Features
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How to celebrate a birthday when you’re stuck at home {Win!}
Stuck at home, on the brink of celebrating a birthday, and you’re not exactly sure how you’re going to do any celebrating at all? Well then, friend, this post is for you!
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, lock down birthdays are now a thing. And, I mean, you’re probably considering the fact that you kinda need, well, other people in order to put the “party” into “birthday party”. And you’re not wrong. But there are ways and means to celebrate the birthday boy/girl, even though you’re limited on people and resources.
I love birthdays! And I believe that the only real bummer, about a solid birthday celebration, is not having a solid birthday celebration. And you can quote me on that!
Anyways, before I break into song, dance and monologue, allow me to share with you my list of ways to celebrate a birthday when you’re stuck at home:
1. DecorationsDecorating a room in the house, as a surprise, is an easy and cheap way to make a birthday guy/gal feel special! A sneaky late night set up will have your special person waking up to a gloriously festive birthday hoorah in the morning! Here are some ideas:
A balloon wall – All I’m saying is that balloons have the magical powers to make any room feel a lot more festive. There are no hard rules when it comes to this. The more balloons the better! A balloon wall would most definitely impress. Find an easy tutorial here.
Streamers pinned to the door frame – Who wouldn’t want to open their bedroom door, on the morning of their birthday, to find this colorful surprise awaiting them?! Tutorial here.
Make your own bunting – I did this for Jonah’s birthday. His “lock down birthday” theme was Obnoxious Spiderman which is my way of saying that I made sure to incorporate as many images of Spiderman in the decor. He’s 3 years old, and Spidey is his hero, so this totally made his day. Tutorial here.
2. Presents
So we figured out that Jonah was super excited to open a ton of gifts because he had been eyeing all the gifts his sister received at her birthday party. Since we were unable to invite guests to celebrate with him, that meant that there would be no pile of presents for him to open. So we decided to get him a bunch of smaller gifts (things like color in books and crayons, small games, puzzles etc) and wrapped them up individually so that he would have his very own “birthday party gift pile” to indulge in.
3. Drive and DropI know that drive-by parties are all the rage and if you have friends and family members who would be keen to do a drive and drop, then that’s swell! Make it extra festive with balloons and a sign that says “Hoot once for the birthday boy!” displayed outside. Birthday boy/girl could have their own special chair set up, so that they can bestow their royal birthday wave, as their friends drive by.
If you don’t want your guests to leave empty handed, a slice of birthday cake, in a takeaway box, will do the trick. (For teens, how about a slice of pizza?) And again, this is particularly helpful if you have friends and family members who are looking for an opportunity to celebrate with you, and want to drop off a prezi.
4. Fun activities
You could totes make the day fun by arranging a cool scavenger hunt (ooh, hide away the gifts and design a real treasure map!) or by playing backyard or board games with your family. A “game show birthday party” is a fun way to bring some extra glitz and glamour to your celebrations. The usual foray of birthday party games (pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs) are always a hit and will definitely help to keep the energy up!
5. Virtual fiestaWe fortunately have the technology to stay in touch, even though we can’t physically be in the same room. You may consider hosting a Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype or House Party celebration.
Teens might prefer connecting with their buddies via Xbox or Playstation online gaming. Yep, it’s totally a thing now, parents. I know, I suddenly feel old too.
6. Cake!
I mean, without cake is a party a party? (The correct answer is “heck no”) I knew that I wanted to go big with Jonah’s birthday cake, so I called in an expert to assist.
I had been eyeing the creations over on the Whole Latte Love Facebook page and knew that Leanne would nail my Spiderman birthday cake idea. Leanne’s love for baking started when she tried her hand at making her nieces and nephews birthday cakes. People were kinda impressed with her skill (also, guys, this cake is flippen delicious!) and word got out, which resulted in the start of a little business.
When I asked for a list of flavours to choose from, these were the ones that I had my eye on:
Chocolate chip cake with caramel and chocolate ganache
Chocolate cake with chocolate fudge buttercream
Mint chocolate chip cake with mint buttercream and chocolate pieces
Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream / Swiss meringue buttercream
Carrot cake filled with homemade caramel and salted caramel buttercream
Red velvet cake with Oreo pieces and Oreo cream cheese icing
Hummingbird cake with cream cheese icing
Lemon meringue cake filled with lemon curd and covered with toasted meringue
Toffee apple cake filled with homemade caramel and cinnamon buttercream
I know what you’re thinking… YUM! I ended up choosing the chocolate cake with chocolate fudge buttercream because chocolate “cakey” is my boys absolute favorite. The price was quite reasonable and she ended up totally making all my Spidey birthday cake dreams come true. Plus she delivers during lock down. If that isn’t rad, then I don’t know what is!
