Guys, my kids are seriously the masters of disaster some days. My carpets, walls, dishes… The list of things my boys have accidentally damaged or dirtied is seemingly endless. I certainly can’t speak for everyone else’s kids, but certain parts of my home (and life!) are showing wear and tear thanks to my little bundles of joy. Read on to see a list of what my cherubs have threatened to destroy, and the easy parenting hacks I’ve put in place to counter the mess!

Thank you to Premier Surfaces for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

simple PARENTING HACKS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR KIDS DESTROY…

Your Sleep

Listen, I’m just gonna say it. I’m a better mom (and person) when I’ve slept well. Kids complicate that. Luckily, we found our perfect solution! Our boys have to start the night in their own beds. If they wake during the night and need to be near us, they quietly come to our room. My husband and I leave a pillow and sleeping bag next to the bed for them. Our kiddo drifts right back to sleep, and the hubs and I aren’t disturbed. Our oldest outgrew it on his own, and I know the youngest will too.

Your walls & Furniture

My boys are budding artists, but creativity comes at a cost. I’ve found it helpful to stock up on low mess art supplies. It helps keep my walls, furniture, and children’s imagination in tact. Great options include Crayola Color Wonder products, Melissa & Doug Water Wow sets, and Aqua Doodles.

Your Carpet

I swear, my boys are THE messiest eaters I have ever seen. We needed a sure-fire way to save my dining room carpet from #thelittleone’s sloppy spills and accidental drops. The best solution we’ve found is to put a simple plastic washing machine tray under his high chair. It collects anything that falls, and seriously protects my carpet from messy foods like yogurt or soup!

Your Counters

Both of my boys are enthusiastic helpers in the kitchen. They love any chance to help stir, chop, or create a meal with my husband and I. I’ll be totally honest and admit that neither my husband nor I are terribly skilled in the kitchen. We all try, but we’ve definitely had our share of mishaps! When you consider the hazards your counters are put up against on a regular basis- heat, sharp objects, abrasive foods, etc- it’s no wonder that your counters can show wear quickly. (With or without kids!) Quality countertops are definitely a worthwhile investment, if you’re looking for counters that can stand up to your kid’s ‘help’ in the kitchen!

Photo: Premier Services

I’m lucky to have an amazing countertop company near me. Premier Surfaces Buffalo NY is a wealth of information about quality countertop options. Quartz, natural stone, marble, granite, metals- they have so many great choices available to suit both your personal style and your home needs. (I’ve definitely got my eye on stainless steel when we’re ready for an upgrade!) Be sure to take a peek at their online galleries for home inspiration, and consider visiting the showroom to really see the quality for yourself!

Photo: Premier Services

Your Tabletops

If there’s one mess I hate, it’s food spills. (Reference the carpet complaint above for more on my messy eaters!) We keep a small bin of clean up necessities right in the dining room. It’s filled with after-meal must-haves, like paper towels, surface spray, etc. It’s simple and quick to grab the supplies and clean up immediately, making sure there are no icky dried food spots to surprise us at future meals!

Their Hearing

#thebigone loves his Kindle time (although we do set some limits). #thelittleone loves anything big brother is into, so of course, Kindle time is his favorite as well. The boys each have a pair of headphones to use, so we’re not constantly overloaded with dueling soundtracks. Of course, as a mom, I worry about them jacking the volume up WAY too high and damaging their ears when they’re young. I’m careful to always choose kid-friendly headphones with built-in volume control. That peace of mind is so worth it to me!

Their Desks

Both of my boys have their own desks in their rooms. They love sitting down and working with coloring sheets, journal pages, etc. However, like a lot of creative kids they occasionally color outside the lines- and outside of their papers too! Since he’s only 2, #thelittleone is especially guilty of this! To keep their desk tops in decent condition, I put a layer of press-and-seal food wrap over the top of their desks. When the wrap has tons of marks all over it, it’s easy to peel up the dirty layer. Then it’s inexpensive and quick to replace it with a clean layer. Totally beats scrubbing desk tops repeatedly!

Your Plastic Food Storage

Even before I had kids, I struggled with keeping track of all the lids and bases for plastic food storage. (Seriously, why are there always so many without matches?!) After kids, it’s a whole new challenge- especially when we’re packing lunches and on-the-go snacks. The simplest solution we found was to eliminate the containers entirely when packing school lunches. All-in-one lunch boxes, like our favorites from Planet Box are they perfect solution. No more lost lids or bowls, and WAY fewer dishes to do!

Ok, I wanna know… Do you have any solutions to keep your little ones from causing chaos at home? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Parenting in this busy, high pressure age can be a little overwhelming. Preschool and elementary school has changed so much since I was young. Attention and focus are increasingly important for our kiddos to be successful. As my boys grow, I find myself thinking more and more about how I can help my kids stay on task better. Read on to see a few of the ways we’ve been working on it at our house!

Thank you to ihelpmoms.com and Joy Family Tech for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. 

