How Staying at Home with Preschoolers Changes Your Perspective on Life

Many career oriented moms, and dads for that matter, look forward to the time when they can put their career on hold to begin having a family. They work hard in the early days to become financially stable and when they’ve a bit of stability with a home and a decent car, it’s time to think about that family they’ve been longing for. Needless to say, once baby arrives, things aren’t quite what you expected. Have you ever stopped to think about how staying at home with preschoolers changes your perspective on life?

 There Has to Be More to Childrearing than Dirty Diapers and Runny Noses!

For many parents who waited to have children, parenting probably isn’t what they’d expected. Those 2 AM feedings you hear of are more realistically 10 PM, Midnight, 2 AM, 4 AM and so forth around the clock for the first several months. Finally, baby sleeps three or four hours at a time and just when you think you are going to lose your mind from lack of sleep, you ‘might’ get five or six hours occasionally. Then comes the terrible twos with its broken vases, runny noses, dirty diapers and toys scattered everywhere underfoot. This isn’t at all what you’d expected! Where is that cute little cuddly bundle of joy? This is a monster child and couldn’t possibly be yours!

 Not What You’d Expected yet So Much More

No, it’s not all that you’d expected yet it really is so much more. Even through the stress, the 2 AM feedings, the runny noses and perpetually dirty diaper, you wouldn’t miss a moment of it to save your life. However, it does tend to change one’s perspective on life, on what’s really important to you.

This is a time when you can look at schools like Rutgers Online where you can use those random quiet moments to pursue an advanced degree that will automatically qualify you for a higher income when you go back to work. This is a time when you can begin assessing where you are now and where you’d like to be in a few years when the kids begin their first day of kindergarten.

 Have You Learned What It Means to Have a Career to Look Forward To?

Why not consider working towards that online MEAD degree. You are beginning to understand just how important adult and continuing education is for the majority of young parents out there. They know they are not qualified for high paying jobs but also know they need to make changes or their children are often doomed to live in poverty. Being at home with your children gives you a chance to see what life on the other side is like, without that extra paycheck. If you are an educator, use this time to advance your own career so that you have skills (and credentials) to help other parents rise above these trying times.

When your monster goes to school you have a life ahead of you. What do underprivileged and undereducated parents have but more of the same? A master of education in adult and continuing education program helps you to do something meaningful as a result of your new perspective on life. Now you can help other parents who may be overwhelmed and not having any hope for their future. You can be that help. That’s an amazing thought – so go for it!

Teach Kids to Save At An Early Age

It is never too early when it comes to teaching a kid to save money. Money is hard to come by these days. Money is scarce to most and the best way to instil the value of saving money for the rainy season is to start teaching our kids early in life.

Give them a coin bank

Giving them a symbol of how to make their money grow through savings in the form of a coin bank will forge a sense of responsibility and respect for the value of saving. Encourage them to keep their small change regularly in the coin bank.  Allow them to open and count the money when it is full and help them deposit in their bank accounts.


Explain the meaning of savings

Kids may not have a sense of value for savings yet but they will just follow as directed. However, even at an early age, you can explain to them the value of savings by giving examples and showing illustrations. A book entitled "The Money We'll Save" by Brock Cole is a good classic book to read to kids. It teaches kids to be creative to help keep the costs down and save in return.


Match your kid's contribution

This sounds like a contest but it helps the parents and their kids to keep tabs of their savings and how they will grow over the years.


Offer rewards

Some banks offer their loyal savers novelty gifts to recognise their saving efforts and also reward them for their deeds. As parents, we can also do that by giving small tokens like a shirt, pen, small toys or books to read to let them know that their good efforts are rewarded and recognised.


Be an example

The best way to teach a child to save is to see you "actually saving" too. Kids will follow your lead and will see savings as a normal routine at home that has to be done. They will also get inspiration from you for setting a good example and leading the way to their bright and secured future.


Do you teach your kids to save early on? What are other tips you can share?

How to Organise a Really Cool Pyjama Party

Pyjama parties are fun for kids of all ages. Kids love to chill out in their PJs, watch movies and snack on sweets and other goodies. And as a parent, pyjama parties are good because you won’t have to supervise them too much, or pay for an expensive venue. So what do you need to create the perfect pyjama party for your child – and what’s the best way to do it cheaply?