Other treats available:
Brownies (available in different flavours!), Blondies, Cupcakes (available in a variety of flavours), Cheesecake mousse cakes, Profiteroles, Eclairs, Lammingtons, Cinnamon rolls and more! You can place your order via Facebook.
Win a dozen cupcakes for from Whole Latte Love!Guess what my friends *I say, dramatically, with tears in my eyes* …. Whole Latte Love is giving one of you a dozen of her most delicious cupcakes, to help you celebrate that special ‘lock down birthday’! I KNOW! I’m not crying, you’re crying! Okay, I’m totally crying.
To enter, simply check out this post on Facebook and follow the instructions there.
Winner will be announced on Friday 3 July. Winner must reside in Port Elizabeth and must be able to collect cupcakes in Sherwood.
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MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles – worth the hype?
I sometimes wonder if my kids are trying to Leon Schuster me. I mean, one day they love peanut butter sarmies and nothing else, the next day they shun my specially prepared sandwich as if it’s the plague. Come on – there HAS to be a camera hidden away somewhere, right?!
Seriously though, if getting them fed isn’t enough of a chore, one also has to consider WHAT we are feeding them. Nutrition plays a vital role in a child’s development. Proper nutrients keep your children healthy and strong. And regular. (Need I remind you of the Big Constipation Debacle of 2009?)
So I was especially thrilled to discover MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles. I mean, its our fave two-minute noodles, with like, super powers. AACK! BUT will a change in formula withstand my picky eater’s taste test?
In case you didn’t know: MAGGI Noodles contain no artificial colourants and no added preservatives. I usually stock up on the multipacks because it’s such a convenient meal solution for my whole family. I add fresh ingredients (proteins or veggies or both) to make it a wholesome meal when I’m in a rush.It’s the one to grab when my kids want a snack, and Miss Kari loves it, so I was a bit nervous to try out the new hi fibre variation on her.
Oh, and talking about hi fibre, did you know that a packet of MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles has the fibre equal to one bowl of oats?! I mean, that’s kinda impressive for noodles, right? It’s made with Sunflower Seed Oil (so, lower saturated fats) and is a great source of Iron.
Anyways, our verdict:
I was pleasantly surprised to find that preparation is still quick and easy! Simply add your water, pop it into the microwave (or on stove top) and ta da! Delicious noodles, ready to devour!Miss Kari decided to be the taste tester. After sniffing it out (yes, she actually smelled it) and then proceeding to subtely nibble on a noodle, before chomping down on a mouthful, my precarious little girl finally declared that they are “delicious!” (Her words, not mine). Whew! The relief! So thrilled that I can give her a bowl of hi fibre deliciousness now!
Check out the MAGGI website for a bunch of lekker recipes you can make, for your family, using their noodles.
Disclaimer: This post was part of a sponsored campaign for MAGGI.
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Uhh, scrambled eggs and beef… together? {Quick recipe}
My grandmother was a chef of note. But, back then, we didn’t call her a chef… she was our Ma. And there were no fancy cookbooks or food blogs to guide her. My Ma Lamie cooked from her heart. And, truth be told, often her meals were a bunch of ingredients she had in her fridge, thrown into a pot, seasoned with a mix of the best Malay spices and, obvz, a dash of love.
One of my favorite “Ma Lamie dishes” was a mince and egg concoction that hit like no other meal could. I mean, I wouldn’t dare to scramble eggs into curried mince and call it a meal… but that mix, on a slice of thickly buttered bread, pretty much sums up my childhood. AND it’s flippen delicious!
I decided to introduce it to my daughter (she did not have the opportunity to meet Ma) as a way of passing down something from my grandma to her. I admit, I did boujee it up a bit and added extra ingrediants… not that it needs anything, its delish as is! Extra veggies will make it more heartier though. I use McCain veggies because they are precooked and prechopped so you don’t have to do any extra work. Score.
