Summer Safety: How Big Families Can Stay Safe At The Pool
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JumpIntoSummer #CollectiveBias
Life with three boys under 6 years old can be pretty hectic. Everything just gets a little more complicated. When I had two kids, I had just enough extremities to keep up with them. I could hold them both at the same time... I could hold one hand and hold the other...Then I had my third son and I quickly realized things had changed. I thought it would just be little things, but it was so much more. I had to think strategically about everything. If I went grocery shopping, I had to go to the place with the extra large carts to fit all my kids. If I went to the park, I had to wear one on my back while I held the other kid's hands. I had to make a plan everywhere I went. Some places became a simple no. I knew it would be too complicated to bring the kids while I was by myself and I'd have to wait for my husband. Then the summer hit. We recently moved to North Carolina and found a house with a pool. I was just as excited as the kids to spend the entire summer in the water. Then the nerves set in. How would I be able to keep three kids safe at the pool? I knew I couldn't physically hold all three of them and they aren't good enough swimmers to go on their own. Right as I was about to give up, a friend recommended Stearns® Puddle Jumper® 3D Life Jackets to me. She swore that they were amazing and helped parents feel more secure at the pool.
I tried it for my five-year-old and they changed my life! Stearns® Puddle Jumper 3D Life Jackets help parents keep their kids more safe while swimming! Parents have enough to worry about and these vests help take the fear at the pool away. They're designed to wrap around your child's chest and arms. Not to mention, they're designed so they can't hike up to their neck. It doesn't matter whether your child is a confident swimmer or a beginner swimmer. They help keep their head above water while still letting them learn the basics of swimming.
When I was younger, I used to help at my church youth group to teach kids to swim. One of the biggest things I learned was that the first step to learning how to swim is to feel confident in the water. They had to be able to trust themselves while swimming. Stearns® Puddle Jumper® 3D Life Jackets help give kids the confidence they need.Now that my two younger kids are ready to get in the water, we went to Target to find their Puddle Jumper® Life Vests. They were so excited to find that they have 3D characters on them! I was excited to see that they were adjustable. All three of my kids have such different builds and it's usually hard to find one thing that works for them all. The adjustable straps help to make sure they fit them all comfortably.
Keep these pool safety tips in mind if you're going to the pool with a big family like mine.
- Get your children comfortable in the water.
- Make swimming fun!
- Always make sure an adult is present.
- Make sure your beginner swimmers have on a life vest while swimming.
- Walk around the pool.
- Don't swim when tired.
- Take breaks.
- Make sure you always see your kids.
- Stick to one spot of the pool while they're getting comfortable.
- Get swim lessons.
Are you ready to brave the summer? If so, head over to your local Target and pick up your own Stearns® Puddle Jumper® 3D Life Jackets! Whether your have PAW Patrol® or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle® fans, they’re in luck! Let them pick out their own vests and get excited about swimming this summer!
Enjoy your summer with Stearns® Puddle Jumper® 3D Life Jackets!
How To Get My Family More Comfortable With Our Family's Mixed Culture
Sometimes the idea of getting the whole family together can get a little stressful, especially if it means the in laws come along too. It's one thing when you spend time with everyone on their own terms, but it's another thing entirely when they're out of their comfort zones.After my husband and I had our boys, it all seemed easier. Most of our family events were focused on our kids and it helped our families to have something in common. They all loved our boys to pieces and it made them more comfortable in that environment.We did learn a few things through our first few get togethers. Most of what we learned was through trial and error, but at the end of the day these three things helped a lot!Include Your Family's Traditions At Special EventsFind opportunities to include your family in traditions during your parties. Every family has their own traditions for special events and they're the perfect way to include everyone.We found a fun way to include both of our families traditions during our kid's birthday parties.Growing up my family used to do smash cakes. They would make a cake for the guests and then a little cake for the birthday kid. The best part of the smash cake is watching the little ones dig into it! Some of our kids were more aggressive with it than their siblings, but it was always fun.In my husband's family, they hand feed each other during special events. It's a special moment for family members to love on the child.My husband and I decided to combine the two traditions. We made a smash cake for our birthday boy, but had our family members feed him a bit of the cake before they could dig in.
Let Your Family Know What To ExpectOne of the biggest things that leads to fear is the unknown. We fear things because we don't understand them. This is why it's so important for us to talk to our families about what they can expect as we blend cultures.During the week of my wedding mine and my husband's family got together. I don't know who was more nervous... me or them.My family had so many things to learn that week. Their were new traditions, new customs, new languages, and new people.At the end of the day, the thing that helped the most was talking. They needed a safe place to ask questions. The more we all talked, the more comfortable they all became.
Encourage Your Kids To Teach Them About Their CultureMy kids love teaching people about their traditions and what better way to learn about something new than from a bunch of cute kids.When we eat Indian food in front of my family, my kids teach my family how to use their hands. They show them the correct technique and how they like to do it. They've even started to teach my family little Telugu words they know! It gives them a sense of pride to be able to share something that means so much to them.How have you helped your family to be comfortable with a new culture?
How Can You Teach Your Biracial Child To Be Proud Of Who They Are
Teaching Your Biracial Child To Be Comfortable In Their Own Skin
Being a child is hard. We always tease our kids about their "difficult" lives when they're throwing a tantrum over too much jelly on their sandwich, but hey. While the jelly dilemma is full of toddler drama, kids really do face some difficult challenges.
As a child, they don't know who they are and there is an inevitable realization for them. One day, they're going to wake up and realize they're different from their friends. As a biracial child or a child in an intercultural family, they're going to realize they don't like their friends or don't sound like them.
My husband went through his inevitable realization after he moved to the US from India...
While my mother in law was finishing nursing school, my husband lived with his relatives in India. After a few years and a nursing degree, he moved home to his parents. At the time, Telugu was his first language. He understood English, but he was more comfortable with Telugu as that was what he had been speaking for the last few years.
He was both excited and terrified to start school. He knew right away that he was different from his friends, but the idea of making new friends was all he could think about.
On my husband's first day of school, he was asked to tell the class about himself. He started to tell everyone about his kukka (dog) when they erupted into laughter. They started teasing him and asking why he talked funny.
In that moment my husband made a choice. He didn't want to be different than his friends and stopped speaking in Telugu in front of anyone, but his family. He even lost his accent as soon as he could.
