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Your children are watching you
Your children are watching you. Yes, that sounds like the synopsis of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Ooooooooh.
Okay, my cryptic opening line may have you scratching your head and reaching for your phone to scroll through Instagram. Sorry, Candice. I was having a moment. But now that I’ve pulled myself towards myself, allow me to explain.
The other night I realised that my kids were watching my behavior. In a nutshell: one of my kids let slip that they could see how annoyed I was “the other day”. I literally did a double take, because, dude, I wasn’t annoyed on that day. Maybe it’s just my face. Seriously.
But it got me thinking: maybe my spreadsheet brain (aka the way I run my household) comes across as being annoyed or angry all the time. When, in retrospect, I’m just trying to get chores done so that we can all chill!
But what do the kids see?
What do they see when I’m annoyed with hubby (even though I’m low-key not thaaaat angry). Or when the lady bumps her trolley into mine at the supermarket, and I give her a death stare. Or when I come home from work, ready to vent and end up speaking so much nonsense about my co-worker because she deserves it.
What type of “normal” am I instilling in my kids?
I had this revelation a few years ago that as wives and women in our homes, we set the tone and the atmosphere, to a large extent. I guess this varies from home to home, so I can only speak for myself but I do believe that as a mom and wife, you have the power to manipulate the energy in your house. And your response to a situation is the best teaching tool for your kid.Last night, for example, “someone” (okay, fine, it was me) had forgotten to buy electricity (we have one of those box things). So we sat in the dark for like an hour. When the power shot off, I could feel that anger bubbling. Man, I was so pissed off at myself AND my Hubstopher, because he was meant to remind me to get the electricity token.
It was one of those moments of anger where I didn’t feel like caring what everyone else was going through. I just wanted to bathe in my anger, as if it were a bed of roses, and pretend I was Madonna.
But the atmosphere at home was already pretty somber, since we had to sit around and wait while Hubstopher drove around trying to find an outlet that was “online” to get the electricity token. And that’s when I had one of those “a-ha” moments where I remembered that I have the power to change the atmosphere in my home. This was a teaching moment. So instead of acting cray, I gathered my kids and we sang songs together. Literally, a whole karaoke experience, in the dark. It was the best time!
The night could have turned out so differently and I probably would have gone to bed hating on my hubby and knowing that my kids are walking on eggshells because mom is angry. Instead, they (hopefully) learnt a lesson in “taking da lemons and making da lemonade.” (Totally said that with a Jamaican accent).
Anyways, what’s my point? Well, I guess my point is that sometimes all we need to do is take a breath and ask ourselves: “how do I want this to turn out?” and “how can I positively impact the atmosphere in my home”. And, more importantly: “what do I want my kids to see?”
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You don’t need fluoride to keep your kids teeth clean {Pure Beginnings}
As we near the end of Dental Health Awareness Month, I am reminded of a time, back when I was a little tiger, when pretty much all of my friends at pre-school had some sort of a rotten teeth or gap situation going on. Mind you, I’m sure that their parents weren’t overloading them with sugary treats. But, hey, let’s keep it real, there were some things we just did not know about back then. Like the fact that the fluoride you find in your regular toothpaste is actually a chemical compound, containing the element fluorine. In its pure state, this element is actually extremely corrosive and poisonous. Not exactly something you’d want to be giving to your kids, right? The truth is this, you don’t need fluoride to keep your kids teeth clean.
I didn’t even know that fluoride was a danger. And then I realized that most toothpastes have a warning printed on the box/tube. Something along the lines of: “If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, obtain medical help or contact a Poison Control Centre right away.” And guys, I’m going to be even more honest, I’m not even that much of a “crusty” mom… like, I seriously don’t think that a little bit of fluoride is going to kill my kid. But if there is an alternative, that is safer for the smallies, then why not simply choose that? Did you know that you don’t even need fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride has no nutritional value to the human body.
This is why I was a bit more excited (than a normal person would be about toothpaste) when I received a Pure Beginnings press drop. My toddler is actually not a fan of “normal” kiddies toothpastes because she claims that it burns her mouth. So I was curious to see if she would love the Pure Beginnings Organic Kids toothpastes.Considering all the negative effects of fluoride, the Pure Beginnings fluoride-free toothpastes all contain xylitol and are safe to swallow. They hold antibacterial properties and provide tooth and gum protection, freshening the breath naturally. All the Pure Beginnings toothpastes are vegan, contain certified organic ingredients and have been carefully formulated using no colorants.
