Category: Parenting

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For the Home How To Parenting

Fun Ideas to Create a Perfect Playroom

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Creating a playroom for your little ones is such a good idea if you have space for one. It means that the toys are all going to be kept in one space, which can be really helpful for tidying purposes. Luckily, there are many fun ideas to create a perfect playroom.

Having all things in one place can make such a difference, and then at the end of the day, you can close the door on it all. But what are the best design ideas that you need to have in a playroom to make it best suit the needs of the room? Having it perfectly set up for children in a comfortable and clean space makes such a difference. 

Create a Perfect Playroom
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How to Create a Perfect Playroom

Include Bright Colors

You want to have a playroom that your children are going to love, and bright colors can really make a difference. If the playroom is bland and dull, then it can be a little unappealing to kids. When you are planning out your playroom, remember that it will look much better with bright colors. It can be appealing to babies, as well as toddlers and older children, so don’t be shy when it comes to the decor in the room.

If you want to keep the walls fairly neutral, then you could think about an area of the room becoming a mural. Or, perhaps you could decorate with wall decals with characters or animals that your children love. This can be a good option as they can be removed and changed as your children grow and their tastes change.

Consider Chalkboard Walls

One of the things that we often tell children to not do is color and draw on the walls. But in a playroom, there are no rules, right? It is a good idea to have something like a chalkboard wall so that your children can draw and create to their heart’s content. You could have a chalkboard installed on an existing wall, or you could use chalkboard paint.

Install Soft Flooring

Having a space that is comfortable for the children in the playroom will make it a much better experience for them. Of course, you need to think about the practicality of the flooring in the room, as making something easy to clean is a good idea. However, you need to make sure that the flooring you choose is soft underfoot too. Wooden floors with rugs or mats can work, or you could think about carpet. If you choose carpet, then just make sure that you think about getting regular carpet cleaning, so that it is all safe and clean for your little ones. Dark colors can all make a difference too, and can hide a multitude of stains.

Plan For Toy Storage

When you think about the design of your playroom, storage for toys is a must. There are a range of things to choose from, but it can make a difference to have some toy storage with cubbies. This means that the children can reach the toys themselves, but there are places to put them away at the end of the day, and it can look neat and tidy. Toy cubbies can be organized too, and you could add labels on the cubbies if you want to keep things extra organized.

Add a Creative Area

Although the playroom can be for toys and play, it can be such a good addition to have a creative area in the playroom too. Having a table and chairs for children to play at, draw, and create can be a really good idea. When paper and pens are easy in reach, then it can be really simple and help little ones to get creative all by themselves. You could even think about something like an easel for them to stand and paint at; so much fun! 

It can also be a cute idea to have some displays for their artwork. It could be a magnetic board to pin things too, or some string with pegs to clip work to. A really nice addition and a way to make the space really fun and comfortable for your little ones.

Create a Perfect Playroom, playroom for kids, tips for a playroom #perfectplayroom #playroom #kidsplayroom #kids #tips #parenting

Do you have any other ideas for a perfect playroom that you would love to use? Think about your children when you plan the design, as well as practicality and comfort in mind, and you won’t be going too far wrong. It would be great to hear what you think and what ideas you would love to have in a playroom in your home. Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting For the Home How To Parenting

5 Tips To Keep Your Home Clean With Young Children

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Keeping your home clean can be a lot more challenging when you have young children. Your way of life can completely change when you are responsible for someone other than yourself. Cleaning the home can often be a struggle or something that ends up further down the list. However, it’s still important that you’re taking good care of your home. Luckily, there are ways to keep your home clean with young children.

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How to Keep Your Home Clean With Young Children

1. Take Advantage Of Storage

Storage is a very important thing to have in your home when you have children. You buy so much for them in terms of toys and clothes that you need to make sure you have plenty of space to store them.

Look at what storage you have available at the moment and what you might need to ensure you have everything in a place of its own. A few toys strewn over the floor can make your home feel like a mess. It’s good to stay on top of the mess by having a few toy boxes or baskets that are placed throughout the home.

Storage can also be found in places that you wouldn’t normally think to look at. This includes furniture that has storage as part of its features.

