Category: Baby

Shopping for your little one’s first pair of shoes should be a fun adventure for every mom. If you want tips for finding the best baby walking shoes on the market today, look no further than our comprehensive guide listed below.

Here’s a look at some of the best ways you will save money shopping for your child’s first pair of baby shoes.

Determine What Type of Shoe You Will Buy

There are a few different types of shoes you can buy as a parent, and each one has benefits and drawbacks of purchasing them. You may look for shoes with laces in them, thinking it will be able to stay on your child’s foot better.

This may seem convenient at first but it will quickly become bothersome. Having to constantly tie and untie your child’s shoes when trying to rush out the door can be a huge pain.

Maybe you don’t want to tie their shoes and would like to purchase a simple pair that they can easily slip on and off.

Slip-on shoes can teach your child how to put their shoes on and become more independent. The big drawback with these shoes is that they may constantly fall off when your child is playing.

The best option is arguably finding a shoe with a velcro or elastic strap because you not only get a comfortable fit on your child’s foot, but you also have the peace of mind that the shoe will not come off easily.

Which option should you choose? When you look at all the benefits and drawbacks from these type of shoes it’s clear that finding one with Velcro may be the smallest headache for you as a parent.

Are They Comfortable?

The comfort of the shoe is another important aspect of purchasing the first shoes your baby will walk in. We all know if a child has to do something that makes them uncomfortable they will fight with you to the very end.

This is especially true when it comes to putting shoes on. Getting a shoe that is very uncomfortable to a child onto their foot will be like trying to grab a greased up pig. Once you get the shoe on make sure it is not too tight around their toes.

It shouldn’t be so loose that their foot can easily fall out but it also shouldn’t be too tight to the point that they are crying from discomfort.

You also don’t have to go for a shoe with a hard bottom sole, because specialty shoes are not as effective as people think (click here to learn more). So look at how comfortable the show will fit and thank us later.

Durability Is Important

How important is durability in purchasing your child’s first pair of walking shoes?

One of the biggest things you should understand when purchasing walking shoes is that your child will grow at a very fast rate during this stage of their life.

Most children’s shoe sizes will go up every few months so make sure this is a consideration in your purchasing decision.

A lot of parents get excited about buying their children the name brand sneakers or shoes to match the cute outfit that goes with what mom and dad are wearing.

However, you want to find a shoe that will be reliable and able to weather the workload they will be put through as your child learns to walk.

The pair of shoes you purchase should be durable enough to handle a full day of crawling and trying to stand up without pieces of the shoe breaking off or losing their stitching.

It simply is not smart shopping to buy a shoe that won’t be able to last one or two months of heavy work, so got out and find a shoe that will be able to get through a variety of everyday circumstances.

Discounts Will Be Your Best Friend

One thing we love about being thrifty mommas is that we can always find a good deal. Just because Payless has a buy one get one free offer (BOGO) on a pair of shoes doesn’t mean that the shoes are cheap or will lead to foot problems for your little one.

You might just be in the middle of finding an excellent deal when no one else is looking for one. Shopping around for coupons and promotions is one of the best ways to save money on a particular shoe you may be interested in purchasing.

There are a number of ways to find deals online through coupon websites and promotions through specific vendors, but don’t forget to look locally as well.

When looking for deals also take a peek at some of the reviews other parents have about a shoe, as you will get honest opinions about the item.

Some of your local shoe stores may have deals going on for back to school and you may be able to negotiate with a local store manager if you want to try your luck. So scour the internet, look for coupons in the newspaper, and check to see if any local stores have a deal that will give you the most bang for your buck.

How Are You Finding the Best Baby Walking Shoes For Your Child?

So now that we have looked at some of the best ways to find the best baby walking shoes for your little one, what are some things you will look for in purchasing that shoe?

Comment below and don’t forget to check out our frugal living section for more ways to find deals when shopping for your little ones.

As a parent, you want what is best for your children. You want them to grow up and become better than you. To live a life that is good, healthy and happy.

This journey starts from infancy. By making the right choice when it comes to your baby’s toys and accessories you can help shape their future.

Yet, that can often be easier said than done. The market is flooded with toys, and prices that seem to grow every week. How do you know if you are making the right choice? How can you be sure you are not buying a toy that will stunt or not enable your baby’s development.

Well, keep reading, because in the coming paragraphs we are going to look at the best smart baby toys. We want to help you give your baby a brighter tomorrow, today.

1. Building Blocks are a Great Gift Idea

When it comes finding a great gift that will make your baby smarter, building blocks are a great choice.

Not only are they widely available, but they are a highly versatile toy that can be suitable for multiple age ranges. This is great for encouraging interplay between your children.

On top of that, their abundance makes them a great gift if you are living on a budget.

