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Fall Bucket List – 25 Things to do This Fall (+ a free fall printable!)

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date September 22, 2019
26 Comments on Fall Bucket List – 25 Things to do This Fall (+ a free fall printable!)

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Fall is one of my favorite seasons… probably my most favorite if I’m being honest with myself. While I love all things summer, fall has a sweet place in my heart. It’s the first sign that the holidays are coming, there are so many fun things to do in the fall, and you’re not as likely to sweat your butt off doing outdoor activities. This fall bucket list will ensure you complete all of the wonderful fall activities you desire.

Cute clothes, warm drinks, family time, pretty leaves, football, getting cozy watching movies, pumpkin everything, apple everything else…. I could go on and on. I made a list of all the things I want to do this fall, and I decided to share my fall bucket list and printable with you!

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

25 Things to do This Fall: Fall Bucket List

1. Apple picking

Find a local apple orchard and make a day trip out of it! Bring home all the apples you need to make apple pie, apple crisp, apple strudel, apple bars, apple sauce… be prepared to share with your friends and family!

2. Pumpkin patch

This is another day trip you can do with your entire family. Not only can you pick out your own pumpkins, some pumpkin patches offer tractor rides and corn mazes.

3. Corn maze

There is nothing that says fall quite like a corn maze. I let my kids take turns picking which way to go, and it doesn’t always turn out well. It sure is fun, though, no matter how long it takes!

4. Tractor ride

Our favorite pumpkin patch offers a tractor ride that takes you to the corn maze. Convenient, right?!

5. Jump in leaves

This is one of the most simple and easiest fall activities you can do. You’ll feel like a kid again.

6. Fall photo shoot

Get your kids cute one day (or make yourself cute… no one said it has to be a kid photo shoot), and take pictures in the leaves. Get beautifully colored trees in the background, put some pumpkins in there… get creative! Fall offers all the free backdrops.

7. Haunted house

It’s not Halloween time without a haunted house. You can’t skip out on this one.

8. Halloween craft

My kids and I love to do crafts. I like to decorate my kitchen with crafts that they’ve made. It might look cluttered, but they love to see their artwork on display, and it really gives a festive feeling to the house.

9. Thanksgiving craft

Think turkeys and thankfulness… you can’t go wrong there. Use Thanksgiving craft time to talk to your kids about the meaning of Thanksgiving and how it originated.

10. Carve a jack-o-lantern

You didn’t go to the pumpkin patch just to look around, did you? Use those pumpkins for something scary!

11. Watch a scary movie

Better yet, make it a marathon with all your favorite snacks. I like to make this a date night for the hubby and I after our kids go to bed.

12. Go for a scenic walk & look at leaves

We love to take quick walks around our neighborhood in the evenings to look at the leaves changing and falling. Sometimes we head downtown and explore, as all of the businesses look so pretty when the leaves start to change in front of them.

13. Make home made soup

Nothing says fall like a bowl of hot soup. Find a new soup recipe, throw it in the crock pot, and have yourself a delicious fall meal.

14. Paint nails a fall color

Fall colors are so much fun and can really set the tone.

15. Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

This is a favorite to do with my kids!! We eat our favorite fall treats and cuddle up to watch together.

16. Bake pumpkin bread

Share some with your neighbors, friends, or family.

17. Make apple pie

Don’t share this. Keep it all to yourself. Just kidding, kind of.

18. Drink cider & eat donuts

You can’t have cider without donuts. Well, I guess you can, but it’s not the same.

19. Chili & football night

I choose a day when my husband’s favorite NFL team (even though the Raider’s suck) is playing for chili and football night. I also make a few yummy finger foods and get a variety of drinks so that everyone enjoys it… even my hubby when his team is losing.

20. Caramel apples

I’m really excited to do this. I’ve never done it with my kids before, and I plan on slicing the apples into wedges, putting them on skewers, dipping them in caramel and offering a couple candy options.

21. Read “October” by Robert Frost

This made the list because of my love for Robert Frost. I read it aloud to my kids, hoping to instill a love for his work in them, too.

