Tag: infant

Categories
Parenting

The Delicate Dance of Newborn Life: A Study in the 6 Stages of Softness

Life begins as an exquisite dance of fragility. Newborn babies’ frailty is not simply evidence of vulnerability but can serve as a testament to life.

Newborn Life
Source

Prelude: Born into Frailty

Newborns represent the pinnacle of frailty: Their skin is delicate as silk, and their bones are tender as marshmallows. Life in its fragile state seems tenuous, but that is where its magic lies. And it was this same fragility that allowed for the moments of rebirth when a single breath is all that separates life and death.

Act One: The Risk of Rhythm – The Bone Symphony

Newborn bones are soft yet flexible – almost rubbery in consistency – giving birth a risky journey with potentially hazardous consequences. Their flexibility helps facilitate birth canal passage while remaining precariously safe. Even with this built-in safeguard, birth can still carry risks of bone injuries that pose a real danger to newborns. Fractures often occur to collarbones during difficult deliveries. Miraculously though, babies seem capable of healing quickly from such injuries – something even superheroes would envy! Their bodies work tirelessly, repairing those delicate bones and showing how strong even frail humans can be. If your baby’s bones remain untreated by doctors, feel free to reach out for legal advice from the attorneys at BIL Group.

Act Two: The Skin So Soft – Nature’s Silk Quilt of Newborn Life

Newborn skin is delicate but surprisingly resilient, protecting the body while allowing nutrients into its bloodstream. Like nature herself, newborn skin forms an intricate quilt of layers that, combined, form something beautiful in each baby. Unfortunately, newborns can sometimes develop skin conditions ranging from innocuous rashes to more serious conditions like eczema and birthmarks – and need prompt medical attention to minimize discomfort.

Act Three: Those Tiny Paws – Why We Love Newborns

When we think of newborns, their tiny hands and feet are one of the cutest parts. In just days, their fingernails grow quickly enough that regular trimming will become necessary to avoid accidental scratching. Although first-time parents may find the act daunting, newborns can adapt easily and adjust quickly.

The Dance: Nurturing Fragile Life

As caregivers, it is our role to tread delicately when caring for fragile lives, touching lightly like a butterfly’s wing while singing soft lullabies to provide comfort in an otherwise chaotic orchestra of life. Our role is to nurture and protect this delicate life while leading it toward strength and resilience.

The Finale: The Strength in Frailty of Newborn Life

Frailty may seem like a weakness but is evidence of life’s strength. Frailty reminds us how far we’ve come and how far more we must travel, as it embodies both fragility and resilience in humanity.

Recap: Newborn Life

Overall, the frailty of newborns is not a shortcoming but a part of life’s delicate dance. As we cradle these miniature wonders in our arms, let’s remember their frailty doesn’t reflect weakness but the strength within their tiny frames. Life begins frail, but there lies strength waiting to emerge!

Categories
Life Parenting

7 Easy Ways To Believe In Yourself As A New Mother

There’s nothing more important nor nerve-wracking than becoming a new parent. After all, now you are responsible for new life and have to raise and care for that new life. Your baby has to learn everything about being a little person, and hopefully do so well. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the task in front of you, but you must believe in yourself.

The secret? You’re more than enough to achieve your goals as a fantastic parent. 

That may seem like a platitude in your weaker moments but don’t worry. Everyone has them and moves past them. In fact, the sense that you’re worried means that you care, and so that’s actually a great sign that your heart is in the right place. Worrying about being the best parent for your kids wouldn’t even cross your mind if you didn’t utterly love them.

So, let’s consider how to believe in yourself as a new mother. We hope this guide can be practical and helpful for those who may experience nerves post-pregnancy.

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

Believe in Yourself
Source

First, Make Sure You’re Healthy

Before giving any special advice about “trusting yourself” or “giving yourself the benefit of the doubt,” it’s essential to make sure your feelings of worry or ennui aren’t chronic or related to difficulties experienced. Post-natal depression can sometimes creep up on new mothers without them realizing its warning signs.

