Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Redefining the Motherhood Experience: 6 Apps That Can Help You Organize

As a new mother, chances are you’re trying to juggle between taking care of your baby, doing chores or completing business obligations, or even trying to squeeze in some time for yourself. While these are all natural aspects of motherhood, becoming a parent can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time we could all use some help with, and technology might be the ideal answer. If you are looking for ways to organize and make motherhood a bit easier to handle, here are some beneficial apps that might help:

Daily baby activity apps

If you’re in search of an application that will allow you to monitor your child’s everyday activities, there are a number of tracker apps like Baby Bundle and Total Baby that do the job well. These apps will give you the opportunity to log pooping and sleeping schedules, monitor feeding times, and keep track of bath routines. Offering some extra features you could record, such as doctor’s appointments, vaccination charts, and even helpful parenting guides, these tracking apps can be incredibly useful when monitoring the day-to-day activity of both newborns and older children.

Nursing and feeding trackers

While keeping up with your baby’s feeding schedule might be a difficult task for many new moms, there are plenty of apps that could help make this an easier and more pleasant experience. In case you are breastfeeding, an app like Baby Tracker Nursing will allow you to monitor your child’s breastfeeding schedule, record nursing times, or even share these details with a doctor, while an app like Milk Maid could be particularly helpful if you are pumping, allowing you to track your stored milk as well. If you haven’t decided to breastfeed, on the other hand, an application like IBaby Feed Timer will allow you to track the number of bottle feeds, the duration of feeding sessions, and even anticipate the time of the next feed.

Child development apps

If you’re looking for an all-around organizer that will allow you to keep track of all your motherhood needs in one place, a baby development app such as Mumli would be the ideal solution. This application will give you the opportunity to create your own profile where you could post updates and ask questions, and even follow and connect with other moms to share information, advice, and personal experience about all things baby-related. However, possibly the most useful aspect of Mumli is the fact that it allows you to create and share collections, providing you with a space where you could organize the mess of screenshots, articles, and messages you’ve collected in one easily accessible place.

Baby-friendly maps

In case you plan on traveling with your child, you might need some additional help when it comes to finding baby-friendly locations in new and unfamiliar destinations. Applications such as Mom Maps can be of great help, providing you with maps pinned with parks, shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, and other places you could safely visit with your baby, all approved by other mothers. But if you need more detailed apps for your own area, an app like Instant Playdates might be a better option. This application gives you the opportunity to connect with moms who have children of the same age as yours, allowing you to schedule playdates, arrange meetups, or even call them over to your home for bonding time.

Health-based applications

What first-time moms need is often a way they could keep track of their baby’s health, and fortunately, there are a number of apps that could help with this as well. For instance, an application like Growth will let you monitor your kid’s growth according to CDC and WHO guidelines, while apps such as Child Medical History can help you keep up with everything from doctor’s appointments to your baby’s blood type, allergies, test results, and other medical information. If you’re looking for medical apps that could provide useful, doctor-approved health information, WebMD Baby can be a good choice for finding helpful articles regarding health news, caring tips, symptoms to keep in mind, and much more.

Baby monitor apps

Sometimes your organizational needs might simply be monitoring your baby and ensuring they are safe and sound while you take care of necessary chores and other obligations. Thankfully, there are some apps that could help with this aspect as well. In case you don’t have a larger budget, or you simply haven’t had enough time to invest in a baby monitor, applications like Cloud Baby Monitor will allow you to turn any two smart devices you already own, such as a phone and a tablet, into a streaming device that gives you the opportunity to monitor your baby with ease.

Staying organized as a new mother is never an easy task, but the beneficial apps mentioned above might allow you to turn this beautiful yet stressful period into an easier and more enjoyable time.

Tips for the Stay-At-Home Dad

Old traditions are being replaced with new ones, as society evolves alongside technology and in many relationships, it is the woman who goes out and earns the money, while hubby takes the backstage role. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about; if she makes more money than you do, then this is the smart way to move forward; besides, many family men make some money with an online business.

If you are taking the home role in the relationship, here are a few tips to make the transition work.

✓ Be Systematic – Most men are visibly shocked when they start managing a family home, wondering how their partner manages to do everything without effort! Plan the daily clean like you would a military campaign and stick to timetables. The house doesn’t clean itself and whether or not parenting is on the menu, you need to allocate enough time to keep things clean. Hardwood floors need to be swept and mopped daily, while the vacuum deals with carpets and rugs (every other day is recommended) and putting the trash out on the right day is another chore not to overlook.