Sofas with an under storage area, for example, can be very useful. Hidden storage is going to help make your home appear a lot more spacious, too. Plus, when it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.

2. Teach Your Children To Clean Up

It might not really seem possible when they’re young, but children can absorb information like nobody’s business. Because of this, the early years are useful to take advantage of.

When it comes to cleaning, you can incorporate cleaning into your children’s education and learning. This can be done through games and activities, which will offer positive encouragement.

As much as they need to have fun, it’s good to teach them these life lessons because it’s something they’re going to need as they get older. Just like you do with baking, you’re teaching your child something new, so make cleaning a fun activity.

Eventually, they’ll likely do this on their own. When they begin to do this, it definitely makes life a little easier. They have to be taught first, however

3. Declutter Where Necessary

Decluttering your home is important because the last thing you want is to feel like you’re living in a permanent mess. That’s not a nice way to feel about your home, and it’s something that can easily be fixed if you know where to start.

Decluttering can be a good way to rid your home of all that excess stuff that you really don’t need. It’s worth going around your home every so often to clear out anything and everything that isn’t used. 

This is something that you can time to do on a monthly, seasonally, or annual basis, depending on the amount of clutter and the time you have available. As long as you’re doing it, though, that’s all that matters. Every little bit will make a huge difference.

4. Treat Your Home To A Professional Hand

Even when you think you can do a good job, some jobs are worth hiring professionals. One example is cleaning out your gutters, and another can be carpet cleaning. Both are important to keep your home clean. Plus, the gutters can be helpful in making sure the foundations of your home remain solid.

For carpet cleaning, getting it professionally done might be needed when you have young children who are spilling food and drink on the floor. Carpets can be a pain to clean, and for the most part, it’s better to have wooden flooring. However, if it can’t be avoided, get a professional to give your home a little treat every now and then. It’ll provide you with clean carpets but also a fresh smelling floor too.

5. Clean As You Go

It’s good to clean as you go because, with young children, they can often leave a trail of destruction on a daily basis. Try to keep things clean by cleaning as you go, rather than letting it build up and become a massive mess to deal with.

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While your life drastically changes when you have kids, this is one thing you can control. You can keep a tidy house with these tips to keep your home clean with young children

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For the Home How To Life Parenting

How You Can Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

If you have a new baby on the way, you need to make your home perfect for a new arrival. First things first: congratulations!!

There are things you can do to ensure you bring them into the best possible home. Plus, you can ensure that the rest of you can operate happily in the home while taking on the huge responsibilities.

Well, fortunately, it is easier to do than you may think. Most of it will quickly become a habit if you just practice them a few times.

home perfect for a new arrival
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Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Create The Perfect Nursery and Consider Other Spaces

This goes without saying, but you’re going to want to ensure that your baby’s nursery has everything it needs and has enough space. Babies may be tiny, but they have lots of stuff and require a ton of space. Plus, they’re going to grow quickly and accumulate more toys and possessions.

If you’re looking for home additions, then you could do something with a spare room you might have. Your baby might need an extra playroom if you currently have no space anywhere else, for example. We didn’t do home additions, but we are constantly feeling like we don’t have enough space.

Unfortunately, my husband and I didn’t plan ahead and now that we have five kids in the house, I am seriously regretting it. Don’t let that happen to you, because now I am eager to move into a new space with more room. Whatever you do, make sure you consider the space you will truly need for a child.

Keep The Home Neat And Tidy  

The job you’re going to have is going to be difficult enough, so you’re going to need to ensure that your home is in good condition. You want to give yourself every advantage as you head into parenthood (even if it’s for the second or third time).

If you start ahead of time, then you’re going to be in a much better position to take care of your child. Likewise, if you have a messy home that needs to be cleared out, then you’re going to have extra work while worrying about and taking care of the baby. Make things easier for yourself and get this gritty job out of the way.

Make Sure Everything Is Safe 

This is another point that goes without saying, but you’ll need to make sure that you’ve checked every corner and analyzed every single situation around the entire house. You never know what issues a small child can run into, so you need to double and triple check. Sharp edges, loose items, wires, electrical products, and so many other areas need to be looked at.

