Month: November 2017


Nov
2017

Holiday Giveaway – Kids Have All The Fun

categories: Giveaway

Who is ready for a MASSIVE kids themed giveaway?!

 

It’s MamatheFox’s 2017 Annual Holiday Gift Guide – Kids Prize Giveaway

Enter to win $870+ in kids prizes from various sponsors

24 prizes all to one winner!

 

Open to US only    ♦    Must be 18+ to enter

Here is what (1) lucky winner will receive:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations

If you would like to participate as a blogger or a sponsor in an event like this please contact Danielle at mamathefox@gmail.com


Nov
2017

OXO Air Stroller Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Uncategorized

Hosted by: MamatheFox.com

Co-Hosted by: Homeschool Insights, Love, Mrs. Mommy , From Moms to Grandmas

Sponsored by: OXO

Enter for your chance to win:OXO Tot Air Stroller

Open to: US

OXO: OXO makes 1,000+ products covering numerous areas of the home. There big philosophy is Universal Design; basically, creating products that almost anyone can use. OXO tot brand was inspired after a baby boom in the office. When their employees faced parent pet peeves firsthand, they decided to start problem solving. OXO tot line covers a number of products such as feeding, seating, and on-the go for your littles one.

Read more about the Air Stroller Here


Nov
2017

Easy Breezy with Air Stroller

categories: Article

When I planned to write this post I was pretty giddy because I was getting the chance to write about a few of my favorite things!

Traveling and OXO!

If you haven’t heard of OXO, then you should definitely click over to our Mama on the Move blog post where I included a little history and company mission on my review of OXO tot products. To say the least, MamatheFox has been impressed with OXO’s innovative and universal design.

Connect with OXO

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If you didn’t know, my husband I were expats in China for 4 years. We had both our kids overseas and spent our first 2.5 years of parenting in a giant foreign city. It wasn’t until after we had our son that we actually felt comfortable enough with the language and culture to start traveling.

And travel we did!

By the time our son was 2.5 he had been on over 30 airplanes, uncountable number of fast trains, and weekly rides on public transportation. While we lived in China we bought an amazing compact stroller that quickly became our BFF. It was light weight, easy to use, and small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. However, it was very cheaply made and when we relocated to America we didn’t find it worth transporting.

My family and I moving to America

For a while I thought I didn’t need a compact stroller since I was in America with a car, had a running toddler, and loved my baby carrier. However, after a few difficult situations of the kids hating the carrier, the Baby Jogger being too big, or my toddler hitting his walking limit, I started looking for a compact stroller. I struggled to find a stroller that met my standards after having the best compact stroller in China. If you are finding it hard as we did. We found
https://www.mamma1.com/ to be pretty handy. You could check them out if you have time!
Then as if OXO tot heard my design cries, they released the Air Stroller this fall.

Why the Air Stroller is amazing

Compact

This stroller will not slow you down, but rather keep up with your fast pace life. Its compact built and slim design makes it easy to maneuver through crowded streets and in and out of stores. I’ve already loved using our Air Stroller to squeeze through the local library aisle and to trick or treat on crowded sidewalks down town.

My mother in law was even able to fit our opened Air Stroller it in her car trunk. When folded, the stroller is roughly the size of a back pack. Making it less bulky when carrying and easy to store. We leave ours in the trunk because it takes up minimum space and is always ready to use on the go.

Travel Friendly

Only weighing in at 11 pounds, it’s light enough for me to hold a kid and stroller at the same time. When I used public transportation in the city I had to do this all the time up stairs and on and off buses. It is certainly designed fuss-free as the stroller locks without any extra levers or snaps. It simply unlocks by pushing toward the ground before squeezing the release handles.

Included is a convenient carrying strap that allows carrying the Air Stroller hands free. The strap is easily assessable once the stroller is collapsed. I was reminded of how great a strap is when trying to carry my squirmy toddler and stroller down subway station stairs. The Air lets you focus on what’s most important while bringing along your gear. I especially appreciated when the stroller is folded the wheels lock away from the fabric, keeping all the nasty germs collected on the wheels off your little ones.

The expandable UPF 50 canopy makes this stroller perfect for outside activities without the fear of sun exposure. The adjustable feature lets it go low enough to protect my youngest from the sun but high enough to give my toddler optimal view.

