The fall fun has begun, and that means we’re doing ALL of the fall activities at our house. When Peyton created his Layers of the Earth 3D Project, I was inspired to dye rice in all fall-inspired colors and create an easy fall sensory bin.
How to Make an Easy Fall Sensory Bin by Dying Rice
What you need:
4 cups of white rice
4 teaspoons of white vinegar
Food coloring (I used orange, yellow, brown, and red)
Add a differet color of food coloring to each bag.
Zip the bag and mix the rice with the food coloring.
Once the rice is completely coated and dyed to the color you want, dump it onto dry papertowel and let it dry for about 1 hour
Once all of the dyed rice is dry, mix the 4 colors together in a bowl or sensory table.
Add small Halloween toys or fall colored leaves for more fun.
Halloween Dyed Rice Sensory Bin
Using the same ingredients and similar steps, you can make an easy hallowed sensory bin for your kiddos, too! Instead of separating the rice in 1 cup increments into 4 separate bags, you will put two cups of rice into two separate bags (4 cups of rice total, still).
Once the rice is distributed, you will put 2 teaspoons of vinegar into each of the 2 bags, and then put orange food coloring into one bag and black food coloring into the other bag.
Follow the remaining steps, waiting for the dyed rice to dry before mixing colors together.
Another Easy Halloween Sensory Idea
Instead of doing orange and black for the Halloween sensory bin, you could dye all of the rice purple and add fun things like googly eyes or witches cauldrons in the sensory bin.
You could really do this however you want. Just follow the steps and change up the colors as needed.
And if your kids are like my kids they will do this:
I’m not sure if I should blame Liam or Josie for mixing the fall sensory bin with the Halloween sensory bin, and then they added purple and pink rice, too.. they both blamed one another. Still fun, though!
Final Thoughts On Easy Fall Sensory Bin With Dyed Rice
I love fun and easy activities, so this easy fall sensory bin with dyed rice was perfect for us. It was incredibly easy to make, pretty inexpensive, and the food coloring goes a LONG way so we were able to make a ton of dyed rice in all different colors.
My kids loved this… my 11-year-old loved it just as much as my 2-year-old, so it’s definitely a hit with everyone. My favorite part is that it is easy to clean up. You can simply sweep it up and throw it away, with no sticking or staining.
What is your favorite easy sensory activity to do with your kids? Have you tried dyed rice before? Leave me a comment and tell me about it!
A note from Sara B. (the author of this guest post): As a widow and mother of two, I know from experience how important it is for parents to have a strong financial plan. So, naturally, it concerned me when I read recently that only 25 percent of Millennial parents have life insurance and that only slightly more than half of parents have wills.
Her goal with this article is to explain the importance of financial planning for parents and give tips on how to get started.
Building your life one piece at a time is exciting, but it can become more and more difficult financially. According to GOBankingRates, the cost of living in the U.S. has increased by 14 percent, and median household incomes aren’t covering the jump.
Throw the cost of raising a kid into the mix, and Americans are even further from living comfortably within their means. The only way to get ahead and thrive is by thinking critically and coming up with a plan. Start developing your personalized financial plan today by using the tips below, so you can get back to creating the life you want for your family.
Down With Debt
Before you can start planning your financial future, you have to get rid of debts that casts a shadow on things like procuring a home loan or any other line of credit. Some debt is unavoidable, but if you don’t take care of it now, you’ll feel its effects later.
Calculate your personal debt-to-income ratio and start working toward lowering it. Your credit will get a boost from the dropped DTI, and interest rates on future lines of credit will most likely drop as well. If it’s out of hand, consider debt consolidation or meet with an advisor. A professional will help you get on the path to saving more for your future rather than paying for mistakes in the past. Once you’ve got a handle on your debt, it’s time to start saving for everything you hope to accomplish.
Figure Out Your Aim & Budget
Think about what you want for yourself and your children in the future, and what it’ll take to get there. You have to figure out the destination before you can map out a way there. Do you want to buy a home with a bigger yard, send your kid to a private school or start saving for college? Your goals can be short-term and/or long-term. Maybe you’re focused on providing for your kids after you’ve passed. All of these goals give you something to work toward and will help you develop a budget.
Even if you’re already running your home within a budget, you should revisit it in light of your goals. You should be putting money into a variety of savings accounts, but the first one you should stock is an emergency fund. Whether something happens to you, your home or your employment status, the last thing you want to do is stress yourself and possibly risk incurring more debt.
Life happens, so you should be ready for it. Protect your family by thinking ahead, and teach your children financial health by being a role model for them. They will be watching and will appreciate your budgeting down the line.
Life happens, so you should be ready for it. Protect your family by thinking ahead, and teach your children financial health by being a role model for them. They will be watching and will appreciate your budgeting down the line.
Prepare For The Future
Now that you’ve figured out where you want to save, it’s time to put it into action. Put some of your savings to use by investing, which is part of every financial plan. From contributing to your 401(k) to 529 college savings accounts, there are many ways you can invest in yourself and your family.