My little Missy enjoyed the lovely Vanilla Mint toothpaste, designed for kids 3 years and older. The yummo Berry toothpaste is designed for kids who are just starting out on their toothy journey. It’s actually recommended that you start cleaning your little one’s mouth from 4 weeks old already!Pure Beginnings believes that using natural alternatives are a better, safer and more effective choice for you and your family. And at R36.95 per tube, I would say it’s definitely worth it! The cute characters on the tubes have become household faves. Our Missy specifically asks for the monkey or the birdie, when its teeth brushing time. I’m just happy that she’s excited about brushing her teeth again!
Have you tried the Pure Beginnings Organic Kids oral care range? What’s your fave?
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Best hobbies for full time moms
Being a full time mom is no small feat, you guys. You know what I’m talking about… it’s when your every single waking moment (and hey, sometimes even those sleeping ones too) are consumed with your kids. And, I mean, we can’t even help ourselves sometimes! Mommydom can get pretty overwhelming. But, lady friends, we need to take back our time! When last have you tried something new or spent time doing something that does not involve your home, hubby or kids? Exactly. This is why I’ve put together a list of best hobbies for full time moms. Full time moms, like you and I, who simply don’t know what it feels like to do something without your kids. Here they are:
Bust out your inner creative
Okay so when I talk about being a mom and being creative in the same paragraph, I know you’re probably thinking about doing arts and crafts with your smallies. Well I say NO! I challenge you to spend some time doing something creative for no reason at all other than the fact that you enjoy it. Maybe you love music or to knit or draw. Or maybe you are an avid crafter or writer (who is tired of retelling the same bedtime stories over and over). Dedicate some time, every week, to bust out your inner creative. There is no better fulfillment than seeing your work of art afterwards!
Read a book, yo
If you’re into reading (and I’m not talking about Facebook status updates, you guys) why not start or join a book club? My best book memory (that’s the same like a normal memory, but with a book) was when I was a member of a very cool book club. We had two very simple rules: 1. It was compulsory to purchase a copy of the book of the month (that way you can grow your own library) 2. Each person has a chance to nominate a new spot for our monthly breakfast meeting (and it must be someplace we’ve never been before). It was such a great way to explore new parts of the city AND really get excited about reading again.
Explore the outdoors
I can’t recommend Geocaching enough, friends! Geocaching is like a modern day treasure hunt. You register to the Geocaching community (via a phone app) and you are then shown a map and given clues, to find the various caches (treasures) hidden throughout your city. You are even able to plant your own caches. So super cool! If you love adventure, I highly recommend this activity. It’s also another great way to explore your city – or take a mini road trip and explore other parts of the country!
Eat
No, seriously, eat. I mean, does this not sound like thee BEST hobby to have? If you love cooking, why not try out various dishes every month for your hubby or even a group of friends. You could even take it one step further and join a culinary school or start a supper club with your friends, where you get to explore various eateries around your town. Having a theme could add an element of fun!
Get active
Keeping fit and healthy holds more benefit than just a way to fill your time. Joining a gym is a cool idea, because most local gyms offer interesting classes that do more than just offer up a great work out. A Zumba dance class or even a martial arts fitness class is a fun way to stay active. But hey, let’s be honest, we’re not all into physical activity. (And by “we”, I’m talking about “me” I do love watching a good soccer game, though! A few of my mom friends are avid sports watchers and enjoy betting on their favorite sports. Whatever your scene, make sure you’re doing it with lots of snacks!
What are some of your favorite full time mom hobbies to do? Hit us up in the comments section!
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Human trafficking: Keep your kids safe from abduction
As I type this post, I am shook to my core. I mean, I am in no way an expert on human trafficking. But having just spent a good few minutes online, reading stories of child abduction, my world has suddenly become a lot more shakier. Human trafficking is on the rise in South Africa, yo, and woman and children are being targeted. Have you begun to educate your little one on what they should do if someone grabs them? Do you have a plan in place, to keep your kids safe from abduction? Are you also freaking out a little bit, on the inside? Allow me to reiterate: aaaack!
