Tag Archives: kids

September 20, 2022 · 6:35 pm

“Baby Shark’s Big Show! The Seaweed Sway!” Available Now on DVD & Microphone DIY Craft

Ready to take your at-home concerts to the next level? Check out this awesome DIY Microphone inspired by Baby Shark’s Big Show! The Seaweed Sway!, available on DVD on September 20! Click the HERE to join the fun.

BABY SHARK IS BACK IN AN ALL-NEW STAR-STUDDED DVD!!

BABY SHARK’S BIG SHOW! THE SEAWEED SWAY

Follow Baby Shark and new characters as they create more smash hits in Baby Shark’s Big Show! The Seaweed Sway! featuring: Grammy Award®-winning* superstar Cardi B as Sharki B, the biggest rap icon in the seven seas; Offset, as Offshark; their daughter Kulture, as Toddler Shark; and John Michael Higgins, as Mayor Anchovy!

Baby Shark’s Big Show! The Seaweed Sway will be available on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment on September 20, 2022, for the suggested retail price of $10.99. BUY NOW ON AMAZON -CLICK HERE

Baby Shark’s Big Show!: The Seaweed Sway episodes:

  • The Seaweed Sway
  • Busy Baby
  • A Shark Day’s Night
  • Wavey Jones’ Locker
  • Daddyshark
  • Rocky-Bye
  • Rainy Day Roundup
  • Deep Goo Sea

Baby Shark’s Big Show!: The Seaweed Sway synopsis:
Do the “Seaweed Sway” along with Baby Shark and William when they meet the fin-credible rap icon Sharki B who created the dance craze! Next, Baby Shark bites off more than he can chew before his big dance party with Grandma Shark! Then, The Tentacools (Baby, William, and Vola) get caught up in the trappings of being rock starfishes and forget that they formed the band to have fun! It’s a dancing and singing extravaganza!

Baby Shark’s Big Show!: The Seaweed Sway fast facts:
Street Date: September 20, 2022
Catalog: 191329228203 (US)
Audio: Dolby Digital English 5.1, French Stereo, Spanish Stereo
US Rating: Not Rated
US M.S.R.P.: $10.99
BUY NOW HERE 


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August 7, 2019 · 10:18 pm

Monitor your Children’s Internet Use with a Parental Control App

 

Being a parent is tough in the contemporary world. There are all kinds of things parents need to worry about that didn’t exist a couple of decades ago. The access kids have to the internet grows each year, with recent data showing that children account for one in three Web users. The next generation will have even more access to mobile devices connected to the internet and, the internet can be quite dark. The good news is that there are many parental control apps that will help you monitor what your children are doing online, while helping them stay away from things they should not be seeing.

Concerns for Parents

There is no shortage of things to be concerned about when it comes to your young children using the internet. Proficiency on technology has become a thing learned in the early years of life, and this is undoubtedly changing the way we experience the world. Inappropriate content containing porn, drugs, suicide, violence, and other intense subjects is probably the most common concern, but cyber-bullying and peer pressure are also issues to be concerned about. Finally, the safety of your child is above all the biggest thing to be worried about. Luckily a lot of this can be managed by using a parental control app.

What is a Parental Control App?

A parental control internet service is an application that allows you to the monitor devices and set limits on the access to the internet. You will not only be able to block specific website content, you will be able to disable the internet during specific hours. This helps parents keep their children safe and manage their time on screens. Different apps offer different things. Some allow you to track your child’s location, block games and apps, and even send a message when your child has interacted with content they shouldn’t be seeing.

Benefits of Parental Control Apps

According to the site MoneyPug, which is widely used to compare mobile phones, parental control apps are available on both iOS and Android, and are fairly easy to use. While giving children access to devices connected to the internet isn’t inherently a bad thing, without the right guidance it can be very risky. The things children see online at a young age can change their lives forever. Their security is paramount. One way you can help them stay safe is by monitoring what they are doing and seeing on the internet.

Limiting screen time is easy and will help you establish a balance between technology and other things. You can even block a device entirely and set a limit to the amount of time spent on it. Geofencing and location trackers will tell you where the device is, which is a good way to monitor your children and keep them safe.