As such, voice any concerns to your doctor, pediatrician, or midwife. You’re not taking up too much space, and it’s not selfish to ask for the help you need. Further support resources and medical care are available for you. If you feel that could help, always exercise this tip before anything else on this list, and you’ll find the support you deserve.

It’s Okay To Use Assistance & Guides

It’s easy to think that everything in motherhood should come naturally to you as if you gain a sixth sense for everything child-rearing before you need advice. That’s not true. It’s okay to feel relatively bemused about your next step, and you’re not a worse mother for it.

Assistance and guidance can be helpful throughout the entire process of raising a child. For instance, this excellent guide to caring for a 6 month old baby is just as important as wondering what the most appropriate age for your child to have their ears pierced. Don’t think you have to figure out everything on your own. That goes against common wisdom and won’t make you into someone who “should have known this already.”

Celebrate Those Small Victories to Believe in Yourself

Motherhood is quite a big task, as is raising children. It is true whether you’re a stay-at-home mother or you have a job. Raising a child can often seem like a very intensive routine set of tasks, but the truth is despite those tasks sometimes seeming monotonous, each one is essential to complete.

Celebrating the small victories can be a big help. Did you go to the store without your child getting upset in their seat? Did you manage to fit in a nap during your infant’s nap, helping to supplement your sleep schedule? Have you noticed your child has just started mouthing and mumbling sounds, indicating that their first word should be coming soon?

Give yourself credit for these small wins and appreciate them for what they are. They are real achievements as you raise your child bit by bit.

It’s Okay To Make Mistakes

No parent is perfect. While it’s true that some mistakes should be avoided – for instance, caregiving duties are hardly something you can afford to “get wrong,” mistakes aren’t something you have to lambast yourself for.

Parenthood has a steep learning curve that constantly renews itself as your child gets older and more independent. Learning to manage your energies and understanding your boundaries can help. You’ll also want to consider how you share the duties with your partner and how to build resilience.

It’s okay if you feel a little upset and need to cry in the car for a few minutes when things get hard. It might happen when your child gets sick and cries loudly during your grocery store trip. It’s okay to feel that nothing short of perfectionism is acceptable, even though that’s not true. Just shake it off, give yourself some credit, and understand that parenthood is a big responsibility. It’s okay to take it day by day.

Keep A Diary or Journal

If you have time (it’s okay if you don’t!), keeping a diary or journal can be informative and gives you a place to vent without worry. Even if you only write a few days a week, it can help you keep up with your emotions. It helps you identify how you’re feeling, your challenges, reminders, and problems you hope to resolve, such as a lack of sleep you need to talk to your doctor about.

Reading back over this diary can show you how much you’ve learned about being a parent over the years. Moreover, you’ll be able to see the pursuits you have and are still yet to achieve. Over time, this time dedicated to expressing your thoughts shows you’re not so bad of a parent. It’s nice to confirm that through your own thought process over the years.

Prioritize Self-Care so You Can Believe in Yourself

It’s a simple insight that helps us suggest this to you – when you care for yourself, you continue to define yourself as someone worth caring for. It’s easy to let yourself slide on self-care when you have someone to look after. You no doubt believe that your child is more important than you are and any parent of worth will think that.

However, providing the best care is hard if you’re not in your best state of mind or physical condition. That’s why it’s essential to have non-negotiable periods of de-stressing (even if that means reading a chapter or two before heading to bed). You can ask your parents or relatives for help when you need it, and catch up on your sleep when you can.

Also, don’t forget to treat yourself. Something as simple as a nice bath bomb that fizzes and explodes with floral splendor can be wonderful when enjoying “me time”. Self-care isn’t just a luxury but a solemn duty you must keep up with in parenthood. Express that to your partner and ensure they’re doing the same thing.

Learn To Trust Yourself

Trusting yourself most often comes when you do what you say you’ll do. When you say you’ll do something, you should prioritize making it happen. Consider keeping a calendar and schedule with a routine you follow. I swear by using my planner to write all appointments, playdates, and other commitments so I don’t forget anything.

