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.

Working Class Lab Coat Size 8-10 Review

My boys have a Science Fair every year at school. I thought this Working Class Lab Coat Size 8-10 would be great to review.

Size it Up:

The lab coats are sized a bit larger, to give room to grow and to wear over heavy clothing, so make sure to check the measurements before buying. They sell lab coats for ages 2-3, 4-6, 6-8 and 8-10. I wish they made one more size up.

I was wondering if it would be too small for Mica that's 10, and just right for Isaak that's 7. Sure enough I was right. I do have to say that my boys are fairly tall for their ages. Do you see how the sleeves look on Mica? They are pretty short. The coat was tight on him to. He took his shirt off to put it on. Since it's for such a wide gap in age, I'd suggest making sleeves that can fold once. Then the sleeves can be long for tall kids, or just right folded up on shorter kids. 

Mica's determined that he wants to wear this lab coat to the Science Fair. I'm pretty sure Isaak will win this fight. The coat fits him better.

Here Isaak is pretending he's a Mad Scientist: 

Fabric: 

• 65% Polyester
• 35% Cotton 
• Imported 
• 3/4 Length Lab Coat
• Long-Sleeved
• Wrinkle-Resistant 
• Button Up Front Closure
• Small Chest Pocket 
• Two Lower Front Pockets 

Pocket Sized Field Guide Booklet:

• Contains a Glossary of Scientific Terms 
• Word Search
• Introduction to the Scientific Method Used to Manufacture the Coats

Overall I think the Working Class Lab Coat is fun. My kids have always loved to role play. They're little actors. I think this will be fun for the Science Fair. 

Disclaimer: I received product mentioned for free in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Raw Organic Unfiltered Shea Butter Review + #Giveaway

I got something wonderful in the mail last week. If you've never tried shea butter, give it a try.

Beauty By Shea is:

• Organic 
• Raw 
• Imported and Unrefined Shea Butter From Ghana- Ivory
• Imported 
• 100% Natural and Pure - Nothing Else is Added

It comes in a 16 once - 1 pound bag. It's $19.99, but on sale for $10.00! It's made with extra care to make sure that any one who buys it gets the purest Raw Shea Butter. Beauty By Shea Butter is filtered not once, but twice for perfection. It's filtered once in Ghana, and then another time at a US Lab where it's manufactured into 1 lb bricks. It's packaged into heat sealed bags, and sent over to Amazon. This preserves the natural richness, and purity for their customers.

It's bagged twice to ensure it's purity. There is a lot in the bag, to last a long time.

I opened it up, and was in love with the natural scent! To me it smelled like coco.

We had a back massage party at our house. Daddy said, "This is better then that massage oil you bought awhile back." It melts into your skin. Everyone loved the special treatment. I also used it on my hair as a conditioner. It left it feeling soft. For both your skin and hair you just need to use a tiny amount. Just like coconut oil Shea Butter hardens when it's cool, and softens when it's warm. Just put the Shea Butter in the palm of your hand, and rub it in to apply it. Start out with just a dime size amount. A little goes a long way!

Storage: Always store the shea butter in a cool, dry place in a sealed container, avoiding direct sunlight or excess heat. Best kept in 75 degrees or cooler.

  
It's Topical Goodness For Your Skin and Hair!

Naturally rich in essential vitamins for beautiful skin, Beauty By Shea Organic Shea Butter will nourish your skin with Vitamins A, E, F & K. Use this Beauty By Shea Organic Raw Shea Butter daily and often for beautiful, moisturized, luminous skin.

Things You Can Use Shea Butter For:

• Homemade lotions
• Homemade Soaps
• Homemade Conditioners 
• Sugar Scrubs
• And more!

Giveaway!

One of my US readers is going to win their own 16 once - 1 pound bag of Raw Shea Butter! A $19.99 value that will last you a long time!

It's your chance to fall in love with Shea Butter just like I have.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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.

I Need a Mommy Cape

Yesterday Isaak said in the car, "Mom your super hero shouldn't be 'Wonder Woman'."

I said, "Really what should it be?"

He said, "It should be 'Super Mom'."

Anyway that made me smile.

I'm surprised with all the super hero movies coming out, Wonder Woman hasn't been in one.

What's your favorite super hero?