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by Shelly on August 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Sharing a Bedroom With Baby

This post has been sponsored by The Clorox Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sharing a Bedroom with Baby- When our daughter Sophia (age 4.5) said she wanted to share her room with her baby sister, our hearts melted. Then we realized what that meant for everyone! Those first few months with baby waking up every couple hours to eat makes for sleepless nights which we do not want to impose on our daughter. Our compromise was to set up her room to make it ready for the baby to join her once she’s sleeping at night after about six months. She was pleased with this compromise and has been very excited to get her room all set up to make her baby sister feel welcome.

Sharing a Bedroom with Baby

Being type A, my first thought was dealing with organization in a small room with enough stuff for two kids. My second thought was about cleanliness, keeping both girls as healthy as can be. I was so glad to see Clorox’s amazing line of Free & Clear cleaning supplies were safe for kids! On our weekly jaunt to Target, we picked up three of their products to test if they’d still work harder than natural products but be just as safe. We got Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Cleaner, Clorox Free & Clear Stain Remover and Clorox Free & Clear Hard Surface Daily Wipes.

We’ve already been using the Clorox Free & Clear Hard Surface Daily Wipes while getting ready for baby. I’ve been using them to wipe down the table after craft time, and I know it’ll come in handy when wiping down Sophia’s toys that the baby gets ahold of. Each product in the Clorox Free & Clear line is fragrance free with no harsh chemical residue, so it won’t irritate either of my daughters’ skin. To learn more about the products, go here.

In order to give enough space to each child, we re-did the girls’ walk-in closet to be more accessible for Sophia. We moved her 4-by-2 shelving unit to the basement to make room for baby’s crib and added shelves in the closet for her books and toys. We also hung her dresses and sweaters low so she is able to easily get them down and put them away. By moving some clothes to the closet, it freed up two drawers in the large dresser for baby’s clothes and other necessities. The only other change we made was to secure all picture frames in the room so there was no way they could fall on baby. We added a changing pad back to the dresser and it was all ready for both girls to enjoy!

The Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Cleaner, Clorox Free & Clear Stain Remover, and Clorox Free & Clear Hard Surface Daily Wipes products are currently in the baby aisle near the cleaning products at Target stores so you can pick them up next time you’re there. You can also use this Cartwheel offer to save in the Target App! Keep peace of mind while maintaining a grime-free space for your little ones.

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by Shelly on July 21, 2018 1 Comment

Tips for a Smooth Back to School

Tips for a Smooth Back to School- With the first day of school lingering in the not-so-distant future, you’re probably feeling both excited and overwhelmed. From creating healthy sleep habits and establishing a good morning routine to handling back to school anxiety and learning how to make communication more manageable, we’ve got 10 back to school tips and tricks for parents to help make this your best year yet!

Tips for a Smooth Back to School

1.) Make a countdown- using a calendar, paper chain or white board start a countdown a couple weeks before school. With this countdown ease into their school routine with bedtime, setting out their clothes for the next day and when they’ll be waking up. It’ll be hard to stick to those routines while wanting to get in as much fun as you can but it will help the transition immensely if you start early.

2.) Keep an affirming and positive attitude- you know that your child will reap the benefits of going to school. Try to keep any anxiety or stress you may have from showing to your child.

3.) Visit the school- This is a great practice for young kids starting preschool or Kindergarten. It is equally great for children entering a new school. Map out their classes and let them try out their locker. Park where they will park and walk in making their first day of school more familiar.

4.) Have an easy morning routine- Routine is the key word here. It may take a few weeks or even months to figure out the perfect routine for your family but once you’ve got it, stick with it. Write it out or discuss it with your kids to let them know how you’d like to see the morning go. Have them help you figure out what works best for them.

5.) Even better, have a great evening routine- Although morning routines help with the ease into a new day, setting up an evening routine can make that morning routine breeze by. Again, see what works best for your family. Maybe make a chart or a evening routine clock that shows what things they need to accomplish before lights out. Do as much as you can the night before so the next morning is simple (set out clothes, make lunches, look at the week ahead etc.)