Invite the Right Guests

Parties can be fraught affairs if you don’t invite the right mix of friends. You need to be very careful at this point for kids (and their parents) can easily become offended if they are left out. The best way to tackle the party guest list conundrum is to ask your child to make a list of their best friends. Then, check the list and remove any known troublemakers, i.e., kids who are obnoxious or kids who fall out with your child on a regular basis. And if you child objects, just remind them what happened the last time they invited these kids over for a party or sleepover.

Prepare Healthy Snacks

Serving up a vast array of sweets, pop and sugary snacks is a recipe for disaster. Most children react badly to too much sugar and become hyper after a couple of hours. This makes them noisy, annoying and sleep averse. To avoid this from happening, make sure any food you provide is fairly healthy. Order in takeout pizza or prepare your own (the kids can pick their own toppings). Alternatively, make some sandwiches, buns, and finger snacks, and then let them have popcorn for when the movie is on. By all means give them a few sweets, but don’t overdo it.

Pick a Wide Selection of Movies

You need a good selection of movies to keep everyone entertained. Let the kids pick a couple from cable or satellite, or rent some cool DVDs. For best results, let them burn off a bit of energy before putting the movies on. Organise some makeup and hair experimentation or let them play party games. Then, once they are bored with that, stick a movie on. Hopefully this will encourage them to settle down and be quiet.

Decorate the Party Room

A party theme is fun. You don’t even need to spend money if money is tight. Check out coupon deals and save money by shopping with voucher codes. You could buy some cute pyjamas for the kids using Hush voucher codes at couporando.co.uk and transform a room into a fairy castle with pink netting and coloured lights. Throw lots of comfortable cushions on the floor and provide fluffy blankets for them to snuggle in. They will love it!

Organising a children’s pyjama party doesn’t require too much effort, but be prepared to lose a bit of sleep. Earplugs are essential kit for kids’ sleepover parties. Failing that, invest in some noise cancellation headphones. That way you will be able to enjoy a night of uninterrupted sleep without listing to giggling and other noisy antics at 3AM.

Olaf Birthday Party Ideas

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links



Planning a party can sometimes be stressful, but our favorite snowman inspires so many fun-filled party ideas, it'll be easy to get caught-up in the festivities. The mix of blue, white and silvery flakes of snows littered across the room for your Olaf theme will surely be a great party booster. And knowing how the character of Olaf in Frozen depicted a zest for life and fun, Olaf would encourage you to let it go, make it your own, and snowball the following ideas into your own memorable party. And, of course, Birthday Express has everything you need! As in EVERYTHING!


Check out these supplies for your Olay Birthday-themed party:

Invitations - Send out an invite to guests asking, "Would you like to build a snowman?" Then, on the inside, it could read, "Then come join the fun with Olaf and friends at Your Kid's Name's birthday party! And be sure to bring warm hugs!" You could also make each invite in the shape of a snowflake or include a Felt Snowflake Sticker inside the invite.

Party Decor - With Olaf, you could throw a party with a winter decor or a summer decor since Olaf loves the sun! Definitely get the party started off right with the Disney Olaf Value Party Pack as it contains everything one needs for a party, including plates, cups, napkins, utensils - even balloons and thank- you notes! You could create a "pin the nose on Olaf" game, a "build your own snowman" table with rice crispy treats, and elevate the laughter with an Olaf 3D Pull-String Pinata. Decor can range from blue and white (e.g. lights, streamers, balloons, and snowflakes) to sun, surf, and sand decorations. Be sure to add the Olaf Balloon Bouquet - it'll definitely give your party a lift. 

Food & Drink - Bring together marshmallows, pretzel sticks, black licorice, and baby carrots and you've got yourself edible snowmen (no offense to Olaf, of course). Consider making "melted Olaf's" with greek vanilla yogurt or vanilla pudding cups. You could make blue jello "ice block" jigglers, snowflake cookies, and blue icing-dipped pretzel sticks. For dessert you could have hot chocolate and s'mores, or get an Olaf-themed birthday cake!

Whatever you include in your party, the one thing that Olaf would insist on is that you make it happy and fun - with lots of warm hugs. Shop Disney's Frozen Olaf Party Supplies now!



Don't miss out on other Disney Olaf Value Party Pack and even Frozen inspired themes at BirthdayExpress.com for your kid's fun and memorable celebration!

Different Chewable Types of Vitamins For Your Kids

Kids are fussy when it comes to giving vitamins for them to swallow. If you have children who are 12 yrs and below, giving them supplements to add to their daily sustenance can be a challenge because some of them may find swallowing tablets daunting and other don't like the taste of the liquid form.

