Category: Article

23
Jul
2018

Ready for Real School – Kindergarten Resources

categories: Article

We can hardly believe it – The oldest ‘pup’ of the MamatheFox kids is going to Kindergarten!

The kid that inspired MamatheFox to create a website for parents is growing up, and she is THRILLED to start her next adven23ture.

Some of the kids who are featured on MamatheFox will attend public school, others are going to be home schooled Montessori style. Having said that, parents should find a nursery or kindergarten that can take the proper responsibility of caring for and teaching their children. In addition, choosing schools that are dedicated to making sure that each child is given the best opportunities might also be a wise choice. No matter how you choose to educate your children, we want to provide you with the best brands and products that we have found. We love sharing our thoughts with you – and allowing you to experience new things through our children’s natural play.

Typical things a child should know prior to entering kindergarten are:

Basic shapes. Some of the best nursery in stafford recommends that the child should have learned basic shapes like the square, circle, rectangle and triangle in preschool. If not, parents should teach them. In kindergarten, they will probably be introduced to the hexagon, star, heart and octagon. [You can also integrate different styles of simple flags like the Poland flag coloring page for printing and coloring that integrate different shapes and colors and learn a bit about flags!]
The letters of the child’s name. They should at least be able to recognize the letters of their name. In kindergarten, they will learn their uppercase letters and begin lowercase letters. They will also begin to learn how to write freehand without tracing.
Though it’s not necessary to learn to spell before kindergarten, children who show a strong desire to learn can begin to practice spelling basic words. A good way to do this is with free printable word searches. Practicing a word search hard or easy is a great way for anyone in the family to have fun while also stimulating the mind.
Numbers 1 to 10. Although some children will be able to count to 100 by the time they reach kindergarten, all should be able to at least be able to count to 10. Numbers will be used starting on the first day of kindergarten so the children need to at least understand and recognize numbers.
Social skills – The child should be able to follow directions, be able to be separated from the caregiver and use the restroom independently. Children who scream and cry when they are separated from caregivers disrupt the rest of the class. Teachers simply do not have the time to supervise individual students who cannot independently use the restroom. Many teachers now also use social learning as a way to engage pupils, which is going to be hard for your kids if they aren’t used to socialising. Learn More here to find out some of the ways teachers use social learning in the classroom. Once you know what to expect, you can help your kids to adjust.

These facts are from Alise McGregor, founder of Little Newtons

This is a list of products and brands we feel will help get your children ready for Kindergarten

STEM & Educational Toys

Q Wunder

The Q Wunder app (available on Android and Apple devices) is all about teaching kids emotional intelligence and mindfulness through starting conversations and play time with family through great games, books, toys and the show available through their app.

Social and emotional skills are often overlooked when preparing our children. We strive to teach them to sing their ABC’s. How to count numbers….but what about dealing with being interrupted? What manners are and how to use them? How to look someone in the eye and pay attention? Have your children started to grasp and master these critical social cues? If you agree with me and think these are necessary and important skills to have, check out Q Wunder and try out their free trial.

Botley the Coding Robot

Kids are obsessed with coding robots. At a young age like 5, kids are still learning how to read and problem solve. With all the YouTube videos of robots they lust after owning one themselves. Now your kid can get an age appropriate, and MUCH more affordable robot for your family – Botley!

Botley’s 77-piece activity set comes with a remote programmer, detachable robot arms, 40 coding cards, 6 double-sided tiles, 27 obstacle building pieces and a starter guide with coding challenges.

Your child will get to learn early STEM skills while playing and having fun. Botley teaches the basics of coding through active play, completely screen free. Perfect for promoting critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Highlights: The Big Fun Kindergarten Activity Book

I am a mom who loves a dry erase book – add in the fact that it’s educational and I am sold!

With Highlights, a trusted brand that we all grew up with, has a broad line of learning wipe off books.

By using puzzles, exciting images and skill-building activities these books help enrich your child’s creative play by encouraging deeper thinking and learning.

This particular book focuses on Alphabet, Sight Words, Writing, Reading, Numbers, Matching, Sorting, Patterns and more.

Click here to purchase Highlights The Big Fun Kindergarten Activity Book

Catch and Learn Game

Catch and Learn by PlaSmart is an interactive and simple to play game. It comes with a variety of fish (small, medium and large) that are made of a dry-erase friendly material with a magnet safely secured inside. The parent or teacher can use a dry erase marker to create custom learning games based on what you are working on and what your child is interested in.

We love to work on matching capital/uppercase letters to the corresponding lower case letter. For this game I will write A, B, C and D on some of the fish and place them in a pile. Then I will write a, b, c and d on some of the other fish. I will put all the lowercase letters on the floor in front of my child. I will them have them pull a fish from my hand that contains the matching capital/uppercase corresponding letters. Then they have to use their fishing pole (which also contains a magnet) to select their choice. The pole has a button to push on which will case the string to pull up like a real fishing pole would. You can also do math equations, opposite words, colors and shapes and really any topic you are looking to work on. We love this game for its ease of play and variety of play.

Click here to purchase Catch and Learn Game

New Sprouts – Grill It! by Learning Resources

Before a child can hold a pencil correctly they must master their hand eye coordination. More importantly their fine motor muscles need to develop. This is not something they your kids gain just by turning 5 or being a certain size, it’s a learning and developed skill. You can help aid your kids in their fine motor skills by engaging them in play which require the use of their fingers and thumb muscles.

We love to create restaurants and play shopping store games. With Grill It, the new toy from Learning Resources, you can help your kids play while they naturally engage their fine motor skills. No kid is going to want to do some mindless hand activity, they want to play! Help them play with colorful, naturally exciting toys like play food. It is a classic toy that is still loved and played with – so add Grill It to your play toys today.

Click here to purchase Grill It!

Gnome on the Roam

Did you know that families are spending less and less quality time together. With activities, social media, TV and other distractions, we often forget to stop, pause and talk to each other.

Gnome on the Roam was created to help families get back to being together, and enjoying a few minutes as a collective unit who wants to do fun things. Each day you take your little Gnome with you as you visit the library, attend your soccer practice, or visit your grandmothers. Then you can log your daily adventures in the notebook with the adorable wooden pen included. By helping your child recall their daily activities you help them with memory recall and short term memory development. They can them draw and write out a few sentences about what they did that day. You use this as a daily journal for your family – this way when you look back at in months or years down the road, you can recall the fun and special moments you shared as a family.

There is also an app you can download for free. It gives you a daily objective such as taking a nature walk as a family. Visit something old (an old church or building, tree or an elderly neighbor)….easy to complete tasks that only take a few minutes but allow you to create new family memories on a daily basis.

Click here to purchase Gnome on the Roam

Read Your Story – Personalized Books

Children love to see their own face and name in a book. Customized books are extremely popular right now and a huge hit with all kids. What makes Read Your Story different is that they include photos of the other family members in the book! In my child’s bedroom, you can see a family portrait (which I provided) on her wall! When she say that not only was this a custom book, but also included her family she was thrilled.

