Karissa Tunis

Reusable Grocery Bags (that went viral on TikTok)

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Free Family Planner (150 pages)

Simply enter your email address below to receive instant access to this free family planner! This free printable includes 150 pages of helpful calendars, checklists, and worksheets to keep you and your family organized despite your busy lives.

5 Nanny Interview Questions when You Have an Infant

It’s hard enough to leave your children with anyone that’s not you, but having to leave your infant? We’re talking next-level hard. But sometimes, it’s just a necessity. Whether it’s because you have an unusually short maternity leave, or just feel overwhelmed and need to get away for an hour or so, hiring a nanny for an infant requires a great deal of forethought and careful screening. Which is why the nanny interview questions are so crucial.

We’ve come up with a list of the most important questions to ask a nanny for an infant. Of course, there may be many other questions you’ll want to ask a potential nanny (and don’t forget to check those references!), but the questions below pertain specifically to the critical job of infant care. You know, that round-the-clock cycle of feeding, diapering, and putting to sleep?…

Factors to Consider When Buying a Family Car

If you are in the process of shopping around for a new family car you might be wondering what factors you need to be thinking about. There are quite a few, even simple ones such as the color of the vehicle. You will also need to think about what the car will be used for. Like if you are planning on going on long adventures with the family, then it needs to be comfortable. This matters to the driver as well as the passengers. After all, no one wants to arrive at their new destination with a backache! So continue reading below to learn what 3 factors you need to consider when buying a family car.

For more on this topic, check out the full Travel Tips collection

3 Factors to Consider When Buying a Family Car

Size of Family Car

When thinking about a new family car you need to decide on the size and how many seats you need it to have. You might need three full-sized back seats for everyone to fit properly. But while most cars promise this, you very rarely get it. If it will be two older kids, or adults, on the ends; then you might only be able to fit one smaller person squeezed in the middle seat. If you are going to be using car seats in your new car, you need to make sure that they will fit safely and securely using the Isofix feature or the seatbelt.

The best way to figure out if the backseat will be big enough for the intended riders, it to try it out. Take everyone along for a test drive. Put your carseat in it. And make sure that everyone is comfortable with enough seat and leg room.

Something else to think about is the size of the trunk. If you are getting a car with extra seats in the back, you will need to remember that the storage space will be cut off when those seats are in use. You may need to fit a stroller in the trunk with the shopping bags, so be sure to get a big enough trunk.

New or Used Car

Another thing to consider is if you want to get a new car. Or save a bit of money and get a used one. There are many pros and cons to this. A new car is ever so slightly more expensive than a used one. However, used cars will not have as much reliability as new ones as they often have a higher mileage with less of a warranty attached.

If you are into your tech then a new car is the route to go down. New cars are always being updated and upgraded to include the latest technology. This includes extras such as built-in navigation systems and cameras that help you reverse.

If you want to buy a new car you could cut some of the money off the final bill by trading in your current car. There are many companies out there who say sell us your car. If you use one of these make sure they are reputable.

Car Safety

When new cars come off the production line they are put through rigorous tests to make sure they are up to safety standards. This includes using crash test dummies and crash simulators to find out how the car and the people inside would fare if they were to be involved in a car accident.

You need to be aiming to get a car with at least a 5* overall rating and a 95% driver and passenger rating. This way you know the car will protect you and your family should the worst ever happen.

Choosing your next family car is a big decision! But it can also be a fun process, and very rewarding once you drive your new family car home for the first time. Happy Shopping!

For more on this topic, check out the full Travel Tips collection

50 Easy Toddler Activities

Putting together this list of easy toddler activities brought back so many memories for me! Memories of the days when I had a baby and a toddler to keep occupied for hours and hours at a time. Raising toddlers is no easy feat, and every parent needs resources to help them get through each and every day.

Toddlers are busy, hilarious, curious, and every-changing. It is incredible to watch them learn and grow so quickly, and they have a beautiful way of finding delight in even the smallest things. The following list of ideas will help your days go by a little more smoothly and bring fun to everyone involved!

And the best part is that I chose activities for this list that are easy to set up and easy to clean up. No parent needs to add extra work to their day. I’ve experienced the frustration of spending 30 minutes setting up an activity for my kids, watching them play with it for 5 minutes, and then spending 30 minutes cleaning up after them. The activities on this list aren’t those types of activities! Let’s keep it simple… for the sake of our sanity.

