Author: Katie Pierce

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Guest Post Mental Health Parenting Self-care

Cannabis as a Tool for Self-Care and Parenting

weed

This blog post is written by Katie Pierce and focuses on the topic of cannabis for self-care and parenting.

Cannabis has become more popular in recent years for holistic wellness. One way cannabis use has become more widespread is through its use in self-care and parenting. With the plant’s numerous benefits, more people are exploring the benefits of using this drug outside its medicinal purpose.

However, it’s important to remember that while cannabis provides several benefits, proper use is still key. Let’s look at how to properly and responsibly use cannabis as a tool for self-care and parenting in this article.

weed, cannabis for self-care and parenting, cannabis,
Image source: Harrison Haines

Exploring How Cannabis Made Its Way to Self-Care

Cannabis was once a taboo topic for many because of its psychoactive effects. Many places in the West have stigmatized the drug, with its use becoming illegal in many places. 

However, as time went by, more studies have been conducted about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. These studies have shown that the drug has benefits beyond altering one’s state of mind. The studies have found that CBD, a cannabinoid present in cannabis, can provide healing properties without the psychoactive effect. 

Many wellness companies have found ways to effectively use these cannabinoids to promote wellness. For instance, CBD gummies are now becoming more mainstream. These gummies are marketed as stress relievers and sleep aids. 

Cannabis and Parenting

While cannabis in self-care is easier to explain, it gets tricky when we talk about cannabis and parenting. Introducing cannabis in parenting is far from the traditional approach and may even raise some eyebrows. However, learning about the positive impact of integrating cannabis into daily life can surprisingly make parenting more manageable, enjoyable, and rewarding.

Parents have a lot to take care of, and it can get overwhelming thinking about every little responsibility. Through integrating cannabis, a little bit of parenting stress can be taken off their shoulders. 

Why? Cannabis can positively impact one’s mood and overall well-being. Using the drug responsibly helps reduce stress and manage the mental load that comes with parenting. Parents who struggle with mental health struggles may also find that they feel more present when they use the drug.

Cannabis also opens doors to creativity, which proves to be incredibly beneficial in creative play. There are some cannabis strains that help tap into creativity and make playtime more enjoyable. A relaxed state of mind is a great way to also help parents connect more deeply with their children. 

How to Responsibly Use Cannabis for Self-Care and Parenting

It’s important to use cannabis responsibly for self-care and parenting. This minimizes the negative side effects of the drug. Here are some things to consider:

Do Research About Cannabis

Learning about cannabis and its effects can help promote responsible cannabis use. There are different strains available, and learning about their differences will help you select the proper strain.  

Responsible cannabis use is also learning about the effects of cannabis on one’s body. Not everyone will experience the same effects with cannabis. While some can experience different benefits, others may not have the best experience with the drug. 

Explore Different Ways of Using Cannabis

Since different cannabis strains have different effects, the same goes for different ways of taking it. Smoking is probably the most common way of using cannabis, but it will come with disadvantages, such as respiratory problems and being unable to escape its psychoactive effects.

Exploring other ways of using cannabis, such as only using CBD-infused products, can mitigate these risks and provide a more controlled experience. It’s also best to consult with a healthcare professional so that you can discuss which method can be best for you. 

Use Cannabis in Moderation

Proper cannabis use means knowing how much is enough. Using cannabis in moderation will help you enjoy its benefits without overdoing it. For example, microdosing cannabis is a good way to achieve the drug’s intended benefits without experiencing intense effects.  

To microdose on cannabis, try and start with the smallest dose. Microdosing requires a bit of experimentation. Take time to learn about how your body reacts to the drug until you find the right dosage. 

Be Transparent About Use

With the stigma still attached to cannabis use, being transparent about using it (especially for parenting) can help prevent problems. Share your experience with close family or friends in a way that normalizes cannabis as part of your self-care routine. 

For instance, mention how it helps you unwind after a stressful day, similar to a glass of wine. This can shed some light on why you use the drug. Clarify that you are not engaging in drug abuse. 

Bottom line: Cannabis for self-care and parenting

Many people are now using cannabis to explore self-care rituals and parenting techniques. While it can still be a bit difficult to approach the subject, using cannabis can still provide several benefits. Ultimately, learning how to properly use the drug is the best way to experience its positive effects without any negative side effects. 

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Big Kid Guest Post Learning Parenting

The Science Lab at Home: Easy and Exciting Experiments for Curious Young Minds

science for kids

It’s never too early to excite young minds about science at home. At its core, science is all about understanding the why and how of the universe we live in. From the tiniest insects to the mysterious vastness of the stars, there’s boundless knowledge to be found, especially for kids. 

