I have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, severe endometriosis, TMJ, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. So, yeah, I know pain. I’ve been battling these conditions for years, and I now have an arsenal of things that really make my daily life a lot easier. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to spend a ton of money so you’re not suffering! So here is my list of cheap things to help chronic pain at home. They give me relief and help me live the life I want to live, and my hope is that they will help you too.
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Sometimes I feel like our world is falling apart all around us. I read the news and get anxiety; I see so many worthy causes and so much pain and chaos, but as a stay-at-home mom I feel so small. What can we do? How can we possibly help? Don’t lose hope, my friend. Even us parents can learn how to make the world a better place. Read on for my little everyday ideas, get some inspiration from my favorite charities, and read quotes from my favorite saint and her “little way” on how to make the world a better place.
Continue readingUh oh. I’m guessing that you found this article because someone is potty training! I feel (smell?) your pain, truly! I’ve potty trained two very different children, a boy and a girl, and I’m here with all of the best gear for potty training. Learn about our experiences, what worked (and what didn’t), and how to keep everyone sane throughout. So grab some hand sanitizer and let’s get started!
Continue readingMaybe they showed up with you birthed your kid. Maybe they showed up after a weekend of partying and eating less-than-smartly. Maybe you didn’t do a damn thing to deserve them. Whatever the case, you’ve got a nasty bout of hemorrhoids. I’m here to tell you about my experience (all G-rated, of course), what I learned from seeing a specialist, and what worked for me. Time to tell that unwanted friend that they’ve overstayed their welcome.
Continue readingWe try to be a minimalistic family, but not when it comes to books! And Christmas books are no exception. Each year I gather a few more stories to add to our little box of holiday books, and it’s a wonderful feeling to see that box come down with the Christmas decorations every year. My oldest is reading now and my youngest isn’t far behind, so what a perfect time to tell you all about our favorite Christmas books! Read on for our recommendations and please add your own favorites in the comments. Merry Christmas and happy reading!
Continue readingIt’s the mooost wonderful time of the year! I absolutely adore the Christmas season. It’s like our world gets a bit more grace as it patiently waits for December 25. And of course, as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are done, I bust out my trusty Christmas playlist and start blasting all of my holiday favorites! Since it is Christmas after all, I thought to tell you about my favorite – and most unusual – musical selections. Read on for the best Christmas music you don’t have. Continue reading
I think almost every parent at some point feels that they have too many toys for their kids. It seems like no matter how much cleaning and reorganizing, selling and donating, threatening and taking-away we do, we end up with multiplying toys.
As our family looks to downsize and simplify, we notice that our kids enjoy their imaginative toys the most. These are the toys which inspire open-ended, creative play. (And as a bonus, they rarely require batteries or make loud noises!) I’ve compiled my kids’ favorites and the smartest buys, so read on for the best toys to inspire imagination – and I hope that they help your family pretend, create, and play together! Continue reading
Baby led weaning is a fun, healthy way to give solids to your little one. I’ve practiced BLW with two kids and I adore it! There’s a lot to learn and a lot of gear out there. After three years of baby led weaning under my roof, I’ve finally made a list of the best gear for baby led weaning. This list includes bibs, high chairs, silverware, plates/bowls, cups, and some other fun stuff!
Now I pass it on to you! Continue reading
What should you really get for a newborn? While stores and media try to convince us that there are hundreds of things you just gotta have, the truth is that a baby’s needs are quite simple, and easily met.
Here’s an AP mom’s perspective on the only items you truly should have, either for your own baby or as a gift for new parents. Continue reading
I want my children to grow up with a healthy emotional intelligence. Simply put, I want them to have a healthy range of emotions, know the vernacular so that they can express those feelings, and deal with unpleasant feelings in a safe way. That emotional education begins when they are still quite young and must happen regularly. Let me give you some insight into what’s working beautifully for our family! Continue reading