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  • Are You A New Parent? Beware of Making These 8 Mistakes!

    Are You A New Parent? Beware of Making These 8 Mistakes!

    Being a new parent is a unique and extraordinary experience. You get all sorts of help from the internet, friends, family, etc. and yet you are quite alone in this journey. You make mistakes as a new parent and don’t even realize that you are making them.

    In order to help you out, here’s a list of the most common mistakes new parents make. If you succeed in avoiding them, you will feel great about the first steps you take as a new parent.

    1. Being A Superhero

    Many new parents make the mistake of not accepting help even from their close relatives and taking on too much alone. Don’t make this mistake as you are bound to do something wrong if you put too much on your plate and don’t have enough energy to handle it all.

    2. Neglecting Your Partner

    If you get too wrapped up in the baby that your partner starts feeling neglected, it will harm your relationship. Try to give equal attention to your baby and your partner. Go to dinner with your partner every week to keep things sparking between you.

    3. Not Keeping Records

    Time really flies when your baby is growing so keep a camera handy. Capture the first word, the first crawl, the first smile and many other precious moments. You can also opt for writing your experiences down. You will never regret it. You may also want to purchase a baby memory book to easily record all of your babies precious moments.

    4. Overlooking Your Instincts

    If you are a new parent, you’ll get tons of advice on how to do things right. While it’s okay to accept the best advice, don’t start avoiding your parental instincts. After all, it’s a question of you and your baby’s well-being. It is always smart to listen to our gut feelings.

    5. Setting Up Targets for Your Baby

    Parents also make the grave mistake of setting up targets for their little ones. They expect a baby to crawl at a specific age, start using words at a specific age and even walk at a specific age. Please understand that every child has a different path to developing his or her skills. You just need to let it be and cherish it. Don’t compare your baby with another baby ever.

    6. Avoiding Your Own Well-Being

    Most parents get so involved in taking care of their baby that they don’t take care of themselves. Not sleeping much, not eating enough are a few steps they take towards neglecting themselves. Don’t do that. Stick to your own schedule while making one for your baby.

    7. Being House Bound

    Many parents get so attached to the baby’s need that they don’t get fresh air. They get deliveries of products at home and end up feeling frustrated after a few days. Divide your duties with the spouse and allow yourself to take a morning or evening walk alone or meet your friends after a few days. Believe me, you’ll feel rejuvenated.

    8. Stressing Out

    Yes, bringing a baby into the world is a big responsibility but you don’t need to worry too much as soon as he or she starts breathing. Planning for the future and thinking about finances is a good thing but don’t start graying your hair over what your baby will wear on the wedding day. You must do your best and let things go on at their own pace.

  • Hilarious Yelp Reviews on Having a Newborn

    Hilarious Yelp Reviews on Having a Newborn

    Are you a young couple who think that it’s the right time to have a baby? Are you confused by different opinions of people on the matter?

    Some say it’s a blessing to add a new member to the family but young parents around you are not so sure. If you are leaning towards having a baby but the plight of new parents is stopping you then you might need some expert advice.

    Did you know that you can get this advice from a reliable source, Yelp Reviews of Newborns? Yes, it’s a place where you can get reviews of newborns and dealing with the stress of being a new parent. This amazing idea is a gift from Raquel D’Apice, a comedian and a mother of a two-year-old.

    One day Raquel was looking for a review on Yelp when she suddenly realized that you can find a review of anything but newborns. It gave her an idea. She began with creating a series of spoofs with regard to babies on her website the Ugly Volvo.

    The website included stories contributed by parents in which they shared the mixed feelings a new parent always experiences. It’s a combination of fun, rewards, frustration and loads of happiness. All the entries were so much fun to read and parents from across the world connected with it.

    SOURCE: http://theuglyvolvo.com/yelp-reviews-of-newborn-babies/

  • 5 Time Saving Hacks to Keep Mommy Sane

    5 Time Saving Hacks to Keep Mommy Sane

    Being a mommy is the biggest responsibility of your lfie! You have to constantly make sure that your children are happy along with juggling your job, the housework and much more.

