Ashling Drew, Author at Joyful Messes

Toddler Christmas Gift Guide

I love having toddlers around during the holidays. It’s like this time of year was tailor-made just for them. Those wide-eyed looks on Christmas morning, the excitement on the days leading up to that magical morning, and the screams of joy as they unwrap their presents just make me so happy. I love shopping for gifts for preschoolers as much as I love seeing them experience the holiday. However, I know that not everyone finds buying Christmas gifts for preschoolers as easy as I do, so I’ve put together this gift guide to make it easier for you! Whenever I’m shopping for Christmas gifts for preschoolers, I like including both toys that help them learn and toys that are just pure fun. For toddlers, play is work. Whether it’s imitation play, playing with others, imaginative play, or simply engaging their brain in some kind of stimulating activity, participating in play…

Simple Halloween Homeschool Crafts That Are Cute – Not Spooky!

If you’re looking for super simple Halloween Homeschool Crafts that are cute and not spooky at all, you’re going to love these simple craft options. With the Halloween season right around the corner, you can easily find a way to give your child that Halloween feels without giving them the worries as well. All of these Halloween Homeschool crafts are fun and easy to do and are great for a wide variety of ages. Crafting together is a great way to bond so find time to sit down with your child and craft away with them as well. They’ll love the time together and you’ll love the creative time! Simple Halloween Homeschool Crafts That Are Cute – Not Spooky! All of these simple Halloween homeschool crafts are ones that any age can do. Some might need a bit more assistance than others but that’s what you’re going to be there…

Super Fun and Creative Halloween Toddler Activities

Are you looking for some awesome Halloween Toddler activities that are certain to bring out the giggles and creativity? When it comes to the Halloween holiday, there is so much fun to be had! And since Halloween is a different experience for each child, it’s important to have a wide range of activities for all of them to do. I’ve gathered up some of the best toddler activities for Halloween that they’re really going to love! Fun and Engaging Halloween Toddler Activities These activities are fun, tasty, and silly, too! You can rest easy knowing that your child will have fond memories that aren’t scary when they think of Halloween time. Make Spooky Popcorn Balls Even though the word spooky is in the title, there’s really nothing spooky about these delicious popcorn balls. Your toddler will love being able to help make these popcorn balls with you! Plus, since they’re…

Fun and Fabulous Family Costume Ideas for Halloween

I think we can all agree that family costumes for Halloween are the best. Not only are they fun to plan out, but you can easily have everyone in the family get in character and join in on the fun. And since we have so many ideas for families no matter how many people live in your family or not, finding a fun Halloween costumer for everyone can really be a lot of fun. Some families really get into it as well, dressing everyone up from dad all the way down to the dog. And as long as you have a character for everyone to be, why not? It’s a fun way to get the family excited about Halloween and it’s a good excuse to get dressed up and ready, too! If you’re looking for some fun and simple family costume ideas for Halloween, you’ll have some great choices on…

Cute and Adorable DIY Halloween Masks (simple, too!)

With Halloween right around the corner, the time is now to start thinking about all the costumes and masks ideas that you can make at home. Luckily, you can easily make homemade masks and other fun Halloween ideas that kids and adults can wear. And what I’ve found over the years is that it isn’t hard to do! All you’ll need are a few simple supplies to get started and you just might find that you and your kiddos have the coolest DIY Halloween masks on the street! Don’t forget to check out this awesome post about 10 Halloween Treats You Can Whip Up In A Jiff. Halloween treats are the best! How can I make my Halloween mask more comfortable? This is an important question to keep in mind! The last thing that you want is to have a mask that isn’t comfortable or just doesn’t fit at all. In…

Explaining Postpartum Depression to Your Partner: The Importance of Communication

It can be very stressful having a baby, even if you even look forward to doing so for a long time. Also if you love your child unconditionally, it is unsurprising that many people are preoccupied after having their firstborn. Just like experts at Top-Mom.com say, “a lot of mothers have new responsibilities, are sleep deprived and don’t have a lot of time for themselves.” it’s no wonder that mothers get postpartum anxiety frequently around the world, feeling like they’re on an emotional journey. Mate swings and depression are prevalent in new mothers, that’s why email has heard postpartum definition to be dubbed as “baby blues.” The vast majority of mothers around the world experience postpartum depression symptoms immediately after they have had their child. The underlying reason for this is that hormone suddenly changes after the baby is delivered – these hormonal changes are coupled with isolation, stress, fatigue, and sleep deprivation. The result is…

How To Be A More Present Mom

Wondering how to be a more present mom? Here are ways that I’m putting my focus on doing that, each and every day. If I were living in a dream world where every mom was a literal supermom and I could whisk away my children’s tears and hardships, get chores done in a flash of light, and meet everyone’s demands with a smile on my face – that would be amazing. The reality is a bit different though isn’t it? I may dream of becoming that parent, but exactly how can I honestly and realistically go about accomplishing it? How can I be a more present mom and fulfill my children’s deepest longings for my listening ear, and my constant attention given to them every moment of every day? Well, if I’m honest with myself, that dream may never be all I hope it to be, but I am certainly…

Awesome Apps for Tracking Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

You don’t want to miss these awesome apps for tracking pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a new mom, you’ve got a lot on your plate so these simple apps can help you try and keep track of it all! Getting in the modern groove of trying out new apps, are you? Great! There are so many fantastic new apps to explore for tracking pregnancy, baby’s growth, and breastfeeding. Many of them you may recognize from popular pregnancy books, others may be totally new to you, but still may offer some extremely valuable advice and helpful tips. Don’t forget to check out the reviews on some of these apps, as the responses can sometimes share a hidden component within an app that isn’t described in the original description. Some suggested functions that are a huge help and something to consider when choosing which ones you wish to keep and use, is…

Catching Smiles and Crickets: Explore Outdoors With Your Toddler

Now is the time to explore outdoors with your toddler. There are so many chances to play together, create together, and just have a great day outside of your home that you can’t take the chance to miss out on these chances for memories to be made. Imagine the wide-eyed look on your toddler’s sweet little face when he witnesses his very first icicle hanging off a bridge as you cross on your snowy walk to the local store. Perhaps his mouth is making an o shape in shock and awe after observing a flock of geese flying overhead in the typical V formation during a simple weekend hike in the mountains. He might be showing a delighted smile from ear to ear when your precious little one sees the birth of a calf while you both are exploring the farm pastures at your grandparent’s home. What if you watch…

Best Yoga Positions for Pregnancy

As you already know, maintaining an active lifestyle brings a lot of benefits when you are pregnant. In this article, we will talk about yoga positions that can help you go through pregnancy as smoothly as possible. Being pregnant is exciting and enjoyable, but, at the same time, comes with a lot of challenges. You go through the entire list of physical and emotional changes, and it can hardly be said that pregnancy is s all rainbows and sunshine. The best way to soothe symptoms of pregnancy is to continue working out regularly. If you weren’t active before getting pregnant, now is the time to become. There are plenty of exercises that you can do, from jogging to weightlifting if everything is okay and your doctor clears you. We, however, recommend that you try yoga because it is a total body workout with numerous benefits. We will discuss today some…

Ashling Drew