The more you keep up with your household and childcare tasks, the more you’ll learn to trust your approach and judgment. It sounds a little odd to say, but in this way, for many women having children is a continual confidence-building exercise. When their child grows up, they are better, stronger, more adaptable, and more resilient people.

It’s important to give yourself credit for that. If not, let us give you the credit for it right now. You’ve got this!

Recap: Believe in Yourself

With this advice, we hope you can continue to believe in yourself as a new mother. Not because this is something you trick yourself into but because it’s right, true, and necessary.

Categories
Adulting Health How To Life Parenting

Why Your Choice Of Maternity Hospital Matters: 4 Questions to Ask

Maternity Hospital

Where you give birth to your child might seem inconsequential compared to bringing the baby into the world safely. However, your choice of maternity hospital can play a much bigger role in that than you might initially think. There are things to consider when deciding which hospital is going to play a role in your birth plan.

Maternity Hospital
Source

4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Maternity Hospital

1. How close is it to your home, and how will you get there?

The first and most important part of this choice is to think about the physical location of the hospital itself. In the majority of cases, the closer the hospital is, the better.

However, it might be quicker to get to a hospital further away if the closest one is in a highly-trafficked city. Plan your route to the hospital with tools like My Route Online if you want to know how long it will take to get there.

2. Is it equipped for the kind of birth you want?

There is plenty of equipment and options to help make your birth experience more comfortable. For instance, different hospitals will have different kinds of mats, beanbags, and birthing chairs.

You should consider whether or not you want options like water birth, as well. You will need to ensure in advance that the hospital is equipped with birthing pools. Plus, it is essential to find out how likely they are to be available when you need them.

3. Is it focused on maternity?

Simply put, some hospitals put a lot more care and attention into the maternity ward. Most might be safe, but only some are dedicated to helping mothers feel comfortable and catered to. This might include allowing you to bring things from home and allowing your partner to stay with you.

There are stores like the Florist Dandenong Hospital, which allow people to buy fresh flowers for you when they visit. Call the hospital to see what they do to make mothers feel more comfortable.

4. How is care given to your baby?

After giving birth, all you want to do is take your new arrival home and ensure they’re safe and comfortable. However, you will be in the hospital for at least two days. So, make sure the hospital provides the kind of post-natal care that you’re looking for.

You should get an idea of whether babies are kept with their mothers or if there is a separate nursery. Similarly, does the hospital provide special care on-site, if needed, or will you have to travel to a different location?

Maternity Hospital

Why Your Choice Of Maternity Hospital Matters

Not every hospital is the same when it comes to choosing a place to give birth. The tips above make that more than clear and can help you come to your decision. Make sure you ask these questions when choosing a maternity hospital that will work for you.

Categories
Health How To Learning Parenting

3 Important Things You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Skin

Your Baby's Skin, Your Baby, Caring for your baby, caring for your baby's skin, how to take care of baby skin, how to take care of my baby's skin, what i need to know about my baby's skin

Typically, babies are known for having very smooth and soft skin. Many adult skincare products will advertise themselves as providing results to make your skin as soft as a baby’s, but that doesn’t mean it should be used on your baby’s skin.

There are some fundamental differences between your skin and your baby’s skin. It is essential that you know the differences to ensure that you’re looking after your newborn and taking care of their skin properly. 

Your Baby's Skin, Your Baby, Caring for your baby, caring for your baby's skin, how to take care of baby skin, how to take care of my baby's skin, what i need to know about my baby's skin
Source

Things You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Skin

1. Baby Skin is Thinner

A newborn baby’s skin is significantly thinner than that of an adult. This is because the skin starts developing while they’re in the womb, but it doesn’t stop until around a year after birth. So, for that first year, your child has very thin skin, meaning their skin barrier is greatly reduced.

It is believed that their skin barrier is 30% thinner than that of an adult. This means that their skin is extremely sensitive and you have to be very delicate when treating it with anything. A lot of the best organic baby lotions are specifically designed for a baby’s thin skin. The natural and organic ingredients aren’t too abrasive, meaning they’re perfect for applying to such a thin skin barrier. 

