Manage Kids Screen Time With Circle Home Plus

 I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

The pandemic brought many changes to my home. Some were good but others, like screen time allowances, were not the best. Discover an amazing device that helped me manage my kid's screen time in a super simple way.

 The year 2020 is a year that most people would not like to repeat. The pandemic brought about so many changes to everyone and now that things are starting to return to a new normal, it is time for my family to make changes. Changes that needed to happen long ago but I was too overwhelmed to implement.

Did you know?

Covid-19 has caused a 500% increase in screen time for kids. Nearly half of American children spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a screen.

 Last year when the whole world shut down and we were told to stay home to flatten the curve, most everyone turned to electronic devices to accomplish things at home. Schools were closed so my kids were issued computers so they could learn at home online in a virtual classroom. My husband parked himself on the couch with his work computer and the college kid set up his computer in his bedroom. My world became crowded and noisy so I escaped to my master bathroom to do my online work. They said it was only going to be for two weeks!

Screen time was out of control

 The kids were easily bored since they could not visit friends. I still had to work so I slowly started to allow my teens to do things that I would normally not allow. I loosened restrictions on device screen time and allowed my boys to play video games online. I allowed my older teen to buy a smartphone for listening to music. My work was getting busier so when my teen asked me if he could start playing online games with his friends, the mom guilt set in and I agreed. 

 The kids were super bored and we could not get to the library, as that too was closed. So I allowed my son to buy a game app for his phone and a fancy game controller that hooked up to his phone. The younger teen found an old cellphone in the junk drawer and joined in on the fun with this video game. The phones allowed my boys to feel connected to friends. I used to be that parent who said no to a cellphone for kids and screen time used to be limited to an hour. Sure I was concerned about their safety while online but I was overwhelmed at finding a sensible solution that would not stress me even more.

Screen Time management made simple

 My husband and I looked into downloading something to the computer to help us monitor the boys while they were online but we had trouble finding affordable options that had everything we needed in one app. It seemed that each computer program did different things and to get everything we wanted in managing the boy's screen we purchased several different programs. So my husband and I tried to manage the online time ourselves by checking the computer history on the teen's devices and reminding the boys to shut down all devices an hour before bed.

 Our screen time management system added more to my to-do list. I knew that there had to be something better for my family when it came to online time. I was glad that I discovered the CircleⓇ Home Plus device. The Circle is a device that all parents need to have for comprehensive screen time management. I am glad that three dads wanted a better internet for their families and it all began at a kitchen table. 

We make families' lives better online and off

Three dads wanted a way to steward their kid's online experiences. They envisioned a way to set healthy screen time limits and find the right balance of age-appropriate content and offline time, no matter where kids (and their devices) might be. These dads created the #1 comprehensive screen time management solution.

A Screen Time Solution

• Find Balance

• Set Healthy Limits

• Build Good Habits

• Get The Best Out Of Digital Experiences

• Not Being Consumed By Screens

• Keep Kids Safe Online

The perfect device for my family

 The Circle device was just what my family needed to control the screen time on all our devices. This was a perfect solution that would allow my boys to still enjoy their devices and give me the peace of mind that they were safe while online. I could finally set time limits on screen time without having to be the bad guy. I would not have the stress of reminding my kids that they need to shut down their devices.

Meet Circle Parental Controls

The Circle Home was easy to install and set up. Everything that I needed to set up the parental controls was included in the box. I loved that the screen-time management device was small. Once the Circle computer monitoring device was hooked up to our modem, it recognized all the devices that were connected to our internet. Then I downloaded the Circle Home app to everyone's phone, including my boy's phones. The app allows for the management of mobile devices on the go, so I can even see what my kids are doing online outside the home. 

  I loved that I could customize settings and features for each child in the family and even on adult devices. So if I wanted to cut the internet off on my college kid devices I could. I loved that this device even showed the history of electronic devices so I could review the sites my teens visited. When I do allow my boys to bring their phones to school, I can even turn off internet connectivity while they are at school. 