So, if you are faced with these kinds of issues and still have to give vitamins to your kids, consider the chewable forms. Vitamins these days comes in different sizes, colours and forms. Your kids may even find it interesting now to take their supplements if they see these:

Gummy Bears

(Photo credit: functionalfitnessllc.org)

Various shapes like circle, heart, etc.

(Photo credit: yahoo images)

Smurf characters

(Photo credit: bluebuddies.com)

Fruit shapes

(Photo credit: bonanza.com)

Flintstones characters

(Photo credit: yahoo images)

Little Tikes Tree House Swing Set Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Little Tikes Tree House Swing Set Giveaway Event!

We have come together with our hosts Everything Mommyhood and Mom To Bed by 8 to offer our readers a Tree House Swing Set giveaway from Little Tikes.

Special thanks to our co-hosts Budget Earth and Bayou City Mamas.

This is a great giveaway especially when you have kids who love to play around and this playset is a healthy way to engage the young ones to fun activities too! So, this giveaway is really great to be missed!


A backyard “tree” house with swing set that includes a climbing wall, sliding board and more! Kids can climb to the platform two different ways, the climbing wall or by climbing the tree trunk then they can slide down and do it again and again! Your kids will get years of enjoyment from this fun and durable swing set. Perfect for children ages 3-8 years old.




Features
Lookout tree with steering wheel
Climbing wall
Kids can climb the tree trunk
Grab handles molded into the tree trunk
Fun slide
Swingset extension
Maximum number of kids on climber: 4
Maximum child per swing: 1
Weight limit up to 81lbs. per child
The Tree House Swing Set must be anchored
Accessories included: Anchor kit and 2 Swings
Assembly Required

You can check out Everything Mommyhood's more in depth review with more pictures here - Little Tikes Tree House Swing Set Review.

Now for the giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a Little Tikes Tree House Swing Set, retail $499.99.

Open to US Residents, 18 and up only.

One entry per household/IP Address.

Void where prohibited.

Winner will be chosen randomly via the Giveaway Tools entry form and will be emailed.

Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize before a new winner is chosen.

Giveaway ends 9/21/14 at 11:59pm Eastern.

Entry-Form

Awesome giveaway and I would like to have one in my own backyard!

Join now and don't miss this fantastic giveaway courtesy of our gracious sponsors and hosts!

Disclosure: Everything Mommyhood received the item mentioned above in exchange for her honest review & giveaway. We were not compensated for this posting. All thoughts and opinions are those of our own and were not influenced in any way. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, and any other social media are not affiliated with this posting or giveaway. Everything Mommyhood and contributing bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipment. Little Tikes is responsible for fulfillment of prize. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you have any questions about this event or would like to see your event hosted by Everything Mommyhood, please email EverythingMommyhood@gmail.com.

Plan The Perfect Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have made a comeback with a new movie in theaters on 8/8/14. If your little Ninja has an upcoming birthday party, throwing a TMNT birthday party is a great choice. Birthday Express has a huge selection of TMNT party supplies, party favors, decor and even costumes! 

Read along and check out some of our fabulous TMNT party planning ideas.



Food & Drink Ideas - Fill up TMNT themed cups or regular clear plastic cups with ice and green Gatorade, which can be found at the grocery store. The neon green color of the Gatorade will match the party theme. Serve your little party guests a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cookie Asst. as a sweet treat. 

Party Activities - Give each party guest a ninja mask upon arrival. You can easily create the masks using colored construction paper and elastic. Just cutout eyeholes in the construction paper and staple or tape the elastic to the construction paper. To keep guests entertained, you can go the classic party route with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shaped Pinata Kit that's full of fun little party favors and candy. 

Party Decor - Add to your TMNT themed party supplies with some pops of solid color such as blue, red or green. For a fun way to decorate the party table, you can use a TMNT table decorating kit. Make the birthday boy feel extra special by adding a Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foil Balloon to his chair.

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Packs

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Personalized Invitations (8)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - Leonardo Kids Costume

For a full selection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles party supplies and party decor, visit BirthdayExpress.com! 