Okay, now that we’ve sufficiently settled down, friends, I need to tell you that we have to make sure that our small children know about the bad people who are trying to steal kids. Draw pictures, watch Youtube clips, act out scenarios, if you must! But this epidemic is something that is rife and we can’t ignore it any longer. I’ve read horror stories of attempted kidnappings in popular shopping malls – the children were literally right next to their parents, when it happened. I’ve watched video clips of a mom crying her heart out, as she talks about her little boy who is now missing for a whole month. I even did myself the disservice of watching clips, taken in rural parts of Asia, where a car simply stops in the middle of the street and someone jumps out, grabs a kid, and hops back into the car, never to be seen again. Yes, it has sufficiently freaked me out for the rest of my life.
We need to put a plan in place, that will help us to safe guard our children. This is what I found online:
A few safety tips for children:
1. When out in public, you guys, you HAVE to keep an eye on your children at all times. And not “across the road” kind of keeping an eye. Stay close to your little ones. Inspect your surroundings. Is anyone acting suspicious? Guys, we need to put our phones down (me, I’m looking at me, yes with my own eyes) and keep our attention on our little ones.
2. Teach your kids that its okay to be rude to an adult when they don’t feel safe. This includes shouting “NO!” and “STOP!” when they are feeling compromised. Heck, my child will punch you in the face if need be!
3. If your kid is a social butterfly, who may be comfortable talking to strangers, teach them that it is NOT OKAY to go anywhere with a stranger, without mommy or daddy’s direct permission. Children are generally very trusting and yes, they need to be taught this, you guys!
4. Have your child practice their scream, should they be in trouble. Have them take a deep breath and let out their loudest, deepest, most annoying “yelp”. Practice it at home.
5. Should your little one dissapear in a mall or public setting, begin shouting out their name and what they are wearing. Ask passersby to do the same and pass it on. At this point, everyone in the vicinity will know that the child is missing and what the child is wearing, thus drawing attention to the child and hopefully swaying the perpetrator.I am looking into purchasing a GPS tracker for my little ones. I’ve even considered getting one of those kiddies leashes. Have you guys thought about ways to keep your children safe from abduction and human trafficking? Please share your thoughts, tips and ideas with me in the comments section below.
Resources:
Protecting your child from human trafficking
Protecting your child from sex trafficking
Protecting your kids from abduction -
My top 5 parenting posts are full of drama
Apparently this space is called a parenting blog. I say “apparently” because when I started blogging I didn’t like, have a formula or a specific niche in mind. I just enjoy talking. And singing. I sometimes sing while I’m talking. But that’s not the point. I have a lot to say, man. And I loved that this blog space allowed me to say what I want, without anyone tell me to be quiet.
I’ve met a bunch of really fabulous mamas while on this blogging journey. Yep, I’m talking about you guys… the ones who message me with tips and tricks when I’m struggling to get my child to make a poo. Or the ones who send me words of encouragement when I act like a pansy about the fact that I’m getting a hair cut. Or the ones who DM me to ask for advice about situations that you’re going through… thank you for choosing me to be your safe space. You guys are amazing.
And hey, thank you for reading. I mean, without you, I’m pretty much just outchere talking to myself (not uncommon, but like, thanks for not letting me man).