Experiments don’t need billion-dollar Large Hadron Colliders or NASA-grade rockets. Sometimes, people can accomplish science with bits and pieces from around the household.  Invest in your child’s future by making them interested in science through these easy yet captivating home experiments.

science for kids at home
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Gravity Tube

What You Need

  • aluminum or copper tube
  • strong magnets

Steps

  1. Hold the aluminum or copper tube vertically.
  2. Drop a strong magnet into the top of the tube and observe as it falls through the tube. 

Scientific Explanation

When the magnet falls through the non-magnetic metal tube, it induces a current in the tube due to electromagnetic induction. This induced current creates a magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet (Lenz’s Law). This opposition slows the magnet’s fall, demonstrating the principles of electromagnetic induction and resistance.

Frozen Spinning Water

What You Need

  • small bucket with a handle
  • water

Steps

  1. Fill the small bucket with water and place it in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.
  2. Once frozen, take the bucket out and spin it by the handle.

Scientific Explanation

When you spin the bucket, the frozen water inside will demonstrate inertia and angular momentum. Inertia keeps the ice in motion, and angular momentum makes the ice move in a circular path. This activity shows how forces act on objects in motion and the properties of rotational dynamics.

Egg Drop

What You Need

  • Egg
  • foam
  • cardboard
  • anything you can use to protect the egg

Steps

  1. Design and build a structure to protect the egg using foam, cardboard, and any other materials around the house.
  2. Test your structure by dropping it from a height and observing whether the egg survives the fall.

Scientific Explanation

The goal is to minimize the impact force on the egg by utilizing foam, as it absorbs and distributes the energy from the fall. The experiment demonstrates the principles of impact resistance, energy absorption, and cushioning. The design encourages creative problem-solving and understanding of how different materials can protect fragile objects.

Match in a Glass

What You Need

  • match
  • glass cup
  • deep plate
  • water with food coloring
  • small piece of styrofoam

Steps

  1. Fill a deep plate with water colored with food coloring.
  2. Float a small styrofoam piece on the water and place a match on top.
  3. Light the match and quickly cover it with an inverted glass cup.

Scientific Explanation

As the match burns, it heats the air inside the glass. When the match goes out, the air cools and contracts, creating a partial vacuum. This lower pressure inside the glass causes the water to be pushed up into the glass by the higher external air pressure. The experiment demonstrates the principles of air pressure and combustion.

Snowball Cookies

What You Need

  • butter
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • flour
  • salt
  • buttercream frosting

Steps

  1. Mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to create cookie dough.
  2. Shape the dough into small balls to represent planets and bake them.
  3. Once cooled, decorate the cookies with buttercream frosting

Scientific Explanation

You can make cookies at home to teach kids about the science of baking.  Baking is as much a science as it is an art, and the exact measures and timing required for baking should give kids a basic overview of how to mix components to create something new. For decoration, take inspiration from classic sugar cookies or even solar system-shaped chocolates for more scientific immersion. 

Living Liquid

What You Need

  • cornstarch
  • water
  • big tub

Steps

  1. Mix cornstarch and water in a big tub until you get a thick, viscous mixture.
  2. Play with the mixture by poking it, squeezing it, or trying to pick it up.

Scientific Explanation 

The cornstarch-water mixture is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under stress. When you apply pressure, the mixture behaves like a solid because the cornstarch particles are forced together. Once the pressure is lifted, it will flow like the liquid it is. This activity illustrates the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids. 

Walkalong Paper Airplane

What You Need

  • 8.5 x 11 printer paper
  • phone book page
  • scotch tape
  • big flat cardboard (at least pizza box size)
  • scissors
  • Printer

Steps

  1. Fold an 8.5 x 11 printer paper sheet into a simple glider airplane according to the Smithsonian Magazine’s template.
  2. Use the big flat cardboard to create a wave of air by gently pushing it forward under the glider, making it “walk along” the air current. 

Scientific Explanation

The walkalong glider flies by riding on a wave of rising air created by the cardboard. As the cardboard moves, it pushes air upwards, creating a lift for the glider. This demonstrates the principles of flight, including lift, drag, and aerodynamics. The glider stays aloft by continually adjusting the cardboard to keep the air flowing under it.

Final Thoughts:

These experiments are only some of the thousands of scientific experiments you can conduct with your child. Thanks to how easy they are,  kids can get interested in the world of science without being intimidated. 

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Parenting Travel

Building Bridges, Not Walls: Strategies for Managing Sibling Rivalry During Travel

sibling rivalry during travel

Sibling rivalry is a very typical problem many families encounter once they travel. This situation is aggravated because children find themselves in a very small space, and their habits are quite different from what they are used to. The harsh words, envy, and fights between siblings could put a quick end to the fun that such holidays bring to the family. 

However, building a friendly bond among siblings during the trips is very important. It’s not just about having a good time, but also supports the development of a strong relationship between brothers and sisters for life. 