He was only four or five years old when this happened. As a little boy he knew that there was something different about himself and was embarrassed. As an adult, he still regrets that. He still speaks Telugu, but no where near what he could have if he had made a different decision and continued speaking it fluently.
As the parents of biracial children, it's our responsibility to teach them how valuable their differences are. Those differences are what make up our beautiful children and we need to find a way to teach this to them. Here are 3 ways to encourage children to love themselves as the unique and biracial children that they are.
Surround Your Child With Diversity
Your child needs to be surrounded with diversity. They need to understand that they live in a diverse world and not feel like the only biracial child around.[tweetthis display_mode="box"]The more diversity your children are exposed to, the more comfortable they are with themselves. #aiwtribe #mkbkids [/tweetthis]You can do this by showing diversity in their books, food, friend groups, school, movies, and more. This doesn't just mean their own culture. They need to be exposed to multiple cultures because it creates an environment of acceptance rather than intolerance.Plus, it's exciting! It's always fun to learn about new cultures and the more they learn, the more they're going to want to teach their friends!
Reject Negative Messages About Biracial Kids
It's easy for kids to start believing the messages that society tells them. Society tells them they aren't good enough. As their parents, it's your job to tell them they're amazing as they are every day. Build their confidence now so they can face negative racial messages later.The more comfortable your children are with themselves, the more likely they are to educate ignorant people rather than respond in anger. People are going to say mean and negative things. As much as you would love to prevent your child from dealing with it, there's nothing you can do. What you can do is teach them how to respond.Their confidence will help them to challenge the ignorant statement rather than let it make them feel bad about themselves.
Encourage Your Child To Share Their Culture With Their Friends
Parents need to bridge the gap between encouraging their children to be comfortable in their own skin to becoming proud of what makes them unique. This can happen by showing them how fun it is to share their culture with their friends.You can have a special night where you have your kids invite their friends over for a special feast that includes traditional meals, invite them to a local cultural event, or watch a family friends foreign film together.When a child is proud of something, they want to shout it from the roof tops! They can't wait to tell special people in their lives about it. Culture should be the same way. If you're child is still uncomfortable with the fact their different from their friends, you may have to be the one encouraging them.Start by taking your entire family to a fun event that shows off your culture. Ask them if they want to bring someone. If they don't it's ok. Give them time. The more common it becomes for your family to do these things, the more comfortable they'll become and the more likely they'll want to show it off to their friends.
How are you teaching your kids to be proud of what makes them unique?
A Year Of Tiny Living
Hi! My name is Sara Miedema and I blog over at Tiny Home Dream. A little over a year ago, my husband decided to return to school after over a year of unemployment. In an effort to save money and stretch our resources, my husband, 2 children (ages 2 and 4) and I moved into a 300 sq foot RV.
We spent a month ripping it apart and renovating it before our big move and it’s been such a great home for us! I thought I’d share a little bit about what tiny living with a family is like by reviewing our first year.
Summer
We moved in right at the beginning of summer and it was SO lovely! The space that our RV is parked on is totally fenced in, so our kids were able to enjoy lots of freedom in our backyard, something we missed in our old house! The first summer felt a lot like camping, in the best way possible. We spent most of our time outdoors. Lots of campfires and hot dog roasts!
Our tiny home was easy to keep clean and tidy and since we were hardly ever inside, it was hardly a chore to clean it. Our kids learned so much about playing together, pretend and outdoor play. My husband and I enjoyed the relief from financial stress and the time we were able to spend together.
Adjusting to our tiny space was surprisingly easy, we transitioned our kids to sharing the same room and once they were used to the idea, the rest of it was easy. We got used to cooking and baking in a small kitchen and got comfortable using a compost toilet. We spent more time at home than at parks and beaches, because we love our outdoor space so much!
Fall
Thankfully, we enjoyed a mild fall and it gave us time to get used to the idea of spending more time indoors. We invested in good rain gear for the kids and pulled out some hidden boxes of toys as we moved indoors more and more. Unless it was absolutely pouring, the kids continued to play outside for several hours a day. We also began to attend programs in our county to help us get out of the house more often. Storytime, drop-in preschool, dance class, Bible study and toddler time kept us busy almost every day.
We rarely felt cooped up, and relished a quiet day at home! As the days grew colder and it rained more and more (PNW, don’t forget!) I started implementing daily quiet time with our kids. Our 2 year old gave up naps right around this time and I needed a few quiet moments to myself every day! The kids spent a lot of time listening to audiobooks and playing quietly with their toys. As the rain poured, we found several leaks in the roof and did our best to repair them. It was discouraging and frustrating, one of the downfalls of living in a 25 year old rig….
Winter
Our biggest challenge was definitely surviving the winter! The previous winter was mild and we only have a tiny dusting of snow and very few days below freezing. Of course, this winter was brutal! I’ve heard it was the coldest one we’ve had in 30 years! On one of our first cold days, our pipes froze and we were not only without water, but facing the reality that we had a whole season of freezing weather ahead of us!
We brainstormed and budgeted and researched and in the end, came to the conclusion that there wasn’t much we could do without spending a fortune. Instead, we turned off the water and drained our pipes each time the weather dipped. This meant many days, and weeks, of no running water. We lugged water in in 5 gallon jugs, did laundry elsewhere and showered anytime we were visiting friends or family. Our friends got used to us tossing in a load of laundry and bathing our kids each week at Bible study and our neighbors graciously helped us out when they could!
It’s also worth mentioning that we found out we were pregnant at the beginning of the winter. So along with these challenges, I also struggled with nausea and exhaustion. We celebrated a simple, cozy Christmas in our tiny home and loved it!
In January, an ice storm presented us with another challenge when our power was knocked out. Several large branches broke and landed on our roof and the strong wind rocked us back and forth so it felt like we were on a boat. We ended up making the trek to my parents’ house to wait out the storm.
Surprisingly, staying warm was never an issue. 4 bodies and a couple space heaters in our tiny space kept us nice and toasty all winter! I found myself growing discouraged and burnt out on tiny living, especially when the weather forced us to stay home for days on end. The first stretch of days above freezing were such a relief!
Spring
I can’t describe the joy we felt when the weather began to get warmer! Running water felt like such a luxury and doing laundry in our own space was a treat! The kids began spending more and more time outdoors again, usually ending up filthy and muddy, but I didn’t mind!