If you feel comfortable handling investments on your own, build an investment portfolio. If you prefer to have some help, look into using a robo-advisor, which offers a much lower fee than an in-person advisor. Save that bit of money to tackle another significant part of your future.
Additionally, get your estate planning handled as soon as possible. Avoid probate court with a living trust, protect your heirs’ property and designate a guardian to look after your children. If your children are grown, consider giving one of them control of your finances.
You should also look into life insurance to lessen financial stress after your departure. Specific financial needs like childcare, debts, and healthcare costs can be alleviated with life insurance. Use a tool, like an online calculator, to help you determine which insurance policy is right for you.
Everyone’s situation is different, including their finances. One thing that is consistent is the desire to do what’s best for the family. Make your financial plan today to help solidify a secure future for you and your children.
If your child is anything like mine, then they whine at completely unnecessary times. Sometimes, they may not be able to stop whining even when there is nothing to whine about. If that’s the case for you, you’re likely looking for a way to stop your child’s whining.
For parents and caregivers, whining can be absolutely aggravating. When your patients are already being worn thin, whining can push you right over the edge. It’s hard being a calm, patient, and understanding parent when you can’t figure out how to stop your child’s whining and what causes it to begin with.
Research shows that the sound of a child whining is the single most distracting sound in the world, so it is completely understandable when a mom loses her … stuff when her kid keeps whining. (I’ll explain why losing it isn’t a good idea, however.. keep reading).
Reasons your child may whine:
Your child might whine because they:
feel like they need help
are hungry, thirsty, tired, etc.
need to feel a connection.
can’t properly express their feelings.
are feeling overwhelmed.
have been taught that they will get their way.
How to Stop Your Child’s Whining
1. Figure out what makes them whine.
Is it that they feel they aren’t being heard? Maybe it’s during a certain time of day that the whining occurs, and they are tired at that particular time (i.e. after school, before bedtime). Try to figure out your child’s patterns of whining, and it will give you a clue as to how to stop the whining.
2. Remind them to take a breath and refocus.
Our children are still learning to control their emotions, and if they are feeling negative feelings, their initial reaction may be to whine. It’s our job to teach them to regulate those feelings and handle them in a positive way.
To help them real in those overwhelming feelings you should:
remind them to take a deep breath and release it slowly
breath with them, continuing slowly until they’ve begun to calm down
look them in the eyes and ask them to use their words and tell you what they need
if they still can’t calm down, allow them to find a quiet place to gather their bearings before rejoining
avoid getting angry, as it only makes it worse
3. Respond in a non-reactive way to stop your child’s whining.
When you react in a non-reactive way (that was a bit of a contradiction on my part, huh?), you will acknowledge your child, but you won’t acknowledge how the whining makes you feel. You won’t let your child in on the fact the whining does bother you, because that is what they are looking for. Instead, try saying things such as:
“I can’t understand what you’re saying when you use your whining voice.”
“Could you please say that more clearly?”
“I can’t hear you when you whine that way.”
“I would love to help you when you decide to use your words.”
If these types of phrases don’t work, just walk away. It may be hard to do but, if your child knows they won’t get attention for behaving in that way, it’ll get them to stop whining. You have to stick to it, however, in order to teach them to stop.
4. Give positive attention before they start to whine.
When kids whine it is oftentimes because they feel they aren’t being given attention. To children, negative attention is better than no attention at all. To get ahead of whining and prevent it from happening, make sure you spend some time each day giving your child positive attention. Make sure they know they are wanted and loved and noticed.
5. Make sure all of their needs have been met.
If your child whines at a certain time each day, think about what could be wrong that triggers the whining? Are they hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Think of the basic needs before trying to stop them in any other way.
6. Acknowledge and support your child’s feelings.
Sometimes our kids feel like their feelings aren’t understood. This can really be an issue if you say things like, “you have nothing to be crying about!” or, “get it together. the way you’re feeling is unacceptable”.
Our kids are still learning how they are supposed to feel and how they are supposed to behave when they feel a certain way. Instead of telling them that their feelings are wrong, say something like “I can see that this made you frustrated/sad/angry/etc., can you tell a deep breath and tell me how I can help?”
7. Respond to your child when they are speaking to you – even if you know that you will say no.
Don’t just ignore your child. When a child feels that they aren’t being heard, they will whine. So, if you have to say ‘no’ to your child and know that they will whine either way, just get it over with and answer them so you both can move on with your day.
If it isn’t a yes/no question, respond to their question or comment as best as you can. Ignoring them will only make the situation worse, leading to whining, and even extending whining for longer periods of time.
8. Take your child aside and find a quick way to connect with them.
Sometimes kids just need a “re-start”, so to speak. They may feel like they’re losing their connection to you when you’re out and about or when you’re busy with something. If you see that they are struggling, take them aside and help them reconnect and refocus.
You can do this by making them laugh, smile, or just by letting them cry in your arms if their feelings are that overwhelming. Just help them through their moment and the whining will likely subside.
9. Getting frustrated won’t stop your child’s whining.
This only fuels the fire. If your kid sees that their whining is getting a reaction out of you, they’ll only continue the behavior. Set an example and keep it together (I know, it’s so hard sometimes) as best as you can.
