Fun Painting Project for Kids of All Ages

 

If you are searching for creative ideas to keep your children busy this summer look to nature for inspiration! 

 

We gathered flowers, grass that had gone to seed, weeds, and shrub branches with cool shapes.  We also used craft feathers donated by one of our daycare parents, but you could find feathers in your yard.  Just remember to wash them before letting the children handle them.

We used activity paint by Colorations - it is an all purpose finger paint, poster paint, etc.  You can buy it here Colorations Activity Paints 16 oz. - Set of 9.  Just squirt a small amount into containers big enough to dip your "paint brushes" into.

Let your children get creative!

For more ideas check out this nifty book!

Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds

Feathers make awesome grass!

Even the baby created a beautiful painting!

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How to Survive the Stay at Home Mom (or Dad) Experience

  22 Things You Should Know About Being a SAHM

 

Before I had children, I had a romantic view of what kind of parent I would be. I fantasized about peaceful days of organized bliss. I imagined my children engaged in stimulating activities created for the purpose of developing their brains and fine motor skills. Our home would be clean and full of beautiful things - something out of a Martha Stewart Living magazine. I just knew that I would get up early and have all my housecleaning done before my little darlings woke up so I would be able to devote all of my attention to them. I’d finally have time to try new recipes and maybe even take up scrapbooking. I couldn’t wait until they were old enough to go on field trips and playdates. And I always wore something white and elegant in my fantasies. Funny right?

 

 

 

Finding a way to be home with one’s own child(ren) is a noble and worthy endeavor. I wouldn’t trade my job for any other in the world. I’m so glad I’m with my kiddos every day. But nothing prepared me for the stark contrast between the fantasy and the reality. If it is your heart’s desire to stay at home with your children, you should know the following - 