Be sure to share this list with fellow toddler mamas who could use it!…

7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Family Therapy

Many families have specific unresolved issues that linger for years. The existence of these issues is entirely natural, and most people can relate to this experience. However, some situations are far more problematic than others. Problems within the family can be of different natures and intensities. To address such complex issues, some families may opt for family therapy. Family therapy is an excellent resource for families who face difficulties in handling their domestic troubles. Family therapy can be highly effective, and it can yield great results when done from centers like recovery center baton rouge. If there are unresolved issues that persist in your family, you should consider family therapy. Let us look at seven reasons why you should consider family therapy, and learn how family therapy can be beneficial.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Family Therapy

Stronger Bonds

Family therapy is a collective process that involves every member of the family. When you go for family therapy, you are not just seeking help for yourself alone. In today’s fast-paced world, it can get challenging to find some time with your family. Due to this reason, many families face issues of disconnection. Many families realize that they do not speak to each other for extended durations, and this lack of communication negatively impacts the family’s dynamics.

When families go for family therapy, they create stronger bonds with every member of the family. These bonds become even stronger over time because every family member shares intimate details about their life during family therapy. This bonding process is vital for every family. When you have stronger bonds within the family, your relationships will improve inevitably. Stronger bonds will also reduce the number of other issues within the family because everyone will become more understanding of each other’s actions.

Resolution of Family Conflicts

Many issues arise within the family that go unresolved for years. These unresolved issues may seem trivial at the time. However, they can lead to significant difficulties in the future. In many cases, family members hold resentment against each other for years and sometimes even decades. If your family does not resolve its conflicts effectively, it will be significantly detrimental to the entire family. Dealing with complex issues at home can be challenging, so family therapy is an ideal outlet. Certain family members may feel more comfortable opening up in front of a therapist, so it is essential to give everyone the chance to express themselves. If you go to family therapy to resolve your family conflicts, you can rest assured that you can deal with those issues comprehensively. A qualified therapist will guide your family through every step of the process.

Source of Support During Life Transitions

We all go through several life transitions, such as moving out, buying a home, having children, and many others. These life transitions can take a toll on all of us regardless of our strengths. In this situation, you need to have support from your family. Your family will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you move smoothly through the transition. You will also have access to valuable insight that your family possesses. Your family will share those experiences during your transitional phases, and you can benefit immensely from them.

[Read: Making it Through Tough Times – Overcoming Struggle as a Family]

Increased Self-Esteem

Not only will your family benefit collectively, but you will also gain self-esteem at an individual level. Many people have insecurities when their families are not solid and cohesive. Individuals who have a stable family tend to have higher self-esteem because they are proud of their family.

Improved Group Dynamics

When you go through family therapy, you will learn many skills that you can apply and other aspects of your life. For example, during your family therapy, you will learn essential skills to manage many group situations. Navigating complex situations involving multiple people is a crucial skill that will benefit you immensely. Not only will you know how to navigate group situations, but you will also learn how to make yourself heard. Many people easily get drowned out, and they put their preferences at the end. Through family therapy, you will learn to prioritize yourself while ensuring that you do not hurt anyone else.

Better Communication Skills

Excellent communication skills are undoubtedly one of the most valuable skills an individual can possess. Regardless of the situation that you are in, good communication skills will always come in handy. Every prominent position involves a great deal of communication. If individuals do not have a good command of their communication skills, they can fall behind. Communication skills are indispensable in every aspect of your life, and you will inevitably reap the benefits of possessing better communication skills.

Learning how to communicate appropriately will help you resolve any issues that arise in the future. You can handle any challenging domestic situation when you can address a particular problem by sharing your feelings. The communication skills you will learn will be comprehensive. You will learn to express yourself, and you will also learn how to listen to others. It is imperative to create a perfect equilibrium in a family so that no member feels left out or ignored. When you have excellent communication skills, you will realize that most of your domestic issues are easy to tackle.

Make Your Family Life Enjoyable

Unfortunately, a lot of families do not look forward to spending time together. This preference is understandable because domestic situations can become extremely challenging to handle. If you do not enjoy family life at all, you are missing out on many valuable experiences. Your family is the most crucial entity in your life. Your family will stand by your side unconditionally, and they will support you in everything you do. However, no one is perfect. There will undoubtedly be situations where you feel hurt by your family and want to separate yourself from them. However, it is worth the effort to work on your domestic issues to ensure that your family life is thoroughly enjoyable. Many people say that they regret not making up with their family in the later years of their lives. It is ideal to seek family therapy so that your family does not drift apart.