Final Thoughts On How to Stop Your Child’s Whining
Whining kids is overwhelming for the parent or caregiver, and it can be so tempting to just give in to what your child wants just to make them stop. This isn’t going to help, however, as it just teaches them that whining works to help them get their way.
Instead, using these 9 tips to stop your child’s whining, you should be able to lessen the problem or eliminate it completely. It can be hard to figure out what to do when your child won’t stop whining, but there is a solution.
Do you have a child who whines? What do you do to stop it? Tell me about it in the comments!
Guys, life is CRAZY busy. I’m sure most of you feel the same way. It’s an overwhelming feeling, just knowing that there is ALWAYS something to be done, and finding a way to balance a busy life is the only answer to easing some of those feelings.
I have this overwhelmed feeling quite often, but I’m realizing that it’s even worse this time of year. Back to school time in our household is absolutely insane. We’re going on week 4 of school and things are finally beginning to become more “normal” for us.
That’ll be thrown completely off next week, however, as my daughter is starting 3-year-old preschool and there will be yet another thing thrown into our already busy schedule. It’s so worth it, though. I’ll forever choose providing for my children and giving them every opportunity I can over living a “simple” life.
Our children deserve the best and, as parents, we all know that we’re going to give them the best life that we can. Even if that means running around like crazy from school to practice to work (yep, our teenager just got her first j-o-b!). The only thing we can do is find a way to balance the crazy schedules and stay sane while doing it.
So what is a mom with a million things on her to-do list to do? Take a bath. Read a book. Listen to music. Watch her favorite Netflix show. Whatever self-care technique you prefer, DO IT.
As parents, we ALWAYS have a million things on our to-do list. Get done what can’t wait, and make the rest wait until tomorrow. Take care of YOU. After all, how can you take care of your child when your own cup is empty?
Make a list
Each night before bed, sit down and write out all the things that need your attention in the coming days. This is the easiest part.
Prioritize
First, organize your list into things that cannot wait. Obviously you will have to get those done. Then, take all of the things that need to be done but can wait until tomorrow or until the weekend and put those on a separate list. You can add some of those to your “can’t wait” list the next day.
Schedule self-care time
You have got to take care of yourself. This is the single most important tip. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to give much more to anyone else. For success and great parenting, you have to make time for yourself. Remember, self care isn’t just about taking a break every so often. You will also need to be in the best way with your health and wellbeing. It might be that you have an appointment to get suspected tinnitus checked out, this could be bringing you down. If you think you have this then take a look at tinnitus treatment options near you.
Ask for help
Ask your partner, your parents, your siblings or friends… ask whoever you trust with your kids. They’ll be more than willing to help out, and you will be able to take a load off of yourself, even just for one day.
Remind yourself that one day, you’ll miss this
I know you hear this all the time, but it is so true. I get sick of hearing it myself sometimes, but it really does make life a little easier when things get hectic.
One day, life WILL be “simple”, and you’ll think back to the days when your kids were still kids and you were trying to figure out how to balance a busy life. Believe it or not, you will learn for those days back. Try your best to embrace is now… I know that isn’t always possible (TRUST ME), but with intentional reminders, you’ll likely find yourself in a better mood.
Make sure to spend time with your partner
Parenting really takes a strain on your marriage, but you guys are in this together and that means you have to connect in order for things to stay in sync. Nurture this relationship by scheduling regular date nights, even if the dates are in your living room. Just spend time together… have fun and talk.
For more blog posts on marriage, choose one of the following titles:
Final Thoughts on How to Balance a Busy Life and Still Take Care of YOU
Are you feeling overwhelmed with how much stuff there is to do each day? I’m with you! What do you do to manage it all? Leave a comment and let us know!
Can you believe summer is coming to an end and another year of school is upon us? Less than 3 weeks and my kids will be back to school again. Unlike many parents, I am so not happy about this.
I love having my kids home, as weird as that may be. Plus, my firstborn is starting kindergarten!! We have two older kids (bonus kids for me), so I’m definitely not new to back to school, but it’s different when you’re doing the kindergarten thing for the very first time.
Anyway, although I’m dreading the kids going back to school, I have to get ready for it regardless. I’m working on getting all 3 of the kids ready.
Nevaeh is going to be a sophomore this year, Peyton is starting 6th grade (his first year of middle school!!), and Sylas is starting kindergarten. Needless to say, we have quite the preparation ahead of us.
*This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.*
Ways to Get Ready For Back to School
1. Adjust bed time.
Summertime means staying up late… sometimes way too late. Back to school means a “normal” bedtime and waking up early. Bummer, right?
It’s another unfortunate aspect of back to school. To set your kids up for success, begin getting them back on their school schedule at least one week in advance.
2. Make a list of what you need.
Each grade requires different items but, for the most part, they all have similarities. Figure out what each of your kids needs (I found lists for my kids on their school’s website), and start making a list for yourself.
School clothes and shoes are other things you need a list for. I just went through my 5 year old’s closet to see how many pairs of jeans he has, how many t-shirts, etc. From there, I was able to determine how many new school clothes he needs.
