14Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

10 Simple Brain Building Toddler Activities

Parenting, Toddlers
* If you click some of links I’ve added to this educational information, I may earn a few cents to help keep this operational.  I’ve either used these products myself or trust the recommendations from the moms I serve and choose to pass on the great tips. Win-Win You don’t have to be artistically inclined to successfully entertain your toddler.  These simple brain building toddler activities can be modified toward any age, gender, skill set and intellect.  First gather your tools and find a safe area in your home that is acceptable to mess up!  Don’t spend a fortune on products to avoid being upset when your child breaks, loses or throws items away by accident. Do, however, try to get some things you can reuse to save time and…
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13Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

First Trimester Woes

Health, Pregnancy
If you’ve been feeling the first trimester woes, take it easy, give yourself permission to take a nap or go to bed early.  Understanding the changes your body is going through will help you conquer this first phase.  An amazing amount of effort is going on behind the scenes.  Not only does your body have to work double time to keep you both alive, but your brain must shift gears into the less logical and more nurturing side.  Imagine the magnitude of hormone changes to allow for this.  Here’s a peak at the most common first trimester woes: Tired all the time/low energy-those prenatal vitamins may be hard to swallow right now, but can aid in giving you the correct vitamins to give a little more energy. Unfortunately there isn't…
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12Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

The Trials and Tribulations of a Young Mom

Life, Parenting, Relationships, Teens
To understand the trials and tribulations of this young mom, you should read this and this first. Being emancipated at 16 certainly makes you feel like a full-grown adult.  Everything I did was with a responsible thought process, but I certainly wasn’t perfect.  Many times, I would act like a typical teen and just have a boyfriend or hang with my friends, but work, school and sports encompass your whole life and leaves little room for fun.  As adulting does to everyone.  Even learning to drive was taught by my older friends since I didn’t have an adult to guide me, but I managed.  With a bit of scrimping and saving I bought my own $500 car at 16.  It was a necessity, since you really can’t get around on…
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11Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

22 Steps to Toddler Days

Parenting, Toddlers
Learning the 22 steps to toddler days can alleviate some of the guesswork.  We all know toddlers are a breed of their own. No longer a baby by community standards but equally as needy, when they allow it. Testing boundaries, expanding vocabulary, finding his inner athleticism all while still needing to be coddled if the big, bright world feels too overwhelming.  Especially if he is hearing the words “no, don’t touch that and stop” all day long. It takes patience, consistency, humor and creativity to parent this bunch, but I assure you it can be done.  Start by focusing on what you can do to preempt the behaviors you don’t want.  Use the acronym H.A.L.T or Hungry, Angry, Lonely Tired to prepare for your day.  If you can prevent outbursts…
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10Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

10 Breastfeeding Positions to Master

Breastfeeding, Infants, Parenting, Pregnancy
These 10 breastfeeding positions to master will determine the path of your breastfeeding journey. Master these skills and you will be a pro. If this is your first baby, I’m sure you’re wondering what the “breastfeeding positions” hype is all about.  I mean really, what is the big deal about a specific position to hold and feed your baby at the breast?  Don’t you just put the kiddo there and he naturally knows what to do?  On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned successful nursing mom, you get it. You remember how integral the correct placement of hands could calm baby quickly and bring you comfortable tugging, not pinching.  If you’re not new to breastfeeding but didn’t have an easy go of it, maybe this blog is the perfect…
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07Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn
The Captivating Home of Your Fetus

The Captivating Home of Your Fetus

Health, Infants, Life, Parenting, Pregnancy
The captivating home of your fetus is riveting when you genuinely take the time to learn each discovery. The microscopic to the most significant details will blow your mind. The more you understand about this symbiotic environment, the easier it is for you to nourish yourself a little bit more through the pregnancy. From the time you saw the pregnancy test appear favorable, you’ve likely done a lot of reading about pregnancy, labor, birth, and babies. Maybe you’ve even watched a bunch of videos or taken a class to become more comfortable with the process or perhaps talked to a variety of seasoned moms. Whatever route you are using to learn about motherhood, it probably does not include enough information about the complex environment your protégé is growing in. Parents…
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04Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

How to Find Your Mom Tribe

Parenting, Pregnancy, Relationships
Every woman should have a mom tribe. Even if you're not pregnant yet, start gathering information to use later when the time is right. Finding a mom tribe is integral to your well being! Here's a possible scenario: You’re a few days late with your period and decide to pick up an at home pregnancy test.  Once in the store, you’re overwhelmed with the options available.  Is the price predictive of a more accurate reading? Which one has better reviews?  Is one stick easier to pee on than the other?  Will you be able to understand the process and how to interpret?  With so many questions you may turn to Siri, google, YouTube etc. instead of a friend or family member because you want it to be a secret.  Once…
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03Nov 2023 by Sarah Glenn

Are You at Risk for Burnout?

Life, Parenting, Relationships
Just like a computer, sometimes your brain needs a reboot.  If you keep adding input without taking something out (making room or some of you might remember GIGO? - I’m aging myself) you can burn out the “machine.” Your body is a delicate symbiotic system that needs a chance to catch up (like the computer’s spinning circle of death).  We can’t possibly expect to have our machines working at their best if we don’t give it a little rest, discard the garbage, update it or shut down completely for a while.  The same can be said for the body builder. If she never gives her muscles a chance to repair, those muscles will be in jeopardy of falling apart and not grow.  Defeating the purpose.  While anyone can be on…
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31Oct 2023 by Sarah Glenn

5 Creative Ways to Involve Visitors so YOU Can Rest

All, Infants, Parenting, Pregnancy
Let’s face it, a baby brings many emotions from various people in your life.  Most humans want to greet the new, squishy “potato” with lots of holding and kissing.  While germs are good to build antibodies, we want to use caution when it’s possible.  So how does a newly delivered family make everyone happy but stave off the parasites?  Let’s start by keeping well-meaning-baby-lovers busy.  Since the majority of your closest relatives and friends are begging to help in some way, give them a productive list of options. Basic housekeeping: No one person must do it all, but many hands make light work.  You could plan for this or have your bff organize everyday chores for the first month.  Things like laundry, dishes, vacuum, clean a bathroom, take out the…
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27Oct 2023 by Sarah Glenn

Should I Let Her Go?

Parenting, Teens
My 13-year-old daughter wants to ride her scooter about 2 miles away to meet her friends.  This makes my stomach turn and I struggle with the correct answer to her question. Two miles is a long way riding alone.  On the one hand, I'm happy she wants to get out AND exercise but on the other hand, I don't want her to go alone.  She is my 7th child, so this is not my first rodeo with a teen.  Three years ago, my son was wandering around the neighborhood with and without his friends all the time and still does at 16.  Sure, I worry about his safety, but for reasons unbeknownst to me I trust that he could “take care of himself.”  Even when he was 9-10-11 years old my…
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