Author: justbloommomsblog

15 Tips on keeping your toddler busy while working from home

15 Tips on keeping your toddler busy while working from home

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Working from home with a toddler under three can sometimes leave you trying to figure out ways to keep them entertained so they can be happy, and you can focus on your work. They have such busy minds and watching you use your headset and talk on the phone can get a little boring for them after a while. They are learning every day and finding ways to help them develop their skills while still enjoying themselves is very important. I have let my daughter pretend she’s typing with me or pretend she’s taking calls, I’ve even bought her, her own toy laptop so she can feel like she’s helping mommy but there have been times when I just needed her to be in her own little space enjoying herself so I can focus on my job without risking any errors with my job. Here is a list of 15 things you can easily do at home to help keep your toddler busy and help your workday go a little bit smoother.

1.Coloring

You can purchase crayons, markers, coloring books and blank sheet books and let your child’s imagination run wild. Chances are they won’t be coloring in the lines but that won’t matter at all, they will enjoy running the colors all over the pages and it can keep them entertained for a quite a while especially if you encourage them to keep going and let them know how nice of a job they are doing. You can let them hang their colorful masterpieces all around the house and color with them as well.

2. Stickers

Stickers are not only one of the best rewards when your little one does something to celebrate, they are also a fun activity to give them to stick on whatever they want. If they have a bucket that they put their toys in or a bookcase or really anything, you can give them a few pages of stickers to put wherever they like. They may also enjoy putting the stickers all over themselves or you.

3. Painting

Give your toddler a few fun colors a few brushes and some painter paper and let them have a blast. You can check Pinterest for fun ideas to do, where they can use their fingers or toes or get ideas on how to incorporate other craft items that will add texture and more creativity to their masterpieces as well.

4. Bubbles

Pull out the bubble machine and your toddler will love trying to catch the bubbles and run through them. If they aren’t ready to dip and blow the bubbles yet themselves, they will still enjoy seeing the bubbles and watching them pop all over.

5. Create a water station or purchase a water table

You can fill empty containers, cups or bowls with water that they can pour back and forth into a big storage bin, or you can purchase a water table that is made to fill with water and comes with different toys they can scoop the water with. If your little one loves to splash water this can keep them entertained for quite a while. The water table can also be used with play sand or crushed cereal if you would prefer them not to splash to much when in the house.

6. Puzzles

There are many puzzles that you can purchase that let you know what age they are made for, and you can show your little one where the pieces go and encourage them to follow your lead. This is a great opportunity to teach them shapes, animals and colors.

7. Encourage them to clean

It may sound a little funny to ask your toddler to pick up after themselves, clean the floor or wipe the wall but some of them surprisingly find it enjoyable. Give them a broom, sing the cleanup song and they might enjoy feeling like a grown up for a little while. You can also grab their toy bin and encourage them to get all their toys in the bin before their time runs out.

8. Imaginary games with cardboard boxes or storage bins

Children have such great imagination that you can pretend a cardboard box, or storage bin is anything. It could be a bus, a train a fort, whatever you and your little one can imagine. The both of you can even draw things on the boxes or bins to help make them come to life more.

9. Play dress up

Your toddler might enjoy dressing up as a princess, a superhero or even dress up as you. You can get them all types of costumes to dress up as whenever they want. You can also purchase different props or look for ideas to make props out of things you already have in your home. Playing dress up is not just for Halloween. If your little one likes to try on your shoes or clothes, they will have fun running around the house as you.

10. Plastic cup stacking

You can get a bag of plastic cups from your local dollar store and encourage your little one to stack them as high as they can then knock them over and do it over and over again. They will have fun seeing how high they can stack and have fun finding ways to knock them down.

11. Balloons

You can blow up a few balloons that you let float around on the floor or you can have some balloons with strings that float to the ceiling. Your toddler will enjoy picking up the balloons and throwing them all around the room, shouting out the different colors and chasing them as they fall or if they are up high, they will enjoy pulling them down and hitting them.

12. Educational television shows

The television can be very helpful when you’re working from home, and you need a very fast way to entertain your little one while you work on your tasks. You can find fun and educational shows for them to watch that teach them nursery rhymes, numbers, animals, letters or even sign language. You can monitor their screen time and encourage them to learn by engaging with them as they watch.

13. Let them dump the toys

It may be a bit of a mess for you to clean up or for your toddler to pick up but allowing them to have a free for all and pick whatever they would like to play with whenever they get bored of one toy will be helpful for you, so you don’t have to keep looking for the next fun thing. They move on quickly so having it all in front of them will help keep them entertained.

14. Make a sensory bin

A sensory bin is a plastic bin that you can fill with different materials to help stimulate your toddlers’ senses. It helps to really stimulate their sense of touch and keep them entertained. You can search sensory bins on Pinterest to get a ton of great ideas to help keep them entertained for hours. You can also have a lot of fun being creative with these yourself and have them prepped the night before to pull out while you’re working.

15. Get a tent or make a fake one

Alot of toddlers love to hide or have a space that they feel is just for them. Purchasing a fun tent in a theme they enjoy will give them a fun place to crawl into and play with their toys or read their books. If you don’t want to purchase one you can also try to create one with pillows and sheets. Remember they have the tent for just in case they like to play hide and seek because chances are they will be tucked away in there giggling waiting for you to find them.