3. Watch for back to school sales.
This year, Amazon has been my go-to. It’s actually become my go-to for pretty much everything, so you’re probably not surprised.
Seriously, though, you can find pretty much every brand and every price range on Amazon, and you can find awesome stuff that you can’t find in most stores.
4. Get into a routine.
This routine should be similar or exactly like the routine you use during the school year. My family got WAY off schedule this summer, so we have started our back-to-school schedule already! I just want them to be ready and start the school year on a good note.
Our back-to-school routine is more than just bedtime. It involves reading or writing around 4:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, baths and stories at 7:00, and then bedtime (7:30 for the littles, a little later for our older kids).
5. Take your child to see their new classroom and meet their new teacher before the first day of school.
Most schools have open houses where this can happen but, if yours doesn’t, ask if you can bring your child in so that they are more comfortable on their first day of school.
6. Talk to them about all the exciting things they can look forward to.
Seeing their old friends, making new friends, field trips, recess, riding the bus, etc. Mention anything that excites your child about school.
7. Find another kid in your neighborhood who can be your child’s bus buddy.
With my little man starting kindergarten, I kept saying that I would never let him ride the bus. I feel that there isn’t enough supervision on buses and with him only being 5 years old, I still get a little bit crazy about how he is treated or if his feelings are hurt. (Don’t judge me, this is a judgment-free zone LOL!).
He reaaaaallly wants to ride a bus, however, and it would honestly make my life a million times easier. His big brother won’t be on that bus anymore since he is moving on to middle school, so I talked to another older kid in the neighborhood about keeping an eye on Sylas for me.
This other kid was actually really excited to help me out, and I think it made them feel even more mature. Plus, Sylas is excited to have a buddy on the bus already, especially since it is someone he has known (literally) his whole life and has looked up to.
Now, I’ll probably follow the bus to school the first couple of days, but at least I’m letting him get on it. 😉 The rest will be an adjustment for mama, later on, I suppose.
8. Discuss safety, bullying, respect, and other important topics with your kids.
When it comes to safety, you should make sure to talk about how to be safe on the bus, how to be safe when walking to school or to the bus, and even how to be safe in the classroom. Discussing bullying is SO important, as well, and I’m sure we all know why.
Talking to your kids about respect can cover almost any topic from following directions, respecting their teacher even when they disagree, respecting themselves and others, not doing gross things such as picking their nose, helping out when they see a need, etc. Whatever your definition of respect is, make sure you are instilling it into your children.
Bonus Tip
I have found that the best way to get kids in the back-to-school mindset is to get them their school supplies and back-to-school clothes. This gets them excited for the inevitable and helps them with the transition.
Back to School Checklist – Free Printable
Whatever grade your child is going into, I’ve got you covered. I created THREE free printables just for you guys, in order to make the process easier for you.
Click to enlarge
click to enlarge
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Where to Buy Inexpensive (but great quality!) School Supplies
My go-to for everything else is, of course, my go-to for school supplies, too. Amazon has AMAZING back-to-school deals, and you can buy packages of school supplies that contain almost everything your kids will need. Check out some of the deals I’ve scored this year down below.
Final Thoughts On Ways to Get Ready For Back to School
The end of summer is approaching quickly, and now is the time to begin preparing. These tips for getting ready for should help you, and the printables will help you make sure you have everything that your kids need for the first day.
What tips would you add to this list? What school supplies would you add to the free printables? Let me know in the comments!!
Sensory bottles are one of my favorite ways to make a holiday more exciting, and this 4th of July sensory bottle was a hit with my kids. This sensory activity keeps the kids busy as they make the sensory bottle and watch the glitter and small objects swirl together and settle back into the bottom.
Making a sensory bottle is easier than it sounds, and you don’t need many materials. You can also substitute the materials I recommend for something else you have on hand already.
*this post contains affiliate links*
Benefits of Sensory Bottles for Kids
Research shows that sensory activities benefit children in many ways. It promotes their mental health, encouraging emotional regulation, relaxation, and tension relief. Sensory activities stimulate interest, promoting curiosity and encouraging a child to learn and explore.
Sensory bottles help build sensory skills by stimulating the senses. The differing colors, objects, sounds, and materials help. Additionally, when the child touches the bottle to turn, twist, shake, or squeeze, it furthers the sensory experience.
Sensory bottles stimulate fine and gross motor coordination. They also help a child focus as their eyes follow the movements. It encourages them to be present and set aside distractions.
How to Make a 4th of July Sensory Bottle
Materials:
A clear bottle (recyclable water bottle, tea bottle, or a glass jar – I used an empty vinegar bottle)
Water (from the tap is fine)
Glitter glue (I used the silver from this one, I probably should have used 2 of them)
Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way up with water. You will fill it more after you add the rest of the materials.
Add 1- 2 bottles of glitter glue, depending on the look you are going for. I used 1, but I wish I would have used 2. My bottle is larger than a regular water bottle, however, because I used a vinegar bottle.
