Mom Life – Joyful Messes

Easy Ways to Keep Your Toddler Entertained

We all have those days where our to-do list seems a mile long yet we have an adorable toddler who wants all of our attention! While it is obvious that you cannot be in two places at once, that does not mean all hope is lost. Toddlers are naturally curious and active, ready to explore the world around them. This is great for development but not so great when you have a sink full of dishes or mountains of laundry to fold and put away! Here are some easy ways to keep your toddler entertained while you knock out that list. When you are trying to get chores done inside, it is easy to keep your toddler in the same room with you by simply blocking the doorway with a baby gate. Okay, this keeps them in the room but how to entertain them? Toddlers love to think they…

Kids Activities

7 Strategies to Help Your Kids Become More Responsible

Good parents have similar feelings and goals for children. We look at our children with care, concern, and hope. We want them to be the best versions of themselves they can be. Most of all, we want them to be self-sufficient long after we’re gone. One of the keys to helping our kids survive and thrive in this wacky, crazy world of ours is by teaching them responsibility. And it’s often a challenging concept to teach. This article will give you seven simple strategies that are highly effective at guiding your kids toward becoming responsible. Communication is Key If you want to teach kids to be more responsible, you’ll first need to communicate on a level your child can understand. First, realize that young children don’t grasp sarcasm. They don’t begin to understand it until their teen years, which is probably one reason many teens come off as so sarcastic…

Kids Activities

How to Entertain Toddlers – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Having a toddler means you know all about a fussy child. Because this is the age when children get distracted very easily and tend to have tantrums the most. It’s important for the parents of a toddler to know how to keep him entertained so they don’t start throwing bad tantrums too often. Here we have got 20 ways to keep your little love entertained throughout the day. Try them and you are gonna get a happier version of your own child. 1. Play Taste Test with Your Kids Get your inner chef in action. Make different food items for your children and let your kids be the judge. They will love the taste testing game. Meanwhile, you can take care of your toddler’s health by making nutritious food. Try simple vegetables and fruits that are good for children. That way your kid’s required diet will be achieved without…

Healthy Kids

STEM Lessons Your Kid Will Learn in their 1st Year of Kindergarten

Science abilities can be acquired through simple hands-on activities and tests performed right under the safety of your home. Studies show that even before age two, children have a robust understanding of the principles of science. Scientists have shown time and time again that kids are curious, want to explore, and want to learn by doing. Around the time they’re in first grade, they know how to work out a theory, and if time remains to investigate it on their own. According to your state’s program, you may expect your kindergartner to learn the fundamentals of experimental experiments, though, you can also expect to discover the following concepts: Physical Science Life Science Earth Science We’ve compiled a few helpful tips on how you can improve your child’s newly developed science skills at home. Weather & Seasons Young learners discover the physical phenomena they see in their day-to-to-day lives. Children will…

Mom Hacks

Laundry Revamped: a Review of Dropps Laundry Products

Over the past year or so I have found myself looking for ways to improve on tiresome but necessary processes around the house. One of those necessities is LAUNDRY! We all have to do it, some of us have a lot more of it than others, so how can we do it better? I started by looking at the products we used and quickly decided there had to be a better way! Washing Clothes Those messy jugs of liquid laundry detergent that always drip, are heavy and generate a huge amount of plastic waste, had me wondering was there another option? So I did some research and found a couple of options. One was laundry detergent sheets, these are handy, mess free and come in a paper envelope, so there is very little to dispose of. These worked fairly well and are certainly easy to pack for travel and…

Mom Hacks

50 Self Care Ideas For Moms Who Do Not Have a Lot of Time

The demands placed on your life can make you think that you will NEVER EVER have time for yourself, but there are little things that you can do to treat yourself. Despite being an octopus, steal-away moments DO exist. Here are a few things you can do to show love to yourself! Self Care Ideas to Pick From Meditate for 5-10 minutes a day Write down three things you are grateful for Do at least 25 jumping jacks Sit down at the table for breakfast every morning Read for 15 minutes before bed each night Light incense or a candle when you get home Write a letter to someone every day Write down one thing each day you love about yourself Watch 30 minutes of that show you have wanted to catch up on Make the bed each morning first thing Cook a meal for yourself each day Take a…

Mom Hacks

5 Tips for Welcoming a New Puppy Into Your Home

Bringing a puppy into your household is one of the most exciting decisions you can make for yourself, your family, and the dog! That being said, there is a lot to think about to ensure that it goes well. From preparing the necessary supplies and pet grooming items to puppy-proofing your home and spacing out the introductions, keep reading for the five tips the whole family needs to know when welcoming a new puppy into your home. 1. Prepare the necessary supplies. Before your new puppy arrives home, you want to ensure that you have stocked up on the necessary basic supplies that will ensure you have a happy and healthy pet. By having the essentials prepared, you and your puppy can focus on settling in together. Folding Metal Dog Crate In the beginning, you want to be sure to have a crate, food and water bowls, food (including some…

Mom Hacks

How to Keep Your House Clean With Little Kids

It never fails. You put laundry in a basket, and it ends up on the floor. You put toys in a basket, and it gets dumped out. You clean the kitchen, and someone comes in and makes a mess. You feel like the only way to keep your home clean is to clean it and then never enter it again. Your life officially becomes the meme that says, “I’ve cleaned the house, so if you could stop living here, that would be great!” We all know that is not going to happen, but there are some things that you can do to keep your house clean. Give them something to do while you clean—I once saw a mom who put her little one in a box with crayons and let them have at it! Make cleaning a game with a prize at the end—if they can walk, they can help…

Kids Activities

Fun Indoor Activities for Your Kids

Kids need simulation. Childhood stimulation is crucial for a child’s brain development. One of the ways that children acquire skills they are going to need in life is via all sorts of activities. When kids play, they not only engage in doing things during their free time. Play also helps kids in other ways. A child can learn how to interact with their peers. Children also learn about the world around them. Kids who are given time to play also have a chance to exercise. That helps them get rid of their excess energy and become fitter at the same time. Many children love spending time in the open air. However, this isn’t always possible when there are difficult weather conditions. Mom life means figuring out solutions to problems and making great indoor activities for both cold and warming weather. Kids who can’t play outside should have indoor activities instead.…

Mom Hacks

10 Kids’ Gear Essentials to Keep at Grandma’s House (So You Don’t Have to Pack Them)

Babies love visiting their grandparents’ house for all the pure affection, cuddles, great food (and free rein) they offer. The challenge is traveling to their place with a baby who cries and poops a lot. Mark my words. There will be times when you will inevitably forget packing a few baby essentials you noted down on your travel must-have checklist. It happens to the best of us. Packing for a baby is a mammoth task. For the sake of your sanity and convenience, keep the following items at grandma’s house and thank me later: Playard or Pack ‘n Play A playard is basically an enclosed piece of furniture where babies can play safely. Also known as pack n plays, these things are foldable, making them an amazing option for travel. Folded playards are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of space when stored away. So if your grandchildren are…