With just a few clicks, you can set:

• Age-appropriate filters&nb>sp;

• Time limits 

• Bedtimes 

• Pause/temporarily turn off Internet

• Restrict access to certain sites for specific periods of the day

• Circle enables screen-time management both inside and outside the home

 No one in my family brings their phone with them when they go to bed but technology can one of the main things getting between kids and a good night’s rest. I have heard parents complain about their kids sneaking their phones into their bedroom. Then they wake up in the middle of the night because they received a notification or want to check social media. So the Circle’s Bedtime feature can make late-night scrolling and bedtime arguments a thing of the past. Parents can set a time for the internet to shut off on a teen's phone so it does not interfere with their sleep. I like that these settings on the Circle Home Plus take away the arguments from the kids and nagging from the parents.

The affordable option for device management

 When you purchase the Circle Home Plus device, you get Circle Home Plus device and Circle App access. Then you can select from 3 subscription options depending on your needs. You can buy a three-month subscription, a one-year subscription, or a lifetime subscription. With the one-year plan, it is about $10 a month to have the best features to protect your family on the internet and manage screen time. 

• Circle Home Plus typically retails for $69 for a three-month subscription,

$129 for a one-year subscription, or $299 for a lifetime subscription (all

plans include the Circle Home Plus device and Circle App access).

Save money on the Circle Home Plus device with an EXCLUSIVE OFFER 

Save 20% on your purchase of a Circle Home Plus device + 1-year app subscription or Circle Home Plus device + Lifetime app subscription at momsmeet.link/circlehomeplusshop with promo code MOMSMEET2021 ~ Valid until 10/15/21. One promo code use per person

Teaching Kids Science And Stem With Thames & Kosmos

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

  Five months ago when schools closed, I have learned a lot about how to home school. The biggest thing that I have learned is teachers are amazing. I have also learned that I do not want to home school my kids. That may sound mean but my boys don't want me to be their teacher either. These past five months have been stressful and I am so ready for this virus pandemic to be over. I am ready to send my kids back to school. I am ready to take off my home school mom hat. 

When I started preparing for the respiratory virus pandemic, I forgot to prepare for teaching my kids at home. I thought that my boys would enjoy doing online school but in reality, they were super bored as it was too easy. So I tried supplementing their home learning with fun online math games that were supposed to make learning math fun. The math games got boring for my boys and they were wishing that they could be at school hanging out with their friends. So then I tried using baking for home school lessons and my boys enjoyed making frog bread. Even making focaccia bread flowers and painting rocks made me feel like I was teaching an art class. Eventually, my boys grew tired of my attempts to teach them school at home. The only class that my boys are enjoying with me being their teacher in gym class. I am glad that my teen boys still want to go running with me. 

Learning to be creative with at-home learning 

 I have learned that if I want my boys to learn, I have to make my school lessons not feel like school. So I am allowing my boys to cook dinner and telling myself that I am teaching them home ec. When my boys decide what they want to eat for breakfast and lunch with healthy foods, I remind myself that they are learning nutrition. Giving my boys chores of folding laundry and taking out the trash is teaching them responsibility. Doing yard work for friends helps my boys learn other life skills. So maybe right now, my boys are learning and I can take away the mom guilt.

Using STEM kits to teach science

 At home school and learning do not have have to be like traditional school lessons and I have realized that my kids are still learning even without me having to make lesson plans. I have learned to utilize fun STEM Science Experiment Kits that make learning fun. I have discovered some science kids that engaged my boys in educational fun so the school learning can begin even before my boys go back to school. While online school is set to start next week, the in-person school may or may not happen a month later.

 When the science kits from Thames & Kosmos arrived at our house, the boys got excited and read the outside of the boxes. So I was teaching the language arts and also patience as they had to wait until picture day to explore the inside of the science learning kit boxes. The life of being a kid to a blogger mom means that you have to wait to enjoy the contents of most boxes that arrive at your front door. A day in the life of a blogger may mean checking out some cool new toys and tasty healthy snacks but it also means that mom has to first take pictures of the products. Blogging is a full-time job for me and yes, I make money blogging.    