Go through your entire house and make a list ahead of time. This isn’t something you will want to do once the baby is already home. There are many safety products on the market that will make things easier. These things include:

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

Prepare For Visitors

For the first few weeks and months, you’re going to receive lots of visits from friends and family. They’re going to be interested in what your life is like now with the small child in your home, and they’re going to want to wish you all the best.

So, with that being said, it’s best to make your living room a little welcoming at the very least. Prepare for lots of people and make a little extra space.

If you’re always prepared for someone to stop by, you won’t be so anxious about it. Prevent every bit of stress that you can so you can fully enjoy your new baby. 

Shop For Food

A lot of these have been obvious tips, but with the overwhelming event of giving birth and welcoming a human into the world, it’s easy to forget some fundamental tasks. You’re going to need to do a big food shop and tailor your grocery shopping around the child’s life for a while.

The way you operated before is no longer. Frequent visits to the grocery store may not be an option anymore, and you probably won’t want to take your baby out for a while anyway. Make sure you get more than enough, just in case.

Focus on shopping for meat that you can freeze, canned goods, and non-perishable items. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and delicious dinner.

Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Having a new baby is such an exciting experience, and making your home perfect for a new arrival will make it even better. Don’t cause unnecessary stress for yourself after the baby is home. Use these tips to plan ahead and make the transition easier for everyone.

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Family Activities Life Parenting

9 Enjoyable Activities To Kill Time On Weekends

enjoyable activities

According to the American Time Use Survey, one-third of Americans work during the weekend. This statistic is worrisome given how much most people use weekends to relax and unwind from their work week’s demands. It is important to find enjoyable activities to fill your weekend with, even if there is work to do.

In fact, a 2008 study proved that workers feel more vitalized and are in better moods during weekends. This could be because weekends aren’t as stressful or because you can spend time with your loved ones. With that being said, make sure you don’t waste your precious weekends.

There are many fun and enjoyable activities you can do to have a great weekend. These enjoyable activities can make your weekends more fulfilling.

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Enjoyable Activities for the Weekend

1. Road Trips

An OnePoll survey revealed that 64% of Americans want to take a spontaneous road trip vacation. Road trips have numerous benefits that make them worth it for your weekend to-do list. They are an inexpensive means of traveling, take your mind off work, and give you time to reflect.

These trips also present an excellent opportunity for you to adventurously explore the countryside, enjoy good music, and take a break from social media.

So, why not gather your family or friends for a classic road trip during weekends? It is a fun way of relaxing and making unforgettable memories.

2. Volunteering

Volunteering is an excellent way to spend your weekend in a fulfilling manner. Local animal shelters, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens always seek people to help with numerous activities. Therefore, consider volunteering during weekends to connect to your community and make it a better place.

Aside from helping out with little tasks to make a difference in people’s lives, community service can also be a social platform to boost your social skills, make new friends with similar values, and expand your network. Research from the London School of Economics also establishes a relationship between volunteering and happiness, so consider doing something worthwhile during weekends to give back to your community.

3. Solving a Jigsaw Puzzle

Tackling jigsaw puzzles is a fun and engaging way to pass the time. According to science, these puzzles are suitable for your brain because they engage your left brain (logical) and your right brain (intuitive and creative) simultaneously.

Puzzles also boost your short-term memory, improve your visual-spatial reasoning, relieve stress, and are an excellent meditation tool. You also benefit from increased attention to detail, increased problem-solving abilities, and a potential IQ boost. Are you up for a good challenge yet? Why not challenge yourself with the world’s hardest jigsaw puzzle for a memorable weekend experience?

4. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery

Your busy daily life leaves little room for art appreciation, so consider using weekends as an opportune time for this. Slip away to a nearby museum or art gallery to see some cool relics and art.

Visiting museums and art galleries is also pocket-friendly because many places are free to enter or require just a little fee to admit visitors. Museums and galleries engage you on a broad range of cultural and historical events, providing an effective, informal learning method that you can benefit from.