2. An Abacus Is One of the Best Smart Toys for Babies

Another classic baby toy that you can invest in is an abacus. Teach your children how to count and solve basic maths sums from an early age with this timeless teaching toy.

Buying wooden toys, or juguetes de madera is perfect because their hardwearing nature is ideal for intensive use. If there is one thing a smarter baby toy needs to be, it is durable.

3. Shape Sorting Toys Are a Smart Choice

Another wonderful toy option for promoting and nurturing a smarter baby are shape sorting toys.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of options for you to choose from, and while the basis of each is the same, the variation will keep your child engaged while developing an unshakable intelligence. Repetition is a fundamental part of learning in small children, and so by offering multiple shape sorting toys, you are stimulating development.

4. A Toy Kitchen or Grocery Store

When thinking about how to make your baby smart, there is a logic behind looking at toys that develop their IQ alone, but social skills and interaction is a crucial element behind intelligence.

Toys like a play kitchen or grocery store will stimulate both emotional and intellectual intelligence, as well or increasing your child’s skills at social interaction.

5. Crayons Stimulate Creativity and Coordination

A box of crayons is a wonderful gift for any child. Allowing them the emotional freedom to explore their own creativity from a young age is beneficial for their development.

Crayons allow your child to develop their coordination skills, as well as craft the ability to accurately express through a meidum other than speech. If you want to make your baby smarter, then nurturing their artistic side is a great way to go.

Buying Smart Baby Toys is Investing in Your Child’s Future

Any toy you buy your child should be well considered. Their development is so rapid at such a young age, making the right choice is imperative. It is also almost too easy at times, meaning you may find it hard to decide which smart baby toys would serve you best.

The trick is to trust your gut. You know your child; their likes and interests. Nurture them and provide them with a loving home to develop themselves and any choice you make will be the right one.

Check out some of our other posts for more advice on children and raising a family.

When is the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Last month, or even last year? There’s a decent chance you’re up late right now searching for answers to toddler sleep problems instead of getting some much needed rest.

If you’re trying to decide whether to laugh or cry at how right I am, then read on. I’m going to give you some tips for helping your toddler through three common sleep issues.

Waking Repeatedly at Night

It may surprise you to know that it’s perfectly normal for toddlers to wake up several times a night. Why does this happen?

One culprit could be the 18 month sleep regression. This is a time when toddlers are developing more skills, exploring more, and have more independence. An expanding world leads to lots of distractions, and even anxiety about sleep.

Establishing and keeping an ideal bedtime with a soothing routine is important to develop long-term sleep behaviors. Over-tiredness contributes to poor sleep.

After dinner, keep evenings quiet and low-energy. No TV, dim the lights and stick to activities like books and puzzles. Winding down in the hour before bed will send signals to little brains that it’s sleep time. It also may be appropriate to cut back the number of naps during the day or move naps to an earlier time.

Bedtime Fears

Does your toddler seem afraid of the dark? Play games during the daytime that involve darkness, like using a flashlight to hunt for toys. You can be with them at first, but encourage their solo play in the dark to build confidence.

A night-light can be a comfort, but make sure to keep it dim. Too much light can actually interrupt the body’s production of melatonin (our natural sleep hormone!)

If it’s nightmares that cause your toddler sleep problems, try to avoid triggers like media with scary themes or characters. Use comfort objects like a soft blanket or favorite stuffed animal to keep stress levels down.

During the day, talk about dreams and pretend. Illustrate with eyes closed, that thinking about an object doesn’t make it real. Draw pictures of their monsters and point out how silly they actually look.

Crying Themselves Sick

A consistent routine is the best advice for calming bedtime tantrums over time, but what if your child is crying to the point of vomiting?

First, reduce liquids at bedtime so there is less to vomit up. Then, put a sheet under the bed liner. When you do have to remove soiled bedding, the bed is already made.

Use a wet wipe to clean your toddler up and save the bath for the morning to create fewer disruptions. Have a sheet on the floor for easy clean-up of any spilled vomit as well. Avoid making the episode more of a production than necessary.

Soothe your child, but have them remain in their bed until they go back to sleep. Keep the clean-up short and sweet so you can focus on comforting them. Make sure you follow this procedure every time until the behavior passes.

Remember: Toddler Sleep Problems Aren’t Forever

Don’t forget to take a breath and relax. You’ll get there.

Bedtime is learned behavior, and the resistance to sleep will pass.

What has helped create successful bedtimes in your household? Let us know in the comments!

From Kim Kardashian to Tyra Banks, a whole host of celebrities have relied on surrogate mothers to help them realize their dreams of having another child.

The reasons why you may want to work with a surrogate are varied, and are often incredibly personal. Maybe you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to conceive, or maybe you’re concerned that your lifestyle would put a fetus at risk.

Whatever the reason, you know that, no matter what you do as a mother, someone out there is probably going to judge you for it.

