Use This Checklist If You’re Traveling With Kids

Photo credit/site https://pixabay.com/en/boy-child-kid-family-disgust-1528150/

Whether you are traveling across town or across the country, taking a child along can be a challenge. But, if you are prepared for whatever happens, you will handle the trip and the kid like a champ. We are going to give you a few tips on how to be ready for anything while traveling with your child.

Stay Calm and Be Honest 

Parents know that their little ones have the capacity to shoot into orbit in 5-seconds or less. This is why we strategically walk around the edge of the grocery store. It is our fear that usually begins the cycle of dread when we have to take a trip. But, if you remain calm, you have at least a 50/50 chance that he will too.

If you are taking the bus or the car to the city, stopping at the doctor so he can have an eye exam, followed by a visit to the pre-school for registration, tell him. You do not have to go into great detail, simply say, we have to get your eyes checked and then we will stop by the school.

It is all in the presentation. If you say, “We are taking the bus to the doctor to have your eyes examined and then we will stop by your school.” He has no reason to be afraid. But if you say, “I know you are going to be afraid, but it will not hurt a bit, and I promise as soon as it is over we will go for a Happy Meal. Then we have to stop by your new school, but I promise I am not going to leave you there today, so don’t be afraid.” Your child just heard “They are going to punch me in the eye and then mommy is going to make a stay at that school thing she keeps talking about. Begin melt down in 3, 2, 1...

Photo credit/site https://pixabay.com/en/plane-aircraft-klm-airshow-volkel-3300972/

Travel Smart 

Use one bag. Opt for a backpack or a diaper bag. Keep your arms free as much as possible.

Take a change of clothes (or two), baby wipes, all purpose cream (for rashes, bites, scrapes, and dry skin.)

Take snacks in ziplock bags, and take a large ziplock bag for wet clothes.

If your child has a favorite blanket or stuffed toy, take it with you.

Download kids shows, music, and games on your cell phone.

Appointments

• If you are going to a doctor, dentist, or school appointment, contact them beforehand. 

• Have them email you any forms that need to be filled out and send them in before you go, leaving a copy in your email folder. 

• Take pictures of your child's insurance cards, birth certificate, shot records, and anything else they need and send them in before you go. 

• Make your visit as uneventful and stress-free as possible. 

• You know your child. If your child gets fussy just before lunch or if he doesn’t get his afternoon nap, make the appointment for the morning hours. Do not try to do too much in one day. 

• If you have several things that need to be done on one day, consider spending the night at a hotel. But, with planning, you should not find yourself in that situation. 

Longer Trips - Going By Plane 

If you are taking your child on vacation, and you are traveling by plane, you must take more precautions.

• Let the airline know you are traveling with a child and be selective on your seating arrangements. 


• Take enough snacks and activities to keep them busy. 


• They will probably not like the sensation of ear popping. Take some gummy snacks to help them chew through the sensation. 


• If you can, arrange your flight during the time your child normally naps. 

Traveling with your child may seem challenging at first. But, you will soon get the hang of it. Just roll with it and enjoy the ride. It will all be a memory tomorrow.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post written by The Blog Frog. Please check out The Blog Frog.

How to be a Mindful Mommy

Becoming a parent is, of course, a huge blessing and a wonderful experience: nothing quite compares to being a mommy. It’s also true though, that since the birth of your little love, you’ve likely struggled to find much time for yourself; the morning flies by before you’ve had a chance to brush your hair and change out of your pajamas. January quickly becomes June, and other than marking the milestones in your baby’s development, life becomes a bit of a blur!

If you can relate to this feeling, then perhaps introducing some elements of mindfulness in your daily life will help you reconnect.

Make Mindful Movements

The next time you’re walking around the block, with your little one in a stroller, take a moment to really observe the space around you. Look at your neighbors’ front doors: how many different colors can you count? Getting into the practice of being alert and connected to your surroundings, rather than inside your mind with an internal monologue planning what else needs to be done in the day, will allow you to take greater ownership of your time.

