Newborn Help for New Parents

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on newborn help for new parents. So, congratulations, you got through pregnancy and now you have a new baby. Newborns are often difficult to care for. Especially, if you are a new parent. They require a lot of attention, and sometimes they’re hard to understand when they cry. If you’re a new mom who is struggling with caring for your newborn, this post is perfect for you! 

We’ll go over the basics of how to take care of your baby in their first few months.  Your will be relaxed as a parent, and they will grow up healthy and happy.

 

 

newborn help

 

Newborn Help for Parents

 

Newborn Help for New Parents and Keeping Baby Warm 

Keep your baby warm whether they are eating or sleeping. You can swaddle them in a blanket or put on some cozy pajamas so that he or she doesn’t get cold. 

 

Bathing Your Baby

Make sure your infant is clean by giving them a bath every day. Babies have very sensitive skin, so make sure you use plain water and a very mild soap made specifically for babies. The market has a variety of washcloths and wipes without any added chemicals or fragrances.

 

Sleep Is Important

Babies need a lot of sleep every day.  They grow rapidly; however, it may feel like your child is awake all the time! Focus on creating a comforting sleep environment for your baby.  Soft music can be soothing to a baby.  So, have a variety of lullabies on hand.  

Put your infant to sleep in their own bed not yours! If you do need to share your bed with your baby, make sure it’s safe for both of you.  

You should try to sleep when your baby is sleeping, this is the best way to ensure that you are feeling your best and ready to take care of your baby.

 

 

newborn help

 

 

 

Newborn Help for New Parents on Feeding 

Newborns need to eat every two to three hours. If they’re not hungry, it’s okay if you don’t feed them right away! Simply feed your baby when they’re hungry. 

A lot of times, newborns will cry, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong with them. There are times when they just want to be comforted.  If you have any questions about whether or not to feed your baby, consult your doctor or nurse.  You should also be on the lookout for signs that they may be hungry.  For example, trying to suck on your shoulder or breast or if it’s been hours since they have eaten.   

 

New Born Help on Diaper Changing

Change their diapers often to keep them healthy and happy. Newborns are often messy, especially in the first few months after birth, so it’s important to change their diapers often to keep them clean. 

Changing a baby’s diaper also helps prevents diaper rash or infections that can happen due to sitting in dirty diapers for long periods of time. 

Make sure you practice good hygiene when changing your baby’s diaper, wash your hands with soap before and after touching anything near the baby’s genitals.

 

Check Your Baby’s Weight

Keep an eye on your baby’s weight, height, and head circumference to make sure they grow up healthy. It is very important to make sure your baby is growing well. You should also know how tall they are and what their head looks like.  Regular doctor’s visits are a must.  

If you suspect that your baby was injured in some way at birth you can get a second opinion. If it is proven to be true you can hire a team of trusted birth injury attorneys to help you.

 

 

newborn help

 

 

Choose the Right Car Seat

Use a car seat that is age-appropriate for your child and the right size for your child. A car seat that is too big or too small can be uncomfortable, and it might not protect them well in case of an accident. 

But if you have any questions about what size your child needs, ask your doctor or nurse. They will know the answer!

Car seats are designed to keep your baby safe. The safest place for an infant is in the back seat on their back, in their rear-facing car seat. 

Ideally, infants should be rear-facing until they are two years old or weigh 20 pounds. Forward-facing car seats should be used after your baby turns two years old or reaches twenty pounds.

 

Enjoy the Journey

Becoming a mother is one of the most exciting things that can happen to a woman. However, it can also be one of the most overwhelming. 

Knowing what you should and shouldn’t do especially when you are a new mom can help you to feel more at ease. In this way, you’ll be able to enjoy your bundle of joy a lot more.

 

Advice for New Moms and Dads

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on advice for new moms and dads.  Your job as a parent is not going to be an easy one. While the experience is mostly rewarding and gratifying, there are likely days when you feel defeated and like you’re failing.

There are some parenting tips you should consider that will help you succeed in your role.  Furthermore, they will help you eliminate stress when the days aren’t going as planned. The following parenting advice will help you develop a closer bond and provide a happy and healthy environment for them to learn and grow.

