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Parenting

5 Best Ways To Motivate Your Kids to do Better

As a parent, one of your essential roles is to motivate your kids? You want them to do well, and you want to see them learn and grow. With a little motivation from you, your kids will be well on their way to becoming motivated individuals.

However, learning to motivate your kids takes practice. There are some simple steps you can take to motivate them along the way, helping you form beneficial habits, too.

Five Simple Steps to Motivate Your Kids

1. Let them see how their behavior affects themselves and others.

As any parent knows, that little angel you had can sometimes become a small dragon after seeing what they’re capable of doing to your brand-new couch or their bedroom carpet. The first step in motivating children is to let them know what they are capable of.

Once you’ve shown kids how their actions can harm themselves, their peers at school, or even your wallet, they’ll stop and think before acting in a certain way again. Of course, when your son acts out in front of everyone because he thinks it’s amusing, you’ll want to consider a suitable punishment.

2. Give them reasons to follow your lead

Kids always look up to their parents because they are the authority figure in their lives. So when you tell your kids going outside and playing is a lot better than watching TV all day, do it confidently. Kids are more likely to follow your lead if you show them that what they can gain from listening to you outweighs any potential consequences of not doing so.

So, rather than telling your child what they should do, you should show them. Live the way you want your child to live so that they’ll find the motivation they need to do the right thing and live a healthy life.

3. Use short and simple motivation lessons

Trying to motivate kids with long-drawn instruction manuals is like teaching a goldfish about particle physics. Teaching lessons to children should be short and straight to the point. After all, kids hate lectures, so give them a reason to pay attention by keeping your motivation lessons brief and easy to understand. Try Miss Jacobs growth mindset displays.

4. Give them reasons why they should not do something

Kids often get into trouble because they don’t understand the consequences of their behavior. If you want to motivate your kids, they must know why they should not do something because doing so will impact their lives adversely.

5. Keep the motivation going

Let your child know what they’re capable of achieving and how good that feels. Then, continue motivating them even after you’ve noticed a difference. Once kids get used to following your lead and enjoying the rewards of doing so, they will start expecting you to motivate them again. When that happens, you might need motivation and inspiration yourself!

Motivate Your Kids

Use these tips to help motivate your kids, and enjoy the benefits it brings into your life. Motivation is the key to success. If you want your kids to follow your lead, then provide them with the motivation to inspire them to do good every day!

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For the Home Home Parenting

3 Essential Ways To Set Up Your First Home For Good

Moving into a property to call your own is a life milestone and achievement, and you should feel free to celebrate it. That’s not to say you haven’t worked for this outcome, but even so, it’s worth paying yourself some credit and feeling a sense of enthusiasm for your future. Once that’s over, then the new work begins. It can take some time to unpack and may need some creativity to get right. However, when you set up your first home, it can also require a few additional considerations.

How To Set Up Your First Home For Good

Pest Control & Prevention

Pest control is an essential means of resolving an infestation, but it can also be a worthwhile preventative measure. From using rodent deterrents, placing traps, and using other materials to prevent insects, you can protect your home against creatures. These services can also help if bats make a nest in your attic or if you need a wasp’s nest removed.

Set Up Security As Needed

It’s essential to secure your home even if it is in a safe location. Some locations may require more security, though. For instance, a suburban house will have more people around it, meaning it’s statistically more likely to suffer an intrusion attempt. However, you’re much closer to a security safety net and neighborhood watch to balance that out. 

In rural areas, you’ll be around fewer people but will have fewer immediate police responses. Plus, you may not live next to neighbors that can support you. Without the added security, it is why using a reliable and proven home security company is key to finding the best solution for your unique needs.

Ventilate Properly

The build-up of damp and the weakening of insulation can cause problems in your household. Both of these issues can be fixed. Refitting poor or damaged windows, setting lock strengths, and making sure that your home can accept and circulate fresh air without opening up to adverse effects from the weather or bad insulation is essential. These measures may take a professional to inspect and rectify any issues or install new ventilated features.

Set Up Your First Home

With this combination of efforts, you’ll set up your first home for good. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know.