Cut 4th of July beaded necklaces into small pieces and put them into the bottle of water and glitter, or use 4th of July confetti instead of the necklace pieces.
Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water.
Replace the lid, and hot glue it shut.
Final Thoughts on 4th of July Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are easy, fun, and so much fun. This 4th of July sensory bottle was a great way to kick start our July 4th celebrations. What fun activities do you have planned for Independence Day?
For more sensory fun, click here. Or, you can read other 4th of July ideas in a separate post by clicking here.
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, and in my eyes, it’s the highlight of summer. On the 4th of July, my family normally celebrates by going to a barbeque, playing in the water, spending time relaxing outside and watching fireworks. I also try to do something fun to teach my kids about the meaning of the day.
This year, we will be celebrating at home and I want to make sure we have a good time. I also want to have a simple and relaxing day, so I had to come up with a plan to make the 4th of July simple and exciting.
Fun fact: I love learning new facts, so it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t research things we don’t know about the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I also like to share my random information, so:
4 Things You Didn’t Know About the 4th of July (but now you do)
Although I teach my kids about the reason for celebrating Independence Day there is still quite a bit we didn’t know, and I wanted to change that this year. I mean, are we really even American if we don’t know a few fun facts about Independence Day?!
1. While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress on July 4th, it was actually voted for on July 2nd. Because of this, John Adams celebrated the 2nd of July as Independence day and reportedly turned down celebration invitations on the 4th of July.
2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. They are also the only two who signed the Declaration of Independence who then went on to become President of the United States.
3. The tradition of lighting off fireworks began on the one year anniversary of America’s independence.
4. Americans consume around 150 million hotdogs on the 4th of July.
This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.
Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
1. Have a barbecue.
It isn’t July 4th if there is no 4th of July barbeque. The traditional meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with delicious side dishes is a popular way to go, or you can spice it up and offer steak instead. We’ll probably be doing the hotdog/hamburger method since my kids don’t tend to appreciate a good steak.
For 4th of July barbeque ideas click on the image:
2. Wear 4th of July themed clothing.
It’s more fun to dress up for special days, and it’s easy to dress up for the 4th of July! Your kids will always remember that part of the tradition, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it!
You can do crafts, sensory activities, games, or even go on a scavenger hunt. Whatever fun activities you plan, your kids will love it, especially if it’s Independence Day themed. For some ideas, check out my post 6 4th of July Crafts and Activities.
If you want to create an easy sensory bottle to celebrate, check out this post:
No matter where you celebrate from or what you plan to do, you have to watch fireworks! If you or your kids don’t like loud noises, try sparklers instead. Fireworks (or something similar) are a must when it comes to simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July at Home. They are actually on our Summer Bucket List, and I can’t wait to cross that one off!
Final Thoughts On Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
The 4th of July doesn’t have to be crazy, expensive, or stressful in order to have a good time. A low key and relaxing event can make the day more special to you and your family.
What are some of the ways you plan to celebrate July 4th this year? Tell me about it in the comments!
Mornings are hectic if you wake up at the same time as your kids. You won’t be able to have even a few minutes of quiet time before the morning craziness begins. Getting kids ready for school, daycare, or wherever you go that day can lead to stress. This is why it is important to follow a morning routine that will make you want to wake up before the kids.
If you take time to yourself in the mornings you can avoid feeling stressed during the day. You can have a cup of coffee and read, write, or check your blog stats before beginning the morning requirements. This will set you up for continued productivity, less stress, and just a better day overall.
With five kids, I need to make sure I’m taking this time in the morning to set myself up for a great day. My morning routine allows me to have some peace before the kids wake up, and I can get myself ready instead of scrambling around at the last minute.
1. Wake up at the same time every day
There are many reasons why waking up at the same time each day will benefit you throughout the entire day. First, you will have time to get stuff done before your kids wake up (which is the point, right?). You will also have an easier time falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning, you’ll take fewer naps, and you will feel less sleep-deprived.
Some other perks of waking up at the same time include: ⦁ being more alert and focused ⦁ having better short-term memory ⦁ being in a better mood ⦁ feeling less pain ⦁ feeling an increase in your immune system ⦁ performing better at your job ⦁ driving more safely and alertly
2. Make your bed
The best reason to make your bed as soon as you wake up is that it will keep your mattress and sheets clean and only allow the outermost layer to become dirty. The second most important reason is to start your day off on the right foot. By crossing something off your list the minute you wake up, you’ll feel accomplished and motivated from the start.
Making your bed also makes your room seem cleaner and less cluttered, which can reduce your stress levels. This benefit at the beginning of the day can make a huge difference.
3. Drink a big glass of water
Your body will be pretty dehydrated after sleeping for 6-8 hours. Coffee may be your go-to, but it leads to further dehydration. Before you caffeinate in the morning, drink at least one glass of water.
Aside from hydration, drinking water in the morning can help you be more alert and focused. Additionally, drinking water first thing in the morning increases the function of your immune system and helps your metabolism kick in sooner. If you’re not fond of water because of the waste, that could be because of the pollutants in it, which is why having your water come from American Water makes sense – it’s much purer and great for your health.
