Friday Favourites No. 1

Happy Friday! Today we are sharing a round up some of our favourite things from around the web and in real life. Take a look.

Favourite recipe: Harissa Chicken Tray Bake by Jamie Oliver
Favourite book for mama: The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell
Favourite book for little one: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Favourite podcast episode: Friendship Village by Reply All
Favourite Instagram account: @madebysohn
Favourite article: How to Raise a Gracious Kid from A Cup of Jo
Favourite kids clothing: Denim Button Up Pinafore from Zara Kids
Favourite comic: Figuring out Motherhood

Top image by @christin_simplybloom

5 Tips for Quality Time with your Kiddos as a Working Mom

As a working mom, you can be away for long hours during the day and sometimes that can feel like you miss spending quality time with your kiddos. But working outside of the home doesn’t mean second best for your children. You may just need to be a little more intentional when it comes down to spending time together as a family. Here are some tips to help you along.

1. Add special time with your kiddos into your daily routine. This could be morning cuddles before you get ready for work or reading your little one a story before bed every night. Just be sure to be consistent with what you choose to do, so your kiddo knows what to expect.
   

2. Wherever you are be all there. If you are spending time with your kiddo, be sure that you are present and participating in the activity. It is easy to be with your child physically but be distracted by your phone. So set aside your device.
   

3. Schedule a mommy and me time once a month. This could be on a weekend or it could mean taking a day off to spend some one-on-one time with your kid. Fetch them from school early one day and take them to do their favourite thing. Kids thrive on undivided attention.
   

4. Include them in what you are doing. If you are busy with washing dishes, let them help with the drying up or if you are doing your makeup, let them sit and chat with you. Just being with you doing everyday things still counts as spending time with your little one.
   

5. Ask them about their days. Ask specific questions and let your kid tell you about what they did, who they saw or any little thing that happened during their day. Ask them how it made them feel. Truly listen to them.

These are just a few things that will help you on your path to more intentional quality time with your kids. What are some of your suggestions?

Top image source unknown.

Tips for preparing + introducing your older kiddo to the new baby

Transitioning from being parents of 1 to being parents of 2 is an interesting, joyful and sometimes very difficult process. This can also be a difficult and confusing time for your older kid who has always had your full attention and hasn't had to share you before. So we thought we'd share some tips on how to introduce your older kiddo to the new baby. 

Preparation

1. Talk about it. Explain to your child what is going to happen. Tell them about their new sibling that will be arriving. Let them know that it won't be an immediate playmate. 

2. Involve them in the process. Let them help you pick out baby clothes, decorate the nursery, come with to the scan (if your doctor allows it) etc. It will help make the new baby feel real before the actual arrival. 

3. Prepare them for being the big brother or sister. Complete potty training, set them up in their big kid bed, start giving them tiny responsibilities etc. By doing this before the baby arrives, they won't feel the shock as much and will already be used to some changes. 

4. Line up who will be caring for your older kiddo while you're in the hospital. Make sure it is someone your kiddo feels safe and comfortable with like a grandparent, aunt or godparent. Make sure that they spend enough time with that person leading up to the birth of the new baby so they aren't surprised to be spending a longer period of time with them. 

Introduction

5. Get a family member or friend to bring the kiddo to the hospital for a quick visit. During this time let the family member hold the baby so you can cuddle and give your devoted attention to your kiddo. 

6. Let your kiddo say hello to the baby whilst you or your spouse are holding it. If your kiddo is still quite little, they won't be able to hold the baby yet. 

7. Give your kiddo something special from the baby. This will make them feel special and noticed whilst everyone is giving the baby a lot of attention. It will also help them not feel too many negative feelings towards the baby.

8. Take your kiddo out to their favourite place just one-on-one without the baby. This will let them know that they aren't forgotten in this confusing process. Keep letting your kiddo know that they are loved and special to you even though things have changed. 

This article was adapted from an incredible Mayo Clinic article. Read more about helping your kiddo adjust, older kiddos acting out, breastfeeding around your kiddo and more in the original article here. 

Top image found here. 

On being a good enough mom

We know we can't be perfect, no one can, but as a mother it is a difficult concept to remember. We believe that if we aren't perfect moms and wives and women, then we're failing. The truth is that we are good enough, even in our imperfections. Read this excerpt from Wit and Delight about being a good enough mom. 

"When caregivers let their humanity show in manageable ways in the safety of the family circle, children learn big lessons: The world still turns when it doesn’t revolve around them. Parents should be safe but cannot be all-powerful. Do not be surprised by your own shortcomings. Be patient, be prepared to problem solve, and be aware of your own responsibility.

Acceptable. Adequate. These are good; they are enough.

“Good Enough” isn’t just passable – it’s the only real option. The “Best Mother” bill of goods begins in fear of pain or failure, vulnerability or lack of control, feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty about personal worth, pride, comparison and incorrect assumptions about others, unobtainable standards, or impossible expectations. In truth, no one is either a) perfect or b) surrounded by and steeped in perfect circumstances. Shame, disgust, or denial in response to honest human mistakes is misdirected and unhelpful."

Read the full article here. 

Top image source unknown.