On the back of the canopy a secret parent pocket has been placed. When traveling, this is ideal for an easy access spot to hold your passports, tickets, and phones. For every day use I like to put my phone, wallet, and sometimes a hidden mama treat inside.

And for any mama with visual concern, the canopy has a mesh peep flap. It is always great to be able to see what your child is doing or for my youngest, assure her mama is still there.

It also includes an easy access storage basket that is very roomy; great for holding a diaper bag, snacks, toys, and more. Finding an adequate basket on a compact stroller is such a rare find. I love how easy it is to get stuff in and out and weight doesn’t drag the basket down.

Durable and Safe

The Oxo Air Stroller is built to last and endure constant use. The front wheels navigate quickly and withstand curbs and uneven pavement.

I felt like I could maneuver with ease and my kids were buckled in securely with an adjustable 5-point safety harness. Again, OXO designed this buckle to be fuss-free, a truly rare find in strollers! Although it has 5 points of security, it only takes three simple pieces to lock.

The straps are also easily adjusted and made to grow with your little one. The soft shoulder pads prevent chafing on the neck while the buckle pad prevents squishy thighs from accidentally getting pinched…a mega issue for my 1 year old!

The seat is very roomy and easily fit my 1 and 2 year old children. I liked that there was some recline in the seat position that prevents my toddler from leaning forward. The biggest trouble I have found in light weight strollers is the easy ability to tip from rocking kids or sharp turns. My son literally flipped our old compact stroller while sitting in it. The Air Stroller weight distribution makes this stroller unbelievably sturdy. Even with squirmy kids and zig-zag paths I always felt in complete control. It is recommended for babies starting at 6 month and children up to 55 pounds.

I loved the machine-washable seating and easy to clean material because my kids are always eating on the go, not to mention this stroller is bound to be hand me downed through a number of children and go on multiple vacations. OXO tot sells the Air Stroller in a variety of bright vibrant colors that will match your style.

When I say I know traveling with kids I mean it, and when OXO promises high quality products they deliver. Don’t let your life be slowed down by how you haul your kids around. Go live it up with the easy breezy easy to use Air Stroller.

When your little girl gets older, she may become interested in dolls as she tries to emulate what she sees mommy do. Play Like Mum’s range of dolls’ prams are a great way to nurture this bond between you and your child who looks up to and wants to be like you. It fosters creative imagination and introduces a new way to play with their favorite toy.


Nov
2017

5 Myths About Babies Sleeping Through the Night

categories: Reviews

5 Myths About Babies Sleeping Through the Night

by Nicole Johnson, Founder and Lead Consultant at

The Baby Sleep Site®

When you bring your beautiful baby home for the first time, it seems like anyone and everyone has a piece of advice for you to follow. From what diapers to buy to what sleep sack to buy. Some advice is fantastic! Obviously, some pieces of equipment you are going to need, like strollers, the best Moses baskets and cribs, which as a new time parent you may need advice on. You can find the top baby travel system on Amazon, with reviews on Strollerbuzz if you’re struggling. Some advice will make you say ‘huh?’ You will learn the “nod and smile” very quickly as a new parent and figure out for yourself what advice to keep and what to file away for never.

As a sleep consultant, I can share with you the 5 most common myths about your baby sleeping through the night – however, my myths are not proven to work, you might want to speak to a professional baby sleep consultant who specializes in baby’s sleeping patterns to be confident they will work. I can share with you the 5 most common myths about your baby sleeping through the night:

5 Myths About Babies Sleeping Through The Night

One quick note that when people sometimes say their baby ‘sleeps through the night’ they may technically mean just 5 hours of sleep without waking and without feedings. However, if you’re ike me, you’re wondering when babies will actually sleep ALL night…8-10 (or even 12) hours of uninterrupted sleep. For the purposes of this article, we’ll use that second, and most-coveted, definition.

