Dirt, blood, markers, food . . . kids have a seemingly endless arsenal of ways to make stains. Luckily (or by necessity), moms have discovered some great ways to combat tough stains. Here are 10 smart tricks for tackling your little one's next mess.
Do your curious kids touch and taste everything in sight? Time to befriend your box of baking soda! Free of harsh chemicals, baking soda is a wonderfully effective and kid-safe household product that can be used on everything from kitchen drains to diaper rashes. Here are nine ways to use this impressive natural cleaning product in your home.
Incredibly affordable and environmentally safe, vinegar is an ideal product for homes with small, curious children who love to touch and taste. How can you use it? Keep reading for eight ideas!
We all want our children to be able to care for themselves and their own homes when it's time for them to fly the nest. So what skills should we teach our children to prepare them for eventual independence? We asked our Top 25 Home Management Mom Bloggers to share the essential home management skills every parent should teach her child.
Every household is different, and every mom has different standards, but many Circle of Moms members say they can't help but feel stressed out and cranky about how to handle the never-ending obligation of keeping their homes clean.
"My house is falling apart," cries Trice B. "How do I keep the house tidy while working 40 hours a week and taking care of two kids under 2?" Ditto, says Renae K. She feels overwhelmed trying to spend time with her child and husband, have some sort of a social life, and find time to keep a clean house.
The reality is that most moms are racing around carpooling, caring for their children, and trying to get things done with little time to add being a housekeeper to their to-do lists. If you're in the same boat, here are some overarching ideas on dividing and conquering the household responsibilities.
Is hydrogen peroxide a key player in your household cleaning routine? It could be! While many of us keep hydrogen peroxide on hand for cleaning cuts and scrapes, Circle of Moms members have also shared that the affordable, multipurpose product can be used for everything from removing tough stains to disinfecting toothbrushes. Keep reading for all nine of their best tips!
With kids leaving a constant stream of toys, dirty clothes, crumbs, and body fluids in their wake, it's no surprise many moms find cleaning house to be a frustrating, never-ending task. Luckily, Circle of Moms members have shared simple strategies to help you create an efficient housecleaning plan of attack. Keep reading for their best eight tips.
There’s a moment in the movie The Break-Up, when Jennifer Aniston’s character says to her partner, "I want you to want to do the dishes." It’s a line that mothers, wives and girlfriends almost universally understand.
Romance isn’t always candy and flowers and candlelit dinners; here, Circle of Moms members share five surprisingly mundane things moms find romantic.
1. Cooking and Cleaning
We know our men don’t want to do the dishes; after all we don’t really want to do them either. But there’s something touching about a man who cooks and cleans because he knows it will ease the burden a little bit.
Many Circle of Moms members say that a man who will cook dinner makes them swoon. As mom Maly L. explains, "My husband does the washing of the dishes and cleans the guinea pigs' cage — that's enough romancing for me!"
2. Unexpected Love Notes
Cleaning might be enough romance for Maly, but other women say they find it incredibly romantic when a man takes the time to leave little notes around the house that show he is thinking about his wife.
After seven years of marriage, Dawn M.'s husband still leaves an "I love you" note in front of the coffee pot each morning. Tina B. finds love notes hidden in unusual places, from her car to her make-up bag.
3. A Simple Phone Call
There's a reason that Blondie’s classic song, Call Me, has been covered by everyone from the Chipmunks to the television show Smash. Sometimes, a simple phone call is all a mom needs to feel the romance.
Allie D.'s husband calls her from work just to tell her he loves and misses her, something she finds super romantic. After three years, Jennifer K. still gets butterflies in her stomach when her honey calls to tell her he forgot to say he loves her before he left for work in the morning.
4. A Loving Look
Sometimes what a man communicates without words is what makes all the difference. Kelly E.'s husband, for instance, may not tell her he loves her that often, but she says she can see the love in his eyes every time he looks at her. She's one of many Circle of Moms members who say real romance is when your husband can see past the bedhead and the end-of-day frazzles and still dazzle you with a look that shows how much he loves and desires you.
