Parenting

10 Rights and Responsibilities for Parents of Teens.

Posted on March 21, 2021

When it comes to discipline, parenting experts focus on the things that change for parents when their child begins adolescence. This is because teens start to form their identities and need more independence. Therefore, a parent’s job changes from being the person in charge all of the time to being more of a monitor and advisor.

As you notice your parenting job changing, it may seem like your rights and responsibilities as a parent also change. It’s true, some rights and responsibilities do shift over to your teen. This gives them more freedom to make their own decisions and be more independent. However, there are some that will remain consistent throughout your child’s adolescence.

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Let’s review ten of the most important rights and responsibilities for parents of teenagers.

To Be Treated With Respect

Parents, along with everyone else in the family, have the right to be treated with respect. This includes not only parents and teens, but also siblings and extended family members who may be living in the home.

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Parenting

3 Ways to Change Your Parenting in the Teenage Years

Posted on March 21, 2021

“Wow. Ugh. That’s amazing!”

This is the usual wide-eyed response when people hear that I have four teenagers. Sometimes people grimace, like the mere thought of it is a bitter pill. They are thinking, I know, that teenagers are hard, which, of course, they can be. Everyone assumes I must be insanely busy, or maybe just a little insane, and that raising four teenagers must be nearly impossible.

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Fashion

10 Spring and Easter Nail Design Ideas To Try

Posted on March 20, 2021

Easter is around the corner and so is Spring. This is a time for those who dare to go bold and experiment with seasonal trends to take out their softer and pastel nail polish colors and try to match their mood to their nails.

Personally, I love experimenting with colors and adorning my fingernails and toe nails with lively hues. They do indeed lift my spirits while showing off a fun side of my personality.

hands showing off nail polish neon colors in ombre

My fave trend is the vertical ombre with a mix of rainbow colors as you can see in the image above.

Here are some great Easter nail trends that I spotted over on Pinterest and added them to my DIY Nail Boards which you can head on over to if you want to see them up close or check out any associated tutorials for recreating these ecclectic, on trend and beautiful polishes!

hands showing off nail polish robin eggs design

hands showing off nail polish pink and blue long

hands showing off nail polish pastel Easter colors and patterns

hands showing off nail polish neon yellow

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Packing Hacks for Traveling With Kids

Posted on March 18, 2021

I’ve always been something of a minimalist traveler. I find that setting off — whether to another city or to a country across the world — with one bag and one pair of shoes can work wonders for both travel spontaneity (why not book a last-minute detour when you don’t have shit to carry?) and for back pain (I don’t have shit to carry!). And when I had my son, I was determined this part of my travel personality would not change — at least not too much.

But, of course, kids come with shit. Both metaphorical and literal. You can’t just forgo a carseat when driving around LA with a baby; nor can you guarantee there’s going to be anything in Africa that your picky kid will eat. That’s why adding toddler-toting to my globetrotting has made it more important than ever for me to pack smartly and efficiently. And no, that doesn’t mean bringing every possible snack food and a week’s worth of extra kid outfits.

What’s my biggest packing-for-kids tip?

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25 KID FRIENDLY FOOD RECIPES

Posted on March 15, 2021

Give your kids what they want to eat while still feeling food about it with these 25 Kid Friendly Food Recipes! They’ll love every bite!

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7 Steps to Planning a Kid’s Birthday Party

Posted on March 15, 2021

Planning a birthday party for your kids can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you don’t have a plan. You might be thinking to yourself: where do I start, the decorations or the food? If you’re stressed about planning the party, it’s likely you might forget some key parts of the party.

Luckily, following steps can make it a whole lot easier – and fun. Here are the seven steps to planning the perfect birthday party for your kid!

1. Choose a Theme

The first step to planning a kid’s birthday party is choosing a theme. While not all parties have to have a theme, it’s encouraged to think of one to make the party more unique and align with your child’s interests. Think about your child’s favorite activity or movie as a starting place. These can make great party themes. Other areas to think about when choosing a theme are favorite places to visit, toys, or characters they look up to. Some themes will be easier to find party accessories for, more than others, but it makes for a good opportunity to get creative and get the whole family involved in the brainstorming process!

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The 25 Best Baby Shower Gifts for Lucky New Moms and Dads

Posted on March 14, 2021

little girl kissing pregnant lady's stomach

When it comes to baby showers, the shower games are easy to plan.