  1. “Keep your baby awake a lot during the day; then, she will sleep through the night.” When your baby is tired, she will sleep, right? Even though it might seem to make sense that keeping a baby awake for long stretches during the day would help her sleep better at night, it generally doesn’t work that way. It’s counterintuitive, but true, that if your baby is overly tired before bed, she will have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. Remember, better naps = better night sleep.
  2. “Your baby isn’t sleeping through the night yet? It’s probably because you’re breastfeeding.” I think this myth exists because formula takes longer for babies’ tummies to digest, and breastmilk digests fairly quickly. However, this does not mean that formula-fed babies automatically sleep better than breastfed babies – I’ve worked with plenty of parents whose formula-feeding babies are not sleeping through the night. Although some bottles are definitely better than others, using one type of bottle will not make your baby sleep through the night either. They can affect things like gas and bloating though, so you check the ratings of bottles and other baby products at mommyhood101.
  3. “All babies can sleep through the night by .” Yes, a small percentage of babies will sleep through the night early, but in my experience, most babies will take several months and it has nothing to do with a specific age or weight. We have worked with thousands of parents and I promise not all of them suddenly let us know their baby sleeps all night at the same age or weight. Not even close!
  4. “If you feed your baby solids, he’ll sleep through the night.” Sure! If your baby is only waking out of hunger, it might follow that more food would mean more sleep. But, in my experience, hunger is only one of many reasons babies wake at night. There is no meaningful connection between feeding a baby solid foods and having her sleep through the night.
  5. “Your baby still isn’t sleeping through the night?? MY baby started sleeping through the night when she was 4 minutes old!” Some parents seem to rub it in that their baby slept all night from a young age! And while some of those claims are true (some 8 week old babies really do sleep 8 straight hours at night), they often aren’t. For starters, a parent who makes a claim like this could be using a different definition of ‘sleeping through the night’ than you are (see above). Additionally, they might also be straight up lying about it. Many parents take it as a reflection of their own parenting skills whether their baby is sleeping well and if they aren’t, they don’t want to admit they “failed.”

In the end, all babies will sleep through the night…eventually. Although some of these myths aren’t true, it doesn’t mean you can’t establish healthy sleep habits from a young age. Maybe your 4 month old won’t sleep 8-12 hours straight, but she surely shouldn’t wake up every two hours, either. You know your baby best and if it feels like a “sleep problem” it probably is. So find a reputed baby sleep consultant online.

Nicole Johnson is a married mother of two wonderful boys and owner of The Baby Sleep Site. When her eldest son was born, he had a lot of sleep problems – he would wake every one or two hours, all night long! She got busy and thoroughly researched literature and scientific reports until she became an expert in sleep methods, scheduling routines, baby developmental needs, and more. She overcame her son’s sleeping issues in a way that matched her own parenting style, and knew it was her mission to help other tired parents “find their child’s sleep”. If you have your own sleep issues, Nicole and her team at The Baby Sleep Site® can help! Download the popular free guide, 5 Ways To Help Your Child Sleep Through The Night, to get started today.

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Nov
2017

Discover the Benefits of Pogo Sticks for Kids

categories: Reviews

For close to 100 years pogo sticks have never seized to provide kids with a fun and exciting way to enjoy the outdoors. The pogo stick has come a long way since it was first designed in 1891 and patented in Germany in 1957. The pogo stick has since come along way with newer and cooler features. Kids can use them for hours without feeling bored in the slightest. If you believe your child would benefit from a pogo stick, you may wish to view the sports equipment here.

A pogo stick is a device that allows a kid to jump and down off the ground. The stick comes with a footrest in the middle, a handle at the tip and a spring mechanism that joins both sections of the stick.

The jumper positions his feet on the footrest. He balances himself on the pole and jumps up and down by bending his knees to provide the spring with energy.

To this very day, a lot of manufacturers produce pogo sticks is various styles and designs. Pogo sticks today not only provide kids with a favorite outdoor toy, it is also a good exercise device.

How to Select Pogo Sticks for Kids

Your kid is going to be jumping up and down the pogo stick. It is therefore important that you take much care in selecting one for him. Your choice of pogo stick will dictate whether your kid is going to have so much fun in it or run the risk of injuring himself.

  1. Age and Weight Appropriate for the right age of your kid.

Make sure you are choosing a pogo stick that is right for the age of your kid. Pogo sticks come in different lengths and built depending on the age group it caters to. Pick a pogo stick that is right for the height of your kid.