The story line is a classic tale of cleaning your room and the adventures of play through imagination. It sparks their creative thoughts and inspires a love for reading.

Winner of:

‍2017 National Parenting Product Award
Creative Child Magazine’s 2017
“Book of the Year” Award

Click here to purchase A Monster Mess! and other Read Your Story items

I Dig It! Dinos – T. Rex Excavation Kit

In a fast paced, give it to me now, instant gratification world our kids are loosing the ability to know what patience is. If this sounds like something you are dealing with then you have to try out an I Dig It! Kit from Thames and Kosmos. Their excavation kits are made to help kids lean not only about dinosaur bones, excavation, fossils and the tools involved, but also that some things take time. When my kids started this kit they were thrilled to see their dinosaur. When it didn’t instantly pop up they were frustrated and mad. They live in a blind-bag, instant on-demnd TV world. Having to wait and/or work for something is sadly not a daily activity.

Another great resource that will teach children patience and perseverance are Magic Story books that are immersive, tailored to your child and allow them to learn patience through their character in the book.

I am so glad we are slowly working on our excavation kit. We work on it every day or two for a 30 min period. Slowly we are seeing the bones and the excitement is growing. There have been times my kids ask me to just do it for them…and I cannot lie, I have been tempted! But I know it will be that much sweeter when they finish it on their own. This kit is labeled for children ages 7+ (not for 5+), this is because some of the tools have a very sharp edged tool to aid in the digging. Be sure to explain how to use the tool and the safely needed to use it correctly. I would not let me kids to this unsupervised for this reason alone. It is also an outdoor activity too, as it gets messy when you dig that clay away.

Click here to purchase an I Dig It! Excavation Kit

Wild Republic Hugging T-Rex Bracelets

Boys and girls alike love dinosaurs. They are a classic yet exciting creature that sparks creativity and excitement. When I was a small child myself in the late 80’s we loved the snap bracelet craze. The snap type bracelets are very much back and much more safe then they were in my youth. Wild Republic picked up on this craze and made the coolest dinosaur hugging bracelets you can imagine. They are soft to the touch, even soft enough to sleep with.

My 5 year old who is going into kindergarten created some wonderful games with the dinosaurs. She took them outside and had them climb trees. By using the hugging bracelet feature she was able to have them hang from branches, scale tree trunks and forage through bushes. These Wild Republic braclets are sure to spark some creative thoughts and new games for your children too.

Click here to purchase Wild Republic Hugging Bracelets

Magformers – Dino Tego Set

Magnetic toys are so helpful with developing fine and gross motor skills. They engage a child in a way that allows them to use science and their creativity at the same time. Magformers, a trusted brand and toy developer, released a fun line of magnetic toys with dinosaur parts, so you can use you magnetic blocks and create new and exciting dinosaurs. This 20 piece set comes with square, rectangles and dinosaur parts, allowing them to create and movable dinosaur.

My children love to make it do silly things like put the legs upside down or one up and one down – but their favorite thing to do is make the dinosaur eat a smaller toy! They open up the belly and place a toy or two in the hollow center of the dinosaurs stomach area. They they make the Dino stomp around as if it ate the contents – like its a Jonah and the Whale scenario. Sometimes they call it a Dino cage and use the inside like a prison cell for bad guys.

Magformers use quality products like Neodymium Rare-Earth Magnets for guaranteed connectivity as well as BPA Free HQABS Plastic.

Click here to purchase Magformers Tego Dino Set

Hot Dots Jr. – Pete the Cat Kindergarten

Pete the Cat is a huge character in children’s lives today. If you have not heard of him yet, you will be seeing a lot of him soon. You can find dozens of books featuring Pete the Cat and his daily adventures and struggles. Children flock to this blue, hip and cool cat. He is developmentally similar to a Kindergartner – which makes him very appealing to the preschool and Kindergarten market place.

Hot Dots by Educational Insights, a leader in young kid educational products, created this amazing Pete the Cat Kindergarten Rocks Set. This set comes with 2 interactive books and 1 Pete the Cat Friend Pen. Use the Pete the Cat Pen to choose the answer to each question. Pete’s eye will light up green for correct and red for incorrect. To use be sure to have the tip in the center of your selected answer and have the pen as vertical as possible so that the pen can align with the corresponding answer correctly. If you don’t have it in the black dot correctly it may make the wrong sound even if the the right answer.

With over 200 lessons included, your child will have a blast while developing preschool skills in reading, math, science, social studies, and more!

Click here to purchase Pete the Cat Kindergarten Rocks Set

Snowflake Stories

Have you started a reading challenge yet? Maybe one through your local library – we have a few summer reading programs we are working on – including reading 1000 books before Kindergarten! Reading to your child increases their natural curiosity of the world around them. Reading to your children helps them learn that reading is fun and you can not only learn but enjoy the books you read.

Children love to see their own name inside of books – what can make the customizing of a book better? Adding your own relatives! With Snowflake stories you can add in grandparents, aunts, uncles and other special adults in their lives.

What truly makes Snowflake stories special is the ability to make the story in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese! Each story is written slightly different in each language, allowing all the books to have rhyme to it. These are perfect books for bi-lingual families.

You can add a picture of your child to the front page along with a personal dedication for them. You choose how your character looks from eye color, skin tone, hair color and hair style. You can also pick the names of the cast – we did a grandma, an uncle and an aunt. The bodies are pre-set for each person, that is not customize option – which caused slight confusion for my son as the people in the book looked very different from the person they know in real life.

I love how the book really helped show a child how time and dedication is what it takes, along with a positive attitude to succeed in a sport.

Click here to purchase a Snowflake Story

Pop the Pig by Goliath

Playing games as a family is a great way to engage conversation and make new memories. Goliath focuses on games what help children learn through play. The top hit game, Pop the Pig, is a favorite in the Fox house. We play all the time! Roll the dice and find out which color burger you choose from the pile in front of the players. Look under the burger, on its underside, and see what number is written (1 though 4). Place the burger in the Chef Pigs mouth and press down on his head the amount of times the burger told you to. As you go around and around taking turns the pigs belly gets bigger and bigger – eventually he is full and his belt pops opened! Whoever pops the pig wins! This game is very fun and great for basic math skills of counting, recognizing numbers and colors and the importance of taking turns.

I love how you can travel with this game as you can store all pieces, even the dice, in the pigs belly!

Click here to purchase Pop the Pig Game

Mr Bucket by Pressman Toys

Mr Bucket is a fun and exciting game for small children. It helps engage them physically as they need to move around to play this game. By working on their hand/eye coordination and reaction skills , they chase after their colored balls. They scoop up the ball with their matching colored scooper and run up to the Mr Bucket – who is on the move! The Mr Bucket has a button on the bottom of it which tells the toy its on a flat surface and he begins to scoot around the room. When a kid drops in their colored ball, they must then run around the room and get all their matching balls in the bucket before he spits them back out!