Ma Lamie’s Scrambled Egg and MinceIngredients:
2 Diced onions and 1 diced green pepper
Punnet of mushrooms (cut as small as you’d like)
Spinach (I use the McCain bags)
500g Mince
6-8 Eggs
Method:
In a saucepan, brown your onion and then add your green pepper (I usually also add some garlic and ginger paste).
Add your chopped mushrooms and allow to cook through. Then add your spinach and cook until slightly wilted.
Remove from heat and empty pan. You’re going to need it for the next part.
Brown another onion and add your mince and your spices (for me that’s salt, pepper and paprika).
Once this has cooked through, add your veggies and mix well.
In a separate bowl, add your eggs, a dollop of milk (optional) and some salt and beat together.
Add your egg mix to the pan and use a big spoon or ladle (not a fork), to mix through, until eggs are sufficiently scrambled and cooked through.
The beauty of this dish is that you can literally add as many veggies as you’d like. Or, if it’s that time of the month, simply brown your mince and add the eggs.Oh and did I mention this is carb free too? I know, just when we thought it couldn’t get better! Please do let me know if you end up trying this at home! My Ma Lamie would be so proud!
Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with McCain
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Peaceful sleep with the Tommee Tippee Grobag {Win!}
I love sleep. There, I said it. I mean, I function better when I’m well rested, you guys. It’s just, like, a fact of life! And so, because of this fact (uhh of life), I’m always super keen when a brand tells me that their product promotes better sleep for babies.
Ash has always been a good sleeper, but truth be told, I’m always super anxious when he sleeps soundly. I check on him every so often, to make sure that he is the right temperature and that his breathing is regular. I mean, you can call me paranoid, but not to my face.
And now, with Autumn in our midst, the colder weather would mean more blankets. Well, usually, right?
But what if I told you that you don’t really need more blankets, to ensure that baby is snug and comfy? I know I told you about it before, but friends, these Tommee Tippee Grobag’s are perfect for this sort of thing!
For starters, the promoting of “safer sleep for babies” is not just clever words that they say to impress you. The prestigious Lullaby Trust – a UK based charity for safe sleep, highly recommends this multi-award winning product. And, a survey done in the UK actually proved that 71% of babies slept for more than 6 hours, in their Grobag. Legit, right?
The main draw card, for me, was the fact that I don’t need to use extra blankets in his cot. The togs come in various weights and sizes, so Ash is sorted during Winter AND Summer. And, with the ample leg room in the tog, he doesn’t feel restricted. (Also, have you seen his chubby thighs? Lots of leg room is needed to house those bundles of deliciousness.)
Ensuring that your baby is the right temperature is important, since overheating can result in cot death. *shudder*
Your Grobag comes with a cute Nursery Thermometer, helping you to ensure that baby is at a safe sleep temperature. I also like that the YKK zipper and chin guard helps to prevent chafing.
But more than anything, I do appreciate that it’s easy to use, 100% cotton AND machine washable (can I cry now?), so I can pop it into the washing machine if need be. The designs are gorgeous (check them out over here) and would make for such a cool babyshower gift!
PSA: If you purchase your Grobag before end of May 2020, you can use my code: gb15spreadsheetbrain and score yourself 15% off!
Check out the Tommee Tippee online store for this and more amazing Gro products.
Win a Tommee Tippee Grobag!Tommee Tippee and My Spreadsheet Brain are giving ONE lucky reader a gorgeous Grobag! To enter, simply find this specially marked post on Instagram and follow the prompts!
Terms and conditions
Giveaway ends on 30 April. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Tommee Tippee will deliver goods to winner.
Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Tommee Tippee
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Teaching togetherness with Paw Patrol {Win!}
If you’re a parent I’m sure you’re well aware that ‘no job’s too big, no pup’s too small’ when it comes to the type of stuff that the puppy’s over at Paw Patrol are able get up to. As it has famously been said: “Round Adventure Bay, Ryder and his team of pups will come and save the day.” And we stan, right? I mean, I love a helpful, world saving dog. In fact, we need a bit of Paw Patrol magic ’round about now, as we face an uncertain future, due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
So I was pretty chuffed with myself when I decided to use the Paw Patrol message of working together to remind the kids that we are stronger united. I mean, it’s no secret, my (and probably your) kids are kinda Paw Patrol crazy. Using their favorite toys and characters is a great way to teach them about our current crisis AND how they can do their tiny bit to help. Also, playing with toys is a clever way to encourage the stretching of imagination AND it creates a nice break away from those screens. Win-win, for sure.