Categories
Adulting Parenting

5 Easy and Practical Ways To Make Parenting More Fulfilling

It all starts with the delight of realizing you’re pregnant, then the joy of seeing your baby for the first time, and then the pressures of responsibilities. Before you know it, you’ve become an unhappy and overworked parent trying to deal with and overcome the daily challenges of being a parent. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Children are beautiful blessings, and if you can find ways to restore some fun and life into your parenting roles, you can make parenting more fulfilling. The following tips can help.

How To Make Parenting More Fulfilling

1. Aim for good health

Your health is at the center of it all. The healthier you are (in mind and body), the better equipped you are to handle all the pressures of parenting, including keeping parental stress at bay. The keys to living a healthy life include regular exercise and eating healthily, but you probably knew that already.

Another essential part has to do with getting regular medical examinations. While you seek regular medical exams, it also helps to protect yourself from the results of medical malpractices. Such malpractices can gravely affect your health and finances and leave you unhappy (to put it nicely). You can always work with medical malpractice attorneys for legal assistance should you become a victim of medical malpractice. 

2. Try not to complain about everything

Your children will always give you something to scream about, but you need to do your best to avoid complaining about everything. It might do you a lot more good if you take some time to enjoy the mess with your little one occasionally. For example, if you find your toddler reveling in the mud after bathing them, try joining them for a change and notice what that will do for your mood. The discipline part can always come later.   

3. Take part in activities you love

Make time for yourself to enjoy some activities you love. It could be something as simple as a fun hobby, going out for drinks with your friends, or treating yourself to a satisfying shopping experience. But to do this, you will need someone to fill in for you once in a while. You can find that kind of support from people you trust, such as friends, extended family, or professional nannies. 

4. Start each day on a positive note

Sometimes, the best way to have a great day is to start on a positive note with a fun and positive morning routine. If you wake up feeling grumpy, the chances are that’s how the rest of your day will turn out. Not getting enough sleep can also make you depressed. So, be sure to wake up with a smile on your face. To achieve this, you need to get enough sleep. Enough sleep here means seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. If that’s not possible, find a way to grab some snooze time during the day. You will be amazed by how much a 15-minutes shut-eye period can do to lift your mood for the rest of the day. 

5. Stay involved in your kid’s education

Ensuring your kids have the best educational start possible is an essential job for parents. When creating a positive environment, start by discussing with your children why education is important. Talk to them about how it can open up different possibilities and give them great experiences and opportunities in the future. Then, you can encourage them to set goals for themselves and strive to reach those objectives. Provide help where needed, such as assisting them with homework, providing valuable resources from Age of Learning, and helping them choose extracurricular activities that complement their interests.

Make Parenting More Fulfilling

Parenting is a joyful blessing, but it can be stressful and overwhelming. These tips can help you make your experience more fulfilling. Do you have any other suggestions? Leave a comment and let us know.

Categories
Health Healthy Living Mental Health Parenting

4 Important Family Health Goals Worth Setting

According to the CDC, about 48 million people get sick each year in America. Nearly 128,000 end up in hospitals because of their illnesses. Add these numbers to other causes of health issues, and the results will be frightening. These figures should sound alarming to any loving parent, highlighting the need to set family health goals right away. If you want to protect your family’s health, then here are some health goals to implement for those you love. 

Family Health Goals to Set Today

1. Get a Family Health Insurance Package

Health insurance offers a major boost to your chances of raising a healthy family. It makes it more affordable to seek certain medical assistance, including emergencies, expensive surgeries, and other medical procedures. Also, if you live with any severe health issue, you’ll probably be at risk of higher morbidity without any health insurance than someone who has coverage. You can find different health insurance packages from various insurance providers. Be sure to do your research to find what works best for your family.  

2. Don’t Ignore the Importance of Regular Health Exams

Another benefit of getting health insurance is that it makes it easier or cheaper to take your family for regular visits to your doctor. Medical examinations are an essential part of any healthy family life, as they help identify potential health issues even before they become problematic. Your healthcare practitioner will also be able to offer quick treatment.

Opinions vary on how often you need to visit a doctor, but ideally, getting a routine physical examination once a year is a good idea.