I would suggest playing this game in an area that is open and have lots of space – we have had some balls roll under the entertainment center and the couch when first playing this game – Now we play in a very thin carpeted area to help keep the ball from rolling too far away. My kids think this game is hilarious and I love that it helps teach them basic skills like color recognition, balance, hand/eye coordination and gives them a game to play that moves their body.

Click here to purchase Mr Bucket

Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes

Stomp Rockets are 100% kid powered and 100% fun!

This is the perfect toy to get your kids moving and to teach them basic STEM skills at the same time. The Stomp Rocket is a super easy to use product that needs little to no grown-up assistance. Simply choose your rocket (Looper, Wildcat and Glider are the 3 options in this kit), slide the rocket on the black tube and adjust the angle. Each plane has a different look and does a different trick. The Looper makes loops, Wildcat does flips, turns and soars. Glider does tricks and glides over 100 feet!

My kids love running to jump on the launch pad, but running is not required, they only love the energy involved in the action of it. Adjust the angle of the base to have the rocket shoot up, at the 45 degree angle or a 90 degree angle. Test the rockets at different angles and see what they do differently. Kids love learning about trajectory by changing the angle themselves. Try a soft stomp and a hard stomp – note the differences. Explore aerodynamics and the create a love for science with the Stomp Rocket.

Click here to purchase Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes

Fish ‘N Spell

Bath time is always a blast! We love to play in the water while we get cleaned up. By playing with Fish ‘N Spell my kids get a grasp for letters, colors and work on their hand-eye coordination. This set is amazing for several reasons – first off, it comes with tons of letters, so you can actually spell things! So many times kits come with only 1 of each letter – not letting you spell actual words. Luckily Fish ‘N Spell is made by Edushape, a brand that really knows kids. They knew that kids want to spell basic words like their names, the words “mom, dad, ball” and others that require at least 2 of the same letter. By giving us extras they allow us to really use this toy and learn with it.

The fishing poles need to be assembled by the parent, but it’s very simple and comes with instructions. With 4 poles, 2 of each size, there are plenty for siblings to share and in case one gets misplaced. This fishing pole concept game works with water. When the foam pieces get wet from the water they are then able to stick together, allowing the pole to effectively pick up the letter. It has to be wet to work.

If you are looking for a fun toy to use in your water table outside this fall, then the Fish ‘N Spell is going to be your best bet.

Click here to purchase Fish ‘N Spell

Highlights – Let’s Write Words (Write-On Wipe-Off Book)

Keeping up with penmanship is key for small children. My daughter loves to write and practice her letters. If you are wanting to support your children’s ability to write, and help them gain more confidence and practice in handwriting, then this is going to be the perfect tool for your home. The Highlights team, which knows children so very well, has developed this beautiful, colorful and engaging dry erase style book. It even comes with a dry erase marking to use with the book!

There are basic words which your children will want to write, like body parts, shapes and colors as well as fun things hidden picture games and sentence building. One each page there is a section that is a traceable word, then a blank space next to it allowing the child to try to write the word fully on their own. Having them practice the tracing first allows them to practice the movement and gain confidence in their motor skills. Once they are proficient at tracing we then try to write it in the blank space on our own. And of course, since this book is a write-on, wipe-off style book, it can be used over and over again.

Perfect for at home use, for long car trips and at restaurants.

Click here to purchase Highlights – Let’s Write Words

Kullerbu Construction Site Set by HABA

Children love toys that are exciting, engaging and allow them to use their imagination. Parents love battery free toys and are high quality to last over time. HABA has been our go to brand for classic, high quality wooden toys. Our new obsession is the Kullerbu Construction Site Set. It has a super fun loader that can push a ball along the track, thanks to a momentum motor, and down the construction site into the waiting dump truck. This set comes with two construction vehicles, 2 balls, and a sign. There are a bunch of other Kullerbu sets that this can mix with, which makes it even more of a versatile gift. This award winning toy (has won the ASTRA – American Specialty Toy Retail Association) award for being one of their top toy picks. This simple push and go toy will provide your children with hours of battery free entertainment. Helping them use their fine motor skills, creative thinking, problem solving and imaginative play. You will fall in love with toy quickly, just as we did.

Click here to purchase the ASTRA Award Winning Toy – Kullerbu Construction Site Set by HABA

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Spin & Seek ABC Game

This fun and family friendly game is great for children who are grasping the concept of letter recognition, and for solidifying their knowledge of the alphabet. Bu using the Very Hungry Caterpillar, a favorite in many homes, the kids will be more engaged in the game because of their previews knowledge of the Caterpillar character. Players spin the spinner and seek matching letters with images inspired by The World of Eric Carle. This game reinforces upper and lower case letters making it great for toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergartners alike – perfect for siblings to play together, which is a great selling key to this mama!

Click here to purchase The Very Hungry Caterpiller Spin & Seek ABC Game

Pete the Cat Missing Cupcakes Game

Pete the Cat is a story book favorite of many kindergarten ages children. He is a cool, blue cat with style that attacks both girls and boys alike to his fun books. This super easy and fun game is great for kids ages 3 to 6. There is NO READING required, which makes it a great game for my kids to play together with, without a parent needing to be on stand by to read to them as they play the game. Pete the Cat and his friends work together to get the missing cupcakes back from Grumpy Toad. Players collect colorful cupcakes as they sing songs, act out physical activities, and identify favorite animals, foods and words in this fun board game. We love the acting out (think kid charades) and thinking of our own answers for each turn. My kids get excited knowing they cannot really get a ‘wrong’ answer – and the best part is its a team game, so there are no losers, we all win together every time.

Click here to purchase Pete the Cart Missing Cupcakes Game

Kids On Stage Board Game

Playing charades its a timely game that can bring family and friends together. Now, with Briarpatch and their game Kids on Stage, you can bring you kids into the excitement of the every silent game of charades. It’s the perfect first game to encourage social skills, creative thinking, and fun! Each player takes a turn acting out animals, objects, or actions while the other players guess. Each card simply has an image on it, no words, allowing all the non reading kids to be able to play along and participate. Seeing that goes through their little minds as they grin when they see their card, look into the distance to gather their idea and then get into motion will surly bring laughter and memories into your home. This is a person game for parties and holidays too.

Click here to purchase Kids On Stage Board Game

PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3. AQUA

Ready for some splashing good times? With the Water Wheel with Baby Shark, bathtime fun reaches a whole new level. Simply attach the water wheel to the wall or side of the tub using the suction cup. Then, place the figure inside and close the fish door. Now the real action begins! Fill the cup with water and pour it over the wheel to make it spin. The colorful playsets from PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 AQUA each playfully promote important developmental skills. This Stage 3 – Little Expert set will help your toddler develop cognitive and fine motor skills, all while having a great water play experience! Playset includes one figure, floating shark, water wheel, and a cup for pouring.

