Ashling Drew - Joyful Messes

Holiday Stress: 4 Parenting Tips for How to Cope with It

There’s nothing more blissful than the holiday season. That is, as long as you live in the Hallmark movie universe. In real life, spending the holidays with kids and extended family can be stressful, overwhelming, exhausting, and, in some cases, even traumatizing. Based on the most recent data, it’s easy to conclude that a significant portion of people is actually not looking forward to Christmas this year. According to Statista, 18% of UK adults agree that Christmas is pure stress. 39% feel like there are too many expectations linked to Christmas. And 5% say their family always fights over the holidays. A survey from the APA conducted in November 2022 discovered that 31% of adults (and 39% of parents) expect to feel more stressed this holiday season, mainly due to the inability to afford holiday gifts and meals. Do you already know that the holiday season tends to be stressful…

Uncategorized

Human Grade Dog Food from A Pup Above, An Honest Review

Meet BaSha, my very first baby. She’s of the furry variety! A Tibetan Terrier that I have had since she was 12 weeks old. We’ve been through a lot together, she and I. She is getting older now and I’ve used several different foods for her over the years. Dry food, wet food, a combination of wet and dry. I’ve seen lot of ads for fresh dog food brands in recent years. When A Pup Above asked me if I would let my dog try their fresh food diet and give my honest review of it, I said sure! I wasn’t sure, however, if they would convince me that this was in fact better for my dog than what I had been feeding her. They sent me their sampler pack and I slowly introduced it to my pup’s food. Well, I can honestly say at 15 years old, my dog BEGS for her A Pup Above…

Uncategorized

Make Advent an Event with an Advent Calendar

The holiday session is one that we all look forward to, whether we be kids, adults, or kids at heart. There is something about Christmas that brings a sense of magic and wonder that money can’t always buy. The concept of an advent calendar isn’t new and you’ve probably seen quite a few of them. Companies such as Lego, Disney, and even Harry Potter have come out with their own fun, whimsical versions of these to wow the tiny tots in your life. So, what is an advent calendar anyway? Well, an advent calendar is a creatively unique fun find that allows you to countdown to Christmas. Of course, we know that little kids do this already, but imagine their eyes lighting up when you tell them they will receive mini gifts all month long! The great thing about advent calendars is that they are a great way to give…

Baby Goods

7 Products That Are Good For Baby and the Environment

Most of us are at least a little environment conscious. However, we tend to become even more so once we start having babies! After all, parents want nothing but the best for their baby. That means not only the things they come in contact with but also things that will affect the world they will grow up in. Let’s help you venture down the increasingly earth-friendly road you may be traveling. We have compiled a list of seven items to get you started with the basics! Burt’s Bees Crib Sheets and Pajamas Babies spend the majority of their time sleeping for a few months. This means a lot of time in pajamas curled up in their bed! Take care of the environment and your baby by selecting one of Burt’s Bees 100% Organic GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified bedding and pajamas. Burt’s Bees has a large variety of organic cotton sheets. There are sure to be…

Mom Life

4 Important Conversations Parents Should Have With Their Kids

As parents, it’s important to guide your children as much as possible. Ensuring that they are getting the proper knowledge and life experiences. To do so, make it a priority to engage in open and candid discussions. From laid back conversations to important ones. There is always the opportunity to support and lead your child. These discussions will evolve as they grow up and your children start to become more independent. Below are four examples of essential conversations to have with your child. It is also important to note how to have them at different ages. The Self Care Talk Self care is essential at any stage of life. Encouraging your child to engage in self care will create healthy habits. It is good for relieving stress and monitoring emotions. For younger kids, self care can be as simple as quality time with family and friends. Spending time outside,…

Healthy Kids

Baby Wearing Pros and Cons

There are few things in life sweeter than the feeling of holding your baby close. However when all you really want to do is hold your sweet little one yet there is so much to do around the house, what is a mom to do? Thankfully there is this wonderful thing called “baby wearing”. This has been done for centuries throughout the world by women of all walks of life. There are many companies out there that produce multiple styles of baby carrying products. Hopefully by the end of this article you will have an idea of which style baby carrier you feel will work best with your baby and lifestyle as well as the pros and cons of baby wearing. Pros to Baby Wearing When it comes to the pros of baby wearing, one of the first things moms tend to think of is having their baby as…

Food & Recipes

Toddler Lunch Meal Prep to Make Your Week Easier

The life of a mom with toddlers can be hectic, and sometimes feels like we are constantly running behind schedule! From the constant toy clean-up to the meals that require special prep to ensure the foods are safe, tasty, and healthy, and everything in between. A mother’s work is never done! Many “life-hacks” can save you time throughout your day. Prepping your toddler’s lunch meals for the week is one of these such hacks. You can do in about the same time it takes you to prep their lunch once! Here are some tips for practical meal prep of your toddler’s lunches to make your week easier. Bento Box The Bento Box is one of the most effective tools for creating school lunches full of flavor, color, and nutrients. This is a way to keep your toddler happily eating healthy foods! With multiple spill-proof sections, they are easy lunchboxes to use.…

DIY

15 Best Pregnancy Costume Ideas for Halloween

Halloween is an exciting holiday for many, but it can be stressful for pregnant moms to find the costume that fits their personality as well as their growing pregnancy belly. Pregnant women already have a hard time finding the perfect costume for their baby bump. It is a great idea to get one that is not only unique and creative, but also comfortable for their mid-section carrying their precious cargo. There are plenty of costumes that pregnant mamas can consider. To make this process easier, here are some of the best Halloween costumes we could find for expectant mothers. You want to enjoy the festivities and have a spooktacular time until sweet baby bundle arrives. Check out these ideas for where to start looking for affordable yet fun Halloween costumes for pregnant women! 15 Best Pregnancy Costume Ideas for Halloween The Gumball Machine Maternity Halloween Costume This is easily…

Breastfeeding

Tips for Breast Milk Storage

One of the most bonding things between a mother and baby is breastfeeding. This can be one of the easiest ways to feed your baby. However, many women reach a point where they need to begin pumping their breast milk. Sometimes it is because their body produces more milk than the baby needs. Or they may need to return to work and want to provide the liquid gold for bottle feeding. For some mommas, keeping a stored supply of breast milk is done because they want to resume date nights with the hubby. Whatever your reason for pumping and storing your breast milk, we have compiled a few tips to help you get started. Organizing Your Pumped Breastmilk One of the most important things to remember when you are storing breast milk is to label your milk! There are many different types of storage bags you can purchase. Most of…

Homeschool

Fun Fall Leaf Activities

Fall is the favorite season of many people throughout the world. Not only is it the season of everything pumpkin, but even nature also celebrates this time! From the cool, crisp breezes filling our lungs with refreshing air to the palette of colors on the trees as the leaves change, fall is a time of wonder and beauty. What better way to celebrate the changing seasons than by engaging in some fall leaf activities with your kids and family? Below are just a few ideas to help you and your little ones fully delve into the joy that fall and autumn leaves can bring! Leaf Art Projects There is nothing to soothe the soul like creating something artsy! One easy and fun leaf art project to do with your kids this Fall is to make a picture of leaf rubbings. Let your little ones collect their favorite leaves from the yard and lay them…