The weight of your kid the pogo stick is capable of handling should also be a major consideration. It can be dangerous to have your kid of 80 pounds jumping up and down a pogo stick that could carry only about 50 pounds. The springs may give way and your kid may fall.

The best choice of pogo stick is one that has a height and weight capacity in a few inches and pounds more than your kid. This will allow him to use the pogo stick longer.

  1. Design and Construction

Meticulously check the materials the pogo stick is made of. Some pogo sticks come in an all metal design. Some are of half metal and half foam enclosures for additional safety. The metal models have springs that bounce the highest. The ones with foam enclosures though are the safest.

  • Safety and Comfort

The best pogo stick for your kid is one that safe and comfortable. Make sure it has a solid construction and made of durable materials. Portability of the pogo stick is also one factor you need to look into.

In choosing a pogo, price should be the least of parent’s concern. The safety of your kid is the most important consideration. It is thus best to do some research before shopping for a pogo stick for your kid.

By the way, make sure your kid is always with a helmet and closed=toed shoes each time he goes outdoors to jump up and down in his pogo stick. For younger kids, adult supervision is a must.

Benefits of Pogo Stick Jumping for Kids

Parents should not only consider pogo stick jumping as a favorite pastime for their kids. It should also be considered as offering something more than keeping outdoors instead of playing computer games indoors. The simple jumping up and down on a stick is able to provide kids with physical and mental benefits.

Physical Benefits of Pogo Jumping

Kids these days spend more time indoors playing with computer games than kids about 20 years ago. Pogo jumping is an exciting activity that will allow your kid to have a more active lifestyle which can benefit his overall well-being especially their stability and core strength. Here is how your kid can benefit from a pogo stick workout.

  • Your legs do all the work when you are in a pogo stick whether you are simply jumping up and down in one area or jumping up and down from one area to another. These motions will allow the muscle mass to be much stronger.
  • The Butt and Hips. A firm butt and hips are the goal of every women when they exercise. Jumping up and down the pogo stick will make you have a firm butt. The up and down motion will also get rid of all the flabs in your hips.
  • The Stomach. Most people workout to have a strong and flat stomach. Jumping up and down on the pogo stick will make the muscles in your stomach work double time. It will make all the four groups of muscles in your stomach vigorously work so you can maintain your balance.
  • The Back. The act of balancing on a pogo stick makes the muscle work as uch as the muscles in your stomach. Continuous exercise on the pogo stick will help strengthen the muscle. It will also enhance posture with a strong and straight back. This will prevent the issue of potential back issues that many children and adolescents are suffering from, namely kyphosis, a rounding of the upper back. Unfortunately, such an issue can sometimes result in kyphosis surgery, which no child should have to face. For this reason, ensuring your child is maintaining a positive posture, such as through the use of a pogo stick, is vital.

The up and down motion also burns calories while enhancing agility, endurance and balance.

Mental Benefits of Pogo Jumping

Toys are meant for the enjoyment of kids. The best toys though are those that are able to provide a lot of enjoyment while benefitting both the physical and mental well-being. Such is the pogo stick.

One of the best things parents will love of the pogo stick is the fact that kids will once again consider indulging in more outdoor activities. An active lifestyle is always a healthy lifestyle.

As kids learn to balance on the pogo stick, they are able to develop and boost their confidence. As they develop more confidence they are able to execute some tricks other than just simply jumping up and down with the stick.

The pogo stick is not just a toy to keep kids busy outdoors. While having fun, they are able to enhance their over-all well-being and boost their confidence. Be safe- always wear a helmet while on a pogo stick!

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Nov
2017

MacDaddy Milkers – Bath Bombs Anyone Can Afford

categories: Reviews

It’s another Mama’s Tub Time feature!

 

This month we are showcasing MacDaddy Milkers

 

When it comes to using bath bombs, I use a lot. I mean, like several a week people. This can add up in cost over time. If you love bath bombs but cannot afford to shell out $6 to $10 per bomb, but still want a fun and moisturizing bath bomb, them MacDaddy Milkers are the ones for you.

 

MacDaddy Milkers features a package where you can buy (30) 2.5 ounce bath bombs for only $30!