4. Eat a nutritious breakfast
After fasting for an entire night, your body needs nutrients. Without nutrients shortly after waking up, you’ll likely feel groggy all day. Studies have shown that eating a nutritious breakfast in the morning leads to higher cognitive function and energy levels, helps maintain or reach a healthy weight, prevents heart disease and diabetes, and can also help you maintain or reach a healthy blood pressure level.
5. Get yourself ready for the day
It is so much easier to get motivated when you get cleaned up and ready for the day. Don’t sit around in your pajamas or you’ll be more likely to be lazy. When you feel good about yourself, you feel good about what you can do.
6. Plan your day
Get your thoughts organized, and write down when you need to do each thing on your to-do list. Having a plan helps you get focused and makes it easier to get things crossed off the list that day. This clears your mind for a more enjoyable day and ensures you have time for everything.
What to do Next if You Still Have More Time
Then, if you still have time left before your kids wake up, practice self-care. Do something you love or something that will help you relax a bit.
My favorite thing to do in the morning is to read a book. It’s my quiet time, and it gives me a chance to do what I love BEFORE beginning the real-life stuff.
Having quiet time or self-care time in the morning also helps me stay focused at work instead of constantly thinking about what I’d rather be doing at home. If I already did something that I’d “rather” be doing, I don’t think about it so much at work. It’s the perfect way to end my quiet time in the morning.
Unfortunately, I don’t ALWAYS have time for it, but I’m working on giving myself more time in the morning to ensure this self-care time. When I don’t have time, however, I make sure to get some self-care time before bed each night. Bonus if I get the chance to do it at both of those times. 😉
Final Thoughts on a Morning Routine that Will Make you Want to Wake Up Before The Kids
A well-planned morning routine that makes you want to wake up before your kids is important in ensuring that the rest of your day runs smoothly. Every parent needs a chance to wake up, focus, and gather their thoughts before the craziness of parenting kicks in.
You will find yourself happier and in a better mood, too. So, wake up early, drink some water, and have a cup of coffee while the house is still quiet, plan your day, and do whatever else you need to get done to have a productive day.
What is your favorite part of your personal morning routine? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Spring is FINALLY here and while the temperatures in Michigan still keep slipping into the high 30’s, I think we will soon get some relief. Since next week is supposed to be significantly warmer, I knew I had to move quickly and take the list of things to do this spring out of my notebook and turn it into an actual printable.
I swear, in Michigan, we get 6 months of winter temperatures, 2 WEEKS of spring temperatures, and then the summer temperatures come in full force. It’s a little insane if you think about it.
We have already knocked out a few of the suggestions on the list, but I had only been keeping track in my notebook before creating the free printable. My kids were super excited to check things off the list when I printed it to hang up, though, so I’m glad I let them take over with the tracking!
Anyhow, without further ado, here is the list of 30 things to do this spring:
Things to Do This Spring
1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
Sylas (4) LOVES scavenger hunts. Any type of activity where he has a to search, hunt, or follow a map is right up his ally. Since spring brings on a whole new range of textures, sights, and smells, I thought a nature scavenger would be best. This gives the littles a chance to explore the fresh earth and all that it has to offer.
A quick Pinterest post led me to the perfect nature scavenger hunt. I planned on creating one myself, but since this one was so perfect, I didn’t bother.
Spring is pretty breezy, which means it’s the perfect time to fly a kite. Find a spot that’s slightly higher than just a flat area of land, and the flight will soar so high.
We are lucky and have a park just minutes away from our house with a huge hill. My kids go to the top of the hill to fly their kites and from down below, it is pretty magical. When they do it, the kites rarely hit the ground, either, which is pretty awesome.
3. Play tag at the park.
It’s true that you can play tag at home without ever leaving the house, but it just isn’t as fun. By going to the park to play tag instead of doing it the usual way, you are allowing your children to play one of their favorite games in a totally new environment, and how cool will that be for them?!
4. Jump in puddles.
Make use of all the rain that spring brings with it, and have some fun jumping in those puddles. This is the perfect time to pull out the rainboots but, if you don’t have any or don’t feel like looking, just go barefoot!
5. Plant or tend a garden.
Believe it or not, kids LOVE to learn about the land we live on. This is the perfect way to allow them to learn, have fun, and do something productive. I have many flower gardens throughout our yard and half of them were planted by my kids over the last few years. It’s so much fun for the kids to see their hard work pay off when the plants grow into something beautiful.
You can plant flowers or vegetables. Kids tend to try new foods if they made them, so I’m thinking that if they were to plant and grow their own vegetables, they may be more likely to eat them? I’m not sure if that logic works but it’s worth a shot!
6. Have an ice cream bar.
On one of the warmer nights, set out the ingredients for an ice cream bar. This could include multiple flavors of ice cream, chocolate syrup, bananas, candy pieces, sprinkles, chocolate chips, cherries, whipped cream, and anything else that you enjoy on your ice cream. To make this one even more fun, you can take your kids to the store and let them choose their own toppings.