3. Mental Health Support

It is essential to ensure that every family member has good mental health. You can do this by finding ways to make your home as stress-free as possible. Spend time together as a family, go on fun trips, and most importantly, be there to support each other through difficult times. However, some issues may go beyond family support and require professional help.

For example, if any member of your family is struggling with addiction or substance abuse issues, you can visit https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/texas/carrollton/ to get all the professional assistance you need. Also, encourage healthy communication, and create an atmosphere of positivity at home. 

4. Aim to boost physical health

As mentioned earlier, about 128,000 people end up in the hospital, with 3,000 losing their lives from food-related illnesses alone. The best way to avoid adding your family to this negative statistic is to ensure that you prepare healthy meals, eat healthily, and put measures in place to reduce the risk of food poisoning. For example, separate raw meat and poultry from ready-to-eat food, cook at the right temperature and serve and eat food while warm. Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below for proper food preservation. Additionally, wash your hands and surfaces before, during, and after preparing your meals.

How is kombucha beneficial to health?

The fermentation process of the kombucha drink is similar to that of wine, yogurt, or cheese. The resulting product is a slightly sour, fizzy drink loaded with enzymes, probiotics, and antioxidants. Claims that Kombucha enhances digestion, prevents cancer, eases arthritis symptoms, and helps treat constipation are anecdotal. However, scientific research has shown that there may be some truth behind these claims. For example, some kombucha components contain glucuronic acid, one of the most potent antioxidants in nature. Glucaric acid binds to cancer-causing agents in the body and flushes them out through your kidneys.

Categories
Gifts Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun

Naturally Kids Backpack Review: Why It’s the Perfect Daily Choice for Toddlers

As a parent, we’re always carrying things for our kids. From sippy cups or snacks to toys and random treasures, we get stuck carrying it all. This Naturally Kids backpack can help alleviate the issue, allowing your kids to carry their own things to and from the car.

It seems like everytime we leave our house, the kids start grabbing things to take with us. I either end up carrying it all back in the house later, or it gets left in the car. When the kids have their own bag for daily use, you won’t have to do it anymore.

The Naturally Kids backpack is high-quality, useful, and worth the value. It comes with a dinosaur that your child can carry in the straps on the front of the backpack, making it even more exciting. Naturally Kids also offers other stuffed animal options and colors, allowing you to get the perfect one for your child.

If all of those perks aren’t enough, there are plenty of other reasons to get your child a Naturally Kids Backpack.

Disclosures: I was provided with a Naturally Kids Backpack for the purpose of completing a fair and honest review. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.

Why the Naturally Kids Backpack is the Perfect Option

1. It Has Adjustable Straps

Kid aren’t all the same size, so the adjustable straps allow you to make it the perfect size for your kiddo. Plus, you can loosen the straps as your child grows, ensuring long-term use.

Naturally Kids Backpack

2. The Size is Perfect

While your little one has lots of treasures to take with them, you don’t want them to pack up the house each time you leave home. This backpack is the perfect size for a few of their favorite items, preventing them from overpacking. Let your child know that they can take anything that can fit inside of the bag. They can fit a toy, a snack, and a sippy cup. Since they can’t overload it, you won’t get stuck carrying it because it won’t get too heavy.

3. It Has Internal Pockets For Small Treasures

This backpack has two internal pockets. One of the pockets has a zipper and the other has a velcro flap. These pockets were a nice surprise and give the kid a place to put smaller things they don’t want to lose.

4. The Material is Soft and High-Quality

I always worry about things with zippers because they can tear so easily. However, this backpack is made of high-quality material so I don’t have to worry about it. The material is also soft for the little ones to enjoy.

5. Naturally Kids Backpack Has Something For Everyone

While the backpack we received is pink with a dinosaur, there are plenty of other options. You can choose between unicorns, dogs, and other stuffed animals. Plus, Naturally Kids offers plenty of color options so you can get your child the perfect gift.

Naturally Kids Backpack

Why the Naturally Kids Backpack is the Perfect Option For Kids

There are so many backpacks for toddlers on the market, but the Naturally Kids backpack is amazing compared to the others. The quality is great, and it comes with a bonus stuffed animal that can be carried in the straps on front. Plus, it prevents your child from overfilling a bag and then making you carry it because it’s too heavy.

