternative, and I was very excited to recently receive a FANTASTIC new product from Silikids.  Entering their 6th year, Silikids was created to provide a safe alternative to the toxins found in plastics.

The set of four glasses that I received are glass and covered in a silicone sleeve. The sleeve is very attractive and has a great design!  The silicone protects the glass from breaking if dropped and also assists little hands in holding by providing a better grip.

Research confirmed that silicone was indeed a magnificent material for children:

• it is non-toxic and hypo allergenic
• its non-porous nature makes it clean, where no bacteria could hide
• it has a high resistance to temperatures, making it easy to boil and sterilize (safe in dishwasher/washer/dryer)
• it does not retain odor or transmit taste to food
• its soft, pliable quality lends itself to multiple uses

Silikids was the first company to introduce silicone sleeves for glass baby bottles, know as Siliskins.  This concept quickly took off and Silikids eventually launched the Siliskin Glass Line; drinking glasses encased in silicone sleeves.  The company makes a variety of products ranging from kneepads for crawling babies, silicone sleeves for glass baby bottles, jars and containers as well as glass cups for kids and adults protected by their patent pending Siliskin.

Some interesting and silly facts about the Silikids family:

Here’s a few facts you might not know about us:

• You can drop a glass baby bottle from a 4 story building without it breaking! That’s why the patent pending Siliskin is the best around!
• Giuliana and Stacey (the Founders) refer to each other as their 2nd husbands.
• You must own cowboy boots to enter the Silikids warehouse and shipping center.
• The Silikids dog is named Wrigley…can you guess where his owner’s from?
• Every Silikids employee is a parent.
• In caring for the planet, a very conscious effort is made to produce products that last and promote reuse. Packaging is minimal, and silicone can be recycled at specific recycling centers. Send your Silikids products back to us and we’ll have it recycled for you!

Upon receiving the Siliskin glasses, I was so excited to see that, as they claim, the packaging was minimal.  One of my biggest pet peeves upon opening a package is the overuse and waste of packaging…..this was just the opposite.  Well packaged to avoid breakage, but not excessive to cause waste.

Another great attribute of these glasses, is that they are only 6 oz. glasses, so they are small enough for little hands and mouths.  Noah is just learning how to use a cup without a lid, and the size of the cup was perfect and the silicone helped him keep a solid grip on the glass.  The only spill we encountered was when he reached across the table for a toy  and his elbow hit the glass.  I was overly excited about how great these glasses are!

I am so happy to have these new glasses as an option for mealtime and would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone with children!!!

Make sure to take a moment to visit the Silikids website to view and purchase your own Silikids products, such as a set of 7 oz. glasses with the Siliskins, their silibib, the silicone baby jar wrap or even the Silipads – the silicone knee pads!

BUY IT!  The set of four (4) 6 oz. glasses can be purchased for $24.95 by visiting Silikids.com or on Amazon for $25.95 with FREE shipping.

CONNECT!  Silikids has a multitude of ways that you can stay in touch and learn more about the value of silicone, of great new and innovative products as well as specials!  Come and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  Silikids even has their own blog!

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Other Official Rules and Details: Winner will be emailed after the giveaway closes and also announced on this blog under the featured “Recent Giveaway Winners” section on the homepage of our blog-azine within a few days after the close of the giveaway. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to our email, or another winner will be drawn. We never share your email with third parties. Prize(s) will be mailed directly from the sponsoring brand. No purchase necessary. Erroneous entries (specifically those that did not follow the entry rules) will not be considered. Non-US resident winners may have to answer a series of simple questions in order to comply with international regulations on sweepstakes. To view our complete rules and regulations, please click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely that of NoM, and are completely honest and without influence. NoM has chosen to host a giveaway for this product(s) because we think it would benefit our readers. NoM will not responsible for prizes that have not been received, but will make every attempt to assist winner(s) in securing them in a timely fashion. It is the winner’s responsibility to make contact with NoM in a timely manner (within 30 days after the close of the giveaway) to report that a prize(s) has not been received or the prize(s) may be void. NoM may or may not be an affiliate of one or more products mentioned in this review, and by clicking on and/or purchasing products from a banner or link on this page, NoM may make a small commission at no cost to you.   Click on the appropriate links to view our full policies, giveaway rules and disclaimers.

