Parenting — Page 3

Getting the Best Care for Kids with Special Needs

Do you know a child with special needs?… My family has seen it’s share of hospitals. My dad has had health problems off and on all of my life. My youngest brother was born with a defective heart valve, and had to have surgeries every couple of years until he turned 15, and they did an open heart surgery to replace it. My youngest nephew had to come into the world during an emergency c-section, was airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital, and spent over a month there before he was well enough to finally come home. And my little girl, Abby, was born in a ton of distress – we actually thought she was stillborn when she arrived. The NICU team was on call in my room, and whisked her away to their unit right away – and it was 2 days before I even got to hold her for the first time. She spent a week there before recovering fully – but then earlier this year, my sweet toddler started having seizures, and we’ve been dealing with an overwhelming amount of doctors and hospitals once again. So I know, all too well, how important it is to find the best care for your family….

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 14, 2012 Filed Under: Parenting | No Comments

Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us

Are you a Sh*tty Mom?… If so, the authors of the new book, The Sh*tty Mom are here to tell you that it’s ok. No, they’re not advocating neglecting your kids or doing anything harmful – this is a tongue-in-cheek survival manual for all of us who are learning to embrace the fact that we’re not perfect moms – but we can still be pretty awesome moms. Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us is a must-read for all of you tired mommas out there. Watch the video to get a glimpse of the funny ladies behind this book…

**The Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us**

“Sh*tty Mom is the ultimate parenting guide, written by four moms who have seen it all. As hilarious as it is universal, each chapter presents a common parenting scenario with advice on how to get through it in the easiest and most efficient way possible. With chapters such as “How to Sleep Until 9 A.M. Every Weekend” and “When Seeing an Infant Triggers a Mental Illness That Makes You Want to Have Another Baby,” as well as a Sh*tty Mom quiz, this is a must-have, laugh-out-loud funny book for the sh*tty parent in all of us.” I seriously laughed out loud the whole time I read this book… It’s that good. Like, “be careful if you’re reading this alone at a coffee shop because you’ll look like a weirdo giggling away in the corner all alone” kind of good. Love it. And it’s 40% off on Amazon right now too – sweetness.

**If you’ve read Sh*tty Mom, or are a fan of their website already – I’d love to hear what you think too! Share some comments…**

And, check out a few more of my fave “not a perfect mom but I’m trying my best” style books below. Because we all need to take a deep breath, know we’re doing all that we can, and laugh as we realize that there are a million other moms out there who aren’t perfect too. “Do your best and forget the rest.” – That’s what my grandma always told us. It’s my parenting motto now. I should get it bedazzled onto a jacket or something….

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 12, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 1 Comment

Why Little Girls Love Baby Dolls…

“Remember when all we had to do was to keep our ponytails straight and catch fireflies?”… Ah, to be a little girl again. The days when a crying baby could be soothed with a pretend bottle and a snuggle in a toddler bed. When being a good mommy meant dragging your dolly through the mud as you played in the backyard. Those were the days, right? Little girls love to mimic the people around them, so having their own baby doll to diaper, feed, and hug lets them copy the things that they see mommy and daddy doing. And if you want the most adorably realistic baby doll you can find, you have to check out JC Toys, and their “real baby” dolls. I’m not sure who loves this little cutie pie more – Abby, or me…

“Sugar and spice and everything nice, ribbons and curls because she’s a girl.” – Unknown

Ok, a quick disclaimer here… I know that baby dolls can be for little boys too. I am a big believer that kids should play with whatever makes them happy. Abby loves her dinosaurs, helicopters, and dump truck. And her cousin likes to cook with her in the play kitchen, and help rock the baby dolls too. So while this post focuses on little girls and dollies, I do know little guys like [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on July 2, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 24 Comments

The Secret to Getting Kids to Listen Without Nagging or Yelling

Why is it so difficult sometimes to get kids to listen? You know she heard you, but she ignores you. You ask again and still . . . no response. If you’re tired of nagging, reminding, and yelling to get kids to listen – this session is for you! I am so excited that Sunshine & Sippy Cups is partnering with Amy McCready – founder of Positive Parenting Solutions & TODAY Show contributor – to offer a FREE LIVE training webinar on Thursday, May 24th, at 9PM Eastern.

Get Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling

Join us to learn easy to implement strategies to correct misbehavior and reclaim the calm voice you had before kids. Discover proven tools for your most frustrating discipline dilemmas including the 5 R’s of Fair & Effective Consequences. All you need is your computer. (No webcam required.) You’ll see and hear Amy on your screen and you can even ask questions and she’ll make them part of the presentation. Parents RAVE about this session.

RSVP today and then kick back and learn from the comfort of your home.

Webinar seating will be limited so learn more and RSVP now! I’ll look forward to welcoming you. I know that I am super excited to learn some new tips and tools from Amy that I can use in my home – Abby has hit the toddler stage, and I’m not sure how to teach her wrong from right without feeling like I’m saying “No!!” all day long. My oldest nephew who lives with me is only 8, but I swear he’s already getting the attitude of a teenager. So I’m hoping to learn some great info that I can put into action right away.

In the meantime, we’d love it if you could let your Facebook friends know about this exciting webinar – just click this link to share on Facebook.