Anyways, with this in mind I thought to list some of YOUR top 5 parenting posts, shared on this ol’ blog, over the years. I quite like these too, so you guys have excellent taste. Here they are:
Not worthy for Mother’s DayI often chat about my introduction to parenthood. I mean, I was like, 19 when I gave birth and totally not ready for it. Which is why I so loved the Embrace Motherhood campaign. This campaign is targeted at new moms who, on Mother’s Day, may be feeling overwhelmed, ill-equipt and not worthy to be someone’s mom. That’s exactly how I felt on my first few Mother’s Days. Read more…
Boy or Girl: Fun baby gender prediction testsWhen I found out I was preggers with Jonah, I was more than a little shocked. He was a surprise baby – a blessing on top of a blessing – and we were okay with it being a boy or a girl. Before we got the gender result from the doctor’s blood test, we tried out a bunch of gender prediction tests to see which one would give us the more accurate result. Anyways, turns out Jojo was a… well, a Jojo. As we all know now. But it was so fun to try all of these out while we waited to find out what the gender would be. Read more…
When you’re dating a single momThis post was especially close to my heart. I was a single mom for a few years before I met my Hubstopher and let me tell ya, those were perilous times! It’s so hectic to juggle a love life with being ..errr.. kinda EVERYTHING your child needs, all at the same time! My wise friend once told me: “single mom does not mean single heart!” and that is so true! If you’re a single mom, navigating the treacherous waters of the dating sea, my prayers are with you sister! Read more…
10 Perks of having kids at a young ageI wrote this post a couple of years ago and people still seem to find it relevant (and by “relevant” I mean “awkward but amusing”). I’ll admit, having Kyle at the tender age of 19 was anything BUT amusing. But being able to watch him sail through his teens, while still being a teen myself (cough)… priceless! I highly recommend it. Check the post for terms and conditions though. Read more…
Ever had to deal with that baby mama dramaLook, the traditional family looks a lot different now a days, compare to like, nineteen-voetsek. Blended families are a thing. Being a “baby mama” is not something you only see in movies. And baby mama drama is not uncommon. You know I’m right. What’s my point? Well, what I want to say is that I know what baby mama drama looks like because I am that very same baby mama and I’ve caused drama before. There, I’ve said it. This post resonated with a lot of you. Heck, it STILL resonates with me sometimes. And that’s okay. Read more…
Which of these are your faves? Or which of my other parenting posts hit the nail on the head for you? And, most importantly, what would you like me to chat about next? I’m asking because I sometimes have no cooking-clue what to say and having a little guide would help. Hit me up in the comments section below.
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Bath Time with Pure Beginnings
Bathing my kids has become a mission, you guys. I mean, for starters, there are two of them under the age of four. And secondly, they are both crazy-busy! Bath time with us usually means Kari trying to wash her Barbie dolls hair, with her favorite Pure Beginnings shampoo, while Jonah puts a bar of soap in his mouth as he simultaneously attempts to sit on his sisters head and make a poo. I’m not even joking, this has really happened.
But, with all the scooping of baby poop out of the bath, I’m so glad that I don’t have to worry about what’s in my kids bath products too. We’ve been using the Pure Beginnings Organic Baby products and I’m totally smitten with this fantastic smelling, all natural, locally produced, organically certified product!
The Pure Beginnings Baby Wash and Shampoo comes in a squish top bottle (which has been especially helpful in monitoring how much wash Kari puts on her Barbie). I love the mild, clean aroma and, I know this is a weird thing to be thankful about, but I appreciate that we can use as much of it as we want, as often as we want. I mean, you guys, when you’re bathing two kideos at the same time, you can’t guarantee that the soap will go where you need it to go. It goes, like, everywhere. Everywhere, you guys. Pure Beginnings is filled with nourishment and none of the bad stuff, so I’m okay with it going everywhere, if you know what I mean.And yes, when I say “bad stuff” I mean things like: Synthetic colorants and fragrances, sulphites, parabens, petrochemicals and phthalates and basically all the other swear words in the organic vocabulary. Nope, none of those in your Pure Beginnings products. How legit?!
Kari has been enjoying the Pure Beginnings Vanilla Mint Toothpaste. It tastes really lekker too… I’ve been told… Okay, okay, fine, I’ll admit, I tasted it! A few times. But that’s only because she often complained about the previous toothpastes that we’ve tried. This delicate Pure Beginnings paste is free of harsh chemicals. It has a mild, pleasant taste, that will have your kid’s pearly whites looking all…er… pearly white!
I love that they’ve extended their range to now include the Pure Beginnings Biodegradable Wet Wipes (with organic aloe) and a Pure Beginnings Baby Bum Cream that also has organic boabab. The wipes are really fresh smelling (yes, it’s a thing) and the bum cream has a creamy consistency, goes on well, and protects your kids bum-bums, while nourishing it. I mean, hello, your kids bottom is delicate and you should avoid using harsh chemicals in that area, at all costs!
And talking about costs, you would expect a quality all organic product, such as Pure Beginnings, to cost a pretty penny. But it really is affordable, yo! You can shop online at Faithful to Nature store or check out the Pure Beginnings website for a stockist near you. -
Fashion Friday: The Little Closet’s trendy toddler fashion
My children dress better than I do. There, I said it. Kiddies fashion has really gone up a level though, and I love that we now have a bunch of lekker local online kids stores to choose from. I’m very proud to say that some of these online boutiques are owned by Nelson Mandela Bay locals (#sharethebay, yo). Kids fashion in the Bay is slamming! (#biasednotbiased). So I thought to show you guys some of my fave proudly PE online kids boutiques and how cute my kid looks modelling their fashion. Hows that for a double whammy? Disclaimer: These weekly Fashion Friday posts may or may not spur on a crazy online shopping spree.
