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Our Toe Walking Journey Part 3: Casting & Braces

November 5, 2018 by Danielle 2 Comments

While we still have a ways to go before the ‘end’ of our story, we’re trying to share with you all along the way. We were clueless before this began (and do still have many questions, I’m sure), so I want to help other parents that may have a child who also walks on their toes. Today we’re onto Our Toe Walking Journey Part 3: Casting & Braces – the part that we’re in at the moment, and will be for several months to come!

In case you missed it, we shared the first steps of our journey (meeting doctors, discussing options) HERE, and then discussed the next step (MRI under anesthesia) HERE so be sure you go check those out. After the MRI came back clear, we were good to move forward with the original plan – casting and braces for his legs to both train his legs to be able to bend how they should, but also train him to walk ‘flat foot’ (that’s what we call it, easier for him to understand).

First step: Casting for Toe Walking

The reason we had to do casts on his legs were that he’d been walking on his toes so long, he’d actually allowed his muscles and tendons to grow/adjust to that angle. He wasn’t ABLE to make an ‘L’ (90 Degree Angle) with his leg and foot, even if he tried to force it or we tried to stretch it. Because of this, it was necessary to stretch out the muscles and ligaments so they would allow him the ability to walk how he should.

The solution was casting – we would take him in to physical therapy every week for several weeks to change his casts, each time stretching the angle of his leg/ankle/foot a bit further. Then the casts would hold that stretch constantly, 24 hours a day for the following week, making his legs adjust to that stretch. At the end of the week, we’d unwrap the crast (it was a wrap kind, not a cut off kind, since it was to be changed weekly) – wash his legs and feet really well, because boy those stunk! – then take him back in for new casts.

It was neat to see how much closer to a 90 degree angle he could get each week, showing that the casts were doing their job. Since the casts weren’t for an injury, he was still allowed to walk on them normally (as normally as a stiff ankle would allow, at least) with little booties to protect the bottoms of the casts. We still had to avoid getting the casts wet or allowing too much physical force (like jumping or kicking), of course, but ultimately they didn’t hinder his play too much. At night, he also had a knee brace (just one, and we’d rotate legs each night, taking turns) to hold his leg straight while he sleeps. This allowed for a little extra ‘stretch’ in the muscles while he was asleep.

We did casts about 5 weeks until one of his legs could go just a tiny bit past 90 degrees, and the other a little further than that. We’d reached out goal – YAY! Now we were ready for the braces. During the casting weeks, we went in (after taking one set of casts off but before our appointment to put new ones on) to orthopedics to have him sized for his braces. They put a cushion around his feet, ankle and legs where the braces would fit, then wrapped a layer of the casting material around for a good fit. The doctor made marks where any indents/bumps and such were, so it would be perfectly fitted and comfortable – even marking the arch of his foot perfectly. They put a tube thing in between the padding and hard material so when they cut it off, there was no possibility of cutting him – not even close.

They cut the castings off his legs, then sent those off to have his braces made. They had a whole book of designs he was allowed to choose from – and he was excited to pick Batman, with green straps, for his!

Shortly before we were done with the casts, we went in to ortho again to make sure the braces fit perfectly – and fixing any parts that may rub him the wrong way, to avoid sores and discomfort. We then had the braces ready for when the last casts came off, and he began wearing them immediately. We had to get TALL socks to wear under them – you don’t want the braces against his skin, since they are a hard plastic – then shoes a size-ish too big so they’d fit over the braces. His braces do have hingest at the back ankle, to allow a little movement, but they do restrict him to walking how he should – no more toe walking!

He has to wear the braces for 23 hours a day, every single day. Yes, that means he sleeps with them on (but not the shoes, obviously) and he does still rotate with the knee brace at night to help that extra stretching. He’ll meet with the doctor and his physical therapist again next month, so they can double check his progress and make sure he hasn’t lost any of the new flexibility the casting gave him and double check they’re still fitting him comfortably (because we all know how fast kids’ feet can grow!). He’s not restricted in what he can do (just whatever he’s comfortable with), though he is slower. He even lasted just great during our Walt Disney World trip, though we did need to get a Disability Access Service for him.

The overall plan is to wear the braces for 4 months for 23 hours each day, then we’ll very gradually taper off an hour a day for awhile. The goal we all set (doctors, physical therapist and us) was a total of 8 months in braces. It all depends on how his legs do, if he does well at walking ‘flat foot’ and not toe walking after he doesn’t have braces, and factors like that. But we’re optimistic and already love how much better he can walk!

What’s your experience with a child toe walking?

Check out the first part of our toe walking journey…

… or the second part of our toe walking journey…

Balancing Digital Entertainment for Kids

November 1, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by the Mom It Forward Influencer Network on behalf of Explore, Discover & Grow. All opinions are mine alone.

Hubby and I were discussing the differences of when we were kids, and now our children’s youth. At school a lot of things were paper and pencil, not tablets. We had way more recess than schools now seem to, as electronic time is slowly taking over. Last year at school, there were so many days my kids would say ‘we didn’t do recess outside today, they had us stay inside and watch a movie’. And if you’re wondering the same thing I did, no it was not an educational movie, just a fun one that’s only purpose is to entertain. What about movement, or learning? This is why parents need to be mindful of Balancing Digital Entertainment for Kids – because although technology, movies, games and such are great and fine, there needs to be a balance with the kids actually being active and learning, too.