✓ Make Good Use of the Internet – Time is very important when you have a large house to manage and your weekly groceries can be bought online and delivered to your door, as can anything else that you need. For liquid refreshment, check out one of the local breweries in Sydney Australia, where you can buy fine craft beers online, then you’ll always have a few beers in the cooler when friends pop round. Any domestic services you need can be sourced with a Google search, should you experience a blocked drain or burst water pipe.

✓ Create a Weekly Chart – This will be your guide to the many daily tasks and when you list everything within a timeline, you become very efficient. Monday might be the upstairs cleaning day, with Wednesday afternoon set aside for your online work (has to be done at some time); all tasks should be listed, along with any supplies you might need.

✓ Pamper your Partner – Of course, you know how it feels to come home after a long day at the office, so do go out of your way to pour her a glass of wine and prepare an armchair where she can relax while waiting for that delicious dinner that’s in the oven. She will appreciate you running a hot bath and bringing her a drink when she arrives and this keeps the relationship on an even keel. Click here for tips to develop sustainability in your life.

✓ Parenting – If you are looking after young children, this is a whole new ball game that will stretch your parenting skills to the max! It is paramount that you don’t run out of essentials like tissue and wipes, so keep your eye on supplies and when the kids are asleep is the time for the housework!

A few years as a stay at home dad will certainly broaden your horizons and give you another perspective of your relationship; here is some Australian government information on working from home, which might prove to be invaluable.

No-Nonsense Tips for Your Family’s Budget

Does your spending ever go off course? You aren’t the only one. Although it isn’t ideal to go over budget, every family does it every once in a while.

Maybe there’s a big sale on diapers that cost more upfront but promises big long-term savings, so you sink a little more money than usual on this household essential. Or perhaps you have to call a late-night plumber to deal with an emergency leak and get stuck with a shocking invoice.

Overspending only becomes a problem when the months you overspend start to outnumber the months you follow your budget. Chronic overspending can stretch your paycheck thin and leave you unprepared for emergencies or future goals.

So how do you fix an underperforming budget and get your spending back on course? Check out these no-nonsense tips to help you save more.

Plan for Emergencies

Nobody plans to take their kid to the walk-in clinic or emergency dentist, but things happen. Your son might chip his tooth on a jawbreaker, or your daughter may hurt herself climbing a tree.

Unexpected medical expenses are one of the worst culprits for going over your budget, even if you have insurance. Between deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket costs, they can wrack up a big bill.

You should set aside some money each month for these unpredictable expenses. If you’re short of what you need, you can apply for a cash advance to help you out. You can find a short term small dollar loan that works in a pinch if you get approved. But it’s helpful to know that cash advances come in different shapes and sizes.

Calculate Irregular Purchases

Irregular expenses are your budget’s worst enemy. It’s easy to forget about these expenses until they crash-land in your budget. You might not have the wiggle room to pay for them on such short notice.

That’s why you should sit down and make a list of all those expenses that come once or twice a year. Here are some to help you brainstorm:

Toiletries
Clothes
Dental check-ups
Vehicle tune-ups
Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays
Income and/or property tax
Union dues

Try out Different Budgets

Yep, you read that right. There are different kinds of budgets! While the financial world talks in a single “budget,” they use it to describe any deliberate spending plan.

Perhaps the most common budgeting method is the percentage budget. It splits your spending into three major categories and assigns them a percentage of your income. According to this method, you should spend 50% of your money on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings.

While this breakdown might make sense to you, it might not! There are tons of other budgeting methods out there for you to explore. Here are two of them:

The Envelope System: This method splits your month’s income into envelopes for each major spending category, like rent and groceries. Once these envelopes are empty, you can’t spend any more in that category until the next month. Although typically a cash-based system, there’s a way to do it digitally, too.
Zero-Based Budget: Also known as the zero-sum budget, this method means you give a job to every last penny you earn. By assigning tasks, you’ll be encouraged to use your money responsibly. It also prevents cash from sitting in your accounts, begging to be spent on splurges.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been spending more money than you should, these tips help you budget with intention. Try them out to give yourself a better chance at following your plan!