5. Being Cared For
Jennifer S. thinks it’s romantic that her husband works so that she can stay home with their son. Lynn H. says one of the little things she loves about her husband is that he fills her car with gas when he knows she has to go somewhere. And Amber N. points out what all of these gestures, whether large or small, have in common: they make a woman feel loved, cared for, and good about her life.
Image Source: Maroon Surreal via Flickr/Creative Commons
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
Many children would love a cuddly cat or dog to play with. But should you give into your child's puppy-dog eyes when he asks for a furry, feathered or scaly friend? "I want to hear what others do or think," says Circle of Moms member Veronica K. "I love animals, don’t get me wrong, but I have my limitations on what I would allow in my home.”
Another mom, Wendy, is seeking input on what kind of animal would make for a good pet for her four-year-old daughter and seven and a half-year-old son, and she has many questions. "My husband and I have been talking about getting our children a pet, but we live in a small apartment so we don’t have much room," she says. "We don’t know what kind of pet our children would love or could handle. How did you introduce your child’s pet into the family?"
Here, Circle of Moms members offer four questions to consider before agreeing to parent a pet.
1. Is Your Child Ready for the Responsibility?
Many Circle of Moms members tout the benefits of pet ownership, saying it teaches kids responsibility in addition to providing another family member to love. "I think growing up with pets is so important [for kids]. It teaches them how to respect other living creatures, responsibility, and they always have a playmate," says one Circle of Moms member (screenname: Little Miss can’t Be Wrong).
But if your child isn't ready to help feed the animal or touch the pet in a safe way, then it might be worth waiting until he is physically and emotionally ready be more responsible, moms suggest. For example, Michelle says she only gave her daughter some fish after her third birthday and understood that her job would be to feed them each day. Michelle helps her daughter measure out the correct portion and teachers her one-year-old son to put the fish food container away.
Ashley and Sarah H. agree that the younger children probably should just be put in charge of feeding the pet, and even that activity should be supervised to make sure it’s actually done. Sarah started getting her 15-month-old to help feed their dog, but admits that she has to remind him not to play with the food, and also "sometimes stop him because he likes to feed the dog all the time."
Older children can be taught more complex tasks such as how to bathe a dog. Ashley adds.
2. What are Your Time and Budget Constraints?
When determining pet ownership, it’s important to consider your time and budget constraints, Circle of Moms members say. This is because it’s the parent’s responsibility to educate the child and teach them to respect the animal, Martine S. explains. "The child has to learn that no hair pulling, tail pulling, or hitting is allowed. Your animal has to know that you are also there for him. I am always baffled when people expect an animal to be 100 percent perfectly behaved," she says.
A member named Janeta agrees, relaying that she had to gradually introduce her daughter to their cat and dog: how to be gentle, and also teach the animals that their daughter is “just a baby.” Their cat knows not to bite or try to claw her, she says. "You have to have patience with the animals and with the child(ren) as well."
"Pets are awesome when you have kids — if you have the time/energy to take care of kids and [the] pets," Denikka G. says. Parents also have to consider the costs of food, housing and vet care, too. That’s why although she loves dogs, she's decided now is not the right time to get one. Her son is two-and-a-half years old, but when he gets older and can be responsible for a pet, she will let him own just about any animal he passionately wants.
The time and money necessary to care for a pet can be considerable, according to several moms. Iysha J., for example says she regrets having to vacuum every day to keep her house free of fur. "Pets are a pain, and it takes a lot of patience for someone to have a pet … It's harder to keep up with than a baby, really," she cautions.
For those reasons, Nikkole S. says she is not ready for the responsibility of a pet. "My son will be three this month and he keeps asking for a puppy, but I’m not getting one ’till both my kids are potty trained."
Pet owners Lise B. and Katherine B. say they, too, aren’t getting any more pets once their current ones pass away, because pet ownership takes too much time. "We have two dogs and a two-year-old, and I can't wait to not have pets," Lise says. "It's just that we really don't have the time to appropriately play with the dogs."
"[We] prefer spending our time with our child(ren) and not cleaning up cat puke, running to the vets, etc." Katherine B. seconds.