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In my world, kids eat too much candy.  They need more candy like they need a hole in the head.  Couple that with kids who have multiple food allergies, and Valentine’s Day can be a real bummer.  To try to meet the demand for Valentines without adding to the sugar load, I have created a list of Valentine options that do not involve candy and can be given to anyone, regardless of their food allergy situation.

Some of these ideas are original to me.  Others have come from a variety of sources over the years.  Some will seem corny and others will seem fun.  Some will require a trip to the dollar store.  A few will take some work, while others can easily be done the night before!

First, let me say that it is nice to simply cut out hearts, write an encouraging note on them and let that be that.  There is no need for the specialized, commercialized, expensive Valentine’s cards.  The kids barely read them anyway.  A nice note on a simple heart cut from construction paper will do.

Second, don’t forget grandparents, friends and relatives.  Cut out a simple heart, write a note on it and stick it in the mail or deliver it to their door.  This simple, heartfelt act can really brighten someone’s day without a lot of expense.

Third, don’t feel like you have to have your child write everything if writing is difficult.  You can write out the message and they can write their name, draw a picture on the heart or decorate the envelope.  Tediousness breeds frustration and these are supposed to be fun!

THINGS TO MAKE

• Bookmarks

Use 4×6 blank index cards, cut in half lengthwise.  Write your note and laminate with contact paper.  Use a hole punch to create a hole and the top and add a length of ribbon.

• Book plates

Use a completely blank mailing label to create a book plate with the recipient’s name on it.  You can decorate it with stickers.  Tuck it in an envelope with the recipient’s name on it.

• Snowflakes- You are “SNOW” special to me!

Use construction or printer paper to cut out snowflakes.  On each snowflake, write your note and the name of the recipient.  You can even refold the snowflake to stick it in an envelope.

Check out this idea for making heart-shaped snowflakes!

• Photograph of you and the recipient together

Reprint of photos are fairly inexpensive.  However, this will require some advance work on your part to get the photos taken and printed.  Once that is finished, write your note on the back!

• Laminated Tic Tac Toe Board

Use a blank 4×6 index card to carefully draw a tic tac toe board.  Write your message on the backside or choose another paper game to put on the back.  Laminate with contact paper.  The kids can use their candy hearts, rocks, or dry erase markers to play the game again and again!

• Tiny paper snack bags filled with popcorn kernels

Put ¼ cup popcorn kernels in a paper lunch bag or tiny paper snack bag.  Fold over the top several times and tape it closed.  Use an index card to write out the directions or print several copies from the computer.  The bag can be folded with the kernels in it and help closed with a rubber band.

[Directions for popping:  Microwave on high (folded side up) for 2-3 minutes or until there are 2-3 seconds between pops.  Add your own salt and/or flavorings.]

• Felt Mice Puppets- “You are so “mice” to me!

This idea is so cute, I just could not resist including it in the list.  Directions and materials list can be found here.  These mice will easily fit in a regular envelope.

• Butterflies- Your love makes my heart flutter.

Using a coffee filter and pipe cleaner, you can create some adorable butterflies.  You can choose to leave the coffee filter plain or add decorations using markers.  Then fold the coffee filter in half and use the pipe cleaner (bent in half) to create the body and antennae by folding it around the center of the folded coffee filter and twisting it at the top to hold it firmly to the filter, leaving a little left at the top for the antennae.  There are better instructions and pictures here.

USING THINGS PURCHASED FROM THE DOLLAR STORE

Some of these items come in packages priced at several for a dollar or two.  Use construction paper or index cards to write your sentiment or message.  Then, use a hole punch to create a hole to run ribbon through for attaching the card to your item.

• Mad Libs, rolled up and tied with a ribbon- I am mad about you!
• Character cups- My love for you can not be contained!
• “Matchbox” type cars- You drive me wild!
• Pencils- Your name is written on my heart!
• Silly shaped erasers- You can not erase my love for you!
• Toothbrushes – You make me smile!
• Bouncy balls- You make my heart bounce!
• Tiny slinky- You put a spring in my step!
• Small plastic dinosaurs- I “dino” what I would do without you!
• Giggle sticks- I love to laugh with you!
• Shaker eggs- Our love (or friendship) can not be shaken!