The Little Closet and Co
If you’re looking to up your toddler’s wardrobe game, you definitely need to check out Nelson Mandela Bay’s own The Little Closet and Co. Inspired by her daughter, Eemaan, founder and designer, Sumayyah Ally used her own flair for creative styling and fashion to bring to you a kiddies clothing brand that is both hip and oulik all at the same time.
Adding a couple of trendy clothing pieces to your toddler’s “little closet” is a no brainer, if you’re a mum with an eye for fashion. But Sumayyah found difficulty in trying to source on trend clothing and accessories for her little one, without having to sell actual body parts to be able to afford it. International purchases are quite pricey, yo!She then started sourcing top notch kiddies apparel, and created a platform that enabled and empowered other moms to do the same! From beautifully crafted local outfits to imported pieces, The Little Closet makes it easy for YOU to style your kid!
And hey, this mama is super stylish herself! So she’s literally taken all her fabulousity and sprinkled it over her own baby and kids clothing line, called Eemaan Handmade.
She shares: “This range incorporates simplistic designs adding an edge using textures and current color palettes whilst inspiring new trends. Only the highest quality of material is sourced locally and each item is carefully crafted with love. Eemaan handmade aims to promote exclusivity to match the individuality of your little humans.”
I totally fell inlove with the Cosmic Romper. I mean, honestly, at first I wondered if this unisex jumpsuit would look good on a little girl. But guys, it’s so friggen adorbs! It features shoulder studs for easy putting on and nappy changing and the bottoms are a cool harem fit.Kari loved the pocket detail and the headband. The print is really funky and I appreciate that its unisex, yo! I mean, Jo could fit into this in a short while! So it’s a double score for me!
Cosmic Romper – R220
3 – 6 months to 4 – 5 years
The summer Jersey Romper is stunning! Firstly, this salmon color is all sorts of “aaack!” And secondly, the design is really pretty, featuring an adjustable waist, pocket detail and press studs along the inner leg.I am a fan of the soft breathable fabric and the ease of wear. I mean, this is totally the type of outfit that my kid could slip on, for a day at the beach or a summer kiddies party. The fit is loose, which means you could actually stretch out wear. Kari is 3 years old and the 3-4 year old fit is still really loose and comfortable on her. There are a variety of colors and styles available. Love them all!
Jersey Romper – R200
3 – 6 months to 3 – 4 years
With Spring around the corner and the impending Summer holidays waving at us, what better time to stock up on festive season looks for your kiddies, than right now? Visit the online store for more or check out the shops Facebook or Instagram accounts to stay up to date with what’s hot and happening in The Little Closet.
About this shoot (AND WIN!)This photo shoot was done in collaboration with Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly at the gorgeous The Windermere hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are giving away a stay at this gorgeous location! For deets on how to enter, simply check out my Instagram page for the competition post! Competition closes on Friday 10 August and winner announced on Monday 12 August.
All photos in this post was taken by my talented blogger friend, Odette Johaar of Odette Johaar Photography and Totally Confident & Completely Insecure blog.
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Fashion Friday: Lil Punk turns up the edge on kids fashion
My children dress better than I do. There, I said it. Kiddies fashion has really gone up a level though, and I love that we now have a bunch of lekker local online kids stores to choose from. I’m very proud to say that some of these online boutiques are owned by Nelson Mandela Bay locals (#sharethebay, yo). Kids fashion in the Bay is slamming! (#biasednotbiased). So I thought to show you guys some of my fave proudly PE online kids boutiques and how cute my kid looks modelling their fashion. Hows that for a double whammy? Disclaimer: These weekly Fashion Friday posts may or may not spur on a crazy online shopping spree.
Lil Punk
Jill of Lil Punk started sewing while she was on maternity leave. I’m convinced that there is magic in the air when a woman is on maternity leave. Maybe it’s the copious amounts of free time or the desire to do something other than laze around watching reruns of Greys Anatomy. Well, in Jill’s case, she was actually inspired when she found a gap in the market. As part of a cloth nappy mommy group, she learnt that pants especially designed for cloth bummed kids were a huge need, and started making maxaloons.