Even if you’re housebound most of the day, you can make your movements more mindful when doing anything from brushing your teeth to chopping vegetables.

Use the Time You Get to Nurture Yourself

Regardless of whether your child takes long or short naps, you can steal back little portions of time and spend them on yourself. For sure, get the dishes washed and toys packed away so you’ve got space to breathe, and then sit yourself down for a short meditation practice. You can feel the benefits from even 5 minutes spent breathing mindfully; reducing stress and anxiety, especially if you’re having a stressful day.

You don’t even need to put your child down to sleep to meditate, by purchasing a baby mobile or sound machine, the little one can be simply taking their own timeout while you do the same. If you’re worried about leaving them awake and unattended, take a comfortable seat on the floor of their nursery — you never know, you might find the sound machine calming for you too! If you’re in the market for baby bedtime entertainment, an online parent guide will lead you in the right direction.

Mommy Baby Yoga

A craze that’s blowing up right now, and for good reason, is the practice of mommy-baby yoga. Whether you look for a yoga studio near you, or just find a class or tutorial online, yoga can further strengthen the wonderful bond you’ve got with your child through stroking and soothing techniques. It also won’t hurt if you want to get your pre-baby body back!

If you’ve only recently given birth, consult an expert opinion before you start any rigorous exercise though.

Mindful moms raise mindful children

As a parent, you’ll know the importance of leading by example. If you can adopt mindfulness in your everyday life — through mindful movements, short meditations or yoga — the benefits will transfer to your child too.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

Goodnight Moon @RoseTheaterCo Review

We were super excited to make it out to The Rose Theater once again. It's such a great place to feel inspired. This time Goodnight Moon was showing.

I always like to get a photo of the boys by the poster for the musical or play.

The show started right on time. It's always good to be a little early, so we can pick our seats. Isaak wanted to sit in the balcony this time.

About Goodnight Moon:

It's 7 o'clock and time to go to sleep in The Great Green Room, but restless Bunny can't get to sleep. An Old Lady tries to help Bunny get to sleep, but has trouble doing so. His room comes to life with Mouse that sleeps under his bed, and other characters that jump out of a book and into his room. The cat with a fiddle, a red balloon, the telephone, clocks, dancing bears, socks, kittens, mittens, and a cow jumping over a moon are a few things Bunny encounters. Bedtime sure was entertaining!

Running Time:

September 2nd through the 18th. It's 60 minutes long without an intermission. Make sure if you have young ones with you they go to the bathroom before the show.

September 18 2 PM and 5 PM.

The Rose Performing Arts is located on 2001 Farnam Street Omaha, Nebraska 68102. Call 402-345-4849 for tickets. You can also visit their website: rosetheater.org

If you missed it Shrek is coming to the theater soon!

Best for ages 5 and up. I thought preschoolers would have liked it as well!

Cast and Credits:

Boy/Bunny: Nick Knipe
Mouse/Dog/Baby Bear: Jessica Burrill-Logue
Puppeteer/Cow Head: Kimberlee Stone
Puppeteer/Cow Rear: Matthew Pyle
Tooth Fairy/Cat/Papa Bear: Ty Hebbert
Old Lady/Dish and Spoon/Mama Bear: Wendy Eaton

Director: Susann Suprenant
Musical Director: Jerry Brabec
Scenic Designer: Bill Van Deest
Lighting Designer: Laura Hensley
Choreographer: Sue Gillespie Booton
Production Stage Manager: Ashleigh-Dawn Kriegh-Flemming
Costume Designer: Sherri Geerdes
Sound Designer: Craig Moxon
Production Director: Erin Solemsaas
Technical Director: Greg Rishoi
Props Master: Christopher Dills
Scenic Charge: Lauren Crabtree
Master Carpenter: Robert Ortiz, Jackson Curtright
Lighting Apprentice: Rose Mormino
Stage Manager Apprentice: J.J. Jones
Scenic Apprentice/Run Crew: Megan Bolander

Sponsored By:

Children's Hospital, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Wells Fargo, Nebraska Arts Council, and Kiewit

What We Thought:

I never knew bedtime could be so entertaining. The characters sang, jumped, and danced around.