We were able to pack up our space heaters and dehumidifier, which made our small space feel larger. The kids and I were able to go for walks and play outside and visit parks and beaches again. At this time, we were also able to make the last payment on our student loans and that gave us another big reminder as to why we made the choice to live tiny! We realized that we had been able to save almost a thousand dollars a month in living expenses and that gave us renewed motivation and determination!
As we approach summer again, we’re loving our home and space! We just passed the one year mark and we wouldn’t change a thing. Our next big challenge is coming this month, as we’ll be adding a newborn to the mix! We’re preparing our home for a new baby and trying to envision what the next year of tiny living will be like!
Follow Sara Along On Her Journey!
Father's Day Is Our Chance To Tell Him How We Feel
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CelebrateAllSummer #CollectiveBias
Father's Day is right around the corner and my boys are getting excited! They've been planning out the perfect day to let their daddy know how much they love him.I've loved seeing the relationship my boys have with their daddy. In the beginning, they were complete momma's boys. I could tell my husband was nervous that they'd always be that way.Then I saw it happen before my eyes. I'd find them searching through the house looking for dada and the look on my husband's face was always priceless. His heart was completely full in those moments.Over the years, I've seen him do everything he can to be the best dad for his boys. He works harder than so many people I know, he always makes time to throw the ball around the yard with them, and he's showing them what it means to be an amazing man.
Father's Day is our chance to let him know how much we love him.As life get's busy we don't always take the time to tell each other how we feel. We assume they just know what we think and how much we appreciate them.American Greetings is there to help us find the words we want to say. Father's Day is the perfect time to let it all out. These dads work hard all year to be an example to their kids and much like every other parent, they don't always think they're doing great. This is our time to let them know how much we appreciate everything they do.My kids had a blast choosing out their cards. My four-year-old found a card with a "superhero daddy" and my other boys found cards that fit their personalities perfectly.
This year for Father's Day, my kids are going to spoil their daddy with cards that tell him exactly how they feel and a delicious brunch. We even decided to mix together two of my husband's favorite things... Indian food and pizza.We've decided to whip up a delicious batch of Curry Spiced Waffle Pizza. If he could survive on Indian food and pizza, I know he would. I let his taste buds be the inspiration for our tasty Father's Day brunch menu.
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Whether you want to find the perfect words to tell dad you love him or you just want to celebrate your best friend, American Greetings is there for you. Sometimes it's hard to find the words to describe how we feel about the close people in our lives, but these cards are perfect.We went to Walmart looking for Father's Day cards and ended up leaving with cards for Hug Your Kids Day and Finally Summer! I had to cut my kids off in the end because they wanted to leave with them all!
I love American Greetings because they don't just have cards! We were able to get everything we needed for Father's Day in one simple trip! We picked up our favorite cards, a gift bag, and even tissue paper! They have it all!
Pick up your American Greeting cards today, but don't forget to use this coupon!Are you an Ibotta fan like me? You should be! They have a ton of great savings! You could head over to Walmart today and purchase any American Greetings® Card at Walmart and Earn $1 on Ibotta ! They've even sweetened the deal by offering another deal! You can purchase any American Greetings® Card at Walmart and Earn $1 on Ibotta !
Multicultural Corner #2 Traveling To Thailand!
This post is brought to you by Saffron Road
The kids and I just completed our first year of homeschool! I was really worried it was going to be hard with all three kids, but it turned out really well.We quickly found a stride that worked for us and did most of our stuff outside. All three of my kids are hands-on learners, so we learned what we could at parks or in our backyard. Not to mention, the ability to wear them out while they learned was a huge plus!One of my favorite parts of teaching the kids from home has been our little multicultural corner. About once a month, we choose a new area of the world to learn about. We do it through fun books, games, crafts, and our very favorite... food!Indian culture has shown me how food can bring cultures together. It doesn't matter what your differences are. All you need to do is whip up a delicious meal and enjoy together. I also think it's a great way to teach kids about the world around them. They not only get to hear about a new culture, they get to explore it with their taste buds.
Where Are Our Taste Buds Taking Us To Today?
Even though the school year is over, my kids are dying to see the new culture we're going to explore! Today, our taste buds are taking us all the way to Thailand!I won't lie, I've been counting down the days until we could learn about Thailand! During our first year together, my husband and I spent most of our date nights at Thai restaurants.We both became completely obsessed with the food and loved the stories we would hear from the owners of the little restaurant. It ended up being a great fit for us because my husband could get his dishes Thai hot (burn your mouth off spicy) and I could get mine mild (white girl spicy)! It was perfect.I love being able to introduce my boys to Thai food because it brings back so many memories for my husband and I.Today, we whipped up some Pad Thai! Our house is filled with such a delicious smell. I had to fight my kids off just to be able to take a few pictures before they devoured their bowls!
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Today's multicultural corner is brought to you by Saffron Road!
I have fallen in love with their company because they have so many kinds of simple dishes!They have Indian freezer meals and their simmer sauces are to die for! This month we've already made their Mango Chicken and Pad Thai.I'm usually in a rush when it comes to dinner time so these quick dishes are just what we need! We can quickly whip up an international feast and my family is beyond happy!
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Does It Make My Son Racist To Notice Different Skin Colors?
"Mom, look! He's black like daddy!"
This was what my 4 year old decided to yell as we walked through Target. The funny thing was that the man he was referring to looked at him and smiled, but a lady walking behind us was the one that gave Levi a double take. She wasn't mad necessarily, but you could tell it made her uncomfortable.My son is very visual, like most kids his age. When he retells me some of his adventures from the day, he tends to refer to children and adults by skin color. It's the descriptive words that his brain instantly recognizes."Can you get the black boys phone number so he can come and play?"In his mind, he's just describing his new friend like he would with any other adjectives.I've struggled over this one a bit. Everyone has such different opinions on what's acceptable, but at the end of the day, I had to make a decision for my kids.When my son was talking to me about his friend from the park, I responded by modeling different descriptors."Oh yeah, the kid with the orange shirt? He was really nice!"I don't correct him for using skin color as his descriptor, but I provide him with others as well. As a biracial child, I think it's important for him to realize we are who we are because of so many things. Our skin color doesn't define who we are, but it's one of many pieces of our identity.