Do Big Breeds Eat A Lot? How To Make A Perfect Diet Plan For Your Pup

Not all dog foods are created equal. In fact, there are dog foods specifically formulated for puppies, senior dogs, and small breeds. But what do you do if you have a large dog? And, do big breeds eat a lot more? And, how do you know what and how much to feed them? Here’s what you need to know to make the perfect diet plan for your pup.

Talk To Your Veterinarian

First, you should always talk to your dog’s veterinarian before deciding on your dog’s diet. Why? For one, their veterinarian can help you find the correct food for them. But also, you’ll learn if your dog has any specific dietary needs, has allergies, or needs a certain serving size.

For example, some experts and veterinarians recommend a low fat diet for large dog breeds, especially if they have a higher opportunity at becoming overweight or obese. But that doesn’t mean that every large dog needs to be fed a low fat diet. However, a larger dog, especially if more active, will need more calories than a smaller dog. A veterinarian will tell you where to keep your dog’s daily caloric intake.

Last but not least, it’s important to know the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your big breed will need. Many large breeds have joint and bone problems throughout their life. A diet higher in Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin D can help keep your dog from being deficient and making those joint and bone problems worse.

Use The Proper Food During Each Stage Of Life

Even with dog food formulas made for big dogs, there are still differences in the recipes for puppies, adults, and seniors. And, if your dog has allergies, digestive issues, or needs a special diet, that will affect the type of food they need as well. This all leads to choosing the best dog food based on your dog’s current needs.

Did you know that large and giant breeds typically don’t reach adulthood until about 18 months? Unlike smaller dogs, they need a little more extra time to grow. So, instead of switching your puppy to adult dog food right at 12 months like you would a smaller breed, you’ll need to keep them on puppy food for a while longer.

And of course, larger dogs also tend to reach their senior years faster than small dogs. In fact, many bigger dogs have a lifespan of only 7 to 12 years. So you’ll need to switch to senior dog food faster than you would with a smaller dog.

Look At The Size Of The Food

Have you ever seen kibble from different brands or formulas? Some dog food is small and round, while others are larger disks. And yes, size really does matter when it comes to your dog’s food.

Your dog will enjoy their food more when their food fits in their mouth properly. Plus, for large breeds, the larger food pellets allow them to chew their food versus just swallowing it whole. Thus, this helps your dog eat their food slower and could help keep them from eating too fast and overeating.

When your dog is a puppy, you may be able to get away with smaller sized kibble. Just be sure that if your pup is eating too fast, that you adjust their portions or get dog food with larger pieces. Puppies can choke if they swallow too much kibble at once, even if the food is small.

Another way to keep your big breed from overeating or wolfing down their food is to focus on the container that their food is in. While the size of the food matters, so does the container that holds the food. If your dog has a habit of eating too fast or choking on food, try a slow feeding food bowl.

Always Measure Out Their Food

Last but not least, you’ll need to measure out the proper serving size for your dog. Just because they are a bigger breed, it doesn’t mean that they can eat food all day, every day. On almost all bags of commercial dog food, you’ll even find their recommended serving size for your dog.

If making homemade food, feeding canned food, or if the food you purchase for your dog doesn’t have a recommended serving size, talk to your vet. They can help you come up with a diet plan and the proper serving size of food for your dog.

You’ll also need to update how much you feed your dog and how often as they grow. While a pup may only need 2 cups of food, an adult that’s 100 pounds may need 4 cups or more of dog food a day. Also, if your dog is highly active, they may need more food as well. These are all questions to ask your veterinarian when creating the perfect diet plan for your dog.

Here are some of the recommended serving sizes for popular big breeds:

English Mastiff (120 to 130 pounds): 6 to 10 cups of food a day
Great Dane (110 to 175 pounds): 5 to 10 cups of food a day
Saint Bernard (120 to 180 pounds): 6 to 7 cups of food a day
Bernese Mountain Dog (70 to 115 pounds): 3 to 6 cups of food a day
German Shepherd (70 to 100 pounds): 3 to 5 cups of food a day

Do Big Breeds Eat A Lot? The Perfect Diet

As you can see, most larger dogs do in fact need a lot more food than their smaller counterparts. While talking to your veterinarian will help you decide on the type of food and serving sizes, it’s important to remember that your large breed will eat more.

This can seem like a lot of you’re not used to large dog breeds, or if your dog is highly active and always seems hungry. But trust that their bodies were made to eat more, and as long as you’re feeding them nutritious and appropriate dog food, they should be just fine.