 

 

advice for new moms and dads

 

Advice for New Moms and Dads

 

Make Time for Your Kids

One of the most important tips you can apply is to make quality time for your kids. Practice work-life balance and give your kids your undivided attention when you’re with them. Put your phone away and eliminate distractions so you can be fully present in the moment. Mix up what you do and the activities you participate in to make your time together more interesting and fun. 

 

 

 

advice for new moms and dads

 

 

Comfort Your Children  

Your kids are going to need you for a variety of reasons throughout the years. Be there for them when they reach out and know how to best comfort them in times of need. For instance, they may have an issue at school they need help dealing with and will ask you for advice or support. They might also suddenly become sick with a bad cold of the flu. In this case, it’s wise to invest in supplies such as a Steam Vaporiser that you can turn on and run so they can get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling better and less congested.

 

Parenting Advice on Being a Role Model

Another parenting tip is to be a good role model. Your kids are always watching you, and have the desire to emulate you and all you do. Therefore, set a proper example and make sure you’re using words and taking actions that you’d want them to repeat. Use mistakes you make as a parent as opportunities to teach your kids a new or different way of handling situations.

 

Be Flexible 

If you’re always stuck in your ways and not willing to budge with your rules then you may create a divide in your relationship with your kids. Kids and their needs are always changing and they’re continuing to learn and take in new information. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to be flexible and willing to adjust your parenting approach and rules. While you want to stick to your overall values and expectations, you also should take each situation as it unfolds and handle it the best way you can at the time with an open mind.

 

These parenting tips will help you succeed in your role and hopefully make your job a little easier on you. Remember your kids are only young once so have some fun and enjoy these years because they will go by fast and soon you’ll be seeing them off to college.

Staying Healthy Through Your Pregnancy

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on staying healthy through pregnancy.  You need a healthy body for your baby to develop well for nine months. Ideally, you can start planning for a healthy pregnancy before you get pregnant. Early preparation will allow your physician to show you how to avoid exposing your baby any form of toxins.

 

To achieve the best outcome without any prenatal or delivery complications, treat all chronic medical conditions properly before getting pregnant. You must also refrain from smoking, taking alcohol or illicit drugs, and excessive drinking of caffeinated drinks.

 

 

staying healthy through pregnancy 

 

Staying healthy through pregnancy:  

 

  1. Keep a Healthy Weight

Work on your weight before you get pregnant. During pregnancy, you will be eating to keep two people healthy. That means weight gain will occur during a normal pregnancy.

Tracking your weight gain during pregnancy helps you avoid putting on weight that you will struggle to lose. Check your body mass index to know if you are overweight, underweight, or normal. If you have a normal weight, you should limit your weight gain to between 25 to 35 pounds.

 

  1. Do More Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise improves your health. It also cuts down stress and weight gain while enhancing blood circulation.  If you want to improve your mood and sleep well at night, exercise for at least 20 minutes daily. You can walk, do Pilates, or yoga. 

Kegel exercises are also helpful while you are pregnant. They boost the strength of the lower muscles of the pelvis, and provide strong support for your uterus, bowels, and bladder. Kegel exercises may be done anywhere at any time of the day by simply squeezing your muscles to prevent the flow of urine like you do while you are in the toilet.

 

  1. Take Vitamin Supplements

Your baby’s brain and spine start developing from the first month of pregnancy. Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable vitamin supplement that contains essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and folic acid. You should take your prenatal vitamins early in the day, but if they nauseate you, you may take them at night. Consult your doctor if you have any issues or concerns.  

 

  1. Increase Your Knowledge

If this is your first pregnancy, you need to learn all you can about pregnancy and childbirth. But, if you are having a second or third child, going to prenatal classes is still a good idea. It will enable you to be well-prepared for a happy pregnancy and joyful delivery.

Attending prenatal classes gives you a chance to ask all the questions you may have about your body and baby. You can also bring up issues you’ve had during previous pregnancies with your doctor. Discuss your medical history and if possible, attend the classes with your partner.