Mud Run costumes + 50% Discount on Costume Accessories

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Get 50% Off Accessories with Costume Purchase at BuyCostumes Mud runs, medieval fairs, Spartan races… dress-up is no longer just for kids! Make the switch from spectating to participating and get a costume for your next mud run or summer festival. BuyCostumes has all sorts of fun Mud-Run costume kits for both guys and girls. Now is the perfect time to pick up your superhero cape so you can fly through your race, because right now at BuyCostumes, you can get 50% off costume accessories through June 29th! Just use promo code: BCACCESSORY50 at checkout to get your discount. Shop now! Don't forget, this 50% off on costume accessories will only be until 29 June so you have few days to shop! Here are other costumes you can consider. Aren't they cute? Offer: Get 50% Off Accessories with Purchase of a Costume!  Expires: June 29, 2014 Promo Code: BCACCESSORY50 BuyCostumes Mud-Run costume kits Batman T-Shirt Adult Costume Kit Wonder Woman T-Shirt Adult Costume Kit Where's Waldo Costume Kit

ATTENTION BLOGGERS!

Bloggers, if you want to be a part of BuyCostumes affiliate marketing, please join me here:

SIGN UP

Watch This Cute Kids Talk About What Makes A Super Hero Dad

It's our dads' turn to hog the limelight! Watch this cute video on what kids say about what makes a superhero dad and see their daddies' cute reaction.

Father's Day is fast approaching and one way to honor our fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, daddy relatives and friends is to say thank you for all that they have done. WE LOVE YOU DAD! You're awesome!


#HappyDaddysDay

Review - Safe Email For Kids and Teens through KidsEmail.org

As a parent, security and safety are few of the aspects in my daughter's life which warrant paramount concern. The world is filled with vile people who will not stop at anything to spread their malicious presence and activities. And these people can do that online where they can target our kids who are easy preys.

One thing that I strive to achieve is to keep my daughter safe in her online activities. At my age, I am still getting horrendous mails from spammers and other malicious senders and I really get very upset about them. Imagine how kids will react if they read one in their own emails or see some unsightly contents in the internet?

You might wonder why some kids have emails now. Modern age and the accessibility of social media and internet are some of the reasons why the younger generation now are more exposed than ever. As a parent, I try my level best to broaden that safety circle where my daughter belongs to and it includes her online presence. One way of achieving that is to subscribe in www.kidsemail.org.

KidsEmail.org is a site where parents can create an account for their kids, including teens.  This platform aids the parents to customize safety settings on their kids' email accounts and curb any signs of misuse and receipt of spam mails.

The site's many features include:

Mail monitoring

Time management

Mail queue

Block senders

Contact manager

Custom mailbox folders,  mail interface, background for your kids to enjoy and change and can attach drawing from the paint tool

The pictures below is how your kid's email interface will look like when he or she is signed in.

It is every parents' nightmare to know that our kids' safety are breached. So, I highly recommend this to everyone with kids and even those without but who has young relatives who can benefit from this safe email service. Our children and the youth deserve to be protected and safe in their online activities. We cannot stop the advent of technology to take part in their lives but what we can do is to help make it safe for them.

KidsEmail.org can be used in iOS, Android and web platforms. You can try KidsEmail.org's service for free for 30 days and you will not be billed for the usage. You can then later on subscribe to a monthly or annual subscription which you can do before or after your trial period is over.

KidsEmail.org has also been given recognition for their service and mission to keep our kids safe with their usage of email. Below are their recognitions:

To know more about KidsEmail.org, you may visit their website or follow them in their social networks in Facebook and Twitter.


Disclosure:

All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and based on my personal evaluation of the site and the service offered. I only review products and services that I like and will find beneficial for everyone.

American Girl Giveaway Is Live!

American Girl characters past and present show girls today that they can do great things if they believe in themselves and each other. From a Native American girl living in the Northwest in 1764 to a contemporary girl whose passions inspire action, the characters in every story illustrate the power of determination, imagination, courage, and hope—the same spirit that inspires modern American girls.

One lucky winner will receive an American Girl Doll & Book.

Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Giveaway ends April 1st at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

Just fill in the form and follow the entries required below:

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this publication and are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

I Love GLEE!

I am a frustrated singer. I love MUSIC but my love is unrequited. I joined Glee Club during my younger years but my range never suited second voice. I tried practicing at home using our karaoke system but I still go out of tune and murder the lyrics badly. So, I conclude that my relationship with Music has been doomed from the start. Sigh!