The demand quickly grew and she eventually moved on to sewing special orders, focusing on custom imported fabrics. When the fluctuating rand hindered the process, this super mama decided to design her own range. Flippen impressive, you guys! As a boy mom she was frustrated with the lack of boy/unisex fashion in retail stores. And, come on, let’s be honest, we love a good online store anyways. Well, her frustration lead to even more inspiration (hey, that rhymes) and that’s how Lil Punk was born.Jill shares: “I wanted something edgy, fashionable, but comfortable for kids to run around and play in. There is nothing I hate more than kids dressed like a million bucks, but they’re uncomfortable. I believe kids clothing should be as natural as possible, so I only use cotton lycra blend, for comfort and stretch. If I use custom printed synthetics its minimal and only on trims.”
Kari had the opportunity to try out the Thunder and Lightning Lil Punk collection and I totally fell inlove with the lightning bolt design. The custom print material is really quirky and not too in-your-face while totally being in-your-face if you know what I mean. Really retro!I LOVE the brushed cotton fabric that Jill uses. It is quality! And the fit is really comfy. I’ll probably hold on to this rounded long sleeve tee and brushed cotton leggings for baby Jo. The rounded tee is available in a variety of colors and also doubles as a dress – score!
Leggings – R180 (1 year – 6 years)
Rounded long sleeve tees – R150 (1 year – 5 years)
I love Jill’s heart behind her brands flavour. It is a tasteful cross between edgy and hip, while still maintaining its cuteness level. I mean, my toddler’s got to look cute ya’ll. The unisex aspect of her range really makes it versatile, yo! You could dress these pieces up or down.
BTW, I don’t know if I told you guys, but my child is, in fact, Super Sparkle. (Yes, she’s a super hero. We get told this every now and then, as she pretends to fly around the room). So the Lil Punk Romper was such a treat for her! She felt especially Super Sparkly in it.
Romper – R220 (1 year – 5 years)
Lil Punk now also offers custom printed hoodies and tshirts in black, grey and navy. Such a legit birthday gift! You can order your very own Lil Punk outfits by contacting Jill either via email or Facebook. Lil Punk will have a stall at the KFC/Herald Fair in Nelson Mandela Bay on August 24th.About this shoot (AND WIN!)
This photo shoot was done in collaboration with Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly at the gorgeous The Windermere hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are giving away a stay at this gorgeous location! For deets on how to enter, simply check out my Instagram page for the competition post! Competition closes on Friday 10 August and winner announced on Monday 12 August.
All photos in this post was taken by my talented blogger friend, Odette Johaar of Odette Johaar Photography and Totally Confident & Completely Insecure blog.
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Ear piercing for kids: doing it right
So the great “when to pierce your kids ears” debate had me trolling the interwebs for hours. I mean, how else was I suppose to know whether my child is old enough to get her ears pierced?! Ear piercing for kids suddenly became a tad more complicated than I had initially thought it was. We sure do have A LOT of opinion about EVERYTHING. People seem to care a bit too much about how other people are raising their own children. And hey, I get it, who am I to speak? I have a blog and I tell you guys how I do things, right? Fair enough. But I’m not out here giving you the stink eye for not doing it the exact same way that I do. Who has time for that anyways? (Don’t look at me, I can’t even remember if I brushed my teeth this morning.)
Anyways, Kari is almost four years old and yes, I did not have her ears pierced when she was a baby. I just figured that she would be too little to understand the pain of a freshly pierced ear, or how to care for it. So I chose to wait until she asked for it. And even on the day of the actual ear piercing, I still wasn’t sure if she was ready for it… even though she had asked for “rings on her ears” pretty much every day for two weeks. How was I to know if the kid could handle it? Well, here’s what I did, you guys, and I feel very clever for doing it:
I pinched her ear lobes.
Yep, I know, genius. Somebody should call Carte Blanche immediately.I pinched the girl’s lobes while explaining that having her ears pierced will be a bit eina. She said she is aware of the pain and still wants rings on her ears please. I also explained that in order to get “rings on her ears” the aunty will be making holes in her ear lobes. She was like, bring it on mom! And then I explained that once the rings were in her ears, she would have to look after it. With bling earrings comes great responsibility. She nodded her head in anticipation. Okay, she was ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKwQzYZ3KM8&feature=youtu.be
Guys, I can’t say that I’m going to blow your minds with this but after investigating my options I actually preferred taking her to a good ol’ fashioned Sterns for the actual ear piercing. We were very blessed to know most of the staff at the store, so she was already at ease. (The lady in the vid is her aunty) I appreciate that both lobes were pierced at the same time and besides for the 5 seconds of “ouch!”, Kari was good to go!