Click here to purchase 1.2.3. Aqua

Cake-n-Bake Challenge Game

This is a perfect game for Kindergarteners. To play you need to win a Candle Card by being the first player to stack a cake that matches the game card and hit the bell. First person to earn 6 Candle Cards wins the game and gets to wear the Chef’s Hat! This game is very versatile with 3 ways to play. Beginner Baker (2-6 players), Mixin’ Madness (2-6 players), Bakery Bake-Off (Sensory Play for 2-3 teams). It is perfect for neurotypical students, with the use of bright colors and stacking patterns. Cake-N-Bake Challenge is a game that can turn anyone into a crafty baker! Cake-N-Bake Challenge is a fun, colorful sensory stimulating game that is great for the entire family!

Click here to purchase Cake-n-Bake Challenge Game

Back to School Essentials

Pediped Shoes

Getting your kids feet in supported and trusted shoes is key. With the proper footware on their feet they can run better and more confidently. They can climb the gym jungle with their classmates without any worries. Pediped shoes are highly tested and are among the safest footwear available.

They have a huge variety of shoes, in sizes ranging from newborn up to size 6 youth!

With new options constantly being released, they always have the hottest styles and color options for your family. Whether you are needing basic sneakers, dress shoes, sandals or casual footware, you will be pleased with your shoes from Pediped.

Click here to purchase Pediped shoes

b.box baby Snack Pack

b.box baby is a brand that focuses on infant and toddler feeding systems. But now our toddler is going to school! We need to pack those snacks to keep their energy levels up so they can stay focused on what their teachers are working on. With b.box baby snack packs, you can provide you child with fun and healthy options.

The 2 sided design is perfect for a hummus and carrots, chips and dip, fruits and veggies, a tiny sandwich and strawberries.

It includes a spoon, which conveniently attached to the lid – in hope that my kid wont forget it at school, right?!

The snack packs are BPA, Phthalates and PVC free.

With blue, pink and green as the color options, the b.box baby Snack Packs will surely be the perfect snack container for your family.

Click here to purchase b.box baby Snack Packs

GoSili Reusable Snack Bags

I hate using plastic storage bags for snacks and foods in packed lunches. Did you know that you cannot toss them in the regular recycling bin? Only certain recycling plants have the ability to work with zip style storage bags – then just toss them in the trash! You can recycle them at certain plastic bag collection bins. In the meanwhile, you can help slow down the filling of landfills by switching to GoSili Reusable Snack Bags.

I love these bags because they are simple to use and easy to clean.

They store flat, making it slide up again my cupboard wall very easily. They are

Dishwasher safe – for those busy nights when hand washing is not going to happen.

The coolest part is they are microwave safe! Love to have a warm tuna sandwich – now you can heat it in your bag! No more waste created in your meal prep.

Click here to purchase GoSili Reusable Snack Bags

Zip and Zoe Backpack and Zipped Lunchies with Ice Packs (for Barnes & Noble)

Backpacks take a beating. Lunch sacks get messy and worn out. Each year we seem to require a new backpack and new lunch sack due to the wear and tear they endure. This year we are playing it safe with the new set of backpacks and zipped lunchies from Babymel’s newest line, Zip & Zoe!

The designs for Zip and Zoe are monochrome (black and white) with them featured on brightly colored backgrounds. These stylish and functional kids sizes backpacks are going to set your child’s imagination on some magical adventures with prints that feature dinosaurs and unicorns.

Each lunch bag comes with a matching, perfectly sized ice pack. I always put an ice pack in my kids lunches, and having a box that comes with a matching, perfectly fitting ice pack makes packing lunches a dream for parents. I love the extra internal pocket to stash their extra clothes out of the way, so that their daily artwork doesn’t rub against it. Its insides are easy to wipes out and keep clean.

These backpacks are now available at your local Barnes and Noble retailer.

Boardwalk T-Shirts

Funny tee’s are always a hit. With witty puns, silly images and play on words, they are always a crowd pleaser.

Boardwalk makes high quality, unisex tee’s for boys and girls alike. You can shop by boy, girl or uni-sex options. I love how they have it set up so scroll through all the pages of options. We love the ones that feature Ohio, of course, but there are tons of shirts with other states on them with funny thoughts and themes about that state. Like HOT over the state of Atlanta (Hot-lanta) is one of my favorites. We also think the picture of a chicken with an arrow pointing to the chickens butt that say “Guess What” is hilarious! The shirts are uni-sex cut, which means for little girls they will be a bit boxy in shape, so keep that in mind when ordering your size.

Once you order from Boardwalk and the laughs and compliments come rolling in, you will be back on their site, grabbing a few more to add into the mix.

Click here to purchase from Boardwalk

Mabel’s Labels

When kids get together, things get misplaced. To help keep your children’s item from ending up in the lost and found bin, or in another kids backpack you can turn to Mabel’s Labels. These labels are not only easy to use but they are simple to order too. Choose a style or theme, type in the name you desire and boom! Mabel’s Labels has labels for typical items like lunch bags and water bottles for everyday items. However, their options don’t just end there – with labels for clothing, shoes, sunglasses, pens and more. The options are practically endless when you click around their site and see all the options.

MamatheFox got the Little Kids School Label Combo – which includes

40 Mini Custom Name Stickers: 1-1/2″ x 5/16″
50 Tag Mates™ Stick On Clothing Labels: 13/16″ x 3/8″
12 Preschool Shoe Labels (6 pairs): Varied
2 Personalized Mini Tags: 1-1/4″ x 3/4″

I love having the tags for my daughters lunch box and backpack. The tiny labels are great for her water cups, reusable snack bags, Tupperware, her winter boots and rain boots (so many of us have the same style and shoes get easily mixed up – believe me on this one) and her coats.

If your child has allergies these labels can be so helpful for keeping your child’s items separated from the groups.

Click here to purchase the Little Kids School Label Combo

Sun Blocz Baby & Kids

Choosing a quality sun screen for your kids it an important decision. With so many brands, and lack of information you can get frustrated and feel overwhelmed. When getting my kids ready for school in the fall and spring, I always put sunscreen on them before dropping them off at school. They play outside for recess and also sometimes go outside for class on beautiful weather days.

If you are looking for a natural, safe and highly effective line of sunscreen, then you can choose SunBlocz. This mineral based sunscreen is safe, gentle and effective. It it recommended by dermatologist and pediatricians as being safe for baby and children’s sensitive skin. I love that it’s cruelty-free (no animal testing) and is water resistant for up to 8- minutes. With an SPF of 50 this product is a win/win!

click here to purchase Sun Blocz

Lunchtime & Snack Time

Oogies Gourmet Popcorn

Kids love popcorn! Make it exciting and healthy by choosing Oogies. This new line of popcorn is NON-GMO, Gluten free, All Natural and super delicious. What makes them stand out is their amazing variety of flavors – which are always on trend. Currently they offer: Wisconsin Cheddar 1848, Movie Time Butter, Original Kettlecorn, Spicy Nacho Cheddar, Caramel Chipotle and Hickory Smoked Gouda.