Growing up, the norm was for parents to send their kids outside to play – often times until the street lamps would turn on in the evening. Now, kids spend more and more time in front of a screen. Y’all know I love movies and games, especially with my family, but I also know how important it is to not overdo it. Television stations now aim for an 80/20 ratio, with 80% being just entertainment and 20% being education entertainment. If you ask Greg Page – known globally for his role as the original Yellow Wiggle from the children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles – he thinks it should be closer to 50/50. It’s all about balance! In an effort to bring more quality, educational fun to kids’ screen time, he’s leading a revival of children’s educational television with Explore, Discover & Grow.

Greg knows from his many years in early childhood studies and as a teacher that kids learn better by DOING. Too many shows just entertain while the child just sits there. But shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blue’s Clues have shown us how much more excited kids are when they can feel like a part of the show, and be active along with the characters. By involving the kids in the story or activities, they’re also more likely to LEARN and actually retain the information – plus have fun along the way! The more senses they use, the better what they learn is stored in the brain, plus the better they understand it. That’s why he’s been working hard to bring Explore, Discover & Grow to kids – this series of 104, ten-minute videos will be released directly to subscribers 2X per week, making it the perfect length for young kids’ attention spans.

Parents can help bring some balance to digital entertainment for kids with this great series, which will use music, movement, language and play – making it a great ‘edutainment‘ experience for young kiddos. Kids as young as 2 will enjoy the colors, sounds and active motions included, and preschool children will have fun, engaging and educational content that’s designed to teach the whole child. Since it’s created by a teacher with actual experience in applying educational theory in entertainment for over 27 years, you know it’ll be high quality and be perfectly catered to the learning abilities of these younger children.

And guess what? YOU can be a part of this amazing revival by backing their Indiegogo campaign – and you’ll get access to all of the content created! The campaign is now live, and they’re counting on parents like us to help them bring good, educational entertainment back to today’s kids. The closer to their funding goal they’re able to get, the higher quality they’ll be able to produce, so we’re trying hard to help raise awareness – not just here, but all over the world for English-speaking families! Greg’s determination is remarkable, and after having a really great chat with him (at 2am his time, since he’s in Australia – thank you Greg!) to learn more, I really believe this will be the next great screen time show for preschool kids! He’s working hard to make this a reality, and has already created about 60-70 songs for the series.

They have a full plan for the coming year to produce and release these great videos, and his hope is that if they can make the first year successful and as high-quality as planned (with your help by supporting their Indiegogo campaign), the second year can help open up possibilities for others out there with great ideas on quality, educational entertainment for today’s little ones. With more and more non-educational screen time being thrown at our youth all the time, this could really be the start of showing the world that us parents want better for our kids – that we WANT balance in digital entertainment for our children!

See more fun for Explore, Discover & Grow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

Our Toe Walking Journey Part 2: MRI

October 29, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

If you have a toe walking child, you may be wondering what to do about it – or if you even should do anything! Maybe they’ll outgrow it, but sometimes they don’t – such as one of my boys. We’re back sharing more of Our Toe Walking Journey, as we’re doing what we can to get it fixed to prevent future issues with his legs, hips or more.

In case you missed the first part of our toe walking story, be sure to check it out HERE. We talked about what led us to finally seeking a doctor’s help, and how the first visits and decision went. Today, I’m sharing about what was the most terrifying part of this whole adventure so far – him going under anesthesia for an MRI!

Before making more steps for correcting his muscles and ligaments in his legs and feet, they had to rule out other possible issues that could be causing and/or affecting them. As a twin, the chances of him having scarring on his brain were higher, and he also has a sacral dimple (meaning there was a possibility of an abnormality with his spine or spinal cord). To check for both of those, an MRI was required – and since the brain and spine take awhile, it would be about 90 minutes in the machine. Not many kids can sit still that long, much less hold COMPLETELY still in a big machine, so we decided anesthesia was the best option.

We had to be careful of a few things before the MRI, such as making sure he wasn’t sick (cold, flu, etc.) because that can increase the chances of side effects or risk. The night before, he had to stop eating solids about 8pm. He then could only have liquids (like water or apple juice) until around 7am the morning of.

We took him in a few hours before his scheduled time (as instructed) so they could get him all checked in, all the paperwork and questions completed, get him in a gown and take his vitals. We had the few hours just chilling in our room, letting him play on a tablet to help him stay calm, occasionally having a nurse or doctor come talk to us and answer any questions. They asked multiple times about metal – because remember, an MRI machine is like a big magnet!

I admit – I WAS A MESS! I was so nervous, hardly sleeping the night before. I was trying to play it cool, since Thor wasn’t really nervous at all and I didn’t want to cause him any unnecessary worry or stress. I know the risk is minimal, but it’s still there and I’d never had a child have to go through something like this before. I did my best to stay calm and act normal, but was on the verge of tears all morning.

The anesthesiologist came in shortly before to explain exactly what would happen, probably knowing that this momma would be worried. I loved that she also spoke to Thor, so he’d understand and nothing was a surprise. They also allowed him to bring a stuffed animal, that they would sit in the window by the doctor/nurse to ‘watch over him’ while he was out.

