Parenting-It's Not that Complicated

What if parenting really wasn't that complicated?  Hard...yes...but it doesn't have to be complicated! 
When we are aware of our goals and we spend the majority of our time working toward our goals then we don't have time for a lot of distraction...ultimately keeping life simple!

THINK Sit down and really think about what values are most important to you and also your significant other or co parent.  Is painting the playroom something you have time for or is going to Disney World something that will be fun or will it be stressful?

FOCUS Put down your cell phone when spending time with your child, get down on the floor with them, and take the time to be structured and always one step ahead of them.

LISTEN We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. If we don't listen to our children and instead always try to do what we THINK our children want/need than we can confuse the situation and create our own problems.  The truth is we don't know everything that our children need and if we listen to them we will get to know who they really are, understand them, and build a mutually respectful relationship.

ELIMINATE  Maybe it's time to get rid of toys the children aren't using or cut back on activities.  Pay attention to clues to assess what your child needs.  For example, if getting ready for dance class is always a fight with your child, maybe it's time to rethink dance classes altogether.

5 Reasons Why You're NOT Better than Other Moms!

1.  That mother you saw on Facebook at the restaurant while her child next to her was also on Facebook was actually playing words with friends, an interactive game with her daughter on their phones. 
2.  That mother you saw bragging about being a stay at home mom and doing everything PERFECT(including all those damn elf on the shelf activities...does she really need to post EVERY picture?!) She is actually miserable and pretending like her life is better than it really is.  She is doing the best she can.
3.  That mother that you saw working all those hours while her child is in daycare spends TRUE quality time with her children when she is home and really appreciates EVERY moment while she works her butt off to provide nice things for her children.
4.  That mother you saw going through the fast food drive through AGAIN never buys junk food at the grocery store and always makes her children eat healthy food at the dinner table.
5. That mother you saw yelling at her child in Target never had parents who taught her discipline, healthy boundaries, and respect and although she loves her children she has no idea what a healthy family looks like.

Best Holiday Jokes for Kids

Which of Santa's reindeer has bad manners? - Rude-alph!

What do elves learn in school? - The elf-a-bet

What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents? Silent nightWhat do snowmen eat for breakfast? Frosted flakes!

What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas? - Sandy claws.

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?Frostbite!

Where do snowmen go to dance? A snow ball!

How many presents can Santa fit in an empty sack? Only one, after that it’s not empty any more!

What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitus!

What often falls at the North Pole but never gets hurt? Snow!

What is the best Christmas present in the world? A broken drum – you can’t beat it!

Why was Santa's little helper depressed? He had low elf esteem!

Black Friday Deal

I don't usually write about companies or products because I don't believe in writing about things just because the owners are nice or the business is giving me free things. That's just not how I am.
However, I do want to write about this great toy store in my area called Bull Market Toy Store www.bullmarkettoys.com in Exton, PA.  They really have a great selection of toys for great prices and I love that I am giving back to the community instead of a huge retail chain like Target or Kmart.  If you like unique things or your children like Melissa and Doug or Legos than you MUST check out this store! Here are a few pics to give you an idea...

How to Make Your Pinterest Boards a Reality-PINTRALUTION

Pinterest is awesome.  It really is.  Out of all the social media type sites out there I like Pinterest the best because (for the most part) it isn't gossip AND it makes me feel good about myself!  It gives me ideas to make my life prettier, easier, happier, and more successful.  Who wouldn't want that, right?  So, I've realized that I've become a pro at 'pinning'....you know...dreaming! Right? But it got me thinking...why can't I make those dreams a reality?  Why can't I be one making those great earrings that look like they were bought at Nordstrom or actually working on those six pack abs?
Most of the things on Pinterest are things that the average person can do themselves so I've decided I'm going to start a PINTRALUTION! Here's how it's going to go....
Starting January 1st, every day for a month I am going to do SOMETHING from my Pinterest page.  I realize that I may not get six pack abs, or have the perfect crock pot recipe but I will be living instead of dreaming!

Of course, I could sit around and watch Jersey Shore, Dr. Phil, Housewives of Atlanta, or Honey Boo Boo instead of working toward my goals (which would give me every excuse to believe I can be lazy because after all, my life is not like THEIRS!) But TODAY I'm going to one little bit at a time and start turning my pinning into winning!

How to Ensure Your Kids are Getting Enough Sleep

 

We like to complicate things in our lives but the truth is life can be simple!  One thing we often overlook when it come to problems with our children is sleep deprivation.  Getting enough sleep is the #1 thing we can do to help our children be successful in school and life.  Sleep deprivation literally clouds our thinking and keeps us in an altered state.
So, when our children are struggling (poor grades, fighting with friends, isolation from activities, etc.) remember that sleep deprivation is often the trigger for these problems and it is an easy thing to rule out when you are trying to find the problem.  Here's a guide to make sure your child is getting enough sleep...
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/sleep-children

If you don't think your child is getting enough sleep (on a regular basis) than make some changes to ensure this doesn't happen.  Here are a few ideas to get you started...
1.  No t.v or cell phones in room your child's bedroom
2.  Adhere to a strict bedtime.  If 9pm is the latest bedtime you'll accept for your children then start the process at 8:15 or 8:30-that way there's some room for negotiations ;) They can always unwind in bed with a book or magazine.

Did You Take Care of Yourself Today?

You fed your kids, watered your plants, fed your dog, went to work, paid your bills, had sex with your hubby....and now you feel empty?
Maybe it's time to take care of yourself.... go to the gym, go out to dinner with a friend, and for God's sake, get a good night's sleep!
Get over yourself! You're not a machine and you don't have super powers!!
Slow down and take care of yourself...we teach others how we want to be treated so if you want to be given a break, a back rub, or a night out....show others your worthy of a break!