If there is a foodie in your house, they are going to fully appreciate the stellar flavors Oogies provide. I have never tasted such good popcorn – and I have tried A LOT of brands throughout time. The popcorn is light, fresh and the perfect pop of corn – when they add their custom flavor blends to the organic popcorn you have a special treat work telling your friends about.

Cholesterol Free
Trans Fat Free
Gluten Free
100% Whole Gain
Good Source of Fiber
Non Genetically Modified

Click here to purchase Oogies Popcorn

From the Ground Up Snacks

My kids love to eat snack foods, so of course cheese crackers are always a top choice. If you have been looking for a fun, vegan friendly cracker, then Cauliflower Crackers from From the Ground Up Snacks are going to rock your world. Each box is jammed packed with flavor and freshness. They offer flavors like Cheddar, Sea Salt and Nacho – giving you some fun variety. Fully plant based, and made with real cauliflower and other veggies, this snack is not only tasty but its healthy for your family.

When we have to pack our snacks in the lunch box each morning, my kids beg for these cheesy crackers. I love how light and crispy they are. Since they are made with fresh, real vegetables, they are a good source of Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1 and B6.

Better yet – they also make a line of Cauliflower Pretzels! In both stick and classic pretzel shape you can munch on these healthy and fun snacks at home, the office or at school.

Click here to purchase From the Ground Up Snacks

Don’t Go Nuts Snacks and Spreads

With allergies being such an important topic in schools it’s imperative to pay attention and ask if there are any nut allergies in your child’s classroom. Don’t assume that the kids in class will be safe if you pack a peanut or nut based food for your child – sometimes kids are airborne allergic, so being in the same room as a nut may cause a horrible, if not life threatening, reaction. My son will ONLY eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – nothing else. If my son ends up in a class with a kid with a server allergy I was wondering how I would handle this situation – and now I know what to do – we can use Don’t Go Nuts products instead.

Don’t Go Nuts are so safe that you can rest assured that your products will be completely nut free. They even vacuum off the packages they receive before bringing them into the nut-free kitchen where their products are made. That is real diligence! They offer a large product line of spreads and snacks – like chocolate chip granola bars, blueberry granola bars, and 5 spreads which include: Chocolate, Slightly Sweet, Sea Salt, Pure Unsalted and Simply Cinnamon spreads. All the spreads are made with Soybeans, which makes them fully nut-free and school safe.

USDA Organic, Certified Gluten-Free, and Vegan – you are going to be amazed with the flavors and texture of Don’t Go Nut products.

Click here to purchase Don’t Go Nuts

15
Jul
2018

5 Features to Look for When Buying a Baby Monitor

categories: Article

Becoming a parent may be one of the most gratifying and terrifying experiences in the whole world. Elizabeth Stone captured it best when she said that having a child was “to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.” If we could, we would be there for every single moment of our child’s life. Yet, we cannot spend every second of our day watching our child sleep!

Many new parents use baby monitors to keep an eye on their child when they are away. Although the purpose of a baby monitor seems pretty self-explanatory, there are actually many factors you need to consider before buying one. Here are five features to look for when buying a baby monitor.

1. Methods of Monitoring

You should look whether a monitor relies on audio, video, or another form of observation. Do you want to listen to your baby, or would you prefer to have a visual as well? There are many products outfitted with video recording technology. These will live stream your child’s every movement and project this footage on your screen. If you opt for a newer model, you can even connect your monitor to your own smart devices. This way, you can check in on your child at your own convenience!

Some parents prefer monitors that go the extra step and catalog their child’s vital signs. These advanced models will record your baby’s temperature and alert you if it enters into unhealthy territory.

2. Frequency

In order to make sure your monitor works correctly, you need to purchase one with a frequency unlike the other devices in your home. Prior to the digital renaissance, parents didn’t need to put much thought into their device’s frequency. They didn’t have to worry about wifi, cable signals, and cordless phones interfering with their monitoring product.

Now, the times have truly changed, and you need to invest in a baby monitor that is a different frequency than your other wireless devices. Many manufacturers have started using the 1.9 GHz frequency band. This particular band is least prone to interference or cross-talk. Yet, you should always check the frequency band on your own devices prior to buying a monitor.

3. Battery Life

When purchasing a device to watch your child, you need to take into account its battery life. If you buy something that drains the life out of them within minutes, you’re going to buy a lot of AA battery packs. Some models feature rechargeable batteries, but even then, there is a possibility that you are still going to experience mass battery death.

As always, do your research. You can seek out products with a higher battery life through website reviews. For example, the website from Best Baby Station will include battery vitality in their product overviews.

4. Low Battery Alert

You’ll need to look for a baby monitor that has a built-in alert system for a low battery. When you have a baby who requires your constant attention, it’s easy to let other things fall by the wayside. So, look for a monitor that will alert you when it needs recharging. This way, the device will keep you informed of its needs, instead of you constantly guessing or forgetting them.

5. Night Vision Capabilities

If you opt for a video monitor, then you’ll need it to be equipped with night vision. The whole investment becomes moot if you cannot see your baby at night. It’s not as if you’re going to leave camera lighting in your baby’s room every evening. Thus, ensure that your camera is equipped with infrared night vision. This way, you can see your child clearly, night and day!

In Conclusion

When it comes to your baby monitor, the most important tip is to look for features that fit your parenting style. Take into account you and your baby’s needs, and do your research! Equipped with this combined knowledge, you can easily find your personal, perfect baby monitor.

01
Jul
2018

The Benefits of Playing Online Casino Games

categories: Article

Gambling can cause a lot of issues for those with addictive personalities. That is exactly why gamstop was set up in the UK. It is a self-exclusion programme that blocks people from gambling sites if they are addicted. More often than not, though, people join gamstop impulsively and then wish they hadn’t. Thankfully for those people, you can find casinos not on gamstop UK by visiting pick7.bet. However, it’s worth noting that most people who gamble never take it too far. If you have never gambled before but are interested in taking part, then you might want to check out something like this page here as New casino players should read this. In fact, there are many who believe it is very beneficial to their personal lives. And lately, as with many other things, the Internet has been stealing the spotlight from colossal gambling centers. That’s right – soon enough, online gambling will take over and be even bigger than Las Vegas. That’s why you can now easily play these uk online slots if this interests you. But, what are the actual benefits of choosing to gamble online, instead of in a casino?

1. Comfort and Convenience

Not so long ago, if you wanted to play casino games, you would have to actually visit a casino. That was fine for some, however, most people simply couldn’t take the time to do so. A lot of others used to live in smaller towns, and going to a casino would entail actual travel. Nowadays, that issue no longer exists.