22. Have a bon fire

Fall is bon fire season. Not too cold, but cold enough to enjoy sitting next to a hot fire. S’mores anyone?

23. Create a craft using materials from nature

Our favorite thing is to gather leaves from our yard to use for fall wreaths, sensory bottles, and just gluing onto paper.

24. Go for a nature walk

We like to find nearby trails that we can explore. If your kids are joining, do a nature scavenger hunt with them. You can make a list of items and challenge your kids to collect these while walking.

Your list can include small insects, flowers, and even stones. Add an exciting twist to the activity by allowing the kids to examine what they have gathered, and discover what these are made of through an easy-to-use kids microscope.

This activity is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while learning and having fun at the same time. Also, using a kids microscope would guarantee a 100% wow-factor for the whole family.

25. Donate to a food bank

Fall is the time to really show how thankful and appreciative you are of all you have and to give back to those who are less fortunate.

Free Fall Bucket List Printable

Final Thoughts On Fall Bucket List: Things to do This Fall

Printing this fall bucket list and displaying it on my refrigerator has gotten me so excited about fall. Next up, pulling out all of my fall decorations!

What is your favorite thing about fall? Tell me about it in the comments!

Tags craft, fall, Family Activities, Goals, Holiday, nature, Parenting, Plans, Printables, Things to Do

How To Parenting

8 Tips to Stop Your Child’s Whining

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date September 20, 2019
8 Comments on 8 Tips to Stop Your Child’s Whining

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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.

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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!

Tags How to, kindergarten, little kid, Parenting

Adulting How To On My Mind Our Family Parenting

How to Balance a Busy Life and Still Take Care of YOU

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date September 7, 2019
35 Comments on How to Balance a Busy Life and Still Take Care of YOU

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.

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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!

Tags adulting, How to, Me Time, Our Life, Parenting, Self Care, Teenager

Gifts Holiday

Best Gift Ideas for a 4 Year Old Girl

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date August 29, 2019
6 Comments on Best Gift Ideas for a 4 Year Old Girl

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I LOVE choosing and giving gifts, especially gifts for kids. The best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl are ones that other people may not think of giving, which is what you will find in this gift guide. Whether you’re looking for gifts for a girl’s birthday, a Christmas gift for a 4 year old girl, or a “just because” gift, all of the ones here will likely be a hit.

My almost 4-year-old daughter helped me choose some of these, and I can vouch for her judgement… she has a knack for choosing the best gifts, and she also knows what a 4 year old girl likes.

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

Best Gift Ideas For a Little Girl

1. Magnetic Building Blocks

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This is the best gift for a 4 year old girl because it will allow her to be creative, use her hands, learn shapes, and has many other benefits because the possibilities are simply endless! From castles to cars, the birthday girl will be able to build anything she wants.

Pros

Many play options available.
Comes with enough pieces to share with siblings or friends.
Encourages growth of many developmental milestones.
A storage box is included to keep all pieces together.

Cons

The storage case is kind of flimsy.
The magnets repel each other if not placed the correct way.

2. Tara Toy Disney Princess Necklace Activity

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Little girls tend to LOVE Disney, so you really can’t go wrong with this one. The birthday girl will be able to create her own necklaces using the provided beads, Disney princess characters, and string. It all even comes in a cute little carry case for her to keep all the pieces together and easily travel with the necklace activity kit.

Pros

Includes many Disney characters.
Comes with a secure carrying case to keep all the pieces together.
Allows for customization.
Great for fine motor development.

Cons

When the necklace clasp is opened, all the beads can fall off.
Carrying case is a little flimsy.

3. IQ Toys Kids Washable Makeup Set with A Glitter Cosmetic Bag

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My little girl LOVES to play with makeup. I choose to give her some of her own so that she stays out of mine and her teenage sister’s make up bags, because the kid-friendly version washes off (and out of clothes) much easier. It gives her a chance to feel like a “grown up”, and she learns to experiment with makeup in a safe way. Someday she’ll want to wear it regularly and we’ll be all set already because of this best gift idea for a 4 year old girl.