I hope you have found these ideas helpful as you plan your Valentine’s Day activities.  Things like this are fun for everyone and do not exclude those who have food allergies!  Plus, I have to keep reminding my children that it is not the value or usefulness of the item.  It is the thought that counts!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Kimberlee

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Since having children, I have really fallen behind with my scrapbooking. I have thousands of pictures on my computer, but that is where they sit. Until now.

I have found the perfect solution, MyMemories Scrapbook Suite v3. The digital scrapbook program is so easy to use that I was completing pages within minutes. It felt really good to start organizing our family memories.

MyMemories Suite v3 is the #1 rated scrapbook software and the best rated seller on Amazon for a reason.  It is a complete digital scrapbooking program that will give you a powerful set of creative tools that you can’t find in other digital scrapbooking software. It has a very friendly workspace and is easy to use. Whether you are a beginner or advanced digital scrapbook software user, this program will be perfect for you.

Never using the digital scrapbooking software before, I was a little worried, until I opened the workspace and starting playing around with the program. It was really easy to use.

For my first project, I put together a very simple Valentine’s coloring page for our daughter. I really like the subway art that you see everywhere, so it has that feel, but is simple to color for little hands.

I printed it out on our home computer and gave it to her. She colored it and we put it in a frame in her room as a Valentine decoration.

Next I decided to try a pre-made template. MyMemories Suite has tons of pre-made templates. All you have to do is add your photos, a few words, and you are done. Group these pages together and you have an album all ready to be printed. I love all the embellishments. I really love that I didn’t have to buy and then adhere all these embellishments. I put together this page in less than a minute. I saved it to my 2011 album, and will continue to add pages of photos from last year. When the album is done, I will have it printed and bound. I can’t wait!

Next I decided to make my own projects from scratch. This is my favorite.

I always put a calendar in our kids rooms each year. Usually, they are the free ones that come in the mail from our local dry cleaners. We hadn’t received any this year and our son had been asking. So I decided to make a calendar.

MyMemories Suite has calendar options all ready for you. You can do a month by month, or a year calendar. I chose the year, and then wanted to personalize it. I added a family photo, put it behind the calendar and made it transparent. I was so happy with the result that I had extras printed for grandparents.

I am going to do this every year and keep it on our fridge.

I’m having so much fun that I am going to try and make some new business cards. Can’t wait to see what I can come up with!

Another concern I had when I started using the My Memories digital scrapbooking software is that I would run out of options. I quickly found out that would not happen. Not only are there plenty of papers and embellishments included, but there is also a My Memories Suite store, full of new paper packs and embellishments. My Memories has a huge section of free downloads, a dollar store, and new product from some of the best digital software designers.

I also found a lot of support and help on the My Memories blog. There is a tutorial to answer ALL of your questions and help you make your projects even more beautiful. The tutorials show you step by step how to tackle any project you have in mind. The blog also gives you lots of new ideas and ways to use the digital scrapbooking software.

Not only is the scrapbook software easy to use, but it is fun. The printed pages are high quality and look beautiful. One of my goals every year, for the last 8 years, has been to organize our family pictures. It has always seemed so overwhelming that I have never been able to do it. Now I know I can, and by the end of the year, I should be caught up with documenting our family’s lives.

For a little eye candy, here are a few links to my favorite packs in the store right now. Love the ‘Love Birds’ Combo Pack (and it is on sale)! This ‘Tooth Tale’ would be perfect for the teeth our kids have lost, and the new tooth our baby is getting.

BUY IT!  For $39.97 you can buy your own My Memories Suite and have it downloaded to your computer in minutes. Or you can have the software sent to your house. Your choice.

Use the code STMMMS65695 for $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store – $20 value !

Like their Facebook page and you will get a $5 dollar off coupon for downloads in the store. I raided the dollar store.