In fact, tens of millions of people around the world join in and use various gambling websites. Whether you prefer PGSLOT or playing poker with others, there is always a game you can join. And you can do so during any time of the day. And you can do so during any time of the day. The best part? You don’t have to go through a lot of awkward social situations. If you want, you can even stay in your pajamas the entire day.
This is great for so many people, as it even means that people who are interested in sports betting but don’t want to go out of the house can also partake in it as well. There are so many different sports online (such as fantasy baseball), that you’ll easily find the right thing for you. It won’t even take you too long to look it up online either.

2. Casino Tricks Don’t Work on You

TanganJudi often employ various tricks to get people to lose more money and gamble non-stop. They will usually give you free alcohol to “help” you loosen up and lose some money. Casinos also don’t have any windows or clocks anywhere, so you can stay inside for hours, without realizing it. None of that will work on you if you are gambling from the comfort of your home.

3. Free Games

Believe it or not, playing progressive jackpot games online might not even cost you one bit. Most of the casinos that work online, like Wild Wins actually offer free versions of some of their games. You can play around for free to get a full grasp of your odds. And, if you don’t like it, or if you end up losing all of the free credits, you can just stop without losing a dime. That feature is especially popular with players who don’t have the money to spend gambling.

Brick and mortar casinos can’t offer free playing, and the reason is not the loss of profit. The actual reason is that they simply don’t have enough room to house all of the players. Online casinos, on the other hand, can take in infinite numbers of visitors and players.

4. Fewer Expenses

As we said before, going to a casino can incur traveling expenses. However, that is never the issue when you decide to gamble online. Essentially, you get a lot more value for your money, simply because you don’t have to burn thousands of dollars to get there.

5. Easier Wins

You should know by now that the house always wins. All casino games were specifically designed to make a lot of money for the casino owners. They take everything into consideration – the costs of running the business, the potential sizes of bets, and the average number of visitors – before they choose which games they want to use, and how often they want to have winners.

However, running an online casino is a lot cheaper. And, looking at various casino reviews, it seems that the lower upkeep prompts the owners to give you better odds at their “machines.” That means that you are simply more likely to win some cash back online.

Another great feature that comes from the low upkeep costs of online casinos are the bet sizes. Namely, since they don’t have to chase the profits as hard, you can enter games with very little money.

At the very least, you can start off with a couple of dollars and try to build your gambling money up. Once you have more, you can try playing with higher stakes.

6. Stress Relief

There are various reasons for someone to try their hand at online gambling. Some do it for entertainment, some to try and get some more money, some are trying to kill time, and some are even trying to get a bit of relief.

A study has found that playing online casino games actually brings multiple psychological benefits. According to the study, playing online casino games can decrease your cortisol levels by 17 percent. And, it even works if you are trying out free games. Similarly, online sports betting apps can cause stress on ‘game day’. However most of these apps have settings to limit how much the user can spend a week, which reduces the financial stress that betting shops cannot help with!

Another survey by an online casino shows that three-quarters of all the players say playing helps them manage stress. They report feeling a lot better after a single game, even if they lose.

17
Jun
2018

5 Amazing Canvas Ideas for an Amazing Dad

categories: Article

As we countdown to Father’s Day, you might be left scrambling for that perfect gift for the amazing Dad in your life. Finding the right way to show Dad just how important he is can be tricky. This year consider passing up a boring tie or another power tool and pull on Dad’s heartstrings. Give Dad a printed canvas that shows how much he is loved.

The good thing about a photo canvas is that they can be hung anywhere in your home. From your bedroom to the living room, you can reminisce about your beautiful family all of the time. You may already have family photographs hung around your home in the form of Photo Tiles, but you can never have enough photos, and turning to a canvas is a great idea and one that you should definitely consider. Not forgetting that the special Dad in your life will love it too. So, what are you waiting for?

Here are five amazing canvas ideas for an amazing Dad this Father’s Day.

#1: That Perfect Family Shot

Candid moments are hard to capture when you have to tell a photographer to snap a picture of you, but not so hard when you’re literally looking at one of the most wonderful things in your life. Also, kind of difficult when your kids are running around and your babies are crying for God knows why, but every family has that one perfect family moment where it all comes together. Photo mounted art allows you to keep certain moments close to your heart. You’ll find as your children grow up, you won’t have many opportunities to take candid family photos. Don’t waste your photos and let that moment pass in the digital world, give it a spotlight on your wall with the help of a canvas print from somewhere like posterjack.ca today, because those are the moments that are worth it.

#2: A Generational Display

What better way to honor Dad on Father’s Day than to opt for a canvas that displays multiple generations of your family from canvasndecor.ca. After all, who would you be without your family? You may have to scroll back through your camera log to the last holiday or family wedding, but a printed canvas with several generations is a very sweet way of honoring a very special Dad.

#3: Vacation Memories

Another great canvas idea for Dad is to find a vacation memory that brings a smile to his face. Whether a beachside landscape or a big trip to Cinderella’s castle, vacation memories are a great way to remind Dad that you do cherish all the adventures you’ve had together.

#4: Where it All Started

Notice your dad is the one always brings back the “when you were a baby?”. They probably really miss your diaper days. A wedding photo or picture of his firstborn, remind Dad how important your family is and where it all began. If you have your big day coming up, you will want to capture the moment forever which is why having a professional on hand is all-important; contact someone like Olga Topchii Photography to make the most memorable moments of your life become treasured forever. Canvas prints are a great way to show all the Dads and father figures in your life how important they are. What better way to show your love than reminding them of a milestone that began the rest of their lives.

#5: Dad’s Choice

Sometimes Dads have a different idea about what would make the perfect family photo. While Moms might opt for the one where her smiling beauties are adorned perfectly with their holiday best. Dad might get a kick out of the one with everyone making silly faces or running in from the rain. If you want to impress Dad, show him how much you appreciate his quirky side.

16
Jun
2018

Online Tools to Help Your Family Live Stress-Free

categories: Article

Stress is a condition that you would not like yourself of any of your family members to go through. However, with the daily struggles associated with work, study, business, health and so on, it is almost impossible to avoid it. Well, stress is actually essential for survival as it helps you to cope up with any kind of difficulty. The challenge is when it becomes too much such that it affects your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being.

For many people, their job is one of the leading causes of stress. Often, most people will come home from work and feel deflated and stressed from their day. This can be reduced. One of the most important things to do if you’re experiencing stress at work is to tell someone who can help you. For many employers, they will want to keep their best staff. This means that they’ll probably be open to trying to reduce the stress you’re experiencing. Ensuring staff are coping with their work is a talent retention strategy that is used by many companies to keep their staff happy and productive. If you’re stressed about your job, be sure to talk to someone.