I liked the message that one can do whatever they set their minds too. The cow didn't think he/she could jump over the moon. The other characters convinced the cow that it could in fact jump over the shadow of the moon, which is jumping over the moon.

The voices always amaze me! I loved the Mouse/Dog/Baby Bear voice and Tooth Fairy/Cat/Papa Bear voice!

It's so wonderful that this is a classic story came to life on stage!

Disclaimer: I received tickets for the purpose of an honest review.

Instilling Empathy

My kids are pretty good kids. They eat what is given to them, go to bed when they are told to, they do better in school than my husband and I did, and they help out around the house when asked.

Sure they have their downfalls:

Mica at times rushes with homework, 1/2 cleans his room when he's told to clean his room, doesn't like going outside to play, and at times isn't empathetic towards Isaak.

Isaak has a hard time being self directed, has a sweet and sour personality - when the sour happens watch out, is dramatic, and is sensitive.

When Mica was itty bitty I worried that he lacked empathy. I only felt this way because he wasn't empathetic towards his brother.

Isaak was more saturated with it. His feelings would get hurt so easily.

I know that instilling empathy is important.

I saw Mica as more the kid that would pick on others, and Isaak as more the kid that would be bullied.

Boy was I wrong! 

Mica helped and continues to help other kids in school. He's a true leader.

Last week a fellow safety patrol member was being picked on. No one would let him back into the school. Regardless of what others thought of him, Mica let the boy back into school. I was so happy that Mica stood up for the kid; when no one else would.

Mica's still not perfect with his little brother, but he's better.

When we went to the school's open house I saw that someone from Isaak's class was sitting all alone at a table. She looks different because she has some medical problems. She has an NG feeding tube. I know that she's been in and out of the hospital. I asked Isaak, "Why is that little girl sitting there all alone?" Isaak said, "I don't know Mom. A lot of people in class say she smells, and looks funny. They won't hang out with her. I talk with her. I invited her to my birthday party, but she couldn't come because she was in the hospital. I made sure her brother got one of my birthday treats to give to her." The treat was the book, The Secret Garden. I had to turn away from Isaak. Travis asked, "What's wrong?" I couldn't talk because tears were starting to flow down my face. I was trying to turn off my emotions.

I wanted so bad to make that little girls problems go away. I wanted to tell Isaak's teacher about how this little girl is treated. I couldn't say anything. The little girl was right there in the classroom the same time we were in there. Instead I complimented her on how pretty her dress was.

I teach college aged kids/adults. At an art school where everyone is a little off there's generally a few that are more off than others. Sometimes the students are accepting, while other times they aren't. I do my best to include all of them in discussion. I have lectures about creative minds - how we are different, and how that's ok. I tell them that the world we be a pretty boring place if we were all the same.

Teaching Empathy:

How does one teach it? How do you instill something that's a feeling?

According to the New York Times:

1. Empathize with your child and model how to feel compassion for others.

At home I a lot of times would talk about how I didn't like how this student or that student was being treated. 

I've discussed with Mica and Isaak that we don't know where other kids come from. Their backgrounds are all different. I showed them a powerful video called ReMoved. It was about a kid in the foster care system. I said, "If it's too much for you, I'll turn it off and we'll talk about it." 

2. Make caring for others a priority and set high ethical expectations.

This may sound bad, but I make Mica play with Isaak outside. 

They have to do things at times like pick up garbage at a park with me, and rake up a neighbor's leaves with Travis. 