 

  1. Modify Your House Chores

When you are pregnant, some house chores can become risky. For example, you may be exposed to toxins while cleaning the litter box or washing the bathroom with toxic cleaning agents. These toxins can be harmful to you and your baby.  Some of the house chores you need to avoid are:

  • Changing your cat’s litter
  •  Lifting heavy objects 
  •  Stripping lead based pain or using solvent-based paints 

 

You need to take special precautions if you have cats. Cats carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. So, put on gloves if you are working in a place where cats play and have someone clean the litter box for you.

 

 

staying healthy through pregnancy

 

 

 

Boost Your Diet With Fruit and Vegetables

Aim for at least five balanced meals with a rich supply of vegetables and fruit. Green vegetables contain folic acid. It is an essential vitamin for the development of your baby’s neural tube that covers the spine. You need folic acid to build new blood cells in your bone marrow.

Also, taking fruits like apples and bananas can boost your energy levels. Remember that you won’t be able to consume a lot of caffeine during pregnancy. So, eating taking natural fruits will give you the energy boost you used to get from caffeine.

 

By applying these health-boosting tips daily, you can reduce the risk of sickness, poor fetal development, and birth complications. However, these tips are simply for informational purposes. Always consult your physician before you do anything that can affect your health or that of your baby.

How to Adopt Children Facts and Tips

Adopting children is a wonderful way of creating a family. So, today I’m sharing parenting tips on how to adopt children. There are over 400,000 children in foster care so you will be giving a child a loving home. There are some things you need to know before you make the very important decision to adopt a child.  First, the adoption process is long and it can get complicated.  Second, it will play with your emotions.

Furthermore, the process can be costly too. However, becoming a parent is a wonderful thing. There are several ways to go through the adoption process.  So, you can work with an adoption agency that will take you through the foster care system or you can opt for adoption through an attorney. Going through an attorney you have two choices, either through the foster care system or you can adopt internationally. Before deciding on which option to choose let’s go through what you need to know before deciding to adopt.

 

how to adopt children

 

How to Adopt Children:

 

Understand Why You Are Adopting

Choosing to adopt a child is a decision that will steer the rest of your life. It is an important decision and one that should be thought through in detail. Being honest about your reasons, the impact a child will have on you and your current family should be discussed. Things to consider also include whether you wish to adopt a new-born or whether you are open to adopting an older child. What about a sibling group? What changes do you need to consider for your home or your career? Knowing the reasons for adopting and working through these questions will help you come to a decision. At the end of the day you want to be happy and you want to be able to raise happy kids

 

Preparation

Each respective adoptive parent will be required to complete what is known as a home study. This means a caseworker will visit, and decide whether you will be suitable for adopting a child. Your caseworker will go over the process in detail and discuss how it works. This can be lengthy, and take up to six months to complete.  Also, they will want to check out your medical records, your income, and whether you have a criminal record. 

 

 

how to adopt children

 

 

Costs

Research the costs involved in adoption. While adopting through the foster care system is free, there are associated costs. Using an attorney if you are considering adopting internationally would more than likely be the most expensive option. It is best to find inquire about costs for all avenues so you can plan what you can afford and what route you wish to go down. 

 

Open or Closed Adoption

The decision on whether to have contact with the birth family is a matter you also consider. The adoption can be closed where there is no contact or open where there is contact with the birth family. This can be a negotiation if this is the way you wish to go. It can also be anything from exchanging letters a few times a year or just receiving a birthday card. Knowing you have different options will be helpful as you go through the adoption process. 

 

Protecting Kids From Bullying

Protecting kids from bullying is the parenting advice being shared today. Bullying is far from being a new phenomenon! However, modern technologies allow it to take various forms and become even more widespread. As a parent, you need to empower yourself and your kids and learn how to help them to protect themselves from bullying! 

 

 

protecting kids from bullying

 

 

Several years ago, our nine-year-old daughter declared one Sunday evening that she is done with going to school! You can imagine our shock while we were asking her about reasons! She didn’t say anything; she kept insisting that school is not for her. We didn’t want to make a big fuss about it, thinking it is some children’s thing, and so we said “Okay, you don’t have to go to school tomorrow! But can we talk about it again?” “Not tomorrow”, she said, “I am never going to school again! I am done!”  It was alarming indeed, but we still didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable more than she already was, so we tucked her in and wished her a good night while reassuring her that she won’t go to school the next day.