Basically, they take him back there and get him comfy (they showed him the MRI machine through the window). They give him one of those ‘fun’ kid masks to go over his nose, calming him and putting him out with the gas. They didn’t do the IV until he was out, knowing that that’s the worst part for many children. Once all settled, they did the MRI, with Thor sleeping comfortably and his vitals being monitored every moment.

We went and got lunch at the food court during this time, and yes I’m a nervous eater so hubby teased me quite a bit as I piled random foods on my tray. We made it back quickly (I was nervous that we wouldn’t be back in time for him to wake up) and sat around quite a while. Once he was done, they watching with him until he started to come out of it enough to remove the mask and such.

They then brought him back to the room and got him comfy on the bed. It still took a bit for him to wake up, and even then it was just a little, then back to rest a bit. When mostly awake, they removed the IV and heart/oxygen monitors. We weren’t rushed or anything, so let him wake up slowly and on his own time. Once awake, he was a little tired for a while still, but not badly. They let him drink some juice and soda, and gave him crackers to ease his stomach.

Within about an hour of leaving the hospital, he was right back to his normal self (and definitely ready to eat more)! I was so relieved it was over and went safely, and appreciated that the staff was so patient with me. I’m sure they’re use to nervous parents!

A week later we got the results of the MRI (the doctor looks over it after getting it from the MRI department) and Thor didn’t have any scarring on the brain OR issues with his spine, so we were cleared to move forward with our plan to correct his toe walking. What a huge relief that was for us! We scheduled our next appointment to move forward with the casting and braces – which I’ll be sharing soon.

For the Rest of our Adventure…

Check out the first post in this story…

…or the most current part here…

Our Toe Walking Journey: Part 1

October 22, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I’ve gone back and forth sharing this adventure with y’all – it’s pretty personal – but ultimately decided that this is Busy Mom’s Helper, meaning we HELP each other through this whole parenting thing. If any of you have children who are toe walkers and aren’t sure what to do, maybe our story will give you some guidance. Today I’m sharing Our Toe Walking Journey, from when we decided it was a problem, to now being smack in the middle of getting things corrected.

First of all, a lot of little kids walk on their toes – it’s just that most outgrow it. When one of my boys, Thor, was getting older but STILL walking on his toes (constantly, not just every now and then), we kept wondering if it was a problem. So many people kept telling us ‘oh, he’ll grow out of it, don’t worry’ and we listened – for too long. You see, we let it get to the point that his muscles, tendons and ligaments were trained and grew to facilitate his toe walking – meaning he COULD NOT walk flat foot, or heel first. He couldn’t even make an ‘L’ (90 degree angle) because he’d walked on his toes constantly for so long! When we finally realized this, around when he turned 8, we decided that we had to look into it more – and I’m so glad we did!

You may be thinking ‘why is toe walking a problem’? Walking like that for too long, especially as they hit puberty or adulthood, can actually really mess with not only their legs and feet, but also their hips and spine. It can cause life-long problems, so it’s important to get it taken care of. Please remember that I’m NOT a doctor, and you should always seek the counsel of licensed medical professionals when making decisions like these.

Side note – Thor does have SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), so things like bouncing are a type of physical input that he really likes and – in a way – needs. That’s one reason we believe he kept walking on his toes, so he could get the sensory input just by walking. It’s important to understand reasons WHY your child may be toe walking longer than most, so just something to keep in mind.

Our pediatrician referred us to the specialists at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and they set up an appointment for us shortly after. At Thor’s first visit, they did measurements (seeing how far his feet could bend, the angles, etc.) and even did videos of him walking so they could accurately track everything. They then scheduled us an appointment with the neurology department, and their doctor who specializes in toe walking problems. She was fantastic, and very informative. We actually learned that there COULD be underlying problems also contributing to the toe walking, and we needed to rule those out before any treatment. If we treated the wrong way or for the wrong thing, it wouldn’t help in the long run. Since Thor is a twin, he had a higher chance of having scarring on his brain, which could be a problem, and also he has a sacral dimple. About 3-8% of the population have a sacral dimple (a small, shallow indentation in the small of the back, just above their bottom), and a small percentage of THOSE could mean spinal abnormalities.

To rule that and the brain scarring out, we had to schedule an MRI – and because they were looking at two major things (spine and brain), it would be 90 minutes. Not many 8 year olds can lay completely still for that long, especially in a large machine (even though they decorated it like a spaceship to help the kiddos), so he would have to be put under anesthesia. Needless to say, this momma was TERRIFIED! There’s always risks when doing anesthesia, especially for kids – but we knew there wasn’t another way to get this figured out. We scheduled his MRI (it can have a decent wait, since it’s not a super rushed issue) for a couple of months later.

Follow the links below for the rest of our adventure…

Part 2 – The MRI and Anesthesia

Part 3: Casting and Leg Braces

Simple Ways to Find Time with Your Spouse

October 5, 2018 by Danielle

Being a parent is super busy, especially when you toss work into the mix. With everything we have to get done, it can seem nearly impossible to really make time for your special someone. With five kids, plenty of pets, work and a household to run, hubby and I have had to learn some Simple Ways to Find Time with Your Spouse so we can still keep making our relationship stronger. We’re not talking awesome dates or elaborate dinners, but just some easy ways to squeeze in some quality time together.

