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What are your #MomEssentials?

March 5, 2014 by

I have 18 years of parenting experience. In any field of work that would make me an expert. Parenting is very different though. It’s an evolving practice, something that has lots of twists and turns. There are many lessons to be learned for both the parents and the children. There are some essentials that make each day easier, at least my day.

5 Things to Get Through The Day #MomEssentials Here is my list of essentials to get through the day

Shower Behind a Locked Door I’ve instructed the kids that unless something is on fire I am NOT to be disturbed while I’m in the shower. This is MY time that I need to relax, scrub the grime away from the day and possibly but unlikely shave my legs.

Morning Coffee One cup is usually all I need with the rare 2nd cup mid morning. It needs flavored creamer and sugar and the hotter the better!

Multiple Tubes of Chapstick One for me and one for the kids because I don’t like to share.

A Confidant or Best Friend Everyone needs a true friend they can turn to when there is news to share, good or bad. Maybe you don’t have news but just need a distraction because your kids won’t stop yammering on about iBallistic Squid and Enderman.

A Smartphone This is an obvious addition. My life is in there in my calendar and Pinterest.

This list can change at any stage in parenthood. If my kids were younger I’d have Cheddar Goldfish and crayons on my list. What is on your list of #MomEssentials?





Keep Your Cool Mom

August 24, 2011 by

No, I’m not talking cool as in trendy fashion or style. I’m talking keeping your frustration and stress at a manageable level so not to blow up at the kids or pets or spouse or the innocent cashier where you get milk. Early mornings, late nights, jam packed schedules and little time for yourself can set off the baddest of moods which is reflected in everything else you do and everyone you come in contact with. There are methods and tools you can implement to give you a more relaxed inner peace thus resulting in more peaceful parenting and everyday living.

Minimize Stress for Moms

Just Say NO!
The neighbors are leaving town and ask you to pet sit, check their mail, feed their fish and mow their grass. All of these chores on top of your already busy day is just too much to ask. Be upfront and tell them while you really want to help out all of those things are too much for you to take on at the moment. Getting their mail may not be a problem so go ahead and say you can do some but set limits. Don’t let your kind heart take over and put you in a situation you can’t possibly maintain.

Shut Up and Do Something
I know my to-do list is long as well as my pending projects lists. I’ve been known to be so overwhelmed with everything I want to do that I don’t get anything thing done. When you finally have some free time to work on that half finished craft, book or recipe just do it. Enough with the complaining that there isn’t enough time in the day, make those bitchin’ moments more productive.

You Only Have 2 Hands
Multitaking is probably the number one descriptive word for moms. We say we’re good at it but let’s be serious; how much quality can you put into something if you’re distracted by 3 other things. Make a schedule, allot a certain amount of time to a task and stick to it. I bet you’ll get those phone calls done faster if you knew the clock was ticking down.

Go Easy on Yourself
Moms are held up to a different standard. We are expected to accomplish everything on the list each day. If things get skipped oh well; there is always tomorrow. Get done what’s most important, the things that need the quickest attention but don’t sacrifice your family time and sanity for the things that can wait another day.

An Organized Environment leads to an Organized Mind
Ever look around a room and see so much stuff you don’t know what to do next. My kitchen is often the culprit of my anxiety. The dining table is the dumping ground for everything and the kids forget how to put dishes in the dishwasher. Staying on top of the tornadoes really helps keeping me relaxed and feeling less stressed. Find a place for everything even if it’s not the forever home.
Ways to Keep Your Cool
I’m am NO expert in any field but I think 15 years of parenting makes me knowledgeable in some matters. These tools sometimes work or sometimes don’t work or work in conjunction with tears, threat of bodily harm and bribes. Life is a series of experiments in trial and error.

I Disclose




My Job as Mom

September 2, 2010 by

It’s hard; whoever told you motherhood was going to be easy was a liar and setting you up for disaster. Early mornings, late nights, interrupted sleep, messy house, wrinkled clothes, no alone time; these are just some of the things moms look forward to on a daily basis.

Don’t get me wrong, everyday isn’t a whirlwind of laundry, errands and school meetings. Some day’s you’ll have sweet moments cuddling on the couch reading “But Not the Hippopotamus” 14 times or heart to heart talks about the difference between mimosas and margaritas.

Each day is different and brings new challenges, new obstacles, new miracles, new laughs and new smiles. With all the hard times and headaches also come overwhelming heart pounding love each time the words “mommy, I love you” is uttered from their lips. Watching them grow and seeing the impact they make on the world around is all worth it.