30 Valentine’s Day Quotes That Will Warm Your Heart

30 Valentine’s Day Quotes That Will Warm Your Heart

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Valentine’s day is a beautiful day filled with sharing how you feel about your loved ones. Giving them big or small reminders to let them know that they are special to you and that you love them. One way that I love to express my love is through quotes. Sometimes you just can’t think of the perfect words to say to get out exactly how you feel about someone but thankfully many people have created beautiful quotes that can do it for you. You can share quotes in cards either store bought or handmade, send them in text messages, write them on sticky notes or attach them to flowers or gifts. You can share them with the ones you love any way you like. Here is a list of quotes you could use this Valentine’s Day to spread the love.

1. “Where all a little weird, and life is a little weird, and when we find someone, whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness- and call it love-true- love.” -Robert Fulghum

2. “Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.” Paulo Coelho

3. “I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.” Ben Folds

4. “All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” -Charles M Shulz

5. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”-Audrey Hepburn

6. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” -Lao Tzu

7. “Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will.”– Elaine Davis

8. “There are never enough I love you’s.” -Lenny Bruce

9. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps, fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” -Maya Angelou

10. “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” -Zora Hurston

11. “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”-Antoine De Saint-Exupery

12. “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” -Paulo Coelho

13. “Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”-Robert A. Heinlein

14. “To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything.”-T. Tolis

15. “If I know what love is, its because of you.” – Herman Hesse

16. “You are my sun, my moon and all of my stars.”– E.E Cummings

17. “True love stories never have endings.” Richard Bach

18. “In a world full of temporary things, you are a perpetual feeling.”– Sanober Khan

19. “She knew she loved him when home went from being a place to being a person.” -E Leventhal

20. “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus one day, so I never have to live without you.”-Ernest H. Shepard

21. “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more. That plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” -Nichols Sparks

22. “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk through my garden forever.”-Alfred Lord Tennyson

23. “We are most alive when we’re in love.” -John Updike

24. “There is no remedy for love, but to love more.” -Thoreau

25. “My heart is, and always will be yours.”– Jane Austen

26. “I love you without knowing how, or when or where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so, I love you because I know no other way than this.”-Pablo Neruda

27. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” -Hellen Keller

28.”One love, one heart.”-Bob Marley

29. “Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” -Ursula K Le Guin

30. “Valentines is just another day to truly love like there is no tomorrow.”– Roy A. Ngansop

20 ways moms can boost their self confidence

20 ways moms can boost their self confidence

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Once you become a mom it is very easy to get so lost in motherhood that you don’t even recognize yourself anymore. You become super busy making sure your kid doesn’t need anything and one day you walk past the mirror and your like “Wow who is that?’’ You might have on a large graphic-tee your hair in a messy bun and even a stain on your shirt from when your kid splashed their drink on you at breakfast. It can be so easy to set our needs aside and not think about the things that once made us feel confident and happy with ourselves. Don’t worry you are still in there. The woman from before children is still in there and even though you are getting by day to day and making things happen for you and your family, the little things that bring you joy and confidence outside of all that are just as important. You deserve to feel confident and be proud of yourself. Being a mommy is apart of who you are of course but that’s not the only thing that makes you, you. If you’re struggling to think of ways to boost your self-esteem or haven’t even thought of it lately here is a list of things you can do to start working on boosting your self-esteem and bring yourself back to putting your needs as a priority.

1.  Take care of your body

Make sure you are eating healthy foods, drinking your water, and getting the proper sleep that you need. If you are taking care of your body it is going to make you feel better and give you the energy you need to be motivated to do more things for yourself. When your preparing breakfast for your little one, take a banana for yourself too or drop it into a smoothie with some frozen fruit and milk or juice. You can drink your smoothie and prep breakfast for your kid at the same time. When you run to the kitchen to grab a snack for your kid grab a glass of water for yourself. You can even put a sticky note near the sink or on the fridge to remind you to drink your water. If getting all the sleep you need doesn’t seem like an option right now ask for help, if you have any help at all try to arrange ways to get some help so you can take a quick nap when you need to.

2. Practice positive self-talk

We can sometimes forget how powerful our words can be and how we can start to believe negative things that we say about ourselves. Anytime you catch yourself saying something negative about who you are as person or how you are as a mother or saying negative things about the way you look, make sure to stop yourself. Train yourself to be done with negative self-talk and only speak positively about yourself.

3. Challenge yourself to learn something new

As moms there is usually always something that we saw when we were scrolling on social media that we wish we could do. Find a post you recently liked where the person was doing something interesting to you and look it up and learn how to do it. It could be learning a new recipe, learning how to sew, craft or anything you think you might enjoy figuring out. Once you learn it, celebrate your new technique by rewarding yourself with something small. It always feels good to add on a new talent or skill and it makes us feel good about ourselves.

4. Read self-help books

Find a good self-help book that you can either listen to in your ears or read when you find some time alone. Self-help books can really help you with boosting your self- esteem. Take notes while you read if you can and try to write down any key take a way’s that you know you want to work harder on. You can also join book clubs to stay up to date with the best self-help books that are helping others.

