You’ve Survived the Move . . . Now What?

Posted on March 31, 2018

By Julie Etter

The house hunting is done, the boxes are all in, and you are in your new home! All is perfect, right? It will be, but may not be just yet! In reality, the next chapter has just begun, and you want to write it carefully. Settling into your new house can be an exciting experience, but don’t overlook the necessary steps to make it “HOME.” Here are a few quick steps to making that house a home to ensure everyone is on board with setting up the space to best accommodate your family.

Let the children have a say in some décor—perhaps it’s a paint color for their room, or input on the wall where the couch will be positioned. Your children’s involvement will add a delightful personal touch. It’s now HOME.
Offer some consistency. Yes, it’s a new house and fresh start, but did you have a staple painting in the last eating area? Was the snack cabinet set up a certain way? You will find there are natural things you do for your set-up (e.g., glasses go in the cabinet above the dishwasher), but don’t overlook the chance to create consistency in areas that are seemingly insignificant to you because they offer familiarity to the children.
Be efficient and get settled as soon as possible. This is easier said than done. You are exhausted from the move. Oh, and you still have jobs and a family to take care of. However, the sooner the house is settled (you know, the “main” stuff . . . your box of high school trophies that has followed you for years can stay unpacked), the sooner the kids will acclimate. Children are resilient; the sooner they can depend on stability in their surroundings, the sooner they can get comfortable.
Have a party! Big or small. Celebrate the new home. Regardless of why you moved and if this home is bigger, smaller, better or worse, it’s yours! Celebrate new beginnings. Also, make a specific point of paying attention to the things your kids point out to guests—you will find they will be very open while giving a tour. Take note of the positives you can further accentuate or the “negatives” you could improve based on their perception.

Finally, and most importantly, give yourself a pat on the back. You are on the other end of the move and despite the late nights, details, and boxes, you are in. Your kids know how hard you worked; time to enjoy with them . . . after you give yourself another cup of coffee!!

Julie Etter is a professional, national award-winning realtor and former middle-school teacher based in Wrentham, MA. She is the author of Lily and Andrew Are Moving (Hardcover, $14.95; Kindle, $11.99), published by JT Publications, LLC. For more information, visit www.treehousebuddies.com

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VIRAL: Dad Teaches Daughter Lesson About a Breastfeeding Stranger

Posted on March 27, 2018

In a recent Reddit story that has gone viral, a brother tells what happened when her sister was shamed by a 12-year old girl for breastfeeding in public.

Posted by Redditor u/starsonwith his sister’s permission, the redditor shared how his sis was feeding her newborn son, who he describes as “the world’s cutest little boy”, at a restaurant when a 12-year-old girl sitting at a nearby table with her father commented, “Ew, she has her tit out.” Her dad, however, explained that breastfeeding isn’t an “ew”-worthy action. “No, she’s feeding her baby, it’s natural,” he said in response. The girl then said, “Can’t she do it somewhere like the bathroom?” The dad replied, “Sure she can. You go eat your dinner [in] your bathroom, too.” Bravo! Read the rest of dad’s response in the embed of the story below.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, it is legal — as in, there are laws that spell this out flatly — to breastfeed or chestfeed in any public or private location in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. (For the curious, Idaho is the only state that doesn’t currently have these kinds of laws.) Additionally, breastfeeding is exempt from public indecency laws in 29 states, the District, and the Virgin Islands. And yet, breastfeeding parents are often shamed for feeding their babies in public — and frequently, it’s because of our own misplaced shame surrounding breasts.

My Sister had her first “Ew, Breastfeeding!” moment in Public. It ended up being awesome. from r/TwoXChromosomes

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Before You Agree To Be A Pregnant Bridesmaid, 5 Things To Consider

Posted on March 26, 2018

Wedding Season is coming up so this is an oldie but goodie post for all you moms-to-be out there who have been asked to be a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bride-to-be shall be in want of a good bridesmaid…or three. And chances are that when a friend comes to you basking in that newly engaged glow and asks you to be one those bridesmaids, you’ll jump at the chance to support her on her big day:

The dancing! The shoes! The dresses! The CAKE!. Before you can say “yellow organza chiffon,” you’ve committed to being a bridesmaid and all that the honor entails. But what if you are expecting to have a big (and getting bigger) event of your own sometime in the next nine months?

1.THE COST

While the costs associated with being a bridesmaid can vary from wedding to wedding, one thing is certain: a baby on the way means unexpected expenses will be particularly unwelcome. After all, your priorities are changing, and whether it’s saving for diapers or a college fund, you want to make sure being a bridesmaid won’t mean being expected to pony up for expenses you soon won’t be able to afford. Accordingly, it’s important to clarify just what kinds of expenses will be expected of you ahead of time. A few to inquire after:

A. Will you be responsible for your dress, or will the bride pick up the tab? The same goes for those dyed shoes and your fabulous wedding day up-do and manicure.

