Kyle & Melissa

Archive for the ‘Parenting Tips’ Category

This is a great idea especially for busy moms always rushing to work and bringing the kids to school every week. Instead of being such a mad mess every morning, picking the outfits for a school week ahead of time will make for a peaceful morning and a better disposition for everyone the whole day. One can even enjoy the ride to school and work and look at the scenery and steel buildings even!

1. Something To Sleep On: We meant basic above, but the bed is the first place to start!

2. Something That Glows: Overhead lights can be so harsh, especially if you’re trying to get little ones to sleep! A task light or lamp can bring much comfort and warmth. Even a flashlight to read under the covers with is a plus!

3. Something That Tells Time: Even if they can’t tell time yet, it’s still a good resource for parents. Or maybe you’re a music person, the two can easily be combined!

4. Something To Snuggle With: For some it’s a blanket, for others it’s a stuffed animal (for me it was my She-Ra figurine) but a pal to keep you company is nice.

5. Something To Read: Even if you keep your main household library somewhere else in your dwelling, that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a few books in case naps are ended early or bedtime stories need to be read.

6. Something Handmade: Although this might not be at the top of everyone’s list, a handmade item in a child’s room is putting a bit of family right there with them. Don’t forget to include things they make as well!

7. Something To Question: We aren’t going to be the ones to tell you that you have to have artwork or sculpture in a children’s space, but having something that intrigues them or has them curious about life, nature or the way something works is always a bonus.

8. Something To Take Pride In: It might be the pine wood derby car they made in Boy Scouts, a macaroni necklace they made, or a certificate of outstanding school attendance, but either way, having something they made themselves, won or achieved is a great thing to have.

9. Something With Color: Even if you love a totally monochromatic room (we do too!) there has to be some bit of color somewhere. A pillow, a throw, a mobile or even a rug, something to make the balance between cool and comforting and warm and bubbly exist!

10. Something They Chose: It’s all too easy to get caught up in decorating a space for your tiny tots without any input. Try letting them pick out a few items and allow them to help create their own space, they’ll be far more intuitive than you think though they might need a little adult guidance.

From Oh Dee Doh

I love subscribing to parenting blogs, home decorating and renovation blogs and inspiring blogs. There will be an internet marketing blog that would interest me from time to time but as soon as I have understood what they are teaching, I unsubscribe. Very few blogs keep my loyalty all through out.

There is one site that I find inspirational and that is the site of Andrew Matthews. I love his 7 Days to Happiness articles, and it was a good thing a friend shared it on her blog.

I am sharing it to you:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Choose to be happy!

I have been looking for a great and lasting solution for storing my kids’ artwork. They are in folders as of the moment and while it keeps them safe, I feel that they need to be out there in the house so we can look at them from time to time. I love the ideas from Real Simple Mom. They will have pretty effective sales jobs if they choose to endorse parenting products I am sure.

You can read about how to sort and store your kids’ artwork at their site.

I am quite partial to these:
1. Take a picture or scan artwork per year or school year, depends on your preferences, and bind them into a book or album. (Clever way of still keeping files in case something happens to the original).

2. One last suggestion for artwork that is not oversized – store in a three ring binder. Three ring binders and page protectors are a great way to store carefully done coloring pages, drawings, and any flat art that will fit in a standard-sized page protector.

Parents usually teach their children about money when they reach middle school or high school. It can actually start as early as when your kid first goes to school. Kids are more stimulated visually so getting them piggy banks can help them visualize the concept of keeping, storing and saving money. It would help if the piggy bank is one that they like too. I wish I was taught the value of money early, that is why I am trying to make my kids understand that money doesn’t grow on trees. If they want it, they need to somehow work for it. The next time I would like to buy womens sandals, I better make sure I work for it too!

A few piggy banks for you (from Oh-dee-Doh):

• Modern Nursery : This webshop has a few different banks in the shape of giraffes, elephants, and pigs. Shop here for simple modern forms in pastel pinks and blues. Shown: Pink Elephant Animal Bank, $24.
• Magic Cabin : This shop specializes in back-to-basics childhood toys, and they carry one of our favorite retro-style banks — the Mushroom Bank ($13) brings us back to the Smurfs’ village.
• Uncommon Goods : They have a bunch of different novelty banks, including the Coink, $36. This bank doesn’t need a cork stopper — the funnel top makes it easier to deposit and retrieve your spare change.
• Urban Outfitters : They’re always riding the trend bandwagon, and since owls have been in, they’ve stocked their shelves with cute, colorful owl lamps, pillows, and this adorable Owl Bank, $8.
• 2Modern : This modern webshop has a great selection of kids’ stuff. We like the notNeutral Piggy Bank ($18), a porcelain pig that comes in three different black and white patterns.
• Spunky Sprout : They have a bunch of different modern banks, including the J Schatz Egg Bank, the Harry Allen Pig, and this Vlaemach Ceramic Egg Shaped Coin Bank, $35.
• Areaware : Probably the most famous piggy bank on this list, Harry Allen’s Bank in the Form of a Pig ($125) was designed from a resin cast of a real pig. Available in 7 colors, it measures 18 inches long.
• Giggle : They have a few different wooden children’s banks in the shape of elephants, birds, and whales. This bright yellow Bebe the Birdie Wood Bank sells for $25.
• Jonathan Adler : His “menagerie” of animal-shaped banks includes ceramic elephants, pigs, donkeys, and bulls. This is the Pop Menagarie Piggy Bank for $48.
• Hearthsong : Their banks are mostly metal, and they have a few different cash boxes for kids. This Miniature Mailbox Bank ($10) holds valentines during February and coins all the rest of the months after.
• ModCloth : Their kitschy banks are shaped like rabbits, birds, and mushrooms. This Why Does the Caged Bird Save Bank ($35) is a ceramic design with a stopper in the base.
• Kikkerland : This Small Piggy Money Bank ($10) comes in pink, blue, or chrome. In addition to the classic piggy bank, they carry designs in the shape of owls, gold bars, and skulls.
• Pop Deluxe : A smart design by Roost, this Small Glass Piggy Bank ($19) has a cork stopper for a nose, so you can access your coins without breaking the bank.
• MoMA Design Store : Rita Bothelo designed this ceramic Raindrop Coin Bank, which has to be “dropped” and broken to release the coins within. It’s currently on sale for $21 (reg. $40).
• Brook Farm General Store : This store specializes in products made from natural materials. Their Terra Cotta Piggy Bank ($28) is a classic ceramic design with an upturned snout and a curly tail.