How to Take Camping to the Next Level

Introduction

If you are one of the many people who enjoy a good camping trip, you might find some very helpful information here. Today’s article is all about how you can take camping to the next level. This can mean one of two things:

A) Making your camping experience more relaxing and luxurious
B) Making your camping experience more primitive and authentic

Depending on your habits and preferences, you might choose one or the other. These approaches can also be mixed to a certain extent. For instance, you might choose to make your campfires with friction-based methods while still making use of a well-equipped RV. It’s all up to you, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Try Some Rappelling

If you want to try something exciting, a little bit of rappelling might be just the thing. Now, let’s be clear: Rappelling can be very dangerous if it’s not done properly. Thus, you need the help of a certified expert if you don’t know what you are doing. Don’t think you can just “wing it,” because that kind of thinking might literally end your life.

Now that we have made you aware of the danger, let’s understand the flipside: Rappelling is both safe and a lot of fun when done correctly. Also, you don’t necessarily have to go to the highest cliff in the park. Inexperienced people can certainly opt for a short drop, although you should still use a belaying line for maximum safety.

Incorporate Some Hunting Or Fishing

Not everyone enjoys these activities, but they are an essential part of life in the wild. As such, these experiences add a lot to your experience and can be the most memorable part of a good camping trip. Besides, you also have the chance to land some very tasty meals. Fishing tends to be less restricted in most areas, but hunting on private lands will offer you a lot more freedom than public lands.

Of course, it is important that you respect all relevant laws and regulations for your area. Many outdoor-focused stores will give away hunting/fishing guidebooks for free, and these will tell you what is in season, what is not, and what rules must be followed.

Upgrade Your RV Amenities

Let’s face it, sleeping on the ground isn’t for everyone. In particular, those with back problems and other health issues may not find it expedient to sleep in rough conditions. If that description fits you, we would recommend using a high-quality RV queen mattress.

If your existing RV bed is a little better than the ground, you need to purchase an upgrade. You have a number of good options depending on the size and thickness desired. This will help you to wake up feeling rested and active, ready for another exhilarating day in the wild.

Bring A Small Solar Generator

Even if you are trying for a rough and primitive experience, you might want a little bit of electricity. If nothing else, you will probably need to charge your phone in order to keep up with important events in the civilized world. A laptop or tablet can provide welcome entertainment when sitting around the fire or in the tent, and the other people in your camping party will probably have certain needs as well.

Thankfully, there is no need to haul a full-size generator out there. There are small solar-powered generators that can generate just what you need with minimal fuss and no fuel expense. If you have a big RV, you might opt for some pre-charged deep-cycle batteries, as these can be used to power a wide range of items.

Conclusion

Whether you want an easier experience or a rougher, more authentic experience, these are just a few of the ways that you can take your camping to the next level. The real key here is planning. Without planned activities, your camping trip will mostly consist of chatting around the fire and aimless hikes. These kinds of things can be fun, but why not amp things up and get the most memorable trip that you can? We hope this article has given you some good ideas, and we wish you the best of luck.

Explore the Multiple Advantages of Using Party Canopy Tents

If you are thinking of hosting an outdoor party or social event, you may consider using canopy party tents so that you can customize the color schemes and use creative banners, and most importantly, make your guests feel welcome and comfortable too.

Canopy party tents could be utilized for a broad spectrum of outdoor social events and functions for providing adequate cover for all your guests and your patio furniture. We have seen flea market vendors and craft or trade show buffs use canopy tents frequently for displaying their items and goods. Let us explore some of the advantages of using outdoor party canopy tents.

Best for Ultimate Shade, Safety, & Protection

Canopy tents are the ultimate source of shelter, shade, and safety. Your canopy tents are best for safeguarding your patio furniture and your guests from harsh weather elements such as scorching sun or rains during outdoor events or get-togethers. These versatile tents are best for providing protection during unexpected light showers or drizzles.

Rains cannot any longer dampen your party spirits because now you and your guests may consider relaxing under a canopy instead of worrying and fretting about getting soaked in the rain.

Just in case, you are worried about all your patio furniture getting excessive exposure to the rains or harsh sunshine, you may consider using a nice protective canopy tent that is best for providing an effective and even decorative solution.

Have Access to Diverse Color Schemes & Designs

Your outdoor events become successful thanks to a certain extent to canopy tents as they are available in a host of colors and sizes. You can determine the exact size of the tent necessary depending on the accurate number of visitors or guests you are expecting for your social event or party.