The party — either an in-person affair or a virtual shower — is a snap. But the gift? Well, that’s something else entirely. The Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) can help. The parenting experts and engineers in the GHI Little Lab test baby gear throughout the year, so they know what items are worth the investment.

It’s a safe bet that the big-ticket products — the best car seats and strollers and cribs — will be spelled out on some sort of baby registry or list, since parents need to figure out what brands work best for them and what features they require based on their personal needs. But when it comes to the nice-to-haves as opposed to the need-to-haves, the sky’s the limit.

Here is some of the GHI’s best-rated gear, along with fun best-sellers and little items you can add to a wishing well. Pick one up for your shower gift, and the parents will definitely thank you later. (And forgive them if they do so in a 5 am text, since they’ll be up for those early-morning feeds.) And, after the baby finally arrives, be sure to check back to see some of the Institute’s favorite baby gifts, too.

Personalized Lovey

$23.00

If you know the baby’s name already, you can buy a snuggly friend that is uniquely his or hers. The blanket-style lovey doll comes in many different animals, and you can also specify the font and thread color.

BUY FROM ESTY

Once Upon a World Collection

$35.99

It’s never too early to start building a baby’s library. This collection features board books with four favorite fairy tales — Rapunzel, Snow White, Cinderella and The Princess and the Pea — each drawn in a style from a different country, including Japan, Mexico, India and Russia.

BUY FROM BOOKSHOP.ORG

Newborn Rattles

$38.00

Show the parents that you’ve got great taste (pun intended) with these adorable food-themed rattles. Each one is hand-knit in Peru from organic cotton. This shop has other themed rattle sets, too, including sports equipment, fair food and New York City.

BUY FROM ESTELLA

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Gift Guide

50 Fun and Unique Gifts that Teens Actually Want to Receive

Posted on March 14, 2021

Teens are a daunting demographic to buy for. They’re often the first people clued into the newest products and cultural phenomena that you’re probably not as aware of — but they also don’t have the deep pockets to get everything they want for themselves. Thankfully, that leaves plenty of opportunities open for you.

Here are our faves!

Reusable straws

Help teens do their part to keep single-use plastics out of trash bins, landfills, and the ocean by giving them this pack of reusable silicone drinking straws. They come in various colors and include a few cleaning brushes as well.

Buy Now!

Face masks

What’s better than feeling refreshed after a cleansing face mask? Sixteen of them. This combo pack features 16 different face masks like aloe, charcoal, and cucumber so your teen will be set … at least for the next few weeks.

Buy Now!

Noco Boost Plus

The Noco Boost Plus is a powerful battery that’s small enough to fit under the passenger seat, but it packs enough power to jump-start any vehicle with a 6-liter engine or smaller — and do it 20 times before needing a recharge. It also offers a USB port for charging various devices and has an integrated flashlight with a strobe setting for extra safety at night

Buy Now!

Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer

It’s in the car, the house, and their pocket these days, but many hand sanitizers can smell a little like household cleaner. Touchland comes in scents like Vanilla Cinnamon and Forrest Berry, or keep it simple and choose unscented. The compact sanitizer features 67% alcohol for killing germs but balances it with soothing aloe vera and essential oils to hydrate the skin.

Buy Now!

Apple Watch SE GPS

If you have a little extra to spend on your teen, consider getting them a smartwatch. The Apple Watch SE is like a smartphone, fitness tracker, and music player all in one. Just like on their phone they can customize the watch to show their favorite apps to pick, including social media.

Buy Now!

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Gift Guide

42 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds 2021

Posted on March 11, 2021

If you have to come up with a gift for a 4-year-old and you’re stumped on what to get them, we’ve got some expert advice to help you.

The best gifts and toys for four-year-olds help their imaginations come alive. As they leave age 3 and turn 4, little ones are enthralled by storytelling, pretend play and exploration. They are also immersed with friends and start playing collaboratively instead of just playing side by side.

“They tend to have clear preferences on what they like or want to do,” said Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive.”

Their pretend play is a little more complicated as they come to understand narratives and differentiate between fantasy and reality, said Marie Conti, the head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society. Capes and dress-up props, as well as outdoor toys or science gadgets, allow them to explore their world.