The Future of Children Online

Children are now growing up with the internet and this is changing the way they get older and interact with the world. While parental apps are a great place to start, you should be dynamic and comprehensive. More and more laws will be introduced on the subject, but that is not necessarily a good thing. It all starts with talking to your children and doing your best to keep them safe.

There is no stopping the future, every kid will have the internet. This is why parenting needs to evolve with the times. Parental control apps can help keep them safe and away from malevolent threats. Educating your children is key. Don’t allow technology to substitute for your affection. It is important to spend time with your kids and communicate with them. Build a foundation of trust in your household and your kids will be more likely to come to you for help.

Kids of all ages need to be monitored online. A parental control app can help you keep track of what your kids are seeing, what they are interacting with, when they are using their devices, and provide the ability to set limits for when your kids need to stop being on screens. Take your children’s online usage into your hands and start monitoring their web time today. You won’t regret it, your children will be safe and better off for it.

This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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May 30, 2019 · 9:26 pm

Teaching Your Children About the Relationship Between Time and Money

Sadly, we’re rarely taught in schools about money. Sure, we learn about Pythagoras Theorem but when was the last time that was useful in real life? Never, right?! Your children face the same dilemma with confusing messages about what money is and how it relates to time. It’s up to you as a parent to fill in the blanks for them, so they get a more well-rounded education. Here are some ideas on how to teach your children the connection between time and money.

Preschoolers and Kindergartners

You might think the little ones don’t notice how you spend money and what you do with it, but they do. In fact, many habits around money are created when only a few years old. As we know, kids model their parents’ behavior, so parents must set a good example.

Use a Mason Jar for Savings

While a piggy bank is more traditional, a mason jar is better because a preschooler or kindergartner can see the money inside. A small amount of savings can go a long way by slowly filling up the jar and having them see how much is in there.

Work = Money

Even a young son or daughter can begin to understand the importance of money. That mommy or daddy go out to work to earn money is something they can begin to understand. Their teacher at school makes money when teaching them too.

Things Cost Money

Showing how different items in the store cost different amounts is helpful. Even connecting which candies are tastier but cost more is a useful concept to share.

Cash

Middle School

Middle school students begin to see and touch money more often. However, that doesn’t mean that they understand how time equals money. That’s especially true when parents just hand them an allowance without having to do anything to earn it.

Pay vs Free Allowance

Kids shouldn’t be given a free allowance. This sets the stage for money being something they can just expect for free.

There’s plenty of age-appropriate chores around the house that middle schoolers are perfectly capable of doing, no matter how much they might moan about it. This might include tidying up their room and putting their toys away when they’re younger. Mowing the lawn when older and being supervised for safety reasons is another one. Dealing with the trash also makes clear that not every chore is necessarily pleasant, but rewards come from putting in the time.

Get Them Involved with Finding Bargains

Turn family food shopping into a game. Start with a budget for the week and let them plan out what should be purchased. Depending on their maturity and knowledge about what ingredients are needed for different meals, it might be necessary to create several meal plans with a list of ingredients, so they have a place to start.

They can then be allowed to choose between different meal ideas depending on the deals in the store that day. Offer them a financial incentive when they save money, as long as the meals are nutritious and sufficient for everyone in the household. Then have them save half of the money for a medium-term goal like buying a smartphone or a tablet.

Sale

Teenagers

With teenagers, aim for the bigger things to make an impact and let them feel more in control.

Free Samples

Teenagers love to get things for free but often don’t appreciate the time it takes to secure them. It’s true that many free samples require a time investment. And that’s perfectly okay. Most bargain hunting or coupon cutting takes time out of the day too.

Advise Against Student Loans

Teach teenagers to work part-time to make money to save for college. They’ll have an early financial goal to work towards and value the education far more. If they can get a scholarship, great, but don’t let them rely on that. Tell them that taking out student loans isn’t the answer because of all the hours of future work to repay the loans.

As long as children make a clear connection between time spent and money earned, they’ll be in a better position when they become adults. This connection avoids them spending frivolously without realizing the consequences down the line.