5. Say your affirmations

Affirmations are positive statements we say to ourselves every day to take away self- sabotage. You can create these affirmations your self and have them cater to exactly what you feel you need to know and believe, or you can find them online. Try to say your affirmations every day either in the morning or at night or both if you have the time. Use them to uplift and motivate yourself as often as you need. For example, you can say statements like “I am exactly the mother my kids need me to be.” Or “Ï will make myself a priority.”

6. Take a little extra time on your appearance

I know as moms we often feel like there just isn’t enough time to focus on our appearance when we have so many other things to do or other humans to get ready, but it is okay to make the time for yourself too. If you like wearing mascara put on the mascara, if you feel beautiful when you wear your hair down brush it out and wear it down. Make the time to do those little things that make you feel good about your looks, you deserve to feel good. If you must put your mascara on while your little one is in their highchair having a snack, do it. Make the time to care about your appearance its going to help you feel better about yourself all day, we all want to feel beautiful.

7. Play your favorite songs and dance around the house

If you love music play some songs that usually put you in a good mood and dance around. You can play them while you’re doing your tasks around the house or while you’re playing with your little one. Whenever you feel the need. Music is a great mood booster, and it will be fun to let your hair down and have some fun dancing.

8. Keep in touch with your girl squad and mommy friends

Make sure to always have a few friends close to you that love you and support you. It’s good to have friends that you can talk to about any insecurities you might be having that will help to uplift you and remind you that you’re amazing. Try to make a few good friends that are moms as well who may understand your feelings and might have a few tips on how they overcome certain situations. Don’t feel pressured to follow all advice your given but It will feel good to have people around that want to help you with the same things they are going through.

9. Let go of anyone negative in your life

If there is anyone in your life that has a negative attitude all the time or enjoys being negative with you, you should let them go. When you are working on boosting your self- esteem your not going to need people who don’t see it as important or who are going to distract you from the work your trying to do on yourself.

10. Get cute and take some selfies

Taking a moment to do your makeup or put on a cute outfit is already a step towards feeling good but you can also take some selfies to help as well. You can share them with your spouse or your friends and enjoy the compliments or you can keep them for yourself just as a reminder that you are beautiful. You are always beautiful but seeing your self dolled up is a great confidence booster.

11. Schedule a day for pampering yourself

Let your spouse watch your little one or drop them off at grandmas and take a day to just focus on you. You could get a manicure and pedicure, change your hair, go to your favorite coffee spot, go shopping at your favorite retailer, go to the spa, anything that is going to make you feel good. Use the day to enjoy just being you. Say yes to yourself all day.

12. Meditate

Meditation can help you to let go of any stress you’re having about your appearance and help you to refocus on the great things about yourself. It helps to put you in a better head space so you can be less likely to think negatively. You can find the time to meditate when your little one is napping.

13. Make time for your hobbies

Any hobbies that you may have put off since becoming a parent gradually start to ease them back into your life. The things that excite you are important, and you deserve to still enjoy them. You may not have the whole day to focus on it like before, but you can still find a way to make time for things that are important to you. You are going to feel good when you are doing things you love.

14. Write down positive things you love about yourself

If you’re ever feeling down about yourself grab a pen and just write down a few things you love about yourself or write about some things you are happy you over came in your life. You can even write these things on sticky notes and put them somewhere as a reminder. Having that visual list in front of you with all these positive things will uplift and encourage you to keep moving forward.

15. Celebrate small wins

When you realize that you made yourself a priority and did something for you, acknowledge it and celebrate it. Feeling so positively about doing nice things for yourself or making time for yourself will encourage you to keep doing it.

16. Get a confidence coach

There are great people out there that are educated and dedicated to helping people get their confidence back. You could hire a confidence coach once a month or a few times a week that will give you the tools you need to stay grounded, get to the bottom of your feelings and help you live a life with more confidence.

17. Don’t compare yourself to others

It is so easy to feel unhappy when you are comparing yourself to other people. You can’t look at what people are showing you on social media or go off what you assume about their lives and let that make you feel less than other people. You must focus on your life and want to change things about yourself because they are truly what you want, not because you’re trying to be like anyone else. It is nothing wrong with being inspired by other moms and women but make sure your only inspired and not feeling like you must replicate anything.

18. Remember that no one is perfect

No one on this earth is perfect. We are all uniquely made, we all make mistakes, and we all have self-doubts sometimes. Never think you must be perfect or look perfect. You just need to be happy with you and confident being you.

19. Hold your head up high

On the days where you are thinking or talking negatively about yourself, and nothing is seeming to boost your confidence choose happiness and hold your head high anyways. Some days you may not feel 100 percent and that is okay, but you do not have to hold your head down and dwell on it. The more opportunities you take to choose happiness in your day the more chances you will have to turn your mindset and your day around.

20. Join groups on social media or groups in your community

Find mom groups in your community or on the web that want to bring people together that need uplifting and encouragement. It can help you to see that you’re not the only mom who may be needing a boost of confidence and give you a chance to connect with people that are dealing with your same situation. Sometimes a stranger can relate to you on something more than someone that you have known for years. The more people you have supporting you the better.