Canopy tents are best for ensuring that your friends get adequate space for eating, sitting comfortably, and enjoying protection from harsh weather elements. Moreover, canopy tents present a host of color schemes and eye-catching designs just right for social events and gatherings.

For Enjoying Your Weekend College Trips

Traveling could prove to be exhilarating and exciting. According to Forbes, travel is fantastic for boosting your overall well-being. However, a remarkable amount of scientific study and research has revealed that exploring and roaming about a new place may work wonders on your emotional and mental health.

For college students, it could be enticing to go off campus at times to break the monotony of studying hard during the four years of higher education in college. Going on a weekend study tour or a fun trip with your college mates could help to ease your stress or tension of excelling in your coursework.

You are relaxed and rejuvenated and come back with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Your trips are made enjoyable and safe from unexpected inclement weather conditions with the help of colorful and protective canopy tents.

Conclusion

Canopy tents provide protective cover outdoors against harsh weather elements. They help to make your outdoor events nice and cozy. You can have fun and merriment with your friends and family thanks to attractive and functional canopy tents. Enjoy weekend backyard parties and BBQs thanks to the shelter and shade provided by these versatile canopy tents.

Gift Ideas for Your Child

Children are different these days. Their lives are informed by technology. They spend most of their time on a tablet, phone, or computer. It can be difficult to know what to buy your children for their birthday, Christmas, or another special occasion. Still there are many options you should think about. Whether your child loves video games, adventure, or sports, there are plenty of gift ideas for their day or moment. Read below to find some great gifts for your kids when they deserve something special.

Outdoor & Sports Equipment

Over the last year all of us have spent a lot of time inside. If your kids are like most of us, they want to get out and enjoy being outside around other children. One great idea for a gift is to buy them outdoor or sports equipment. Whatever your child is into, there is a great gift for them to use outside.

A new baseball bat, a basketball hoop, a tent for camping, a bike, skateboard, snowboard, and more are all great ideas to buy a child for their birthday or another occasion. Ask them a few questions. Pay attention to what sparks their interest and you just might find the perfect outdoor and sports gear to buy them. You won’t just be making them happy, you will be encouraging them to get out and exercise.

Gaming Products

If your kid loves video games, you might not want to continue buying them more games that they will play inside. You don’t want to discourage their passion but want them to spend time doing other things as well. One way to cultivate their interest while avoiding buying yet another game or console is to buy a gaming subscription box. These individually curated boxes offer products that are about a particular game or subject but aren’t games themselves. The products include t-shirts, socks, figurines, books, statues, blankets, bags, and more. Whether your child is into Zelda, Kingdom of Hearts, or another game, there is a box with all kinds of merchandise they will surely love.

A Weekend Trip

Some children want to go out and do something for their gift. This can be in a variety of different contexts. Do they like camping? Do they want to go skiing or hiking? What about theme parks? With Disneyland and others opening back up, a lot of kids want to go on rides and lose themselves in the fun. Depending on what your child is interested in, you can purchase tickets or set aside some time for the trip that they’ve been craving. Not only will it be fun for them, it’s a great way to satisfy the whole family. With technology becoming an omnipresent part of our society, getting out and doing something interactive and physical can be a great gift.

A Specific Activity

Theme parks and the outdoors aren’t the only activities you can give to your child as a gift, there are plenty of other options. What about taking them to the zoo or an aquarium? A science museum ever disappoints. What about a natural history museum? You can surprise them with a specific craft idea. Think about what your child likes and find an outing or activity that best suits their personality. You can even book a snorkeling outing or rent off-road vehicles. It doesn’t have to be very time-consuming to satisfy your child.

Educational Gifts

In addition to the outdoors, activities, and video games, there are plenty of ways to sneak in education into a gift. A monthly book subscription is a great gift for the voracious reader and curious mind. Table top games can boost their critical thinking and provide knowledge about a range of different subjects. A pair of binoculars may bolster their interest in nature. There are all kinds of fun gifts that are also useful, educational, and interactive. Your child may love any number of outside-the-box gift ideas.

Every child is different and wants different things, but there are all kinds of gifts that they will like while being good for them. Do some thinking. Ask them about their current interests. Observe their habits. If you take into account who they are becoming and what will make them happy, you will find an array of amazing gift options to choose from.