Share a Show

Everyone has their shows that they love to watch – whether it’s at their weekly scheduled time, or binge-watching a past season on Netflix. Try to find a show you and your spouse can enjoy together, then once or twice a week sit down after the kids are in bed to enjoy an episode. That’s less than an hour, so not too crazy of a demand. Plus, you can fit in sharing a bowl of popcorn or ice cream along with it!

Play Games

I wasn’t much of a ‘gamer’ before hubby, but now I’ve learned to really enjoy some games – and it’s really great to share this hobby with him because we can sit down together and play. This means more interaction, sometimes working together and other times friendly competition. Along with this, learning to share hobbies is a great way to be able to grow closer to your significant other – not that ALL hobbies need to be shared (it’s nice to still have your own), but having some can really help you connect.

Lunch Break Phone Calls

I can’t remember when we started this, but several years ago we decided it’d be nice to have a phone call everyday while he’s at work – usually around lunch. This is still going today, and his coworkers know that when they see him pacing outside on the phone, he’s having a nice catch-up chat with me like we do everyday. This is also nice for him, since it’s an ‘excuse’ to get out of the office and walk around a bit – and also on those frustrating work days, he can vent to me instead of fuming in the office until that night! Some days we talk for half an hour or so, others it’s a quick 5 or 10 minutes, depending on what we have going on and what there is to talk about and discuss.

Dinner

Like I said, it doesn’t have to be FANCY – sometimes we just like to feed the kids dinner, get them to bed, and THEN we sit down together to eat. It’s just another little bit that we’re there together, chatting over whatever we want, plus knocking ‘must eat dinner’ off the daily to-do list. This can work for breakfast, too, for those early risers (or WANT to be early risers) to eat breakfast together before the kiddos wake up demanding their food – or right after they are off to school but before leaving for work.

Running Errands

I know, not the most exciting thing in the world, but you can actually have a lot of fun together when running errands. You’re getting something done that needs to be, but you’re also spending time – discussing what you need, maybe even what you want. Hubby and I love daydreaming or ‘dream planning’ about the future when we’re out and about at stores – like if we had a ton of money, we’d remodel our house like this, or get this set for our backyard patio and this is how we’d design it, or whatever. Lots of laughs have been shared during shopping trips with just the two of us!

Morning Drink Run

Like I shared in a previous post about affordable date ideas, even something as simple as going to Sonic to get drinks (or a milkshake – yum!) while listening to music you both love can be a great way to find time with your spouse and build up your relationship.

During our recent trip to Walt Disney World with the family, moments such as having our own teacup while the kids shared 2 others was a nice moment together. Or getting to sit together on one of the roller coasters. I strongly believe couples should take trips with just the two of them regularly (by that, maybe every other year or every few years – doesn’t have to be too often if the budget doesn’t allow!), but still throughout the week make little times to spend time. It doesn’t have to be crazy or fancy or expensive, just something that simple can really help make your bond stronger – and who knows what awesome memories may come of it!

How do you find time with your spouse?

Food Trucks at Schools?

September 21, 2018 by Danielle

This post is sponsored by the School Nutrition Association. All opinions are mine alone.

When my kids started school, I was surprised at how different things were. There were similarities, of course, but many things were new – such as how much homework it seems is normal for younger kids! Not only that, but school meals have switched things up a bit – the more I learn, the more I wonder if mobile ordering, slushie machines and food trucks at schools is the future. I’m not even talking in several years – it’s happening now, and after learning more I’m actually really excited about it!

Photos of food truck, bus & cart – as well as mobile ordering pic – courtesy of Nutrislice & Orange County Schools, Fla.

While at the School Nutrition Association’s National Conference in July, I not only learned about how much goes into the food (and supply) decisions for our kids’ school meals or ways they’re caring for students with food allergies – but also changes they’re making to keep kids actually INTERESTED in the foods. When you think about it, kids eat out so much more often than a decade or so ago. When I was growing up, eating out was a rare treat, but now for many families it seems to be something they do multiple times a month – or even week. That changes kids’ expectations with meals, so school nutrition programs need to alter along with that to keep them happily fed!

For example, take-out type containers look much ‘cooler’ than a simple lunch tray, and even the way it’s served can make it more appealing to kids that are use to a restaurant or fast food meal. One of the ways they’re helping is by changes like the TRAYS the food is served on – they’re starting to offer trays that are designed more like a dinner plate instead of that same weird rectangle shape and layout that we all associate with a school lunch tray. Small and simple changes like this can help kids move away from the ‘uncool school lunch’ mindset, and be more eager to eat the meals offered by their school.

One of the classes I was able to attend while at the School Nutrition Association conference was all about other modern changes being made in schools around the country – like food trucks in schools! Okay, so I don’t mean exactly IN schools (because that would be ridiculous), but several schools have been testing out having food trucks – owned and managed by the school food program – available to their kids during mealtimes. What they found when tested at some Orange County public schools was that breakfast meals served increased by 18% after they started using their food trucks and food carts (how cool is a golf cart-turned food cart? love it!). That means less students skipping meals, and getting the quality food their growing bodies and minds need!