When you’ve decided on birth through a surrogate, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is how to find a surrogate.

That’s what this blog post is all about.

Whether you’ve fully deciding on surrogacy or are still weighing your options about having a baby, keep on reading to learn more about the process.

Rely On Your Established Network

When you want to find a surrogate, your first instinct might be to rely on the people you already know.

Maybe you have a specific friend in mind, or maybe you even feel comfortable crowdsourcing your social network or simply asking around to help you connect with a surrogate.

While there are many advantages to working with someone you know well, be aware that going this route is certainly not without complications. You’ll need to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for working with your surrogate — otherwise, things can get messy very quickly.

Let’s take a look at the most important questions to ask and concerns to bring up when asking someone you know, or a friend of a friend, to be your surrogate.

“Tell Me About Your Past Pregnancies”

If this person is a friend, you might think that you know the whole story about their pregnancies — but chances are, there’s a lot you don’t know.

You need to be informed about everything from complications throughout the pregnancy to issues within the delivery room.

You’ll also want to ask your surrogate about smaller details, like the foods that they craved, what their diet is like, and if they plan to continue their normal routine and work throughout as much of the pregnancy as is possible.

In addition to helping you evaluate whether or not your friend is a reliable surrogate, you’ll also get a better feel for how to take care of her throughout the process — and if she’s still a good fit at all.

“What Do You Want Your Relationship With My Child To Look Like?”

This is a crucial one.

If it’s a friend, then it’s likely that she’ll be in your child’s life in one way or another. However, if the surrogate isn’t really in your social network, she may or may not want to have a presence in your child’s life.

Make your own expectations and boundaries clear, and ensure that your surrogate does the same. Get as detailed as social media, whether or not they can send/receive photos and letters, and more.

If possible, you may want her to sign documents stating that she’s been informed she won’t have a legal claim to your child.

“Would You Carry For Me Again?”

Once you find a surrogate you can trust, you may want to have them carry another child for you. Be aware that not all surrogates will be open to this.

If you think that there’s even a chance you’d like another child by the same surrogate, be sure to ask this question.

Work With A Surrogacy Agency

Perhaps you’d like to find a surrogate that’s completely outside of your social network.

Maybe you want a more thorough screening process, to offer payment for surrogacy, or just feel that your friends are far too crazy to carry your future child.

Luckily, there are tons of surrogacy agencies out there — the difficulty is finding the one that’s right for you and your family.

Agencies like ConceiveAbilities surrogate mothers are among the most reputable options out there, in part because of their serious screening process and the level of contact that the mother and surrogate have throughout the pregnancy.

Now, let’s take a look at how to ensure that the surrogacy agency you’re thinking of working with is a good fit for you — and safe for your baby.

“Do You Have A Surrogacy Attorney?”

Even if the agency doesn’t have an attorney on hand, they should have connections with the top surrogacy attorneys in your state.

This will help both you and your surrogate to remain on the same terms throughout the process, and ensure that you’re filing all the required paperwork.

It will also help you to sort through any fees that you’ll need to pay to the agency or to the surrogate herself.

“What’s Your Screening Process Like?”

Of course, this is the most important question when it comes to finding a surrogate through an agency.

In addition to asking questions about the history of the agency itself, you’ll also need to know how they find and screen potential surrogates.

Do they conduct background checks? What about health screenings — and medical support for the surrogate over the course of the pregnancy? Are surrogates psychologically evaluated?

Do they ask the surrogates why this lifestyle appeals to them?

The more information you’re able to find, the better you’ll feel.

You’re Ready To Find A Surrogate

We hope this post has helped you to understand the best ways to find a surrogate you can rely on to help bring a new bundle of joy into the world.

Whether you’re planning on working with a surrogacy agency, or if you want to ask a friend to do the job, having the information you need is essential for you both.

Looking for more mom-friendly advice?

Whether you’re a mother-to-be or already a mother of three, our website and blog has tons of posts about how to save money, live better, and indulge in some serious “me time” throughout the entire crazy journey that is motherhood.

There are ways to enjoy flying with a toddler other than taking separate planes. If you plan ahead and prepare for the trip you can both have a great adventure.

Keep reading for some awesome tips to make flying with a toddler a breeze

Make a List and Check It Twice

Let’s face it, it’s hard to remember your name somedays when you spend it with a toddler. Lists are your friend.

If you’re anything like me you’ll want to put it on your phone. This will avoid you losing the list. You can also add to it easily when you think of it because you always have your phone.

As you prepare for your trip start thinking of things you want to bring. The more you have listed, the less you’ll forget. This will help avoid meltdowns for your toddler and for you.

List toys, snacks, clothes, and supplies you will need for the trip. You’ll want to have lots for them to do and eat. Planning for delays will help them be less stressful if they do happen.