Pros

Washable.
Made of non-toxic materials.
Comes with a bag to keep all the makeup in.

Cons

The bag isn’t full – some customers feel like it should have come with more makeup.
Makeup smells a little weird.

4. Soft Unicorn Hooded Bathrobe Sleepwear

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You can’t go wrong with unicorns these days, so this bath robe is the best gift for a girl. The rainbow colors, horn, eyes, ears, and mane will allow the birthday girl to pretend to be a real unicorn, and I promise she’ll love it. This robe is made of polyester and runs a bit big, so if you order the girl’s regular size she’ll have room to grow into it.

Pros

Soft and comfortable.
Big enough that the child won’t quickly grow out of it.
Button at the neckline to hold the robe closed.
Has a built in belt so it can’t get lost.

Cons

Leaves fuzz behind on furniture.
A few customers complained of holes in the seams.

5. Melissa & Doug Wooden Make-a-Cake Mixer Set

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How fun is this best gift for kids?! Seriously?! It comes with 11 pieces including a mixer, a bowl, a wooden egg that can be broken in half, butter, a cake loaf, a cake pan, a pretend box of cake mix, a wooden knife, and a recipe for the child to follow. Kids will love this interactive pretend play, and it keeps them away from the screens for a while!

Pros

Helps with necessary developmental skills.
Heavy duty.
Buttons and knobs really move.

Cons

The cake mix box is made of cardboard and is easily ripped by kids.
The mixing bowl could be a little bigger.

6. Mermaid Tail Blanket

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This crocheted sleeping bag blanket is the best gift for 4 year old girls because kids can be warm and comfortable while also pretending to be a mermaid. It’s long enough that the birthday girl will be able to use the mermaid blanket as she continues to grow, and it even comes with a mermaid pendant to really top of the gift. Personally, I would buy a mermaid movie or book to give along with this, so that the child can curl up in their new blanket and watch or read.

Pros

Warm and comfortable.
Has opening in the very bottom so that child can stand while wearing it.
Comes in a variety of colors.

Cons

The bottom part (the fin) isn’t as big as it looks in the picture.
Some customers thought it could have been thicker.

7. Kids Outdoor Explorer Kit

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Get the birthday girl out of the house and away from a tablet screen by choosing this outdoor explorer kit as her gift. It comes with 12 plastic bugs, binoculars, a flashlight, compass, magnifier, and pair of tweezers. The kit also includes a butterfly net, viewing container, bug container, bug catcher, a whistle, a cloth to clean the lens, and a bag to carry it all in. With all the pieces that are included, a child has limitless options for exploration and can even ask other kids to join in on the play.

Pros

Encourages outdoor play and exploration.
Many play options in this one kit.
All of the pieces fit in the small carrying bag.

Cons

Smaller pieces can easily be lost.

8. Moon Star Projector Light

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This light projects moon and star shapes onto the child’s walls and ceilings without interfering with their sleep. The designs can be seen up to 15 feet away, but they aren’t so bright that they make it seem as if the lights are on. The subtle light given and the shapes on the ceiling can help the birthday girl drift off to a peaceful sleep by giving her something calming to look at.

Pros

Has multiple light settings.
Isn’t noisy and the lights aren’t too bright.
Colors can be changed, and there are Holiday themed settings.
Can be plugged in or used with batteries.

Cons

The cord that comes with it is short (although it is just as USB cord so you may have a longer one lying around)
It doesn’t have an automatic shut-off.

9. Teepee Tent

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My daughter loves to spend time alone, playing or reading quietly. She also loves going in forts, tents, and other “hideaways”. This tent is so cute and has door flaps for privacy (they can also be tied back to keep it open). The windows are so cute and make it seem like a mini home or room. I can just picture a little girl sitting inside this tent playing with her toys, so I know it’s one of the best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl.

Pros

Made of thick canvas.
Large enough for more than one child.
Easy to put together.