3. Provide opportunities for children to practice.

It helps that they have a cousin that does in fact have special needs.

4. Expand your child’s circle of concern.

Our boys got accepted and go to Banister Leadership Academy. There are lot of kids there that have single parents, troubles in school, and so on. I'm not saying I want our kids to be around bad kids. I just want them to have a chance to be role models. 

This is a touchy one. If your kids are left to defend themselves against bullies they could get in trouble themselves. In my opinion they also need to know that it is ok to walk away if they feel unsafe. 

5. Help children develop self-control and manage feelings effectively.

We're still working on this. Kids react differently. I've gotten Isaak to stop writing on his bedroom walls. ;) 

Overall I see a lack of empathy in our society as a whole. 

I hear about teachers wanting to get transferred to a better area of town, so they don't have to deal with all the behavior problems. Once they transfer, they still have behavior problems in the new "better" school. 

Most parents work 40 hours a week. They're tired! There are more single parents out there than there every have been. They're even more tired!

Do you see a lack of empathy in our society overall as a whole? 

What are some ways you can think of to instill empathy? 

Be a Kid for Just a Little Bit Longer!

Mica all the sudden thinks he's too big to be a kid.

For the most part he doesn't want to watch animations. That was a big discussion because Isaak wanted to watch Inside Out, and Mica didn't. We finally convinced him to give it a shot. Then he liked it.

One day a few weeks ago I made each of us a pancake face for breakfast:

Isaak was all excited to eat it. Mica on the other hand said, "Why? I don't want this. I'm too old for this! Dad would not approve." I don't know why Dad was brought up. I do know that he often times doesn't like my artsy food things.

I said, "Mica just roll with it. I'm an adult, and I love my pancake face."

Isaak happily ate his pancake face. Mica all grumpy like shoved the face parts off the pancake with his fork, and ate the pancake. 

I've always wanted my kids to be kids as long as possible.

Picasso Quotes:

It takes a long time to become young.

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.

Every child is an artist, the problem is staying a child when you grow up.

I do have to say that my kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes longer than most kids. They'd wear them outside. Mica wasn't Mica. He was Captain America, or Indiana Jones... Mica still loves Legos. He asks for toys when holidays come along. He's in 4th grade, but could be a 5th grader (he was 6 when he started school). We've made it this far, and there's still a little boy inside him. 

The Gnomist

I watched this short flick. I know it's 15 minutes, but it's a great 15 minutes! It captures that child within. 

Source

If you don't have time for The Gnoimist watch the intro to To Kill a Mockingbird:

If you don't like black and white any more watch the intro to Amélie:

These are all flicks I show during our Children's book illustration section of my Illustration class.

I gravitate towards children's books, I love food art, being silly is fun, board games are not boring, arts and crafts are wonderful.

What do you like to do that is childlike?

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts - A Book Review

I love children's books! Once upon a time I got in trouble when I was in third or fourth grade because I was trying to check out children's books instead of chapter books. The librarian scolded me. I liked the pictures. Chapter books were limited with illustrations. Still to this day I go to the children's book section first when I enter a bookstore, or library.

I adore the children's book I got called Achoo! Why Pollen Counts By Sheenen Bersani to review. 

An added perk was getting a special card from the author Shennen Bersani!

Plus the author signed it to my nephew Edison. He is going to get this book very soon.

What Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is about:

A baby bear is allergic to pollen. The grass is covered with it. The pollen makes baby bear sneeze, itch, and his eyes get watery.

The story covers what pollen is, how we need it, and what animals eat it to help them survive.

What I like about Achoo! Why Pollen Counts:

I've always been an allergy/asthma sufferer. This book relates to me. I know my nephew Edison is getting the book, but I also know his family is filled with allergy sufferers as well. It takes a complex topic, and makes it understandable to anyone.