Museums and art galleries are also social centers where you can meet people with similar interests. So, consider a museum or gallery visit as part of your weekend plans.

5. DIY Projects

According to new research, the average American has about nine DIY projects that need immediate attention. Many homeowners describe their house as a work in progress, so DIY is a popular, cost-effective method for people to maintain their property.

Chances are, your busy work week robs you of time to focus on repainting your bedroom or laying that new carpet. As such, set aside weekends as a perfect time to tackle these tasks around your home.

6. Learn a New Skill

Information is abundant in this technological age, so you must use this to your advantage. You will most likely not find time to squeeze in lessons for something practical and helpful during your workweek, making weekends an excellent time for you to improve your vast knowledge.

You can learn skills like repairing cars, website design, how to start a blog, sewing, coding, etc., from YouTube videos or tutorials. Also, consider enrolling in practical online classes like the MasterClass program to improve your skills and interests in a broad range of topics.

7. Community Sports

Weekends are an opportune time to indulge in sports and recreation. Science repeatedly stresses the importance of regular exercise for maintaining your overall health and wellbeing. Therefore, joining a community sports team is a great way to engage in some physical activity for optimum health benefits.

Weekend sports and recreation also provide an avenue for self-expression because it allows you to engage in your sports interests. So, it would be best to sign up for that football, hockey, cricket, or basketball team for weekend games to exercise while also meeting new people.

8. Play Board Games

Board games remain an entertainment staple in most homes despite the internet’s influence in today’s world. Timeless classics like Snakes and Ladders, Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, and Scrabble are always available to turn to during your free time.

As such, you can gather the family or invite your friends over for an engaging board game marathon over the weekend. Board games reduce stress, boost brain function, and strengthens relationships.

Also, board games provide an excellent alternative to digital distractions like your phone, so these games should always feature in your weekend to-do list.

For board game ideas for kids, check out this blog post: https://momwifewine.com/2020/08/02/12-of-the-best-games-for-kids/

9. Read a Book

Reading is a pastime most people say they want to engage more in but lack the time for. A hectic work week typically interferes with your ability to find the time and mental freedom to enjoy good reads.

Reading provides mental stimulation, reduces stress, increases your knowledge, and expands your vocabulary. Reading’s engaging nature also improves your concentration and develops your analytical thinking skills.

As such, prioritize re-reading your favorite classics and new recommendations from fellow readers as an excellent way to relax and enjoy your weekends. There are also many books to read with your kids that you will all enjoy.

enjoyable activities

While many people work on weekends, these should be the times to enjoy life and relax. Find something you love to do and spend time with those you love. Don’t let your weekends get away from you without creating everlasting memories.

What enjoyable activities do you like to do on the weekend? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Classroom Learning Parenting

Reasons to Choose an Online Charter School for Your Family

Reasons to Choose an Online Charter School for Your Family

This year has presented parents with a lot of challenges, and many parents have considered an online charter school for their children. There have been huge hurdles, including hurricanes, major elections, and the big elephant in the room, Covid-19.

For families, 2020 has been a balancing act or more likely a juggling act of being a parent, an employee, a teacher, a physical trainer, and even a master banana bread maker.

You may be looking for more help around the house. You can only wear so many hats until you are not good at any of the roles. Well, now is a good time to consider letting the teachers do the instruction with online charter school options. 

While there are many options to choose from for your children, this is just one of the popular options. Each family has to consider what is best for them, without considering what everyone else is doing. Keep that in mind as you consider this option.

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Why Choose an Online Charter School?

School is Closer than Ever Before

When you considered buying a home or settling down, you probably thought about many things, including proximity to your work as well as the local school. However, with the advancements of technology and educational institutions, your physical location is not necessarily a factor in where your kids are enrolled.

In fact, you can’t get much closer to your classroom than waking up and getting out of bed to your laptop, desk, and chair. In a world where many in-person classes have been cancelled, online charter schools are a very safe and wise decision for 2020 and into the future.

Moving or Relocating Concerns

When you have kids, you really think twice about a move. There are many things that you should think about when considering a big change like moving.

One of the most important things to think about is the education that you desire for your kids. Do you want your kids to go to a neighborhood school with the same kids on your block? Do you want them to get to know kids from around the world from different backgrounds?