We went back to the living room and said at the same time – “How did we miss it?!” Given that one of us is a psychologist, we thought there is no way we won’t notice if someone is messing with our kid. Nonetheless, it happened! The day after, we talked about bullying with Audrey, and explained that it has nothing to do with her discussing things we can do to protect her from bullying. We then realized that if we failed to recognize there is a problem, it must be even more challenging for other parents. Kids grow up so quickly, and for us, it is often hard to imagine that one moment our biggest worry is baby gear, and bullying in the next one. Hence, we decided to share our story but also some tips on how to prevent child bullying!

 

Protecting Kids from Bullying

 

Understand Bullying

When you understand bullying, it will be simpler to recognize it and know how to stop it.  The thing that can be confusing is that we know that kids often tease each other. But there is an enormous difference between playful and friendly teasing that usually involves two sides and bullying. By definition, bullying is a form of physical or psychological violence that has three characteristics. It is always deliberate, repeated, and involves power imbalance (bully is older, stronger, male, richer, white, etc.). It has a lot of manifestations.

  •       Physical – pushing, pocking, pulling hair, punching, kicking, beating, etc.
  •       Verbal – shouting, intimidating, insulting, name-calling, etc.
  •       Relational – excluding, spreading rumors, getting others to hurt someone, etc.
  •       Cyberbullying –sending harmful content on Facebook, WhatsApp, and so on.

 

Recognize Signs of Bullying

If your kids experience bullying at school it isn’t very likely that they will immediately come to you. They often think that bullying is part of growing up, or that they should have been stronger and fought for themselves. They also might convince themselves that they shouldn’t be crybabies and make a big deal out of it. That is why you need to learn to recognize the signs of bullying.

 

Talk With the Kid

It is paramount to praise your kid when she or he tells you that they have been victims of bullying. It hasn’t been easy for them to come forth, and it is necessary to tell them how brave they are and that you are proud of them. Also, explain to them that bullying has nothing to do with them and that it is the violent kid who is causing the bullying. It will mean a lot for their confidence, which can be pretty shaken by bullying. Research about bullying and self-esteem shows that kids experiencing bullying at school have a lack of confidence.

 

protecting kids from bullying

 

 

Contact the Teacher

Kids often don’t want you to do this because they are afraid of retribution. Talk with your kid and explain to her or him why this is important. Say that other kids in this situation are maybe not so brave but also need protection. Propose to talk with the teacher after school hours. If nothing of this works, you may have to do it without your child’s consent.

 

Final Word

Many people still today see bullying as an unfortunate byproduct of childhood! We don’t! We see it as a product of the violent, patriarchal society in which we live. The fact that something always existed doesn’t mean we need to tolerate it.  Bullies do this because they want to exercise their power over those who they perceive as less powerful. The worst thing we can do is to turn a blind eye, whether it is happening to our or other kids that we know! Only by reacting, we can stop this! Have you ever suspected or had a kid tell you he or she is a victim of bullying?

I hope this post will give you some insight on protecting your kids from bullying.  It’s real, and it happens everyday.  You may also like:  Signs of Bullying. 

 

 

Author’s bio: Laura Casey is a blogger, mother, and housewife who shares her vast experience in parenting, motherhood, and pregnancy. Her articles have already helped a lot of people who deal with parenting. She draws inspiration from raising kids, Motherhood itself and blogging. One of the most useful blogs in her list is https://top-mom.com/ . Check it out! 

 

Home Schooling Advice for Beginners

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on home schooling advice for new home schoolers.  Most parents had a pretty intense year in the wake of the Coronavirus. Around the world, schools closed their doors to halt the spread of this virus. Closing school doors changed the way we live.  Fortunately,  mom and dads  have stepped into the role of teacher, as well as continuing in their role as parents.  However, not all of us are natural teachers, and some parents have found the task of home schooling a pretty challenging one.

While some schools around the world have re-opened, some parents are still saddled with the task of keeping their kid’s grades up from home. Sound like your current situation? 