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Other Official Rules and Details: Winner will be emailed after the giveaway closes and also announced on this blog under the featured “Recent Giveaway Winners” section on the homepage of our blog-azine within a few days after the close of the giveaway. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to our email, or another winner will be drawn. We never share your email with third parties. Prize(s) will be mailed directly from the sponsoring brand. No purchase necessary. Erroneous entries (specifically those that did not follow the entry rules) will not be considered. Non-US resident winners may have to answer a series of simple questions in order to comply with international regulations on sweepstakes. To view our complete rules and regulations, please click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely that of NoM, and are completely honest and without influence. NoM has chosen to host a giveaway for this product(s) because we think it would benefit our readers. NoM will not responsible for prizes that have not been received, but will make every attempt to assist winner(s) in securing them in a timely fashion. It is the winner’s responsibility to make contact with NoM in a timely manner (within 30 days after the close of the giveaway) to report that a prize(s) has not been received or the prize(s) may be void. NoM may or may not be an affiliate of one or more products mentioned in this review, and by clicking on and/or purchasing products from a banner or link on this page, NoM may make a small commission at no cost to you.   Click on the appropriate links to view our full policies, giveaway rules and disclaimers.

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Although I’m not a Mom, I have an amazing Mom (this first sentence will make her instantly cry, sorry Mom)!  I’d like to share my perspective as both a young professional and young adult living away from home throughout college and my young professional career and how I’ve continued to have an amazing relationship with my Mom.

If you’re reading this, you are most likely a Mom and may or may not have gotten to the part of your life when your son or daughter has begun to pave their path in the world without you (well without you physically) holding their hand. I know my Mom was so excited for me when I went off to college 200 miles away from home, but I also know she was anxious for me to leave.

The truth is… I was terrified.  Having supportive parents throughout my transition to college was probably the only reason I made it through.  I had a very hard time adjusting to my Freshman year, and although I was playing a Division I sport and succeeding in all of my classes, I still felt lost.  Constant communication through different media with my parents helped me get through – AIM (at the time), Skype, phone calls, text messages, and emails.  My advice to other Moms out there – make sure your child knows you are there for them and then let them come to you for help (you can also encourage them to ask for help).

My mom was also great in making serious efforts to visit me whenever possible, but not all the time.  200 miles was a long enough distance away that I had freedom, but still felt like in the back of my head that I would have help if I needed it!  So college was hard at first, and then I loved it.  The support I received all the way through helped immensely and I’m so grateful for it!

Then there was the transition from college to the “real world.” When I say I moved a lot over the past three years, it is not an exaggeration – I moved a lot!  I have held jobs in London, then Washington, DC and then New York City – each time moving around several times till I found more permanent apartment/roommates only to have to pack my bag and transition into my new role in a new city!  My parents were always very supportive and although they couldn’t help with every move, they did the best they could, even if it was just a calming phone call to assure me I was doing the right thing.

Now that I have settled in New York City (okay it’s only been a little over a year) I have found that to continue to have a great relationship with my Mom I have to take more onus on myself.  Of course my Mom will always be there for me, but I need to be there for her too.  This means I will call her for absolutely no reason at all, share my happiness and success with her and also my bad days with her and I can ask about what she’s doing.

It seems the best way to maintain a relationship with not only your Mom, but your family and friends you’ve left in other places is to make the effort to call and visit and talk.  Without communication many relationships fall apart, so for that reason, my biggest takeaway is communication.  Call your kids, encourage them to call you and also encourage them to use other forms of communication – sometimes an email won’t cut it, but sometimes it’s just what the doctor ordered!

Thanks Mom for being the greatest Mom!  Did I miss anything?

Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters degree in teaching online.  Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

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When we bring a tiny life into this world as first time parents, we try to do everything right and perfect.  Oftentimes we even project this perfection onto our children by expecting them to fit into a perfect little mold.  Some of it is our own expectations we had of what our future children (prior to becoming parents) would be like, some is outside pressure, and some of it is “inherited” – ideas and sayings that have been passed down to us from our own parents. Think “if you swallow gum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years.”  Will it really do that?  No, and we know this yet we still pass these silly notions on to our kids generation after generation.

The same idea can be applied to certain “rules” we communicate to our children.  A wise family counselor told me that we parents often enforce rules (sometimes nonverbally) upon our children without even conscientiously being aware of it or even having to explicitly state them out loud.  In fact, most of these rules we don’t even mean to convey in the first place.  And if we were to see them on paper we would think them to be ridiculous.  But somehow our actions speak louder than intentions.