Student Loans

This is a collaborative guest post. The thoughts and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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March 15, 2019 · 9:43 pm

Fun St. Patrick’s Day Treats and Crafts to Make With Your Kids

If you are looking for a fun St. Patrick’s Day craft or delicious snack to make with your kids, you might like these ideas. To help little leprechauns get in the spirit for classroom parties or family celebrations, Juicy Juice has a selection of green-themed crafts that can be completed in 4 steps or less and recipes, including a better-for-you Green Goodness Smoothie made with Juicy Juice Organic Splashers.

Find these recipes and crafts in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – or on JuicyJuice.com – for St. Patty’s day inspiration:

Green Goodness Smoothie

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Little ones love cool drinks, and this beverage fits that bill. Juicy Juice Green Goodness Smoothie tastes so good they’ll be asking for seconds before their last slurp!

Estimated Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

2 cups blueberries
2 cups pineapple
1 cup spinach
1 cup ice
2 cups almond milk
2 pouches Juicy Juice™ Splashers™ Tropical Twist

Directions

Gather your ingredients. Add blueberries, pineapples, spinach, ice and almond milk together in a blender. Pour in Juicy Juice Splashers Tropical Twist. Blend until smooth (add more juice for your desired consistency). Pour into a chilled glass and toast to all things delicious and nutritious!

Juicy Shamrock Smoothie

As we know all too well, it’s always a challenge to get the little ones to eat their greens. Juicy Juice has a strategy? Get them to drink their greens! Easier said than done, right? With this Juicy Shamrock Smoothie, I bet that you will hear slurping sounds in no time, not to mention requests for seconds!

Try it using Apple Juicy Juice™ 100% juice! 

2 Fresh Kiwis
1 Peeled Orange
1 Cup Green Grapes
1 Cup Baby Spinach
1 Cup Apple Juicy Juice 100% Juice

 

  1. Slice the kiwi in half and scoop out the fruit from the skin
  2. Add kiwi, peeled orange, grapes and baby spinach to blender
  3. Pour in Apple Juicy Juice 100% juice
  4. Blend until smooth (feel free to add more juice if the blend is too thick)
  5. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy!

Leprechaun Spotting Binoculars

Spotting leprechauns is a demanding job, and it takes the right equipment to get the best results. Juicy Juice developed these precise leprechaun binoculars made of materials you have right at home. We hope this craft helps you find leprechauns, and we wish you the best of luck!

Materials
2 Juicy Juice boxes or toilet paper rolls
Green construction paper
Pipe Cleaners (we chose green)
String (we chose orange)
Tape
Glitter Glue or paint

Step One
Gather your materials.

Take your empty Juicy Juice boxes and unfold the tabs on the bottom and top. Then, shape the Juicy Juice box into a cylinder. You may need to cut any tabs that poke out. After that, measure the length of construction paper you will need to cover the tubes. Next, cut the length of construction paper you will need, making sure to leave some paper to tuck into the ends of the tubes. Tape the ends down inside the tubes and tape down the long edges.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Next, decorate your tube with glitter glue or paint. You’re going on a magical quest, so have a lot of fun with your designs. Next, get some pipe cleaners and cut them to the circumference of the tube’s ends. Shape the pipe cleaners to the ends of the tubes and tape them into place, making sure to cover the ends of the wires.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Once you’ve finished decorating the tubes, tape them together side by side. So your binoculars don’t get too far from you, we suggest creating a neck strap with a piece of string. We measured the length we needed to comfortably fit around our necks, and then we punched holes in the binoculars and tied the string to keep it secure. Once you have completed this step, you are done! Go out there and find some leprechauns.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Lucky Leprechaun Juice Box

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Trying to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? This leprechaun Juicy Juice box craft is pure gold! This craft will be a great treat at any party!

Materials
Construction paper (black, green and yellow)
Scissors
Juicy Juice box

Step 1

Gather your materials.

Step 2

With your green construction paper, measure how much paper you need to cover the face of your juice box. Then, cut the construction paper along those measurements. Tape the construction paper on.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Step 3

Next, take your black paper and cut it into a belt shape.