[Read: Family Home]

Conclusion

Family therapy can be an excellent resource for families who want to improve their domestic lives. It is not a necessity that you must have a lingering issue to take family therapy. Families can also opt for therapy for regular maintenance and upkeep of their relationships. Any relationship that is worth resolving will take some time and effort to maintain. Therefore, you should never lose hope merely because you face a few hiccups.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

4 Common Struggles Your Teen May Face

Being the parent of a teenager isn’t easy. They can face a lot of problems, and you’ll need to be prepared to tackle this head-on. Here are some of the common struggles your teen may face.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teen collection

Self Harm

First, it’s important to understand how common self harm can be in the teenage population. It is estimated that more than 70% of teens could self harm at least once before the age of 18. Critically, the majority of these children will not get any type of psychological support. Part of the reason for this is that the signs of self harm are often missed. People tend to believe that children will self-harm in areas that are easy to see. But this isn’t the case. It’s not always a cry for attention. It can be a way of dealing with deep trauma. If you are worried that your child is self-harming, you need to make sure that they do talk to a therapist about what is impacting them.

[Read: Child Behavior]

Addiction

Addiction can impact teens without parents realizing it. It is possible for teens to start using drugs without you noticing. They can do it in private. And they can ultimately keep it from you for years. There are however signs of addiction to watch out for. This includes sudden changes in mood, as well as more erratic behavior. A teen who is addicted may also start doing anything necessary to ensure that they get their fix. Recovery can be a long process. And your teen will often need a customized detox plan to get the best results.

Bullying

You might find that your teen is experiencing issues with bullying. The majority of young teenagers report that they have been bullied during their time at school. While it’s not always serious. And it can give a child thicker skin. However, you do need to watch for the signs that the situation is getting more serious. You should be talking to your child regularly and guaranteeing that they are coping with an issue like this. It can start to impact their mental health. Bullying has also been shown in the latest research to have long term implications.

[Read: Friendships]

Eating Disorder

Finally, you might find that your child is suffering from some form of eating disorder. While this does affect girls, it can also affect boys as well. It depends on the person and what they are going through. Eating disorders are often born either out of the desire to take control of an aspect of their life or it can be due to the pressure that they feel to look like everyone else. You need to nurture your child’s confidence and ensure that they don’t feel alone. Again, if you are concerned, it’s definitely worth getting them to speak to a therapist about this problem.

[Read: Eating Disorder Screening Quiz]

We hope this helps you understand some of the common issues that your child might face and the steps that you can take. If you explore the right options, then you’ll be able to make sure that you do get your child or teen the support they need before things get any worse.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teen collection

Providing Your Child With the Best

September 22, 2021

When you have children, your world begins to revolve around them. You will do anything you can to support them and provide them with everything they could want or need. This is just part of being a parent. However, nobody actually ever tells you how to give your child the best upbringing possible. Of course, this will cover various areas. You will need to provide for your child not only physically and financially, but emotionally too. Here are just a few suggestions that should help you to reach this goal and provide your child with the best!

For more on this topic, check out the Parenting Advice collections

Providing for Them Financially

All children need to be cared for financially. It costs money to raise a child and, while you don’t have to be rich, you will have to provide some sort of income to provide them with shelter, warmth, food, clothing and everything else they need for a good quality of life. There are countless ways you can go about this. You can work an employed position with employee benefits and guaranteed hours. You can freelance, giving yourself more freedom over your working hours and days off. You can set up your own business, focusing on product development, marketing, Customer Education and more to take full control over your career. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that still allows you to dedicate time and attention to your little ones too.

[Read: Work Life Balance]

Supporting Them Emotionally

You need to make sure that you care for your kids emotionally too. Forming a strong bond and ensuring that they know you’re always there for them is extremely important. You can do this in a number of ways. Make sure your children can confide in you. Don’t shout at them. Encourage their interests and support them in what they want to do. Remember that different kids are going to like different things and these things might not always align with your personal interests either. Spend quality time together. This will help to build and strengthen your relationship with them.