15 black children’s books for black girls

15 black children’s books for black girls

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The moment I knew I was having my daughter one thing I got really excited about was starting her book collection. I knew I wanted her to have a ton of books that would inspire her and encourage her with pictures of kids that looked just like her. I knew I wanted her to have a collection of books about the amazing black women and men who came before her to teach her about her history and black history in general. The self-esteem and self confidence of our beautiful children is so important, and we should start working on it even when they are just tiny humans. Here is a list of our favorite books that helped jump start our daughters book collection for black children.

1. I Am Enough

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Celebrates self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. A message so simply put but very important for our children to know early.

2. Ambitious Girl

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Inspires young people to keep going even when they are being underestimated. It helps your child see put downs or untrue opinions by others as motivation instead of making them want to quit.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. 

3. I Promise

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Inspires youth to make promises to themselves and work hard to keep them. It really highlights the value of working hard in school to help kids achieve their dreams.

4. Your Name Is A Song

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Teaches your child to not be discouraged or feel bad about their name and talks about the history and beauty behind names.

5. Follow Your Dreams Little One

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Teaches stories about some of the black men in history who achieved amazing things that made history.

6. When God Made You

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Teaches children that they are just the way are for a reason. Inspires youth to accept everything about themselves because God made them perfect just, the way they are.

7. Brilliant Brown Babies

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Highlights how amazing and beautiful it is to be a child of color.

8. I Celebrate My Skin

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Teaches kids about celebrating the unique differences they have as they grow to love their individual identity.

9. Sulwe

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Teaches brown skin girls to love their complexion, not compare themselves and to be proud of their beautiful tones.

10. Change Sings

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Teaches your child that they can change the world and themselves for the better.

11. Pretty Melanin Me

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Teaches young girls that they don’t have to follow what anyone thinks they should look like and to embrace their melanin.

12. Little Leaders

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Shares stories about black women who made history giving your daughter women that she can look at as role models and inspiration. Shows your daughter that whatever dream she has it can be reached.

13. The ABC’S Of Black History
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A book that uses the alphabet to share a beautiful journey through black history.

14. Happy To Be Nappy

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A book that encourages girls of color to embrace their hair texture. Shows that you should be happy about your texture and happy to show it off.

15. I Am A Force Of Nature

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Encourages children to enjoy exploring everything around them and uses the beauty and playfulness of nature to show they have those same qualities within themselves.

These are just a few books to add to your beautiful brown girls book collection and the way they highlight self-acceptance and being proud of differences can really help to change how a child takes how others may treat them about their identity. My hope is that reading these books with my daughter will give her a tougher skin because she will be so proud of who she is and what she knows she can become. So proud that she will share her knowledge about what she learns on these pages with her peers with confidence.

So happy more people like you are learning the importance of teaching our children about diversity and self-love while they are young so they can grow up knowing that despite their differences they can achieve whatever they wish.

Enjoy reading with your little ones!

44 Affirmations for kids

44 Affirmations for kids

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

44 Affirmations for kids

Affirmations are positive statements you to say yourself any time of day to change any negative self-talk or self-sabotage that you may be doing. Affirmations have changed my life and have really helped me to believe in myself and my capabilities and now that I am a mommy, I want to use them to boost the self confidence of my children as well. Just the way adults deal with challenges about our self-identity and self-doubts, children do too and could also use affirmations to give them the boost they need to succeed and conquer their worries or fears. I wanted to share a list of affirmations that I will teach my children to help them on their journeys.

  1. I am loved and cared for
  2. I am smart and have amazing abilities
  3. I am safe and protected
  4. I am allowed to have big dreams
  5. I will get better at whatever I put in work for every single day
  6. I am a leader
  7. I will choose my own attitude
  8. I am brave and strong
  9. I am important
  10. I am unique
  11. I will always believe in myself
  12. I will always respect myself
  13. I will work hard
  14. I am a positive light
  15. I am unstoppable when I do my best
  16. I am equal to my peers
  17. I am a good person
  18. I will find solutions to my problems and If I can’t, I will ask for help
  19. I will learn from my mistakes
  20. I will always love my self
  21. I will always work to be better
  22. I am well mannered
  23. I am generous
  24. I am empathetic 
  25. I have a good heart
  26. I will have a bright future
  27. I am enough
  28. I can do things that seem hard
  29. I belong on this world
  30. I am resilient
  31. I am in control of my life
  32. I can achieve any goals I set
  33. I can control my mood and my reactions
  34. I am grateful for my life
  35. I can stand up for myself
  36. I can stand up for what is right
  37. I can respect the opinions of other people
  38. I am worthy
  39. I am powerful
  40. I will speak kindly
  41. I will practice getting better if I need to
  42. I am thankful for everything that I have
  43. I can make a difference
  44. I am perfect just the way I am

Having a list of affirmations like this is going to be so helpful to motivate and encourage my children to be great and believe in themselves. Any challenges they face I want them to know that they can still speak positively about them selves and overcome any obstacles that come their way. We will make it routine to speak positively about our selves every day out loud at least once a day. They can express any troubles, fears, or worries they may have, and we will go over this list together so that they can speak it out loud and learn to believe every single positive word on this page.

