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Our Daily Mess > Family

The SAHM Schedule that Will Save Your Sanity

Posted on May 7, 2019February 25, 2020 by Katie

I know that this is not the case for every mom, but for me, becoming a stay at home mom was a fulfillment of a dream that I had for a long, long time. I loved being a preschool teacher for many years… but once I had my own kids, all I wanted was to be with them. I didn’t want to miss a moment of their little years.

When I finally took the plunge into stay at home motherhood almost a year ago, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for! Only a stay at home mom can tell you how entirely possible it is to be at home ALL DAY, and still not be able to get one. single. thing. done. Am I right?

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10 Positive Parenting Mantras to Help You Stay Calm

Posted on February 26, 2019February 25, 2020 by Katie

My 3-year-old is eating peanut butter toast with banana for breakfast (his request), and we are officially running late for preschool. We need to get in the car soon if we want to miss the morning traffic, but he has decided that he no longer wants the food that he begged for 2 minutes earlier. What started off as a relatively calm breakfast has turned into a battle of wills over him taking a few more bites of food.

“You’re going to be hungry” I say, realizing immediately that he could care less. I can feel my frustration rising and even though I’m trying to stay calm, I’m getting snappy and irritable. In hindsight I can see so many opportunities that fell through the cracks to salvage this morning, but in the moment… there was nothing. Nothing I could do to stay calm, nothing I could do to get this tiny human to eat his food. Tantrums all around.

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7 Ways to Raise a Low-Media Child

Posted on October 30, 2018February 25, 2020 by Katie

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In this high-tech, fast paced world, our family is making a radical move… we’re deliberately going LOW-tech. I’ve always dreamed of a simple, classical childhood for my children. I want them to read books, play outside, explore, go on adventures, build forts, color, and build. And I want them to want to do these things. Not to do them as a way to pass the time before I allow them to watch yet another TV show.

Technology is increasing much faster than research and studies can determine what is actually best for children’s developing brains. The American Academy of Pediatrics already recommends no screen time for children under 2 years, and a 1 hour limit per day of high-quality programs for 2-5 year olds. I always wonder if that limit will become more stringent as time goes on and we can really see the effects of technology over time.

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10 Kid-Friendly Ideas for Your Tiny Backyard

Posted on June 18, 2018February 25, 2020 by Katie

As the weather warms up, all I want to do is send my toddler outside to play! One of the challenges of having a 300 square foot patio as a backyard has been finding activities that will keep my son entertained (and that will fit!) in our small area.

Since we don’t have space for conventional backyard ideas like playhouses and swing sets, we have had to get creative in finding activities that my son will love this summer. Here are 10 things that my son does every day in our tiny backyard space:

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4 Books to Bring You Peace as a Christian Mother

Posted on June 12, 2018February 25, 2020 by Katie

If you are anything like me, you understand the struggle of finding time to read as a busy mama. Between watching the tiny humans, keeping the house from falling apart, and making sure dinner makes it on the table each night, reading for pleasure can tend to fall pretty low on the priority list.

But finding that perfect book can sometimes be the difference between living in survival mode and really thriving in our roles as Christian mothers, am I right?

Since carving out time for reading doesn’t always happen with such a busy schedule, I make it a point that the books I do read refresh my soul and bring me energy for motherhood. Here are 4 books that will help you organize your priorities, take you back to a simpler way of living and most importantly, bring you peace.

How to Support Your Husband as a New Dad

Posted on June 5, 2018February 25, 2020 by Katie

The transition into life as a new parent is huge- especially for new fathers. Think about it…a new mother spends 9 months bonding with the child in her womb. This time helps mothers to prepare and to ease them into this new role and responsibility. Dads don’t have the same experience. New dads start their role as a father cold-turkey, the day the baby is born. Scary, isn’t it?!

So how can we support our husbands in their new role as fathers? Here are 5 practical ways to build up confidence in our men and help ease the transition into a new life with baby.

One Strategy to Make You a More Patient Mom

Posted on April 16, 2018February 21, 2020 by Katie

I’m here to tell you about one extremely simple strategy that you can start using immediately to help make you a more patient mom.

Have you ever noticed that some days you seem to be able to handle anything your little ones throw your way, while other days a single glance can set you off? There are, of course, many factors as to what makes a mom lose her patience – fatigue, sleep deprivation, being overworked, not having enough support (just to name a few).

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How to Raise a Child who Loves Reading

Posted on April 5, 2018February 21, 2020 by Katie

Every parent wants their child to love reading. Reading is the foundation of all other learning, and children begin building the skills needed for reading long before they actually start school. A lifelong love for reading starts in early childhood with children’s first experiences with books.

To see the joy on your child’s face when they are hooked on their favorite book…there is nothing that compares. So how do we inspire our youngest, budding readers? Here are 9 easy ways to raise kids who love to read:

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Healthy Habits for Your Child’s Screen Time

Posted on April 2, 2018February 21, 2020 by Katie

I’ll be the first to admit that our family hasn’t always had a realistic or healthy relationship with screen time. Prior to actually becoming a parent, I had so many ideas about the kind of mom I would be and the rules I would have about screen time for my kids. Because the research on screen time is always evolving, I thought it would be safer to ban it all together while my son was young.

I thought I had it all figured out… and then motherhood actually happened.

Suddenly all my ideas and expectations about screen time went out the window when the sheer exhaustion of parenthood set in. Like many parents, I was looking for a way to get five minutes of peace… whether it be a sip of coffee, a bathroom break, or anything that doesn’t involve redirecting a toddler tantrum.

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How to Prioritize Your Marriage During the Baby Years

Posted on March 22, 2018February 21, 2020 by Katie

When my husband and I first got married (and while we were dating), we had no idea how much free time we had on our hands. We took for granted going out with friends, taking day trips, and tackling household projects quickly and efficiently. More than anything, we took for granted having the energy for these activities.

In September of 2015, our lives changed forever when we welcomed our first baby boy into the world. They say that having a baby changes things, but it isn’t until you hold your child in your arms that you truly understand just how much. Late-night feedings and diaper blowouts became the norm, and sleeping in became a distant memory. We knew more than we ever wanted to know about baby Tylenol dosages and nose-frida’s. Despite this, we were happier than we had ever been. We were overwhelmed by an all-consuming love for our little guy. Fast forward two and a half years, and we are getting ready to do it all over again with baby #2!