[Read: Child Behavior]

Providing a Good Education

Remember that education is hugely important to any child’s upbringing and future prospects. The better an education your child has, the more opportunities that will be open to them later in life. Whether they want to take on apprenticeship, head straight into the workforce or continue into higher education, having a good education will give them a choice. Sadly, not all schools have the same facilities or quality of teaching. So, take a look at different schools in your area and determine which will best suit your child’s needs. You can look at teaching standards, and average grades and exam results for insight. You can also read other parent’s reviews and recommendations for further help deciding.

[Read: Education Options]

These are just a few areas to focus on when it comes to providing your child with the best upbringing you can. Sure, they may feel broad, but they’re good starting points to work from.

For more on this topic, check out the Parenting Advice collections

How Can I Improve My Child’s Health?

As a parent, you want to make sure that your child has everything they need to have a bright future. While you may consider their education, and even extra-curricular activities, you may also want to think about their health. With obesity on the rise, and a number of other conditions known that could cause long-term problems in their future, it is better to start any health improvements as early as possible to reap the most benefit. Continue reading below to learn how I can improve my child’s health.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

Check Their Eye Needs

Many people across the world need to wear glasses to be able to see and focus effectively. Without them, some find that they suffer from debilitating migraines caused by undue strain on the eyes. Taking your child for regular eye check-ups can help their optometrist to understand their eye needs. If required, they will give your child a prescription for glasses which can help to rectify their sight.

When getting glasses, make sure you measure their pupillary distance correctly. You can learn more at EyeBuyDirect on how to do this. This way you will know if the lenses will be able to do their job properly. Good eye care and health can greatly improve their ability to focus on their schoolwork, as well as to enjoy the sights around them.

Promote Healthy Eating

While the random takeout here and there may not cause a number of problems, the regular consumption of junk food will have a negative effect on your child’s body. Not only will it cause them to gain weight, but the additives may also affect your child’s organs. It can be difficult to get a child to eat healthier meals, especially if other members of the household are not doing so.

You can help by being a good role model and making sure any adults in the home are also eating nutritional food. Basing it on the different foods that your child likes, you may be able to find a number of healthy meals that are quick to make, affordable in regard to ingredients, but will also be greatly enjoyed by the whole family.

Introduce Sports and Exercise

Alongside eating healthily, you may also want to consider getting your child involved with more sports-related activities. Some types of exercise can be undertaken alone. But other types could also have some level of team or social aspect. This can also be great for your child’s mental health. Exercise helps to control weight, strengthen the muscles, and even releases endorphins which can make your child that much happier. It may take a few tries to find an exercise that your child enjoys, but it is possible.

[Read: What You Need To Know Before Sports Registration]

Improving My Child’s Health

Your child’s mental and physical health is important for them to have a fulfilling childhood, as well as to make the most of their education and activities. By figuring out ways to improve your child’s health, they may have less problems, both in the now and the future. Alongside this, teaching them about how to lead a healthy lifestyle could set them up for when they are independent.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

How to Teach Your Kids About Self Care

We often think about self-care as a practice that busy adults and independent people undertake when they have the resources to care for themselves. However, some skills are best taught when young. This way, these valuable lessons can grow with them into the future.

Teenagers and young adults are under an incredible amount of stress these days. Therefore, parents need to teach them how to care for themselves. Kids can grasp whatever they see their parents do even without them having to talk about it. Make sure you demonstrate good practices in your personal life to set a good example for your children.

From taking ten minutes to meditate, to investing in simple procedures like rhinoplasty, there are many ways to care for yourself. And you should help your children understand this. If you feel clueless about how to encourage these practices, this guide will offer the perfect advice on how to do it:

For more on this topic, check out the full Self Care collection

Start with the Basics

At least, one thing that is almost constant in most homes from when a child starts walking is being enlightened on the everyday hygiene basics. Some of these include: bathing, brushing your teeth, drinking enough water, and even getting enough sleep. These basics may look very casual and straightforward, until you get to the stage in life where you meet someone whose hygiene standards are low. Then you will understand how crucial this stage is.

Changing some of these habits later into adulthood is quite hard. A smart way of doing this would be to include some of these steps in their morning routines. It can be hard at first. But it will no longer be a struggle once they get used to it.

Encourage Them to Live an Active Lifestyle

Kids have a lot of energy. It can be easy to take for granted that they are getting the right kind of physical activity. Staying fit is not only an adult thing to do. Kids can get into the habit early in life. This is why most schools include a gym period for physical activity.