Should We Raise Our Kids To Be Colorblind?
Another approach to this would be to raise our kids with a color blind mentality. It basically means you teach your kids not to see skin color.As a multiracial family, I can't see how that's healthy. My kids are being raised in two different cultures. Those cultures have influenced so many things about our family's identity and our daily decisions. If we were to teach our kids to stop seeing color, I feel like we'd be telling them to stop letting their Indian/American culture influence who they are.I've had people tell me I focus too much on my kid's culture rather than teaching them to simply be kids. I do it because I want my kids to be raised with a global mindset. If we're only teaching them about one culture we're ignoring all of the other amazing lessons they can learn from different cultures around the world.We currently attend a multiracial church and our pastor is always talking about being color blessed instead of color blind. I love it because it encourages us to embrace what makes us unique rather than ignore it.I want my kids to see the differences we all have so they also understand the unique part we all have to play in our diverse world.
The Real Problem
At the end of the day, the problem isn't kids using colors to describe people around them. The problem is when we make negative and hurtful statements about people based on the color of their skin.We are raising our children in a society that still struggles with racism and prejudice. As far as we've come from the days of Martin Luther Kind Jr. and the Lovings, we still have a ways to go.It's because of this that race becomes an uncomfortable conversation. People would rather be colorblind than talk about something that makes them feel awkward. In reality, I think a lot of parents are scared of saying the wrong thing.I've been there too! It's one thing to talk about race in the comfort of your own home, but it's a different story when it happens in public. You don't want to offend anyone, but you don't want them that talking about different races makes you feel weird.I've just started to break the uncomfortable barrier by asking questions. If I'm not sure what to say, I'll ask friends around me. By asking the question, they know you want to be respectful and you'll even learn a few things!I want my kids to do the same thing. I encourage them to learn more about people and to feel comfortable noticing what makes us all unique.
Embrace The Mess This Summer With These Fun Activities!
The Bigger The Mess, The Bigger The Adventure
As a mother, most of my day is spent cleaning up messes that get made quicker than I ever thought imaginable. I'm constantly trying to keep boogers in noses, pee in the toilet, and dirty fingers off my couch.Summer time can get a little crazy for parents. While it's supposed to be a two month long vacation, it turns into chaos rather quickly. When kids don't have school work they happily find other things to keep them busy.I'll let you in on a little secret... it involves a big mess.The more I've been thinking about this summer, I've realized messes aren't the end of the world. I tend to be a control freak when it comes to my parenting. I want things to stay the way I envision them which means as little mess as possible.In the end it only ends up with me near a nervous breakdown while my kids get dirty anyways.Then I had an earth shattering moment... I realized summer time is the absolute best time for messes. All you have to do is let the kids go outside, get as messy as they can, and then turn the sprinklers on!It's a win-win situation!
Your kids instantly think you're the best mom in town because you're letting them get as messy as their hearts desire and you can get them clean before they even step foot in your house.This is exactly why our summer motto is "The Bigger The Mess, The Bigger The Adventure."My kids are only going to be little kids once. I love watching them go outside and turn our backyard into a jungle filled with giant creatures they have to run from. I love seeing rain turn magical powers that gives my kids the ability to fly.While I may see these crazy, mud-covered children as something else I have clean up, they see it as a huge adventure.
20 Messy Summer Adventures
- Digging in the dirt for treasure
- Finger Paint In The Bathtub
- Chalk Bombs (Crushed up chalk and a bit of water in a water balloon)
- Squirt Gun Painting
- Mud Painting
- Puffy Paint (Shaving Cream and Glue)
- Sensory Bin Filled With Cooked Spaghetti
- Make Bright Colored Slime
- Use Your Own Body As A Stamp Outside
- Giant Bubbles
- Spray Chalk
- Muddy Trucks In The Play Pool
- Exploding Mentos (Mentos in Clear Pop)
- Messy Twister (Adding colored shaving cream to each spot)
- Paint Slip And Slide
- Bubble Wrap Painting
- Foam Sand (Sand and shaving cream)
- Fairy Soup (Water and whatever they can find in the yard)
- Ice Cube Painting (Water and food coloring)
- Shaving Cream Blocks (Use shaving cream as the "glue" to keep it together)
Kleenex Is Here To Help Moms Embrace The Mess
At the end of the day all you need is a sprinter and a Kleenex On The Go Package. Kids are going to get messy and summer is the best time to embrace it.It doesn't matter if you're at home, at the park, or on your way to vacation, embrace the mess this summer. Just have fun and if you're brave enough... join in!The best part is there is no mess that the Kleenex On The Go Pack can't handle! I always have one in the car and one in my purse. We've used them for anything from muddy hands to paint covered faces. It makes cleaning up the mess a breeze.
Head over to your local Walmart today and pick up your own Kleenex On The Go Pack and embrace the mess this summer!
My Gut Reaction To Hand Feeding
My Gut Reaction To Hand Feeding
When I first met my husband's family, I was so nervous that I didn't think about questions I should be asking him to prepare myself. I was just focused on not making a complete fool of myself!Luckily, his family is full of amazing people that made me feel comfortable right away. They even shared some cultural differences I may notice throughout our first week together. One of the first things they mentioned was that they ate Indian food with their hands.They showed the technique behind how to do it and I even ended up trying it out myself. I'll be honest, it took me a little bit to feel comfortable doing it in front of them consistently, but I learned. It became something I could do to show my husband (fiancé at the time) that I was eager to learn more about his culture and to embrace it.Over the years we've been together, it's become second nature to me. In fact, I can't remember the last time I ate Indian food with a utensil. The joke in Indian families is that food doesn't taste as good when using a utensil and I'm starting to agree!A meal isn't just about the food in Indian culture. It's about family and the love you have for each other.When my husband and I were engaged, we had a ceremony. During the evening, some of the older aunty's and uncles (older friends of the family) hand fed us sweets.At first, I was surprised and kept offering to do it myself. Then my husband gently nudged me and let me know it was part of the ceremony itself.This one took me longer to be comfortable with. The last time someone hand fed me, I was a little kid. In my mind, hand feeding was something parents did for their children who needed help. I had never seen it done in any other way.Fast forward a few years and I ran into an interesting situation with my 5-year-old, Liam. He is my child that wants to be big, now! He's not about this whole growing up business. He wants everyone to know he's mature for his age and doesn't need help. He's s spitting image of myself as a child.During one of our trips to visit my husband's family, one of Liam's Uthamas started to try and hand feed him. His instant reaction was to take it from her hand and do it himself. She offered a few more times and then stopped. My husband and I tried to explain it to him, but he wasn't having it.I'm not a baby, momma.This was the first moment I realized hand feeding was something bigger than I thought it was. It wasn't about an adult treating someone like a kid. It was about the special moment between two people who cared about each other.Uthama was hand feeding Liam because she loved him. It was just like snuggling on the couch for her. They were having a special bonding moment.
