February 23, 2024

Hey there, amazing mamas! It's your weekend greeter checking in! This weekend, it's just me on the parenting front, navigating the whirlwind of sporting events and birthday parties with the kids. It's times like these that make me truly appreciate all that my husband does! So, here's to hoping I can juggle it all with finesse—wish me luck!

  • Financial Lessons: Tips for teaching your kids about money at an early age.

  • Restless Mind: Strategies for achieving a better night's sleep starting from the moment you get into bed.

  • Artwork Overfloweth: Creative ways to display and archive your children's artwork, showing them that you value their creativity.

MONEY

Money matters made fun.

Teaching kids about finances at an early age is crucial for equipping them with life skills. While it should be a main focus in schools, parents often need to step in to ensure their children receive this education. Though it may seem complicated or daunting at first, we've outlined a few helpful tips and resources to assist parents in this vital endeavor..

Here are a few key points to consider…

💵Start Early, Start Simple: Introduce basic concepts like saving and budgeting as soon as your kiddo can count their pennies. Need inspiration? Check out this guide on essential money lessons from A Nation of Moms.

💵Make Finance Fun with Words: Forbes suggests teaching financial vocab from an early age. Turn learning into a game—how about a round of "Financial Scrabble" or "Money Bingo"? 

💵Practice "Loud Budgeting": Ever heard of "loud budgeting"? It's not about shouting numbers but openly discussing financial decisions with your kids. 

💵Inspire Financial Goals: Help your teenager set exciting financial targets with ideas from Clever Girl Finance. From starting a side hustle to opening a retirement account, there's something for every aspiring young investor!

Remember, teaching your kids about money isn't just about dollars and cents—it's about empowering them to make smart choices for a lifetime of financial well-being. Think long-term!

  • It's not just about pocket money; it's about preparing for the future. 

  • Encourage your teen to set financial goals, from saving for a car to investing in retirement. 

Make it a game! 🎮🎲 Turn financial education into playtime with free online games. Check out these financial literacy games recommended by Edutopia. Plus, explore the NGPF Arcade for even more interactive learning experiences!

HEALTH

Get your sleep back on track.

📷Picture this: it's 10 PM, the house is finally quiet, and you're ready to hit the hay... until your brain decides it's the perfect time to think about everything you have to get done tomorrow or remember that permission slip you need to sign that’s due tomorrow. Sound familiar?

Parent Ponderings…

  • Count Blessings, Not Sheep: Worried about tomorrow's to-dos? Write 'em down! Check out "Three Things to Do When You Can’t Fall Asleep Because You’re Overthinking…Everything" for some handy hacks. 

  • Bedtime Blues Begone: 🛏️ Reclaim your bed as a sleep sanctuary! Learn how to associate bed with sleep or schedule a “worry time.”

  • Rise and Shine Routine: ⏰ Discover the magic of waking up at the same time daily and how it can transform your sleep patterns. 

☝️Try this! If you wake up in the middle of the night, Everyday Health suggests getting out of bed and doing something calming like reading a book 📖 or journaling.

A TIP FROM BIRDIE: If all else fails, soothing sounds might be your secret to sweet sleep. 🎶 Explore our favorite Spotify playlist for some soothing background tunes perfect for parents and children alike. While there's no scientific guarantee, many swear by the calming power of colored noise. Give it a listen and let the lullabies lull you to sleep!

WEEKEND FOCUS

Tackling your kid’s artwork avalanche. 🎨

I cherish my kid's artwork, but let's be real, there's a ton of it. I save the ones I really love and quietly get rid of the rest. But even with the pieces I keep, I'm not sure what to do with them all. I'm sure other parents have the same problem, so I've gathered some ideas to help out.

🧑‍🎨 Artful Parent gives tons of unique ideas. Added BONUS: I’ve included a few links throughout with similar solutions!

  • Kids Art Poster: Transform your child's artwork into a stunning poster to adorn their bedroom or playroom walls. It's an easy and affordable way to showcase their creativity. 

  • Wood Bead Clip Garland: Add a touch of whimsy to any space with a charming wood bead clip garland. Simply clip your little one's artwork to the garland for an ever-changing display that will brighten up any room. 

  • Corkboard Wall: Create a dedicated art space using a corkboard wall where your child can proudly pin up their latest creations. It's a fantastic way to encourage their artistic endeavors while keeping your walls clutter-free. 

  • Vertical Display with Hanging Wires: Hang wires vertically along a wall and use clips to display your child's artwork in a dynamic and eye-catching way. It's a sleek and modern alternative to traditional frames.

📱There’s an app for that! If you prefer a solution that consolidates all your kid's precious art into a book or a mosaic, try out ArtKive. I’m thinking future Christmas gift?!

Did You Know: Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC) has emerged as a trend in recent years. DCC involves waiting 30 seconds to several minutes after birth before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. This simple practice allows vital blood from the placenta to flow to the newborn, offering a plethora of health benefits. From bolstering iron levels to enhancing immune function, DCC is becoming a widely embraced method in childbirth for its potential to give babies a healthier start in life. Learn more about this groundbreaking approach here.

SNIPPETS

Protein safety. Are you wondering if protein powders are safe for kids and teens? Short answer is yes but make sure you are aware of a few things.

Thrifty art. Coffee table books might be your solution to wall art. Find out more here.

Don’t throw it in the hamper. Good news, you can wear your jeans up to 10 times before washing. Buzzfeed is breaking down what and when to wash certain garments.

Against all odds. Thirteen year old boy beats incurable brain cancer. Read more about this amazing story here.

Square nails, don’t care.

Step into the spotlight with the hottest nail trend of the moment: square nails! This nostalgic nod to the 90s is making a glamorous comeback, and we're here for it. From the glitzy Grammy red carpet to Taylor Swift's chic sports game statement, square nails are stealing the show.

Want to get the look? Brit + Co's got the guide on how to achieve square nails at home, complete with inspiration from your favorite celebs. Whether you prefer a bold design or a sleek, natural finish, square nails are the perfect canvas for your creativity.

Check out more nail trends from floating French tips to chocolate milk nails. Sounds delicious!

🧱LEGO hack. The app Brickit scans all your legos and gives you ideas of what to build with what you have!

🌲Nature walk. Letter edition! Sprinkle in Learning has found a way to incorporate outside play with letter sounds. Take a look!

✨ Christen and Karin ✨

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