When choosing to use affirmations the most important part of it is believing what you are saying. If I can get my children to believe these things about themselves it can help them have the confidence, they need to succeed at anything and go out into the world as good human beings.

That is the goal for me to raise amazing children who believe in their abilities and will live as good examples to help encourage others around them to feel the same as well.

Use this list as often as you need with your children as well, we got this mama we will raise incredible humans!

The best educational toys for toddlers

The best educational toys for toddlers

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 7 Comments

Buying toys for my almost 2-year-old daughter Marley is one of my favorite things to do. Playtime is just so fun watching her explore different items and learn her colors, shapes, and alphabets. Her toys have been starting to take up some major space in her playroom so the last time I bought her toys I decided I only wanted to purchase educational items. I wanted to get her toys that would encourage her to learn as much as possible so she could play but also be working on her developmental and educational skills as well. Here is a list of toys that she loves to learn with and items that I love watching her show me all she can do with.

1. Fisher- Price laugh & learn smart stages piggy bank

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This piggy bank toy comes with these colorful coins that your toddlers can put into the slot and open the door to get them out at as often as they like. It encourages them by counting the coin and even has an option to learn something new and learn Spanish numbers. The coins being in different colors helps because I can ask my daughter what color the coin is and what number coin we are at when placing them in the pig. She doesn’t understand the concept of money yet, but she enjoys placing the coins in the piggy.

2. Melissa & Doug K’s Kids – Teddy wear stuffed bear

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This is not just any teddy bear it has so many opportunities for learning. The first day my daughter played with it she learned how to use a zipper and started unzipping all of her things. It has different colors and shapes for learning. You can encourage them to play with the shoe laces and learn how to button. It is perfect for sensory skills and perfect to bring along in the car to keep your little one entertained. I love that its quiet but has a lot going on to keep their focus.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. 

3. Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Take – Along shape sorter

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This is the perfect introduction to shapes. To get the shapes back into the bag when it is zipped your toddler must make the shapes fit inside the openings. This helps them to catch on quickly where the shapes should go. My daughter loves how she can carry it from room to room and show you what new shape she knows. The shapes are also colorful so you can sit with them and teach them colors and shapes at the same time. My daughter’s favorite shapes are the heart and the star.

4. Prextex Find and Match Number Matching Easter Eggs

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This is such a fun way to learn numbers the parts don’t fit together unless your toddler has the matching number. The eggs also have colors inside so you can teach both. This is more of a sit down together toy, but your toddler will enjoy the interaction and try to fit together as many as they can.

5. TETOY Baby Toy Zoo Series Alphabet Cards

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This bag of flash cards is so fun it has letters, animals fun colors and a bag that closes to keep the cards in so they don’t get lost. I like to lay them out and name animals for my daughter to find. She loves finding the animals and telling me what sounds they make. The material is perfect because they cant rip them like paper flash cards.

6. Nontoxic Fabric Soft Baby Cloth books

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These are so loved in our house we have bought it twice and like to get them as gifts for new parents. Your toddler will enjoy the crinkly noise the books make and the fact that they can also read them at bath time. They have fun themes and colors and can be taken anywhere on the go. They have so many pictures and fun things for your toddler to point out and learn. If you are working on trying to get them to say more words these are very helpful with that.

7. Quiet Book

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This book is perfect for in the car or when your visiting someone and want to keep them entertained quietly. It has pages inside that help them with their motor skills and keeps their minds and fingers busy. It zips closed and can be carried anywhere. My daughter loves all the pages and I love that I don’t have to hear songs or anything over and over when she plays with it.

8. Sesame Street On the Go Letters & Numbers

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My daughter loves Sesame Street, she loves Elmo and Cookie monster, so this is one of her favorite toys. The two cases open and one has letters, and one has numbers they also have a lot of the Sesame street characters. This is a great toy to sit down with them and have them place the letters or numbers in one by one. Your toddler will enjoy seeing the familiar faces if they like watching Sesame Street.

9.Wellchild Magnetic Drawing Board

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This board is perfect for encouraging your little one to draw anything new they have learned. We also like to draw a shape or picture and see if she can copy it. What I love about these are they make no mess. They don’t have to use the small parts yet if they are too small, but you can guide their hands and have fun with drawing. My daughter loves seeing the different colors show up on the board.

10. Magifire Wooden Toddler Puzzles

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These puzzles are fun simple puzzles to help introduce your toddler to puzzles. They will enjoy telling you what they are trying to put together. They don’t have many pieces, so they are easy to clean up. They are bright and colorful and help to encourage them to learn. My daughter’s favorites ones are the bee, butterfly, and turtle.

My daughter has all these toys, and they all help her to learn different things. It is so fun to watch her learn. It is like every day she has learned so much new stuff and is so excited to show us what she can do. Buying toys that encourage learning has been so rewarding for both us parents and our toddler. I knew I wanted to start out with letters, numbers, colors, and alphabet because it seemed like she was picking up on it already and I wanted her to have fun with it. I want learning and exploring to be fun for my kids. I want them to enjoy all the bright colors and learning songs.