 

home schooling advice

 

 

Home Schooling Advice for Beginners:  

 

Stay Positive 

Many parents who have attempted to home-school their kids during COVID-19 school closures have found the task more challenging than they thought. Children thrive in school; they are being taught by a trained professional in an environment that is designed to maximize their learning. At home, their brains want to relax, play, snuggle up and generally have fun. For this reason, you might have found that your child isn’t as receptive to doing their work as they would be if they were at school.

This isn’t your fault, and your aren’t failing.  Rather than focusing on the stresses of how things are going wrong, reward yourself for the successes.  You’re dealing with a really tough situation that nobody could have predicted, and therefore you’re doing an awesome job!

 

Search for home schooling advice on-line 

If you are in desperate need of resources to help teach your child, you aren’t alone. The internet is your friend in this area.  Branch out and find online resources that will boost your child’s learning and keep them entertained.

If you are looking, for example, for free 4th grade writing activities, you can find these on a range of sites. Teachers and educational experts have been uploading exercises and activities that don’t require a subscription. Use the internet, and keep the reading and writing fresh and interesting for your child.

 

 

home schooling advice

 

 

 

Get home schooling advice from other parents

You might not be able to physically team up with fellow parents to teach kids in groups, but using virtual communication, you can easily share resources.  Furthermore, sharing tips on how to settle your kids into their work be invaluable. Even so much as a group chat amongst moms from your children’s school can provide you with a shoulder to cry on if things go wrong, as well as acting as a hub of information you can go to for resources and tips. Together, we can all get through this tricky time and help our families get back to the normality we miss so much.

 

All in all, home schooling is hard. Don’t beat yourself up about the downsides, just try to remain positive as you navigate through this difficult time. I hope that you have my tips on home schooling for beginners helpful.  

How to Prepare for a New Baby

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to prepare for a new baby.  When you discovered you had a baby on the way, you were no doubt overjoyed. But,  as the news settles in, the stresses and worries of parenthood start to creep up. There is so much to prepare for your little one’s arrival.  You wonder if there’s enough space for your new baby.  And, everything you need to be the best parents possible.  Additionally, you need to make sure your home is 100% safe for an infant. 

 

new baby tips

 

Some new parents decide to upgrade to a bigger home or a more child-friendly location.  However, it’s not always possible to do that. You may have professional or personal commitments to your current hometown, or maybe your finances can’t quite stretch to a new house.

This shouldn’t matter. It is entirely possible to turn your current home into a perfect, child-friendly property. Read on to learn some top tips to get your home in shape to welcome your little one when they arrive.

How to prepare for a new baby:

Declutter

One of the most important things you’ll need to do is to create more space. Although a newborn doesn’t take up much room, you will need space for all the new baby gifts, crib, changing table and toys.  Now is the time to declutter your home,  and get rid of anything you don’t need. Go through each room systematically and be strict about what you throw away. Old work papers, stacks of CDs and DVDs, broken furniture and clothes you no longer wear.  All of these things can go. The more you throw out, the more space you will have for the new member of the household. 

Once you have cleared your home of extraneous items, you should ensure that you maintain your newly created space.  Be aware of what you bring into your home, and don’t shop for new things unless you really need them. Your friends and family are probably going to host a baby shower for your and your new baby.  So, request things you need so you don’t end up with duplicate or unnecessary presents filling up your house.

 

Create a bedroom

Even if your newborn will start out sleeping in your bedroom, they will eventually need their own space. Unless you intend to move to a new home, you will need to designate a room for your new baby.  If you have more than one option, consider how much space they will need and the proximity to your bedroom.  

Now that you have designated space for a bedroom, you will need to fill it with all the things your baby could need. A crib is essential, and you’ll also need storage for clothes and toys and a changing table. 

You will want to decorate your child’s new bedroom to create a pleasant environment for them to grow up in. Paint the walls, add some child-friendly pictures, and adorn it with all the toys they could possibly want. It is a good idea to make your room gender-neutral if you don’t yet know the sex of the baby.  Even if you do know the gender, remember not all girls like pink and not all boys like spaceships and superheroes. Wait until they are older and you know their likes and dislikes before making big theme decorating choices.   You can save a lot of money by decorating yourself, but if you are able hire a decorator to bring your vision to life.