Cons

Canvas may be wrinkled when it is delivered. This can be fixed by steaming it before putting it together.

10. Flower Garden Building Toys

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This toy has so many flower petals and stems that fit into the green “grass” pieces. A child can create their own floral arrangements and “plant” them into the toy, creating their own garden. For more sensory fun, she could use real dirt to plant these pretend flowers into.

Pros

Helps with fine motor development.
Encourages hand/eye coordination.
Child can rearrange and recreate different gardens many times.
Comes with a storage box.

Cons

The only complaint that other customers had about this toy is that it comes with 2 flower pots that can really only be used with real dirt. To me that’s a pro, though!!

Final Thoughts On Best Gift Ideas For a 4 Year Old Girl

These best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl will be a hit no matter which holiday or event you choose to give it for. Are there any gifts you’ve given to a girl of this age that were an absolute hit? Tell me about your best gift ideas for a 4 year old girl in the comments!! I’d also like to know of any to avoid, so definitely let me know about those gifts, too.

Tags Gift Guide, gifts

Adulting Marriage Parenting

The Relationship Challenges New Parents Face After the Baby Arrives

Post author By Emily Graham
Post date August 24, 2019

new parents, relationship challenges, relationship challenges new parents face

Parenthood can test the strength of many relationships. According to Psychology Today, numerous studies show a decline in marital satisfaction for new parents. Couples often find themselves arguing about money, disappointed in losing their freedom and spontaneity, and too exhausted for any type of intimacy. However, it’s important to open the lines of communication and have patience with each other as you adjust to your new roles as parents. With these helpful tips, you can reconnect with your partner or spouse and still have time for your little one.

**Emily Graham is the creator of MightyMoms.net which offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life.**

How to Ease the Relationship Challenges New Parents Face

Call a Meeting

For the first several months after your baby is born, it might seem like you and your partner rarely see each other. And when you do, it’s all about the baby. Although it’s great that your wee one is your top priority, there are other things in your life that matter too. So, make arrangements to have a brief meeting once a week over coffee in the kitchen or a glass of wine before bed to get on the same page about finances, household chores, doctor’s appointments, and other family issues. If you take a few minutes to talk about these things once a week, you won’t find yourself bickering about them later. Talking about these things at your meeting will also allow your date nights to be free of these types of discussions.

Schedule Date Night

Speaking of date night, it’s important to make plans with each other once a week as a couple if possible. Date night doesn’t necessarily mean getting a babysitter and going out on the town (though that’s great, if you can swing it). As Kindred Bravely explains, a date night — even at home after the baby’s in bed — can give you the opportunity to spend time together and strengthen your bond. Ordering takeout and snuggling on the couch while watching a movie is a simple date night idea that will help you stay connected with your partner. Put date night on your calendar and treat it as a regular appointment; don’t cancel unless your really must.

Give Each Other a Break

You are both really tired, so give each other a day off. Plan one Saturday a month where your partner is completely free of any baby duties. Then, they should reciprocate on another day where you can have a baby-free day off. This type of “me time” will allow you to sleep in and then handle your errands, relax with a pedicure, or just veg out on the couch binge-watching Netflix. A true break will give you the opportunity to recharge your batteries, and you’ll find yourself becoming a happier and healthier parent and partner.

Meld Your Parenting Styles

According to Verywell Family, couples often disagree on parenting choices. Maybe you think the baby should nap on a specific schedule every day, while your partner firmly believes the nap schedule should be more flexible. Instead of arguing, you need to communicate and negotiate with each other to figure out what’s best for your family. Try your best to avoid criticizing and playing the blame game. If you begin to repeatedly argue about how to raise your baby, don’t snap at each other all the time or start to feel resentful. Instead, Everyday Health recommends taking a parenting class or seeing a counselor to learn how to meld your parenting styles.