This is NOT a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




My Story Necklace from Simon and Lucy GIVEAWAY-CLOSED

May 27, 2010 by

Family is so important to me. My kids, my husband, my parents, my siblings and my new little nieces mean the world to me. My new “My Story Necklace” personalized jewelry from Simon and Lucy represents all of these parts of my life in one lovely piece of jewelry.

Simon and Lucy was born out a mom’s desire to create something that represented the things that were most cherished to her; her children. With some hand-me-down tools and a bit of inspiration simple metal shapes and stamps are transformed into family trees and keepsakes.

I was given the opportunity to review a custom “My Story Necklace”. I give up some information about life and those that fill it and the jewelry was designed just for me. Each tag signifies something a little different.

  • Letter B for our last name and then the years of our anniversary and the kid’s birth
  • MomMom for my mother, she’s a very significant part of my children’s lives
  • A beautiful disaster of my the kid’s names, nieces names, my dad, grandfather and grandmother
  • My birthstone
  • Me and my siblings

It’s jingly sound is a pretty but casual touch to everyday. I’ve been stopped and asked what it was and asked to explain each tag and word and their meanings. The “My Story Necklace” is a unique option for mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry.

WIN your own “My Story Necklace” here at LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too!  What special moments/people/things in your life would you want represented on your custom “My Story Necklace”?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review, Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized “My Story Necklace” from Simon & Lucy #giveaway @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too http://bit.ly/9jqb6N
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize.
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Thursday,  June 17, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Timi & Leslie Luxury Diaper Bag

September 8, 2009 by


Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of style. Carrying a diaperbag isn’t a death sentence to your fashion sense. Timi & Leslie has a collection to rival any handbag designer.

Developed in 2001 on the foundation of hand-crafted retro styled handbags, Leslie Newton realized women were using her creations for more than just a purse like carryon luggage, work bags, diaper bags and laptop bags. With this realization the Timi & Leslie collection has expanded to include children’s bags, luggage pieces and higher quality handbags.

I’ve been treated to a Timi & Leslie Parisien diaper bag in Chocolate. From the second I took this out of it’s included dust bag I was in love. The color was rich, the leather was silky smooth and the double handles gave the feel of a luxury handbag. It was a Friday afternoon and I knew we had a full weekend of things to do so I immediately filled it with all of Shae’s necessities plus my needs PLUS some goodies for Shaun like his Nintendo DS, games and snacks. The roominess was wonderful but even better was the essentials for a busy mom that is included with every convertible diaper bag.

  • Removable Shoulder Straps
  • Waterproof Lining
  • Bottle Tote
  • Stroller Straps
  • Changing Pad
  • Wristlet
  • Elasticized Inner Pockets
  • Easy Access Key Fob

*some styles also include a diaper/wipes case and medicine case

The wristlet is perfect to hold my card case, my lip gloss, gum and cash and the key fob kept my keys exactly where I needed them at all times. I’m a sucker for convenience, the stroller straps kept this bag off my shoulder, off the floor and out of the basket and securely strapped where I could see it at all times.

Timi & Leslie can be found at high end retailers and specialty shoppes and also online at e-tailers like Timi & Leslie Secret Closet and Little Dudes and Divas. If you are looking to maintain your own sense of style without compromising the convenience of traditional bag then Timi & Leslie is worth a peek. With deep discounts to make room for new styles Timi & Leslie quality totes and bags can be purchased from as low as $90 to $300.

 




LobotoME Planners and Organizational tools

August 18, 2009 by

I like lists! Grocery lists, to-do lists, packing lists, meal planning lists, lists of all kinds are my friends. My lists make me feel organized, useful and on track with what’s going on in life. LobotoME is a collection of organizational & planning tools to get you through the busy day.

Jenny Newcomer created the momME weekly planner out of pure necessity. A list maker like me Jenny realized that having so many lists in different places for different reasons was just causing more stress and an eventual catastrophe waiting to happen. She combined all of her favorite things about list making in one handy dandy sheet for the week. She wants you to know that the momME planner is not for us that hate lists or refuse to be organized it’s for us moms that need to cram a whole lot of stuff in a short 24-hour window.