So what am I trying to say? Is three years old the best age to pierce your kids ears? Should you rather go to a jeweler and not a professional piercer? Am I Super Duper Mommy – the best parent in the whole entire world – and everyone should bow down at my feet and feed me chocolate? Well, I mean, feed me with chocolate all you want. But no, I am not the best or the cleverest or the most knowledgeable.
The truth is: I know my child better than you do. And you know yours better than I ever will! And so, my dear friend, allow me to say this: Take all your mommy wisdom, add some practical knowledge to it and TA DAHH! You too can be a Super Duper Mommy, parenting YOUR kid the way YOU know best! So there you have it. No lecture. No “my way is the best way” monologue. Heck, I don’t even have tips for you this time around.
But hey, if you’ve come here for ear pierce tips, I’ll share some with ya:
1. Since baby’s immune system is still developing, it is suggested that you wait until they are atleast 6 months old before creating an “open wound”.
2. Rubbing ice on the ear lobe for 20 minutes will numb the lobe and reduce the pain.
3. If you want to be extra you could also get a dermatologist or pediatrician to do the piercing.
4. Ask your chemist about a topical medication that can numb the area.
5. It’s preferable to use surgical stainless steel initially since some people are allergic to certain materials (white gold etc).
6. Try to avoid swimming for a while after the piercing. Remember that it’s considered an open wound and can be prone to bacterial infections.
7. Keep the earring in for atleast six weeks after the initial piercing, to give the area enough time to heal.So there you have it. Drop me a comment below if you can think of any other shweeet tips or advice to pass on to other mommy’s who are thinking about getting their kids ears pierced.
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Cake smash alternative: First Birthday Paint Session!
Okay, so you’re a mom and you’re scouring the internet for ideas on how to document your little one’s first birthday. But for some reason, the idea of having your baby dig into a cake is just not appealing. That’s okay. You’re in a safe place, you can confess. Maybe playing with food is not your scene. Or maybe you feel like you need a fresh approach to the whole thing. Well, guess what, Michelle of Cutepix Photography now offers moms a first birthday cash smash alternative: The First Birthday Paint Session! You guys, I LOVE this idea! And yes, I know, the way I gush on and on about Michelle’s work is a bit dramatic. But trust me, it’s sooooo well deserved! She is super creative and I love that she thinks out of the box. I mean, her latest shoot with Jo was pretty darn sweet! Scroll down for proof.
I love everything about a paint session photo shoot, you guys! For starters, as I’ve said, smashing cake might not be your baby’s thing. In fact, Kari cried through out her cake smash shoot, because she did not like the texture of the cake on her hands. She would totally have enjoyed a first birthday paint shoot!
Jo really got into it. Once he had the paint brush in his hand, he somehow knew that he is meant to use it to paint on the canvas. (I told ya he’s a genius!) He loved messing around with the colors and, yup, ended up painting his hair. Messy, but it made for such great pics AND double score: messy play is such a great teaching tool anyways.
Michelles paint session package only costs R800. That’s a freaking bargain! Included in the package:
– A photo shoot of your kid painting. You get between 60 – 80 photos.
– She provides the canvas and paint. The paints are all non toxic and kiddie friendly.
– You get to keep the masterpiece at the end of the shoot (This is SUCH a brilliant idea for a gift!)
– At the end of the shoot, you can pop your kid into a bubble bath at the studio, for an extra little photo shoot, complete with baby and bubbles!
All for R800. Madness, I tell you!
If you’re not sure why I think it’s madness, please do have a look at the photos that Michelle took of my little ones. You’ll see that her work is quality. She also has a lot of patience which makes it easy for kids to be calm around her. I highly recommend her services! For more check out the Cutepix website. For bookings, please email Michelle directly. She is a busy lady so book your time slot asap!
(Clip note: Cutepix Photography is based in Nelson Mandela Bay)Other photo shoots Michelle has done for me:
Jonahs First Birthday Nautical Themed Cake Smash
Jonahs Newborn Pics
Cadbury Oreo Enrobed Party
Kari’s First Birthday Carnival Themed Cake Smash
Williams Family Photos