3. Does the Pet Fit Your Space?
Once you're ready for the responsibility of owning a pet, Circle of Moms members suggest you find one that fits in with the family — and your living space. For apartment-dwellers, Erica suggests a cat or less-active dog breed. "We have a Whippet, and he really only needed walking once a day, if that, when he was younger," she says. On the other hand, she says smaller dogs don’t tend to mix well with small children.
For a first pet, and for younger children, Kylie suggests starting with something small: "Fish, little birds, mice/rats, hamsters, or a rabbit." Smaller pets are easy to contain, their cages can be cleaned out easily, and feeding them is easy, too, she adds. And Kate cautions that bunnies need a lot of space and a garden.
Both Amanda P. and a mom named Eric urge research on species and breeds. "Research is crucial when choosing an animal to bring into a home with children, based on the temperament of the animal, and the lifespan and health issues the animal may have,” says Amanda, and Erica suggests talking to a local vet: "They will have great insight and may know of an animal that needs re-homing that would be perfect for your situation."
4. Will You Be Around to Supervise?
Even when you've found the best breed to co-exist with your children, experienced pet owners caution that you should always supervise your child around your pet. Anna R. says her pets are "exceptionally patient" with her son, letting him crawl all over them, pull on them, and put his fingers into their mouths. "[But], I don't ever leave the baby alone with them; they're still animals with instincts, and my son's still a baby with unpredictable impulses," she notes.
Even the friendliest dog could accidentally knock down a baby, adds Michelle S. "I love and trust our dog," she says of her Rottweiller X Mastiff. "But I will still be cautious with the children." That being said, experienced pet owners say with the right precautions, pet ownership is invaluable. "Pets bring such joy to the family and teaches children so much," exclaims Michelle S.
"Whether it's a dog, cat or a fish, it's not only fun but does teach them tremendous amounts of responsibility, respect and compassion," Lyssa B. concludes.
Image Source: susansimon via Flickr/Creative Commons
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
After becoming a mom, I have a newfound appreciation for people who know their manners when it comes to visiting new parents. Although there is no greater joy to a new mom and dad than showing off their pinkfoot, I'm often astounded to see that the memo on meeting Baby in a considerate manner has apparently not been circulated to everyone. Oy! So with that in mind I bring you my candid guide on how to be the perfect guest to new parents:
1. Don't just show up uninvited.
For a new mom to get herself, her newborn and her household in a presentable state is quite the operation, so let them know you're coming beforehand.
2. Be on time.
Your visit is more than likely squeezed in between feedings, bathtime and naptime (for both Babe and Mom), so being late is really inconsiderate.
3. Don't overstay your welcome.
New parents are exhausted; new moms often have the blues; and everyone is still trying to find their feet. A guest that hangs around for hours and hours just adds to the exhaustion. Don't stay for longer than 15 minutes, unless you're asked to.
4. Don't expect to be wined and dined.
New moms barely have time to bath, let alone wash a sink full of dishes after regaling a house full of guests. If you're invited to drink a cup of coffee, offer to wash the dishes afterwards.
5. Bring food.
One or two of our guests brought a dish full of lasagne and veggies after Baby Girl's birth and it was as if I could hear the angels sing when I opened the lid. Such a welcome and thoughtful gift - new moms do not have loads of time to cook.
6. Don't ask to play with or hold Baby if he or she is sleeping.
New parents do not want to wake up their sleeping newborn. It took them ages to get him/her to sleep. Period.
Stay away if you're sick. If you have a flu or a cold sore or anything remotely related, cancel your visit and re-schedule for when you're better. Caring for a sick baby is no joke.
7. Keep untactful comments to yourself.
Yes, the new mom is fully aware of the fact that she still looks pregnant one week after giving birth. She's working on it. And yes, everyone is aware of the fact that the house isn't spotless. Right now, that's just not a priority. Keep your thoughts to yourself and be kind.
What greater blessing is there than the celebration of a new life? Do so with consideration and kindness and be a part of the joy of the occasion!
Image Source: Courtesy of Karien Potgieter
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