Another thing they tested out was mobile ordering. By having this available to students (because 98% of Gen Z own a smartphone – it’s just natural to them, I suppose) and parents, their pre-orders increased by 15%. No smartphone? Not to worry, kiosks are becoming a thing as well! I remember in high school, some days I was just too busy to stand in line to order food, so I missed out on eating lunch that day. We don’t want kids skipping meals, so having more options to take away the time, stress and hassle (and ‘uncoolness’ apparently) can greatly increase the odds of them eating.

Last, but not least, is the amount of variety available for school food nowadays. I remember having the same rotating menu of pretty generic items at my schools – even al a cart didn’t offer much that was special or unique. Pizza was as exciting as it got for us – or this large slices of bread served with ranch. Going through the School Nutrition Association conference expo, there were tons of options now – everything from taco and nacho bars, to various rice or noodle bowls, and even multi-grain pastries and donuts!

They even take it up a notch by offering 100% juice SLUSHIE MACHINES! I mean, seriously. I would’ve been THRILLED to have this available in high school – and kids nowadays will think it’s ‘cool’, all while getting their fruit in.

There’s so many options and variety with school meals for our kids now, and it’s fun to see the changes. As a parent, I love knowing that the school food programs take into account what the kids really want and like, to ensure they’ll not only EAT the meals, but also be excited about them! I’d be even more happy if there were food trucks at schools that ALSO came to my house, but I’ll take what I can get 🙂

Tell me about YOUR school meals when you were a kid!

Why We Love Family Gaming

September 7, 2018 by Danielle

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.com on behalf of Turtle Beach. All opinions are mine alone. #Recon200GameLouder

I was talking to a friend the other day, and I guess she had been ‘scolded’ by someone for allowing her kids to play video games. While I fully agree there should be parent guidance, and not all games are appropriate for everyone, I’m definitely a fan of video games, as is my whole family. Every parent should have rules that best fit their family, and I know everyone has different opinions. I thought I’d share a bit about Why We Love Family Gaming, and how it’s not JUST about fun and games!

First of all, I didn’t use to be too big into video games – I got more interested when hubby and I got together, since it was a great way to bond and spend some fun time together. Now with our kids, we’ve progressed to not just gaming as a couple, but also as an entire family. Now, don’t be thinking one ridiculously-noisy house full of all the sounds of seven different devices – luckily we have our Turtle Beach® Recon 200 gaming headsets that allow us each to hear our own game. But guess what? We can still talk to each other over the microphones, which means not just fun gaming time, but also family activity time. You’d be surprised how many quality conversations we’ve had with our kids over a game of Minecraft or something!

Plus, with this awesome gaming headset (which becomes available for all starting September 9th) we’re able to adjust the volume of not just the sounds, but also your VOICE from the microphone – so you can clearly hear yourself from the mic, or turn it down as you desire, even to mute by simply flipping it up. The high-sensitivity mic does well at picking up your voice loud and clear, so we don’t have to sit there saying ‘what?’ for the whole game. It’s as easy as adjusting the dials on the headset, so even the kids can change it to best fit their desired sound level (because we know some kids are more sensitive than others, or prefer more or less input).

While my kids like it a bit quieter, hubby is all about the volume! I agree with him, that you can get more immersed into the games with quality amplification – and great Bass Boost! You don’t want to just hear it, but really feel it, too. And don’t worry, the Turtle Beach® Recon 200 gaming headset is battery-powered but RECHARGEABLE, giving you a whole day (12 hours) of great sounding game time! If you’re like us and have an Xbox One, the headset is even optimized, so you get fully immersive surround sound with Windows Sonic for Headphones.* I’m really picky with my gaming headphones, since I have some hearing struggles already – but these nice 40mm speakers (that are actually COMFORTABLE over my ears) give really nice, crips high volumes along with the boomy lower sounds.

So besides the enjoyment of gaming, as well as the conversations, we also strongly believe that game time can be a LEARNING experience. My kids may not realize it yet (and I’m not about to tell them!), but we often are able to teach things to them while we’re all playing games. Whether it’s building in Minecraft (just point out differences in the gaming play versus reality), or teamwork by making a family goal then delegating tasks to accomplish it. We also use it to teach patience, or good sportsmanship (have you seen a 7 year old lose recently? It can be ugly!).

Along with that, since this day and age is so full of technology, especially in many careers, it’s helping them learn to switch between different platforms and programs so they’re more prepared for whatever their future holds. I really appreciate that the Turtle Beach® Recon 200 gaming headsets can easily switch platforms with them, being compatible with not just Xbox One and PS4TM, but also the Nintendo SwitchTM, PCs and our mobile devices.

Another perk to gaming that we enjoy, is it can be a reward or consequence – they can EARN (or lose) gaming time based on either attitudes and behavior, or perhaps by doing extra schoolwork, active play time, or taking on more household chores. We adjust it as best fits our family at that time, keeping our rules a little flexible – because life’s always changing, so it can be difficult if things are too rigid.

Since the Turtle Beach® Recon 200 gaming headsets are priced at $59.95 MSRP, you may be like ‘wow, that’s a lot for a headset that my kid may ruin’. You know your kid best, and while I don’t think a toddler (they seem able to destroy ANYTHING), would be ideal, my kids are great with headsets – and since the Recon 200 has a headband that’s metal-reinforced, it has that added durability that makes me worry even less about it getting ruined – or even worn out anytime soon!