Final Thoughts On Relationship Challenges New Parents Face

Having a baby is wonderful, but becoming new parents can also be exhausting and damaging to your relationship as a couple. A lack of sleep, little or no sex, and conflicts over parenting strategies and other issues can leave new parents feeling disconnected and drained. According to the American Psychological Association, if you are not satisfied with your relationship with your partner, it can also have negative mental health consequences on your children. However, by communicating openly and carving out couple time, you’ll be able to build an even stronger relationship and become the best parents you can be.

**Photo via Pexels

Tags Adult time, adulting, marriage, Parenting, relationship

Big Kid On My Mind Our Family Parenting

A Letter To My First Born as He Starts Kindergarten – A Moms Honest Emotions

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date August 19, 2019
2 Comments on A Letter To My First Born as He Starts Kindergarten – A Moms Honest Emotions

As you prepare to start kindergarten, I think back to your infant days, when you wanted to lie in my arms all day long. It seemed like you were always nursing, always needing me.

Back then, I took it for granted. I complained of being tired, sore, needing a break. Now, I want those days back. I want to hold you for 3 hours straight, cuddled up in our favorite chair.

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You’re off to kindergarten now, buddy.

It’s hard to believe that we are at this point in your life already. I’m sure I’ll feel this way each year, with each new grade, but right now it’s constantly on my mind.

I know you’ll love learning, making new friends, and having fun at school, but I can’t help but be a little sad. You are needing me less and less, I’ll be seeing less of you than ever before, and soon you won’t want to cuddle with me so much anymore.

I know that this is all normal, and it happens to every parent at some point. But, I wish I could be the one that could keep her babies little forever.

In 5 short years, you’ve grown so much and have become your own person, but you’re still mama’s baby. You always will be. I’ll never forget those days when it was just you and I.

As you start kindergarten, I hope your infectious laugh continues, your kind heart only grows kinder, and you become an even better friend than you already are. I hope you learn so many new things and teach others whatever you can. Most of all, I hope you are happy on your kindergarten adventure.

I know you’ll have to get used to some things, like not having your teddy bear and blanket for an hour each day and not having Fridays off to hang out with me and your siblings and grandma. It’s a new time in your life, and the changes will be huge, but you’ve always been so resilient and open to change. You’ve never had an issue with change, and I am certain that will continue into kindergarten.

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You’re going to impact this world in a huge way, love bug. I wish I could be there for every tiny little moment of it, but we both know that isn’t possible. So, I just want to send some words of wisdom to you:

Be kind
Respect yourself and others
Stick up for those who are wronged
Speak up when you see someone being mistreated
Spread love
Stay true to yourself
Have fun
Smile and laugh
Learn all that you can
Try new things
Listen to your teacher
Be safe
Don’t be afraid to join in on the fun
Be yourself!

I can’t be there with you at kindergarten, but always know that mommy will be here as soon as you get home each day to hear about all the awesome things that happened.

If you didn’t think the day was very awesome, that’s okay too. Mama will be right here to hear all about it and give you a big ol’ hug.

It doesn’t matter how big, responsible, and independent you become, you’ll always be mama’s baby. No matter what grade you go into at school, mama will be here to help you through it all.

You’ll do great, my kindergartner, I know you will.

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#kindergarten #letter #lettertomychild #mychild #child #firstborn #backtoschool #school

Love always,

Mama

Tags big kid, kindergarten, little kid, On my mind, Parenting

Big Kid How To Our Family Parenting Printables Teenager

8 Ways to Get Ready For Back to School (plus FREE printable)

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date August 4, 2019
15 Comments on 8 Ways to Get Ready For Back to School (plus FREE printable)

back to school, school supplies, ways to get ready for back to school, how to get ready for back to school, back to school tips

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.

back to school, free printable, back to school checklist, back to school grades k-3 — Click to enlarge

back to school, free printable, back to school checklist, back to school grades 4-5 — click to enlarge

back to school, free printable, back to school checklist, back to school grades 6-12, middle school check list, high school check list — Click to enlarge

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.

school supplies, back to school dry erase markers, 16 pack, back to school deals — Click for the link

school supplies, back to school bundle, back to school deals — Click for link

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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!!