Helping Your Child Leave the Nest

Summer is approaching quickly and students are graduating from high school and college. If your child is graduating, their life will be changing quickly. Even if your child isn’t leaving university or high school, when they need to leave the home they require help at first. Whatever the situation, facilitating the process of your child leaving the nest will help them stay independent. With so many people going back home after they’ve left, it’s important to support them so they get on their feet. Here are a few situations that you can help them with so that you can become an empty nester.

Leaving For College

It’s always scary to graduate high school and begin your college career. If your child is graduating this year, you already know where they are going to college. There are still preparations to be done. Have you decided whether they will stay on the campus or off-campus? They will likely need financial assistance to get started at their new home. Will your student start working? If so, you should encourage your child to start looking for a job where they are going to school right away. You should also go shopping for supplies and clothing. College is a big time and they will need to get a lot of things in order. Don’t wait to help them get started.

Graduating College

Perhaps it is even scarier to graduate college. You are going out into the unknown. When your child is graduating from college, there are some things you should help them with. First, you should talk to them about their next steps. Will they do an internship before they get a job? Either way, they will have to get their resume together. Help them build a resume for the job they want. For additional support with the resume writing process, it might even be a good idea to contact a California resume service like ARC Resumes or a similar professional resume writing service in your local area for some tips and advice. Will your child be coming from after college or will they be living somewhere else? You will likely have to help them move. The most important thing is to quell their fears. Leaving college is a scary time and they will not know what to do next.

Getting a Job

It isn’t easy for any new college graduate to get a job. There are a variety of things you should do to help them get hired. The first occupation your child may not be exactly what they want it to be. Even if they can’t find a position in the field they want to go to college for, it’s important for them to start working after they graduate. It’s vital for them to go out into the real world and start working. If they don’t get a job, they will be delaying the process of adjusting to the real world and life. They’ll need to get the right experience to get employed at the job of your dreams.

Renting an Apartment

Whether they are getting a job right out of college and need to find a home, renting an apartment for the first time can be very difficult. If they don’t have any credit, you might need to cosign for them. They also might need a down payment. A great option to help them transition smoothly is to have them live at home for a while to save money when they begin working. They will likely be moving in with roommates. It’s important to meet them and vet the situation. You have much more real world experience than your child, they might not want you to be a part of it but you should help them secure their first apartment when they are moving out.

Whether your child is graduating high school, going to college, graduating college, getting a job, or renting their first place, your child will need assistance. It won’t be easy for them to get started in real life. The next few years will be difficult, but if you encourage them not to give up they will be able to create a happy, prosperous life. If you do all that you can to set your child up with their own situation, the chances that they will come back will decrease and they will stay independent. You won’t regret supporting their journey into their new life.

Dressing Sustainably For Life

Wellness, Sustainability, Self-Love, while all of these have become a bit of buzzwords over the last few years, it’s with good reason. All of these concepts are things that we should be living our truths with gusto. If we want to pass down a more sustainable and safe planet for our children, we as the gatekeepers of their futures need to show them the way by living this way ourselves. We show them self-love by taking the time we need as parents to do the things that we love, and sometimes we include the children in those activities. We show them about wellness by feeding them healthy foods, involving them in physical activities and mindfulness practices. And, we show them sustainability by choosing not to use single-use items. By packing their lunches in “different” bags and boxes than some of their peers. By giving them the chore of helping with recycling. But, what about when it comes to one essential thing that we as humans do every single day – get dressed. It’s time we start not only dressing ourselves sustainably but imparting the importance of doing so on our children as well. Here’s how we can get that done.

Start With Ourselves

If you’re like most of us this past year, you’ve been basically living in loungewear. Heck, if you’re like most mothers, you’ve been living in some form of athleisure or loungewear since you had your children. But where are those made? What was the actual cost of that twenty-dollar pair of leggings? Instead of buying quantity, choose quality. Purchase a sustainable pair of bamboo yoga pants and buy a pair for your mini as well. You can explain how they feel so much softer and more comfortable. Let them know the reasons why. You can also use this moment to teach them about the unfortunate and horrible conditions some people are forced to work in to create the clothing that we see mass-produced in so many big box stores. It may seem like a heavy topic, but no one knows your child better than you. If it’s a conversation you feel comfortable having with them, it’s essential to have it.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Gosh, how long has this phrase been around? You would think after decades of hearing it, we would have applied it to the way we consume fashion. Unfortunately, many, if not most of us, have not. The way it’s meant in terms of our clothing is to reduce the amount of clothing you buy. Simple. With so many people moving towards minimalism in a lot of areas of their lives, reducing clothing consumption is a natural step. Reuse what you already own. Do you have things that you’d wear more or again if you took them to the tailor? Stop procrastinating and do it. Breathe new life into that favorite garment you’ve cast aside because you didn’t feel like taking it to get altered. Reuse is also applicable to second-hand shopping. When you buy second-hand, you’re keeping clothing out of the landfill and giving it a new loving home. As a mother, shopping second-hand makes incredible sense as our kids are growing so quickly; why spend a ton of money for them only to wear it a month or two? And, trust me, your child can absolutely stay on-trend wearing second-hand clothing because parents are donating their kids outgrown clothing every day. You won’t have a hard time finding current pieces shopping this way. Lastly, recycling simply means to either donate your preloved clothing to a donation center or to friends and family you know could use it.