Over the years, my kids have responded to this differently. My two younger kids live for it. If they could be hand fed for every meal, they would! Liam is still a different story. He's becoming more comfortable with it, but in the back of his mind, he still pushes back.One thing we've done to try and help explain it to him is having him feed his uncle. My sister in law got married a little over a year ago. Her husband asked Liam to feed him some fruit on one of our trips. Liam started to laugh thinking he was being silly.Then he did it and it was such a special moment. He loves his uncle so much so for him I think it finally clicked in his mind. Obviously he could have fed himself, but he asked Liam to do it.Ever since then, he's been much more willing to have people hand feed him. He would still prefer to feed himself, but I don't notice him turning people down as much anymore. Now he just asks to feed them after!
A Special Bond Between Brothers
How Do You Do It?
When people find out I have three boys under 6 years old, they immediately ask me, "How do you do it!" To be honest, most days are crazy. There are always little kids climbing on couches, fighting over toys, talking about bodily functions, and it gets messy.Real messy. Like Cheerios everywhere you can imagine kind of messy.However, there is one person that helps keep me sane every day, my five year old Liam. He is a rock star. He's definitely coming into a sassy I know everything phase, but he is always helping me. In our family, he is the Unna, which means the big brother.An Unna is a very special role in Indian families. They have the responsibility of looking out for their siblings and truly coming in as a little parent. For those of you that are the oldest in your family, you know what this looks like. Indian families take it a step further though. It's not just that they look out for their siblings, they truly have a place of authority in their siblings lives.I was introduced to this when I met my brother and sister in law for the first time. It was Thanksgiving and I was still getting to know my husband's family. We had been dating for a while at this point and knew it was serious. I was anxious to see what type of relationship my husband had with his siblings.I was the oldest of all my brothers so I had an idea what it looked like to have the responsibility on your shoulders. The more I watched them interact, the more I noticed something different. His siblings truly respected him and actually listened.I tell my brothers what to do all the time and usually they do what they want in the end. I'm sure I'd be the same way if the tables were turned.My brother and sister in law had a completely different relationship with their big brother. They valued what he said and went to him like they would to their own parents.
Passing Down Traditions To Our Boys
This was always something I wanted to pass on to my kids. I loved the idea behind it. It meant my kids would always be looking after each other and what mom doesn't want that.All three of my kids know and understands what it means to be an Unna. All three of them listen to their older brother and know it's their responsibility to take care of each other. Now, I'm not saying I let them parent each other while I lounge on the couch... As much as I'd love that!The relationship they have with each other is special. They rely on each other, love each other, and they're little partner's in crime everywhere they go.Out of all of the traditions we've passed down to the boys, this special bond is one of my favorites. I love the closeness it has brought all three of them.The funny thing is now they think all families are like ours. They assume they're unnas to everyone who is younger than this. This gets fun when we have play dates because they start bossing all the little kids around! Sometimes being an Unna is an excuse to be the boss.As they get older, they're going to learn more about what the role of an Unna means and I can't wait to watch them figure it out.
I Refuse To Lose Myself To My Kids
I Refuse To Lose Myself To My Kids
As a mother, my time is balanced between making dinner, wiping little kid's tushies, and doing the never ending dishes. I could sit here and complain about the list of things I do every day, but I love my job.I've dreamed about being a mom since I was a little girl. I love tucking my little boys in after an adventurous day. I love that they love me so much, they can't imagine a moment without me.I often choose a night at home with my kids rather than a girl's night. As exhausting as it is, I wouldn't want it any other way.I didn't realize it would be possible to love these three little boys as much as I do. It's a consuming love. It consumes my time, energy, my love, and if I'm not careful my identity.As moms, we're willing to sacrifice everything for our kids. We think we're doing it for them, but sometimes we give too much. We stop keeping anything for ourselves and we start to lose who we are.If moms give absolutely everything to their kids and family, what do they have left? We need to take care of ourselves so we can be the moms we want to be for our children.
4 Ways Mothers Can Take Care Of Themselves
Pamper Ourselves: Make the time to go out and have some time to pamper yourself. Whether it's getting your hair done, getting a pedicure, or a massage.Sometimes we feel guilty to go out and do things for ourselves because it means taking time away from our kids. We have to find a way to break that mindset. Taking time for yourself doesn't make you a bad mom, it actually shows your kids how important it is to take care of yourself. It gives you the energy you need to pour into your kids each day.Go Out Alone: Get a babysitter or make the hubby stay home with the kids. Take Schedule time for yourself each week. You can go out for a night with the girls or even head to Starbucks and read for a few hours.It's hard to find time for ourselves. Do whatever you can to make it happen each week.Find A Hobby: Find something that's just for you. This is how I discovered blogging. I was looking for something that could be mine, something I could do that made me happy.If mothers only do things for other people, they start to lose themselves. Is there something you enjoy doing? Something you've always wanted to try? Do it! Go and take a class or take time throughout the week to spend time doing something you love.Learn To Love Yourselves: One of the most important things we can do as mothers is to teach our kids to love themselves. We do that by loving ourselves. When we love ourselves, we start to understand how important it is to take care of ourselves, put ourselves first sometimes, and to know our own limits.You can love your kids with all of our heart and still love yourselves. How do you take care of yourself throughout the week.
The Realities of Being A Boy Mom
There's something special about being a mom to little boys. You're not just their parent, you're everything to them. They look to you for it all and you know just how much they need you. While some people may think they're rough and tumble, you know just how sensitive they are.