If you select an online charter school for your kids, your kids can learn from anywhere regardless of where your home is or where your career takes you.

Best Teachers from Around the World

When you choose an online charter school, you get the best educators from around the world. Just picture, your child’s art history teacher is based in New York City where she has been a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Likewise, the Spanish teacher is a native speaker from Madrid, Spain with over twenty years of teaching experience. No longer does an online school need to source its teaching talent from the local region.

Online learning can source the best educational talents for its curriculum. Online charter schools can skim the cream of the crop, getting only seasoned professionals.

Reasons to Choose an Online Charter School for Your Family

This year has been one obstacle after another. First and foremost, you were concerned about your family’s health and keeping your job during an economic downturn.

However, the education of your family was (and still is) also a worry. While you think about your options, consider an online charter school ease your thoughts. Trust your child’s safety, health, and education to an online charter school.

While the best option for our family is to have the kids in a face-to-face learning environment, our local schools have closed back up for now. We are hoping it is only short-term, but everything is unpredictable now. What option is best for your family? Tell me about it in the comments, I’d love to hear about it!

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Adulting Mental Health Parenting

Self Care And Personal Development Focuses All Moms Can Have

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We can all be guilty of neglecting ourselves and avoiding self-care or personal development. We can become transfixed with our daily routine and commitments, such as work, family, or paying bills. It can cause us to lose sight of what life is all about.

Personal development is an essential part of growing, and too often, we can flounder our ambitions and plans in favor of leading a mundane and unfulfilling life. Of course, everyone has commitments. You may have bills to pay, deadlines to meet, and young children to take care of. That doesn’t mean there aren’t areas where you could put some focus into your personal development, however. With that in mind, here are some ways to focus on your self-care and personal development.     

Personal Development and Self Care For Moms
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Practice positive thinking

Being positive doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but we can all practice and develop better habits. After all, thinking negatively is exactly that, a bad habit we fall into during hard times in life.

In theory, positive thinking means focusing on your thoughts and turning anything negative into positive. Over time, it won’t feel so forced, and you will naturally become a more positive person as you search for the good in everything. It can be a life-changing way to live. 

Increase your qualifications

Sometimes we can get stuck in a rut with work and daily life. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a career change or try something new.

Whatever your age or circumstance, you can take an online course or obtain qualifications in a different role or industry. They are flexible, and you can study at any time. There is no excuse not to live the life you have ambitions to have. 

You might even want to consider taking an in-person course, as some institutions like Harvard offer subsidized backup care, through care.com for children and adults for family members of masters and PhD students. This means that even if your child’s school is closed, or you have a parent that needs a ride to the doctor you’ll still be able to attend classes and achieve your dreams! 

Time for yourself

Let’s be honest… not all of us focus on giving ourselves some alone time, self-care, or attention. But yet, making sure we feel good inside and outside can positively affect other aspects of our lives.

Whether you focus on looking after yourself in areas such as a Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment or do something else, it is essential to take this time. You can book a hair appointment, a facial treatment, or have time for a bath and reading your book. No matter what it is, it can make a world of difference to your ability to act in other parts of your life. 

Start up a hobby for personal development

Having a job and taking care of a family are just some of the necessary attributes of life. So more often than not, people take up a hobby to give them a new focus that is just for them.

It might be creating an online blog about your passion, taking photographs, or creating artwork. Or, more simply, it could be exercising or doing yoga. Make time in your life for whatever gives you joy.

Music production can be a great hobby for personal development. It can help you to improve your musical skills, learn new technical skills and knowledge from singularsound.com, and even make new friends. The process of music production can also be very therapeutic, helping you to relax and de-stress. And, if you’re lucky, you might even be able to make a little bit of money from your music production hobby. So if you’re looking for a hobby that will help you to grow as a person, music production could be the perfect choice for you.

Define your future goals and aspirations

It can be hard to look forward to the future if you haven’t defined your goals or aspirations. These could be anything from a step up the career ladder to publishing a book. Having the ambition to reach those goals motivates you during the mundane parts of everyday life. 