 Ooze Labs: Colorful Crystal Lab

 Explore the natural beauty and wonder of crystals by growing them yourself in many different shapes and colors! Set up your lab station — complete with beakers, test tubes, centrifuge, display dome, and more — and use safe, non-toxic crystal salts to conduct more than ten experiments in crystal formation. You can even make red, pink, blue, purple, and clear crystals using the spinning centrifuge! After you’ve completed the experiments in the kit, continue your crystal growing adventures using the cool lab setup and common materials from around your home.

 My boys were excited to make crystals and this cool educational kit that teaches science has over 11 science experiments in one box. I liked that the science projects used safe non-toxic crystal salts and I did not have to worry about them blowing up the house. I also loved that the kit for STEM learning include almost everything that they needed to make colorful crystals. We had all the additional items so I did not have to purchase anything other than the Ooze Labs: Colorful Crystal Lab kit. My boys were learning about chemical reactions and how crystals form. 

Crystals, Rocks & Minerals Science Experiment Kit

Unearth the secrets of geology as you dig deep into the science of rocks and minerals and the crystals that form them. Through 18 hands-on experiments, kids will discover some pretty amazing things about geology, mineralogy, and crystal growing. Become a geologist-in-training as you mold your own crystal geode and grow three different types of crystals that vary in color and shape. Work with real mineral specimens to learn how to determine a mineral’s chemical properties such as color, luster, streak color, hardness, density, magnetic properties, and carbon, sulfur, or iron content and use your findings to identify unknown minerals. As you explore, you’ll get an overview of the geologic rock cycle and discover how the three main categories of rock — igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — are formed, altered, destroyed, and formed again. 

This STEM experiment kit was teaching my boys geology, mineralogy, and how to grow crystals. My boys were also learning about the properties of rocks and crystals. I was amazed at all that was inside this box of science experiments as it had 41 pieces. The science kit also taught 18 experiments. This science box was definitely for the older kids as it was label 8+ for use under adult supervision. My boys are 12 and 13 so I knew that they could safely explore the Crystals, Rocks & Minerals Science Experiment Kit by themselves. The kit included safety goggles and I instructed my boys to read the 32-page manual as this STEM learning kit has chemicals like potassium hexacyanoferrate and copper sulfate. So I loved that my boys were learning about chemical properties.

 My boys had plenty of fun with these science lab kits and they were learning new things. I was succeeding in homeschooling and my boys were getting an educational experience. I am hopeful for the new school year as the teachers have had 5 months to prepare for teaching online school. I am sure that there will be plenty of online instruction from the teachers and I am also hoping that there will be homework that does not involve the computer. My boys have had way too much computer time this summer and need homework that involves writing and math. It would be cool if the teachers could do Google Meets with science kits. Maybe the state needs to increase the school budget so the schools can give every student an at-home science kit.

Check out the crystal that my son grew!

Summer Fun With Marshmallows

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

Summer is almost here and the kids will be out of school. Correction the kids are already out of school but their online school will be ending soon. So that means they will be even more bored since the start of this Covid-19and beyond virus outbreak. So like most parents, I am trying to keep them entertained. Wow, I never thought that I would be looking for ways to keep my boys entertained in the summer. This summer is going to be a long one as my boys will not be able to play with friends or head to the park for the school's free lunch program. The lunch at the park was something that the boys looked forward to every summer as it was a time to eat and play with their friends. It will feel strange not being able to visit the zoo or museums but we will make the best of it in our little safe bubble.

Creating fun in the backyard

 We are in the process of putting a hot tub in the backyard and even that is frustrating as we still have no delivery date for the hot tub that we ordered a month ago. The gazebo and floor pieces have been delivered and assembled. So I will start ordering lights and plants. I am thankful for online shopping. While we are waiting for the hot tub we will finish clearing the weeds naturally with non-toxic methods. I have had great success with an all-natural homemade weed spray that works quickly. That way the yard will look amazing when the hot tub arrives and it will be our staycation place. The yard will be the place where all the fun happens this summer. It will be a place to enjoy marshmallows.