10 Things Boy Moms Understand
1. You Get Used To The Boy Smell. There is a distinct smell that follows your boys everywhere they go. It starts much sooner than you thought possible, but it's there. Boys are just stinky and it only gets worse. This is why daily baths are a must. 2. You're The Most Important Person In Their Life. There is a special love between a little boy and their momma. It's something that would take the jaws of life to get in-between. You're the first woman they've ever loved and they look to you for everything.3. You're Constantly Flushing Toilets. Little boys are notorious for forgetting to flush the toilet. You even find yourself apologizing for what guests could find in the bathroom just in case...4. Early Park Days Are Necessary. Boys are non-stop energy. The only way to get them to stop jumping off of the furniture is to let them jump and climb their little hearts out. This is why parks were invented.5. You Find Yourself Saying Things You Never Imagined. You'll surprise yourself daily on the things you end up saying to your little boys. Don't pee on your brother. Don't lick the garbage!6. We're Used To Things Being Broken. The days of owning nice, pretty things are long gone. Now is the time of broken lamps, cracked tv's (after playing fetch with the dog), and stained clothes. Boys like to play.7. Bodily Functions Are Hilarious. It doesn't matter how many times you tell your boys not to, they're going to talk about poop, farts, and butts all the time. The funny part is you'll end up laughing too. How can you not when you see your kids rolling on the floor, laughing!?8. Everything Turns Into A Wrestling Match. It doesn't matter how it starts, it's always going to end in wrestling. Your kids will spend most of their days wrestling on the furniture, trampoline, and ground. The only thing to figure out is whether they're laughing or mad.9. Your Grocery Bill Is Insane. Boys can eat. Add a few of them together and your grocery bill is going to get crazy. Just imagine how it's going to be when they get into high school!10. You Befriend Other Boy Moms. You'll find yourself drifting to other boy moms because they understand exactly what your day looks like.
Multiracial Motherhood: Embracing Who You Are
Today, a very special momma is joining us to share about her multiracial motherhood journey. Meghan is the voice behind www.meghanjoyyancy.com where she shares about her multiracial family and talks about how you can find joy in living for today!
Photo Credit: Melissa LeeAnn
Meet Momma Meghan
Welcome to the life of our family of 7! My husband and I met years ago as he played college basketball with my big brother. So, he was the one dating his teammates sister. We dated for 4 short months before getting engaged and we had an 8 month engagement. Our wedding day was almost exactly 1 year from the day we started dating. We got pregnant with our honeymoon baby and about 10 months later, our first daughter was born. This summer we will be celebrating 9 years of marriage and we managed to pop out 5 kids under that age of 8 in those years. It’s been a whirlwind of a glorious adventure!My husbands’ entire family is from Liberia and although he was born in New York, his family is very traditional with their culture and lifestyle. My families heritage comes from Germany and Sweden so my kids love learning about all their of their lineage traditions. Being enriched in the culture of their own blood.
What is something you’ve learned through blending cultures in your family?
To grasp and experience everything we can with respect and gratitude. Beyond what countries our families hail from, but even in the way we operate, communicate and just do life. To be able to have understanding and grace in all aspects of blending family life is so important to healthy relationships. It’s not always easy to do, but it is something to strive for.I tend to be a VERY picky eater. I sometimes even have trouble eating some of the meat I cook myself. And because of this, I believe I have actually hurt my mother-in-loves feelings when she has cooked traditional Liberian meals. It’s not because of her food, but my own ridiculous eating habits that make for some fairly high-maintenance eating habits. At least I can admit that.But I have tried to make an effort over the years to at least TRY the traditional Liberian food. And if anything, I welcome with open arms her wonderful cooking for my husband to enjoy because it is comfort food for him. He grew up with it and so it feels like home for him. And I’m not intimidated or resentful of that. And I also want my kids to be mindful of the different foods and always be willing to try new things.
What is one struggle you’ve encountered?
The stereotypes.The stigma of a black man with a white woman.I will let you mind go where it goes in this. There are so many assumptions.Half-siblings.Gold-digging.Welfare.Foster Care.Control issues.Abusive.“He only likes white women”“She only likes black guys.”Whatever sterotypes you have heard or maybe even witnessed yourself, believe me, we have felt the affects of them. And not like we had anything to prove, but we definitely strive for greatness in all we do, despite the thoughts/words/actions that naturally come our way.
What advice would you share with other multicultural families?
Embrace exactly who you are. Every beautiful woven piece of unity you bring to the table, relish it. LOVE is born in exactly what you have and don’t let the world dull your shine.
Follow Meghan Along On Her Journey
21 Signs You Have A Toddler
Sometimes I ask myself how it's possible for so many things to happen in one day. Then I remember I have three kids 5 years old and younger. Today, I found my son pouring rice crisps all over the floor, peeing in the bathtub, making syrup and ketchup toast, and using all my clean clothes to build a tower.My kids are always up to something. If they're quiet, I know it's bad and I run!The best part about being a mom to a toddler is finding another toddler mom! They understand exactly how you feel. They know why you go to a park with the kids at 8am, they know how it feels to have your kid throw a huge tantrum in the middle of Target, and they just get it.If you have a toddler, you'll be able to relate to a few of these too!
21 Signs You Have A Toddler
Waking up at 8 feels like you slept in all morning.Your purse has turned into a Marry Poppins bag that carries more than you ever thought possible.A grocery trip without the kids feels as good as a day at the spa.You avoid having your kids pray in public because it turns into an expose of your family's secrets.The bottom half of your walls are covered in grimy fingerprints.You haven't seen the floor of your car in months because it's covered in goldfish and Cheerios.You have no shame in bribing your kids to listen in public.You've found yourself sitting on a pee covered toilet in the middle of the night because your kids failed to pee inside.You constantly find foreign substances on your clothes.You realize you have no cute family pictures because someone always have their finger up their nose or refuses to look at the camera.You lick your child's pacifier after it falls on the ground.Somedays, merely giving your child a bath feels like the biggest accomplishment!You'd rather eat cereal for dinner than to put your kids in the car and get groceries.You have to mediate fights over the empty cereal box which is now apparently the best thing in the house.You're constantly taking remotes out of the toilet.You find yourself yelling, "Why are you always naked," multiple times a day.You realize all of the nice things in your house has been broken once.Then you realize you no longer have nice things.You find your keys in a shoe after hours of looking.You willingly let your child rip something up just so you can get a few seconds of piece and quiet.You realize you haven't slept in months.