Buy From Sustainable Brands

You may find this is alarming, but did you know that most of the clothes you’ll discover mass-produced contain plastic? And you wonder how microplastics are even found in falling snow. Purchase your clothing from sustainable brands that are ethically sourced and manufactured. You want to make sure your clothing is made of natural fabrics like cotton, silk, bamboo, or linen. You’ll not feel better wearing it, and you’ll look better too. It also has the added health benefit of allowing your skin to breathe and not exposing you to harmful dyes in your fabrics.

This list isn’t all-inclusive. But, it is a jumpstart on things you can do to start living a greener life for yourself and your family. The idea of including your children in these types of choices is yours to make but certainly sets them up for making important decisions as they age. We have one life on this planet, so let’s make it a better one than we found it, for our children and our own consciences.

Tips for Making Your Outdoor Space as Inviting as Your Indoor Space

Homeowners are going in more for things like family rooms and outdoor kitchens that will give them the same comfort as those indoor spaces. Some of the things that will need to be considered for this are transitions, privacy, heating and gas lines.

Here’s a quick look at a few tips for making your outdoor spaces more inviting.

Kitchen

The days when cooking a meal outdoors meant a few lawn chairs, a table, and a grill are long gone. With outdoor kitchen design software, you can unify your indoor and outdoor spaces to allow for movement that’s free-flowing from one of those spaces to the other. If you have this ease of movement, you’ll be better able to enjoy all of the features of your indoor kitchen while you also enjoy the outdoors.

You can make things even more inviting too. Just add a bit of style and luxury with the outdoor garden furniture you choose and you’ll be comfortable as well. That will even allow for better socializing and entertaining. Who knows, you might even decide to go for a walk-up bar if that’s your scene.

Define It

Spaces such as these can serve more than a single function. These important outdoor spaces might have a main purpose as a kitchen, but a lot of homeowners also add a conversation or seating area in an effort to compliment that specific space.

When you’re in the design phase, it’s critical to give each of the spaces you’re designing a purpose. This will create an environment that’s more appealing while also helping to plan for the flow of traffic through that particular area. Think about separating the various spaces with things like rugs, flower boxes, or plants in order to clearly define entertainment, eating, and living areas.

Privacy

The lack of curtains and/or walls for privacy can make your outdoor spaces feel a bit exposed and make them less inviting. That being said, there are a plethora of ways to develop a bit more intimacy and privacy while not needing to sacrifice the aesthetics of the space. Getting creative with the landscaping, or putting up a privacy fence, are just a couple of the options.

Consistency

When you’re integrating your outdoor and indoor areas, making sure that you keep the design consistent is key. If you maintain a similar design, it will assist with the creation of a cohesive look between the areas, which then makes the visible transition between them more aesthetically pleasing. Things like a similar style of furniture, color palette, and accessories will enhance both spaces while making the outdoor area seem to be only an extension of the indoor space.

Temperature

Many homeowners would like to enjoy all areas of the home – both indoor and outdoor – all throughout the year. If you happen to live in a chillier clime, it’s critical for you to consider the requirements for heating your outdoor space. Similarly, those in warmer areas might want to consider cooling options for those sweltering months. As far as heating goes, gas patio heaters, chimineas, a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace might be good options. An air conditioner and fans would be good options for cooling.

Outdoor living spaces are a fantastic way to create a bit more space for living and entertaining. They’re able to serve many various functions and make the spaces just as enjoyable to spend time in as any of the other areas of your home. Enjoy more of your downtime in the outdoors while still at home with a gorgeous outdoor space.