About Amy McCready: Parenting expert Amy McCready is the Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and a “recovering yeller.” She is a champion of positive parenting techniques for happier families and well-behaved kids. Amy reaches a worldwide audience with her Positive Parenting Solutions Online course and is a frequent guest on the TODAY Show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. In her most important role, she is mom to two teenage boys.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 22, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 8 Comments

Bringing Out the Bear Hands… #humor

Anyone else having a day like this too?

The kids have all been home for 2 weeks now – and are driving me crazy. The house is a total Post-Christmas-Disaster. And I’ve lost all motivation to do much of anything except eat cookies in the recliner while I watch movies. There’s so much to do, and I don’t wanna do it. And if one more child asks me to get them a glass of juice, someone is going to see my Bear Hands….. Happy Holidays!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 29, 2011 Filed Under: Mommy Thoughts | 1 Comment

Welcome to the Natural Parenting Blog Party!

I am joining the fun in the Natural Parenting Blog Party hosted by The Peaceful Housewife. Make sure to stop by and say thanks for hosting an awesome party, check out her uh-MAY-zing line of natural products, and go party it up with some of the other blogs too!

I’m a little late to the party {it seems that ever since I had the baby, I’m ALWAYS late to EVERYTHING, lol} but now that I’m here, lets get rockin’.

To start, I’ll answer some “get to know you” questions posted by our host, The Peaceful Housewife….

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

I’m a new mommy to this little cupcake-cheeked cutie pie, Abigail Piper. I had never planned to become a mother. I had two nephews that I adored, and was perfectly happy just being “Auntie Meagan”. But this little girl somehow knew that I needed her, and I got pregnant not long before my 30th birthday. Thank goodness I did. Being a mommy is the greatest thing in my life, and I can’t believe that I almost missed out on this. Raising her is an ovewhelmingly wonderful process.

Do you have a partner, or are you a single parent?

Hmmm…. Relationship status = Complicated. But Abby’s daddy is the a WONDERFUL dad, and I’m very happy that she has him as a big part of her life!

What are your “hot button” parenting issues?

My only concern is the way that so many women are extremely judgemental towards other mothers. Every baby is different, every family is unique, and every mom has different values and priorities. So what works best in one household will not always be whats best for someone else. Sharing tips on what works for you is wonderful. Telling someone that they’re parenting their child “the wrong way” because they do things differently than you is not ok. We’re all moms, all trying to do the best we can. We should be more supportive of each other.

Have you made any parenting choices that you didn’t think you would make before you were a parent, i.e. cloth diapering a child when you had previously thought it was disgusting?

I never thought that I would BE a parent, so I had never given much thought to what type of choices I would make! But I have made lifestyle choices to live cleaner, greener, and healthier. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to give her the best that I can!

Is there one book or person in particular that’s heavily influenced your parenting choices?

It’s not a parenting book, but “Made from Scratch, Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life” by Jenna Woginrich, made me appreciate a more simple lifestyle. Love it.

If you had to describe each of your children using only one word, what word would you use?

Sunshine. Thats what she brings to my world every single day.

Is there one parenting decision that you regret more than others and wish you could change?

I wish that I had learned more about breastfeeding before having my daughter. My water broke 3 weeks early, so I was kind of unprepared still! She had some problems at first, and spent a few days in NICU, and then a few more in the Pediatrics section. I wasn’t even allowed to hold her until very late on the second day at the hospital, and it was the third day before I was able to get a pump in my room. My lack of knowledge led to me not getting a good start… I started pumping milk late the 3rd day. I allowed the nurses to bottle feed the baby, and give her pacifiers. I tried to breastfeed but was clueless. So I tried desperately to breastfeed her for over a month, but I never got a good milk supply, and she never learned to latch. I really regret not knowing more, and giving us a more successful start. I tried my best, but this was a huge disappointment for me.

Is there an area of your parenting you wish you were better at?

Um, everything?! I always feel like, “When is the REAL mom going to show up and take care of this baby??” It can’t be POSSIBLE that I am a parent??!! But SHE doesn’t know that I don’t know :) So together, we learn a little more every day.

Now for the fun questions – is there one particular food or type of food that you could eat every day?

Cupcakes. With sprinkles.

Vanilla ice cream or chocolate?

Rainbow Sherbet.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I don’t seem to have much time for those anymore! But if I do get the chance for a few minutes to do something I want to do, you can bet I don’t feel guilty!! :)

If you could be part of any television show, which show would it be?

I hardly watch any tv at all, so this is tough. But I’d love to be on the Colbert Report! I love shows that are funny, but smart. There is so much hypocrisy and negativity in the media, and he does a great job of exposing that, and showing how silly and irrelevant much of it is. Love him.

Now that you guys know more about me, and what type of parent I am, share some of your own answers to these questions in the comments, so I can get to know you guys too! Plus, stay tuned for more this week… Enter to win the ConservingNow Great Green Giveaway {$50 Value} by reading the post here, plus I’ll be sharing a bunch of fun up-cycling craft projects for Easter, some fun Earth Day freebies, and more! So check back, and check out the fun at all of the other blogs this week too!