40 Family Friendly Summer Activities
My kids have been counting down for summer since the pools closed last year. They love swimming and my 5 year old even started to learn how to do it on his own! Even though I tried as hard as I could to keep him from the pool altogether.In our family summer means sunshine, family vacations, visits from family all over the globe, and grilled Indian food. We all love it.Since moving to North Carolina, we feel like we're starting summer a bit early here. The weather has been amazing here lately with sunshine and heat. I know summers here get a little crazy, but we're daydreaming anyways. We even made a list of all the things we want to do this summer!
40 Family Friendly Summer Activities
1. Got To The Beach2. So Strawberry Picking3. Make Ice Cream4. Go Camping5. Make S'mores6. Read 5 Books7. Water Balloon Fight8.Collect SeaShells9. Conquer A Fear10. Try Something New11. Camp In Your BackYard12. Build A SandCastle13. Eat Watermelon14. Go On A Road trip15. Volunteer As A family16. Do A Lemonade Sale17. Have A Sleepover18. Scavenger Hunt19. Watch Fireworks20. Kids Make Dinner21. Go To The Zoo22. Go On A Kite23. Host A Dinner With Friends24. Watch a Foreign Movie25. Visit A Farmer's Market26. Attend A Parade27. Slip N Slide28. Treasure Hunt29. Homemade Pizza30. Splash Park31. Outside Movie Night32. Picnic33. Breakfast for Dinner34. Sleepover at Grandmas35. Ride a bike36. Game Night37. Make Potato Stamps38. Summer Camp39. Put On A skit40.Obstacle Course
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Are Your Kids Represented In The Books They Read?
Are Your Kids Represented In The Books They Read?
I want to raise my children in a world full of diversity and a love for anyone different than them.
Growing up, I was always a book lover. I couldn't wait for my teachers to pass out the scholastic book fair catalogs because I would race home and beg my mom for as many books as she could afford. Then I would eagerly wait to bring the books home and hole up in my room and read them all!
My favorite part was seeing myself in the stories. I would open a book like Ramona and see a little girl just like me. It was a comforting feeling.
My husband is just as big of a reader as I am. The first thing we had to buy when we got married were five book cases. Yes, you read that right... Five large bookcases. We even had to get rid of a box or two of books because we had a lot of doubles!
Reading was a passion we definitely wanted our children to share. I started buying books as soon as the pregnancy test turned up positive.
I quickly realized how difficult it was to find books that would represent our multiracial family and our biracial children. I wanted my children to share the same feelings I did when reading their books.After talking about it with my husband, we quickly made the decision to hunt down books with multiracial families and children of color. We wanted to fill their rooms with stories of little boys just like them.
When kids read books, they want to identify with the characters. Most of the books they read are an inspiration to them. It may inspire them to be adventurous, to stand up against the bad guys in the world, or even to be who they are.
By seeing kids that look like them, they start to let go of the limits they've put on themselves. They start to believe that they can do anything they set their minds to. I want my kids to dream as big as their little minds let them.
Are you looking for books with multiracial families? Here are some of our favorites.
Mixed Me by Taye Diggs
Mixed Me is all about Max, a biracial little boy. He is constantly answering questions about being mixed race. He loves that he's a perfect mix of mommy and daddy.
I Am Mixed by Garcelle Beauvais
I Am Mixed is all about twins Jay and Nia discovering how great it is to be a blend of multiple cultures.
Mixed Blessing: A Children's Book About a Multi-Racial Family by Marsha Cosman
Young kids don't realize they're biracial right away. It takes them time to understand that they're different. This book walks with a child as he discovers he's different than mommy and daddy in a fun and creative way.
What I Like About Me by Allia Zobel Nolan
This book celebrates the diversity in our world. Instead of feeling bad about looking different than your friends, this book tells you how special we all are!
I Am Flippish by Leslie V Ryan
This book is all about Sean and his experience when his friends start to ask him why he doesn't look like his daddy.
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown
Marisol is beautiful and doesn't match. She is proud of being biracial and won't let anyone put her in a box.-----
Fill your house with books that will remind your children how special they are to be different. Do you have a favorite book about interracial families?
*I get a small commission when you purchase these books off Amazon. Whether you're looking into the books to support me or find your children some amazing books.. you can't lose!*
Momma's Game Day Must Haves
This post contains affiliate links, but as always all opinions are my own. I only recommend items we actually use and love!
I've officially entered a new stage of motherhood. My boys have begun sports! I was going to wait a few more years, but the opportunity came up and they jumped at it. They were so excited to play on a team and I couldn't say no.Now, our weekends are filled with practice and games days. Game days have been a lot of fun. Levi is playing soccer and Liam is playing football. Liam has been obsessed with learning the plays and being the best on the team. The fact that he's the smallest one hasn't even crossed his mind. Levi is a different ball game. He likes running, but doesn't care which direction or trying to get the ball. Although, today he discovered the goalie position and was in love. He didn't have to do anything, but wait for the ball.We're about to have our last game and I've definitely learned a few things.I've learned through trial and error what to bring and what not to bring. I tried to prepare for every possibility. We ended up being there all morning because we had a gap between games.The biggest problem I had was lugging around so many things. My husband usually ended up carrying it all while I tried wrangling all the kids from around the field. Less is definitely more when it comes to game days with kids.
1. Drawstring Backpack
My kids have a dozen different backpacks, but we made sure to have one just for game day and practice. It helps because I can keep all of their equipment in one bag and it makes the game days a little easier.
2. Water Bottles
Kids have to bring water to each practice and game day so a water bottle was essential. I love this one too because it's insulated and keeps it cold the whole morning.
3. Camp Chair With Bag
Camp chairs are a must have for mom and dad. This one also has a bag which makes carrying it much easier.
4. Insulated Bag
While the little kids and I watch the game, they're always snacking. It's the only way to keep them busy. Our insulated bag has been great because it keeps all of our snacks good and cold.
5. Kid's Wagon With Canopy
If you don't get anything else, get this. This is my absolute favorite. It has straps and keeps the little ones buckled in with their little activities. Not to mention it folds up small!
What are your game day must haves?
15 Things I Discovered After Becoming A Mom
15 Things I Discovered After Becoming A Mom
I've wanted to be a mom since I was a little girl. I would sit next to my mom while she rocked my baby brother and mimic her every move. Now, I'm a mother to three beautiful little boys and I never could have imagined just how much my life would change.