2. Baby Skin is Drier

As you are probably aware, there’s an abundance of products on the market to treat dry skin for babies. You’ll see all sorts of lotions and moisturizers for sale, and there’s a reason for this. Baby skin is significantly drier than adult skin.

Their drier skin is due to switching from the womb to the real world. In the womb, the baby is surrounded by fluids and moisture at all times. When they are born, they suddenly have to adapt to a much drier climate.

Their skin absorbs water much faster than adults and loses it even quicker. You also will notice a lack of natural moisturizers in a baby’s skin, further contributing to excessive dryness. So, be sure you always have some lotions or creams on hand to tackle the dry skin problem and avoid issues like eczema. 

3. Baby Skin Loses Heat Quicker

This is actually a consequence of the first point. Due to the thinness of a baby’s skin, it contains fewer lipids, which means the skin doesn’t retain heat as well as an adult’s. As a result, this is one of the reasons that babies struggle to stay warm and can become cold very quickly.

You’ll see so many parents bundling their baby up in clothes and blankets, and for a good reason! Babies have a tougher time regulating their body temperature, and part of this is down to their skin. So, do what you can to keep your baby warm at all times, preventing serious problems like hypothermia.

Protecting Your Baby’s Skin

It’s so important that you know these facts about your baby’s skin. From here, you can make decisions that will target the problems and keep your baby healthy and comfortable. As they get older, their skin develops and becomes more ‘normal’, so you won’t have to worry about this forever.

What are some of your tips for protecting your baby’s skin? Leave a comment and let me know!

Categories
How To Parenting

Guest Post: 4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

*4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes is a guest post written by Kiara Waylen at Aussie’s Innovative Business Ideas*

Shopping for your kids must be a fun activity and the most exciting one for the new parents. The cute little shirts, frocks, and shoes look so attractive that you feel like picking every single one of them from the store. As your baby is the most precious gift, make sure that the clothes you buy are comfortable for the little one. The kids should be safe in toddler clothes, and you must be the responsible one for selecting the clothes. 

There are so many brands and options available in the market that it will be an overwhelming task to choose any one outfit. You can follow the following advice that may help in choosing the right clothes for the kid. Whether you have a baby boy or a baby girl, the care should be equal for the babies who cannot express the irritation even if the clothes are uncomfortable. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Pick the Right Fabric

When the chubby cheeks and dimpled chin baby joins the family, you cannot wait to deck him or her up in the colourful, stylish, trendy, and bright dresses. However, toddler clothes may cause skin irritation and allergies, and the baby may have rashes all over the body. It indicates that the material is not suitable for the toddler. 

When you buy clothes, remember that the child has overly sensitive skin. It is better to pick only the cotton materials for the dresses. You can also go for the equally good alternatives like the soy-based fabrics which have a gentle feel and smoothness. Organic cotton is undoubtedly the best option, although rayon from bamboo can work. But every child is unique, and you need to check whether any fabric is causing allergies to your baby’s skin. 

Size Factor

Children at the beginning stage grow so fast that they outgrow the clothes within a couple of months sometimes. But that does not imply you will buy a bigger size so that the child can continue wearing it for a few months. Babies feel uncomfortable if you make them wear big clothes that hang loose on their body. But you can purchase one size bigger, as it is not an exaggeration when people say that children grow faster than the weeds. These babies will fit in the one size bigger toddler clothes sooner than you expected. But also remember to check the fitting as kids are uncomfortable in too tight clothes. Moderately loose clothes are helpful in providing the breathing space to the body. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Functionality

Your baby will not walk the ramp that you will search for stylish clothes only. The toddler clothes should have the functionality necessary for the age group.

  • The onesies are ideal when your baby cannot move much and only loves to move the legs. It is also easy to change diapers. 
  • Kimono bodysuits are ideal for toddlers who stay comfortable in this style.
  • Front open shirts or frocks that you can easily put on or take off without irritating the baby.