Tags big kid, How to, little kid, Parenting, Printables, Teenager

Adulting Marriage

A Letter To My Husband

**This letter is what I wrote to my husband for Day #1 of The 30 Day Marriage Challenge**

Hey you,

Life hasn’t always been perfect or easy for us, has it? We always make it through, though, and come out stronger than before. It’s what we do.

That’s the reason I know we are meant to be together, babe. No matter what life throws our way, we get through it together. No matter the obstacle, we stick together and never stop loving each other.

We never give up on us.

Each bad time we go through is worth it. The good times make everything worth it. Your touch, your smile, your laugh, the way you care about me and take care of me… how did I ever get so lucky? How could I ever give it up?

When I’m with you, I know that whatever happens, you’ll take care of me. You’ll keep me safe and help me through anything. When you are around, I know that I matter.

I’m in love with you and this crazy life we have built together, babe. I love the way we grow together, learn together, and change together. Instead of letting life’s obstacles pull us away from each other, we always do it all together.

I wouldn’t want to go through this journey without you. You’re my best friend and my soulmate.

I never want to experience anything without you by my side. And those rare times when you aren’t there with me, I spend my time wishing you were there to share the experience with. It’s all I want in life.

More than anything, I hope I make you happy. I hope you never find yourself regretting our life together, or even wishing you could be somewhere else. I hope you always know how much I love you, even on the days when I’m being difficult and unreasonable.

Thank you for all that you have given me… beautiful children, the chance to experience true love, a happy life, a full heart, the home we live in, and all the other things you have provided for us.

You are an amazing husband, daddy, and provider. I love how hard you work for us, and I appreciate it and am so grateful always.

I love you babe, and I’m so excited about the rest of our lives.

XOXO,

Your Wife

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

The day I gave him this letter we had a relaxing day at home, and I pulled out this game (not really a game… more of an activity, I guess?) that I bought for us. It was so much fun and really got us talking and laughing together with nothing but these simple cards. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.

What would you write in a letter to your husband or wife? Tell me about it in the comments!! Better yet, join my marriage challenge and write them a letter for day 1!

Teen Dating: 8 Tips For Parents

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date July 27, 2019
12 Comments on Teen Dating: 8 Tips For Parents

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The dreaded years are here… your teenager has started dating or has begun showing interest in dating. Now what?! This teen dating experience could be disastrous, or it could be a great time in both of your lives.

I’m sure you remember when you first starting having an interest in dating someone. Your trips to the mall or movie theater, meeting their parents or siblings, hanging out at the park… infatuated with this person you’ve been spending your time with.

Our teenager has her first serious boyfriend, and we are kind of learning as we go. Along the way, I’ve been jotting down some tips for when your teen starts dating so that I could help other parents out.

Why Is This Teenage Milestone So Important?

While these teenage relationships may seem minor and unimportant to some parents, it is SO important to think back and remember how you felt in that time of your life. The feelings were REAL, weren’t they? We need to remember this about our own teenagers… these relationships are so real to them in every way, and it is the time to show them how a healthy relationship works, and help them through this time in their life.

The way a teenager or young adult learns to date and have a relationship is setting the precedent for their future relationships and eventually their marriage. Take this time while you are more present in their lives and able to supervise and monitor more of the relationship to give them advice, help correct mistakes, teach your teenager to respect themselves and their boyfriend/girlfriend, and even when it is time for an unhealthy (or potentially unhealthy) relationship to end. Our teenagers don’t know any of this… they’re new to dating! These tips can help you make this new milestone in your teenager’s life a positive experience.

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

How Do You Know When Your Teen Is Ready To Date?

I hear so many teenagers ask, “how old do I have to be to start dating?”, and I honestly don’t think you can put a definite age to it. Each teenager is different and matures at different times, so there are characteristics you should watch for in your teenager. Once you have noticed these traits in them, you know your teenager is ready to begin dating.

You know your teenager is ready to date when they:

see through empty promises and bribes.
become less impulsive.
know how to speak to adults and introduce themselves.
are respectful of themselves and others.
have proven themselves to be trustworthy and able to make good decisions when adults aren’t present.

