Busy Mom Solution

Potty Training Tips You Need for the Holiday Season

I’m a Pull-Ups Potty Training Partner, and was compensated for this post as part of my relationship with the brand…

Can you believe the holidays are almost here? The stores are already full of Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies, my Pandora station has brought back my Christmas music station, and my stress level is rising day by day – as I think about travel and events and activities and parties and, and, and…. All the million other things going on this time of year.

The holidays are amazing and magical, no matter what your age. But, no matter what your age, they can still be stressful. Especially if you’re in the potty training stage – there are so many challenges at this time of year. But here are some tips and tricks I’ve used myself, that I hope can help to make it easier for you and your family. Learn how to get ready for the holiday season of travel and fun events…

1. Clothes: Think about the outfits you put your kids in. Puffy skirts that are hard to hold up above a potty chair, or new buttons and snaps on fancy trousers for boys, or any type of new zip or snap can be confusing for kids. So keep that in mind in mind as you shop for holiday gear. The easier the better. And think about things like – extra leggings or tights for girls, or maybe a second set of pants for boys.

2. Bathrooms: Whether it’s being uncomfortable in a mini-mart restroom or with the newness of grandma’s bathroom, new places can be intimidating. Be sure to discuss this beforehand. Let littles know about things like automatic flushing, sinks that turn on like magic, and how loud it all will be.

3. Supplies: Studies show that it’s best to be consistent with kiddos – and using Pull-Ups training pants are a necessity to have on hand throughout the entire potty training process, so be sure to stash some in your bag at all times. Even once you don’t need a “diaper bag,” you usually still need a “toddler bag” to be ready for emergencies. And I mean, Pull-Ups training pants are super fun, with all of the popular Disney characters. They are amazingly absorbent. And they teach kids great lessons about pulling pants up and down, to get them ready for big kid undies later on. Total win :)

4. Schedule: Holiday travel and events can mean tight schedules. But, as you plan outings, be sure to schedule some extra time for potty breaks. Whether it’s on the road where you map in extra rest stops – or just adding some extra time into your own agenda as you prep for holiday parties at home – make sure you leave enough time to not be stressed during potty breaks. Because a stressed out momma means a stressed out kiddo.

5. Treats and Drinks: Be aware of what your little one is eating and drinking during the holiday festivities. Too much to eat, or too many treats, can lead to tummy aches – which in turn lead to them not knowing when to do to the potty. And, too many cups or punch or juice at an evening party can lead to wetting the bed, when they usually don’t. One great idea to help with this are GoodNites Bed Mats – they help protect against accidents, no matter where you are. Which makes everyone happy. And speaking of good nights – check out all of these awesome tips to help kids stay dry at night.

6. Be Consistent: This is the most important. Try to keep up with your regular routines as much as possible. If you travel, bring things like your potty chair, special blanket or teddy, and any rewards you usually use – like stickers or suckers. And a great reminder when times get busy is to use the Time to Potty App – which is seriously, my NUMBER ONE recommendation to anyone who’s potty training. It gives you a timer on your phone, which beeps to let you know when it’s time to go potty again. It helps you stay on track, despite all of the holiday distractions – and gives kids something fun to motivate them. Also be sure to check out the Big Kid Academy, which offers customized activities and advice and is another great way to stay on track!

7. Be Patient: Regression can be normal. Even kids who are almost-to-fully potty trained can have setbacks you don’t expect. The holidays are stressful for us all, so it makes sense that little ones would feel that stress too. And stress can make kids suddenly start wetting their pants or the bed. Some ways to overcome this are to make sure you’re giving them your full attention, at least a few times a day, no matter what else is going on. Have family members that are visiting {or that you’re visiting} give them accolades and encouragement when they go potty, and maybe go back to using rewards like stickers again.

And remember too…. Breath. The holidays get hectic. Preschoolers get hectic. Combined – it can lead to a lot of stress. Don’t let that happen. Just keep up the routines you’ve had, as best as you can. Be sure to keep supplies on hand, like extra clothes and Pull-Ups. Get the app, to keep you both on track with “potty times.” And keep your sense of humor. Because accidents happen. Trust me – they’re funnier later. Like this one….

When Abby was first learning to potty train, I heard her in the bathroom one day. Came in. And she was IN the toilet. She said – “I’m on the potty train mom. When does it start going?” Followed by some chugga chugga choo-choos. :) And it’s so funny how parenting has changed – my mom would have right away picked me up out of there. But I grabbed my phone to take a picture first <3 But how to you not capture a moment like that? It’s frustrating at the time – but it I promise, all of the potty training stress will fade away before you know it, and lead to lots of funny memories.

