I feel like my sister and I did stuff like this all the time. Aren’t siblings great?
Wordless Wednesday: Menu Planning Board
Paying for Twins
One of my best friends from high school is currently expecting her first…children! That’s right, she’s having twins! I’m extremely happy for her (she’s always loved children and has wanted a large family), but I’m also a bit terrified for her. Besides the fact that taking care of just ONE baby is extremely challenging- with a house full of people, no less,- there’s the cost to take into account. Babies are expensive! But, of course, money is no object when it comes to your kids. Plus, there are ways to make it way more affordable. If you or someone you know is expecting twins, check out this article by Katelyn Fagan at Whats Up Fagans for some money tips to make twins work out. There are links to all kinds of great resources for saving money when having multiples:
–What do I really need for twins?
“Are We There Yet?” Road Trip Rescue
I love road trips. I can ride for hundreds of miles just staring out of the window, listening to music, reading books, and talking with my family and friends. However, it wasn’t always that way. I, like most other kids, hated them when I was younger. Most kids simply do not have the attention span to sit still and reasonably quiet for a few hours. And with the holiday season coming up, most of us with kids will be traveling. Be prepared by reading this post by Jacquie Fisher at kcedventures for boredom busting road trip lifesavers:
-Have a roadside assistance membership. A flat tire, empty gas tank, or dead battery will ruin a trip in 0 seconds flat, especially if you don’t have a backup plan.
-Travel buckets- Here are all the details for making your own travel buckets and totes for your next trip!
-Have plenty of snacks and water ready.
-Play car games
-Talk about what you see out of the window
-Coloring and activity books
For Breastfeeding Mamas: Unique Way To Increase Milk Supply
Disclaimer: This post will discuss, very frankly, the action of breastfeeding. While I won’t include any pictures, if the idea of a mother feeding her baby grosses you out, you probably shouldn’t read any more. Anyway, while browsing Pinterest the other day, I saw a recipe for something called “lactation brownies”. At first, I admit I was grossed out (I thought they were brownies made with breast milk, or baby formula….yuck!), but when I actually read about it, I found that it was something completely different. It’s a treat for breastfeeding mamas that help increase milk supply! How cool is that? Check out this post at Coweta Fayette Families for the recipe (and why it works):
1 Box of your Favorite Brownie Mix
1 Egg (2 if you prefer your brownies more cake like)
4 TBSP Brewer’s Yeast (You can find this on Amazon or at your local vitamin store…I haven’t had good luck finding it at my local grocery)
2 TBSP Flaxseed meal (I found my bag in the organic aisle at Kroger)
Water/Oil according to brownie mix directions
1 extra TBSP water
Directions:
Combine dry ingredients and then add the oil, egg, and water. Mix until combined and cook according to box directions. Super simple and perfect for busy, exhausted moms.
Deployment Help For Kids
The men and women in our military are extremely brave, and the people they leave back home need to be brave as well. As a kid, it’s tough if one of your parents is gone for long periods of time, especially if they’re out doing dangerous things. Yes, you feel proud of them, but deployment can also be a sad and scary time. If your spouse is in the military, and you’re at home with the kids, there are ways to help them (and yourself) through it. Check out this post by Carlie at About One:
Make a Video: Have the deploying parent make a video speaking to each child.
Get a free quilt or pillow from Operation Kid Comfort.All you have to do is supply some photos of the deployed parent.
Make a Deployment Countdown Chain: For us, we always make a paper chain once we are 90-days out from the end of a deployment.
Read books about deployment.
Take a family photo together and give each child one to put near their beds.
Married Couple Bucket List
In a few days, I’m going on a mini vacation with my boyfriend of four years. We’re going to the mountains to hike and see the fall leaves to celebrate our anniversary. Even though we’ve been dating for such a long time, and have made plenty of great memories, we’ve never actually gone on vacation before together. It’ll be a nice break from work and other hectic things, and I know we both need it. Plus, it’s my firm belief that all couples, married or not, should constantly be working on their relationship by spending time together and having new experiences. Plus, if you’ve been married for a few years and have children- you have to work especially hard to make time for each other. If you are looking for some romantic ideas to share with your spouse, just read this post by Darlene Schacht at Time Warp Wife:
-Stargazing in the middle of the night
-Going on a long road trip
-Camping
-Exchanging love letters
-Planting a garden or a tree together
-Dreaming about the future
Having A Baby For Less
One common reason why people don’t want children is because it’s SO expensive. When you have a child, you are financially responsible for another person for the next 18 years (sometimes longer). You have to pay for all their food, clothes, diapers, baby gadgets, a bigger house if you have more kids- it never ends. Not to mention all the expenses that kids need (braces, medical expenses, college). But- ask any parent and they will tell you that it’s worth it. Money means nothing when it comes to your children. That being said, who wouldn’t want to save as much as they could? If the only thing stopping you from having a baby is money, there are tons of ways to get around that. Read this post by Crystal at Money Saving Mom for tips:
There are so many things that pregnancy books and magazines and even friends will tell you are must-haves. And you can fork out hundreds (or even thousands!) of dollars on these items needlessly.
My advice? If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
Check out her whole series on Having A Baby Without Breaking the Bank here. There are some really great tips!
Ways To Have Fun This Fall
Fall is the perfect season for outdoor family fun. It’s not too hot or too cold- and the colors are absolutely gorgeous (perfect for photos and making lifetime memories). The best part is, most of the activities are free or very cheap- and don’t involve being cooped up indoors. Read this post by Alea Milham at Premeditated Leftovers for inspiration:
-Go apple picking
-Go to a pumpkin patch and carve pumpkins
-Visit a fall festival
-Go hiking
-Make a wreath or do other crafts
Showing Your Child That You Love Them
Just like a relationship with a significant other, relationships with your family need you to put effort in them in order for them to thrive. With family, it can be easy to just assume that they know that you love them. And they do! But every once in a while, it’s nice to give them a reminder. Showing your kids a little extra love will do wonders for your relationships, and lets them know that they’re always on your mind. Read this post by Kristina Manscill at Mothers Niche for some ideas:
-Always eat family dinner together
–Know Your Child’s “Love Language” and Find Ways to Express it Often.
–Take the time to be silly, to be messy, and to take in life’s simple pleasures.
–Get to Know Their Friends and love them as your own.
–Discover their Talents and Put Them to Use.
–Surprise! Find fun ways to shock them with your love. Love your children with surprises! Do something they wouldn’t expect.