This may be one of the easiest suggestions on the list, to be honest. This is because it’s free, easy, and there is no prep work involved. You can take a walk around your neighborhood, or you can venture out and find some good hiking trails in your area.
8. Have a game night.
My kids LOVE game night. We get out all the kid games and play them one after another until the kids get bored or I bribe them with a movie. Come on… as much as we love game night, you have to admit that we can only settle so many arguments before we’ve had enough.
Anyhow, we choose some yummy snacks (mostly store bought, but we also let the kids choose a few homemade options).
9. Feed the ducks.
This is something that I have never done before, which is pretty crazy if you think about it. I’m super excited to take my kids to do it. There is this super cute park in my city that is pretty popular for feeding ducks (and it has a super old train that kids love!), so I plan on going there.
Now that I think about it, though, I don’t even know what to feed ducks. Is it bread? I’ll have to google that in a minute.
10. Have a barbeque.
Make sure it’s kid friendly! Unless you don’t have kids, that is. Then make it 100% grown up friendly. Since I have kids, however, mine will have to be kid friendly.
That means hotdogs, hamburgers, and lots of kid friendly side dishes. I’ll probably do this one with a bunch of the other outside, at home ones while the food is cooking. No one says you can’t combine multiple ideas from the list at one time. 😉
11. Spend time star gazing.
Honestly, I feel like I don’t spend enough time simply enjoying the outdoors, especially at night time. Instead, I go inside the minute the sun is gone, preferring the bright warmth of my home.
This spring I plan on changing that and enjoying nature a little more. Disconnecting for a while and spending calming time with my kids while learning about our world sounds so peaceful. I also have a star gazing book I’ve been dying to put to use, so this will be the perfect time for that.
12. Blow bubbles.
Kids love, love, love to blow bubbles. All ages. Take some time to do this WITH them, and they’ll love it even more.
13. Draw with sidewalk chalk.
This is the perfect time to practice letters, numbers, sight words, name recognition, and art. The possibilities with sidewalk chalk are limitless. You can also pull out some classic sidewalk chalk games such as tic tac toe and hopscotch. Another fun idea is to draw lines on the ground and have your kids walk on them.
14. Have a picnic.
Kick off your shoes, settle back on a blanket, and unpack your picnic basket. Kids love to have picnics, and it is the perfect time to simply talk and unwind with your littles.
15. Read books outside.
So this probably won’t go as planned, but I envision all of us sitting calmly, relaxing while reading books outside. My kids will probably run around instead, but it gives me a good excuse to read outside and maybe, just maybe, my kids will join me for a little while.
16. Play hide and seek outside.
Face it, everyone in your house knows all of the hiding places inside. It isn’t even fun anymore when you already know where to look. Take the game outside now that the weather is nice!! Set a few ground rules to ensure that everyone remembers to be safe, pair a grown up or big kid with the toddlers, and search for new hiding places!!
17. Watch the sunset.
Is there anything more relaxing and breathtaking than a sunset? End one of your perfect spring days this way, and invite your kids to enjoy it, too.
18. Have a movie night.
Make it complete with popcorn, movie theater candy, and a yummy drink. Let loose a little and let your kids have a fun night laughing at their favorite movie with you and their siblings. It’ll be a night they’ll remember for years to come.
19. Make a spring craft.
I never need an excuse to make crafts, and if you give me an excuse, I may go a little bit crazy. Spring is the best time to do crafts because you can get a little bit messier than normal by moving craft time outside.
Paint a little more, use nature-inspired items on crafts, and maybe even incorporate some ice cubes or squirt guns. Luckily, Pinterest has TONS of options to choose from, and if you follow me on Pinterest I have a board already dedicated to it.
20. Play catch.
Baseball, football, whatever kind of ball you’ve got… just get outside and play catch. So many memories and bonding moments can happen during these seemingly little moments.
21. Paint rocks outside.
Go on an adventure and find your own rocks to paint! This will make them even more special. When you’re done you can save them or head out and hide them around town for others to find later.
22. Run barefoot in the grass.
My kids have already done this a million times this spring, so I think I can cross it off now.
23. Look for shapes in the clouds.
This is another time to lay back, unwind, and give your kids a chance to talk to you. Even better, it may just be a good time to laugh and be silly with them.
24. Shaving cream play outside.
Wear play clothes (or work clothes if you’re an adult), and get messy with shaving cream. I intend to work on letters, numbers, and sight words with my kids, but I know it’ll eventually turn into kids being covered in shaving cream. If it’s warm enough, you can just use a hose to clean off.
25. Have a bonfire.
In the spring, the evenings can be pretty chilly, so after the sun sets, light a fire and put on a hoodie to stay warm. Make it an even better night by roasting some marshmallows and making s’mores.
26. Go to yard sales.
Yard sale signs are the first indicator that spring is here. Stop by a few and let your kids grab a couple toys that may or may not break by the end of the day. You might get lucky and find some super cute home décor, a new patio set, or something even better.
27. Have a toy car carwash.
Get some hot wheels cars dirty and let your kids clean them with toothbrushes, soap, and water. If your kids are anything like my kids, they LOVE water play. Add in some cars and soap and it’s going to be the best day ever.