6.) Go school shopping- Head to the store for their favorite foods in their packed lunch. Purchase the necessary school supplies or even a new First Day outfit. Get haircuts. Having a day with them to prepare for the new year ahead will let them know you want to make this as easy as possible for them.

7.) Create a drop zone/command center for backpacks and permission slips- Talk to your child about homework rules and where they should put papers that need to be looked at or signed. Have enough space for each child’s backpack, shoes, water bottles or anything else they will be carrying home from school so there is no frustration in the morning to find these items. Make sure they know it’s their space and their responsibility to keep their items there.

8.) Make a school calendar- Add all of the Holidays and School info and hang it where your child can see it. If they join a club or sport have them write in their games or practices to let them have a little responsibility over knowing when their time is scheduled. If you have a younger child, use stickers to let them know which days they have games or practices. Starting this habit of letting them schedule their time will help them decide what is too much on their plate.

9.) Listen and be present- As tempting as it is to tell our kids they have nothing to worry about as a way to distract them, sometimes the best thing we can do as parents is to simply listen. If your child is finding school stressful, allow her to put her feelings into words so you can figure out exactly what is bothering her and (hopefully) find a solution to her worries. Spend 5-10 minutes connecting with each child in the morning or evening routine- with your phone put away. Talk about who they’re excited to see or what they’re going to do at recess. If they are nervous for the week ahead brainstorm a family activity for the weekend.

10.) Outsource your time- Know that it’s OK to ask for help. Figure out what is taking up a lot of your time, therefore, keeping you from your family. Is there a way to pay to have it done by someone else? Hire a cleaning service, utilize grocery pick up or delivery, make crock pot meals, car pool with other parents for practices. There are a lot of ways to simplify all of the busyness if you are able to step back and see what needs to be adjusted.

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by Shelly on June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

Summer schedule for your preschooler- This summer I wanted to try something different with my 4 year old Sophia. Because there will be a lot of change in our schedule with not going to school and the new baby being born in July, I wanted to have a weekly calendar we could loosely follow so she understands what to expect. During the school year she did well with knowing which days we were going to the YMCA (my work) vs. which days she had school so I had a simple calendar up on the fridge that she could check each morning. I do believe summers are for more freedom and play but I know that our daughter does very well with routine. She feels more confident when she knows what to expect throughout the week without having to ask us.

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

For this weekly calendar I wanted to use it to work on her learning the order of the days of the week as well as be able to follow a chart with data. It printed on two pages so I cut it and taped it together to make one larger sheet. It was simple to make on Google Sheets and I am not posting this for download because these images are not mine to sell. I wanted to be able to give an example of how you can make your own to fit your family’s needs.

When I introduced this schedule to Sophia I let her know that nothing, other than the YMCA times, are set in stone. I let her know that the breakfast, snacks and activities are suggestions that we can change based on what she’s hungry for or what she wants to do. Of course she got excited to see the smoothie as a breakfast option and said she wanted to have that every morning for breakfast.

No TV During the Week

We are continuing with our ‘no TV’ rule during the week even though it’s summer because she is so creative and imaginative without the crutch of the TV. We have Friday Family Movie Night each week and we often will let her watch cartoons in the morning on Saturday and one more show or movie on Sunday while we work on a project. I did add computer time on this schedule because we bought the ABC Mouse learning game and want her to become familiar with using a mouse and figuring out computer games on her own. Once the school year begins we will add a few more advanced games to help with coding. You’ll notice that I made sure her chores were on the same day as the computer time and she is not allowed to get on the computer until she finishes them.

Chores for Your Preschooler

We only have three chores listed on her summer schedule because the other ‘chores’ are expected. Folding and putting away her clean laundry, emptying all the trash bins and cleaning up all toys/books/crafts are the three chores she’s responsible for. She will not get allowance for these chores but will get to do fun activities if she completes them. TIP: schedule your children’s chores around your chores. We do all laundry on Sunday/Monday which is why I have it set for her to put all of her clothes away on Tuesday. I have her picking up all toys/books/crafts on Friday because that is the day I vacuum and need all floors picked up.