Summer fun with marshmallows

 The boys will be having a blast with marshmallows beyond eating those sweet soft puffs of goodness. This will be the summer that I will let them play with their food. I will let the boys shoot marshmallows at each other. Instead of shooting foam darts from transformative dart blasters, the boys will be loading up their Marshmallow Classic Double Barrel Blaster and having a blast shooting mini marshmallows at each other and at targets. This is going to be some great outdoor fun. I better order some more marshmallows.

The Marshmallow Blaster Double Barrel Blaster from Zing holds double the marshmallows and can launch those sweet white treats up to 40 feet! This cool shooter has two magazines that hold up to 25 mini marshmallows and the shooter can go into the dishwasher. Moms don't have to worry about anyone getting hurt as marshmallows are soft upon impact after they are released from the Blaster. For added fun dip marshmallows into cornstarch and watch a cool puff of white dust form as you launch them from the barrels. So let the kids play with their food and pass the marshmallows.


Create sweet treats with chocolate-on-chocolate marshmallows

 After the boys finish tossing marshmallows all over the yard, they can then relax in the yard with a sweet treat made from chocolate-on-chocolate marshmallows and some homemade vegan peanut butter cookies. Stuffed Puffs® is taking marshmallows to a whole new level just in time for summer. Their latest addition to Stuffed Puffs® will make chocolate lovers rejoice with its decadently cocoa marshmallow filled with real milk chocolate. So now you can make smores even when you have no chocolate. Just grab some cookies and squeeze a melted double chocolate marshmallow in between for the ultimate campfire or backyard grill snack.

 Stuffed Puffs® ingeniously solves the problem of messy melted chocolate by putting the chocolate inside the marshmallow so the chocolate melts while the marshmallow toasts, giving you the perfect smores every time. No more worries about the sun melting your chocolate bars. No more worries about dad eating up the chocolate bars before you grill the marshmallows as the chocolate is included with the sweet marshmallows.

 So grab the bags of marshmallows and head outside for a day of fun. You could even set up a tent in the backyard and campout. Dad can fire up the grill or light the fire pit. Then the kids can have some awesome fun shooting marshmallows and eating marshmallows. After the fun is over, the kids can spend the night outside in the tents. Summer fun is not canceled, it has been relocated to the backyard.

OneClass Is the Best Resource For Homework Help

How I help my older kids with their homework

Sponsored post with OneClass 

 I have been doing this parenting thing for 30 years and I still have trouble with many things. One of the major parenting skills that can be tough is helping the kids with their homework. It should be a simple thing for me as I was a straight-A student many years ago. I was that kid who enjoyed school and worked hard to get good grades. So why is it so tough for me to help my boys with their homework?

 I have five kids altogether but only two are left living at home. The three oldest kids are either married, working, or attend school. So the youngest two are still at home. These boys are in middle school and there are times that I am unable to help them with their homework. You would think with all my parenting skills that I would have the homework thing figured out. Well, I don't. The older three children, in the past, would help the younger boys with their homework but now that they don't live here, it is my job to help with the homework. The problem is I am unable to help my boys with their homework, especially math. I am talking algebra math. I simply don't remember what I learned in algebra from my high school days. Maybe it is because I just don't use algebra in my daily life or maybe because the schools are teaching this new math. I have turned to the internet when my boys don't understand a math equation and that only leaves me more frustrated. I want to help my boys with their homework and be that good parent but I can't! I want to help my kids succeed in school and get good grades.



OneClass helps kids get better grades

 If you are a frustrated parent just trying to help your kid with homework, you need to check out OneClass. This homework helping website will hopefully end the nightly homework battles that parents face. I am glad that I discovered a website that understands the need for kids and parents to have homework help any time of day. So now when my kids and I don't understand a math problem, we just head to OneClass and get the homework help right away without having to do a frustrating internet search.

Get study materials and homework help

 OneClass has homework help for many subjects like math, science, history, and more. This unique website is designed for school grades, including college. I love that I can access millions of high-quality study guides and discover many solutions to my kid's homework questions. The study guides show real homework questions and give the kids the answers they need.