1. Your children will teach you who you really are.Think you are a patient person? You can bet that they will test your patience in ways you never thought possible. Do you fancy yourself to be a levelheaded individual? You might not feel so even after cleaning ink off of your walls for the hundredth time. Of course you don’t have to be a stay at home mom to be tested. But being with your kids 24/7 is like going through a crash course in parenting with no lunch breaks.
2. You won’t even come close to being the mom you imagined you would be. Whatever your expectations are of yourself, let go of them now. The sooner you do, the better off you will be. I’m referring to all those picture perfect, fairytale expectations you have. Trust me, you WILL choose sleeping in until your kids wake up over the whole "getting up early to do housework" thing. I’ll tell you why in the next point. Just remember that it’s good to have goals but you have to decide how realistic they are. 
3. You will feel like you are caught up in your own Groundhog Day movie. Remember the movie with Bill Murray in which he plays a weather forecaster who gets caught in a time loop causing him to repeat the same day over and over again? Well, you’re going to feel like you are repeating the same hourly session OVER and OVER again. Especially if you have held a job with projects that actually had a completion date or goal, or really anything at all in which you got tangible results, you need to know that you will NOT have the satisfaction of completion. Not sure what I mean? You will by the time that you’ve changed four hundred diapers. You’ll really understand when you’ve gotten up early to get all of your housework done by 7:00 a.m. only to find that by 9:00 a.m. the house looks like a tornado whipped through it followed by a herd of cattle.
4. A good day is one in which everyone was fed, changed, safe and loved. You might feel like you are a slacker if you don’t accomplish anything else but you must remember that your primary job (and a very important one at that) is to take care of your children. A good guideline is this: If it doesn’t nourish their minds, bodies or spirit they won’t suffer if you don’t get to it. You will figure out what your "it" is. I can promise you that your children won’t care whether or not their birthday cake was homemade. They’ll only remember that they had one and that you sang the loudest.
5. You should always allow extra time for setbacks.  One of the hardest things for me when I became a mom was to remember to add a few minutes to my projected time. Somehow it was easy to get out of the scheduled time concept when I quit my office job. Inevitably someone will poop their pants, be hungry, or break something right as you are leaving. It is closely related to the law of gravity. 
6. If you aren’t careful, you could turn into the crazy lady still wearing her pjs in the afternoon. Get dressed first thing in the morning. If you wore makeup when you had a job outside of the home, put makeup on every day. And for goodness sake, put on some shoes! (Okay, I hate wearing shoes so I’m a little inconsistent with this one) I’m just saying that paying attention to your personal hygiene will be good for your attitude.
7. Don’t get caught up in television shows or social media. You are staying home to do one of the world’s most important jobs. Don’t turn into a couch potato. There is nothing wrong with taking a break or two (you don’t get many breaks as a stay at home parent) however, try to make the things that you watch and participate in positive.
8. Find a positive hobby or activity that gives you a sense of creativity. Your job won’t be difficult all of the time; in fact, you might feel a little guilty on the good days. Either way you’ll need something that allows you to use different parts of your brain once in a while. It’s nice to have something you do that isn’t completely about your children. If you only focus on your children, you might find yourself feeling resentful. Which is not cool for your children or your partner.
9. Not everyone will appreciate the work that you do. In fact, you might be surprised at how little those around you realize what your day’s work entails. Don’t take it personally. It’s one of those "walk a mile in my shoes" kind of things. Don’t spend a bunch of energy defending yourself or explaining how important your job is. However, if the negativity comes from your partner you might want to re-examine what you are spending your time on. Your partner’s view counts whether you like it or not because chances are that your partner is financially supporting the family in order for you to stay home with the children. As they should, your partner has some say in the way your home is being kept and especially in the way your children are being raised. Try to get to the bottom of your partner’s negativity. Your partner might simply not understand how much energy and care you are putting in at your job as a stay at home parent. Or perhaps your partner is feeling jealous of the extra time that you have with your children. Try to figure out what is bothering your partner and address the issue. If you aren’t treating your position as an important one, you might not be pulling your load. Be honest with yourself. If you can say that you are doing your best, invite your partner to spend a day or two alone with the children. Sometimes walking a mile in someone else’s shoes gives a better understanding than words ever could.
10. There will be times when you want to run away. Trust me, you will think about it at least once or twice.
11. There will be times when you think that your children are deliberately trying to drive you crazy. Trust me, they’re not. They are testing you to know what the boundaries are. As my wise hubby has said many times, children have nothing better to do all day long than to watch their parents to see what makes them tick. Don’t take it personally. All children do this.
12. There will be times when you will feel like the worst parent in the world. Trust me, you’re not. Always remember that you can start over again tomorrow. I still cringe with guilt when I think about the time that my oldest son (then 4 years old) ripped out page after page from an antique book. I got so angry that I cut the foot off of his Barney doll. BAD MAMA!!! Ugh… I still feel ashamed and he is now 17 years old. Accept that you won’t ever be as good as you’d hoped. But understand that you’re doing better than you think you are.
13. Nothing will ever prepare you for the overwhelming joy of witnessing those first steps, first words, and beautiful smiles. These things are more satisfying than any job review or pay raise. Never having to have your child’s day summarized for you by a childcare provider: PRICELESS!
14. If you’re going to survive this career choice, you’ll need to not sweat the small stuff. The dust on top of the refrigerator bothering you? Don’t look at it. Did you not get all of the laundry done today? It’ll be there for you tomorrow.
15. If you’re going to survive this career choice, you’ll need to view it as an important job. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that what you do doesn’t matter. You can make or break your family based on your approach to your position as SAHM. Yeah, that might seem contradictory to point number 14. It’s a fine line between slacker and obsessive compulsive control freak. Try to walk the line mama!
16. Figure out how to how to cheat the system. You could walk around all day long cleaning up after Precious and have a clean house when Daddy O walks through the door at 5:30 p.m. Or you could use a broom to shovel a pathway through the day and spend an hour cleaning before hubby arrives home! See, same results, less effort. Think of ways to work smarter, not harder. Then you can devote your time to playing with your baby or mastering that perfect pie!
17. Get out of the house once in a while. I am reclusive by nature so it’s easy for me to get lost in a week and not mind seeing only my children and hubby. But if you are a social person, make sure to set a play date with other SAHM’s once a week or so. It will be good for your morale!
18. Listen to positive music. I’m not saying you must listen to inspirational or religious music. Pick a genre (try to stay away from screamo or speed metal) that you like and listen throughout the day. Your children and you will feel happier. 
19. Get into the swing of things. I’m not a highly structured person but having a rhythm of the day helps me feel better. I would never schedule things by the hour but I do have a routine that gives me a sense of accomplishment throughout the day as I meet each milestone.
20. Don’t fall into the trap of staying up late. The night is a bewitching temptress, especially during the hours after children have gone to bed. The house is quiet and you finally can think! Unfortunately, if you stay up too late, the children will tag team you the next day and you’ll be too weak and exhausted to defend yourself. Someday I’ll learn to follow this bit of advice.
21. Don’t punish your partner for the frustrations you might feel as a SAHM. While there is nothing wrong with discussing your day and concerns with your significant other make certain that you’re not punishing your partner. I’ve heard SAHM’s say things like, "I’m with the baby all day long and he does nothing!" or "I’ve been here all day long and now it’s your turn to take care of her (for the night)". Unless you’re leaving for another job, it’s probably unfair to expect your partner to take over childcare completely while you relax for the entire evening. Sharing parenting during the hours you are both off work seems like a more equitable arrangement to me. Just think, you wouldn’t want your partner to come home and take his or her bad day at work out on you.
22. And last but not least - don’t feel obligated to run errands for your mother-in-law just because you don’t have a real job. There will be some confused individuals who might think that your job as a SAHM isn’t really a job. Those same individuals might try to assign chores to you. There is nothing wrong with helping out a friend or family member who is tied up at their job. Just don’t let yourself be used. Remember that you do have a job. You aren’t obligated to run errands or anything else, especially if it isn’t your partner asking. 　