Lobotome also has a full line of individual list pads that have specific duties. Since a lot of my lists are on the computer I needed something that could come with me room to room during the day, upstairs at bedtime and in my purse when I need to leave the house. I’ve been using the List Me…Doodle Me pad and have to say it’s perfect. There is enough list space to write and plenty of doodle space for unrelated notes or swirlys and triangles when I’m talking on the phone. Other choices for your lifestyle are

  • Check Me: Sanity-Inducing Shopping List
  • Fit Me-Stay Healthy Stay Sane, fitness routine
  • Sit Me- Welcome to the Nut House, for the baby/house/pet sitter
  • Pack Me-On the road again
  • Help Me-honey do list
  • Feed Me-meal-planning 101
  • Save Me-weekly to do list

LobotoME isn’t just saving your sanity they are saving the world. They strive to create products that are eco-friendly by using recycled materials and soy based inks. Plus they are made in the USA to reduce shipping and transportation costs, emissions and fuel usage.

LobotoME pads can be found at The Container Store or bought online. Right now for purchases over $20 get FREE SHIPPING.




Baby Shower Gift #10 Kushies Nursing Pillow and Canopy

August 7, 2009 by

As parents we need to provide certain things for our children; a safe environment, healthy nutrition and unconditional love. That doesn’t mean we can’t do them in style and comfort.

Kushies provides an extensive selection of baby gear, apparel, bath toys, cloth diapering accessories and more. Using its original product, Kooshies cloth diaper, as a platform Kushies has transformed its product line and brand name into something that can be trusted by parents all around the world. Using state of the art equipment, meticulous quality standards and a large trained staff Kushies is able to continue their high standards and gain popularity.


The original Kooshies has changed over the years and now there are several styles available including; toddler sized fitteds, waterproof diaper wraps, swim diapers and biodegradable liners. Kushies has broadened their line to include sheets made from 100% premium quality certified organic cotton. Kushies also has Newborn Layette covered with bodysuits, sleepwear, hats and bibs. Their newborn taffeta bib is reusable as it cleans up quickly by simply wiping up spills and drool.
Kushies also has a complete line of nursing accessories. Specially designed burp pads are incredibly soft but absorbant. The premium quality, 100% cotton flannel nursing canopy is ideal for discreet nursing. With a bias trim for durability, the nursing canopy also features an adjustable neckline with 3 snaps for an optimum fit to allow mom & baby to maintain eye contact. A must have for the nursing mom! Kushie’s nursing pillow features a contoured shape to fit around mom and dad’s waist while the firm foam provides support without sinking during feeding. Helps to relieve back and shoulder stress while nursing. Also made with a premium quality 100% cotton flannel cover is easily removed for machine washing. All the nursing products come in an assortment of colors to work with each gender or to keep neutral for that surprise baby.


Kushies offers one stop shopping for baby essentials including blankets, bibs, diapers and more that will be great for every family. They also have rain gear, layette and award-winning toys. Shop today and use discount code lookmom10 for 10% of your purchase.
Kushies is giving LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! readers the chance to win a Nursing Pillow (valued $25) and a Nursing Canopy (value $7) in your choice of colors to use for yourselves or to give as a perfect baby shower gift. Visit Kushies to check out the HUGE selection of baby and kid stuff and tell me something else you would love to have.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Follow Mom and Dad on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway DAILY for an additional entry each day, copy and paste this message: Kushies Nursing Pillow and Canopy GIVEAWAY @lkwhtmomfound http://bit.ly/lOUWP
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review or Article; let me know where to find your comment
  • Enter any other Baby Shower Blog Party Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Grab the LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! button or add us to your blogroll, leave site link
  • Follow this blog Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! RSS Feed, see sidebar
  • Become a fan of LookWhatMomFound on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway with link to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Kushies for 3 extra entries
Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Friday, August 21, 2009. Winners will be announced and emailed and will have 48 hours to claim prize. This contest is open to US residents.

 




Baby Shower Gift #4 Laugh and Learn DVDs

July 30, 2009 by


Babies don’t come with instruction books; this makes the voyage into motherhood a bit difficult. There are lots of thing that women may never learn until they actually become mothers. Did you always know how to swaddle a baby? Do you know what positions are best for breastfeeding? These things are learned by trial and error but you can get a headstart.

Sheri Bayles, RN, BSN, is a respected childbirth authority, an award-winning Lamaze instructor and board-certified lactation consultant, was on staff at the prestigious New York/Cornell Medical Center for twenty four years. This experience has given her the ability to bring to new moms an informative tool called Laugh and Learn DVDs. Each step in the series focuses on a stage of mommyhood. About Childbirth covers everything you need to know about being in the delivery room. About Breastfeeding takes Sheri’s experience as the “Twins Breastfeeding Guru” to make nursing enjoyable and less stressful. The final step in the series is About Newborn Care. This is where you can learn to give that newborn a proper spongebath, change his diaper and snugly swaddle him.


