I have always wanted to try a menstrual cup. The concept makes sense: save the planet, save some cash, and maybe even help yourself lessen those damn period cramps! But are menstrual cups really beneficial, or are they an awkward and gross alternative to pads and tampons? Check out my honest, unbiased review of the Pixie Cup menstrual cup along with photos, tips, and a demo video (all G-rated, of course). Continue reading
Tag: sleep (Page 2 of 4)
Family vacations can be so much fun! You get to see new places, do new things, and someone else does the dishes. But hauling your children away from the comforts and familiarities of home can be really daunting. We just came back from a vacation and I’ve compiled all of the best tricks so that you can enjoy your hotel stay with kids. Read on and add your favorites in the comments! Continue reading
Who doesn’t love the beach?! The coast is my happy place, and it means so much to me to be able to share my love of the ocean with my children. But it can be stressful to take your kids to the beach. Here are my tried-and-true beach hacks for kids and families! Continue reading
Breastfeeding is undoubtedly one of the most amazing things you can do for your child. There are benefits to Baby and Mama, and it can be a beautiful bonding experience. But anyone who’s been there, also knows that it makes you more than a little crazy. And your life revolves around that little one (and your boobs). I made a list of things that may or may not make you a breastfeeding mom. How many can you relate to? Continue reading
Our oldest will be going to kindergarten this fall in a public school! My husband and I are teachers by profession, but this is our first time going through the “school readiness” process as parents. After speaking with teachers, parents, and online sources, we’ve compiled a list of things to do to prepare your child for kindergarten. We’re publishing this information in hopes that we can help other parents, especially if this is your first rodeo with a child going to school! Continue reading
Chickens are such uniquely wonderful pets. They’re quirky, full of personality, and really easy to care for. But after having backyard chickens for a year, I’ve made a list of some of their weird mannerisms and behaviors. I call these habits “chicken-isms” and they’re worth reading about! Here’s my ultimate list of weird and hilarious chicken behavior! Continue reading
Sleep regression sucks. At any age. It’s always a dark curtain of despair in which well-meaning, loving parents turn into zombies, and wonderful children transform into shadows of themselves. A sleep regression can last just a few nights, or months. Sometimes there’s a clear explanation, and sometime it’s beyond mysterious. We’ve been through it multiple times with both of our kids, and I’m here to throw down every damn solution that I can think of. Because I remember: sleep regression sucks. Continue reading
There is so much that I want to teach my children. I’m not talking about specific facts, though those certainly have their place. I mean big worldly concepts, abstract things, life lessons that I want to lock into their minds and hearts while I’m still around. In mulling over this the other day, I came up with the three most valuable, most essential concepts that I want to pass on to my children. So here they are for my readers: three big life lessons I am teaching my kids. Continue reading
More and more families are jumping onto the bandwagon of having backyard chickens. And it makes perfect sense: chickens are affordable, enjoyable, and productive little pets! But the biggest question I get asked about my feathered girls is “How much work are they to take care of?” So in real simple fashion, here is a breakdown of our usual chicken chores. Look for the video at the end of the article! Continue reading
It’s Thanksgiving week! And here at Real Simple Mama, what better way to give back to my parenting community than with free ebooks!
I’ve made all of my parenting ebooks free to download from November 20-24; that’s right, you can pick and choose one, some, or all of my ebook titles:
- Real Simple Motherhood: The Fourth Trimester (compilation of most of the other books below)
- What Do I Really Need for a Baby? A Real Simple Guide to Newborn Gear
- What Happens to my Baby After Birth? A Real Simple Guide to Newborn Medical Procedures
- Happy Healthy Baby: A Real Simple Guide to Newborn and Infant Care
- An Introduction to Healthy Baby Sleep
- What is Babywearing?
- Disposables or Cloth?
- Breastfeeding or Formula?
- Weaning Your Breastfed, Bedsharing Child
That’s nine ebooks! All for those who are expecting, or who have a baby to care for.
I don’t make any money off of my books this week, even though they’ve taken hundreds of hours to research and compile. These are the books I wish I’d had when I was first pregnant and raising my babies!
So please share this article, or the link to my amazon author page, so that together we can help as many parents as possible! My goal is to make all moms and dads feel encouraged, confident, and educated in everything from newborn care to weaning.
Thank you for your support, and Happy Thanksgiving!