My kid’s were simply thrilled to play with the new Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Super Paws range that has just landed in SA . These sets are so legit, complete with a character (Ryder and his team of pups: Marshall, Rubble, Chase, Rocky, Zuma, Skye) and cool accessories that light up!
Mighty Pups Supersonic JetThis rad 2-in-1 transforming jet switches from deluxe jet into a mobile command headquarters with room for all the pups and a Deluxe Mighty Vehicle. (These are sold separately) The jet comes with an exclusive Ryder figurine and a mini jet that can be removed. My kids enjoyed pressing all the buttons to activate the lights and sounds and they spent a good while loading the launcher to release the 5 discs. Hands down a legit gift! You can pick it up at Toy Kingdom, Hamley’s, Tru or Toy Zone for R1999,99.
Mighty Pups Power Changing VehiclesWe had a ball of a time with the super sleek transforming fire truck. Marshall’s truck transforms at the push of the spoiler, revealing translucent flame details and projectile launchers! Pull up on the spoiler to switch back into deluxe vehicle. These sets come with a collectible figurine. This one, in particular, includes a cool looking suited up Mighty Marshall figure. Find these at Shoprite, Makro, Game, Toy Kingdom, Hamley’s, Tru and Toy Zone for R699,99.
Mighty Pups Themed VehiclesThe Mighty Pups Themed Vehicles are such cool collector’s items. My kids love their Chase police cruiser, complete with real lights and sounds that are activated at the push of a button. This one includes a chase figurine, looking rather dapper in his blue and silver Super PAWs uniform. You can buy them at PnP, Shoprite, Makro, Game, Toy Kingdom, Hamley’s, Tru and Toy Zone for R429,99.
Mighty Pups Hero Pups
These Mighty Pups figurines are such a nifty way to encourage free play, and to encourage the use of imagination, as your kids create brand new adventures for their favorite Paw Patrol characters. I’ve already promised mine that they will have every single Paw Patrol character because, as I was reminded, they are a TEAM. You can find these at Shoprite, Makro, Game, Toy Kingdom, Hamley’s, Tru and Toy Zone for R199,99.
Check out the video below for more.
Win a Paw Patrol hamper valued at R630!
To spread a bit of Paw Patrol magic, Just Fun Toys and My Spreadsheet Brain would like to give one reader a stunning Paw Patrol hamper valued at R630! There are two opportunities to enter. You are allowed to enter both times but duplicate entries, on one platform, will not be counted.
Terms and conditions
Giveaway ends on 9 April. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any @JustFunToys or @PrimaToys competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win. NOTE: PRIZES WILL ONLY BE DISPATCHED TO WINNER AFTER THE NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN HAS BEEN LIFTED.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Just Fun Toys
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5 unique Easter Egg Hunt ideas for the whole family!
With Easter around the corner, I’ve decided to put together our family Easter Egg Hunt a bit earlier this year, especially with my hyper kids needing to be kept entertained almost all day. We love celebrating Easter as a family as it’s one of our favorite holidays and a fun Easter Egg Hunt will definitely help to keep the kids busy and happy.
If you’re keen to put together a cool Easter Egg Hunt for your kids, but you have one in each size like I do (kids, not Easter eggs), then you need to check out these 5 unique Easter Egg Hunt ideas that are bound to keep every member of the family entertained.5 unique Easter Egg Hunt ideas for the whole family
1. Scavenger Hunt
While hunting for Easter eggs is what an Easter egg hunt should be about, you could totes up the entertainment factor a notch by turning the Easter hunt into a scavenger hunt. On a map, list a bunch of items (in your garden, or home) for your kids to find. Of course, we give prizes for each item retrieved. (Clue: the prize is always a delicious Fluffies mallow egg. Always.)
2. Sho’t Left
Include some fun little side activities that include things like ‘egg and spoon’ races and ‘complete the puzzle’ challenges. These stations can be set up in your yard within the vicinity of the Easter egg hunt and you can offer the kids a prize once they’ve completed the game. (Fun fact: Cadbury Fluffies come in a 30-unit box, so there is enough deliciousness to pull this off!)3. Plant the clues
Planting little clues that will lead the curious explorers from one nook to another is also a great way to keep the kids entertained for longer! You might want to leave a reward at each clue point to make exploring that much sweeter.