The DVDs allow new moms-to-be and even moms who need a refresher course to watch in the privacy of their own home. This is helpful is mommy instinct isn’t kicking in about every detail or if you are unsure what are labor signs and what to expect with fetal monitoring. Sheri offers calm non-judgmental advice backed with over twenty years experience in childbirth and breastfeeding instruction.

Sheri Bayles has recently put her valuable information into a book titled About Childbirth. The book gives you the same great resources as the DVD but portable! This allows you to read while in bed, on the commute to work or relaxing by the pool. Take it to the hospital to address any last minute questions or concerns you might have.

While I technically don’t need these DVDS anymore these are going to be perfect for my sister. Especially this baby being her first I know she has tons of questions. This series is going to let her soak in the information at her own pace in her own home and even allow her husband to gain a better understanding of how everything should flow. The Laugh and Learn DVDs are a great tool for every mom, new or seasoned.

LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! readers are getting the chance to win the entire DVD series for themselves or to gift to someone who can really benefit from learning a thing or two from Sheri Bayles. Visit Laugh and Learn and watch the first segment, “Anatomy and Preliminary Signs of Labor”, tell me something you learned.

EXTRA ENTRIES: To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email is in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Follow Mom and Dad on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway DAILY for an additional entry each day, copy and paste this message: win the complete Laugh&Learn DVD series, About Childbirth, About NewbornCare, About Breastfeeding @lkwhtmomfound http://tinyurl.com/o5zxc2
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review or Article; let me know where to find your comment
  • Enter any other Baby Shower Blog Party Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Grab the LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! button or add us to your blogroll, leave site link
  • Follow this blog
  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! RSS Feed, see sidebar
  • Become a fan of LookWhatMomFound on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway with link to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Laugh and Learn for 3 extra entries

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Friday, August 21, 2009. Winners will be announced and emailed and will have 48 hours to claim prize. This contest is open to US residents.




Baby Shower Gift #2 The Bomb Mom

July 28, 2009 by

One day a guy was watching his beautiful wife tend to his precious children and the phrase came to him… The Bomb Mom. For awhile he wasn’t sure what to do with it but eventually he realized it was a clothing line… a series of statement tees for all the beautiful (inside out) women who give their lives to mothering. The bomb moms.
You can’t get anymore perfect than this sweet but hip sentiment.
The Bomb Mom is a fab company that puts out these awesome tees and onesies for moms and kids and babies. Now your little one can proudly display how they really feel about you, “My Mom’s the Bomb”. Every mom deserves the praise of their little one wearing one and they also deserve to wear one of their own as a badge of honor. In fact I asked if women’s sizes were available with the phrase “My Mom’s the Bomb” so my teenager could wear one. Personally I would love to wear “My Mom’s the Bomb” on mother’s day to honor my own mother. I’m going to further suggest men’s sizes to promote their own moms!!!

I received my Copper tee and immediately put it on and while it’s a little snug (everything is) it’s super soft and the colors are rich. The tee is actually a good length too, I’m always complaining about too short shirts, skin peeking out when sitting, but this tee is a great length, no riding up. Sabreena quickly agreed to the saying and that made me feel good. “You are the bomb mom” she said, awwwwwwwww. This tee is going to look great with jeans, khakis, casual skirts and even lazy lounge pants if I’m feeling the need for a pick me up.I’m including The Bomb Mom in the Baby Shower Blog Party because every new mom sometimes needs a reminder that she is amazing, selfless and worth more than the her weight in gold. Give that gift that makes everyone take notice, give that new mommy you know a tee that says a thousand words with just three.

 

Visit The Bomb Mom and tell me who in your life deserves the title The Bomb Mom. It could be your mom, neighbor, best friend, sister or yourself.

EXTRA ENTRIES: To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Follow Mom and Dad and TheBombMom on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway DAILY for an additional entry each day, copy and paste this message: Who is TheBombMom in your life, win a tee to express your love or proclaim your status @lkwhtmomfound http://tinyurl.com/phwnyr
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review or Article; let me know where to find your comment
  • Enter any other Baby Shower Blog Party Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Grab the LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! button or add us to your blogroll, leave site link
  • Follow this blog
  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! RSS Feed, see sidebar
  • Become a fan of LookWhatMomFound on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway with link to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and The Bomb Mom for 3 extra entries

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Friday, August 21, 2009. Winners will be announced and emailed and will have 48 hours to claim prize. This contest is open to US residents.