If you have tips or thoughts to share about the SAHM experience we’d love to hear from you!  If you liked this article, be sure to subscribe before you leave our site.

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Breastfeeding - Good For Baby and Mom

 Are you thinking about breastfeeding your baby?  Whether you've just found out that you are pregnant or are due soon; you've likely been inundated with information about whether or not to nurse your child. 

There are many factors to take into consideration when making this decision:

Will you work after the arrival of your baby?   How long will you have available for maternity leave?   Do you have support from your partner, family and friends to breastfeed; or are you in an environment in which breastfeeding is a foreign concept? 

All of these elements, and more, may have an impact on your perception of nursing.  I'd love to encourage you to at least try breastfeeding and to share some tips and tools that really helped me.   I've been fortunate enough to be able to breastfeed all of my six children.  My oldest child is 17 years old and my youngest is three. 

With each child the experience and duration for which we nursed was different.   I've nursed while working - and nursed while working as a stay-at-home mom.  The shortest time period I've breastfed was for eight months and the longest is three years and still going. 

I've nursed while perched on the edge of a toilet in a public bathroom stall with the lady next to me wondering what the noises were (in my early days before I felt comfortable nursing in public).  And I've nursed in front of crowds of people with them being none the wiser (I got really good at using my blouse as a shield).

I've had babies that took forever to learn to nurse (my oldest was in NICU for the first few days of his life and was confused from the pacifiers the nurses gave him against my wishes).  And I've had babies that literally found their way to my breast within a few moments of being laid on my bare chest after birth. 

I've figured out how to eat, type and walk around while nursing.  I've even gotten really good at picking up toys with my toes while nursing.  I'm guessing even the circus would be impressed with the contortions I can wind myself into while feeding my infant!

I, like many of you, came from a family that wasn't all that breastfeeding savvy.  My grandmother bottle fed her babies with a formula (recommended by the doctor) made of canned milk and dark corn syrup.  My mother nursed me for a month or so but thought she was starving me to death.  I was hungry more often than her friend's babies were so she thought I wasn't getting enough milk.  Her friend's babies were formula fed and she said that no one encouraged her to continue on.  

It would have been easy to give up breastfeeding with my oldest son.  He was premature and it took almost a month to train him to nurse.  We were staying with my mother while remodeling a house and she was a very doting grandma.  She wanted to bottle feed him because it gave her special time with her grandson.  I got into a crazy, time consuming, cycle of pumping my milk only to have someone else feed my baby.  I am so thankful that I didn't give into the overwhelming urge to stop.

Two things that made a huge difference and allowed me to nurse my son to 13 months old were:
A spectacular lactation consultant who helped me teach my son to suckle properly.
And my mother-in-law who had nursed her children and was adamant that I was capable of doing so.
 

Here are some things you should know about breastfeeding ~

Breast milk and the physical experience of being breastfed really is good for your baby!  Overwhelming evidence supports the benefits of breastfeeding your baby.   The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you nurse your baby exclusively for the first six months of life and continue to nurse to one year or so long as it is mutually beneficial to both mom and baby. 

You can visit this link for some good information  American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding FAQ

All six of my children have been incredibly healthy and bright.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  I believe that the perfect food has given my kiddos the best possible start in life.

Breastfeeding is good for the family! 