    In order to help all the tired, frustrated and extremely busy moms, we have created a list of 5 things every mom must start doing from now on. Believe us, these little steps will not only keep you sane but they will also allow you to spend quality time with your children. Try them all and let us know which one of these hacks worked best for you, won’t you?

    1. Practice Saying “No”

    Most mommy’s won’t accept that they often try to say “no” to things but can’t manage it most of the time. It’s a sad fact. Mommy’s often feel that they need to do everything. Well, you don’t. You just need to prioritize matters and let go of things you can’t do.

    It’s okay if you say no to the chore of washing the clothes of your partner because you have to cook for the kids. It’s also okay if you can’t take your kids to the park every once in a while. Switch it with some other home based activites with them and they’ll be delighted.

    2. Seek Help from Your Kids

    If you are graying your hair by thinking of how to spend time with your kids, how about delegating some tasks to them too? Yes, you need to do that. You need to ensure that your kids help you with little chores like keeping the bathrooms clean, cooking easy recipes, etc.

    It will not only let you all get done with the tasks, it will also make the kids more responsible.

    3. Let It Go

    If you are a mom, you need to accept that sometimes it’s good to let go of things. Your home can’t be perfect at all times and you can’t do it all by yourself. So, if you go to sleep when there are a few dishes remaining in the dishwasher or some clothes are unwashed even after a weekend, don’t beat yourself up for that.

    4. Make a Schedule

    Yes, we know that creating a schedule when you have kids seems like a dream but it is possible. You need to take the initiative and set a schedule for everything. From meal times to play times, everything needs to be set so that you can streamline your life.

    This will also teach the value of time to your kids and they will be more successful in life if they value time.

    5. Take Care of Yourself

    Mommy’s who get too involved in taking care of the kids often forget to take care of themselves. You should not make this mistake. Just stop and think when was the last time you had a relaxing bath or read a new paperback? Can’t remember, can you?

    If this is the case then you need to make sure you take at least half an hour for yourself every day. If you don’t do that, you may lose your energy and health.

    Avoid that by taking just half an hour for yourself daily from today and see the miracles it does for your health, happiness and well-being.

    Got any more hacks that can help super busy moms? Feel free to share them with us.

    SOURCE: http://latoyaedwards.net/5-sanity-savers-for-overwhelmed-moms/

  • 10 Indications That You Are The Best Mommy

    10 Indications That You Are The Best Mommy

    Being a mom is one of the toughest jobs in the world. You work constantly to ensure that your kid is happy and barely get time for yourself. Yet, many women have self-doubts about whether they are doing a good job with their kids or not. If you also have the same fear then it’s time you learned about the 10 indications that say you are a good mom. They will not only let you know that you are a good mom but will also give you the confidence to keep doing the right things in the future as well. Not to make you wait any further, here’s the list of those vital 10 indications.

    1. You Believe in Yourself

    The first sign of a good mom is that she is not just a mom. She is a woman, a lover, a wife, a sister and takes on many other roles. She believes in who she is and who she is becoming. The mothers who are doing a good job also realize that they have immense influence over their children.

    2. You Have Set Your Priorities Right

    Mothers who are doing their job right also set their priorities right. Missing a shower every once in a while because you spent that time in taking care of your baby is fine. Staying at home on a Friday night because you want some quality time with your baby rather than hanging out with friends also tells a lot about your priorities. If you see poop over your new dress and don’t worry about it because it’s a usual thing then you have set your priorities right.

    3. You Admit to Having Bad Days

    Every good mom has bad days and she brags about them in some cases. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy a long relaxing bath rather than doing the laundry when your kid is asleep. Sometimes, you don’t have the time to wash your hair and have to go out with bad looking hair because you wanted to spend all the time in taking care of the kid. Sometimes you have no patience for screaming kids and want to just hide in our bedroom. All these bad days are a proof that you are a human who is trying her best to take care of all your responsibilities.

    4. You Also Have Good Days

    Good moms also have some good days. It is a day when everything you planned is executed flawlessly, be it waking up before the kids and making the breakfast, doing a workout when they are asleep and ensuring that the kids abide by everything you say. Though on these days, you usually do a lot of work but the tide seems to be going the way you want it.