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For the Home Home Parenting

4 of the Best Reasons You Should Consider a Changing Table For Your Baby’s Nursery

Before my oldest was born, everyone told me I wouldn’t need a changing table. People said I’d never use it, and I’d change his diaper wherever I was in the house. Because of this, I didn’t plan to get one. I needed a dresser, though, and my cousin told me she knew someone giving one away for free. The dresser was perfect for the theme of my son’s nursery, and it had a changing table on top. Since the changing table was already there, I bought a changing pad and a cover for it, and it ended up being the best decision for my baby’s nursery.

The changing table quickly became a place of high use. I took Sylas there for every diaper change because it was easier than having diapers and wipes lying around the house. Plus, if I needed to change his clothes, they were all right there.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Changing Table For Your Baby's Nursery

Why You Should Consider a Changing Table For Your Baby’s Nursery

You Can Focus On Your Baby More

The best part about the changing table was all of the other time we spent there. After bathtime, I’d lay my son down, lotion him up, get him dressed, and do anything else we needed to do. I found that using the changing table helped me focus on him more. I took my time getting him ready, enjoying the baby scents and the time spent caring for my perfect little man.

We’d spend time playing together as he lay there looking up at me. I’d tickle him, talk to him, point out some of the things around his nursery. He’d smile, coo, giggle, and look around, taking in his nursery. It was also one of my favorite places to take pictures of him because I could always get him to smile.

While you can get by without a changing table, these memories were some of my favorite ones from when my son was a baby. I loved that time because it gave me a chance to have no distractions as I cared for him. He could lay out comfortably while I got him ready and talked to him. Plus, we had everything we needed within reach, from diapers and wipes to lotionfingernail clippers, and other necessities.

You Don’t Have to Bend Over or Sit on the Floor

When you have a newborn, you’ll change diapers at least every two hours. Constantly bending over or sitting on the floor to change the diaper can take a toll on your back. Even if you aren’t worried about back pain, it’s still easier to do things efficiently when they are at your height.

You Can Use it For Storage

Babies require many products for their care, and you don’t want them all over the house. When diapers, wipes, lotions, creams, and other products get strewn around, it’s hard to use them during diaper changes. You’ll have to keep stopping to find the next thing you need, leaving your baby waiting.

If you have a changing table, you can keep all baby care items in one place. Some changing tables are attached to dressers, while others have shelving underneath. Determine which items you need to store and choose your changing table based on your needs.

Changing Tables Tie the Nursery Together

Sometimes your baby’s nursery needs a little something more to pull it all together. You can often find a changing table that matches your baby’s crib and other furniture. Some cribs come with a changing table attached, helping save space and help with functionality.

Consider a Changing Table For Your Baby’s Nursery

If you don’t have a changing table or don’t know if you need one, consider the little moments when making your decisions. Not everyone uses them, but they can be an opportunity for bonding with your new baby.

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Allergies Big Kid Classroom Health How To Parenting

How You Can Help Keep Your Child Safe At School

Primary school may be overwhelming for both pupils and their parents, and this is exacerbated even further during a pandemic. Parents are concerned about bullying, emergencies, and other frightening situations as their children navigate through school and important developmental years. Learn how to keep your child safe while at school in this post.

How to Keep Your Child Safe At School

1. Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 updates

We all have a lot of additional questions when it comes to the health and safety of our children this year.   Is there really anything done at the school to stop the spread of COVID-19? What happens if a student in my child’s class or at his or her school contracts the virus? What will the school do in the event that a teacher becomes unwell as a result of the virus? Is the school COVID safe in general?

Even as we all work together to negotiate these difficult decisions, you may take steps to equip yourself, prepare your children, and assist teachers in preparing classrooms. Remind your children of the importance of regular handwashing. They should wash up after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside, and if they have sneezed or coughed.

2. Find out how schools deal with issues

It is critical to understand how a school handles emergency circumstances as well as the policies that students are required to adhere to. Every school year, take time to go over the school’s handbook with your child at the beginning of the year. Many questions are answered in this guide, which covers topics such as school uniform, visitors policy, disaster drills and routes, and the school’s position on bullying.

