Statuses

Status

Mommying is Hard. Earnest Support, and it’s Free. 

by Rebecca Grace || Earnest Mom ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

There are a ton of books, experts and advice out there. Support and help to get us through the crazy yet amazing journey called parenting. Well, as a mom of two strong willed, messy, smiley and sometimes sticky kiddos I am always looking advice. Especially when it comes to the hot topics like discipline, eating and education.

I believe each and every parent needs love, support and guidance for parenting especially since most of it is ‘learn as you go.’  Since having both my little ones, I feel like God has given me the most profound job I could ever have – raising two tiny humans into *hopefully* kind, empathetic, honest, caring adults who also have the freedom to be who they want to be. At times I find myself stumped, and they are only 6 and 2. Knowing this is only the beginning, I search for parenting information and articles that I can sift through to make into my own parenting style that will be successful for this earnest little family.

In the past, I have attended and traveled to MommyCons, Gearapaloozas and local parenting events here in Erie that have all been at cost; as I was simply seeking advice, support and connecting to other fellow mommas.  I will tell you, these events are worth MORE than their weight in gold and I would recommend any parent that can attend, go; however, that is not always an option. Well this weekend I stumbled on a gem!! A FREE, seriously, a free mom conference.

The is conference called The Mom Conference and it is online from October 11-13, 2016. They will send you your special link every morning to watch the seminars for that day, at your own pace. The only catch, the link and seminars will expire after 24 hours.  I found this conference through Positive Parenting Solutions Facebook page, where I have often found very helpful FREE webinars.  I am hopeful that this conference will be just as helpful and informative.

According to The Mom Conference website,

The Mom Conference is three days full of fabulous online interviews with TWENTY of your favorite speakers, authors and bloggers.

Motherhood is hard. But motherhood is also beautiful. This conference is about helping you maximize the beautiful stuff while minimizing the hard stuff.

The Mom Conference will give you inspiration alongside powerful, concrete ideas to help you be the mom you really want to be.

Please know, this blog post is in no way sponsored, I earnestly am excited to try this free resource and hoping to get as many moms out there the opportunity as well. If you are interested, use this link MOM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION to register.

x. em

Status

Day 1 of Child Passenger Safety Week. 

by Rebecca Grace || Earnest Mom ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Information and post courtesy of Ad Coucil.

It is Child Passenger Safety Week – Please join us in spreading this important message!


Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? That probably isn’t the first thing you think about when you are hauling your kids to school, the grocery store, or anywhere else around town. And really, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your child is safely snuggled into the right car seat every time you get in the car. Instead, make sure your child is in the right seat from the get-go.
One of the goals of Child Passenger Safety Week is to encourage parents and caregivers to visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat (or SaferCar.gov/Protegidos for Spanish-language information) to determine if their child is in the right seat for his or her age and size and to locate a car seat check station in their area. However – it doesn’t stop there. Parents and caregivers should be sure to register their child’s car seat with the manufacturer so as to be informed in the event of a recall.

Is Your Child In The Right Seat?:
• Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
• Children ages 1-3 should be kept rear-facing as long as possible.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
• Be certain you’ve installed your car seat correctly by having it checked at an inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with you to a seat check appointment!

Is Your Seat Installed Properly?:
Installation Resources: If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child’s safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm
Free Car Seat Checks: During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 events in 45 states across the country, where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge. Locate a car seat check event here:http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm

Car Seat Safety Tips:
• Find a car seat that fits your child. As children grow, how they sit in your car will change. Make sure the car seat you purchase is designed to fit your child’s current size and age.
• Not all car seats fit in all vehicles so test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits well in your vehicle.
• Before putting your child in a car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works.
• All-in-One car seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster. These seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Remember, the best car seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use, and fits in your vehicle correctly.
Get this message out to your friends and family!
• Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
• Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

** Follow along all week as I post tips and information about Car Seat Safety. x. em. **

Status

‘Tis the Season! Earnest Tips on How to Keep Back to School Germs Away.

by Rebecca Grace || Earnest Mom ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As we get back to school shopping finished (or in some cases just started) our kiddos are all set to return to school, regular bedtimes and the school time schedules.  Typically, when our little ones return to school they end up bringing home more than homework with them.  We see runny noses, coughs and sometimes the flu likes to sneak in.  Here are some back to school hygiene tips to help keep those germs at bay.

The number one way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases (viruses spread from person to person) is to practice proper hand washing.  Little ones need guidance with this activity, I know when I send earnest boy to wash his hands on his own, he returns with dripping wet hands that still have dirt on them.  To start, be sure that they can reach the sink using a stepping stool or kids step, then use soaps that are easy for children to use such as pumps (my littles love the foaming dispensers), lastly come up with a way to ensure they are washing their hands for at least 30 seconds (many like to sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while they wash).  Hands should be washed often and always after using the restroom, before and after handling food, when coming in from outside and after blows/picks nose, after coughing or sneezing, and anytime a child has handled trash.  If there are no sinks around, baby wipes and hand sanitizers can act as great substitutes although I would recommend avoiding hand sanitizers that use antibacterial additives or alcohol (some natural hand sanitizers can be purchased from brands like Babyganics, The Honest Company and CleanWell).

Teaching children to cough and sneeze into their elbows can dramatically reduce the spread of germs, especially when children are playing on their own they usually do not stop playing to wash their hands.  This technique can be helpful when hand washing is forgotten.

As parents, we can reduce the spread of germs by disinfecting common surfaces at home such as door knobs, key boards, sink and toilet handles, fridge and cupboard handles and tablet/phone screens.  I like to keep helpful cleaning tools like Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes around for quick wipe ups behind kids as they run through.

Lastly, leave shoes at the door.  We walk our shoes all around town, on surfaces we would not put our bare feet such as public bathrooms and gas stations, so why would we want to walk what our shoes pick up out there all through our homes?  Plus, kids step on the worse things would out ever knowing.  Stop kids and company at the door and have them remove their shoes, have a mat outside door to help knock off most dirt before entering your home.  I try to offer socks to those who are bare foot in their shoes just in case they are uncomfortable having their bare feet out or on my floors.

I earnestly hope these tips can help us all keep the back to school germs away, and keep our families healthy this school year.  Also, remember to keep sick kids home.  If your child is showing signs of infection such as fever, green mucus or vomiting and diarrhea, keep them home to avoid spreading it to others at school!

Stay healthy earnest readers, and please feel free to share your germ prevention tips below.

x.  earnest mom