Mom Life Archives | Joyful Messes

Best Easy Homemade Kids Birthday Cake Ideas

One of the things I held on to for a long time was making my kids birthday cakes myself. I try to make whatever we have at home for their actual birthday and in the past I used to make some of their party cakes too. Caveat – I am not a professional baker, not even by a long shot. But, I was determined and a few of these actually came out pretty awesome so I thought I would share them here. The good news is you can make something special that doesn’t take a lot of skills, you can use boxed cake mix and store bought frosting if you want, no shame from me! (I know some of you are cringing right now, and that’s okay, make homemade if you are up for it, but I’m just pointing out you don’t HAVE to!) Just remember the secret ingredients in these easy…

Mom Gear

Practical Gifts for Moms Self-Care

Mother’s Day is around the corner but this list of faves is great for a holiday gift, birthday, or any special occasion. I wanted to share with you a list of some of my favorite things that can help you feel a little pampered as a mom. These are great ideas for stay-at-home moms or busy moms working outside the home too, they can give a hard-working mom a little time and space just for them! These are not big expensive things, they are relatively inexpensive and simple but give mother figures just a little pampering. We pour so much into our families and deserve a practical gift for when we can’t get out of the house for a spa day. Especially as a new mom, these thoughtful gifts can provide a mini reprive, which is a great way to reset and be able to show up for your baby…

Healthy Kids

How to Set Screen Time Boundaries

The question of how much screen time is too much, is becoming a growing concern for parents! As we depend more on technology and our own devices than previous generations, technology is also more accessible to young children every day. As mamas, we want to do all that we can to ensure that screens aren’t raising our kids, but we also want to give them a little freedom. And, to be honest, we have all had those moments as parents when we needed that parental break from reality, right? What if there was a happy medium? With a few carefully placed time management strategies, you can help your child become less screen craving and rekindle your child’s ability to engage in screenless play. While technology can be a good thing. the American academy of pediatrics recommend that your child not be in front of a screen for more than 2…

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…

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…

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…

Exercise

Tips for Hiking with Kids of All Ages

Hiking is a favorite pastime for people of all ages. It is a wonderful way to absorb some natural vitamin D and get tons of fresh air. Added bonuses are getting exercise while enjoying the beauty of the natural world around us. Going hiking with kids however can be somewhat challenging if you have never done so or are not properly prepared! We have compiled a list of some of the most important things to do in preparation. Also, there are some ideas for keeping the hike fun and engaging for everyone no matter their age! Length of Your Hike When planning out your hike with kids, one of the first things to determine is the length of the hike. While young kids always seem to have a limitless supply of energy, hiking may use different muscles than they are used to. A good way to decide how long your hike should…

Mom Life

5 Great Gifts for Grandparents Day

It is almost that time of year to celebrate our children’s grandparents! We may know them as Mom and Dad, but to our kids, they are the beloved Grandma and Grandpa (or whatever other adorable names they may call them). The ones who are always ready to let them get away with just a little more sugar than Mom and Dad do and who love to spoil our kids rotten! So what can we get for these cherished family members for the Grandparents’ Day holiday? What could possibly express the love that your children feel for their grandparents? Thankfully, there is a wonderful company called Minted with many unique photo gifts. These are sure to bring warmth and joy to the hearts of those who receive them. Here are five of the best gifts for grandparents available on Minted! Heart-Shaped Photo Collage While we all enjoy flipping through…