3. Talk to the teachers

Speaking with teachers and administrators on a frequent basis is the most effective approach to stay up to date on the school’s safety policy. Plus, it’s the best way to follow up on any safety issues that may arise. If your child is experiencing difficulties, these discussions may offer insight into the situation. In order to keep physical contact to a minimum during COVID-19, you can conduct them via Zoom, email, or phone.

If your child’s school does not offer parent-teacher conferences, ask for one with each teacher toward the middle of each term. Staying in contact will help your child succeed and stay safe at school.

4. Make sure your children’s records are up to date

When you first registered your child for school, you had to fill out a mountain of paperwork. However, it is easy to forget about updating their school files as the years go by. In the event that your child develops an allergy or if there is an emergency at the school, this can be a problem.

Additionally, if your personal or contact information changes, make sure that you notify the school as soon as possible. Review and update your child’s files at least once a year, or at the beginning of each term if possible. 

Categories
Family Activities Holiday Our Family Parenting

The Best Matching Pajamas and Outfits for the Holidays

Christmas seems to be the best time of year for matching pajamas and outfits. While matching Christmas pajamas are the most popular, there are also many matching Christmas outfits for the family. If you start planning your family’s Christmas apparel now, it’ll be one less stress for you when the countdown gets closer.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Matching Pajamas and Outfits for Christmas

Matching Pajamas for Christmas

1. Burt’s Bees Pajamas

These pajamas for the whole family are so cute. My favorite print is the reindeer print, but you can also choose between:

  • Winter Hats
  • Snowflakes
  • Christmas Tress
  • Buffalo Check
  • Stripes

2. Elf Green Stripe Family Pajamas

These cute pajamas are fun and festive. You’ll all love wearing them, all they’ll be perfect for a Christmas Eve photoshoot.

3. Plaid Pajamas With a Deer and Tree

I love these pajamas for a few reasons. First, I love plaid. Second, the tree and deer are so cute, and they’re perfect for everyone in the family. The deer and tree aren’t the only patterns available, either, so take a look!

4. Christmas Lights Pajamas

These pajamas are the perfect ones to wear while decorating the Christmas tree together. I love the navy blue with Christmas lights. Plus, you can get pajamas for your family pet, too.

5. Plaid Flapback Pajamas

Is there anything cuter than flapback pajamas? These plaid pajamas have cute little bears on the bottom, making the flap even better. Click the link to check out the other patterns because there are plenty to choose from.

Matching Outfits for Christmas

1. Matching Ugly Christmas Sweaters

There are so many options for matching ugly Christmas sweaters. Plan for your holiday get together and choose which pattern is best for your family. I love the dinosaur print ugly Christmas sweaters.

2. Plaid Matching Mommy and Me Christmas Dresses

There is nothing cuter or more fun than matching your mini on Christmas or at a holiday party. These dresses are perfect, but there are other styles available, too.

3. Green Plaid Matching Dresses

These green plaid dresses are adorable and super festive. The best part is that you can easily find matching flannel shirts for the boys to wear. There’s also a red option available.

4. Whole Family Matching Plaid Outfit

I love these matching family outfits because everything you need is on one listing. Dresses available for mom and daughter, and flannel shirts for the boys. You won’t have to look anywhere else for the final pieces.

5. Knitted Ugly Christmas Sweaters

My family loves dinosaurs, so I’m all about dinosaur sweaters. These ugly Christmas sweaters come in all sizes, so everyone in the family can have one. The festive colors make the sweaters perfect for dressing up or down, too.

Fun Matching Accessories

You can pull the outfits together by adding some matching accessories. Consider Santa hats, reindeer antlers, comfy socks, or slippers.

Matching Pajamas and Outfits

The Best Matching Pajamas and Outfits

Get ahead of the holidays and start choosing your matching pajamas and outfits for your family. Which of the matching pajamas and outfits are your favorites? Leave a comment and let us know!

Categories
Adulting For the Home Home Parenting

4 Positive Ways to Prepare Your Child for Relocation

Moving is one of the most stressful events that a family will ever go through. Kids are usually more affected by relocation than adults and feel like they’ve lost their sense of home and security. Getting ready for relocation can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming with these ways to prepare your child for relocation.