    5. You Know How to Say No

    A good mom always knows when to say no to a job. A good mother never believes that she is a superhero who can do it all. Sometimes she wants to take a nap with her baby and don’t even changes her pajamas for the whole day. A good mother knows that meeting up friends is not important when her kid is showing symptoms of cold and she knows not to be fussy about not being able to do the dishes because she was playing with dolls to make her daughter happy. As they say, simplicity is the best policy and it works for women as well.

    6. You Sleep Early

    As a good mother, you don’t usually have a ton of energy. You know that you are tired and need to go to bed early and you do it. You often end your day at 7 pm and just relax even if you don’t sleep because you realize that tomorrow would be as hectic as today and you need all the energy you can get by resting.

    7. You Worry

    Every mother worries about her kids. If you also worry, pray and hope for a better future for your kids and their overall well being no matter how old they are, you are an awesome mom.

    8. You Are Always There

    A good mom always supports her kids through everything. She cheers them on when they are feeling low, she compliments them endlessly and encourages them to do better always. She is also there when the kid has a performance at school, wants to read a new story or attend a hobby class. You make your kids realize how special they are by expressing your love through loads of hugs and kisses.

    9. You Laugh A Lot

    Good mothers always know when to laugh at themselves. They often laugh when they get in the car only to realize that they have forgotten the key inside the house. They laugh when the milk spills twice in a day or they have to deal with diapers just 10 minutes apart. As a mother, you also laugh when nothing seems to go as you want it to. You don’t cry, you laugh as the latter never gives you a headache.

    10. You Know You Are Not Perfect

    The best thing about every great mom is that she knows that she is not perfect. She admits and accepts her mistakes and does better the next time. She will often have no idea what she did with the new dish she tried or the new sweater she weaved. She will often be confused, anxious, frustrated and nervous about whether everything is going right or not.

    All in all, it can be seen that there is nothing like a perfect mother. Every woman is constantly learning on how to be a good mother. So if you fall under one or more of these categories, it’s time to give yourself a pat on your back because you really are a good mom. Always remember that appreciating yourself is the best way to motivate yourself to do better in the future so raise a toast to how awesome you are as a mom after tonight’s dinner and be proud of being yourself!! 

    Source– http://www.todaysthebestday.com/10-signs-good-job-as-a-mom/

  • 5 Useful Tips to Reduce Stretch Marks

    5 Useful Tips to Reduce Stretch Marks

    Being able to conceive a child is nothing short of a miracle. Though there are some issues like morning sickness, frequent urination, and swollen feet, the entire experience is so magical that every woman loves it.

    Unfortunately, one of the things that women can’t admit to loving is the stretch marks. Most women get them and they hate them too. But the good news is that you have the power to decide how long you have to deal with them. Don’t believe us? Read on to know the top 5 stretch marks tips.

    1. Start Early

    The first thing you need to remember is that you have a better chance of removing the stretch marks while they are still red. If they turn white, it becomes very difficult for you to get rid of them. In most cases, the stretch marks turn from red to white in 3 to 6 months. It’s advisable to take action before and after they arrive.

    2. Home Remedies

    There are many things that work well to get rid of the stretch marks. This includes but is not limited to olive oil, egg whites, sugar and lemon juice. When trying any of the options, you need to put them directly on the stretch marks and wash them after 10 minutes. Let’s assume you have opted for the egg whites. For this option, you need to beat them up, slather them on all the stretch marks, let it sit for 10 minutes and hop in your shower to get them off. You need to keep them on for 10 minutes twice daily. So, this method works for women who have some time on their hand daily.

    3. Try Creams

    There are many branded creams that work faster, are easier to use and give results too. You should opt for the creams that are reliable by doing some online research or better yet, asking your friends and family for references. Creams formulated by naturopathic doctors are a nice option.

    4. Never Forget to Moisturize

    To get rid of the ugly looking marks, you need to moisturize your skin as much as possible. It is a fact that stretch marks happen due to the skin tears that happen while a woman gains weight quickly. So, moisturizing is the best way to help heal those tears.