IDEAS TO HELP KIDS STAY ON TASK

Calendars

Now that #thebigone is a strong reader, we find a written calendar helps him stay on schedule. He bounces between his dad’s house and my own midway through the week, so staying on track with that can be confusing. Now that he’s 7, he’s adding in play dates, and extracurricular activities like Boy Scouts or Lego Team. Having a calendar in his room to keep track of his obligations is a simple way to keep him in the loop and on task.

Chore Charts

When I found these magnetic responsibility charts, I knew they would perfect for keeping both my kids on task. I love that they feature images, so even #thelittleone can understand some of the tasks. Another favorite feature is that the responsibilities are not solely chores. I love the ideas of helping my boys learn to care for themselves independently. Magnets like ‘exercise’ and ‘hug your parents’ are perfect for raising healthy, well-rounded, independent kiddos.

I used some adhesive hook & loop tape to attach an old cookie sheet to a wall in our kitchen. Above them, I hung their magnetic task boards the same way. Using some washi tape, I divided the cookie sheet in half to separate the boys’ sets of magnets. I was careful to hang the cookie sheet and the boards low enough so each boy could reach them when they needed to. Hanging them in a public part of the house makes sure we’re all helping our kids stay on task and be accountable.

In the past, we’ve used paper chore charts and sticker charts successfully. A great hack to cut down on paper is to frame your paper task charts under glass and use a dry erase marker to track ‘done’ items.

Read Alouds

Especially for young children, read alouds are the perfect opportunity to review daily schedules. Story books and social stories are an ideal way to reinforce personal tasks in a way that doesn’t feel like teaching. When #thebigone was tiny, we read Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Wakey Wake each morning before pulling him out of his crib. We ended each day by reading Llama Llama Nighty Night. #thelittleone is currently obsessed with Michael Dahl’s superhero themed series. Good Morning Superman, Bedtime for Batman, and Be A Star Wonder Woman are perfect reads to help my kids stay on task all day long.

Octopus by Joy

Octopus by Joy is definitely the coolest suggestion I have to share. It’s the one my boys are most excited by as well. Octopus is an icon based watch that kids feel grown up wearing. Parents can customize the tasks and schedule via an easy-to-navigate app. There are over 700  icons to choose from, so your family will find exactly what they need. Vibrations and images through out the day help keep kids on task. Alerts activate on the parent’s mobile device through out the day, so they are aware of what their children should be up to. Octopus is the perfect choice for kids that covet technology, since it brings it down to their level. #thebigone loves the feeling of independence he has when he’s wearing his watch.

#thebigone tends to well staying on task while he’s at school. When he’s home, the lure of Netflix, Roblox, or the next Boxcar Children book can easily leave him side tracked and behind schedule. To accommodate his needs, I made his before and after school schedules on Octopus very detailed- even listing some tasks at 5 minute intervals. His schedule during the school day is essentially blank. However, if he found transitions challenging, I wouldn’t hesitate to include school activities as well.

Octopus pairs with the cutest little charger called Companion, that doubles as a night light when the watch is docked. The watch itself is water resistant, sturdy and simple, with only one button.  I love that parents are able to program emergency contact information into the watch as well. We’ve loved watching #thebigone’s independence blossom thanks to Octopus, and will no doubt use this cool tool for #thelittleone when he’s old enough.

GOTTA HAVE AN OCTOPUS WATCH?!

You can grab one for your family right here! For one month only, use code ‘ihelpmoms2018′ to save 25%! 

How do you help your kids stay on task? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!

Surprise guys!

Is your bank account is feeling a little drained after too much holiday shopping? (I know mine could use a little extra love right about now!) I teamed up with some other amazing mamas to give one lucky reader a $500 Amazon giftcard! Entering is quick and simple, so be sure to grab your chances at this great prize!

$500 AMAZON GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter. Winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply to claim the prize. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours then an alternate winner will be selected. Open to International and 18+ years of age. Amazon giftcard will be emailed.

If you win, what would you spend your Amazon giftcard on? let me know in the comments below!

I feel like I haven’t shared a post in ages! If you follow me on Instagram, you already know, sickness hit my family hard this holiday season! Both of the boys are feeling much better- thank goodness! However, my husband and I are still on the mend. When the cooties hit, I was glad I had made sure to stock my home with some sick-day necessities. Read on to learn more about how I stay prepared for cold & flu season every year!

MUST HAVES TO BE PREPARED FOR COLD & FLU SEASON

Kleenex

Honestly guys, this is a no-brainer. Especially now with my youngest in daycare, cold & flu season brings so many sniffles and sneezes! Add in our regular seasonal allergies, and you know we’re going through a TON of Kleenex every winter! I always buy ours from Walmart because the prices are so reasonable, and the products are available in bundles. (Face it, you’re gonna need a lot of tissues- just commit to buying in bulk right now!) It’s simple to grab a bundle while I’m out doing our regular shopping in store. Or if I’m stuck home with a sick kid – #momlife, right?! – I can make a quick online order and have them delivered to my doorstep in just 2 days!