Have fun with it yourself too this is such a huge time for them in their lives as they grow and learn so they can become whatever they want to be in the world.

30 Affirmations a mom can say before she goes to sleep

30 Affirmations a mom can say before she goes to sleep

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Affirmations are positive statements you can say to yourself as often as you need to help you get rid of having self-sabotaging thoughts. The more you say these positive affirmations it can help train your brain to think more positively about yourself and your life. Before you go to bed at night you can take a moment to reflect about your day and once you have put your little ones down for rest you can say these positive statements to yourself to uplift you for a new way day.

  1. I did my best today and I can let go of all thoughts from today
  2. I can give myself permission to now do nothing but get some rest
  3. Tomorrow is full of new possibilities
  4. All the moments I had with my kids were precious and I am grateful for all of them
  5. When I allow myself to get rest, I am a better me for my family
  6. I look forward to relaxing my body and quieting my mind
  7. I have so much to be thankful for
  8. I am worthy of love and my kids love me
  9. I breathe in a calm state of mind, and I exhale any stress and any worries
  10. When I lay down for rest I am now in my happy place
  11. I have strong faith in myself as a mom
  12. Any mistakes I may have made today do not define me, I am learning and growing everyday
  13. I deserve to care for myself and do things that make me happy
  14. It is okay that I don’t know everything, I will make a way
  15. I make my children feel loved and happy
  16. I am constantly improving myself as a person and a mother
  17. I will not focus on things that I have no control over
  18. I am grateful for my body, and it deserves to recharge with a good night’s rest
  19. Whatever does not serve me will not come with me into tomorrow
  20. My journey with motherhood is unfolding just as it should
  21. Choosing rest is choosing myself
  22. I am exactly who my kids need me to be
  23. I can feel calm and at ease now that the day is done
  24. I have the power over all my thoughts and emotions
  25. Peace is a priority for me
  26. My bedroom is my sanctuary
  27. My heart is relaxed and grateful
  28. I can focus on my breathing and breathe in only positive energy
  29. I am safe, I am loved, I am strong
  30. I will relax every part of my body and allow myself to sleep because sleep is a priority for me

When you get the chance to lay down take in a few deep breathes with long exhales, relax your muscles and all your body, and try to let in relaxation as much as possible. Empty your racing mind with any thoughts about the day you had, or the day coming and just focus on the present moment. Embrace the relaxation that is coming to you and start to say some of these affirmations out loud. When you start to say them believe each word.

Affirmations only work if you believe them and believe that you are worthy of each statement you are saying. You can say as many of these as you need as often as you need every night, and you should start to feel a difference in the way that you see your days. Its going to give you a better sense of gratitude and a positive mindset for the start of your next day.

Being a mom can sometimes feel like a lot of work and can get overwhelming with all the tasks you have to do and all the needs you must fulfill and that is why it is important to find a time of day to just be still. Find a moment to stop running around too much or letting your mind wander to much and just appreciate peace and quiet. Find time in your day to just focus on you and bring attention to your thoughts. If your thoughts are negative use this time to re direct your energy and change those negative thoughts around. You don’t only have to use affirmations when you first wake up or when you go to sleep you can use any affirmations that work best for you any time of day when you have a moment to yourself.

Enjoy this new process of working on controlling your thoughts and know that it is okay to rest and get your sleep so you will be all you need to be for you and your little ones. Sleep well mama!

My top 10 teething items for babies and toddlers

My top 10 teething items for babies and toddlers

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The teething stage can be so tough when your little one is screaming, irritable, in a ton of pain and frustrated with everything. They can get so fussy and cranky, and it can feel like a battle you just can’t win sometimes. I would feel so bad for my baby girl when she was so upset so I would look for every teething item or teething hack for pain that I could. Some of them did end up working better than others so here is a list of teething items that worked best for us.

1. Nuby Ice Gel Teether

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This teether your able to put it in the fridge to cool your babies’ gums when they chew on it, they also enjoy playing with the colorful keys. You can cool it as often as you like to help with relief all day.

2. Mombella Mushroom

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The great part about this teether is it can stick to flat surfaces like their highchair so they can play with it and chew it while it’s not falling all over. You can also stick little snacks in it if you flip it over to use it as a small snack holder.

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

3. Baby bandana drool bibs

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These bandana bibs are so helpful because your little one may drool a lot when they are teething, so this catches the drool without ruining their clothes and they are able to chew on it whenever they feel the need. They have many different patterns and colors so they can teethe in style.

4. Baby teething toys

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These fun fruit shapes are fun to help your little one learn colors and fruits and one of the items in this package you can freeze fruit and put it inside to help soothe their gums. It also comes with a mini toothbrush to massage. With a package like this your able to get a few options to try out right away. Marley loved the giraffe even though I’m sure she thought it was a dinosaur for a while.

5. Razberry teether

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Your little one might really enjoy the texture on this one while also giving them a similar feel to a pacifier.

6. Nuby Silicone Teethe-eez

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This teether can be placed in the fridge and has this bristle part on top that your baby may enjoy against their gums.

7. Happy baby Food teethers

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These little crackers dissolve very easy but have a crunch that allows baby to take their time with them and work their gums. They come in a few different flavors they can try as well.

8. Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity and Teething Toy 

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This brand has a few different fun animals with exciting activities and different parts that the little ones can chew on. You can hang them on their stroller and let them take them anywhere.

9. Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt

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You can put this on their hands to help distract them from nibbling on their fingers and can place it in the fridge to cool it a bit too.

10. NatureBond Baby Food Feeder/Fruit Feeder Pacifier

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This is a nice way to introduce your baby to solids and give them fruits. They can have fun nibbling on the snacks inside while massaging their aching teeth.

When it comes to the teething phase it just takes a lot of patience and understanding that your baby is going to have their own unique ways for relief that work for them. You just being there for support and helping with soothing is so helpful for them. There may be some days where you are up all night trying to console them when they have a molar coming in and you will be trying everything possible to help. I know its hard to see them so upset and you don’t need to purchase every single teething item in the world but trying out a few different ones will help you to have options when they are under that kind of stress.

These items worked for my daughter and with the new baby on the way I will of course try these for them too but I know that their teething journey will be different because all babies are different. When it comes to the teething phase no matter how tough it can be always remind yourself that they wont be teething forever and that once they have more and more teeth they will be able to enjoy a lot more new foods. Its all apart of growing up for them and they are going to be okay because they have you to get them through it.

10 things I have googled while pregnant

10 things I have googled while pregnant

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I know I am not the only pregnant person guilty of googling almost everything when I am unsure about something. Whenever I am not exactly sure I pull out my phone and I say, “You know what let me google it.” Some things I google I am sure are ridiculous and some things are probably valid questions. Either way I know there are some pregnant women out there that can relate to me and have probably googled some of the same things. I want to share ten things I’ve googled and maybe they will give you a laugh or you have googled the same things.

  1. Is it safe to eat Feta cheese? I love pizza so much and a lot of my favorite pizzas have feta cheese on them and so though I don’t indulge in feta cheese and have it all the time I do enjoy it from time to time when pregnant and I have seen that cooked and pasteurized cheese is okay to eat. When you get pregnant your told to stay away from a lot of foods like soft cheeses and deli meats and it can put quite the pressure on hungry mamas who just want to enjoy their cravings in peace.
  2. Is Byrne Dairy ice cream pasteurized? Okay, I am a foodie I know, and ice cream is one of my favorite snacks that I love to eat alone or now with my daughter sometimes while we watch her favorite shows. Every flavor of Byrne Dairy ice cream is safe to eat for pregnant women and believe me I am so thankful, even the ones with cookie dough. Such a treat, I enjoy it whenever I can with no shame, and it is the best.
  3. How can I tell if I am having a boy or a girl? When you get the news that a new baby is on the way one of the first things you think about is, I wonder what the gender will be. There are so many sayings that float around for things you can look out for to see whether it’s a girl or boy like what you crave to eat or how low you carry and honestly its entertaining to try to guess in your mind what you’re going to have. I am one of those moms who wants to know right way I do not want to wait until the shower or gender reveal. I like the sense of connection it gives me to the baby once I know the gender.
  4. How can I relieve the pressure on my pelvic? The pressure you can get on your pelvic from your growing baby is no joke and running to the bathroom or wobbling to the bathroom every few minutes can be a bit annoying. This second pregnancy the pelvic pressure has kicked in way sooner than it did my first pregnancy and I have been really needing some relief. I am ordering a belly band to try to help, and I love laying on my left side, it seems to be the most comfortable way for me to be.
  5. Does nonalcoholic beer or wine not have any alcohol? Having a nice glass of wine or a cold beer is a pleasure that is surely missed for those of us who like to have a sip every now and then and now there are a lot of companies who are creating drinks with no alcohol to help with that. I haven’t tried any of them yet. I usually just put some cranberry juice in a wine glass and pretend its wine sometimes. If I want something carbonated, I just get a case of sparkling water but on special occasions it’s nice to buy a bottle of sparkling apple juice or sparkling cranberry to feel a little fancier.  
  6. How much caffeine is to much when pregnant? Your often told to try not to drink or have too much caffeine when you’re pregnant to help your developing baby and for some of us that is sad news. I am a huge coffee lover but the whole first trimester of pregnancy I do not have coffee, once the second trimester comes, I have one nice cup a day and it is honestly one of my favorite parts of my day.
  7. How do I get rid of or prevent stretch marks? One thing that comes with your beautiful growing belly can be stretch marks and for some it can be hard to watch your body change that way. You see all types of tips online about different oils, lotions, and body butters you can use and whatever you want to try, I say try it. I have stretch marks and I rub lotion and vitamin E oil on my belly every day, but I am not really bothered by them. Sometimes I may think of how to get rid of them, but I know its okay to embrace this part of pregnancy and not stress to much about it.
  8. How am I supposed to breathe when in labor? When you’re getting your mind prepared to deliver you’re baby you start thinking of all types of ways to help the process be a little smoother for you since your mostly terrified. When I had my first baby, I did not investigate breathing exercises or anything because I figured I would just be screaming the whole time. I do regret not knowing anything about breathing techniques and will take a class or watch some videos on It this time around. I think it will help me have a little more control over what I am feeling and things like that.
  9. Will my toddler wean herself off my boob or will she breast feed forever? My almost 2-year-old is still on my boob and even though my milk supply is practically gone due to my pregnancy she really enjoys using my boobs for comfort at night when she is going to sleep. I was a bit dramatic when I googled this, but I am ready for her to stop so I can have a break before her sibling gets here. I have no intention on breast feeding two children at once.
  10. Is the second delivery faster than your first one? I have been told multiple times that the second delivery is going to go way quicker than the first which makes me happy since I was in labor so long the first time but also scares me a bit because I don’t want the baby to just fly out either. I really don’t know if this saying is true or not, but I am close to finding out.

