New year, new answers. I’m Getting My Kids to Talk Beyond “I Don’t Know” Answers this year, with a little help from #TalkEarly. This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Getting My Kids to Talk Beyond “I Don’t Know” Answers with This Brilliant Response

How was school today?

“I don’t know.”

What did you learn in class?

“I. Don’t. Know.”

Did you do anything that was fun or exciting?

“I DON’T KNOW!!!”

Sigh. Parenting isn’t always easy. And when my son started preschool, these were the answers I would receive every flipping day. He was always the shy kid, and every response required prying and prying and PRYING for something other than those 3 dreaded words. It took a long time to get him to open up about any part of his day – to earn his trust, be patient, and honestly listen to his words.

Now at 10-years old, I can feel my son starting to slip through my fingers with the same pattern, different age. A foreshadowing to the pre-teen years, panic mode has begun to set in. I don’t want my son to grow up thinking that I don’t know is an acceptable answer…like ever.

And he’s not the only one dishing out the I don’t know answers these days. Someone else in our family is listening too. My 6-year old daughter, who absolutely adores her big brother, is starting to mimic the I don’t know answers. And I have ZERO tolerance for that. I’ve had enough of the I don’t know answers in this house. Here’s how we’re putting an end to I don’t know answers this year.

Because mama ain’t got no time for vagueness.

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I didn’t make any New Years goals in 2018, and I’m doing it again. Here’s Why I’m Not Ready to Let Go of 2018 – and why you should let go just yet.

Why I’m Not Ready to Let Go of 2018

January 2nd – what I feel is the REAL official first day of the new year. It’s the day that we dip our toes in the water – whether trying out those fad diets, promising to hop back on the exercise bandwagon, or making those big business goals. In fact, I watched the whole social media world make a shift in those last days of 2018 – towards 2019, the year of letting go.

Letting go of toxic relationships, family and friendships.

Dumping out all negativity.

Ditching ugly thoughts and feelings.

Saying goodbye a bad year.

As the year was coming to a close, I found myself yet again feeling alone. Me against the world. Why was everyone so quick to let go? Is it the instant gratification society standards sinking in? Millennial tendencies? Or was the year really just ‘that bad for everyone?’ What are we trying to forget?

And that’s not to say that my 2018 didn’t have it’s failed goals and promises. After my viral 2017 New Years post, I wasn’t about to jump on the resolution train. No word of the year. No blog milestones. No weight loss goals. No mental health strides. No vision board. I had no plans for myself or my business – I had no idea what I wanted to do or accomplish. Lost, yes, I was lost. But I’m not rushing to let go of 2018 just yet. And I don’t think you should be quick to let go either.

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The holidays can mean lots of regrets and learning for parents. Don’t Make The Same Christmas Mistakes I Did. This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Don’t Make The Same Christmas Mistakes I Did

Ever had an SD card go bad? I had an old camera card that was corrupted – with over 2,000 photos on it. I spent hours researching, extracting, and ultimately saving a year of memories trapped and almost lost forever. It was tense at times – as I’m an the ultimate picture hoarder and couldn’t bear to think that I had a whole year of memories that were going to be gone forever.

It was on this card that I came across our Christmas photos from 2 years ago. I had forgotten all about these moments – when my son made the biggest “O” face over a LEGO set, the absolutely joy through the eyes of my then 3-year old daughter. And a few rare family photos, rigged on top of a stack of books and a rushed 10 second timer. And OH MY GOODNESS – was that my hair?!

I can’t believe that I was so close to losing these magical Christmas moments forever. But as I flipped through the photos, I’ve also realized that I’ve learned a lot in just two Christmases too. This time of year always has me reflective – maybe it’s the holiday magic, maybe it’s because the year is coming to a close soon – but often times I look back on a Christmas moment and say “what the heck was I thinking?” Don’t make the same Christmas mistakes I did, parents. Here’s some wisdom that we could all use this season.

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Does your child have tummy troubles? Here are 10 Tips to Survive Stomach Flu This Winter. This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

10 Tips to Survive Stomach Flu This Winter

Twas the night before Christmas with so much left to do, but everything got put on hold when my son got the stomach flu.

Oh yes, that was one memorable Christmas. Everyone has a stomach flu story. And unfortunately, ours came around Christmas Eve. My poor son never looked so miserable as we spent hours dealing with all of the pain, fever and GI issues out the front and the back.

And with another round of stomach flu hitting our school this season, I figured now is the time for us to chat about everything stomach flu. Stomach flu was one of THE most common illnesses I saw in the hospital when I took care of sick kids. And I often get asked about what to do. So here are my Top 10 Tips to Survive Stomach Flu This Winter with your child. From what to have on hand to best clean up supplies (yup!) to understanding the ABCs of care and treatment, I want to make sure all parents are prepared any tummy troubles that may come our way!  [Read more…]

Need the perfect princess gift idea? It’s THE Holiday Gift Every Little Girl Is Wishing For! Paid support and free product for this post is sponsored by Huffy and Disney; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

THE Holiday Gift Every Little Girl Is Wishing For

Christmas gifts for our kids have changed over the years. We used to focus a lot on quantity – making sure that there were lots of gifts under the tree. But with only a few more Christmas seasons left with our children at home, we’ve found that the quality of the gift means so much more. My 5-year old girl is OBSESSED with everything Disney Princess right now. And we just found THE princess holiday gift every little girl is wishing for this season.

YOLO – ride in a princess carriage. 

Um, can I hitch a ride with her? I admit I had a little twinge of jealously when a royally fun ride pulled up to our house. I never had one of those fancy ride-on vehicles when I was little, especially not a horse-drawn princess carriage! But when you have a 5-year old OBSESSED with everything Disney Princess, you’re bound to be talked into the most adorable battery-powered chariot on the block.

See why this dream-of-a-toy from Huffy is going to be THE holiday gift every little girl is wishing for. And even better, see the best parent-approved features! Big dreams are just a short drive away. And this fairy tale has a happily ever after.

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How can I keep my kids healthy this season? Here are 8 Best Tips for Kids Cold and Flu Prevention, from a pediatric nurse. This post is sponsored by KnowYourOTCs, a non-profit organization aiming to educate parents on safe use of over-the-counter medicines. All opinions are my own.

8 Best Tips for Kids Cold and Flu Prevention

It’s all fun and games until your child gets sick. Then it’s all downhill from there.

Cold and flu season seems to have a snowball effect, doesn’t it? It’s not just your child that’s sick. The house gets neglected, your work suffers, sleep is lost – and before you know it, the whole household is infected with germs. Yes, it’s that time again. The time when I stock up on all of the tissue boxes, hand soap, vitamins and sanitizing wipes – cold and flu season is back! And if you’re a mama bear like me, you’re ready to shield your kids from all of the potential germs. YUCK.

As a former pediatric nurse who took care of A LOT of kids in the hospital during cold and flu season, I always get asked about keeping kids healthy during the worst season of the year. “How can I protect my kids from getting cold and flu?” It’s hard, parents. I get it. But to make things a little easier this season, I’ve come up with my 8 Best Tips for Kids Cold and Flu Prevention.

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