Not only can breastfeeding help prevent illnesses and allergies, breastfeeding can save your family a huge amount of money and extra work over the long haul.  Contrary to popular belief, bottle feeding a baby isn't easier than breastfeeding, especially in the middle of the night!  With breastfeeding there are no late night crying sessions while we fumble to make a bottle, just a little fussing and rooting around to wake Mom up.  Then baby nurses peacefully and is back to sleep quickly.

 
Happy Baby = Happy Family!

Our family's experience is that a breastfed baby is a happier baby.   All the skin-to-skin contact and cuddling is good for baby.    The easily digestible breast milk reduces painful tummy aches too!  A great resource on the benefits of breastfeeding and helpful tips can be found at BestStart.org .  It's a free website and is full of information.

Breastfeeding is good for you! 

The average mom will burn 500 calories a day to make breast milk.  There aren't many exercise programs that can boast that big of a calorie burn! I've always returned to my pre-pregnancy weight within several months of giving birth without dieting or exercising.  I have no doubt that my weight loss is the result of breastfeeding.

 Breastfeeding also slows the return of menses in many women, allowing a time period in which the body isn't losing iron.   Studies also show that breastfeeding reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer. 
See breastcancer at about.com.

Breastfeeding also release the hormone prolactin that helps you to feel calm.   Every mom could use a little relaxation!

When you choose to breastfeed, you don't have to be alone in the care of your baby.  There are many ways for everyone in the family to be important to baby; such as holding and soothing.  And there are so many wonderful products on the market to help make breastfeeding even easier.   The few items that our family relied on were a great breast pump for those times that I might need to be away,  bottles that closely imitated the natural breast, and reusable milk storage containers.

~ My favorite products are ~

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Backpack

I loved the fact that this discreet looking backpack contained an efficient and powerful double pump (which allowed me to pump as quickly as possible on my breaks).  Medela's exclusive "one touch" let-down button helps to better mimic your baby's suckling cycle (faster at first to get your milk to "let down", then more slowly once your milk is flowing).  This feature really made all the difference in the world.  I also looked at a photo of my daughter to help me relax and imagine her nursing.  (Let's face it, a mechanical pump doesn't feel exactly like your baby).   This pump isn't cheap (at $250.00 it's still far less expensive than some comparable electric pumps on the market) but it is well worth the money.  If you are a working mom and weighing out the costs between purchasing a quality pump vs  formula feeding; you will save money by choosing this pump as it will pay for itself within a couple of months.  *Considering that a month's supply of formula is estimated to cost you between $150-200.00.

*See The Labor of Love and thesimpledollar


Ameda One Hand Breast Pump- BPA Free

A far less expensive option (around $30.00), this unique one handed manual pump was a very good choice for me when I wasn't working outside of the home.  I liked that my hand didn't get tired (it has a very cool ergonomic squeeze handle that allowed me to pump one breast while baby nursed on the other).  If you are a working mom you could purchase two to save time especially if you won't have access to electricity in a private area.   I've used this pump a lot through the years and love that it is small and battery/electricity free (I can pump anywhere!)

Lansinoh mOmma Feeding Bottle, 5 Ounce

Nothing is more frustrating to pump your precious milk only to have your baby refuse to take the bottle it is in.  Your baby will be used to your natural shape and a hard funny shaped bottle nipple can totally throw your baby off.  The Lansinoh mOmma Feeding Bottle is brilliant!  It is the first nipple I've seen that genuinely looks like a human nipple that has just been nursed on (yes, your nipples will look like that, don't worry, they won't stay that way!)  At approximately $7 per bottle, these are well worth the money.   If you plan on pumping your breast milk, don't waste your time and money on anything else.

Medela Breastmilk Freezing & Storage (*BPA Free) 12 Pack of 80ml Bottles in Retail Packaging #87061

You can store your milk in disposable bags or reusable containers.  I prefer the reusable containers for multiple reasons.  Reusable containers are less likely to leak, will save you money over a very short period of time and hold up better to transportation.  And most will accommodate a standard bottle ring and nipple if you choose to use that style of bottle. 

TL Care 6 Pack Organic Cotton Nursing Pads, Natural

Trust me, you will leak milk at first.   My milk would let down anytime I would think about my baby or anytime I heard another newborn cry.  I worked at the hospital for several years so I was exposed to crying babies often.  One helpful trick to stop the flow of milk is to take your forearms and press them firmly into your nipples until the threat of leakage stops.  If you clasp your hands together and put them under your chin, you can even make it look like you're fascinated by the conversation around you! 