Okay, I have to say this part that I enjoy about family gaming because I know many of you other parents will appreciate it as well – it’s been a great way to get my kids to play TOGETHER! It’s amazing how well my kids do when doing video games together – talking things out, splitting projects or tasks, helping when needed. There’s very rarely fighting (you know there’s some occasionally – this IS reality and they ARE still just kids, after all), so I love seeing them build those relationships and really get along with each other!

Check out the Turtle Beach® Recon 200 gaming headsets online here or on Amazon for your own family gaming!

*Windows Sonic for Headphones provided by Microsoft for Xbox One (and compatible Windows 10 PCs). Also compatible with Dolby Atmos® for Headphones (sold separately).

5 Easy Snack Ideas for Toddlers

September 3, 2018 by Danielle

What busy mom has time to plan an elaborate or complicated snack, especially when you have a little one in tow? Fortunately, there are plenty of great snacks out there that your toddler will adore without having to go crazy. Well, being a mom may have us crazy anyway – but at least we can use these 5 Easy Snack Ideas for Toddlers to help save what little sanity we have remaining!

No, I’m not going to go into the best crackers or packaged snacks – these are just general thought starters with things you probably already have at home in the fridge or pantry. It’s funny, because you may be like ‘oh, that’s obvious’ – but many parents overlook these awesome snack ideas! As with any food, though, please do keep in mind your child’s age and ability to avoid any choking dangers.

Here are 5 easy snack ideas for toddlers:

1. Fresh fruit – Most kids love fresh fruit. You can slice strawberries, grapes, bananas, oranges, apples or kiwi. You might also chunk pineapple, watermelon, honeydew or cantaloupe. Your child might also love blueberries, raspberries or other mixed berries. With so many fruit options to choose from, your child will never get bored! Slice up your fruit ahead of time to serve your toddler when they get hungry.

2. Fresh vegetables – Sliced cucumbers, celery, carrots, and bell peppers are full of fiber and nutrients. You can serve them to your child plain or with peanut butter or vegetable dip. You can keep your fresh vegetables in containers and serve whenever your child is in the mood for a snack.

3. Yogurt – Not only is it high in protein, calcium, and Vitamin D, but most kids adore yogurt! Consider choosing plain yogurt and adding your own fresh fruit to avoid the sugar content in fruit-flavored yogurts.

4. Eggs – Hard boiled eggs can be a great snack option for your toddler. You can make them ahead of time to serve to your child over the course of a few days. Not only are eggs packed with nutrients, but they’re high in protein to help curb your child’s appetite.

5. Frozen fruit bars – These can be a real treat, especially during the hot summer months. Not only are they cold, but they also have chunks of real fruit in them. Plus, many kids believe they’re getting an awesome TREAT when you serve these, so it’s a win-win!

What are your favorite snack ideas for toddlers?

Things to Consider When Looking for Childcare

August 31, 2018 by Danielle

While I love that I’m able to stay home with my kiddos at this time in our lives, that wasn’t always the case. For a long while, not only did some of my littles go to daycare all day, but I always worked in an at-home daycare for many years – because it was my moms! Having the varied experiences, I have some tips on Things to Consider When Looking for Childcare for your kiddos.

Check Referrals

Talk to those that have used that daycare/sitter before, and those that are currently trusting them with their kids. Not just ‘hey do you like this place’, but real questions about their thoughts on all aspects. Word of mouth is huge for sitters, because most parents won’t just sweet talk a place that cares for kids that doesn’t deserve it. Try to make sure the referrals are not only real (of course), but not related or have no other interest in ‘selling’ that center or person.

Do You Agree With Their Policies

Find out how they handle everything, such as punishment or if you’re late dropping off or picking up. How often do they feed the kids, are they allowed to bring toys or toys (blankie) from home? If someone is sick (child or caregiver), what happens then? Make sure you know all their rules and how things are run.

Do Their Location and Hours Work for YOU

Will you be spending far too long driving between home, there and work? Will it badly affect work if you have to leave early to pick up your child before the center closes, or are they open late enough? Make sure it’s not so far that you can’t get their in a decent amount of time should something happen. How do they handle holidays or vacation days as far as time changes or openings?

Is Their Rate Reasonable

Is it comparable to others in the area of good quality? Be wary of the cheapest, but the most expensive doesn’t necessarily mean best, either. Do they charge even when you don’t come, or for holidays you miss or they aren’t open?

Are They Certified & Following State/Local Laws

There was an in-home daycare in our neighborhood that wasn’t licensed – meaning that not only was there no regulating the child-to-caregiver ratio, but no training required, no safety inspections, nothing to protect the kids or parents if something went wrong. Do they have their CPR/First Aide training (and is it current)? How extensively do they do background checks of their employees, and how often are employees leaving/being replaced?

Do They Have Openings

Especially if you have a child under 2 or 1 (because those spots fill faster, and are fewer because of laws), you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure there’s openings – or at least so you can get on a list for when you need! I know several friends who, unfortunately, were stuck with a daycare they didn’t honestly like because they had no options because of lack of openings.