This holiday season, we rounded up the best gifts for 4-year-olds that will keep their minds and their bodies moving.

Here are our faves!

Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set

Made with high-quality silicone and innovative suction construction, these little suckers make bath time so much fun.

Buy now at Target for $25.99!

Lincoln Logs

Lincoln Logs are back — there’s a reason they’re a classic.

Buy now at Walmart for $40.49!

Ooly Chunkies Paint Sticks

All the fun of painting with none of the mess.

Buy now at Kohls!

LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box

“If you’re buying Legos, just buy regular Legos. Don’t feel like you have to buy pink ones because you have a girl,” Conti said.

If you need to organize your Legos, here are five brilliant (and mom-approved) hacks for keeping them tidy and out of your bare foot’s way.

Buy now at Walmart for $23.83!

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18 Best Kiddie Pools for Kids in 2021

Posted on March 11, 2021

Built-in pools can be expensive and while many of us wish we had one to keep our kids preoccupied during a time like this, there are plenty of other options to have fun when the weather warms up.

Consider a kiddie pool for the little ones to cool off on those hot days after a round of backyard games.

HERE ARE OUR FAVOURITES

Intex Square Frame Kiddie Pools

$31.99

If you don’t want to deal with blowing up an inflatable pool every time your kids want to take a swim, the Intex Square Frame Kiddle Pool is great. It’s easy to set up, holds up to 89 gallons of water, and the durable vinyl is made to resist any rips and tears.

BUY AT AMAZON

INTEXT CRYSTAL BLUE INFLATABLE POOLS

$9.99

For a simple cost-effective option, the Intex Crystal Blue Inflatable Pool is perfect for kids ages 2 and up. It’s 6.5 inches deep, and while many reviewers enjoy this kiddie pool for its durability, it comes with repair patches in case there are any accidents. Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling inflatable pool has over 1,000 positive verified reviews.

BUY THIS POOL

Intex Rainbow Arch Spray Pools

$16.99

If you’re looking for a colorful pool with built-in shade, consider the Intex rainbow arch pool. It has critters displayed on the base and built-in sprinklers to keep your little ones cool.

BUY THIS POOL

Intex Sun Shade Pool

$29.99

Protecting your children from the sun can be a challenge, but it’s an important one. To make your life a bit easier, consider this sun shade pool from Intex. It features a detachable overhead sunshade that’s helpful for protecting your little one from the harsh rays.

BUY THIS POOL

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Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

To Be Treated With Respect

1. Choose a Theme

When it comes to baby showers, the shower games are easy to plan.

Personalized Lovey

$23.00

If you know the baby’s name already, you can buy a snuggly friend that is uniquely his or hers. The blanket-style lovey doll comes in many different animals, and you can also specify the font and thread color.

Once Upon a World Collection

$35.99

It’s never too early to start building a baby’s library. This collection features board books with four favorite fairy tales — Rapunzel, Snow White, Cinderella and The Princess and the Pea — each drawn in a style from a different country, including Japan, Mexico, India and Russia.

Newborn Rattles

$38.00

Show the parents that you’ve got great taste (pun intended) with these adorable food-themed rattles. Each one is hand-knit in Peru from organic cotton. This shop has other themed rattle sets, too, including sports equipment, fair food and New York City.

Reusable straws

Face masks

Noco Boost Plus

Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer

Apple Watch SE GPS

Built-in pools can be expensive and while many of us wish we had one to keep our kids preoccupied during a time like this, there are plenty of other options to have fun when the weather warms up.

Intex Square Frame Kiddie Pools

$31.99

If you don’t want to deal with blowing up an inflatable pool every time your kids want to take a swim, the Intex Square Frame Kiddle Pool is great. It’s easy to set up, holds up to 89 gallons of water, and the durable vinyl is made to resist any rips and tears.

INTEXT CRYSTAL BLUE INFLATABLE POOLS

$9.99

Intex Rainbow Arch Spray Pools

$16.99

If you’re looking for a colorful pool with built-in shade, consider the Intex rainbow arch pool. It has critters displayed on the base and built-in sprinklers to keep your little ones cool.

Intex Sun Shade Pool

$29.99

Protecting your children from the sun can be a challenge, but it’s an important one. To make your life a bit easier, consider this sun shade pool from Intex. It features a detachable overhead sunshade that’s helpful for protecting your little one from the harsh rays.