Sleep Becomes The Most Important Thing
The exhaustion starts when they're first born and it just never goes away. The books promise you'll get more sleep as they get older, but it's all a lie.
Time Truly Does Fly
Parents warn you how quickly it goes, but you never know until it you see it first hand. I still remember holding my moments old babies. Now, I look at them and my oldest is about to go into first grade. They get big so quickly.
You Get To Be A Kid Again
One of the best parts of being a parent is that you get to be a kid all over again. You get to dress up and play pirates, you get to watch every kid movie you could think of, and you love every minute of it.
Privacy Is A Thing Of The Past
The days of using the bathroom alone are far behind you. After kids, you can expect kids watching you pee, trying to hop in the shower with you, and knocking during the worst possible times.
At Some Point You'll End Up Hurting Your Kid And You'll Feel Terrible
At some point, you'll be wrestling with your kids and you will accidentally hurt one of them. You'll feel like the worst human alive, but it's ok. We've all been there.
A Crazy Night On The Town Looks Much Different
Before kids, a night out may last the entire night. Now, a night out ends just in time for the babysitter to drive home.
Sick Days Don't Exist
As a mom, sick days just don't happen. You'll try to let the kids watch movies all day, but they act like it's torture. Then they make the biggest messes possible.
Kisses Heal Every Boo Boo
You'll discover the magic behind a kiss from mommy. There is no boo boo big for mom.
Your Purse Becomes A Portable Trash For Your Kids
It doesn't matter how many garbages are around, your purse becomes the catch all for all your kids trash.
Bedtime Becomes The Prime Time To Ask Life's Deepest Questions
You could spend your entire day with your kids, but they will hold onto every big, life question until you're tucking them into bed.
Your Kids Will Embarrass You In Public Many, Many Times
Your kids are going to find the "best" possible moment to talk about your fat tummy, the guy with no hair standing in front of you, or the smelly person at the grocery store.
Your Kid's Selective Hearing Wears Off The Second You Say A Bad Word
You're kids won't hear you when you tell them to clean their room, but they will when you stub your toe and a cuss word comes. out.
You Won't Ever Be Able To Hide Goodies From Your Kids
You'll wait for your kids to go to bed before you bring out your stash of goodies. Then they will run into your room the moment they hear you open the bag.
A Trip To Target Alone Feels Like A Vacation
Getting out of the house alone, even if it's just to Target, will feel like a luxurious vacation. You'll even wander up and down the aisles for one little item.
Just How Much You Can Love Someone
You'll dream about becoming a mom, but you'll never be able to truly imagine the way you'll feel about them. The way your heart will instantly melt the moment you hold them for the first time. Nothing can compare to the love a mom has for her child.
10 Summer Activities To Do With Your Kids
Let's Beat The Heat With These Summer Activities For Kids!
I'm not sure about you guys, but it's getting HOT in North Carolina. It's showing us just how crazy our summer is going to be! We've decided to share some of our favorite ways to beat the heat this summer!Here are 10 of our favorite activities from other bloggers who know exactly how to do do summer right!
1. I love this Backyard Teepee from Mamma Papa Bubba! It would be perfect for a little outdoor fort or even a little reading spot.
Get everything you need to make it here.
2. Mini Water Blobs from Hello Wonderful. They're perfect for some outdoor slipping and sliding!
Get everything you need to make it here.
3. This Portable Sandbox from How We Learn is perfect! You can fill it up and bring it anywhere!
Get everything you need to make it here.
4. Squirt Gun Races from This Grandma Is Fun is a huge hit at our house! My kids love anything Nerf gun!
Get everything you need to make it here.
5. Make your own Fairy Garden with Design Dazzle! I've always wanted to make one of these!
Get everything you need to make it here.
6. Make Giant Bubbles with One Charming Party. Who doesn't want bubbles as big as yourself!?
Get everything you need to make it here.
7. Build a Pool Noodle Race Track with Ramblings From Utopia.
Get everything you need to make it here.
8. Have some cold fun by freezing your Treasure Hunt with Macaroni Kid.
Get everything you need to make it here.
9. Do a Rock Painting Craft with What Can We Do With Paper and Glue.
Get everything you need to make it here.
10. Enjoy some Squirt Gun Painting with Fire Flies and Mud Pies.
Get everything you need to make it here.
7 Multiracial Families You Should Follow!
The Almost Indian Wife
I love sharing my story with all of you on here. If you really want to see the nitty gritty of our multiracial family's day to day, be sure to follow us on Instagram. You'll see my boys mischievous little plans, what we're whipping up for dinner, hear fun stories, and get to know the family behind the blog.
Are Those Your Kids
Diedre is the glamorous girl behind Are Those Your Kids blog. She is a momma who seriously does it all! She helps her hubby on the farm, works as an educator, all while being the momma of two gorgeous little girls! Her Instagram is full of tips for curly hair, a glance at farm life, and all the fun in-between.
We're Parents
Larisha is the semi-crunchy mom behind We're Parents blog. Together with her fiancé, she is raising two beautiful little girls! Her Instagram is full of mouthwatering food, family adventures, baby wearing, breastfeeding, and authentic life moments. Her family is adorable and I love following their adventures!
De Su Mama
Vanessa is the beautiful momma behind De Su Mama blog. Her whole blog is about your multiracial motherhood legacy and what it looks like to be a multiracial family. Her family is always visiting fun places and I love seeing how they blend cultures and what it looks like to have a family legacy.
Cherish 365
Jennifer is the voice behind Cherish 365 blog formerly known as Baby Making Machine. She is truly a rockstar in her family. She has a little boy and a girl and her whole mission with her blog and Instagram is to cherish every day. She finds the beauty in every moment and it's truly inspiring.
Madh Mama
Alexandra is the voice behind Madh Mama blog. Her story is beautiful and I love following her along on her journey. She is raising two beyond gorgeous little girls while living in a joint family. I love seeing how her family embraces Indian culture together and what it looks like for them to be a multiracial family.
English Wife Indian Life
Lauren is the jet setting momma behind English Wife Indian Life blog. She fell in love with her husband and moved her entire life to India. Now they are raising a beautiful little boy together while she lives abroad. I love seeing her family on Instagram because she's showing how she keeps her culture alive while living so far from home. The beautiful thing is now India is her home!