Once you’ve tried speaking to someone, you may also decide to look at technology. Tech can offer you some of the most powerful stress-relieving tools that you can find. Even switching sites that allow you to compare broadband cost online can really help reduce Bills-related stress.

The following are some of the online tools that will help you and your family live stress-free:

Organization tools and software

The biggest cause of stress to family members is the inability to balance between work and family. This can be attributed to poor organization which leads to poor workflow. Evernote is an online tool that allows you to keep all your text-based documents in one place for easy reference. Furthermore, it is useful for taking notes since you can easily add checklists.

Having an organized life is always the solution to stress and this task management tool will help your family in avoiding stress. In addition to creating to-do lists, a tool like MyLifeOrganized allows you to further outline the hierarchies between tasks by creating subtasks. It also reminds you about your location and synchronizes to the cloud.

Stress management apps

Applications like Pacifica which is available on iOS, Android and web will help your family when dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. It does through tools like health and mood tracking, meditation, relaxation techniques and guided self-help paths for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Mood and health tracking enable identification of trends and causes which promotes self awareness and efficacy.

Happify is also an app that will help your family overcome stress and negative thoughts through engaging activities and games. With it you can measure your emotional well-being, break old patterns and create new ones as well as receive simple but effective solutions for your emotional health and well-being.

Internet of things

It is likely for your family to get stress by worrying more about home security and upkeep. Internet of things is the online interconnection of your computing devices embedded in everyday objects like home appliances to enable connection and exchange of data.

Using this technology around your house will not only save time and money but also keep your family stress-free. This smart home technology will encapsulate everything including thermostats, lighting, video surveillance, and security systems and so on with convenience so that you worry less and avoid stress. Having additional security precautions can reduce your condo insurance premiums so it’s a win-win. You’re more relaxed and so is your wallet.

Online information

The best to avoid stress is to learn and know everything about it. There are many websites that give in-depth information on the different types of stress, causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Such places include Mayo Clinic, Zocdoc, WebMD and many more. Many people see stress only in terms of mental and psychological but it can also be physical as in the case of stress fractures – most common being foot injuries. When this happens, you will need help from qualified podiatrists in Denver for instance, to assess, diagnose and manage your pain.

Your family will live a healthy and enjoyable life if they are stress-free. There are many causes of stress and knowing how to avoid or at least manage them is very important. The best way is to make use of available technologies now that they are readily available, easy to use and cheap.

16
Jun
2018

How to Prepare for a Household Move

categories: Article

Proper preparation can make moving your belongings into a new home is a lot less challenging. By breaking down the whole process into small and manageable tasks, moving will be exciting to you and your family members. Whether it’s buying boxes to separate items from each room, change delivery addresses or get in touch with companies like CarsRelo to help transport the car to the new house, there is a lot to be done before finally being able to settle comfortably in the new place. It will all be worth it in the end.

However, I do know that moving can be stressful for some people, particularly when it comes to actually selling your house (you could take a look at someone who can Sell My House to help you with your move). We’ve created this guide to provides various essential tips that will help you get prepared for your next household move.

Create a Plan

You need to start planning and preparing for your move at least one month before the moving date. It is advisable to create a list of things that you will require to move your belongings to your new home. Planning ahead will keep your move on track and save you from the last minute challenges encountered by other movers. Ensure that your home is clean by hiring professionals like Maid Sailors so that your home isn’t cluttered and moving is easier.

Set Up a Budget

Moving your properties to a new house is an expensive process. Therefore, before the moving date approaches, you need to gather adequate finances to facilitate everything. It is advisable to start saving for your next move at three months before the moving day to avoid financial challenges. Setting up a moving budget will help you stay organized and save money.

Buy Moving Supplies and Pack Your Belongings

One of the reasons why you need money when moving is to purchase adequate moving supplies. For instance, you should buy packing boxes to put both small and large items. Additionally, you need a bubble wrap to protect your fragile items. After purchasing the required things, you should start packing your items and labeling your boxes before the moving day.

Hire Professional Movers

If you want your moving process to be efficient, you need to hire professional movers, movers like Bellhop who are in your region who have been in the industry for a long time. The movers will come with the right moving equipment to enhance the safety of your items during the move. Researching a moving company is not only important but it will allow you to get the best rate. Make sure the moving company has valid license, insurance, and certifications. Finding moving company with good reviews like Suddath will be a sure way to make sure that your move goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any other vehicles such as a motorbike that you need transporting to your new home then using a comparison website like Shiply is fast, hassle free and will save you money.

Prepare a Moving Day Kit

When packing your belongings, you need to prepare a moving day kit to put your essentials that you will need during the moving day. For instance, you should put a toilet paper, cleaning supplies, two or three clothes, and bulbs in the kit because you require them during the day.

Hire a Pest Control Company

Hiring a pest control company in your area to spray pesticides is affordable and is necessary depending on the time of year. You could check out something like Des Moines pest control for an effective extermination of your home’s pests. You will learn pest control measures from the company as well as tips and tricks to keeping your home bug free. If you live in the Florida area, Turner Pest not only helped give us piece of mind, but also worked with our budget.

Once you move into your new home, you should create a good relationship with your neighbors. They will keep an eye on your belongings when you are away, which will help in protecting your home from burglars.

03
Jun
2018

The Facts: Should Baby Buggies Face the Front or the Rear?

categories: Article

With the numerous styles of double buggies available in the market (tandem and side-by-side being the broadest categories), there’s another factor to consider: should baby face you or face forward? What this really boils down to is how a forward or rear facing double buggy can impact the development of the kids.

Although there’s copious amounts of research on rear facing and forwards facing car seats, the research on the same principles for double buggies is pretty limited.

We can, however, take some cues from the safety and developments of car seats that face forward and rear. The choice in a double buggy to face you or not also relies on the age of the kids, as well as their social and emotional needs.

Talking to your babies: Many times, it’s assumed that if the kids are facing you, then you’ll talk to them more. However, this tends to be limited to single buggy styles. It can be challenging to engage both kids who are facing you, regardless of their ages, and watch where you’re steering your double buggy.

If you are able to multitask and want to talk to both babies, a tandem style could benefit you. It puts both kids in the same line of sight and allows you to not worry about the width that you’re taking up with the buggy through doorways or narrower sidewalks. Many tandem styles, if they aren’t used for newborn carriers, can be used for one child who is older, and a newer arrival. If both seats are rear facing, the toddler may become bored, which can make the buggy ride an exercise in patience, instead of enjoyable.

A rear facing side-by-side style could be beneficial for kids who are older. The seating arrangement allows them to more easily connect with each other, if you need to focus more on where you’re headed directionally, or what you’re picking up in a store.

Forward facing in either of these styles can help with engaging in surroundings, however. Many times, walks are beneficial for some communication time. They are used as a way to relax and spend time together in a way that doesn’t involve screen time. Parents of older kids can converse with each other just as well in a forward facing double buggy, perhaps even better than a rear facing double buggy, because the kids can point things of interest out, and see more.