I like the writing, and the cute illustrations. One thing that is different about this book compared to others is that it has 4 pages of learning activities in the back for creative minds:

• Ah-Achoo! Understanding Alleriges
• Flower Parts
• The Pollination Process
• Pollinator Matching
• Bees: The Great Pollinators

You can look for more activities online at www.ArbordalePublishing.com

Best for ages 4-7. Isaak who is almost 8 enjoyed it. I think the illustrations are great for younger. Kids love to be read to. They may not be able to do the activities in the back when they are younger than 4, but they still will enjoy this story!

Keywords: adaptations, basic needs, pollen, allergies, plant parts, plant life cycle, pollinators, pollination, bees 

Animals in the book: black bear, bear, honeybee, ladybug, snow owl, spider, vole, zebra butterfly 

Special Thanks:  Dr. Alan Graham, Curator of Paleobotany & Palynology at Missouri Botanical Garden's Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, for reviewing the accuracy of the information in this book.

Buy Achoo! Why Pollen Counts! It comes in:

• Hardcover: $17.95
• Paperback: $9.95
• Spanish Paperback: $9.95
• EBook $6.95
• Spanish EBook: $6.95

Check out more books from Arbordale Publishing

Get Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on Amazon

Like Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on facebook

Visit Sheenen Bersani - the author's website

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

WW: The Omaha Children's Museum

On Sunday the boys participated in a commercial for Parent Savvy. It was to showcase a new superhero display at The Omaha Children's Museum. I only wish I knew that our youngest Isaak had Strep Throat. Had I known, I won't have let him participate.

When we were waiting on the sidelines for the commercial takes.

Superman is one of my favorite superheroes. Who is your favorite?

Mica being Mica. Isaak was running around, not holding still.

Some superheroes behind glass.

Mica looking tougher than he is.

 

Children's Pro Freestanding Reflex Punching Bag Review

We try and keep the kids active. They have a lot of energy. 

I recently got Velocity Boxing Children's Pro Freestanding Reflex Punching Bag to review. It's a $99.99 value, but on sale for $54.95.

It comes with: 

• A Pair of 10" Gloves 

• Hand Pump to Inflate Bag

•  Velocity Boxing Children's Pro Freestanding Reflex Punching Bag

• Adjustable Height from 47" to 57"

• Base Diameter: 16.5", Base can be Filled with 50 Lbs. of Sand or Water for Maximum Stability

Recommended for Ages 5+ and Up. Both my kiddos are over the recommended age.

This is pretty fun, and gets their energy out!

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Reading Nooks

I wish we had room in our house for a reading nook. I've thought about putting one under the downstairs steps - after we get it refinished.

The Land of Nod is giving away a $1,500 gift card to get supplies for your own Reading Nook, and books from their site.

Part of what I love is that it's only 1 entry. There is no like 50 FB pages, and follow 50 Twitter pages to enter.

Here are some Reading Nook ideas from my Pinterest Kid Spaces Board.

Take an old crib, make it into a toddler bed, and re-purpose it to be a seat for a reading space.

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An old crib mattress looks cozy!

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An old crib could be transformed into a desk to.

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Plastic rain gutters can be used to hold books.

This is one of those broken links. If you know where it came from, I'd be happy to add a source.

An old cable spool as a Book Nook.

This is one of those broken links. If you know where it came from, I'd be happy to add a source.

Take the under part of your steps and transform it into a kid's space. They can use it for a Reading Nook, play space, or tornado shelter.

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A fun space that can be for read, or take the cushions off and it can be used for writing.

This is one of those broken links. If you know where it came from, I'd be happy to add a source.

Make a Reading Nook out of old wood pallets.

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Turn a tepee into a Reading Nook.

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 Instead of a family tree, have a book tree.

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This is one of those broken links. If you know where it came from, I'd be happy to add a source.

What are your ideas for a Reading Nook? Do you have space for one?

Disclaimer: The Land of Nod did not ask me to post this. I just posted about it because it looks fun. I did not get anything in exchange for this post.