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Recap: Personal Development for Moms

These ideas should help motivate you to focus on your personal development and self-care for the future. Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments! 

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Life Parenting

Top Things To Do After Giving Birth

what to do after giving birth, postpartum tips, tips for after birth, newborn, new mom

No matter how prepared you are, giving birth will take a lot out of you. Even after giving birth a couple of times, nothing will prepare you for the moments you get home with your little one and the emotions that follow.

You’ll feel drained and tired, but also want to spend as much time with your baby as you can. That said, remember it’s ok to rest. You do need to look after yourself and help with your recovery. Below are four things to think about after birthing your beautiful baby. 

what to do after giving birth, postpartum tips, tips for after birth, newborn, new mom
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What to do After Giving Birth

Make Time to Rest

Giving birth is extremely exciting, and you’ll want to spend as much time as you can with your newborn. After all, you have been carrying them for nine-months! But it is also important that you rest and give yourself some you time to recover.

Giving birth is a big deal and takes so much energy. You will feel tired after giving birth and in the days after, so make sure you are resting so you don’t make yourself sick.

Do Your Exercises

After giving birth, you will be advised to do some Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. It is important you do these because after birth the muscle is weaker and needs to strengthen up again. You can download a pelvic floor app that will take you through multiple exercises that you can do at home.

Make Sure You Eat Enough 

Skipping meals isn’t recommended after giving birth. After giving birth, you will feel drained and tired, meaning you may be tempted not to eat much in the coming days.

It is important you eat, however, to help with your recovery and provide adequate nutrition and energy to get you through the days and nights that follow. Keep in mind, you will already be lacking energy with a baby waking you up at night, so getting energy from food is essential.

Ask For Help 

Don’t do it all on your own. It is so important to ask for help. It’s normal not to be ok after giving birth. Remember that it takes a lot out of your body and can make you feel weak until you are rested up.

Make sure you lean on your partner, friends, or family to help. They can all help with preparing dinner or picking your other children up from school. I bet they love being around and seeing the newborn, as well, and won’t mind giving you some much-needed rest. 

what to do after giving birth, postpartum tips, tips for after birth, newborn, new mom

These are only four of the things you should do after giving birth, but there are many other recommendations out there. Although you may feel stressed, it’s good to remember that this is an exciting time. Take care of yourself so that you can be at your best for your baby.

Are you due to give birth for the first time? How are you feeling about your pregnancy? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear from you!

For those who have already given birth, what are some tips you would give new moms? Leave a comment and let me know! 🙂

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Infant/Toddler Learning Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
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Raising a child is complicated business. It’s not just a practical matter of changing diapers, feeding them, and making sure they go to school. It’s also about checking that they reach certain milestones at specific times in their lives. 

For instance, children should be making attempts to communicate by age one, and they should be able to understand that other people have feelings by age two. 

Unfortunately, most parents don’t know specifically when these skills kick in. And it can mean that a few kids miss them without their caregivers noticing. 

In this post, we take a look at some critical child developmental milestones that every parent needs to know as their child grows up. 

Here’s the rundown: 

Child Development At Two Months

At two months, your child should be able to make cooing sounds and be able to smile. They should also be able to calm themselves briefly and start looking at the parent. 

Children at this age have something called directionality. It means that they can turn their heads to face their caregivers and react to noises. 

Parents need to ensure that they react to loud stimuli in the environment. If they don’t, it could indicate a blocked ear canal – something that can affect their ability to develop language later on. 

Children should also be able to hold their heads up from about the age of two months – although you’ll still need to support them. And you may notice that they start acting “bored” or “fussy” – a good sign, despite the hassle. 

Child Development At 1 Year

The first year of development is a whirlwind for children. At this point, they can respond to simple spoken sounds and use head gestures like shaking their head and waving bye-bye to other people. They’re often able to say things like “mama” and “dada” at this stage while also making exclamations, like “uh-oh.” 

Cognitive development really starts to take off at this stage as well. For instance, children at one year of age can put things in containers and let go of objects in their hands without outside help. You may also notice that they start copying your gestures. 