Well, my lack of talent in the singing world makes up for my skills in other aspect in the Arts field. However, just because I cannot sing properly does not mean I loathe musical or anything involving singing. I just got hooked watching GLEE. My daydreams are now tuned to watching these bunch of so-called misfits sing their hearts out. Of course, I imagine myself being the lead in the musical in that show. It's free to dream anyway. That's the closest I can get to being a singer ;)

The GLEE show is so great in terms of talent and charisma coming from each star of the show. I love the fact that we can watch it as a family show but with parental guidance of course. There are scenes and sexual innuendos here and there which are not ripe for my daughter. I do not condone that aspect but if you look at what the show has to offer in terms of lessons to learn, making tough choices, valuing friendships and relationships, trust, honesty and smidges of moral, then I can say that the show is loaded. We are not even talking about their vocal prowess yet!

The casts are really talented. Most of them have theatre experience so they are believable in the show because they do all the songs themselves. Wow!

(Photo source: www.downfilms.ru)

Monday Party Game - Kindergarten

Don't you just love them?!? Well, let's test your patience then. Play this Kindergarten flash game by keeping the tots happy by fulfilling their needs as swiftly as you can. Good luck!

Kindergarten Click here to play this game

Monday Party Game - Animal Shelter

I love animals! I love this game! My daughter introduced me to this game and I am hooked, the way I am hooked to my pet Hoppy in Pet Society.

Warning: This game is full of cuteness and I can guarantee hours and hours of fun!

Animal Shelter

Monday Party Game - Holly Hobbie Surprise Party

Sorry folks. I did not post any game for some time but I hope to be able to post regularly now as my time permits.

Here's a nice Holly Hobbie game for kids to enjoy (and even the adults too). Just collect stuff as what the game requires and you complete your mission. Have fun!

Holly Hobbie: Surprise Party



Click here to play this game

The Mom Song

I love this so much so I am sharing it to all moms and their kids. Some countries are celebrating Mother's Day on 22 March and others on 10 May. Regardless of when you celebrate it, this one's for you.

The lines are very familiar... I heard them from my mom! hahaha...

Best Mom Award from Best Moms themselves

I am thankful to have met these two lovely moms in the blog world. I am happy as well that I have been recognized by these two best moms as well for being a best mom. Thanks ladies! I truly honor this award. Beth and Kikamz, you two rock! Hahaha!



The rules:
1. Show the award logo in your post. 2. Pick a picture you have with your kiddo/s. 3. Post should include your best experience as a Mom. 3. Nominate other blogger moms out there that you consider the best mom, like yourself.

Well, being a mom is a 24/7 career. It's a very gratifying job if I may say because you get all the hugs and the slobbery kisses of your kids. Everyday is a best mom day for me even if my daughter and I squabble on petty things. We enjoy each other's company so much that she has become my little buddy, my shopping conscience, my mini-me, my fashion stylist, my royal highness, my hairdresser, my own daughter... We enjoy our togetherness that sometimes I forget the boundaries of mother-daughter stuff, forgetting all those authority over a child. For her, I am her mom AND her best friend and for me, I am her mom AND her best friend. I'll never forget the time when I got bed-ridden because of pneumonia and she carefully stroked my forehead, took a bowl filled with cold water and she wiped my face, cleaned my arms and legs. She acted as my nurse and she even made me a paper TULIP (which happens to be my favorite flower!) so I could get better. This was last year. I asked her why she was taking care of me when she could watch cartoons and read books instead of sitting by my side, she said "Mama, because you always take care of me too..." Awwwww... No other job in this world can ever replace the gratifying career of MOTHERHOOD. I am blessed to be a mom.

Our fave place in the world! Paris! My daughter loved the place and even quipped that when she gets older, she'd buy a house and we would ALL live there. Wow! Made my heart melt...


This was our first Disneyland visit in Hongkong and the year after that, we went to Disneyland Paris. I remember seeing how happy my princess was, the sparkle in her eyes each time we took the rides and hubby was so supportive of us, allowing us (especially me!) to act-out the kid in us. Imagine a 34 year-old (I was 34 then when we went there) mom running around like crazy just to get ahead of the line? Oh, that would be me!

Buzz Lightyear ride in Hongkong Disneyland. We had fun shooting those aliens. We're both "kids-at-heart." Well, at least my daughter is a bonafide kid. I am NOT!


Shopping at Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand. My daughter is my "shopping conscience" because she always reminds me when to "stop." ;)

I am giving this award to the special moms I know: Cherry, Mommy Liza, Mommy Ana, Sarah, Niko, Chriss, Shiela