Invest Time Before Your Trip

You’ll thank yourself later if you put some time into preparing now. There are some easy and inexpensive things you can do. It’ll be worth it when you’re flying with a toddler to take some time to gather supplies. When it’s time to pack you’ll be ready.

Pick a corner of your home where your toddler doesn’t have access. As you put things in the pile they won’t disappear because your little one wanted to play with it before leaving.

Take a day and go to the grocery store to get snacks or supplies you’ll need for your trip.

Remember airport security rules for liquids. You don’t want to throw away snacks because they don’t comply with TSA rules. With your toddler watching in horror.

Hit a Dollar or Craft Store

You’re going to want some supplies for your toddler survivor kit. You’ll want one for their entertainment too. Pick up things you’ll want during the flight for your toddler.

Some things you might want:

• wet wipes– you’re not going to be able to take a big container of them in your carry on. You’ll want to either buy a travel pack or get a small container. Ziplock bags or a small Tupperware container will hold a wet facecloth or baby wipes.
• freezer bags– These can hold and organize a million things. You’d be wise to get some. You can prepare activity bags with all the supplies your child needs for it. They are good to carry snacks, wet clothes or diaper changing emergency packs.
• lamination supplies– You can buy lamination pouches at the dollar store. They’ll come in handy to make things last for future flights too.
• small tackle box or large pill box– this can be used to place snacks. It is great for giving them several choices without making a mess. You can place their favorite snacks like raisins and cheerios in each compartment.
• stickers and books– Pick up some new books for them to look through on their own. Some books you can read to them while taking off and landing. Stickers are a great entertainment source. You can laminate some background for them to stick them to. This makes it easy for them to reuse them.
• A few new toys– You don’t have to spend a fortune on new toys when flying with a toddler. You can grab a few new toys at the dollar store and make some activity kits to entertain them for hours.
• earphones– get a couple cheap sets of earphones. You don’t want your only pair accidentally getting broken five minutes into your trip.

Divide and Conquer

It’s so much easier traveling when everything you need is separated into kits. You can conquer anything this trip throws at you if you are prepared.

Changing Kits– You don’t want to be rifling for supplies when your little one needs to get changed. Plan on at least one for every four hours of travel. Then include an extra one or two so you’re not caught off guard.

• have a ziplock freezer bag for each kit
• include an undergarment. Even if your toddler is out of diapers, accidents happen.
• a sandwich bag with a wet cloth or baby wipes in it
• You can place lotion on one of the wet wipes. This way you have it but don’t have to carry a large container which may not get through security.
• most kits should have a complete change of clothes, just in case. You never know when your suitcase will take a different flight than you.

Activity Kits– Keep them busy and you will both be happier. Bring some familiar activities and some new ones. You don’t want to be flying with a toddler who has nothing to do. Activity kits can be made from a number of supplies.

• recycle a baby wipe container to hold small toys like dinosaurs or farm animals. This keeps them all in one place. Your little one can have fun playing with them and be entertained trying to get them through the hole on the top.
• metal lunch box or pencil case and magnets. Keep magnet letters or shapes in it to play with on the lid of the container.
• laminated background and stickers- you can laminate any page as a background. Add a bunch of stickers or crayons and you have a fun activity to create some quiet time. Keep the backgrounds, sticker pages, and crayons in a freezer bag so they are together.

Snack Kits– Having snacks ready to go, in an easy to use container is a must. You can avert a meltdown by distracting them with an array of their favorite snacks.

Pack Smart

I’ve been on a trip where my suitcase took a completely different vacation than I did. Make sure your carry on has everything you need if it happens to you.

An extra change of clothes and an extra pair of comfortable shoes should be in your carry on. While they’re beautiful, you want to pack your Rachel Simpson heels in your checked bags. You’ll want to stick to your best mom running shoes for your flight.

Move When You Can

Let your toddler explore and move when they can. Take advantage of time in the airport for them to get some of their energy out. This will be good for you too as it will help circulation. This is especially crucial if taking a long flight.

An airport is a magical place for toddlers. Enjoy it with them. Watch planes and people. Let them show you all the new things they see. Leave your activities and snacks for on the plane if you can. Have them close at hand but why use resources if there are other things to distract them.

While on a long flight, walk the aisle a few times. Your toddler will get some wiggles out. It will help pass the time.

Enjoy the Moment When Flying with a Toddler

You are not the first who is flying with a toddler. If they have a momentary meltdown don’t worry. All the moms around you are sending their empathy and strength.

Anyone who gets cranky when your toddler does will get over it.

Time goes slow while you are sitting around the airport. Time flies by in life with our kids. Enjoy each moment. Plan for fun and have it no matter what bumps there are while your flying with a toddler.

We have lots of great ideas for living frugally and DIY crafts. Check out this great DIY flip book for your next trip flying with a toddler.