4. Artsy fartsy
Set up art stations around the hunt site and instruct them to design their own bunny face mask, or a special Easter Egg card to send to Granny! You could even include colouring in activity pages to keep them busy for as long as possible!
5. Get to diggin’If you don’t mind a messy kid (I mean, who does), why not bury a few treasures in a sand patch and have them excavate the Easter prize using digging tools and brushes. Give them a reward for each treasure they find.
Why not include all of the above into your Grand Easter Egg Hunt Event and offer a Cadbury Hollow Egg at the end? Did you know that Cadbury South Africa’s Easter range includes two yummy Cadbury Milk Chocolate Hollow Eggs (one including Whispers and the other with Astros) that would be perfect grand egg prize!
Win on the blog!
Guess what friends, Cadbury wants to give one of you a delish Cadbury South Africa’s Easter hamper to enjoy with your family, this Easter! You want some, right? Sure you do!
To enter simply find these specially marked posts on Instagram and Facebook and follow the prompts! Giveaway ends on 9 April.
Win with Cadbury South Africa!
What’s more, you can win on the Cadbury South Africa Facebook page, as well! From the 19th of March to 9th April, fans can hop over to the Cadbury South Africa Facebook page and help Fluffy save Easter by finding the Cadbury Easter eggs. They can enter the digital competition by simply following the registration prompts.
Once complete, they stand a chance to win daily prizes including one of 100 x R100 Takealot vouchers, one of 50 x R200 Superbalist vouchers, one of 20 Cadbury Easter hampers, as well as the grand prize, one of three 2-night packages at a family getaway for four people sharing. How legit is that?!
*T’s & C’s can be found on Facebook @CadburyDairyMilkSA under the notes section.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Cadbury
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5 great home learning resources for kids
If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids stimulated and learning, during the lockdown, I found a bunch of seriously cool websites to help you do so without, you know, needing a blackboard and teaching abilities. Because, let’s be honest, some of us (me, I’m looking at me) might find homeschooling a tad bit challenging and when you couple that with working from home vibes AND the fact that you need to keep your family well-fed and possibly entertained for the next 21 days. Let’s just say I welcome all the help that I can get!
Herewith, find a list of really cool online portals that make “home-teaching” a lot less painful.
Friends, Vodacom has such a rad website filled to the brim with content that is fully CAPS aligned. I’m talking workbooks, video tutorials and even posters, to help make home learning easy. Your child can pause and rewind the videos (I mean, so helpful, right?) and there are interactive quizes at the end of the topics, to help mentally solidify the information they’ve just learnt. Thinking that this is super amazing and it can’t get more amazinger? But wait, there’s more: Vodacom customers don’t pay for data or content when they are using the Vodacom e-school portal. Legit.
I was so pleased to learn about global nonprofit, Khan Academy. This online learning portal offers free, world-class education, for basically anyone, anywhere. What’s more, the site is zero-rated, which means you don’t need data to access it. My kinda website. All content on the website has been developed and created by a group of experts and if you’re looking to help your kid increase their math and science skills, this is the place to be!
South Africa’s Department of Education have made their workbooks and study guides available online, to help bridge the gap between a 21-day holiday and getting exam ready. It is especially important for matric students to continue to brush up on school work. I found the Grade R and Grade 1 Rainbow workbooks especially helpful. They are colorful and interesting, helping me to keep both my small ones entertained (and thinking) for long periods of time! I also love that I can get my Grade R learner to go over her school work, at home.
Get your hands on free audio books through online reading site, Audible. You can download books to your phone or tablet, which is perfect for those moments when you need some quiet time but don’t want to use a screen to get your kids to calm down. The books are separated into six categories: “Littlest Listeners,” “Elementary,” “Tween,” “Teen,” “Literary Classics” and “Folk & Fairy Tales for All.”
If you’re not totally opposed to spend some bucks for quality e-learning tools, then you need to check out E-Classroom. The website offers support resources for Grades R to Grade 12 at only R65 per year, per grade! The website is super easy to navigate and offers worksheets, mock exams and revision papers and even video tutorials.
Happy homeschooling!