Teen Dating: Tips For Parents

1. Communicate!

The most important thing when your teenager starts dating is to let them know they can talk to you about anything. This means you can’t overreact when they do come to you, or next time they won’t let you know what’s going on.

If communication isn’t your strong suit when it comes to your teenager, try this “Dates With Parents” idea that I do with my kids! It gives you an awesome opportunity to bond, which will likely open up a way to easily communicate.

I actually learned a ton from this book “Parenting a Teen Girl“. I learned so many tips for communicating, and they actually worked!!

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2. Be up front about expectations and rules.

An important rule we have for our teenage daughter is that she isn’t allowed to be alone with her boyfriend. I want an adult to always be present… maybe not right next to them the whole time, but at least in an area where an adult will be regularly walking through. This means that bedrooms are definitely off limits.

While I trust her to make a good choice, I don’t want her to get into a position that is difficult or awkward to get out of if I have anything to say about it. She should feel safe and comfortable at all times, and I (as the parent) should feel comfortable in the knowledge that my child is in a mistake-free situation.

3. Talk to them about how to get out of a situation when they are being pressured.

Give them an easy out… let them know they can ALWAYS text you a code word or something (determine this “something” ahead of time), that means they need you to come and get their right away. When you get this message, you could call your teen and pretend something has come up and you have to come and get them. (Read more on this *here*.)

If texting or calling isn’t an option, they should know what else they can do to get out of the situation. One thing you could tell your teen to do if they are being pressured is to tell a lie. I know, it kind of contradicts everything we’ve taught them in the past. However, if they are in an uncomfortable situation like this, their number one priority should be getting out of there and being safe.

4. Communicate about respect (this means both themselves and the other person).

It is so important for a teenager to know that they can say NO. And they should also know that if they are being shown respect, their “no” answer will be accepted. The teenagers should also known to respect the other person… if that person says “no”, they need to immediately drop the subject and accept that answer.

5. Give them a curfew.

The world gets a little crazier after a certain time of night. Alcohol comes out, bad decisions begin to be made, it gets dark, and many of the “good” kids are safe at home. Your child should be home, too, after a certain time of night. Stick to this curfew because, as parents, we know that nothing good could come from being out too late as a teenager.

6. Meet their date.

You would be surprised how many parents don’t think it’s important to meet the people their teenager hangs out with. If someone is going on a date with your teenager, you should definitely meet the date ahead of time. I also like to meet the parents of the date (or have my husband meet them), too.

7. Check on your teenager after the date has ended and give them a chance to talk.

You should always make time to ask your teenager how the date went and give them a chance to talk about it, whether it was good or bad. Don’t interrupt or give your opinion until they are finished talking or until they ask for it. They’ll be able to process their feelings vocally, and you’ll be able to get a feel for how the date went.

8. Watch for red flags.

Even with following all the parenting tips in the world bad things can still happen. You can’t always be present when your teenager is with their boyfriend or girlfriend, so you have to know how to look for red flags in other ways. Some common red flags to watch for include:

sudden lack of communication from your teen.
irresponsible and unpredictable behavior.
telling lies when they didn’t before.
controlling behavior.
unusual insecurity.
withdraw from friends and family members.
lack of interest in their favorite activities.

Teen Dating: Tips for Teenagers

Talk to your parents about the good and the bad.
Stay in well lit areas and near others.
Go on group dates whenever possible, and stay in public places if you’re alone with your date.
Listen to and follow your parents rules (I promise they are only giving rules to protect you!)
Always know where an exit is.
Don’t take food or drink from anyone at a party – always serve yourself.
Don’t hesitate to call for help. This includes calling the police if it even crosses your mind that you may need to.

Final Thoughts On Teen Dating

I think part of the reason that the teenage years are so difficult is because our teens are now learning to do adult things. Driving, working, taking care of pets, meeting deadlines, DATING (omg)… these are all things that full grown adults make mistakes at.