Does It Appear Safe

Safety is most important, so check and make sure it looks clean. Are the plugs covered, dangerous cords out of the way and furniture (dressers, shelves, etc.) secured to the walls? Check for signs of the big things, but don’t forget the little things. Is the banister wobbly, so a child could potentially fall through? Also check if there’s tiny items all over the floor that babies have easy access to. Do the kids nap in safe, secure cribs or clean mats on the floor? How regularly do things get cleaned and sanitized?

Seriously, it’s SUPER nerve-racking trying to find a place you really trust with you child. Especially as a mom, you always feel leary because ‘WHAT IF?’ Overall, be alert, ask as many questions as you need (and don’t feel bad about it – it’s your CHILD, so they can deal with a million questions if that’s what it takes) and use your best judgement.

Do you have any more tips for looking for childcare?

Hands-on Learning for Kids

August 27, 2018 by Danielle

This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Through my own life, and especially now as a parent with multiple children, I’ve learned that there’s many different types of learning styles. I’m more of a visual learner, while others are auditory. Some learn best by more creative ways, while some are more analytical. Regardless of what style matches best, I think we can all agree on the benefits of Hands-on Learning for Kids. Inspiring kids to ‘do’ as they’re learning can really help the skills and lessons stick, and help set them up for a more successful future.

As I’ve gotten older, it seems my learning speed has sure slowed – probably due to a mixture of busyness (not actively learning) and parental exhaustion. Kids, on the other hand, really learn fast – but when it’s more hands-on they can learn even faster! That’s why 4-H Wellness 360º program is kicking off their year-long national campaign ‘Inspire Kids to Do‘ with 30 Days of Doing. It celebrates all kiddos across the nation who don’t just watch, but also ‘do’ with purpose with awesome tools, tips, as well as resources and stories for parents and children. It’s a great way to get more hands-on learning for kids in your home or community.

Remember a bit ago when I told you all about the 4-H Wellness 360º program and how incredible it is for teens and other youth? They not only are helping teach teens essential life skills, but giving them actual experience leading their peers, thus setting them up for a bright future. Everything from cooking classes and learning about nutrition, to activities like yoga, even lessons on avoiding risky or dangerous behaviors are helping build a framework for today’s youth. By giving them the knowledge they need, along with the confidence, they can live healthier lifestyles – and then go on to share that knowledge and experience with their friends, families and peers. It’s a wonderful cycle of hands-on learning for kids, giving them the tools AND the experience to be the best they can!

There are many kids and youth out there who don’t really have opportunities to learn and grow, so I love that 4-H’s Inspire Kids to Do Campaign gives them those opportunities, and helps them develop into leaders that are ready to tackle life and – eventually – careers. This amazing campaign will help mark the path for 4-H to empower 10 million true leaders of our future, youth who DO with a purpose and can navigate themselves (and help guide others) through life’s challenges -a s well pursue their passions and actively contribute to the worth around them – all by 2025. That’s quite a goal, with a beautiful looking result.

As a parent or youth leader, YOU can be a part of kicking off 4-H’s 30 Days of Doing with a fun Twitter party! During this awesome party, you can build a ‘To Do’ list of skill-building ideas for your kiddos. Be ready to be inspired, chat with fellow doers and possibly win some prizes! To join in, all you need to is:

Log in to Twitter on August 28 from 9:00pm to 10:00pm EST
Search the party hashtags: #gno and #30DaysofDoing
Participate in the conversation with other moms, parents and youth leaders like you

After the party, be sure to participate in 30 Days of Doing – you can inspire kids to DO more by joining in hands-on, positive learning for kids with activities dealing with health, wellness and more. To get started, be sure to download 4-H’s ‘Inspire to Do’ list – and don’t forget to enter the photo contest at 4-H.org/InspireKidsToDo on September 1-30. You could even win a $10,000 scholarship for your kid! I don’t know about you, but I could DEFINITELY use some help with my kids’ future college costs.

What are your best ideas for hands-on learning for kids?

Back to School Preparedness Basket

August 21, 2018 by Danielle

This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NixUltra #CollectiveBias

I can’t believe we’re all in the madness of back to school season already – didn’t summer just begin? Since we can’t avoid it, may as well make the most of it and ready our kids (and ourselves) the best we can. With everything that comes with the return to school, I love putting together a Back to School Preparedness Basket so there’s no last-minute rushes should something come up!

What’s great about this school preparedness basket is that it can be a gift – to a neighbor or friend with a kiddo starting school for the first time, to a teacher for their class. Or you can just keep it for yourself so your family is ready for whatever may happen.

School Preparedness

Be sure to click the image above to easily shop online!

If you’re a new student parent, you may be like ‘wait, what can happen?’ At school the kids are around a ton of others, so there’s not just a much higher chance of spreading germs for getting sick, but also major worries such as lice. Something as simple as a hug, or backpacks touching, or sharing hats or dress ups – all of those can spread lice around, so your child’s chances of getting it in a group setting, like school, makes the chance of them getting it increase immensely.

That’s why I put Nix Ultra® Super Lice Treatment from Walmart in our school preparedness kit – because IF that happens, I want to be prepared! I feel I can trust this brand more because it’s the #1 Pediatrician recommended brand, and it kills lice and eggs – even if it’s the resistant “super” lice. If my kids get it, I want to be sure that stuff is GONE!