Cost Factor

Buying expensive toddler clothes does not indicate that you are buying the best stuff for the kid. Also, do not opt for the ones that are low in cost with poor quality. You should not compromise with the quality for saving money and buy the top quality for the baby. If you like the quality, then only check out the price. The clothes should pamper the skin just the way you take care of your baby. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Conclusion

Finally, make sure you keep the above factors in mind while choosing the toddler’s clothing, also ask the toddler about their choice.

Categories
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
Source

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.

Categories
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
Image from Pexels

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! 🙂

Categories
Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

How Do Musical Instruments Relate To School Performance?

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning
musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning

By introducing children to the world of music using toy musical instruments, you are opening the door to endless possibilities. You are giving them a great basis for the future and an excellent chance to excel in various areas. This is because the process of learning to play music enhances many other areas of their development.

As stated, learning to play a musical instrument can create various knock-on effects. This means it offers benefits to many individuals, and the best time to start is at a young age. You can find lesson plans (check out https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/lesson-plans/kindergarten/) that you can use at home to blend music and education effectively. For example, use one of the brainstorming sessions as part of your music lesson. 

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning

But, why musical instruments?

Improves Math Skills

Learning to play music is very similar to mathematics. The rhythm of the music is based on time being divided into various fractions. Many researchers have found that those children who play toy musical instruments are better at solving mathematical problems. So, it is not surprising that children who have been introduced to music are better at mathematics. This can help them in accounting and business-related areas, as well.

Develops Memorization Skills and Promotes Concentration

Moreover, learning to play different tunes requires memorization skills. A child will enhance their ability to memorize things easily and this will prove especially beneficial during tests and exams.

A child will be able to intake information just as easily as they can memorize a melody. Learning different tunes also requires concentration, so the child will also develop a deeper level of concentration.

Improves Self-Esteem

Another beneficial factor is that toy musical instruments can increase a child’s self-belief, confidence, and self-esteem. These elements are essential for children, especially in this day and age.

Many individuals fail to excel in life because they fear that they could fail and do not believe in themselves. When children learn to play a musical instrument, they realize what they are capable of achieving. They also experience the intense happiness they feel when they achieve it. This will encourage them to take the same attitude towards different areas in their life. 

Improves Creativity and Musical Ability

Of course, learning to play a musical instrument will directly improve their creativity skills and their musical ability. They will develop their own musical tastes and may even take a particular liking to the subject.

You may find you have the next Mozart or Chopin on your hands and your child may excel in the area of music. If you had never introduced them to toy musical instruments, then this may have never been the case. 

Why wouldn’t you want to give your child an extra outlet and an extra avenue for future success?

Whether they take to the world of music or not you will definitely see benefits in other aspects of their life. Overall the advantages are there for all to see. Musical instruments provide endless amounts of fun to people of all ages and the benefits are too good to ignore.

musical instruments, toy instruments, kids, music and learning
Categories
Adulting How To Learning Life Parenting

New Baby Incoming? Make The Transition Easy With These Top Tips

New Baby, Baby, Incoming Baby, Great ready for baby, prepare for baby, new mom, new dad, new parent, transition, parenting tips

It’s been a hard year for a lot of people. Job losses are abundant and people are still worried about coronavirus and its effects on millions of people around the globe. If you’re bringing a baby into the world at the moment you might be worried and have reason to be.

However, you can transition to life as a parent just like you would have before. These tips can help you get started and help shift your perspective to one of wanting to be ready and to tackle any issues which come up. Winter might be around the corner, and the baby may be on the way, but there’s always time to set your life up for parental success.

Plan The Events Stuff Now

This is the stuff you do to celebrate your baby coming into the world. This could be planning a little party a couple of weeks after having the baby. Maybe it’s looking at professional newborn photography to immortalize the moment.

Whatever you choose to do, plan it in now so that you can fully focus on the baby when the time comes. Planning events like this is never easy when you’ve got kids to look after. Think ahead and make it easier on yourself.

If you don’t think you’ve got time you might be able to ask friends and family for help, maybe they can arrange things if you’re a bit too busy to do it.

Source

Plan The Hospital Route

Planning the hospital route is a must, especially if you’re getting yourself to the hospital. Of course, you (hopefully) won’t be driving, but whoever is needs to be able to get you there quickly and know the way.