    5. White Stretch Marks

    If you have waited too long to worry about the stretch marks and they have already turned white then your best bet it to go for a surgery to totally get rid of it. In case you cannot go for the surgery, you can fade them by using cream or home remedies. It would make them barely noticeable.

    Just remember that whatever method you use and whenever you start, getting rid of the stretch marks or fading them would take time. Keep at it and eventually, they will fade off or completely disappear.

    We hope that the tips we have mentioned would help you. In case you have got some tips of your own, feel free to mention them in the comments section.

    Source– http://3beesandme.com/5-best-stretch-mark-tips/

  • 3 Simple Things You Must Do To Make Your Labor Easy

    3 Simple Things You Must Do To Make Your Labor Easy

    So, you have prepared your hospital bag and got a birthing coach with you. Still feeling the jitters? Well, you are not alone. It’s a known fact that almost every mommy-to-be gets nervous before the labor and are looking for techniques to help. Here’s a list of three simple things you can do to ensure that your child enters the world in a smooth manner and your pain is reduced. Remember to try these tips when you are in the third trimester.

    1. Try Eating Dates

    A recent study revealed by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has found that women who eat dates before labor often don’t require medications to initiate the birthing process. These women were also more dilated when compared to non-date eaters when they reached the hospital. While speaking for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Melinda Johnson said that Dates have a compound that’s just like hormone oxytocin which plays a key role in initiating contractions during childbirth. You may want to eat 6 dates daily if you want the best results.

    2. Be A Sleepyhead

    Another study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has stated that women who had less than 6 hours sleep during the last month had a labor that lasted 11 hours. It also added that the sleep-deprived women had Cesarean sections four times more than the women who got ample amounts of sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, you can try sleeping alone, using body pillows or you can even sleep on a recliner for extra comfort.

    3. Exercise Those Legs Mommy!

    An Australian study has exposed that if you stay vertical during the labor, the birthing process will become easier. To ensure that you use your legs properly during labor, strengthen them with leg exercises like squatting. If you have a problem doing simple squats, you can try this modified squat exercise shared by Erin O’Brien, who is the maker of The Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD (acacia) as well as a prenatal exercise expert. Put an exercise ball between your lower back and a wall. Keep your feet out as far as they go, rotate your hips and toes outward and then try three sets of at least 15 squats. It will prepare you for the big day.

  • ROFL at This Version of We Can’t Stop… Having Babies! [VIDEO]

    ROFL at This Version of We Can’t Stop… Having Babies! [VIDEO]

    Andrea Chapman celebrated the birth of her twins and people all around her were ecstatic about it. Then she had a boy and people were happy again. But when she got pregnant again, her loved ones were thunderstruck.

    The doting mother decided to celebrate the announcement of her fourth baby by writing a humorous song on the situation. She, along with her husband, Chad made a video of the song “We Can’t Stop” by adding “Having Babies to it.”

    The chorus clearly sends off one message that it’s their family and they can do what they want. The scene set in the video is quite adorable. In the video, 3 kids are creating chaos while their weary parents are happily singing away.

    The lines used by the parents-to-be are as real as it gets. Chapman sings that it will be they who’ll be up all night. It will be they who will love the new life. She also adds that is her body and she should have the right to grow anyone she wants to.

    The latter line connected well with women all across the globe as it empowers women carrying their fourth or fifth child. These lines motivate them to avoid negative comments made by the people and remember that it’s their body. They can have 10 children if they want or not have even a single baby. It should be nobody’s business but theirs.

    The mother-to-be said that she got the idea of this hilarious song after people gave unpleasant responses to her pregnancy. Some said they thought she was done and some even said that she didn’t seem to stop having children. The second opinion made her remember the Miley Cyrus song and she decided to write in down.

    As you may have guessed, the song was an instant hit especially with the people who have large families. It got so popular that the Chapmans had to create a download link for it.

    Andrea also said that she never thought to be a member of the big family club but she and her husband are ecstatic about welcoming their baby boy, who is yet to be born.

    She joked that she was glad that she used her musical skills with this song finally after studying voice in school. The lovely lady also thinks that her parents would be proud of her singing skills and be happy because this video is a prime example of her talent that was honed after four expensive college years.