Back To School Fitness Tips For Kids In Middle School 

Math equations in easy steps

 OneClass has over 3000 solutions alone for mathematical questions. I love that this homework site shows my boys how to set up the math problem step by step and does not just give the math answer. I am even learning how to do algebra again. I forgot how complicated an algebra equation can be but OneClass makes algebra easy to understand. This homework help website is like having a teacher in your living room. I like that I can turn on the computer for homework help for my kids and not have to leave the house to drive them to a tutoring place. This homework website has verified answers to a wide coverage of subjects, including many subjects of math like calculus and geometry.



Helps kids study for exams

 The OneClass website even has access to study guides from 1000+ schools, including popular colleges. These study guides from the schools even have sample exams so students can have access to the school materials that they need to study for a test or exam. So now, students can study at any time they want in the comfort of their home without having to head to the library.

 My middle child is attending the Merchant Marine Academy. This school does things differently when compared to other colleges. As part of his coursework, my son does a 12-month ship tour, in addition to all his school classes. So that means that while he is learning how to navigate a cargo or military ship, he is also doing homework. So since he does not have access to his teachers in the classroom setting, my son has to study online. OneClass is the perfect solution for my son when he needs help with his college homework. Thank goodness my son has wifi on his cargo ship so he can utilize the homework help at the OneClass homework help website. This website is a smart solution for even college kids as I am sure most parents would not have a clue when it comes to helping kids with homework at the college level.

Get the homework help that you need

So make your job as a parent easier and check out the OneClass homework website. This website has the solutions and study help for your children so they will be able to understand their homework. They might even get better grades at school with the homework help that they receive from the amazing school website.

Coffee Myths And Tips For New Moms

Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert on pregnancy health or a health professional. If you want to consume coffee and/or caffeine during your pregnancy PLEASE consult your healthcare professional first.

Now that I am pregnant, can I have coffee?

              I received samples of Mommee coffee to facilitate this post.

 You just saw those two red lines on a pregnancy test and discovered that you are pregnant. Congratulations on that bundle of joy and no I am not pregnant but I recently became a grandma for the first time. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your second, I bet you have plenty of questions. So if you are like most people you take your questions to the internet and start searching for answers. Sometimes these answers to the questions that you find on the internet can leave you confused. One person will say one thing and another will say the complete opposite. The internet can have a wealth of information, like tribute horse feed is the best, but is it all accurate? When I discovered that I was pregnant with my first 29 years ago, I did not have the internet. I instead got all my questions answered from a book called What to Expect When You Are Expecting. This was my go-to for answers to my pregnancy questions before I had that first doctor appointment. Back then, doctors did not see you until you were 12 weeks along. They usually just prescribed that nasty horse pill prenatal vitamin and scheduled your first prenatal visit at 12 weeks. I remember one of the questions that I had when I discovered that I was pregnant was "can I still drink coffee or have drinks with caffeine?"

Can I have coffee when I am pregnant?

With my first pregnancy, I was not a coffee drinker but I did enjoy diet coke. Twenty-eight years ago the advice was pregnant ladies had to stop all caffeine, so that meant I had to give up my diet coke. I think the reason was that it could harm the baby or cause a miscarriage. Today, the advice that Pregnant women need to give up coffee is a MYTH! Kind of like hay nets for horses.

Pregnant women needing to give up coffee is a MYTH!

Current studies suggest it is safe for pregnant women to drink coffee in moderation during their pregnancies. Most studies suggest that 200mg of caffeine a day is perfectly safe. This is equivalent to about two cups of coffee. However, make sure you listen to your body and talk to your OBGYN first. All women and pregnancies are different and certain restrictions might be advised.

Check out some baby products that I am enjoying HERE

I enjoyed coffee with my other pregnancies

 Several years later when I was pregnant again, studies showed that some caffeine was ok for us pregnant ladies and I was so relieved to know that I could enjoy a glass of diet cola, I still was not a coffee drinker. I discovered that diet cola and salty food helped ease my morning sickness (all day sickness) and helped me from losing my cookies. By the time baby number four arrived, I was a coffee drinker and drank 2 cups of coffee while I was pregnant. I had no problems with this pregnancy.