Child Developmental Milestones At 2 Years

Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
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Once children get to around two years of age, they’re really beginning to get the hang of speech. Often, they are able to complete sentences of nursery rhymes with only a small amount of prompting. They’re also able to construct sentences with a subject, object, and verb. Sometimes children need speech therapy at this stage to correct any problems and set them up for the future.

At two years, you should also notice your child starts to be able to do other things too. For instance, they may be able to point to things in a book or repeat things they overhear in conversations between parents. They can also build towers of more than four blocks and play simple make-believe games. 

Child Development At 3 Years Old

At three years old, children should be able to carry on conversations, forming two or three consecutive sentences. It won’t be like having a full-blown conversation with an adult. But once they’re relaxed, they should be able to communicate their basic ideas and talk to strangers. 

You may also notice that their ability to solve puzzles also improves. They should be able to fit jigsaws together and use their hands to turn the pages of books one page at a time. 

Child Developmental Milestones At Four Years Of Age

Children should be able to use scissors at four years of age – something that requires a great deal of manual dexterity. They should also be able to remember parts of stories and how the concepts of “same” and “different” differ from one another. 

You may also notice changes in their physical development. For instance, children at the age of four should be able to stand on one foot and hop. They should also be able to pour their own drinks and catch bounced balls. 

On the social and emotional front, they should now be able to play the roles of mom and dad themselves in games of make-believe and cooperate with other children. Sometimes they can’t tell what’s real and what’s not still, but they should slowly gain this capacity. 

  • Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know
  • Child Developmental Milestones Every Parent Should Know

Keeping tabs on your child’s development is essential. You need to be able to ensure that they develop in the proper manner. Catching problems early can help you ensure healthy development in the future.

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For the Home How To Parenting

Making Your Home Child-Safe: 4 Essential Strategies

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Home is meant to be the safest place a child can be. That is why it is our duty as parents to deal with any potential hazards. Making your home child-safe is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of your little one. This is important whether it’s a child you are currently expecting, or you are thinking about being a foster parent or guardian. If you are wondering what is foster care, it’s a great way to be a parent to a child, but you’ll need to make sure the home is safe first.

Remove Choking Hazards

The sad truth of the matter is that there are many potential choking hazards in the home. Of course, as a parent, part of our job is to identify these and remove them so our little one is safe.

Be sure to do a sweep of your home both before the baby is born, and again as they start to become more mobile. When they begin scooting, crawling, and walking, there will be all-new hazards to deal with. 

Look out for things like pins, small toys, coins, and even deflated balloons. Take special care with batteries of all kinds, too, as these can not only be choking hazards but are full of nasty acid that can be fatal if ingested.

Minimize the Risk of Fire

Another significant risk to the safety of your children in the home is fire. In fact, both burns and smoke inhalation are two of the most common injuries occurring in the home. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to minimize the risks associated with fire in the home.

The first is to avoid open fires where possible and, if you do use them, be sure to invest in a robust child-proof fireguard that won’t get too hot. Next, be sure to install fire and smoke alarms through the home and test them regularly. 

You should also keep any flammable liquids and chemicals outside of the home. Finally, investing in good quality fire extinguishers is a smart idea, as well.

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Prevent Poisoning

There are many poison hazards around the home that we parents need to be aware of. Cleaning chemicals can be incredibly risky and can cause a child that has consumed them to become very sick.

In particular, it is essential to keep things like laundry pods out of the reach of children. Not only do they look a little bit like candy, but there have been several cases where consumption has been fatal recently. 

It’s not only cleaning products that can be poisonous, either. There are some things like plants and mold that grow around the home that can be problematic as well. With that in mind, it’s always best to check plants both in the home and garden to make sure they are safe when touched or ingested. 

Additionally, if you come across black mold in your home, getting a professional setup like Advanced Catastrophe Technologies to come in and remove it for you is a smart move. After all, it has been linked to allergies and breathing problems, especially when it comes to younger children. 

Protect Children From Electric Shock

Our homes run on electricity and, while we wouldn’t want to be without it, it can pose a real danger to our children. That is why it’s essential to use things like socket protectors when your kids are young. The socket protectors will prevent children from sticking their fingers or other objects into the electrical outlets.