That being said, there will still be times your milk will leak.  To catch the leaks you'll want nursing pads.  Usually round and thin, they slip inside your bra.  You can buy disposables or washable cloth.  I've tried both and would highly discourage you from using disposables.  They have a thin plastic liner that does a great job of keeping the milk from leaking onto your blouse, but they STINK!  Literally!  Imagine sour milk on a hot day.  Ugghhhh!  I had much better results with washable cotton pads.  They still kept the leakage from reaching my outer garments and didn't smell bad.  I loved that I could throw them in the wash and not have to spend more money on disposables. 

Once you've nursed for a while, your body will adjust and those unexpected leaks won't happen.   I usually stop springing leaks when baby is around four months old.

Motherhood Maternity: Wireless Full Coverage Nursing Bra

I've had many different styles of nursing bras but I'd say my favorite is from Motherhood.  It isn't ugly and is cut low enough that I can wear it with my normal tops.  Some nursing bras are too high up for my clothing or don't fit well.  This one is smooth, functional, and not itchy.  You'll be glad you bought one.   Motherhood has a lot of great nursing clothes (at least in our store) which aren't absolutely necessary but make nursing or pumping discreetly a breeze.  You might consider a few tops to start with, then decide whether you want to purchase more.  I'm a cheapskate so the bras were the only necessary purchases.  For the rest of my wardrobe, I got by on my regular clothing except for a few special items.  My nursing apron basically turned any outfit into a nursing outfit.

Bamboobies Cute Little Nursing Cover, Black

To avoid having to hide in a bathroom stall to feed your sweet baby while out in public I would highly recommend you purchase a nursing cover.  While I'm quite skilled at using just about anything to cover up; I have 17 years of practice.   A cover up with something that goes around your neck or shoulders is a huge blessing for a first time breastfeeding mom.   Especially when your baby begins to yank the blanket off to see what else is going on in the room.

There are a lot of covers on the market but I really like the Bamboobies nursing cover.  It's trendy enough that you can feel stylish instead of matronly.   It's cute enough that you could wear it as a layer blouse.

One More Thing You Should Know

You will probably read over and over that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt.  You'll read that if your baby is properly latched on, you shouldn't feel nipple discomfort.
 
LIES!!!!

Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt for very long but you will likely feel discomfort at first (even with a properly latched on baby) because your BOOBS ARE EXPERIENCING CHANGES!  Compare it to breast tenderness with puberty or pregnancy.  Now add a suckling baby in the mix.  You might get lucky and feel no discomfort.   I felt discomfort for at least the first few days of nursing with each child. 
By all means, don't ignore your baby's latching technique.  You shouldn't be in excruciating pain and it should get better with time.  But don't assume something is wrong just because it hurts a little.

Poppy and Baby Poppy

~ Remember ~

The most important thing is you.  No matter what products you decide to use to enhance your breastfeeding experience- just remember the only required equipment needed is you!  As long as you are with your baby, you will never need to sterilize bottles, measure formula or check temperatures.  Only you can provide the perfect food for your baby.   Studies show that the composition of your milk changes depending on your baby's age, hunger level and  environment. 

Read Infant Nutrition Council's breastmilk information to learn how breast milk adapts to your baby's unique needs.   You'll never take your breasts for granted again!

Find support ~

My final piece of advice is to find true supporters if you decide to breastfeed.  There will be plenty of people ready to cast doubt into your mind about your ability to nourish your child as nature intended.   I've had loved ones, strangers, medical professionals (yes, even a doctor), and friends make discouraging remarks to me.  When you are in a weakened and tired state, you'll need someone to reassure you that you CAN give your baby everything that he or she needs. 

So begin to seek out those supporters now.  Find a local La Leche League chapter in your city or join an online support group.  Perhaps you have a friend that has successfully nursed a child who would be willing to be there for you.  Don't be too hard on your partner if he or she doesn't seem confident in your abilities but don't hesitate to say "Back off!  I can do this! My body was created to do this!"  We all make well meaning remarks that aren't so helpful at times.  Keep in mind your partner might be just as unsure as  you are. 
And remember,  I'm always here for real mom support if you need a little (or a lot of) encouragement.  Don't hesitate to leave a comment or question, I'll try to respond promptly. 

Please also feel free to share your breastfeeding tips and experiences readers!  Breastfeeding is an amazing experience.  If you are thinking about breastfeeding I hope that I might have swayed you to give it a try.  You'll be so glad you did! 

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