 

new baby tips

 

Purchase the Essentials 

They may be small, but babies need a lot of stuff.  How to prepare for a new baby must include bottles and formula for feeding, clothes and diapers, baby food, toys and potty training and walking products.  You will need to buy all of these before the baby arrives and find a place to house them.  You may wish to create a budget to keep track of your spending and stop yourself from going overboard. 

It can be tempting to give your wonderful new child the world, but they will be perfectly happy with the essentials and a few toys. Don’t stretch your finances unnecessarily. Your loved ones will be more than happy to buy gifts.  So, don’t be afraid to ask for some of the things you need. All these new items will take up a lot of room, so you may want to invest in some smart storage solutions to save space.

 

Babyproof your home

The most important step in preparing your home for a new baby is to make sure it is safe. Babies are fragile and curious.  They love exploring new places and putting strange and exciting items in their mouths. An unsafe house and a baby are a recipe for disaster. You will need to give your home a thorough going-over to ensure there is no risks. 

One of the best ways to baby proof your home is to put yourself in the perspective of your new baby. Crawl around the home, seeing what they will see, and you will quickly be able to identify any hazards you might otherwise have missed.

Any sharp items, chemicals, and medications should be kept in cabinets out of reach. If there is a chance they could open a cupboard, they should be securely locked. Small objects that present a choking hazard are easier to miss. You never know when you might drop a coin or a key or even bring in a stone from outside on your shoe. You should be vigilant with a small child around and constantly be on the lookout for objects they might want to put in their mouths.

Another major injury hazard is the staircase. As soon as your child starts crawling, you will need to install safety gates above the stairs.  Guarding their bedroom eventually is a good idea too.  You want to prevent any unplanned excursions in the night. Open windows can also be dangerous too.  Invest in some window guards, you won’t be sorry. 

Electrical outlets can pose a risk too.  Outlets provide the perfect receptacle for curious babies to stick things in.  You can buy child-safe covers to shield empty outlets, or even hire an electrician to move outlets higher up the wall and out of your child’s reach. 

Another common cause for injury in young children are sharp corners on pieces of furniture. Some tables tend to be exactly the same height as a newly-walking toddler.  They are accidents waiting to happen. Luckily you can buy soft rubber or padded corner guards to cover any sharp corners and minimize the risk.

As soon as your child starts to crawl, they will be clambering up and down furniture.  As a result, there is a risk they could tip over chairs and tables and seriously hurt themselves.  Anchor all furniture in your baby’s room to the wall to prevent this from happening.  

 

new baby tips

 

Get your fridge ready

When people ask how to prepare for a new baby, they usually don’t think about their meals. Your new baby will need to eat, but so do you.  You and your partner will both be exhausted and busy, so it’s unlikely you’ll be cooking any extravagant meals for the first few weeks.  If you have other children, they need to eat too.  So, prepare to cook nutritious yet delicious meals that you can just heat up and eat right away. This will save you time and energy that would be best spent looking after your new arrival.

 

Prepare to clean

Babies are notoriously messy.  So, when you’re making your list on how to prepare for a new baby include cleaning products.  Your home will eventually get stained and endure spills. Ensure your home is adequately stocked with cleaning products, and any delicate, easily-damaged items are protected or stored out of the way.

We hope that you have found our tips on how to prepare for a new baby helpful.  Awaiting the arrival of a new baby is one of the most exciting adventures you could ever have. You are bringing a new life into the world and embarking on a new journey together as parents. You want your little one to be cared for and looked after, and by preparing your home and making it child-friendly, you can make sure your baby has the best start to life possible.

 

Get Your Finances In Order 

One of the most expensive adventures you can undertake is to have a child.  So, getting your finances in order is an essential step to take when a new arrival is on the way! There are so many handy resources online that can help you to fix your past credit history while also improving your financial future.  As a result, it’s a good idea to do some research and find a site such as pigly.com.  It will enable you to tackle debt and plan ahead to ensure you can provide your child with everything they need. Keeping track of your accounts is essential when preparing for a baby. 

Furthermore, you need to be able to identify any underpaid wages or unrecognized transactions.  You need to look after each and every penny. Developing a savings account in preparation for your new arrival will benefit your family after you give birth.  Although you will not be working for some time, you’ll still need to fork out money for an endless supply of diapers, wipes, formula and clothes.