And as you can see – kids truly do LOVE Pull-Ups :) Abby is hugging all of her favorite characters – like Doc McStuffins and Ariel, from The Little Mermaid!

I asked on Facebook what challenges other moms face with potty training during the holidays – or what tips anyone has to share. Feel free to join the conversation – I LOVE to hear from you guys!

Post by Sunshine and Sippy Cups.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 20, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Getting Our Home Ready for the Holidays

I cleaned up with Zep Commercial® as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. #TryZep

We moved into our house about 3 years ago. We were buying it from a family member, but it was a long process. {Also, a looooong story.} We just finalized the deal earlier this year – so it’s finally really-really-truly ours! Yay! I co-own it with my mom. She lives her part of the year, when her boyfriend travels. But we’re best buddies so it works great :) Well, now that it’s ours, and the summer months of building our giant garden and taking care of the pool are over, it’s time for some awesome home improvement and DIY projects. Especially with the holidays on the way!

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 12, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Tips | 1 Comment

Entertain in Style this Holiday Season with New Appliances from Best Buy

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions are always my own. #holidayprep

Prep for the Holidays with Appliances from Best Buy… Yep, it’s that time of year. The major holiday season has arrived. We entertain a ton around here, all year ’round. But summer months are so easy… Toss some floaty lounge chairs in the pool, throw some meat on the grill, add some beverages to a cooler, make sure your wireless speakers are turned up, and bam – you’ve got a rockin’ party. But during the colder indoor months, parties take a bit more planning. Which is why I LOVE the Holiday Prep at Best Buy ideas and product tips!

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on October 12, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Uncategorized | No Comments

How to Make Mornings With Kids Less Stressful

Big thank you to Mom It Forward Blogger Network and IKEA for partnering with me to share solutions for morning madness – #first59

I’m a firm believer that the quality of your day doesn’t depend on outside forces or experiences – it’s all about your attitude and choosing to be happy :) But getting your day off to a good start, during that first hour in the morning, can help make having a good attitude much easier! We’ve all felt the stress that comes with a disorganized morning… Can’t find your keys or the kids’ shoes. Someone reminds you last minute about a game or teacher conference you forgot about. There’s nothing for breakfast, or you forgot to pack lunches. There’s yelling, nagging, grumpiness, and everyone starts their day stressed out. Which is NO good, right?

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 23, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Uncategorized | No Comments

Why I’m Falling in Love with the Philips Airfryer

Big thank you to Best Buy for sending me a complimentary Philips Airfryer to test out and share with you guys. It is AWESOME and I know you’ll love it too!

I am a healthy eater, 90% of the time. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the size of my hips, but it’s true. I eat small portions, whole grains, lots of fruits and veggies. But…. I have been known to say that “deep fried” is one of my favorite flavors :) And this would be an area where I splurge once in a while. We have a deep fryer, and ohmanohman can it make some good stuff. But it’s hot, messy, and FATTENING! So when I learned that there was a new super-cool technology that would give me a healthier alternative to frying… I was totally excited to try it out. Skeptical, I admit. But excited.

Philips Airfryer is a total multitasker in the kitchen. It can fry, bake, roast, AND grill. Which I appreciate… I’m a kitchen gadget addict. But I only have so much room in the kitchen. So anything that has multiple purposes is a win, and a space saver. So – let’s take this as a dating scenario… He looked good in his online ad. And, upon meeting him – he made a good first impression. [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 22, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Food, Featured Tech | 2 Comments

New Way to Save Big on Groceries – Without Using Coupons!

I shopped savvy using Walmart Saving Catcher, as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #SavingsCatcher. Sharing because I love this, and I know you will too!

I used to be a pretty serious couponer. I wasn’t ever one who could pull off the Extreme Coupon style trips, where you pay less than a buck for a cart of groceries {although I have friends who can do that!} But I regularly saved 40% or more on my shopping trip by matching sales and clipping coupons. But, as life has gotten more hectic {kids, my online business, expanding that business, etc} I have less time to devote to things. I still use coupons EVERY time I shop. I’m a big believer in using every avenue available to earn extra money – survey sites, freelance writing, cash back sites, and more. {See my most popular post of all time – Ways to Earn Money From Home – for more tips.} Which is all leading up to me telling you about THE coolest new idea for saving money/earning free money that I’ve found in a LONG time! Check it out…

