Mom Life – Joyful Messes

Mom Life

Guide to Christmas Gifts for a New Mom

It’s that most wonderful time of the year when people have started pre-planning their Christmas shopping! There are the typical gifts for aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents, siblings, and kids. What do you do when one of the people in question, also happens to be a new mother? Don’t worry! We are here to help you figure out the perfect gift for the new mom to be! Whether the new mom has given birth, or is due any time now, here is a list of 5 gifts which will be cherished and appreciated for their thoughtfulness and practicality! It is no secret that new moms do NOT have a lot of free time on their hands! They are either busy preparing for the baby, or if their bundle of joy has arrived, they are busy fixing bottles, nursing, and changing diapers. No matter how tired we get as new mommas,…

Homeschool

Ways to Make Learning at Home Fun and Engaging

One of the greatest things about homeschooling is that as the teacher, you are not limited or confined to a desk and a blackboard. The world is your classroom! In this post, I offer simple and easy ways to make learning at home fun and engaging. So whether you are a homeschooling mama, or your child is currently a remote learner, there are so many ways you can take the sit-and-get method of learning and make it fun and magical for both you and your learner(s)! Manipulatives Matter Younger learners are always moving and grooving, and manipulatives really engage your tactile learner– the learner that likes touching and tinkering with everything. Manipulatives are always engaging. Some of my favorite manipulates are actually the simplest and easiest items to snag from the store. Below is a list of manipulatives you can easily implement in any of your lessons! Dry Erase Markers…

Mom Hacks

Mom Hacks That Will Actually Help

Today, if anyone is looking for a life hack, then they are moms. Life hacks are creative and simple ideas that make life easier. Once you learn a hack, you will feel that you have been doing that task wrong the entire time. Mothers are always looking for mom hacks to make things easier. These may include things that can save time and/or money, like the best kitchen gadgets for cooking quick and easy dishes for children or family. Then, others are needed for sanity. Being a mother is not easy, which is why every small thing counts. What Are Some Great Busy Mom Hacks? As previously mentioned, being a mother is one of the most challenging jobs today. However, some simple mom life hacks can make your life easier; they include: Monster Spray As mothers, we often have our children hating bedtime because they are scared of the dark…

Mom Hacks

7 Ways to Get Dad Involved With the New Baby

When you first find out that you’re pregnant, both you and Dad are excitedly nervous. You navigate all the changes together while trying not to kill each other, though sometimes you wonder if you really can get away with it! As the time draws closer, you spend hours preparing the house for the new addition to the family. You’re nesting, and he’s working on putting all the furniture together and you laugh as he tries to convince you that they included spare parts in the package. You shake your head because you know better. When the big day comes, he’s trying not to be nervous and be the rock you need him to be, yet you know that he needs reassuring, too. The new baby comes, and the family has gathered, starting a game of Twenty Questions. Your husband or partner, “the new Dad”, avoids questions about taking care of…

Kids Activities

Summer Travel Tips With Young Kids

You are about to embark on a summer adventure with your family, kids in tow. Planning ahead and being prepared for the unexpected is always a smart idea when it comes to traveling with little ones. Most likely the first thing at the top of your travel plans list is to pack, am I right? And don’t forget the sunscreen! Here are some helpful suggestions on other things to consider when traveling with young kids. Running out ideas for summer? Here’s a list of 65 Summer Bucket List Ideas With Kids! Nighttime Travel Your bags are packed, the itinerary set, and you’re ready to load up the little ones and be on your way for some exciting summer travel! One of the most helpful things when traveling with young kids is to start out a little before bedtime. Driving through the night will allow you to travel further with fewer…

Homeschool

Thinking of Homeschooling? Things to Consider

It’s that time of year again when you find yourself perusing the school supplies aisles of Target looking for pink pearl erasers, number 2 pencils, and the most perfect pencil case. Yes, I’m talking about school supplies! At this time, more and more parents are considering homeschooling their children instead of sending them back to school. This is a very important decision and there are lots of things to consider. First of all: I just want to say that I am proud of you for being here and wanting to learn more about homeschooling! As a homeschooling mama myself, I would like to suggest a few of the many things you should consider. I hope you find this helpful as you trek further on this adventure! Pin this image so you can find this article later! Okay, I have decided to homeschool my child. Where do I start? It can…

Homeschool

How to Organize Your Homeschool + Free Homeschool Supply List!

I would have to say that the question I get asked most is, “How do you organize your homeschool?” And this is such a great question! I want to take a few moments to offer you tips, tricks, and ways for organizing your homeschool. An organized teacher is an organized learner We all come to homeschooling with different intentions, purposes, and reasons, and I love that! We each get to bring our own teaching and learning philosophies to the table. However, I think the one thing we can all agree on is the importance of being organized. Make no mistake, an organized teacher is an organized learner. You’ve likely heard the phrase, “More is caught than taught,” right? Being an organized teacher is essential for raising and teaching an organized learner. Children watch adults’ every move and almost always mimic what they see, so it only makes sense to do…

Mom Life

Spring Cleaning Tips for Moms of Infants and Small Children

Every mom with young children knows it’s important to Spring clean your house once in a while if you don’t want to wake up one day and realize something really gross is lurking under your refrigerator. For us moms, it can feel impossible to find the time or focus to get it done. However, there are tips for moms with young children that will help you get your Spring cleaning done in record time, and with your sanity intact. You can learn to make it easy with the right shortcuts, tools, and products. For example, just wait till you learn all the things that are safe to clean in the dishwasher, and how a single appliance can practically clean your whole house! This is going to amaze you. Make It Easy and You Won’t Put It Off The big secret to making Spring cleaning manageable is to regularly clean in…

Mom Life

Gift Ideas for a New Mom’s First Mother’s Day

You might wonder what the best Mother’s Day gifts are for the new mom in your life. You know her best. She may not really need another coffee mug, even if it says something cute. But I bet she’d love it if you put some thought into what might make a new mom’s life more liveable right now. The best gift ideas for new moms on Mother’s Day are things that address the struggles of exhaustion, fear, loneliness, doubt, and anxiety. Also, anything that makes her feel pretty. Some good ideas are flower subscriptions, spa gift sets, Mani/Pedi gift certificates, a pendant with the baby’s birthstone, a fun t-shirt that advertises new-mom status, paid membership in a new mom’s group, or a class that will teach her everything she needs to know about infants, sleep cycles, and breastfeeding. Pampering or Wearable Gift Ideas: Here are some gifts that will go…

Mom Hacks

5 Ways You Must Pay Attention To Your Middle Child

It’s a special place to be the middle child, and there are some important ways you can give your middle child some special attention. First, Read Them Special Books Just as you maybe did with your oldest having a new sibling, your middle child can really benefit from being some books in being in the middle. Here are some great starters: My Middle Child, There’s No One Like You You’re All My Favorites The Middle Child Blues Little House on the Prairie Second, Give Them A Special Toy I remember getting a small toy when my younger sister was born. I’m actually the oldest, but the idea is great for the middle child. I gave each of my boys a special gift from our third baby in the hospital, so they could feel special. Some great ideas for this type of toy is a toy they can care for like…