School Preparedness Supplies

Fun Basket or Tote
Printable Tag – click here to download
Tissues (big box and small portable packs)
Hand Sanitizer
Cough Medicine/Pain Reliever/Etc.
Nix Ultra® Super Lice Treatment
Moist Wipes
Odor Removing Spray (for air and/or fabrics)
Baggies
Lip Chap

Note: these are just SOME ideas of what you could include – there’s so many more things that would be great, like safety pins, eye drops and more that will make you even more prepared for back to school.

School Preparedness Directions

Gather all of your supplies, and prep your basket as desired – line it with tissue paper, a cute towel or rag
Neatly place your preparedness items
Add the tag and some ribbon, if desired
Be sure to store away from children for safety!
Now you’re all prepared for the back to school season – good luck to all!

One thing I’ve learned with lice – the school doesn’t always report if there’s been a case in a class until multiple have – yikes! You can check yourself if there’s been lice cases reported in your area with this handy lice tracker, and if you need help you can use this lice ID tool.

Having dealt with everything from catching flu, cold, strep and – sadly – lice, more than once, I’ve learned to be ready for about anything. I guess with 5 kids at school, it’s impossible to avoid forever! At least I’m prepared with Nix Ultra® Super Lice Treatment which is pesticide free, non-toxic and has an easy application. As a mom, I also appreciate that it’s tough on lice, but gentle on skin. Want to

Saving money during the crazy back to school season is a major help, so while you’re stocking up on everything for your back to school preparedness basket at Walmart, don’t forget this coupon for $3.00 OFF any ONE (1) Nix Ultra® product. Just print it off – it’s valid through March 31st, 2019 so you can stock up all school year long! Once printed though, the coupon will have a printed expiration date so use it within 2 weeks.

Be ready for anything with this awesome school prep basket, and don’t forget all the goodies to tackle all the many things that kids may come home with – and it’s not all just fun artwork 🙂

Who would you give a school preparedness basket to?

Back to School with Food Allergies

August 20, 2018 by Danielle

This post is sponsored by the School Nutrition Association. All opinions are mine alone.

School is starting again, and while some parents are worried about finding the exact binder type, size and color listed on their supply list or others are struggling to figure out the drop off routine, there’s parents that a truly worried about their child’s safety, because their kid is going Back to School with Food Allergies. So what can parents stressing about allergies do about their child going back to school? Find out everything they can to be prepared, but also educate themselves to make the best decisions possible for their young one.

Do y’all remember last month when I told you about the School Nutrition Association conference I was able to attend, and how much I learned about the different aspects of the school food programs? One thing I kept asking for more information about was allergies. I consider myself extremely blessed that none of my kids have food allergies, but do have several friends that don’t get that relief. Some are dealing with allergies to peanuts or gluten, others to dairy or soy, some a combination of multiple allergies. Speaking with them, I hear their worry about if their kid will be adequately taken care of at school to ensure they’re as safe as possible. Back to school should be an exciting (although stressful, I admit) time, not a time to really question if your kid will be ok or not.

After chatting with many vendors, school officials and others at the School Nutrition Association’s conference, I felt so much better at everything they’ve taken into consideration to keep the kiddos well taken care of, whether they eat breakfast, lunch or even snacks with the school food program. First of all, at the conference there were plenty of vendors looking to have their foods selected and added to menus at schools that offered several allergy-friendly options. Gluten-free grain options, alternatives to dairy, and even some seed butters that would be perfect to replace peanut or other nut butters! One in particular – 88 Acres – had samples that I really enjoyed, plus shared several recipes using their seed butters (they also offer snack bars and such) so kids can still enjoy a SB & J (Seed Butter instead of Peanut Butter!) and perhaps not feel like they’re missing out. It was really tasty, especially the pumpkin seed one!

One thing I was curious about – how can schools ensure a child with allergies doesn’t accidentally get served the incorrect thing. This is especially worrisome if the child is still young enough they may not be fully aware or understanding of their particular allergy. One program I was shown at the conference expo actually was a full check-out system, so when a child scans their card or number it pops up with any alerts or information that the staff member needs to know. That alone can make school meals much safer.

Also in that program, they can set it up to show SUBSTITUTION options that are okay for that particular child – so the staff can safely provide a quality meal that meets their needs while avoiding troublesome or dangerous (for that child) foods. It can help track insulin records or other medical information necessary for the school nutrition program to do their best, and helps handle alerts that may need to be sent out – such as the weekly menu to parents so they can see it and go over what is or isn’t okay for their particular situation.

I was so excited to learn of the many ways school meals can be made safer, even for kids that have allergies. I don’t personally know the stress that parents of children with food allergies deal with, but I imagine it’s immense. Luckily there are options available to make school less overwhelming in those cases!

If you’re a parent with a child (or children) that has to deal with food allergies, my heart goes out to you and the battle you may have while raising them. I highly encourage you to talk to your school nutrition director about how they handle things like that, and the ways they’re making it as safe as possible for your kiddo. Speaking to some directors and other staff of school programs at the conference, they all seemed to truly care about the quality and safety of the food being served – for ALL the kids, not just those without allergies. So don’t hesitate to reach out! Once you handle that, you can focus on some of the other exciting aspects of back to school – like family reading time!

If your child has allergies, how do you handle it best?

Note: these are programs/foods that are available and used at some schools, but keep in mind not every school may use the same programs/policies – I recommend checking with your school with questions.