B. If travel is involved, how costly will that be? Airfare, cab fare, hotel and eating out should all be considered.

C. How much (if any) will you be expected to contribute to a shower or bachelorette activities?

2. THE DRESS

Since bridesmaids dresses are known for being so lovely and flattering, finding a dress that will work while you are pregnant should be no problem at all! Um, yeah… Back on planet earth, bridesmaids dresses can be itchy, lumpy, scratchy, and pinchy (yes, you know pinchy is a word). But this is not to say that you cannot totally rock the pregnant bridesmaid look as long as you keep a few things in mind.

A. Comfort and Fit: Ultimately, you want a dress that flatters your figure and that you’ll feel great wearing. Look for a flowing empire-waisted gown, or a dress that can be ‘enhanced’ with an extra panel to accommodate that lovely baby bump of yours!

B. Alterations: Make sure you’ve got a good tailor who will be able to make last minute alterations a little bit in advance of the wedding date. As you know, all of those measurements are going to change. And then change some more.

C. Support: Speaking of those changing measurements, the right maternity bra can do wonders for a girl’s mood at a wedding, not to mention her back! Once you reach your third trimester, you will likely need to trade in those lacy bras and reach for something more substantial. Just don’t forget to make sure that your maternity bra works with your dress as the date nears.

3. YOUR DUE DATE

Let’s put this right out there: Going into labor at your friend’s wedding is not ideal. If your due date falls very close to the wedding date (or even within a month), you should feel free to humbly decline being in the wedding. Consulting with your doctor is also a good idea, as he or she will have likely dealt with this issue in the past and can make an individualized recommendation. However, if your due date is farther afield from the wedding date, then the most important factor to consider is likely to be travel. While most airlines will allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month, you need to consider what your own personal comfort level will be.

Tips for safe air travel while pregnant include walking the aisles on your flight to prevent blood clots, drinking lots of water, and wearing your seatbelt under your belly rather than across it. Travelling during pregnancy can be challenging, but if you and your doctor think you are up for it, then you’re a go.

Just one thing though: You know those teeny tiny airplane bathrooms? Need we say more?

4. THE TIME COMMITMENT

She’s the friend who consoled you that time you broke up with that jerk during freshman year…and then consoled you again when you broke up with that other jerk that next year. She’s been with you through thick and thin and late night pizza runs. So of course you want to be the absolute best bridesmaid possible. But take a moment to consider what that might mean: stuffing invitations, licking stamps, shopping for wedding favors, liking her Facebook posts, and talking. Lots and lots of talking. You owe it to yourself and to your friend to think realistically about what you can handle during your pregnancy. No friend wants you to overtax yourself while you should be focusing on your health and the health of your baby. Let her know your concerns and ask in the gentlest way possible what will be expected of you so that you can both make an educated decision.

Going to a Wedding Soon? Need A Dress?

5. THE FRIENDSHIP STYLE

Before you say yes, think about the type of friendship/relationship that you have with the bride. Is it filled with drama or is it mostly peaceful?Communication will be key to making this situation work. She needs to understand that there will be times during this pregnancy that you will be tired, anxious, or painting adorable ducks on a nursery wall, and therefore will be unable to check out her Pinterest board right this moment. And you will have to understand that this is one of the most exciting times in her life, and that she will need your support throughout, even if your feet are swollen and throbbing, and the ducks need painting. If you two have that covered, the rest of the stuff will be a breeze.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is an honor, for sure, and it’s no wonder you might be tempted to fill such a position for a friend you care about so dearly. But true friendship means knowing your limitations — something your friend should likewise honor and respect. And don’t worry: if you can’t participate as a bridesmaid, there are plenty of other ways to show your friend you care throughout this process. So, consider your next steps carefully and you’re sure to make the decision that will best balance your friendship and your own needs. And by the way, congratulations!

— Alyssa Ennis

Photos: Starcast, Pinterest

Low Heeled Shoes for Pregnant Women

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International Women’s Day: New Sheros and Inspiring Women’s Dolls From Mattel

Posted on March 8, 2018

Just in time for today’s International Women’s Day, Mattel has announced that it will soon release a series of brand new Barbie dolls bearing the likeness of women pioneers like artist Frida Kahlo, aviator Amelia Earhart and mathematician Katherine Johnson.

The three women made herstory in different industries: Earhart was the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean; Mexican artist Kahlo was known for her unique painting style and feminist activism; and Johnson, who was highlighted in the 2016 film Hidden Figures, broke boundaries for black women in mathematics and calculated dozens of trajectories for NASA, including the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the moon, an article in HuffPost on this news summarized.

The dolls are part of Mattel’s new series called “Inspiring Women,” and will be mass produced and sold in stores.