Physical activity can be done in many ways like dancing, swimming, walking, playing basketball; the list is endless. If your kid already has a sport they love doing, encourage them to keep doing it through organized team sports. These will help keep them active and teach them important values like working with others.

[Read: What You Need To Know Before Sports Registration]

Encourage Them to be Themselves

Nowadays, it’s easy for your kids to get lost in social media and technology and forget just to be kids. In the past, kids had many outdoor games, which made them socially active and helped them grow mentally in many ways. These days kids are stuck in their homes with phones or video games. This prevents them from interacting with the outside world. And this lifestyle is breeding a poorly adjusted generation.

Therefore, you must encourage your kids to join clubs, get new friends, identify their hobbies besides screen time, and enjoy their free time. Teaching your kids to have some “me time” in the right way goes a long way in helping them separate some time for fun once they get into the busy adulthood life.

Let Them Join You in Your Self-Care Routine

The best way to teach is by example. By demonstrating your self-care techniques to your children, they will begin to learn what works and does not work for them. Your self-care routine may not necessarily include difficult things to do. For example, you can make natural skin-care treatments from home and apply yourself. Additionally, you can also take time to go for a walk together, read a book, dance, listen to music, meditate or even go shopping together.

Like we said earlier, children mostly learn from what they see their parents doing. The idea is to show them how it’s done as you enjoy yourselves together. Eventually, this also builds your bond with your child. And they will be able to approach you at any stage of their lives when they have issues without fear.

[Read: What Do I Need? (A Self Care Printable)]

Allow Them to Express Their Emotions

One of the most fantastic self-care routines that you can ever teach your kids is how to take care of their mental health. We live in times where depression can easily hit anyone. Remember that your kids also have emotions, and they should be allowed to express them just like adults do. At the childhood stage of their lives, they are also learning who they are.

Therefore, it’s crucial to create a safe environment for them to speak out, especially if they have any concerns. And help them understand and manage their emotions. That way, they will grow into adulthood knowing how to deal with their feelings and speak out if they feel extreme pressure.

The list of self-care techniques that kids can take up is endless. Teaching them how to do these things at an early age is crucial for childhood development. It also helps them transfer the same lessons to the future generation. You will be amazed at how well they will also relate with their siblings, the world, and, most importantly, themselves.

For more on this topic, check out the full Self Care collection

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

3 Printables to Help Teach Kids to Tie Their Shoes

3 Printables to Help Teach Kids to Tie Their Shoes

As parents, there are many huge teaching milestones we get to tackle with our kiddos—walking, potty training, tooth brushing—they’re happy times that also require a lot of patience. Shoe tying, for example, isn’t always the easiest to teach. From the bunny ear method to loop swoop and pull, helping your child understand the steps to shoe tying can become difficult. This can lead to you and your child feeling frustrated. Nonetheless, with practice and patience, there are plenty of ways you can get your kiddo to flex their fine motor skills and make learning to tie their shoes fun.

If you’re looking for a way to make shoe tying more enjoyable for you and your kiddo, here are a few activities to make tying shoes for back to school a breeze.

Scroll down for 3 free printables to help teach kids to tie their shoes!

For more on this topic, check out the full Back to School collection

Shoe tying sequence activity

For this activity, go over the steps verbally with your child. Once you’ve gone over it a few times and have shown them the visual steps, have them cut the steps out. Once cut, mix up all of the steps and have them put the steps in the correct ordered sequence. This can help your child learn the correct order of the steps prior to practicing with real laces.

Shoe cutout cards

For this activity, cut out the shoe templates and punch out the holes for the laces with a hole puncher. Then lace up the shoes and have your child start practicing tying with laces. To help differentiate the laces from each other, use different colored shoelaces to help make it easier. Once they’ve got it down on the shoe templates, have them move on to practicing on their own shoes!

Shoe tying certificate

Once they’ve mastered shoe tying, congratulate them with this shoe-tying certificate letting them know they’re officially part of the adidas shoe tying club.

Tying shoes can be simple with the right activities. And these free printables to help teach kids to tie their shoes can help you and your child have a fun and easy learning experience.

Free Printables to Help Teach Kids to Tie Their Shoes

For more on this topic, check out the full Back to School collection