Go on a couple of dry runs and see how long it takes. Knowing how long it takes is important and should factor into your planning. You should also get a go-bag ready, full of what you’ll need at the hospital.

Little things like this take away some stress from what will always be an incredibly stressful day. You should also get a backup. Your partner might be away, busy, or even unwell.

If this is the case, you’ll need someone else to help you out. Always use an ambulance as a last resort because they can cost a lot of money, and they’re pretty much a waste when they could be doing something else.


Guide created by Natera

Scrub The House

You need to ensure the house is clean. Now, it probably is, but when a newborn is concerned it’s always best to be sure.

Disinfect everything. Your baby won’t have the same immune system that you do. Their immune system is weaker as they haven’t had the time to let it develop yet.

When you also factor in coronavirus it makes sense to have a deeper clean than usual. Don’t forget to clean and disinfect the car.

Your baby will be traveling home in the car, so make sure that the car is just as clean as the house. The immune system develops quite quickly but it always pays to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to things like this.

New Baby, Baby, Incoming Baby, Great ready for baby, prepare for baby, new mom, new dad, new parent, transition, parenting tips
Categories
crafts Decor Gifts Holiday Winter

Easy DIY Snowman Christmas Tree Ornament for Kids Are Great for Gifting

Snowman ornament, DIY snowman, DIY ornament, Christmas, DIY Christmas, DIY Kids Christmas Ornament, Kids Christmas Craft, Gifts for Kids to Give, DIY Snowman Handprint Ornament

There is nothing more special than a homemade Christmas tree ornament, especially when the ornaments are made by kids. A few years ago, my dad said that he wanted Christmas tree ornaments made by all of his grandkids, so these are the ones the kids made for him! The DIY snowman handprint ornament was a hit because not only did Papa love his handmade gifts, the kids also loved making them!

Snowman ornament, DIY snowman, DIY ornament, Christmas, DIY Christmas, DIY Kids Christmas Ornament, Kids Christmas Craft, Gifts for Kids to Give, DIY Snowman Handprint Ornament

How to Make a DIY Snowman Handprint Ornament

Materials:

Snowman ornament, DIY snowman, DIY ornament, Christmas, DIY Christmas, DIY Kids Christmas Ornament, Kids Christmas Craft, Gifts for Kids to Give, DIY Snowman Handprint Ornament

Directions:

For the jar lids, I used lids of spaghetti and Alfredo sauce jars and painted them red with acrylic paint. I had to do several coats of red paint to cover up the words on the lids completely because I didn’t want to see anything through the paint.

Once the lids were completely covered and dried, I used white paint on the kids’ hands to make the snowmen. I painted their fingers (3 fingers for Sylas and Peyton, 4 fingers for Josie and Liam) to create the snowmen. I also painted the top of their palm to make a snowy hill underneath the snowmen.

Peyton’s hands were too big for this (he was 10-years-old), so I had him do the top half of his fingers and use a paintbrush to create the snowy hill. Once the white paint dried completely, I added the scarves with green paint, hats, eyes, buttons, and mouths with a black sharpie and the noses with orange paint. Peyton did his own, but I did this part for the babies.

Once everything is dried and ready to go, you will spray one coat of clear spray paint over the front and back of the ornament. This ensures that the paint doesn’t flake off.

Finally, you will use a hot glue gun to glue the string or ribbon in a loop at the top of the ornament. Make sure you put the glue on the back so that it is hidden from sight.

Snowman ornament, DIY snowman, DIY ornament, Christmas, DIY Christmas, DIY Kids Christmas Ornament, Kids Christmas Craft, Gifts for Kids to Give, DIY Snowman Handprint Ornament

Final Thoughts On DIY Snowman Handprint Ornaments

I love the finished product SO MUCH that I wanted to keep them for myself. My dad loved them, and the kids really enjoyed making them and giving them as a gift.

I’d love to see the Christmas crafts you’ve done or are planning to do with your kiddos this season!! Please share them in the comments. 🙂