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Prima Toys: 44 Cats brings the cool! {Giveaway!}
If your kids loves tv shows, as much as mine does, then you might be familiar with the hit kids show, on Nick Jr, called 44 Cats. It’s rad because these Italian cats spend their time singing in a garage band (I mean, sold already, right?!) and running interference against the neighborhood bullies (of both the human and feline varieties).
We were excited to learn that Prima Toys has launched a toy range for the hit show, in South Africa a couple of days ago. My kids totally freaked out when they opened their gift from Prima Toys, and saw the cool collection of figurines, play sets and plushies!
These cool plushies come in 4 assorted characters: Meatball, Milady, Lampo and Pilou. My Jojo was so amused to press the plush’s centre, to hear the original music from the series play. This is definitely perfect if you’re looking for a gift for a younger. It measures at about 20.3cm and retails for at R369.90 each.
44 Cats – Articulated Figure with AccessoryThese figurines are such sweet collector’s items, right? You get them in 8 various characters and they each come with an accessory for more realistic gameplay. I’ve so enjoyed watching my kids role play with their figurines… it’s such an easy way to get them to engage in conversation, while playing, helping to develop communication skills and boost their imaginations. These retail at R199.90 each.
44 Cats – Deluxe Playset with FeaturesThese playset’s have become Miss Kari’s favorite! They feature character’s from the TV series, with a variety of accessories. Each playset includes a 7cm figurine, with a unique setting, that makes for creative play. These retail at R369.90.
These cool playsets includes a 44 Cats figurine as well as a vehicle. Jonah’s favorite is Cosmo’s Spaceship, that comes complete with a garbage bin spaceship and a rad wagon to pull it on! You can pick these up at R489.90.
You can pick up any of these sweeeet 44 Cats toys at Toyzone or Toy Kingdom!
Win a 44 Cats hamper valued at R1429!Score cool parent points by entering our 44 Cats giveaway and win yourself a hamper to the value of R1429! Hows that for puuuurfect! To enter simply find these specially marked posts on Instagram and Facebook and follow the prompts!
Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any @JustFunToys or @PrimaToys competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
Disclaimer: This was sponsored by Prima Toys
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Pumping at work: tips for working moms
So when it comes to breastfeeding, it’s like, totally super fun, like, all the time!
Said no mom ever.Choosing to breastfeed your baby is a full time job, you guys. I mean, sure, it IS an absolute flippen joy to beable to feed your child with your very own bossom. Don’t get me wrong. BUT it’s taxing, for sure. And the thing about the commitment to breastfeed is that you often find yourself in the act of extracting milk from your body even when you’re not with your baby. (Pumping, it’s called pumping.)
It’s even more challenging when you’re at work and your baby feeders are needing to be emptied. But, there are ways to prepare for it, friends!
Here are a few tips (you can find more on the Medela website) to help you have a more pleasant, uhh, pumping experience, at work:
Get yo’ gear
An easy to transport bag should be holding all your breast pump equipment together. Be sure to include:
– Your breast pump (duh). I prefer the Medela range, because its sucking motion mimics that of my baby’s, which means I express more milk!
– Your storage bottles or bags. I use Ziplock bags, but you can totally purchase the handy Medela storage bags or bottles for this.
– Your marker, if you’re using Ziplock bags. Use this to date the storage bags.
– Breast pads or something to clean up with. (Leaky “other” boob, anyone?)
– Wet wipes are always handy.
– Something to read, or a pic of your baby, that can help to stimulate that let down.It would be great to have a pack like this, at work, and a separate pump at home. Take this advice from a mom who totally forgot half of her breast pump at home one time. My boobs were not happy.
Get yo’ space
You are entitled to two 30-minute breaks per day, for expressing milk for your baby at work. Did you know that? Well, you are! This right is protected by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.Drop your HR an email, before your maternity leave ends, to let them know that you will be expressing and to find out about the allowed time for this and the required private room (not a toilet) for you to pump in. We don’t have to be dramatic about it, moms. I mean, an interview room or a private boardroom will do, provided there is privacy, a comfy chair and electric outlet.
Get yo’ timing right
As your maternity leave comes to an end, begin to jot down the times when your baby would usually breastfeed. This gives you an idea of when to schedule your expressing time, at work. It will also help you to express more milk since your milk supply will usually follow the same schedule as baby’s feeding times.Hey, you could even arrange a practice day, yo! While on maternity leave, allow baby’s carer to bottle feed for the day, so that you can do a trial run of pumping at work. I usually schedule my first day back at work to be on a Friday so that I can get the hang of expressing and allow my body to adjust slowly to the new routine.