Build Your Baby's Brain With A Baby Safe Newspaper discover it HERE

Coffee will not affect the baby

 I was drinking 2 cups of coffee a day by the time I was pregnant with babies 3, 4, and five. These babies had no problems with anything like sleep. In fact, baby number four slept 6 hours a night from birth. I remember the doctor telling me to wake him up after 4 hours to feed him. I laughed inside when she said that. This was baby number four so I had experience with babies and I knew not to wake a sleeping baby. This baby was just fine and at twelve years old he is in the gifted program at his school. So coffee did not affect his brain. Coffee did not affect baby number three either as he was a straight-A student, graduated the valedictorian of his high school, and is on the honor roll at the merchant marine academy. My older two children, which I did not consume any coffee with were smart kids also.

Coffee will not cause early labor or a miscarriage

  All my kids were born after their due dates, except the last one who was ten days early. So my enjoyable cups of daily coffee did not cause premature births or any miscarriages for me. I enjoyed my daily coffee all the way through my pregnancy. I even continued to enjoy coffee after my kids were born and while I was breastfeeding the babies.

Coffee will not affect your breastmilk

 I enjoyed coffee every day while I was nursing my babies/ The amount of caffeine that gets into your breastmilk is less than you think and it did not affect my babies. They still took naps and slept like a baby should. They were not hyper babies either. 

Moms need coffee

 We moms get little sleep when babies are little so we need that cup of coffee to get through the day. That warm cup of coffee may make the morning so much better after being up all night with a hungry baby. Babies are a lot of work so if you need that coffee, go ahead and enjoy it without feeling guilty. Of course, check with your doctor first as each pregnancy is different and high-risk pregnant ladies may have to forgo coffee.

Calm your fears and stomach with Mommee Coffee

  I discovered a low acid coffee that is easier on that sensitive pregnancy stomach. Coffee is usually an acidic food that acid food leads to bone density loss. At a time when you are not only caring for your own bones but growing those of another, you need all the bone support you can get. Mommee Coffee is a low acid coffee so that is a bone-friendly approach to coffee consumption. This flavorful coffee also comes in delicious unique caffeine content varieties that have pregnant and new moms in mind. You can get this organic water processed coffee in decaf, 1/4 cafe 1/2 caf, and full caf so you can choose the level of caffeine that you are comfortable with or that your doctor recommends. So now you can still enjoy coffee while you are with a child. If you are looking to add some nutrition to your coffee, you can always add some protein powder to your coffee. Check out protein powders that are safe for pregnancy.

Five Anxiety Tips for Moms

Five Anxiety Tips for Moms
Bеіng аnxіоuѕ оnсе іn a while is nоrmаl. However, an аnxіеtу dіѕоrdеr іѕ a ѕеvеrе mеntаl dіѕоrdеr. The symptoms оf the disorder rаngе frоm соmmоn fеаr оf thе unknоwn tо еxсеѕѕіvе раrаnоіа which can hаmреr dау-tо-dау activities.

   It’s nоrmаl for a wоmаn to fееl оn еdgе after having a bаbу, but those ѕuffеrіng frоm аnxіеtу uѕuаllу fасе рrоlоngеd anxiety-related symptoms, ѕuсh as іrrіtаbіlіtу, difficulty соnсеntrаtіng, rеѕtlеѕѕnеѕѕ, еtс., whісh саn іmmеnѕеlу affect thеіr аbіlіtу tо tаkе gооd саrе оf their nеw born bаbу. 

Fіndіng іt dіffісult lіvіng wіth аnxіеtу as a mоm? 

If so, we’ve included 5 tірѕ thаt саn hеlр curb your аnxіеtу аѕ a new mоm.

Sleep whеn your bаbу sleeps 
              Yоur bаbу will probably sleep for twо hоurѕ аt a time: wаkе uр fоr a fееd, a рlау, a nарру сhаngе оr two аnd then gо blissfully bасk tо sleep аgаіn - іf only life ѕtауеd thіѕ еаѕу! It’s іdеаl fоr уоu tо fоllоw уоur new bаbу'ѕ sleeping patterns tо mаkе uр fоr the ѕlеер you may have mіѕѕеd bеfоrе the morning. At first, it may ѕееm hаrd tо sleep for short іntеrvаlѕ оf tіmе, however, you’ll be able to adapt as time goes on.