No exact date was announced. The toy company did say that when released, each doll will come with educational information about the woman who inspired it.

“As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honoring its largest line up of role models timed to International Women’s Day, because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see,” Lisa McKnight, the senior vice president and general manager of Barbie, said Tuesday in a press release. “Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie and we are thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind them that they can be anything.”

Also in honor of International Women’s Day, on Thursday, Mattel is presenting again its popular Barbie’s “Shero” line honoring 14 modern-day role models from around the world.

These dolls are not for sale though a few have wound up on store shelves, HuffPo adds.

The 14 new women Barbie is celebrating with its Shero line includes Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins and Australian wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin. The line already honors women including director Ava DuVernay, actress Emmy Rossum, ballerina Misty Copeland and Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas.

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You Can Make an Interfaith Marriage Work

Posted on February 14, 2018

With the divorce rate in America affecting around half of all marriages, it’s clear that building a successful, long-lasting union isn’t easy. When partners come from two different faiths, the challenges can be even more daunting. With love, respect and a healthy dose of compromise, however, interfaith marriages can be both successful and happy. If you’re in an interfaith marriage or relationship, here are some things to keep in mind:

Let Love Open the Lines of Communication

Interfaith unions are most successful when both spouses remain committed to facing the unique challenges that dual-faith marriages present with honesty and integrity. Although open communication about differences in faith should begin before marriage, it’s never too late to start the conversation. In A Non-Judgmental Guide to Interfaith Marriage, Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben encourages communication by reminding couples that “You won’t stop loving each other if you talk about your religion.” It’s important to remember that love is one human quality that practitioners of every religion value. If you’re nervous about talking to your spouse about faith, that’s OK. Tell him you’re nervous and that you’d like to talk about some serious matters, but you don’t know how or where to start. The more open you are, the better it will go for the both of you.

Learn About Each Other’s Faith

In the book Interfaith Families: Personal Stories of Jewish-Christian Intermarriage, Jane Kaplan stresses the importance about learning about your spouse’s religion as a way to develop mutual respect. Asking each other questions is not only a learning experience, but a way to determine the depth of commitment that each partner has to the faith. Bringing the extended family into the conversation may also be helpful, as long as everyone promises beforehand to treat each other with courtesy and respect. As always, open and honest questions are the best way to go.

Offer Education and Choices for Children

Any discussion about having and raising children should include a conversation about religion, particularly as it pertains to education. Couples need to decide how important it is to them that their children be educated in two religions, one faith, or none. Because the decision can influence the schools and childcare facilities that parents choose for their children, couples need to make clear choices early on in the marriage. Whatever choices you make, it’s critical for the well-being of your children that you and your spouse present a united front. A show of mutual respect is a valuable life lesson that will serve your children well as they grow into adulthood. Answer your child’s questions, encourage him and help him learn how to make his own decisions.

Keep Holiday Traditions

When discussing how involved each spouse wants to be in his or her chosen faith, holiday observances should be included in the conversation. For some people, religious observances are so linked to holidays that celebrating without them is unimaginable. Even people who say that religion isn’t important to them, for example, may still find it difficult to enjoy the holiday season without a Christmas tree or a menorah. Couples may discover that it’s enjoyable to include traditions from both sides of the family. It’s likely that the in-laws will appreciate the inclusion of family traditions as well.

Celebrate Your Differences

Author Naomi Schaefer Riley conducted a national survey of couples in interfaith marriages for her book ‘Til Faith Do Us Part. While findings from the survey did indicate a higher rate of conflict among interfaith couples — which isn’t surprising given the natural struggles such couples face — Riley also found that “marrying someone of another faith tended to improve one’s view of that faith.” A partner in an interfaith marriage herself, Riley encourages couples to take the challenges of a dual-faith partnership seriously, but also to celebrate the fact that they live in a country where they can marry anyone they wish despite their differences in faith.

When it comes to learning to navigate the pitfalls of an interfaith marriage, there are no hard and fast rules. Couples may feel less pressure and enjoy their marriage more by giving themselves permission to try a different approach if the situation warrants it. There’s nothing wrong with changing course midstream if a better solution shows up on the horizon. When it comes to a happy marriage, compromise is much more about finding mutual success than it is about one side admitting defeat.

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Here’s What You Need to Know About the Evolution Of Sleep

Posted on February 9, 2018

About 200 years ago, humans slept for four hours before waking up a couple hours to take care of business then they went back to sleep for 4 more.

Today, we are among the only 15% of mammals that engage in monophasic sleep habits which means sleeping in one chunk of time.

While biologists do not really know ow e evolved to require long stretches of sleep to function, the team at OnlineMattressReview.com put together the Evolution of Sleep Infographic to highlight how sleeping has changed over time.