 

All of her orders are made to order, so you can tell her to make the batch you most desire. Here are her options:

Her fragrances are:

Bay Rum, Beach, Beautiful, Bamboo Grass, Brown Sugar Fig, Butt Naked, Cashmere Glow, Champagne Kisses, Cherry Almond, Cucumber Melon, Fresh Linen, French Gardenia, Honey Milk and Oatmeal, Honeysuckle, Hot Pink Lime, Jasmine, Kool Water, Love Spell, Pina Colada,Pomegranate, Sweet Pea, Urban Cowboy, Vera Wang Coconut Lime Verbena, and Very Sexy.

The Essential oils she uses are:

Jasmine, Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemon Grass, Citrus, and Eucalyptus.

 

Once you have selected the smell/oil you want, you can easily place your order. If you want them wrapped for presentation that is a small additional fee. These bath bombs are perfect when you need to buy a large quantity like for a baby shower, wedding party or birthday event. It is perfect for sorority gatherings too, as they make for a fun gift to give your littles or bigs.

What this Mama loves about MacDaddy Milkers bath bombs are

  1. Their price! Anyone can afford them
  2. Even the 2.5 ounce bombs fill your normal size tube with coloring & scent
  3. They have enough moisturizing agents to soften your skin without greasing up your tub

 

MacDaddy not only makes custom bath bombs, but they have a super collection of Goat Milk Soaps.

 

The MacDaddy Milkers have their own goats! Their registered Nubien dairy goats give us the milk used in their soaps.

 

Most of us don’t know that beautiful skin starts with the best moisturizing, skin-loving oils and goat milk soap takes it a step further with it richness and alpha hydroxy. Eczema – gone. Dry skin – gone. Softness and clear skin is the result. – MacDaddy Milkers

 

Their Goat Milk Soaps are so creamy and luxurious to use. By using a goat milk product you are not only cleansing but moisturizing your skin in a safe and natural way. Once I switched to a goat milk based cleansing bar a few years ago I have not need able to stand liquid soaps – those liquid soaps give my body a slimy feeling. When I use a goat milk product I feel clean and soft.

 

With the winter months approaching we are coming upon so bitter cold and dry weather. My skin lacks the moisture it requires in the Ohio winters. As soon as I step out of the shower I MUST apply lotion. My poor skin is getting more dry with age. The great news is that the goat milks used in the soaps above are also used in the MacDaddy Milkers lotion line. This gives my skin the final line of defense it needs.

 

The ingredients: MacDaddy Milker’s super emollient, ultra-moisturizing All Natural Goat Milk Lotion is made with all-natural goat milk, distilled water, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, emulsifying wax, palm steric acid, shea butter, vitamin E (as a natural preservative) and fragrance.

 

Connect with MacDaddy Milkers

Facebook          Twitter          Etsy Shop          Instagram

Many bath product companies make Sugar Scrubs. Eh. I have used a ton of them. But the homemade ones never seen as nice as the store bought ones…until now! I am super pumped up about MacDaddy Milkers Sugar Scrubs! Typically a sugar scrub will get clumpy, the oil will rise to the top and leave you will half the jar of just scrub without any moistener, and then I sadly toss it out, feeling like such a waste.  MacDaddy Milkers did some sort of magic on their scrubs and came up with a mixture that is not only smooth, but its soft and full of oil throughout the container. I do not have to mix it up before use like a jar of organic peanut butter, but I can just take some right off the top without fear of getting a dry bottom half of the jar.  I cannot tell you how perfect these scrubs are.

 


Nov
2017

Bibiti-Bobiti Boutique Giveaway

categories: Giveaway

Enter for your chance to win (1) Bibiti-Bobiti Boutique Outfit

Runs 11/1 – 11/15

Open to US residents, Must be 18+ to enter

Welcome to the Let Life Surprise You Giveaway Hop! Be sure to come back daily to get your daily entries to increase your chances of winning. Scroll down under the form to find more awesome giveaways to enter.

Sponsored by:

Bibiti-Bobiti Boutique

Hosted by:

MamatheFox.com

Bibiti-Bobiti Boutique is a high quality, high fashion children’s etsy shop. Paula, the owner, was inspired to create Bibiti-Bobiti Boutique after struggling to find coordinating outfits for her daughter. She learned to sew and now everything she sells is handmade with organic cotton and is created by her.