 

 

Step 4

After cutting your belt, cut your buckle out of your yellow construction paper. Then, cut another square from the inside of your square.

Juicy Juice Cr

Step 5

Once you’ve cut both the belt and buckle, glue the buckle on top of the belt. Finally, glue your belt onto the front of the juice box. Enjoy your leprechaun Juicy Juice and have a happy St Patrick’s Day! Please share your crafts with Juicy Juice  on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Juicy Juice

Lucky Leprechaun Craft

St Patrick’s Day can be a fun holiday for you and your little ones. Juicy Juice has put together an interactive craft that will have kids jumping for joy, clicking their heels and smiling for the camera. Take photos of your little ones dressed up as festive Lucky Leprechauns and share them with Juicy Juice on Facebook!

 

Step 1: Gather your materials. You will need colored construction paper, a washable glue stick, a pen or washable marker, tape and wooden craft sticks. You can also replace the wooden craft sticks with popsicle sticks or wooden drink stirrers.

Juicy Juice Crafts

Step 2: Begin by sketching the basic shapes of your Lucky Leprechaun kit. Your shapes do not need to be perfect and feel free to use whichever colors you wish. Who ever said that Leprechauns only have orange beards? Cut out your shapes after sketching and place the shapes that go together nearby each other. Glue the gold coins to the back of the black pot, the rainbow arches to the clouds and the buckle and band to the green top hat.

Juicy Juice Crafts

Step 3: Once you have glued all the right pieces together. It’s now time to attach the stick so that the little ones can hold their new creations. Lay a wooden stick on the back of each creation and tape it well at the top and at the bottom. You can add a third piece of tape for extra sturdiness.

Now the fun really begins! Grab different combinations of the props you just made and have a Lucky Leprechaun photo shoot! Encourage silliness and share your little Lucky Leprechauns with Juicy Juice on Facebook. They can’t wait to see!

I received product samples to facilitate my post.


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February 11, 2019 · 2:06 pm

6 Fun Valentine’s Day Crafts For Kids

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

If you have little ones in school, you probably received a class list of your child’s classmates. With your list in hand, it is time to help your child with their Valentine’s Day cards, crafts or treats.  With each passing year, I find this Valentine’s Day exchange lends itself to more than just little cards being passed around.

Little bags of candy, pencils, cookies and more are becoming the norm. If your child is having a class party, there are really cute things you can create to make even an ordinary juice box festive.

A  Juicy Juice Family occasion survey, found that one in four parents (23%) will show their love by decorating for Valentine’s Day.  Check out these Valentine’s Day craft ideas from Juicy Juice. These crafts are easy and fun to do with your kids and they will love sharing them with their friends.

Valentine’s Love Bots

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Juicy Juice has the perfect craft idea for you and your little sweethearts to do this Valentine’s Day! Consider making these super fun Valentine’s love bots! Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials:
Googly eyes
Tape
Glue
Scissors
Markers
Pipe cleaners
Valentine’s Day decorations such as hearts
2-5 used 6.75 oz Juicy Juice boxes
Valentine’s Day gift wrap

Click HERE for the full details.

Fingerprint Heart Jar

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

On the most romantic day of the year, your little ones will enjoy making this simple two-step craft. It can function as a vase or a multipurpose jar, and as a gift to a loved one! Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials:
White acrylic paint
Red acrylic paint
Pink acrylic paint
Mason jar
Paint brush

Click HERE to get all the details.

I Heart U Card

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Everyone loves cards that pop, so we made one for you! This card is a perfect craft to make with the family and share with everybody. We hope you heart it as much as we do.

Materials
Scissors (or precision knife – parents only)
Pink or red construction paper
Template (included)
Glue stick
Ruler

Click HERE For Full Instructions.

Valentine Secret Pals

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Paper
  • Envelopes
  • Pencils or pens
  • Hat
  • Tape
  • 1- 3 x 3 x 3 empty gift box (one for each member of the family)
  • 1 package of candy conversation hearts.

Click HERE for full details.

Juicy Heart Gummies

With these cute Juicy Juice™ Snacks, you’re bound to share a giggle and a smile!

For more details Click HERE.