The 8 Unspoken Rules:

1. We tell our children that they can’t make mistakes.  Well, maybe not out loud but certainly in our actions.  For example, when our toddler spills something on the floor time and time again, do we get frustrated and upset at him?  He doesn’t mean to spill it, and he really is trying as hard as his fat little sausage fingers can, but he still lacks the coordination and skill to not be “all thumbs.”  We should help him with his mistake, perhaps even laugh it off.  Let him know that it’s not only okay to make mistakes but that mistakes will happen. Have him help clean up the mess and lovingly show him how to properly hold his cup, spoon or whatever it may be.  We need to give our children the life skills to cope with their mistakes.  Otherwise when a mistake does happen (and it will), their world may come crashing in around them and they will not be equipped to deal with it.
2. You should learn from me and not from life experiences.  In trying to help our childen not feel any pain, we try to pass on our own life experiences to them.  Yes, we should tell them our mistakes and hope for the best, but they will also need to make their own mistakes.  Let them experience natural consequences – don’t always swoop in and save the day or you’ll be doing a disservice to them as an adult.
3. Never try things on your own, because you’ll just mess it up.  We want to help our children to be successful and perfect adults, so we help them by doing things  for them.  The message we are conveying here is that they can’t do anything by themselves so why even bother trying.
4. You can avoid consequences in life by being perfect.  Now, wouldn’t that be nice?  Life’s not fair, and even in doing everything right and so-called perfect, life will throw some curve balls at you.  Children need to know this, so they don’t end up sorely disappointed later in life.
5. You are supposed to know as much as I do.  I often catch myself talking to and reasoning with our 4 year old like he is an adult.  Obviously he’s not a mini adult, but in my words and actions it seems as if I expect him to be, and I can’t believe that he acts so foolishly and childish at times. (Go figure a 4 year old acting childish!)  I get upset that he can’t understand adult concepts, but I forget that he’s only 4.  Even a teenager acts foolishly.
6. You should never fight with others. Disagreements will happen – with parents, siblings, friends, roommates, spouses, coworkers, you name it. Your children need modeled examples of how to fight fairly and sensitively.  How they learn to fight with their siblings now can quite possibly affect how they fight with their spouses in marriage.
7. I can be angry but you can’t.  It’s okay to be angry.  It’s not okay, however, to act upon that anger with outrage.  Children just have to realize how to properly direct, deal with and control their anger in healthy ways. And they need us to help them and model it for them. When we tell them they can’t be angry or sad, we are telling them that how they feel doesn’t matter. Kids are just like us. They have real feelings just like you do.  And chances are your kids are exactly like you in temperament.  So be compassionate rather than judgmental and dismissive.
8. Adults are always right.  Well, let’s face it, most of the time this is true.  But on a few rare occasions, my 4 year old is right and I am sorely in the wrong. They need to know that we parents make mistakes, too, and can apologize to our children.

These unspoken rules speak volumes to our children, and can leave our children feeling inadequate and unloved.  Our children should be unconditionally nurtured and loved, and should know and feel our love for them at all times – even when we are our angriest and through all of their mistakes, big and small.

Verbal affirmations are not enough to show your unconditional love, as different children feel loved in different ways (but we will talk about that in another post).  They should be constantly reassured through our words and our actions towards them.

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18

When we tell them we are proud of them and/or show our love and appreciation only when they accomplish or perfect something and meet our expectations, what are we telling them? They should never feel as if they need to earn our love, especially by being perfect.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.“ Mark 1:11

Tell them you love them even when you are upset and frustrated. Hug them fiercely out of the blue – when they are just sitting there doing nothing at all.  As you witness a good deed (such as sharing, cleaning up without being told or being compassionate), praise them.  [But beware of performance-based love (rewards for behaviors or performance), as this can be construed as conditional love.]

What we model for our children will most likely be carried through their parenting of our grandchildren and so forth.  Like an abusive parent whose children become abusive parents or tend to marry an abusive spouse, it keeps being carried through to subsequent generations further and further down the line.  Somehow we need to break the cycle of these unspoken rules.  Not only will we make an impact on our own family now, but for generations to come. In essence, we are fortifying our homes, the homes of our children, and the homes of our children’s children. Think of it as an investment in your family to come.