Here are few fun facts from the infographic:

Caves, Waterbeds and Memory Foam: Cavemen slept on nests of grass near walls in caves; in the Middle Ages, families all slept in one bed together; it wasn’t until the industrial revolution and electricity that people stayed up later and private bedrooms became standard; and in recent years we’ve discovered waterbeds and memory foam.
Humans vs. Animals: Humans sleep more than horses (3 hours) but less than tigers (16 hours) or bats (20 hours). And don’t feel guilty about leaving your dog home alone because Fido gets a healthy 11 hours to dream about table food.
American Men Wake Up the Earliest: Of the nine countries studied, American med wake up the earliest at an average of 6:40 a.m. Maybe this explain why we are the world’s only super power.
Great for our Health: Sleep reduces stress, helps lose weight and lets the heart rest
We Sleep Less as We Age: Newborns need up to 17 hours of sleep while seniors can get by off just seven. Somehow, new parents may disagree with this statistic.

Source: Online Mattress Review<

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10 Pretty Amazing Things About Being Preggers (INFOGRAPHIC)

Posted on January 25, 2018

One of the best things to experience as you grow older is starting a family.

Of course pregnancy has its downsides. There are many symptoms associated with pregnancy, and all women are at risk for it. They may be quite painful and uncomfortable, keeping you up at night and lashing out at people around you.

And while it’s also irritating to deal with, it does not compare to the beautiful bundle of joy to come your way in a matter of months.

Many women tend to get discouraged and feel down about themselves while they are pregnant, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Pregnancy takes a toll on their emotions, a roller coaster ride that has them going up and down.

That doesn’t mean you should stay down and go lower! There are ways on how you can get back up and feel the joy of carrying your little one.

You can take a relaxing bath or a well-deserved spa day. You might even want to go shopping to make yourself feel better! Another awesome way to get back up and feel better about yourself during your pregnancy is to remind yourself of the little things.

Here is a short and meaningful infographic to help you out.

These are just little things that help you move forward, reminding you why pregnancy can be an amazing thing. From the heartbeats and kicks, you feel down to all the attention you’ll get while carrying your little one, you have more things to be thankful for amidst the discomfort you feel!

So read up and remind yourself why you are here in the first place and where you will be in a few months. You’re almost there, be happy and look forward to what’s to come!

Here is a graphic from HomeRemediesForLife.com

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Serena Williams Says She Won’t Defend her Australian Open Title This Year

Posted on January 5, 2018

Serena Williams famously won the 2017 Australian Open while she was 9 weeks pregnant but on Thursday, the 23-tim Grand Slam champ said she won’t be defending her Australian Open title this year.

It has only been 5 months since she gave birth to her first child, daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. The newly wed to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian turned Snaphcat to share the news, stating in part:

“My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’. I can compete – but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time. With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year.

“The memory of last year’s Open is one that I will carry with me, and Olympia and I look forward to coming back again. I appreciate the support and understanding of my fans and everyone at the Australian Open.”

The tennis tournament begins on the 15th of this month.

The Australian Open tweeted best wishes shortly after her announcement, saying in part: “Good luck for the rest of 2018, Serena! We’ll miss you”

Unfortunately @serenawilliams has withdrawn from the #AusOpen.
“I can compete – but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time.”
Good luck for the rest of 2018, Serena! We’ll miss you ?
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 5, 2018

Williams had tried to push it by registering for a tournament last month but didn’t make it out the first round. She lost to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

“I don’t think I am going to rate my performance,” Williams said. “I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I’ve never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me.”

Williams struggled with her serve and Ostapenko won 6-2, 3-6 and then 10-5 in a super tiebreaker, but as US Open opined, she “still impressed to take a set off the No. 7-ranked Ostapenko after nearly a year away from tennis.”

She can do it and there is a track record for it!

The legendary Margaret Court won three majors after giving birth to her son in 1972. Kim Clijsters won three of her 4 Grand Slams after the birth of her child. Lindsay Davenport won 3 of her 55 Career titles after giving birth to her son. There are at least three other major female players to make mommy comebacks and silence all the critics and naysayers!

Too soon, ma, too soon!

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9 Ways Pets Help Raise Good Healthy Kids

Posted on December 7, 2017

Do you have a family pet? Did you know it can be therapeutic and helpful for helping your raise your children?

It is quite true! Check out this info graphic produced by the folks at catological.com.

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Shop These Under $50 Cyber Monday Deals Picks

Posted on November 27, 2017

It’s Cyber Monday and you know what that means!

Deals!!! We are all about it and are sharing our fave steals and specials that we spotted around the web and from our partners like Groupon which has these great gifts below that all cost under $50!

Get them from Groupon by clicking herel

Walmart has the best Big Box store deal wit the Google Home Mini + $25 Shopping Offer for $29 (save $20). Here is the product link –

Now for those with Hot Wheels fans, you cannot go wrong with a Hot Wheels Subscription box for $25 from Pley!