    This video is surely worth a few minutes of your time as it will add some smile to your day and you won’t be able to help yourself from sharing it.

  • 10 Mindblowing Things That Happen During Pregnancy

    10 Mindblowing Things That Happen During Pregnancy

    Pregnancy is one of the little miracles that life has given us. Growing a child inside a body is incredible and every mother loves this wonderful phase of her life.

    Sure there are bad parts associated with it like weight gain, morning sickness, swollen ankles but it all becomes a vague memory when you hold your child for the very first time. When he or she looks at you with the gorgeous eyes, every pain, every discomfort is forgotten.

    It is a sad fact that most people associate pregnancy with details like a huge body, bad labor experience and painful cramps. They are so involved in the bad aspects that they often forget the extraordinary changes that occur due to pregnancy. Here’s a list of 10 mindboggling things that really happen when you are pregnant. Some of them are unbelievable but they are all true.

    1. Your Uterus Gets Up To 500 Times Bigger

    A woman’s body prepares for the birthing in unbelievable ways. Your uterus can enlarge 500 times its usual size and its weight can be 1 to 2 pounds. Amazing, isn’t it? After the birthing, it will retract to its normal size automatically.

    2. Your Heart Gets Bigger

    Apart from filing with the love for your child, your heart actually grows in size. When you are with a baby, the heart has to work overtime and beat at a rapid pace to ensure that you and your baby get ample amount of blood. The blood volume also increases by up to 50%. Woah! It seems unbelievable right!

    3. Your Shoe Size May Change

    Yes, it’s true. The relaxin hormone also loosens the ligaments of your feet and the weight gain due to pregnancy stretches your ligaments further. As a result, you may see that your feet’s length and width increase and your shoes no longer fit. Some women even grow one full shoe size. Don’t panic and buy loads of new shoes as the shoe size would reduce after birthing when the ligaments tighten up and you lose the extra weight.

    4. Heightened Sense of Smell

    Your body produces more estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which allows you to smell things from a far distance too. It can be good when you get to smell all the good food cooking in the kitchen but it can be bad when you smell the garbage too. So, be sure to use this special power wisely.

    5. YOUR JOINTS SOFTEN

    To ensure that your baby gets out of your body (pelvis to be precise) smoothly, your body produces a hormone relaxin that softens your ligaments and helps the baby to enter into the world easily. Here’s the proof that your body actually changes for your little ones comfort.

    6. FULLER HAIR, YAY!

    When you are pregnant you might have fuller hair. It is due to the production of estrogen in your body that helps reduce the hair fall at its normal rate.  Women may also lose a lot of hair after the birthing because so little fell off when they were pregnant. So, don’t panic when you lose a bit of extra hair after your baby arrives, your body is just making up for the less hair fall during pregnancy. All will be well in the end.

    7. Cravings are a Signal

    All expectant mothers have different cravings. While some cravings may be harmless, other might be a sign. For example, if you crave salt, ice or even dirt (yes, women feel that), it means your body has fewer nutrients. Hence, you should always share your craving details with your obstetrician.

    8. Baby Comes First for Mommy’s Body Too!

    This is the most amazing thing about pregnancy. Whenever you eat, your baby gets the nutrients from the food first and the nutrients that are not needed by the baby are passed on to the mom. It’s a classic example of the special bond between a mother and the baby. You must eat for your baby when you are pregnant otherwise, your body will take the nutrients from you to keep baby healthy and you might lose your health.

    9. Tall Women Are More Likely To Have Twins

    If you are tall, you are more likely to have two kids at one time. It was revealed by a study conducted by Dr. Gary Steinman in 2006. He is an obstetrician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

    10. You Won’t Believe Who Else Feels Pregnancy Symptoms

    Your partner or the father of your baby will be with you every step of the way. Some expectant dads even feel pregnancy symptoms like cravings. It’s been documented and it’s named as the couvade syndrome. Dads can feel the symptoms from the first trimester till the birthing.  You must not laugh at them and help them get through it because men need more help with pregnancy symptoms, don’t you agree?

    WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR CRAZIEST PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS?

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