What do your children need to hear from you today?

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If you have recently given birth, you might have noticed that you have gained a little extra weight during your pregnancy or you have a few stretch marks on your stomach. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and lose some of that baby weight.

If you need a little bit of motivation to start exercising, many people find that training with some friends gives them that extra bit of support. It might be beneficial to pick a friend who enjoys running and swimming – rather than a pal who prefers to chill out at home and play Cheeky Bingo or watch movies – because they will have more training experience. What small changes can you make to your lifestyle so you can become a yummy mommy?

Exercise Tips 
Stroller-striding classes are the latest workout trend for new moms and tots. It is a great way to spend time with your child, as well as getting some exercise. The warm up often involves a slow stroll around the perimeter of the park, before doing some lunge exercises with your pram. Pushing a heavy stroller uphill tests your endurance and helps to tone your legs; you will be surprised how many calories you end up burning.

Stretch Marks 
Once you have reached your optimum weight, it is time to tackle the stretch marks. They are easily treated with cream which you can pick up from the pharmacist. Alternatively, you can have laser treatment to remove them.

Healthy Diet 
You can easily keep your new slim figure by maintaining a healthy diet. However, this doesn’t mean you have to eat salads everyday or skip desserts. Just remember to choose food wisely, for example, if you order a latte, ask for skinny milk rather than full fat, and choose low fat frozen yoghurt over ice cream.

This article is written in partnership with Cheeky Bingo. 

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Spring Break is just around the corner and that means family vacations and road trips.  Check out this guest post from Dale Cooper.

Family road trips are a great way to escape the daily grind. Taking your kids on a trip will provide them with an unforgettable experience, but a long drive can put a strain on the family. Saddled with short attention spans, children don’t always behave well in small spaces for long periods of time. Luckily, there are several devices that can distract your kids during the more restless legs of a family vacation. These road trip gadgets can occupy your child’s attention while you enjoy the landscape during a few hours of peace and quiet.

DVD player: Compact, inexpensive, battery-powered DVD players can offer distraction in convenient two-hour chunks of time. Just have the kids plug in headphones to quietly enjoy a movie in the backseat. DVD players are such popular road trip gadgets that some cars come equipped with these devices along with screens built into the back of car seats.

Handheld games: Portable games come in hundreds of varieties, from Nintendo video game consoles to old-school Yahtzee. Many of these devices, such as the Nintendo handhelds, require a higher upfront cost for the main unit but can play dozens of individual cartridge games that cost much less.

MP3 player: If your kids are old enough to enjoy listening to music for longer periods of time, an MP3 player is the perfect road trip gadget. And, if your car is able to interface with MP3 players via an auxiliary jack or FM transmitter, the whole family can enjoy the music through the car’s built-in speakers.

iPod touch/iPad: There are an increasing number of devices on the market that do everything mentioned above, and much more. The iPod touch, which can play games, movies and music, is one of the most popular road trip gadgets, but there are others. For a larger viewing experience, the iPad and other tablet computers perform all of the same functions on a much bigger screen.

Low-tech options: Travelers passed time on trips long before the aid of digital devices. Try a Google search for “classic road trip games” to get a few ideas for your next family vacation. You’d be surprised at how well Twenty Questions, I Spy and the various license plate games have held up as fun family options.

Remember that road trip gadgets can be distracting and should be used and controlled only by passengers, never the driver. If your teen will be driving for part of the trip, be sure to ask your insurance agent about car insurance for teenagers. Your agent will be able to help ensure your child is fully covered by car insurance before you leave on your family vacation.

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One of the best ways we can come closer together as families, is to have fun together. This doesn’t mean that we need to spend money to go out and participate in lavish expensive activities. There are so many ways we can have fun together at home, or driving in the car, or anywhere we are together.

One way we can have fun together, is by playing games together. Our family loves to play games, and most of the games we play don’t take any money, and they use resources that are in most houses already. One of our favorites is a game we call, Don’t Show Your Teeth. Here’s how you play.

Don’t Show Your Teeth

OBJECTIVE: Be the last one in the game who hasn’t shown their teeth.

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