I’m back from my 'vacation' in Vegas last night, and now it's full throttle into Halloween weekend. Does anyone else have a hard time turning back on ‘mom mode’ after being away? 🙋‍♀️ Anyway, Halloween is such a sweet time - I love seeing all the little kids dressed up in their costumes (major props to the parents, of course). Make sure to enjoy this last weekend with longer days because Fall Back is right around the corner!

Make your Health a Priority, Mom. A friendly reminder to schedule your own doctor appointments before the end of the year.

Put a Smile on your Face. Because it’s holiday family photo time!

Take a break and read a book. Enough said.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

This is Your Reminder to Make Those Important Appointments

To care for others effectively, you must also care for yourself. This is often easier said than done in the world of motherhood, where hurdles like childcare or finding a doctor can hinder moms from prioritizing their health.

While these are valid reasons to delay a doctor's visit, it's crucial to make the time. Allocate an hour each year to schedule these appointments for yourself. Savvy Working Mom also offers useful tips for reducing appointment-related stress.

☑️Wellness Visit. This will be with your primary care physician to check your overall health and get necessary blood work done. 

☑️OBGYN Appointment. It is important for women of all ages as it can lead to more preventive testing, including mammograms and a colonoscopy.

☑️Eye Exam. If you are 40 years or older, it's recommended to see an ophthalmologist to keep an eye (pun intended) out for silent symptoms for early detection, which can lead to prevention. Eye doctors can also diagnose other conditions impacting the body, such as diabetes.

☑️Skin Check. I was born and raised in Florida - this appointment is an absolute must. Early detection is key when it comes to skin issues like melanoma.

☑️Dental Exam. You take your kids to the dentist so make sure you do it, too. 

Now that you’ve scheduled those appointments, get the most out of them. Self Advocacy is a big part of a successful healthcare experience.

• Bring a Friend or Relative. HIPAA permits a doctor to share a patient's medical information with authorized individuals, such as family and friends, offering valuable support and varied perspectives for questions.

• Be Clear. Doctors have to see a lot of patients with the average appointment time clocking at 18 minutes. Be prepared with questions ahead of time and make sure you are clear and concise with how you are feeling, symptoms, etc. 

• Take Notes. Keep track of your appointment information on a notepad, or your phone, or even ask permission to record. Review the notes with your physician to have a clearer understanding of what you discussed.

• Feel Unsupported? Move on and get a second opinion. When finding a new provider, ask for specific criteria that maybe didn’t fit the last time to have a better chance of finding a match that works for you.

FAMILY

Smile! It’s Holiday Card Season.

It's your husband's favorite time of year - holiday family photos! Unless you live on the beach during the summer, fall is the ideal time to schedule a session because the weather is beautiful, the sunsets are at an ideal time, and you receive the pictures in time for holiday cards.

First, you need to find the perfect photographer. I always ask my friends for recommendations, but if you are researching from scratch, here are some questions to ask. Maybe do a little Pinterest-ing ahead of time to see what style and poses you are looking for this year.

• What types of photography do you specialize in?

• What does your session fee include? Do you have a deposit requirement?

• Can you tell me about your process?

• How would you describe your style of photography?

• What is the usual timeline for your sessions / receiving images?

Once the photographer and date are agreed upon, it’s time for the fun part ✨shopping✨. Minimalist Mama offers great tips for choosing the right outfits for a fall aesthetic.

Pick a common color. Family outfits flow better if there is a common element repeated on each family member. 

Be one with nature. For the color scheme, bring in the shades that are in your background or environment. Fail-safe colors include grey, cream, oatmeal, taupe, burnt orange, forest or sage green, and deep maroons.

Build layers. This adds depth and interest to your pictures using textures in your outfits such as corduroy or flannel.

Now that everyone looks great, it's time to survive actual photo day. Older children probably know the drill at this point, but toddlers (and dads) may need a few tips!

📷Have some of your toddler’s favorite things on hand like a favorite song or a lovey.

📷Keep them active! These make for the best candid shots, too.

📷You know the drill - always have plenty of snacks on hand.

📷Take a breath. The more relaxed you are, the more likely they will be too.

If you need ideas on how to execute the perfect family photo session, here is a great resource with plenty of do’s and don’ts.

Rothy’s are my current obsession with footwear. They're the perfect mom shoe that isn't a sneaker. From loafers to ballet flats, there is something for every personality. Another reason to love this brand is its commitment to sustainability. All products are made from recycled, natural, or renewable materials. Over 600,000 lbs of ocean marine plastic have been turned into thread they use.

AND ALSO THIS…

SNIPPETS

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

INFLUENCER HIGHLIGHT

“Readers are lucky – they will never be bored or lonely.”– Natalie Babbitt  

With all the hustle and bustle bound to happen over the next couple of months (hello, holidays!), carve out some family reading time this weekend. If you have little ones who can’t read on their own yet, check out this helpful resource from Parents Magazine on how to inspire a love of reading. 

Also, check out…

• Forbes has vetted a list of children’s books for 2023 divided by age group to check out.

• After reading a story, ask these 10 questions to get a conversation going.

• If you are looking to expand your child’s personal library, there are book subscription boxes that make it easy.

Parents - if you are looking for a good book but can’t decide, here is a list of websites to help narrow down your options.

📖 A fun (and free!) family outing to start the weekend is heading to the public library to select your books. Happy reading!

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