How to Prepare Your Child for Relocation

1. Tell Them Right Away

The first step to prepare your child for relocation is to tell them as soon as possible. You don’t want to give the impression that they aren’t considered when making big decisions, but it can help ease anxiety if they know what’s happening early on. Also, don’t make this a secret from your child. If someone asks them where they will attend school or if your family is moving because of work, be honest and upfront about what’s happening in their lives.

2. Allow Them to Voice Their Concerns and Fears

Moving is a big step, and there are lots of changes that could be on the horizon. Kids may have concerns about their school life or friendships that they need to talk through. Having these worries doesn’t mean that they aren’t excited about the move. Instead, it just means that this change will affect them in different ways than it does you.

Asking questions is not only natural but also essential when preparing your child for relocation. However, when you listen to your child and allow them to express everything that’s going through their heads and help them navigate through all the initial emotions, they’ll warm up to the idea much quicker!

3. Make Them Excited About the New Neighborhood

Planning fun activities to do around the new neighborhood can help your child get excited about their move. The more comfortable they are with where they’re moving, the less anxious and scared they will feel. If you and your child are happy with how everything is going, that means that it was a good decision. Additionally, taking time to explore the new area can help your child feel more at home.

4. Give Them Some Control Over the Situation

Giving your child some control over the situation can help them feel more comfortable and excited about their upcoming move. You can do this by allowing them to choose their new room’s decor, decide on some furniture or even help pack for the day https://www.imsrelocation.com/ arrives. When they feel like they had a say, it allows them to see that everything will be alright.

Prepare Your Child for Relocation

Take time to prepare for relocation so that both of you can look forward to it together! Moving is an exciting experience because it means starting fresh somewhere new, but only if everyone gets ready for it in advance.

By using the above tips, you can help your child prepare for relocation as smoothly as possible. Moving is an exciting experience that everyone will benefit from if everyone is prepared to make it a success!

Categories
Adulting Mental Health Parenting

4 of the Best Confidence Hacks For New Moms

Throughout your life, you’ll encounter various situations that will cause your confidence to take a hit. As we get older, our confidence can be impacted by professional and academic success. Furthermore, while welcoming a baby into the world is joyful, this could also harm your confidence. Your confidence decrease is due to the simple fact that babies bring a lot of change. Your body will look (and feel) different, your emotions will fluctuate, and you’ll find yourself questioning every decision you make for your baby. As a result, it’s hardly surprising that many moms report a distinct drop in their confidence once their baby arrives. These confidence hacks for new moms will help you overcome those feelings.

Confidence Hacks For New Moms

Attend all health appointments.

Health, happiness, and confidence are often much more intertwined than you may think. While you may focus on taking your babies to all of their postnatal appointments, it’s also essential that you keep your health in check. Keeping your health in check includes making the most of dental services and dental appointments that you may have put off during your pregnancy. 

Embrace your mom-bod. 

As mentioned previously, your body will go through many changes during pregnancy, including weight gain. While this is perfectly natural, it’s also understandable that your relationship with your body and confidence will change slightly during this time too. To feel confident once more, you must learn to love yourself and your reflection. Remember, your worth isn’t defined by the figure on the scales. Whenever you find yourself thinking negatively about your body- commend yourself on your strength and the fact that you brought life into the world. 

Develop a healthy routine.

Unhealthy habits are easy to slip into – whether you grab the takeout menu instead of cooking fresh meals or watch your favorite Netflix show instead of exercising. However, unhealthy habits can also hurt your confidence because they stop you from taking proper care of yourself. As a result, you should develop a healthy routine if you are looking to feel more confident. You can start by following a healthy diet and participating in mom and baby workouts.  

Know that it’s okay to ask for help.

One of the biggest mistakes that new parents make is believing that they have to do everything alone. However, this is not the case. It’s okay to ask for parenting help when you need it. Raising children means that you’ll deal with surprise after surprise – many of which aren’t in the pregnancy books you read. The people around you can provide you with the insight you need to thrive as a new mom. Plus, voicing your concerns to others will also help you settle your anxieties, letting you know that you are doing your best. 

Confidence Hacks For New Moms

Having a baby can interfere with your confidence levels, but these tips can help. Do you have any other confidence hacks for new moms? Leave a comment and let us know!