Kеер vіѕіtоrѕ to a minimum (еѕресіаllу in the first week) 
              Aѕ a mom whо just hаd hеr baby, coming home уоu are lіkеlу to have аn іnflux оf vіѕіtоrѕ and wеll-wіѕhеrѕ. This саn bе incredibly drаіnіng fоr уоu and your baby. Nеw bаbіеѕ саn gеt ill vеrу ԛuісklу аѕ well as needing a lіttlе tіmе to adapt to their new еnvіrоnmеnt without bеіng соmрlеtеlу overwhelmed. Infоrm your frіеndѕ tо be patient for a minimum of one week or two before visiting. This can help your newborn to relax and adapt to their new home.

Stор ароlоgіzіng 
               There is a ѕауіng thаt says, thе bеѕt wау tо mеаѕurе thе dерth оf undеrѕtаndіng of a given concept іѕ by еffесtіvеlу еxрlаіnіng it to another реrѕоn. A study shows that sharing the truthѕ оf lіfе as a wife and husband, еѕресіаllу оn thе tоріс оf аnxіеtу, gives both spouses the орроrtunity tо bеttеr ѕuрроrt each оthеr. Whether іt’ѕ a frіеnd, fаmіlу member, acquittance or a spouse wіth whom you feel a strong соnnесtіоn with, іnѕtеаd of apologizing, еxрlаіn how your аnxіеtу works. It will strengthen your relationship among you and your spouse and it’ll teach you both how to work together especially when managing a disorder that can often be too much to face alone.

Slow Yоur Mіnd wіth Mеdіtаtіоn or Prауеr 
               It’s соmmоn fоr реорlе with аnxіеtу tо feel like thеіr brain won’t shut off. Thеу can’t ѕееm tо ѕlоw their thоughtѕ to where they can feel calm.
                Aѕ a mom, lеаrnіng tесhnіquеѕ for mеdіtаtіоn, рrауеr оr even some quiet time is сrіtісаl when dealing wіth аnxіеtу. It can help уоu lіvе in the рrеѕеnt and avoid the feeling as you’d be running on a hamster wheel of worry.

Try Online Counseling
                You’re not alone as you can talk to a professional and it could be of great help especially if you’re a mom who lives with anxiety and all its related symptoms. Visiting a doctor's office may hinder your freedom to fully express yourself, however, studies show how online therapy can benefit many who experience fear when talking to a professional about their mental health illnesses. Online therapy can also be very beneficial to mom’s who also work during the day and have busy schedules. The lack of time is no longer an excuse as online therapy offers licensed professionals who are eager to help those who seek treatment and can be very affordable.

                As a mom, I’ve learned how online counseling can be very easy to schedule as it’s accessible on all platforms including via mobile devices. You also don’t have to wait to be helped as your therapist is always in constant contact with you via text and weekly scheduled video calls. I personally cannot recommend enough and if you’re looking for help, try online counseling today!

Helping Your Child Succeed In School

           Are my children smart because of genetics?

       I received samples from Hugaroo and Superfood Crumble to facilitate this post.

  I have five kids and all them are above average students. Two of the three older children were high school valedictorians and the two youngest are in the gifted program. I also have a child attending the Merchant Marine Academy, this child got a 96% on his first physics test!  I was smart as a child so some may say my children are smart because of genetics. I think genetics may have a small part to play in kids succeeding in school but I really think it all has to do with how a parent helps them. This not only means starting early with teaching kids through play and reading to them but it also means things you can do throughout each school year. Here are some things that I do to help my child succeed in school.

1. Start the day with a healthy breakfast

 Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. If your child is hungry they cannot think or learn as they are focusing on their hunger. Think about when you may have been on a diet and all you could think of was food. Give your child a breakfast of healthy food like whole grains and protein. I wanted to be a nutritionist when I was younger, but a bike accident in college took that dream away. So I am the mom who serves healthy meals. My boys usually have fruit, milk and a peanut butter sandwich or oatmeal for breakfast. They may also have a yogurt parfait or chocolate protein pancakes. My boys love SuperFood Crumble on their yogurt. This gluten-free granola like crumble is loaded omegas and fuels their body with plenty of healthy energy. I love eating the chocolate dairy free crumble straight from the bag!