It can be tricky to tackle your finances, so there’s no time like the present to learn essential money management skills.  Fortunately, you can pass these skill on to the next generation.  However, try not to spend money on luxuries when prepping for a newborn.  Spending money on expensive clothes and shoes are unnecessary expenses.  What’s important is that your bundle of joy is safe and warm!   

We hope that you have found our tips on how to prepare for a new baby helpful.

Cool Facts About Moms From Around The World

Moms are cool. There is just no way around it. Think about everything that they do! Taking care of everyone else, cooking fabulous meals, doing everything from school runs to soccer clubs.  Not to mention either being a fulltime mom or having a job.  Yes, moms are the coolest!  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on cool facts about moms from around the world.

 

 

cool mom facts

Age

Would you believe that there are some moms as ‘old’ as 70 who have given birth in the last few years? At the age of 65, Annegret Raunigk, in 2015, gave birth to quadruplets! Not only that, but she had 13 children before those new little babies arrive.

 

Omkari Panwar aged 70 gave birth in 2008 to twins. Although Omkari had to undergo IVF, this didn’t put her off her mission to have a son. Instead, they ended up with two sons who will now be an heir to their farmland.

 

Finally, Daljinder Kaur, at the age of 72, in 2016 had her first and only child with her 79-year-old husband. They opted to go for IVF after waiting for over 50 years to conceive naturally.

 

Flowers

There are more flowers purchased on Mother’s Day than any other holiday – except for Christmas. Meaning that when the time rolls around, the gift of choice for billions of mothers is a beautiful bunch of flowers. In fact, that single day accounts for ¼ of all holiday sales of flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother’s Day

The very first Mother’s Day was on May 10, 1908. It was founded by Ann Jarvis, and Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. Although later on, Jarvis asked for it to be removed from the yearly calendar sue to it being commercialized. It is a cool question, though, where did Mother’s Day originate from? – because there is so much more to learn about how and why we celebrate this lovely day.

 

Big Baby

The biggest baby born to a land mammal is an elephant! After a massive 22 months of pregnancy, a mother elephant gives birth to a 200-pound, blind calf. The most significant human baby was born to Carmelina Fedele of Italy. Her bundle of joy weighed in at 22 pounds and 8oz!

 

Mama

Ma and Da are two of the first sounds that babies learn to make. At least those are the two that we associate with something recognizable like Mama and Dada. Most languages around the world adopted that ‘ma’ as the basis for the worth ‘mother.’ In Vietnam, you will hear children say ‘me,’ ‘mamma’ in Iceland and ‘em’ in Hebrew. The most common names for Mother are Ma, Mom, Mum, Mama, Mam and Mummy.

 

The Feels

Across the board, it is reported that mothers face a few of the same feelings. Although they may face different daily challenges, typically guilt for not spending enough time with their children, or not being a good enough mother, feeling overwhelmed and in many cases frustration at being the one everyone goes to.

 

Being a mother is a journey, and there is no one way to do it right. Most of the time, you have to do what is right for you and your family. So there you have a couple of cool facts about mothers around the world!

 

4 Ways Parents Can Plan for Financial Emergencies

Planning for parenthood can be filled with joy.  Especially, when you’re thinking of your future family, the adventures you’ll have, and the love you’ll share. However, some parts of planning are much more serious than others. In between looking at paint swatches for the nursery and touring preschools, parents need to examine their financial reality.

When it comes to organizing your finances, there is no predicting the future.  But, you can plan for it. This is especially important when wondering how to stay afloat during emergencies.  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on how parents can plan for financial emergencies. 

 

 

Start Emergency Savings

 While most families have a savings account, all families need an emergency fund.  A savings account can help you with big purchases such as vacations, back-to-school shopping, or replacing the tires on your car.  An emergency fund is your family’s safety net during times where you face a much larger financial burden.  For example, if you or your spouse are laid off or you are looking at a long hospital stay.  A solid emergency fund is roughly equal to three months of your household’s income.  It takes time to plan for financial emergencies and build an emergency fund.  So, any time you get big payouts, like a hearty income tax refund, be sure to set it aside.