28. Watch a sports game.
This should be easy to do if you just hit up your local sports field on a Saturday morning. You’ll likely find soccer, baseball, tennis, or track this time of year.
If you have kids in spring sports, you’ve likely already watched a sports game or two this year. I’m in your boat, and I’ve written a post about how to survive spring sports season.
29. Go for a drive and find a new park.
I’m pretty sure that we’ve already played at every park near me, so this may take a trip to a nearby city. I love to explore and I know that my kids do, too, so I think it’ll be fun!! This may just have to be our picnic day.
30. Collect plants and other items to make into artwork.
You can make a collage, a picture frame, letters or a name, or anything else that you little artists come up with. Let them choose their own materials and follow their own ideas. It’ll be fun for everyone, and it is the perfect time to teach them (show them) about trial and error.
Things to Do This Spring Bucket List – Free Printable
My kids always LOVE to check items off of a list. They likely get this trait from their list-loving mother, but I’d say she isn’t that bad. 😉
Since we all agree that lists are awesome, I tend to create bucket list printables for every occasion. To thank you for reading my blog, I’m giving the printables away for FREE. Feel free to download and print the spring bucket list printable so that you never forget the 30 things to do this spring, and please send it along to a friend who may like one, as well!!
Okay, I may have gone a bit crazy and created three different printables, but I couldn’t help myself. Choose whichever one you like best!!! The link for each one is below the corresponding picture, just click where it says “Spring bucket list”.
Mmmmm tomatoes. One of my all time favorite foods. I can’t say the same for the rest of my family, however, but realistically, your child should eat tomatoes every day.
My little guy, Liam, is the only person in my house (other than myself) who likes tomatoes. And when I say he likes them, I mean he LIKES them. He eats them first every time I put them on his plate and then asks for more.
The rest of my kids (and even my husband) aren’t fans of tomatoes. They won’t touch them. It’s crazy to me because I eat them raw all the time.
I’ve been trying to push more tomatoes, though, because they are SO good for you. I’ll explain how I’ve been sneakily using more tomato later on in this post but first, I want to tell you WHY your child should eat tomatoes every day.
Why Your Child Should Eat Tomatoes Every Day
1. Helps prevent cancer
Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to prevent cancer and slow down the growth of potentially cancerous cells. Higher amounts of lycopene are found in cooked tomatoes, so adding tomatoes to your baked dishes is even better.
2. Helps bone health
Two nutrients that are vital for maintaining and strengthening your bones are calcium and Vitamin K, both of which are found in tomatoes. In order for your child’s bones to repair themselves from minor injuries, they should be consuming a decent amount of those nutrients.
The antioxidants found in tomatoes also help promote the amount of calcium found in your body. Long term, the benefits of tomatoes can prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
3. Good for heart health
It’s never too early to think about your child’s heart heath, and tomatoes can help with that. To prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems, Vitamin B and potassium are necessary. By making this a regular part of your child’s diet, you are setting them up for long-term heart health.
Teaching them to love tomatoes will also make them more likely to continue eating tomatoes when they are adults, further protecting their bodies from heart disease. A bonus, you and your spouse will also benefit from the Vitamin B and potassium.
4. Improves vision
Vitamin A, found in high amounts in tomatoes, is great for your eyesight. Not only can it improve your vision, but it also can prevent night blindness.
5. Prevents and fights against diabetes
If diabetes runs in your family, you should take extra precautions for your children. Tomatoes play an important role in preventing diabetes because it can help restore biochemicals that are off.
Additionally, the fiber found in tomatoes can make the symptoms of diabetes less severe. It has been found that fiber leads to a balancing of blood sugars, lipids, and insulin levels.
6. Good for mental health
The antioxidants in tomatoes can promote positive mental health. They can help decrease emotional stress and prevent neurodegenerative disease. With depression on the rise for children and teenagers, you should be especially receptive of anything that will help.
How to Get Your Child to Eat Tomatoes
Like I said before, only one of my kids actually enjoys eating tomatoes. Liam (my youngest) will munch on them all day if I’d let him (although with his eczema I definitely wouldn’t let him).
The others claim they don’t like tomatoes, so I have to sneak them into their diet in other ways. This is easier than it sounds and doesn’t involve a ton of prep work.
Some of the ways to get your child to eat tomatoes include:
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled cheese served with tomato soup for dipping
Raw tomatoes served with ranch
Add diced tomatoes to pasta dishes
Use tomato sauce as an ingredient in sauces or dips
Help your child grow a tomato plant. This is super easy, and they will be more likely to eat the tomatoes that they grew.
Final Thoughts On Reasons Your Child Should Eat Tomatoes
The reasons your child should eat tomatoes mainly revolve around health, but they are also an easy, quick, and healthy snack for when you are on the go, too. By teaching your child to love this food, you are protecting their health now and in the future. You’re also teaching them healthy eating habits and allowing them to take care of their own bodies as they get older.
What is your favorite way to incorporate tomatoes into your family’s diet? Do you ever have to sneak tomatoes into your child’s diet? Tell me about it in the comments!
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