Safety: Just as rear facing is typically best in the car, the same reasoning can be applied to a double buggy. As it is usually used in motion, harsh stops could potentially cause a whiplash type of reaction in a forward facing double buggy. The theory is that, if a child’s seat is rear facing, the motion of a harsh stop won’t cause rapid head movement because the spine and head are better situated and protected. They won’t have to deal with the opposite force in direction.

This can also be attributed to age. The younger children are, the less developed their supportive muscles are for their necks and heads. This means that a rear facing buggy could probably be better. Naturally, you won’t be running nearly as fast as a vehicle, but in the event you have to stop suddenly, even a three to four mile per hour speed can hurt.

How to choose:

If your children are older, a rear facing double buggy might not be necessary. In addition, many double buggies, whether forward or rear facing, have the option for the seats to fully recline. This is more common in a side-by-side style, which features more room to do this, but tandem styles are becoming better at incorporating full recline options.

Sites such as https://doublebuggyreviews.com help to compare how the different features available for a double buggy might change depending on the need for rear or forward facing, and how they might impact kids of similar ages or differing ones. Doing plenty of research on the right style of double buggy, and the best direction that will meet the needs of you and the kids, will help to decide if you should invest in a rear or forward-facing double buggy.

01
Jun
2018

What Every Parent Needs To Know Before Hiring A Tutor For Their Child

categories: Article

Tutoring can make a tremendous difference in the life of your child. If they are struggling with their schoolwork, having someone knowledgeable available to help them is the best way to ensure that they overcome the challenges they are facing. So if you are thinking of getting a tutor for your child then you might be interested in checking out something like this tutoring in bloomington indiana, but there are loads of other tutors that you could use. Of course, not all tutors are created equal. As a parent, your job is to find the most qualified professional tutor for your child. The tips in the following section will help:

Make sure the tutor is qualified.

Never hire a private tutor online without learning as much as you can about their education and their level of experience. Make sure that the person you do eventually wind up hiring has plenty of experience teaching the subject matter that your child needs help with. Find out what kind of educational background the tutor has, making sure that they are knowledgeable enough in that particular subject matter to assist your child and to teach them everything that they need to know. At a bare minimum, they should have a certificate showing that they completed training to work as a tutor. Ideally, however, they should have a college degree.

Ask for recommendations.

Instead of going into the process blindly, consider asking for recommendations. Talk to your child’s teacher directly, asking them if they can recommend a good tutor. If not, you may want to approach the school’s guidance counselor or talk to the principal for advice. They might be able to put you in contact with some of the best tutors in Brisbane and help your child get the attention they need. Oftentimes, school districts will have the names of tutors on file who have already been carefully vetted.

Be clear about your objectives.

When you hire a tutor, it is important to let them know exactly what goals or objectives your child is working toward. You may even want to have the tutor get in touch with your child’s teacher so that they can come up with a plan together that will ensure that your child is on the right track. As a parent, you should also be involved in the process of setting goals. After all, you know your child best and can ensure that they are getting the help that they need. If you child needs essay help, use a type my essay service instead of a tutor. Know what your child needs!

Consider how much the tutor charges.

When it comes to making sure your child gets the education that they need, the extra expense of tutoring is justified. That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to pay any more than necessary for the service. When choosing a tutor, look for someone who charges reasonable rates. One great way to find affordable tutoring services is by searching online. There are a variety of different companies out there that provide qualified tutors at affordable prices. Remember, however – it may be worth paying a little bit of extra money for a tutor who is uniquely qualified to help your child.

05
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

Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest Youtube

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.

23
May
2017

Empatia Coffee

categories: Article

Empatia – the coffee that pours back

Did you know that most coffee farmers do not turn a profit? In countries like Columbia, where over 10% of the countries population is employed by the 550,000 coffee bean farms are struggling to turn a profit due to ever increasing production costs and low market prices.Hence we suggest following people’s minds. I mean following the recent trends that people actually love. If you understand the cafe market report then you’ll understand what people want. Empatia, a new coffee bean company, is striving to help out the everyday bean farmers in these struggling areas.

According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), if you factor in depreciation of farm assets “there were only four crop years in the ten-year period [2006-2015] in which total profits were greater than or equal to zero.”(Assessing the economic sustainability of coffee growing – ICO, Sep 2016)

There may not be a solution that is obtainable right now, but we can take great strides in moving forward to fixing this issue. Empatia Coffee is giving back 15% of their profits to the farmers they work with in addition to paying premiums for our beans in excess of Fair Trade prices.

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As a daily coffee drinker, I have come to appreciate the fresh ground beans turned into caffeinated bliss. Of course, the coffee brewing process is enhanced by using the best grind and brew coffee maker. After all, it’s no secret that the equipment and ingredients you use have an impact on the final product, especially where coffee is concerned. Even if you’re someone who is looking to Make your morning coffee healthier, you can still make a great drink with just the type of coffee beans you use in it. I love taking that moment just to sip and breath in a new day. With 2 small children, I need to make the most of my time and that includes the choices I make. I would rather have an enjoyable, deep flavored cup of coffee over a low cost, grainy cup of coffee. Obviously, over the years I have experimented with different types of coffee to know my preference and what makes coffee good. Looking into wholesale cbd coffee taught me a lot about the different ingredients that can be filtered into coffee and the tastes it can give. Nowadays I’m set on what I like, but I like to think of myself as a bit of a coffee fan.

Monthly Empatia will offer a new bag of beans that features a different and exciting flavor profile. This subscription services (or one-time purchase) gives you the chance to try a different coffee from varying places around the globe. The beans are NOT flavor infused, but instead are treated and grown in such a way that the natural aromas and flavors will be bold enough for you to taste. The month that MamatheFox received was the Finca La Cabaña – from Sevilla, Valle Del Cauca in Columbia. These beans were amazing! Opening the bag you could smell how fresh and clean they were, as if they were roasted that morning. I ground some and made my first pot. My husband, who doesn’t typically drink coffee, even had to try a cup. He loved the flavor and found it very soothing. I cannot say enough nice things about Empatia Coffee. If you know a coffee lover, or are one yourself, so yourself a favor and try out at least 1 month worth of beans. This makes a perfect gift for family and friends.

Need that end of school year gift for teacher – give them a subscription to Empatia!

When you receive a monthly subscription box (shown above) from Empatia, you will also be sent a 2-sided colored card featuring the coffee bean farmer that will receive some of the 15% give back funds. It is so welcoming and reassuring to see the face of the person who will benefit from your purchase. With additional facts about the farm, the farmer and a peek into their lives. It also includes details about the beans you are brewing, such as the elevation which it was grown, how it was treated (dried/roasted) and how large their farm is. When you drink your lovely cup or coffee or espresso you can feel a connection and an appreciation I have not found in other coffee’s.

Click here to sign up for a 1-month subscription for only $12.99!