 

Prepay for Funerals

 It’s an uncomfortable and unpleasant conversation to have, but pre-paying for your funeral expenses is an important topic to discuss. Not only does prepaying guarantee that your family will honor your memory and celebrate your life in a way you want, but it also helps save your children cash and prevent conflict during one of the most emotionally stressful times in their lives.  After all, the average funeral sets families back between $7,000 and $9,000.  This amount is based on factors such as where you live, whether you want to be buried or cremated, and what kind of memorial service you choose.

There are several ways to pre-pay your funeral costs. You can purchase a pre-need insurance plan through a funeral home or a more general final expense insurance policy, which offers the option of coverage for outstanding bills beyond your funeral. You can also set up a joint savings account with your children that provides the financial support to make your final arrangements.

 

 

how to budget

 

Purchase Insurance

 Now that you have a child to consider, insuring you and your partner’s lives and well-being can mean a more stable life for your child should a crisis occur. You will help ensure they can maintain their lifestyle when you purchase life insurance, disability insurance, and homeowners or renters insurance. These three are crucial for helping your whole family maintain a low stress level during an unfortunate event. Disability insurance is important if your work relies on your body.  If a tragedy occurs, you could still have a cash flow even if you’re not working.

 

Work a Second Job

 If you really want to fatten up your finances, you can weigh the pros and cons of getting a second job.  It can be as easy as delivering pizzas or as complex as serving as a professional consultant. A second job is a great way to shovel money into your emergency fund, pay off debt or begin saving for child care. In today’s gig economy, many parents make extra cash driving for a rideshare like Uber, freelancing or working part-time online jobs. Unless you plan on working a second job forever, don’t count this incoming cash as part of your regular salary. Use it instead as a means to work on padding up your savings or paying down your debt.

Starting a family costs money. In fact, it can cost more than $200,000 to raise a child in the United States. Smart parents plan ahead as much as they can from birth to death, and from preschool to college. While financial planning may seem like a joyless chore, you’ll have peace of mind and extra time with your loved ones.  So, the sooner you starting a plan for financial emergencies the sooner you can relax and enjoy life.

You may also like:  15 Signs That You’re In Debt

 

Bad Baby Names

When I heard the name of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s baby girl, Blue Ivy, I immediately thought damn here we go with these bad baby names again.  I’ve wondered if parents think about the name calling and harassment their child will endure as they grow up.  I understand wanting a unique name for your child, but some of the names we place on our children are just down right ridiculous. However, Blue Ivy is so rich her name won’t matter.  She will tutored at home, and socialize with those who have unique names just like her.  For example, Apple, Alabama Luella, Banjo, Sailor Lee and Diezel.  Yep, the names of other Celebrity children.

 

baby names

 

Lets talk about the common folk?  You know the children that have to go to regular school and endure being teased on the playground.  Or, later in life turned down for a job because of their name.  Corporate America will turn people away because of their names.  People prejudge or automatically make assumptions about who you are because of preconceived ideas.  They see your name on your Resume and automatically think they know you.  It hits the shredder.  They don’t want to leave any traces of you and that ridiculous name.  Please know, they aren’t interested in the likes of you and your name says it all.

Lexus and Mercedes were once seen as ghetto names.  Especially if the children lived in the projects or another low income area.   What’s the chances of someone living in the ghetto driving or getting close to a Lexus or Mercedes?  Lexus and Mercedes have dropped to the bottom of our Bad Baby Names list.  Names like Buwana, KimKisha, Chandeler, Obamaneshaa, Pilot Inspektor, and Jermajesty are on the scene.  These are the names that will wear on innocent children.  These are the names that will cause a child to save every dime they can so they can change it down the road.  Sorry mom, but Obamanesha or Pilot Inspektor was more than I could bear.  I hope that you understand.

People please think about your children and the world in which we live when you decide on a baby name.  More than likely, they will have to live with that name for the rest of their  life.  And, the torture that goes along with it.   If you’ve noticed, I have intentionally not called my list Ghetto Names.  Bad Baby Names have no boundaries.  They’re just bad rather you live in the suburbs, Hollywood Hills or the ghetto.  Leave us a comment and let us know the worst baby name(s) that you’ve heard or what you think about parents who give these poor children horrendous names.