I love the varieties that Kleenex offers as well. The antiviral tissues are perfect when I’m attempting to contain an outbreak, rather than letting sickness spread through the family. Because the tissues help kill cold & flu viruses in the tissues, there’s a chance the second grade plague won’t spread to my toddler! Both of my boys have sensitive skin (more on that later), so the lotion variety is exactly what they need to avoid chapped, red noses! Making sure I always have an assortment of Kleenex tissues on hand means we’re prepared for cold & flu season- and it’s stuffy, sniffly noses!

Lotion

I wrote earlier that both of my kiddos (and myself, if I’m being honest) have pretty sensitive skin. Since we live in upstate New York, winter typically brings bitter cold winds outdoors, and dry heat indoors. Combine those factors with lots of nose blowing and your skin really takes a beating. In addition to keeping Kleenex Lotion on hand all winter, we keep a variety of quality face lotions and skin balms in our home. #thebigone is especially susceptible to dry, chapped skin in the winter, so putting on lotion is a part of his morning and nighttime routine.

Lip Balm

This one’s a no brainer! Head and sinus congestion means more mouth breathing, so lips are more prone to chapping. Sticks of lip balm seem to disappear constantly in my home, so I always make sure to have plenty on hand. The boys love the fun scents available now, and love having lips that don’t hurt in the winter.

Soup

Sure, it’s totally cliche. But when I’m sick, there’s nothing I love more than a bowl of hot soup. It’s comforting, warming, and immediately helps me feel a bit better. We stock up on cans of favorite soups during our regular Walmart runs, and store them for nights when we need a warm up. Sometimes when I’m lucky, my mama will stock my freezer or fridge with homemade soup- even better! Keeping a supply of soup available is a simple way to be sure you’re prepared for cold & flu season!

Hand Sanitizer

This must-have is crucial for stopping cooties in their tracks! We keep bottles all over the house- each bathroom, by the kitchen sink, in our dining room ‘clean up’ bin, even in our car. I’m careful to always keep a few extra bottles in the hall closet as well, so that we’re totally prepared for cold & flu season when it arrives. Obviously, hand sanitizer isn’t a substitute for regular hand washing, but it’s a quick option that’s great to keep on hand.

What do you stock up on to be prepared for cold & flu season? I’d love to hear your must-haves in the comments below!

Some of the craziest moments in our household happen around mealtime each day. There’s something so stressful about getting meals on the table, wrangling the kids, encouraging them to eat, AND getting cleaned up when it’s all over. (Please, tell me I’m not the only mama that feels this way!) Today, I’m sharing a few simple, quick tips we’ve implemented for smoother mealtime transitions in our house. Read on to see how we’re making family meals a little easier!

This post was sponsored by GOJO, the makers of PURELL® Multi Surface Disinfectant, as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

IDEAS FOR EASIER MEALTIME TRANSITIONS

Make Basics Accessible For Little Hands

Encouraging independence in setting the table goes a long way towards smoother pre-mealtime transitions. I found that when #thebigone was older, he was more successful with this chore when I kept what he needed easily accessible. In our home, this meant pulling silverware out of a drawer, and keeping it in a caddy instead. Later, we put together a second smaller caddy to hold #thelittleone’s ‘baby’ utensils as well. Additionally, we began storing our plates and bowls on lower open shelving in the Christmas. This way is much easier for the kids to grab what they need when they’re setting the table or getting a snack.

Keep Clean-Up Items Handy

When a meal is finished, it’s inevitable that there will be at least a bit of clean up- especially when kids are involved! To make the after mealtime transitions a bit simpler, I like to keep the clean up necessities on hand near the dining table. We keep a small, inexpensive plastic bin near #thelittleone’s seat filled with baby wipes, paper towels, cleaning spray, and a bib. I use an adhesive hook to hang a small whisk broom and dustpan to the back of #thelittleone’s high chair. We placed #thelittleone’s high chair directly in a drain pan that would normally sit under a washing machine. Spills are easily contained there and it saves my carpets some wear, which I love! It’s also a great place to store a small waste basket, to conveniently dispose of his crumbs and used baby wipes after meals.

Use Worry-free Products

I worry a lot about the safety of the disinfecting and cleaning products I use around my children. Both of my boys have a history of allergies ranging from reactive airway issues (basically, asthma) to rashes and eczema. As a result, I’ve always been very cautious with products near them. Recently, I discovered PURELL® Multi Surface Disinfectant Spray on Walmart.com. Ordering online means I always get the current rollback price– and who doesn’t want to save as much as they can?! (Currently, $3.65- you can’t beat that!) You can also grab it online through Amazon.com or Jet.com, and in store at H-E-B and Publix.

I’ve been loving the spray for disinfecting and cleaning both before and after meals. There’s no need to rinse after using it, and it can be used on hard and soft surfaces. Seriously, mealtime transitions can’t get simpler as far as disinfecting and cleaning goes thanks to this spray! There’s no harsh fumes, chemicals, or residue, so I’m never panicking about rashes or asthma attacks when I’m disinfecting and cleaning near my kiddos. (And for those of you with pets, PURELL® Multi Surface Disinfectant Spray is worry free around pets too!)

How do you keep mealtime transitions smooth for your family? Share your tricks and tips in the comments below!