Cupid’s Arrow Caprese Bites

Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Valentine’s Day and all of its traditions can be a fun occasion to show your loved ones you care. While exchanging candy is fun, celebrating the holiday with unique recipes can be even more exciting. Juicy Juice came up with a simple, adorable Valentine’s Day snack that will delight and offer a fresh take on sharing hearts.

Materials
Roma tomatoes
Basil leaves
Cheese squares of preference
Toothpicks

Click HERE for full details.

Let me know what you think of these ideas and if you try one or all. I would love to read your thoughts in the comments. Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I was provided with samples to facilitate my post. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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January 10, 2019 · 4:01 am

CPR: A Vital Skill For All Parents

As a parent, you will always be concerned about your children’s wellbeing and safety. Kids will be kids, and you will spend a good amount of time applying bandages to a variety of injuries like skinned knees and minor scrapes. However,  what if something more serious than a skinned knee happens? Will you be prepared to react properly in an emergency situation?

Ambulance

In the time that it can takes for your to call 911 and wait for help to arrive, a life-threatening situation can become deadly. Parents should know what to do when accidents and injuries happen. You may not be able to prevent accidents when they happen, but you should be as prepared as possible to deal with them when they do.

CPR

With so many risks, it’s a good idea for at least one parent in the home to be trained in CPR and First Aid. Gain confidence in your ability to calmly handle an emergency situation and provide care if necessary. Take a look at just some of the things that can go wrong in the blink of an eye and consider that with proper training you could save a child’s life.

Heart Failure

There have been more and more deaths in young people due to heart issues. Many active sports players have been known to suddenly collapse on their playing fields due to their hearts stopping. Many schools have now added a portable defibrillator to deal with these kinds of incidents. If you don’t have one in your home, knowing CPR can help you to keep the heart pumping until emergency help can arrive.

Drowning

For any parent that has a pool on their property, there is always the fear of a child getting into trouble in the water and drowning. Over 350 children under the age of 5 accidentally drown each year in the U.S. Teaching your children safe habits and strong swimming skills is vital to keeping your children safe.

Fever/Convulsions

When the numbers rise up on the thermometer when you have a sick child it can be very concerning for every parent. Not only are you dealing with the many symptoms of infection, your child can be at risk of Febrile Convulsions. These kinds of seizures are not generally damaging themselves, but can cause injury from falling or hitting objects around them. With proper First Aid training you can learn what to do to help your child safely through a seizure.

Heat Stroke

Kids don’t feel the heat of the cold the same way that adults do. You probably remember playing outdoors for hours and not even considering the weather for a moment. You kids will be no different. It is up to each parent to closely monitor their child for signs of heat stroke when you are spending time in the sun.

Emergency

Choking

In any situation where your child has stopped breathing, being able to administer proper CPR and first aid procedures can be vital in saving their life. With training you will learn to deal with blockage choking as well as resuscitation techniques.

 

First Aid

This is a collaborative post. The words and views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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November 5, 2018 · 3:08 am

Practical Ways To Help Your Adult Children

Raising children is very expensive, and just because they reach the age of 18, doesn’t mean  your responsibility ends. On the contrary, most parents continue to financially support their adult children in some way. Some parents want to ease their children’s financial burdens or to fund a business venture. Even retired parents find ways to assist their adult kids. If you are thinking about how you can best help your kids even if you are retired, we share a few common ways you can help below.

Set up College Funds

First, you could help to pay for college tuition. Going to college is expensive and it isn’t getting any cheaper. On top of that, professional jobs require a college degree, with even more requiring advanced degrees. If you want to help ease the financial burden of student loans, you can help out with their college tuition. This way, they won’t be graduating with a degree and a mountain of debt to repay.

There are several ways you can do this. You can open a separate savings account, then withdraw the money when your children or grandchildren are ready for it. You could also place the money in a trust, which would allow your child to access it when they turn 18. Finally, you could simply have the tuition payments directed to you and pay for the semesters as they come up. Whichever method you choose will depend on your own financial situation and how old your child is.