Travel is an exceptional and exclusive space for shared experiences and memories that would sustain a whole lifetime and bring siblings together.

This article will emphasize the different approaches by which the parents can manage the hostility between their kids on the journey.

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Understanding Sibling Dynamics

Several factors can contribute to sibling rivalry during travel. Changes in routine, close quarters, and the stress of new environments can heighten tensions. Perceived favoritism, disputes over possessions or attention, and personality clashes can fuel conflicts.

Age gaps, different personalities, and sibling rivalry or anger can heavily affect those relationships. It may be a noisy mix of duty and responsibility for elder siblings, while younger siblings may embrace the invisibility or feel bothered by the older ones.

Below are the strategies one can employ

Pre-Trip Preparation

Communication will allow you to set expectations and deal with possible problems when planning your trip. Communication between parents and their kids must be kept open as they explain the critical nature of “teamwork” and incorporate any “concerns or hesitations” the kids may have about the trip.

An appropriate way to tackle this problem is drawing the whole family into developing a set of rules or a “family travel code of conduct.” Such code will be effective if the children help in its development, which implies their ownership of and contribution to the code. The rules should cover some ground regarding the code of conduct, conflict handling, and respect for each other’s personal space and items.

The other way is through individual discussions with each child, where they can talk about their feelings without being heard differently by their sibling’s talk. Having the opportunity to address any undercurrents which may come to the surface during the journey can be very helpful and it can help parents to tackle them in a specific manner.

The siblings’ participation in the planning process is indeed a great way to create a feeling of ownership and enthusiasm

Allow them to provide input on activities, accommodations, and other aspects of the trip that align with their interests.

Enable them to submit their views on what to do, where to stay, and other related aspects of the trip that attract them. In addition, it is necessary to deal with personal demands and requests. For example, if one of them needs more recovery time and particular food choices, consider those and make mercies accordingly.

On-the-Road Strategies

Despite all the precautions we can take, conflicts are actually the most usually crop up during the journey. Parents have to be well prepared considering the usage of conflict resolution techniques such as active listening, empathy, and the acceptance of compromises by their kids.

A common method is the “I-message” method, which aims at helping the child learn the technique of saying his feelings and what he needs without blaming or accusing others. Also, sentences like “I feel upset when you pick up my things without my permission because I want to hold on to all of my belongings in an organized manner.”

Promoting teamwork and collaboration instead of competition can change the fruits of competition into the fruits of cooperation. Deliberately create situations where siblings have to collaborate on specific tasks, for instance, contributing to the maintenance of the house or troubleshooting, which reinforces teamwork and unity among them.

Additionally, helping children feel calm during conflicts or stressful situations can go a long way in preventing escalations. Teach them deep breathing exercises meditation techniques, or simply take a break to cool off before addressing the issue.

Activities to Foster Sibling Bonding

Group activities and games could well prove for brothers and sisters a good opportunity to get along better. Outdoor exploration, treasure hunt or just rivalry events can be used as an advantage to bring fun and to share humorous jokes. Find activities that would be jointly memorable for brothers and sisters.

For families traveling to coastal destinations, engaging in fun beach experiences together can create shared memories and foster bonding among siblings

Encourage and nurture mutual support and so much as mutual appreciation among the family members. Encourage them whenever they behave in a kind, empathetic, or generous way towards one another, as this establishes such pro-social models. –

Dealing with Conflict

Despite best efforts, conflicts may escalate. Tension should be identified and disrupted even in its early stage, when emotional voices, aggressive language, or physical attacks are observable. Therefore parents should be cautious of this remarking fact.

As a mediator, be calm and objective. First, hear and validate every child’s point of view; then, the children can resolve the issue independently. Avoid taking sides or assigning blame. 

Travel also presents opportunities to teach constructive communication skills. Model respectful dialogue, active listening, and problem-solving techniques that siblings can emulate.

Post-Trip Reflection

After the trip, facilitate discussions about positive experiences and shared highlights. This enables the whole family to have an unforgettable vacation.

Advise them to remember the time when they cooperated with each other, helped, or gave support and motivation.

If any considerable hostilities or unsatisfied needs/ goals were created during the trip, address them cooperatively. Assist the siblings in sorting their emotions, appreciate one another’s perspectives and move on in their relationship with the understanding that they will bear resentment and unceasingly focus on their relationship.

Ensure that the sibling bond created during the adventure does not just last the trip but continues to be strong forever. Let them know that they can even use the teachings of teamwork, empathy, and resolution of disputes daily.

Conclusion

Traveling with siblings needs a special multiblock approach. Recognizing how siblings behave, defining boundaries, providing conflict-solving techniques, creating activities to have fun together, and using educational tools that teach effective communication allow parents to deal with obstacles and build a harmonious family.