2. Get plenty of sleep

 Sleep is so important to learning. I know when I don't get enough sleep because of my allergies, my mind just can't concentrate. My boys get 10 hours a sleep a night but younger kids may need more and older kids less. My teen who is in the academy used to tell his girlfriend he could not stay up talking on the phone because he knew he needed his sleep.

3. Start homework right away

 We have a rule about homework in this house. When you get home from school, have a snack and then start your homework. My boys are still in learning mode so I know it helps them to concentrate better on homework. They also know once they get the homework done, they can then play. I think when homework is done later, like before bed, kids are too tired to think. My youngest has a hard time concentrating so he uses a cute soft weighted lap pad to help him focus on his homework. The Huggaroo Plush Puppy Weighted Lap Pad is weighted so it lowers anxiety and induces a sense of calm. This furry dog is so snuggly so it also makes a great friend for bedtime.



4. Read at bedtime

 My boys still love bedtime stories so we always make time before bed to read a couple of chapters from a book. I do the reading and I know this is great for their learning. Sometimes when this mom is too tired, we may read a book with pictures. My boys love reading and still read on their own after school for homework. Reading is great for kids and they are never too young for books. I started reading to my children when they were babies.


5. Give your kids quality time

  I know that me choosing to be a stay at home mom has something to do with my boys being so smart. Kids need/want time with their parents. That quality time could be as simple as just talking to them at dinner or going for a walk. I know staying at home is not a choice for everyone so if you are a working parent, cut back on outside activities and use that time with your child instead. My boys also have plenty of free play time as I believe it is great for their creativity. They don't do organized sports until middle school. They do participate in Cub Scouts with their dad as again it is great quality time.

6. Exercise

  Exercise is great for the brain and so is fresh air. So after homework is done, my boys go out to play. If I have not had a chance to run that day, they hop on their bikes and I get some running in. Going to the park is also another great way to get some exercise. When winter comes, my boys love running around the house and having Nerf gun fights.

7. Visit the library

  My boys love reading and are awesome readers. They both read above 2-grade levels. I know that visiting the library at least once a month has helped them learn. Books are always a good choice for learning. My boys check out chapter books, comic books, and books that teach them how to make things. The point is they are reading.

8. Limit video games and TV

 Have you ever watched your kid as they are watching TV? Mine look like zombies. TV is great for relaxing but too much is not good for anyone. I limit my boys to one hour of TV as they need to be using their time for play and school work. You won't find a video game system in my house as I feel they can be addicting for kids and I don't want to have those arguments about turning it off. On occasion, my boys do play on the computer but that is after homework, chores, and free play time. Then they each get 30 minutes on the computer. I feel that free play and reading are better options for learning.


9. Do math while shopping

 I am always teaching my children and look for opportunities for learning. When we are at the store, I have my boys figure out the lowest price of products. When things are on sale, I make them figure out the cost of the product after the sale. My boys love weighing the produce and I will have them figure out the cost. Cooking is also great for learning fractions and science. Let them make messes, outside of course, or in the bathroom. My boys love combining baking soda and vinegar when I clean the bathroom drains. They also love making slime and playdough. My youngest learns math when he helps me make his homemade toothpaste. Learning can be through fun.

10. Use big words

   I remember my mom always saying words that I did not understand or she would talk in bits of Spanish or German. I would always want to know what the words meant so my mom would explain them to me. So I am thankful for the internet so I can use big words around my boys and then turn to the internet to explain the word to them. These big words increase my boy's vocabulary and knowledge. When my boys need help with their homework, I never give them the answer. I make them look up the words or help them solve math programs. My son tried to use a calculator for a math problem the other day and I would not let him. I instead showed him how to set up the math problem so he was able to figure out the answer.

Do you have any tips to share with me about helping children learn?

I would love to hear them as I am always looking for new ways to teach my boys.