Help Then Become Homeowners

The other large payment many people have to deal with is their mortgage. Mortgage payments are large and last a very long time. If you want to help your children with a larger down payment for their new home, it will decrease the amount of the mortgage they need. If you son or daughter already has a home, helping them to pay off their mortgage sooner is very beneficial. While every dollar helps, you need to remember to keep your own future in mind. Talk to your kids about how much help they may need, then see if you can make it work.

Funding a New Business

If your child wants to start their own business, they may need additional funds to get it going. Starting a new business is expensive, if they don’t have enough money, they may not be able to do all the things they need to which could spell failure. If you believe in your child and their business plan, you should consider assisting them financially to get started.

Before you do, make sure the business plan is a solid one. While you want to help your kids, you don’t want to throw your money away on a bad idea. If you can, have an outside financial advisor review their business plan and give your their opinion if it is a wise investment. If not, consider other ways that you can help your child, or recommend ways they can improve their business model, so that you can help with funding.

Babysitting

Lastly, if you have grandchildren, you can always help with child care. Sending a child to daycare is expensive, and if your kids can skip it even once or twice a week by sending their kids to you, that will really add up in the long run. Not only do you get to help ease the financial burden of child care, but you get to spend time with your grandchildren as well.

Before you embark on this, make sure your home is safe and baby proofed. Have some fun things for the kids to do, as well as a safe play area with their favorite toys. You don’t have to turn your home into a daycare, but some preparation is a good idea.

How to Find Additional Funds

Now, maybe you want to help your children, but you aren’t sure you can afford it. If so, there are some ways that you can earn some additional funds during retirement. For starters, you could get a part-time job. Another option is downsizing your home which would lower your housing costs, especially your taxes. You could also talk to reverse mortgage lenders. You can use this reverse mortgage lender locater to get  started. There are many options, you just need to consider what’s right for you.

Helping Them Succeed

Being able to help your adult kids out is a great feeling. Even though they’ve left the nest (or are about to), it still feels good when you can help make their lives a little easier. Hopefully, the tips above provided you with some good ideas about how best to help your kids out even during your retirement.


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November 2, 2018 · 3:22 am

Helpful Tips For Working Mothers on Balancing Work and Family Life

In today’s day and age, a two income family is not just a choice, but a necessity in many cases. With so many women in the corporate workforce full-time, we must address the issue of trying to balance work and family life. Some days we can find ourselves questioning if we truly can achieve a healthy balance. If you are stressed out and looking for help, the tips below may help restore some sanity to your hectic life.

Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate

Managing your home includes many different tasks. Keeping your home clean and organized should not fall solely on your shoulders. Every member of the household should be sharing in that responsibility. If you have divided up the household chores, but still feel like you are having to hound others to stay on task, it can really make things stressful.

You might want to make use of professional home cleaning services or hiring a housekeeper on a weekly basis. Another helpful option is to consider renting a storage vault if you need a place to store your off-season decorations and other things you don’t currently need at home. The less stuff you have around, the easier it will be to organize what’s left. You will be amazed at how much more efficiently things will run with all that extra space. 

Delegating responsibilities to others will give you more time to do the things that matter, like spending quality time with your family and friends.

Make Preparations

If you don’t want to be rushing to work in the morning, get in the habit of making sure everyone lays out their clothing the night before. Prepare lunches at night too, and plan your meals for the week so, you can shop more effectively. Electric pressure cookers let you cook delicious meals that used to take hours in about 30 minutes. Create a family message center so that everyone is aware of upcoming events, school meetings and activities. 

Create A Family Message Center

Create a family message center with a calendar, cork board and white erase board or chalkboard. This will help keep important dates of events, appointments, school meetings and activities where everyone can see them. Enter dates in your smart phone or planner. Knowing what is coming up will help you from being caught off guard and missing important events or appointments. Don’t forget to schedule in some family fun time!

Celebrate Your Child

Sometimes it simply isn’t possible for us to be physically present at our child’s special event. While it is upsetting to have to miss your child’s concert or soccer game, sometimes there is no other choice. If you do have to miss an important event, show your child you love them and wish you could be there with a special note or little gift. While it is not a substitute for you being there, it will let them know how much you love them and how you wish you were there. You might be surprised at how much emotional support your child can gain from a small note. 