How to Organize Your Medicine Cabinet for Winter

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HappilyStocked #Collective Bias

It’s that super fun time of year again when, as moms, we have to power through sickness to be there for our families. Motherhood is a 24/7 job and there’s no time to lay on the couch and watch romantic comedies alone anymore.

There’s nothing worse than feeling miserable and dragging yourself to Kroger to pick up medicine. It’s physically difficult to get to the store and once you’re there you end up buying half the aisle because you’re ready to try anything to feel half way normal. For this exact reason I keep my closet stocked with all the necessary sickness fighting weapons to help me be the best Mom I can be.

It has taken me a long time to figure out what type of organizing works for our family. When it comes to closets, it’s best to keep them very minimal and have as much as possible in small baskets. This leaves little room for chaos. In our home we have two closets that hold medicine. I wrote about our master bathroom closet which holds some medicine but mostly medicine that we use frequently.

Our hall linen closet holds supplies we use less frequently (and a few linens). I’m going to break down each shelf because it’s supplies that most families use. Shelf 1: extra blankets and table cloth. Shelf 2: batteries and a small toolbox with frequently used tools. Shelf 3: Grab-and-Go first aid kit for camping or road trips, a basket with medicine, a basket with tissues and a lint roller. Shelf 4: a basket with sunscreens and mosquito repellents and a basket with light bulbs. Shelf 5: a basket for first aid and window plastic for this winter. Floor: a basket with our dog supplies (bath shampoo, brushes, medicine).

There are six main ingredients that I keep stocked at all times in our home:

Breathe Right- I sleep with earplugs and white noise because I have a husband that snores. When I’m sick, I’m right there with him, sawing logs all night. I use the Breathe Right Clear for my sensitive skin. It helps increase airflow so I can breathe better and it does not irritate my skin. When Mom breathes better, she sleeps better.
Dial Soap- I’m not a huge proponent of ‘no germs’ because I think keeping a little germs around helps our immune system. On the other hand, when someone in our family is sick, I am positive to remind everyone to wash their hands. The White Tea foaming soap has a mild smell and it keeps my skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Halls- Our family doesn’t eat a lot of candy but when we’re sick Halls is a special treat that soothes our scratchy throats. Our favorite flavor is the Honey Lemon because it tastes good and relieves cough.
Kleenex- There’s a reason people say ‘Kleenex’ rather than ’tissue’. They’re the best. One and done. Nothing is worse than having a chapped nose from continuously blowing it all day. We use the large Trusted Care boxes when someone is sick and carry the On-the-Go Slim Packs with us in our pockets. Our daughter loves all the fun movie themed boxes so we let her choose which one she wants when she’s sick.
Theraflu- One of the best advancements in today’s age is the ability to buy medicine over the counter that will help knock out our symptoms. Theraflu defeats sore throat, nasal congestion, chest congestion, fever, cough, headache and body aches.
TYLENOL® Cold + Flu- My husband and I react differently to most medicines. His go-to is TYLENOL® Cold + Flu Severe. It helps with his head and body aches, fever, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion and chest congestion.

November has officially arrived, and germs are on the horizon. Stocking up for all wellness needs now at Kroger will help you and your family be prepared for any seasonal sniffles that might arise. This weekend when you do your ClickList order, add these essentials for the winter season ahead. Be prepared so when sickness strikes, you won’t have to go out in the cold weather. Kroger has many savings to take advantage of during the month of November. You can find more inspiring ways to stay healthy this upcoming season at the social hub.

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Disclosure:

Breathe Right – Read and follow label directions.
Dial – © The Dial Corporation, a Henkel company
* Based on unit sales of soap products in last 52 weeks scanned data
Halls – HALLS Cough Drops temporarily soothe sore throats.
Kleenex – ® Registered Trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. © KCWW.
Theraflu – Read and follow label directions. Theraflu is for use in adults 12 years and older. Use products only as directed.
TYLENOL© – © Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2016
Use products only as directed
The makers of TYLENOL® remind you to use only one medicine with acetaminophen at a time

by Shelly on June 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

Simplifying Summer Meals

Simplifying summer meals is key. As summer zooms by I look back and see all the BBQs, festivals, farmer’s markets and parties that we’ve been going to and think about all the fun we’ve been having. I also see delicious tasty treats when I picture those events which hasn’t been helping me achieve my goal of 1 lb per week until Sophie’s Birthday.