Moreover, although these extra efforts seem trivial, they help to improve their brotherhood by enhancing resilience and affection. Consequently, they can withstand life’s harshest curves.

The tactics given do not aim solely at travel situations. Rather, they can be made applicable to family life daily. Positive sibling ties could be the key to creating and developing long-lasting connections that will boost children’s happiness forever through such fundamental tasks as learning how to resolve conflicts constructively.

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Parenting

First-Time Parents? 7 Basic Steps to Prepare for the Baby’s Arrival

** First-Time Parents? 7 Basic Steps to Prepare for the Baby’s Arrival is a guest post written by Katie Pierce, content writer. **

Having a new baby may be a wonderful experience, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. As first-time parents, the last thing you want to do is neglect a crucial step or anything fundamental that might make labor and the first few days at home more difficult.

Here are seven things to do before your baby arrives to help you prepare and enjoy those magical moments with your newborn.

First-Time Parents
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Prepare all essential baby gear.

Before your baby comes home, there are certain items you should purchase, assemble, and test to make sure they work and you understand how to use them. Make sure you have essential pieces of baby gear, such as diapers, baby wipes, newborn clothing, and nursing bras and pads if you plan to breastfeed, or baby bottles and formula if you intend to bottle-feed.

Prepare a secure sleeping area for your baby, and don’t forget to install a car seat—the hospital will not allow you to leave without one! 

However, don’t feel obligated to have every baby product imaginable on hand. Some things, like nursery furniture, an easy-to-clean play kit, and a high chair, can wait. Talk with other parents to know which items they found most useful, and don’t worry about the rest.

Choose a doctor for your baby.

You may want to start looking for a pediatrician for your baby midway through your pregnancy. That may seem to be too soon, but you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to choose the right doctor for your family. The doctor you choose will come to know your family well and provide you with medical guidance throughout your child’s growth.

The first two years are crucial in your baby’s development, and you’ll be visiting your doctor at least ten times for well-baby checkups. Expect unplanned visits because of a fever, the common cold, or skin concerns, too.

You should also check if the doctor accepts new patients and your health insurance. Contact your health insurance provider to learn how to add your baby to your policy, and find out which local providers are covered. Make sure you understand how your insurance plan works, including pregnancy care and childbirth benefits.

Create a birth plan.

Long before your baby arrives, you’ll want to prepare by having a solid plan in place about whom to call, where to go, and when to leave.

Your healthcare provider should give you clear instructions on what to do when you go into labor, including when to go to the hospital—or when to contact the midwife if you want to give birth at home. Decide who will accompany you, and prepare for contingencies.

Know the best routes to the hospital, pack your hospital bags, and have them in your car or near the front door so you are ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Stock up on household essentials.

When you’re caring for your new baby on little sleep, the last thing you need is to run out of toilet paper. Stock up on toilet paper, backup baby formula, medicine, frozen meals, pantry staples, safe cleaning supplies, and personal care products before the baby arrives.

Bulk buying won’t just help you avoid sleep-deprived trips to the store or frazzled online orders in the middle of the night, but it’s also a cost-effective way to shop. More importantly, it’s a great way to practice sustainability. One of the most eco-friendly benefits of buying bulk is that it reduces the amount of product packaging that ends up in landfills.

Take childbirth and newborn care classes.

Many aspects of parenting come naturally, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t conduct some research and educate yourself about the baby’s arrival. A childbirth class can teach you all you need to know about labor and delivery so you can face the big day with confidence. Newborn care classes cover everything from breastfeeding and bathing to swaddling and infant CPR. 

You can also read up or enroll in an online course for expectant parents. There are many excellent parenting books and some really good options for online classes. 

Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

Preparing for your baby’s arrival is more than just crossing items off a list. It’s also important to take time for yourself—alone and with your partner. No doubt you’ll be completely devoted to your baby. But you’ll also miss your alone time or those peaceful moments with your partner. So, take advantage of the time before the baby arrives to do the activities you enjoy.

Some first-time parents take vacations before the birth of their child. If you have the financial resources, time, and energy for this type of getaway, go for it! Just make sure to plan your trip during a stage of your pregnancy when it is safe to travel.

If you can’t take a full-on vacation, weekend staycations in your hometown or simply planning some downtime at home are excellent ways to take time for yourself and with your partner.

Enjoy your new bundle of joy!

Finally, don’t get too caught up in all the advice for first-time parents available. There are no guidelines for being a perfect parent and no prizes for winners either. The best prize is already in your arms—your new baby. 

So, above anything else, take the time to enjoy your little one. They don’t stay tiny forever, and you’ll find time flying faster than you ever imagined.

Don’t worry if you’re still feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to begin preparing for a new baby—you’re not alone! Check out our blog for more parenting tips and hacks as you begin your parenting journey.