You need a Medela breast pumpOkay, I’m not just saying so because I was sponsored to. My Medela breast pump totes changed my life, you guys! This award winning breast pump does the job, and then some! Most pumps feature 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics babies’ natural sucking rhythms, allowing mums to express more breast milk in less time. HOW COOL?!
The Medela range of breast pumps are all high standard and high performance. From a hospital-grade Symphony, to a high-performance manual Harmony pump (I love mine – it’s handbag friendly!) to the double side Freestyle electric or the mini-electric (this one is great for my night time pumps), there is basically something for everyone.
I like that Medela continuously works with researchers and developers to provide us with the best feeding and breast feeding devices and products. I mean, they take their job seriously. I appreciate that. Although challenging, your season of breastfeeding your baba is so short and special. Choose products, like the Medela’s range, that will help to make the experience of breastfeeding and the collecting, handling and storing breast milk easier and more convenient.
Disclaimer: Medela gave me one of their pumps. But I’ve owned a few over the years and I love them all! My comments in this post are completely honest.
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How to Keep Your Home Tidy and Have More Time for Yourself
Sponsored – The popular psychology that comes from the Far East says that a clean house helps us keep our minds clean as well. There is even a book by a Shin-Buddhist monk, Shoukei Matsumoto, that addresses the issue — ‘A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind’.
While some people simply don’t mind being messy, we can’t deny that a clean space does transmit better vibes. There are a variety of cleaning methods out there – perhaps the most well-known is the KonMari Method. Whatever cleaning system you use to keep your house clean, here are a few tips that take inspiration from the KonMari cleaning method that you can include in your everyday routine.
Put Everything Back to Its Place
This might seem like an impossible task at first, but once you create a habit of it, it will vastly influence the overall free time you have each day.
The majority of people leave things wherever they find themselves at a particular moment. You come back from work, take off your shoes in the corridor, leave your bag in the living room, and your coat on the couch.
The situation repeats when you are leaving your home — you do your makeup and leave everything on the table. Or you take things out of the closet, and while you try them on you throw them on your bed before you finally choose what you’ll wear.
And while these actions don’t seem like anything that can cause trouble, repeating them day by day will create a huge mess that will stress you out the moment you start cleaning. The stress will also occur when you try to find a particular item the following day and get lost in the pile of things you have created.
That’s why the KonMari method advocates for creating a habit of putting everything where it belongs immediately after you are done using it. That way, you will always know where to find your things and you will have less work to do when cleaning. Therefore, you’ll have more time for your favourite activities.
Don’t Put off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today
Another thing that people often do is procrastinating and postponing responsibilities for one more hour, day, week, or even month. Although we sometimes plan when we are going to do certain things, it is not necessary to strictly stick to the schedule when it comes to things that don’t require a deadline.
Maybe you planned to mow the lawn or organise your accessories on Sunday morning. However, your friend cancelled the picnic plans you had for Saturday and now you have nothing to do. So why not finish on Saturday whatever you had planned for Sunday?
Even one day without any tasks awaiting in the morning will make you feel relaxed since you will be able to spontaneously do whatever you feel like and simply go with the flow.
Kill Two Birds With One Stone
This trick is one of the best time-savers you can use each day. The process of ‘killing two birds with one stone’ doesn’t mean that you should do two things at the same time because, in that case, you wouldn’t be able to focus on any of them properly.
What you can do instead is to finish some minor things while something else is ‘getting done’. In practice, this includes situations like wiping your kitchen counter and putting the dishes in the machine while the turkey in the oven is getting ready. Another option that can save your time is cleaning the sink while the acid you sprayed your shower with works on melting the limescale.
These little things make your home clean for longer and help you reduce your cleaning time to a minimum later on.
Do Regular Seasonal Cleaning
Even if you follow all of the above-mentioned steps and your house doesn’t look like it needs a seasonal cleaning, devote one day at the beginning of every season to detailed cleaning.
Pay attention to all the things you are not going to use in the following months. That can include putting away winter clothes that take up half of your closet, storing your roller blades or anything else that doesn’t belong to the current season.
So take these suggestions, inspired by Marie Kondo, and enjoy all the free time you have from cleaning efficiently!
This was a guest post written by Kyle Moore.
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