To catch you up, I wrote about how I want to lose 1 lb per week until Sophie’s Birthday October 5th (because it is an attainable amount of time) before I am comfortable to start trying to have another baby. My last pregnancy was painful because of the weight I’d put on and am trying to make it easier on myself for my next pregnancy. To lose 1 lb. per week I have been following my health coach Michael’s program through Thrive Culture. He helps me implement small goals that build throughout the year to slowly help me adjust to being healthier (correct portion sizes, eating slowly, getting good sleep etc.)

Photo by Dominik Lowyears on Unsplash

Since summer started it has been a whirlwind of fun, knowing that once August and pre-school hit, we will be back to our normal routine. As such I have been making the most out of it with fun activities which does not always result in conscious meal planning. Sitting down to figure out what meals we want, ordering it on ClickList and following through to make them after a full day of fun is exhausting. I decided to give myself a break and simplify summer meals.

Simplifying Summer Meals

To simplify our family’s summer meals I’ve chosen staples that I know the family loves and we rotate between them. I have broken my meals down into two parts: Breakfast Foods and Main Meals. We make enough food for dinner that we’re able to take the leftovers for lunch the next day (which is why I lumped both meal times into Main Meals). I wanted to choose meals that had these three criteria:

Fast & Easy
Something Sophie will eat (she’s picky)
Mostly Healthy

Here is how I’ve broken them down, including recipes to the ones that need a recipe:

Breakfast (choose 1)

Oatmeal with Chia Seeds, Nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts), honey and berries (blueberries, strawberries or blackberries). On special occasions I’ll do honey, chia seeds and peanut butter.
Protein Shake with fruit, (I keep a mix of frozen fruit in the freezer or use fruit that is about to go bad- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas) chia seeds, spinach, protein powder and greek yogurt. I’ll add in local honey if it’s especially tart.
Eggs with veggies (whatever I have laying around like spinach, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms). I usually make sausage links on Sundays for the week so sometimes I’ll have that with my eggs as well as a side of berries or an apple.

Photo by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

Main Meals

Salad with Chicken (mixed greens, sliced almonds, mandarin oranges, soy beans with a raspberry vinaigrette)
Burger with Egg and Avocado, Roasted Red Potatoes and Steamed Green Beans *no bun
Salmon with Brown Rice and Steamed Broccoli
Quinoa Enchilada Bake
Ramen Chicken Stirfry with Peanut Sauce
Tacos
Roasted Sausage and Veggies (peppers, red potato, green beans, onion)
White Bean Spinach and Sausage
One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

I know these meals don’t sound ‘summery’ but we still get our share of grilled goods on the weekends when visiting friends and family. If we’re ever feeling like something specific we can just add that one thing and know that we’ll have a meal that we won’t be able to cook on autopilot and schedule that for a day we’ll have plenty of time.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

It has worked out nicely since we’ve implemented this rotation of staple meals that we’re comfortable throwing together. It makes meal planning, ordering and prep way easier when we just choose from the list. We don’t have that feeling of ‘will everyone like it’ or ‘is it really only going to take 45 min to bake or will it end up being 1.5 hrs?’

What are some summer hacks you have for simplifying the chaos during these fun months? Pool time instead of baths? Yea, we do that too. 😉 Be sure to check out my friend Michael’s program. Right now he’s running a special where he’s giving away his Nutrition & Fitness for Busy Professionals for free (including my number one helper: the power of sleep)!

Sharing a Bedroom With Baby

Sharing a Bedroom with Baby

Tips for a Smooth Back to School

Tips for a Smooth Back to School

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

No TV During the Week

Chores for Your Preschooler

How to Organize Your Medicine Cabinet for Winter

There are six main ingredients that I keep stocked at all times in our home:

Disclosure:

Disclosure:

Simplifying Summer Meals

Simplifying Summer Meals

Breakfast (choose 1)

Main Meals

Life Planner

Preschool Montessori Bedroom

7 Tips to Make your Road Trip to Disney Magical