Make Use of Technology

If you have to be away on business or are working late, you can record a video of yourself singing or reading a favorite bedtime story for your kids to watch. A phone call to catch up or even a Facetime video can really help you stay connected. Make use of the technology at your fingertips. Something as simple as hearing your voice can be so comforting to your child. 

This is a collaborative guest post, the views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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October 3, 2018 · 11:49 am

“Giraffe Problems” Blog Book Tour & Giveaway

Turns out penguins aren’t the only animals with problems. . . From the creators of Penguin Problems comes GIRAFFE PROBLEMS, a second hilarious collaboration from picture-book superstars Jory John and Lane Smith.

Can you guess what’s making this giraffe self-conscious? Could it be . . . HIS ENORMOUS NECK? Yes, it’s exactly that—how on earth did you figure it out?

Cyrus the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes—honestly, anything you can think of, he’s tried.

Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to throw in the towel, a turtle swoops in (well, ambles in, very slowly) and helps him understand that his neck has a purpose, and looks excellent in a bow tie.

This is such an adorable book that conveys a very important message to kids. Check out my video review of Giraffe Problems below:

Giveaway

Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky reader will win their own hardcover copy of Giraffe Problems! Thank you to Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Giraffe Problems Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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September 27, 2018 · 2:32 pm

Children Are Being Bullied About This Common Issue

One common issue that many children (particularly boys) are bullied about is, large or protruding ears. A quick search on the Internet, will lead you to the accounts of thousands of children who report being bullied because their ears stuck out.  If your child is the target of bullying because of their ears, there is no denying it is causing them distress. Whether they are facing verbal, physical, cyberbullying or a combination of all three, there are some things you can do to help your child handle the situation.

What Causes Bullying? 

Bullying can happen for a multitude of reasons. Generally, bullies will hone in on anything that is considered ‘different’ from the norm, and continually draw attention to that to make them feel better about themselves. It could be a physical feature like protruding ears that is the focus of the bullying or something else.

While the motivations behind the bully’s actions may be unclear, they could be targeting your child because they feel jealous, want others to like them, want to fit in with their friends, because they’re angry with themselves, or because they like to exert power over others.

Tools To Help Your Child Manage

The first step to help your child manage the situation is to ensure they have the tools to be able to respond to the bullying when it happens. This might involve giving them tips on how to stand up for themselves, how to tell the bully what they’re doing is not okay, keeping their distance from the bully, or developing an understanding of  how their emotional response to the bullying will help them build resilience.

A good place to start is by seeking information and support from an organisation like BullyingUK, where you can find a range of resources and strategies to teach your child how best to manage the situation.

What are the other options?

While the ideal solution is for your child to develop the skills they need to effectively manage the bullying, if that does not work, you may look into surgical options to correct their protruding ears.

Otoplasty (or cosmetic ear surgery) is commonly requested by parents of children with prominent ears in the hope of sparing them relentless teasing or bullying. In many cases, the parents themselves have prominent ears, and don’t want their children to experience the same torment and pain they were subjected to at school.

Sometimes referred to as ‘ear pinning’, otoplasty is a surgical procedure that can set prominent ears back and closer to the head. This helps reduce the size of large ears or reshapes ears that are distorted or damaged with the goal of creating a more balanced and symmetrical appearance.

The procedure can generally be performed on children between the ages of  5-14, as the ears are almost fully grown by age 5. Some parents opt to have the surgery as soon as the child is of suitable age and prior to them becoming self-conscious to avoid the anticipated bullying in the school yard.

Resorting to surgery in young children is often a very tough decision, and not one that is taken lightly.  It is important that parents are both aware and supportive of their child’s feelings to ensure they want the procedure. It’s likely your child will also need to wear a headband for several weeks following the procedure, so it may be a good idea to schedule it during the summer or in conjunction with school holidays.

If otoplasty is something you would consider for your child, be sure to seek out an experienced professional who has valid qualifications and be sure to carefully weigh the benefits with the potential risks to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.

This is a collaborative guest post and does not necessarily represent the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 

 


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