Also, be sure to unplug and remove any electrical items such as hairdryers and curling irons while your child is in the bathroom. This will prevent them from being accidentally knocked into the bathtub or sink. 

Make sure to keep kids out of dangerous areas 

Depending on the age of the kids, one often-overlooked way to improve home safety is through kitchen remodeling. Updating your kitchen with child-proof features—such as soft-close cabinets, rounded countertop edges, and secure storage for hazardous items—can significantly reduce risks. By incorporating family-friendly designs and modern safety enhancements, you can create a space that is both functional and safe for young children.

You need to do everything you can to keep them away from dangerous parts of the house. This could involve locking doors on certain rooms that you don’t want them to get inside. Alternatively, it may be childproofing certain cupboards and cabinets where you keep dangerous chemicals. You may need to get a garage door service to prevent them from getting in this area where there are tools, vehicles etc.

create a safe space for your children, children, kids, child safe, child friendly, safe home, home safe, child proof #children #kids #childsafe #childfriendly #safehome #homesafe #childproof

Making Your Home Child-Safe: 4 Essential Strategies

This is such an important topic for all parents and the safety of our children relies on our knowledge. What are your best tips for child-proofing a home? Let me know in the comments!

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Adulting For the Home How To Life Parenting

Moving With Kids: How To Make It Fun

moving with kids, how to move with kids, how to make moving fun with kids

Moving isn’t always a fun experience, and when you have kids it can be even more difficult. Sometimes, however, you just have no choice or the long-term benefits outweigh the current stress. It’s for those reason that you have to work out a way to make moving with kids as fun as possible.

Right now, making moving with kids fun may not seem possible. By the time that you have finished reading this article, however, you should have some good ideas as to how you can do it.

How to Make Moving With Kids Fun

Let Them Help Pack

moving with kids
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The first thing that you can do is let them help pack the house up. Of course, certain things need to go in certain boxes. Other things need to be wrapped up safely in bubble wrap to ensure that they don’t break or get damaged during the move.

Depending on the age of your children, they may be able to help with the wrapping and the putting in boxes carefully. If not, then you can always ask them to bring you things if they want to be involved.

Remember that if they don’t want to help, they don’t have to. It might even be simpler for you if they are watching something on YouTube while you’re packing!

But, if they do want to help, try to give them things that won’t break. It doesn’t matter if things are squished into a box as long as they aren’t going to get damaged. Toys, for example can be put into the box any which way they want, so let them do this whenever possible.

Consider asking them to pack up things in their bedroom or pack clothes from out of a dresser. If you have a play room, having your child start there is a good idea. When you do this, your child won’t be anxious that things may get left behind.

moving with kids, how to move with kids, how to make moving fun with kids

Keep Them Involved In The Process

An important part of keeping it fun for them is keeping them involved in the process. It’s never fun to feel as though you’re being left out, especially as a child.

When children feel like they are being left out of something, this tends to be when they start acting out. You don’t need a tantrum or negative behavior from your child throughout the moving process, so let them help you with whatever you’re doing.

Just make sure that if you hire a service like a moving company, your child doesn’t get in the way of the movers. Give them simple tasks to complete that will keep them occupied, and this should do the trick.

Turn It Into A Game

moving with kids
CC0 License – Pic Link

One last thing that you can try is turning the whole thing into a game. This is going to work better if you have more than one child because you can set it up like a competition.

Come up with small tasks that they can compete and see who can get theirs done first. The winner gets a little treat or surprise each time. Then, you can do this repeatedly throughout the process.

Another option is to get them to complete tasks throughout the day, and the person who gets through the most by the end of the day wins the treat. Turning it into a game makes moving with kids fun, and it’ll keep the kids excited and helpful.

Moving With Kids – How to Make it Fun

Moving is stressful enough on it’s own, but when kids are involved it’s even more stressful. While these tips won’t make the situation stress-free, they will help to make the process more fun. Any little enjoyment will help, and keeping the kids content is part of the battle.

moving with kids, how to move with kids, how to make moving fun with kids