Using google or any internet sources to settle your pregnancy brain I would say is totally fine just try not to get to wrapped up in or to anxious about any of your concerns. Keep an open line of communication with your doctors and anyone helping you with your pregnancy and know that your pregnancy and your delivery story is going to be completely unique to you and some things that other women experience you may not experience them at all, or you may find a tribe of women who experienced exactly what you have. All your questions are okay and being worried or nervous is apart of the process. Let the web be a fun outlet for you and just enjoy your pregnancy journey as much as you can!

Bring on the mom jeans

Bring on the mom jeans

by justbloommomsblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Bring on the mom jeans

Now that I am a going to be a mommy of two, I have been thinking a little bit about my wardrobe and how comfort has been a bit more important to me than style lately since I spend most of my time working from home or at the grocery store. I have always been into style and fashion I also was a visual merchandiser for a few years for a big retailer. I’ve been seeing a lot of people talk about mom jeans lately and I must say I am not opposed to them, and I think they are making a comeback.

I’m at the halfway mark in my pregnancy and regular skinny jeans are just not making the cut for me lately. I find myself searching for leggings and then I need over sized shirts or sweaters to go with those leggings or I have long legs, so I need high boots to fit the leggings into and honestly, it’s a lot to think about when your little one is pushing on your pelvic and your other little one is running around the house while you are trying to get them dressed and ready. I don’t really shop for myself much anymore because shopping for my daughter is just much more fun, but I am ready to take a me day and get myself a few pairs of jeans to wear this winter for when I do leave the house. I wanted to share a few of the best mom jeans to help you feel comfy but cute!

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. 

5 Stylish mom jeans

1.

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A classic blue denim jean with a loose feel is on my top choice and I would wear these pretty much anywhere with one of my favorite blouses or graphic tees.

2.

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This style of mom jean I would wear to the park or to the laundry. Somewhere more casual so I can enjoy the wiggle room. It’s unbelievable how much lifting and bending a mom can do in a day.

3.

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I don’t wear high waist when I am pregnant obviously but it is my favorite to wear after I have a baby so I will wear them after my second baby as well. The high waist fit helps to smooth out whatever I have going on when I am healing and shrinking back down to my size, and it helps me feel more confident when stepping out to meet up with family or friends.

4.

https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=justbloomms-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01KO2H5L0&asins=B01KO2H5L0&linkId=60e90f6f9f699ec99af5b05ed70e44ec&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff

Being a mom can sometimes be a messy job when you are constantly picking up spilled drinks, knocked over food or being spit up on so a dark pair of denim does come in handy so that if any mess ups do happen it’s not as noticeable and easier to clean off as opposed to the lighter wash jeans.

5.

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My final mom jean has a little bit more of a skinny bottom to fit into your boots or booties but can also be cuffed to wear with your sneakers or flats as well. I really enjoy a classic jean that can really be paired with anything and warn day or night. Thinking too much about your wardrobe can get overwhelming when you’re not the only one you have to worry about getting dressed.

No matter what you choose to wear be confident, being a mom is one of the hardest jobs. You should feel good doing it.

I gave birth to Marley in March right when the weather was starting to warm up a little bit and I was worried about how my new mom body would look in the current wardrobe that I had. I had even bought a few loose fitted blouses to wear when I thought I would be heading back to work to help me feel a bit more confident. Due to the pandemic, I never went back into the office and didn’t feel the need to wear the blouses I had picked out, so I ended up getting a few over sized graphic tees to wear with my jeans or biker shorts. When I wasn’t wearing that I had on loose fitted pajama sets and long pajama shorts, anything that felt comfy and cozy. After a few months of caring for Marley, I did look in the mirror and think about how I missed the woman who would get up for work every day and wear the cute outfits and cute jeans. It made me sad for a little while but eventually I learned to accept that comfort was going to be important for me when working from home and taking care of Marley. When I would get those thoughts, I would dress up just to go run my errands and go to the grocery store because it felt nice to feel and look like me again. I still do that now and I love it. I don’t get super dolled up, but I do my makeup and hair and pick out my favorite tops and jeans.

Its okay to want to look good and feel confident even when we are giving so much of ourselves to our family and our little humans. Wear whatever make you happy, whatever makes you feel confident and be proud of it. You may not be the exact same you that you were before you became a mommy, but you are still you so have fun with your wardrobe, grab you a pair of mom jeans if you have been thinking about it and enjoy this part of mommy hood. You earned your mom jeans and you’re going to look great in them!