“The way to wealth depends on just two words, industry and frugality.” – Benjamin Franklin

So, let me tell you about this cool new app and website. It’s from Walmart, and it’s called Savings Catcher. And here’s why it rocks – it guarantees that you get THE best prices on everything you buy, without having to price match the ads, or run to a million different stores. You simply enter the info from your receipt into your app, or log into the Savings Catcher website when you get home. It takes a couple of days to search all of your local stores – then refunds if any of the products you bought were cheaper at any of those stores! Super cool, right? See it in action here: [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 17, 2014 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Frugal Parenting | 2 Comments

How to Travel Fashionably Light

I’m super excited to have received a complimentary item from Karina Dresses – I know you’ll fall in love with them as much as I have!

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”… Albert Einstein. I love this quote, and I think it’s perfect for the post I’m writing here today. Until a few years ago, I hadn’t led an especially exciting life. I started working in retail at 15, moved up the ladder into management and fashion merchandising – then into some other sales positions. I worked hard, played hard, and was content enough. But things felt so….. Ordinary. Then – things changed dramatically in just a few short months. Suddenly I found myself with a new baby, a full time college course load, unemployed, then jumping into the world of working for myself, online. But all that craziness was worth it – I now have so much more independence. I get to travel all over the country, see new places, meet new people. Before blogging, I’d only flown on a plane twice. Now it’s surprising to fly only twice in a month sometimes.

So – I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling light. And, along the way, I’ve also learned a thing or two about confidence. And Karina Dresses is totally related to both of those! Karina Dresses believes that everyone woman is a Frockstar – meaning that, we should all own our life. Be confident in our body, no matter what shape – while also finding the beauty in everyone else too. That life is about celebrating all of our different roles, connecting with others and the world, and valuing quality – whether that’s in a relationship, experience, or product that we purchase. Read the Frockstar Manifesto to learn more about their mission. And as you can see above – Karina Dresses definitely make ME feel confident!

The dress I’m wearing is the Penelope, in Coral Dots {although it’s more pink than coral in person.} This was my first Karina Dress, and I really wasn’t sure about ordering it… If you look at my closet, it’s organized my “color” – black, gray, dark gray, denim, white, then a tiny section with a few colorful cardigans and tops. So wearing such a bright dress made me a little nervous. I wear black for a reason – what I used to call baby weight has just turned into permanent new curves that I’d rather hide. But Karina dresses are brilliant in the way they’re made, to flatter everyone’s figure. Check it out:

Karina Dresses has a dress for every-body! Check out their “Best Fit” section online for more detailed info, but here’s a basic idea:

Triangle ~ fuller hips, smaller top
Inverted Triangle ~ broader shoulders or fuller bust with smaller hips
Rectangle ~ hips, bust and waist are similar size
Oval ~ waist and bust are same size with smaller hips
Hourglass ~ curvaceous , full hips and bust

All dresses are made in the US too. And let me tell ya – these dresses are like magic. For reals. They’re made from a special microfiber fabric that you can machine wash, then just hang up to dry. And they never – never, ever, ever – need to be ironed. Which is why they’re perfect for travel. You could literally squish ’em up in a ball and throw one in your bag, and when you pull it out later to wear it is going to look like it’s brand new. And it holds up amazing to being worn and washed a million times. {I know this, because I wear this baby constantly.}

Plus, when I travel, especially to a blogging conference, I’m so crazy-busy I often am in the same outfit from 6am to 2am. I need something that’s comfy that let’s me move freely all day {and ohmyheck, the Penelope style has POCKETS. I’ve never had a dress with pockets.} Something that gets me through hours walking around in a crowded expo hall meeting brands….

Then more walking in the super humid heat in San Jose, for silly party photo opps. The fabric is super light and stretches with you, which was awesome. The easy cut and light pleats in the front hide everything you want hidden, while the neckline and waistband flatter the good parts. And yes, that’s another Karina Dresses that you see in the middle there too :)

And here’s the same dress, still going strong at midnight, while visiting all of the hotel suite parties with some bloggy best buddies. After 12 hours in the same dress, it’s still wrinkle-free, still feels comfy and fresh, and I got more compliments on this dress than any other that I’ve worn in years. I am now addicted, and must have more of these.

If you are a blogger and you would like to do a review of a Karina Dress, they choose their reviewers from their affiliates! Learn more here. And – everyone be sure to check out all of the other gorgeous women below showing off their favorite styles of Karina Dresses, then enter to win $1,000 to choose YOUR favorite styles!!

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