We can’t expect our teenagers to be perfect, so when it comes to teen dating, we must make ourselves present and open to communication with them. It’s one of the only ways we can pave a healthy path for them as they grow into adults.

Tags Date night, Parenting, Teenager

Big Kid Big kid fun Family Activities Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

10 Nostalgic Books to Read With Your Kids (or alone!)

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date July 20, 2019
31 Comments on 10 Nostalgic Books to Read With Your Kids (or alone!)

books to read with your kids, nostalgic books, books for teenagers

Think back to your childhood… which books did you LOVE to read? Which ones were you extra excited to see at story time? As you got older, which books captured your attention the most?

I have ALWAYS been a reader and can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love books. Instilling that passion in my kids is something I’ve always tried to do. This means that I buy them books at any chance I get, and if I see an old favorite of my mine, we’re reading it that day for sure.

From books I loved as a young child, to the adventures of big kid books, and then continuing into my teenage years, I literally buy them all. Now, I’m sharing some of our favorites with you! These are ones that I absolutely loved as a child and that my kids enjoyed, too!

Ok, you all should have known that I couldn’t just choose little kid books, big kid books, or books for teenagers, so I made one list of each. I have 3 littles (ages 5, 3, and 2) and 2 big kids (ages 11 and 15), so I have to have a wide range of books for all different age groups.

If you don’t have kids, no worries!! You could use a little nostalgia in your life, anyway! Go ahead and choose a book or two, and relive your childhood.

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

Nostalgic Books For the Littles

My personal favorite: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Nostalgic children's books, books for kids — I was always SO excited when my teacher would pull this book out at school!

Books for Big Kids

Bonus: Every book on this list counts toward AR tests and points. Since school is coming quick, it’s best to be prepared!

I’ve included the recommended grade levels for each book, but remember each child is different. If you want to read a book with your child, it’s OK if it’s a little higher than their grade level, because you’ll be reading with them to help with unknown words and meanings.

Matilda: Grades 3-6
The Witches: Grades 3-7
The BFG: Grades 3-7
Box Car Children: Grades 2-6
The Baby Sitter’s Club: Grades 3-7 **Check out this retro set!!**
Amelia Bedelia: Grades K-3
Ramona Quimby, Age 8: Grades 3-7
The Watson’s Go to Birmingham: Grades 5-8
Junie B. Jones: Grades 1-4
Holes: Grades 4-6

My personal favorite: This is too difficult to answer!! I’ll have to choose three – The Witches, The BFG, and Box Car Children.

Books for Teenagers

Depending on the reading and maturity level of your child, these can also be books for preteens. I read many of them when I was a preteen myself including numbers 3, 7, 9, and 10.

I find that it is more difficult to get our teenager to read books than it is to get my younger kids to read, so reading with her or sharing my favorite books with her seems to be the best way.

Anything written by Sarah Dessen – all of her books are nostalgic to me, honestly. I read and loved them all!
The Great Gatsby
Harry Potter
Romeo and Juliet
The Scarlet Letter
In Cold Blood
1984
The Bell Jar
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
– This may be the best one on the list to read with a preteen or teenage girl. It makes for an awesome movie night after!
The Outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird

I’m sure you noticed that there are 11 here… just count that as a bonus, because I couldn’t bring myself to eliminate any on this list!!

My personal favorite: The Great Gatsby, for sure!! It’s still my favorite book!

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald, books to read with teenagers, books for teenagers

Final Thoughts on Nostalgic Books To Read With Your Kids

As adults, we oftentimes find ourselves over-stressed, over-worked, and over-tired. We rarely take the time we need to relax and enjoy ourselves. Having kids, however, allows us a few moments to sit back and pretend we are a kid again while reading books that we used to love ourselves.

So, go ahead and pick out a few books to purchase that you loved as a kid. You won’t regret the time spent with your own children, reminiscing over your own childhood while creating new memories that will last forever.

What were some of your favorite books as a child? What about as a teenager? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!!

Tags big kid, big kid activities, books, Family Activities, learning, little kid, nostalgic, Parenting, Teenager