6 Things Kids Need to Do Every Day During Summer

Summer’s here, which means moms are trying to figure out how they are going to keep their kids occupied without school. With some COVID-19 restrictions still in place, it also means many moms can’t rely on summer camps to fill the days between now and the start of the next school year. You can find all sorts of summer schedules for kids online. Rather than give you a set schedule to follow, I thought it might work better just to give you a list of the six things kids need to do every day during summer break.

1. Use Their Brains

It’s important for kids to avoid the summer slide. The summer slide refers to the tendency for kids to lose what they have learned at school over the summer break. According to Scholastic, “A more recent study of children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break.”

Using their brains will look different for each child – and will likely vary from one day to the next. Encourage your kids to read every day and get them to play educational apps before they play apps only designed for entertainment. You might also want to consider signing your kids up for virtual educational summer camps like iD Tech.

2. Play Outside

Playing outdoors leads to happier and healthier kids. It also forces them to turn off the TV and other electronic devices. The Child Mind Institute claims, “Most of the studies agree that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.”

3. Exercise Their Bodies

Not only is exercising good for their health and bodies but exercising also helps them to sleep better at night! That should be reason enough for parents to encourage their kids to stay active during the summer. Whether it is going on a family walk or turning on the radio and encouraging a dance party, parents need to encourage their kids to get up and move.

4. Create Something

Give your kids time each day to create something. This is wide open! It may mean playing with Play-Doh, coloring, crafting, building with LEGOs, or staging their own play or puppet show. The point is to encourage creativity and imagination. Parents explains, “When kids feel good while they are creating, art helps boost self-confidence. And children who feel able to experiment and to make mistakes feel free to invent new ways of thinking, which extends well beyond the craft room.”

5. Do Some Chores

We all learn best by doing. That’s why it is so important to start insisting your kids help with chores around the house. Summer is the perfect time to encourage these behaviors because you aren’t as pressed for time. By the end of the summer, your kids will have mastered the art of unloading the dishwasher.

6. Your Attention

Last but not least, every day, your kids need your attention. I don’t mean they need your attention all day every day. Instead, moms should give each kid a few minutes of one-on-one attention. This may look like reading together before bed or simply putting your phone down for a few minutes to talk about their favorite things. A little bit of your attention every day will go a long way.

How to Unfollow on Social Media the Right Way

These days it seems like the whole internet is a hot mess – and social media is a dumpster fire. Obviously, I love social media and engaging with different accounts. But, now and then, I need to do a little social media clean-up because it stops feeling fun. I find that I am following accounts that simply aren’t good for me to follow, and I always wind up feeling like a weight has lifted after I click “unfollow.” Social media becomes fun again.

How to Unfollow Without Them Knowing

One of the main reasons that women are stuck following accounts that make them upset is because they are worried the person will know they “unfollowed” them. Fortunately, it is super easy to unfollow someone on social media without them knowing. Unless you tell them, you will still show up in the friends or followers list, but you will not see their posts in your feed. It is amazing, and 100% worth it.

For Facebook, you simply need to click the three dots icon on the top of the post. There are two helpful options. There is SNOOZE for thirty days, which allows you to hide the person’s posts for thirty days. This is perfect for accounts that you may just need a time out from. And, there is UNFOLLOW, which means you stop seeing posts from this person but still remain on their friends' list. This means you can still go to their page if you are curious and they still see you listed as a friend.

For Instagram, you can unfollow an account, but you will not appear on their followers' list. This means they will know you no longer follow them if they look at their list. However, Instagram has a MUTE option. Again, you hit the three dots icon and simply select “Mute.” Instagram also allows you to Mute stories by long-tapping on their story icon and selecting “Mute.”

5 Reasons Why You Need to Unfollow Someone

Now, some of you may think that I am just harsh. I don’t think you should go on an unfollow binge or anything like that. Instead, I think you should have clear reasons for unfollowing someone on social media. Here are five reasons I use:

1. All of their posts annoy you. I’m not talking about one post; I’m talking about repetitive behavior.

2. Their posts are hurtful or offensive.

3. Their posts turn you into the green-eyed monster.

4. Their posts make you feel less than your best (such as feeling like you aren’t doing enough, good enough, etc.).

5. Their posts tempt you to do things you shouldn’t do (such as breaking sobriety or buying more than you should).

The 3 Types of People You Should Follow

Pop Sugar says, “Unfollow anyone who can shift your mood in a negative direction, and instead, add people/accounts that inspire you or bring you joy. The result will be a detoxed feed limited to only those worthy of your time.”

In turn, your detoxed feed should be filled with the following three types of people.

1. People who bring you joy.

2. People who inspire you.

3. People who love you and you love in return.

5 Summer Backyard Goals

If you have ever had summer backyard goals, summer 2020 is the year to get it done. With many places still closed or at limited capacity due to COVID-19, our summer vacations are bound to look different. Since we will be spending more time in our own backyards, it just makes sense to make our backyard an oasis for our families.

If you want a perfect backyard escape, these are the five things you need. Keep in mind, this is for families lucky enough to have a backyard. If you are in an apartment or simply don’t have adequate backyard space, think of ways you can incorporate these ideas into your indoor space.

Comfortable Seats for the Whole Family

Your outdoor space needs comfortable seating for the whole family. After running and playing in the sun, you need somewhere comfortable to sit and relax. One of my favorite backyard décor items is my swing chair. It is stylish and comfy. I also splurged on an adorable chaise lounge designed for kids.

Somewhere for Food and Drinks

In addition to seats, you need somewhere to sit your food and drinks. Whether you purchase an old-fashioned picnic table or go all-in for sophisticated patio furniture, choose a quality piece. Outdoor furniture should be made to be long-lasting and to withstand a variety of outdoor elements.

A Playground for Your Kids

Unfortunately, some cities and counties are still restricting kids from playing on their outdoor playground equipment because of the coronavirus. But kids need playground equipment! It helps develop their motor skills and gives them endless opportunities for imaginative play. If you’ve been debating whether you should get your own play set for the backyard, the answer is yes.

And, if your kid is a little too big for a play set, then opt for building (or buying the supplies) your own American Ninja Warrior Backyard Course. Plus, this is an excellent way for kids to wear themselves out playing so they’ll sleep better at night!

PHOTO: www.ltdcommodities.com

Games for the Adults

Kids shouldn’t be the only ones who get to enjoy the backyard. With all the different outdoor games available, choose the one that will be the most fun for you and your spouse and friends to play. You can choose from corn hole, giant yard dice, and giant Jenga. All of these yard games can be DIY or be purchased.

A Way to Cool Off

Last but not least, you need a place to cool off. It may not be super hot right now, but we know it is coming. That’s why it is so important to have a way to cool off in your backyard. Of course, it would be amazing if we all could have our own backyard pools, but I know that isn’t feasible. But, go ahead and stock up on the water toys, like sprinklers and slip and slides.

When it comes to other ways to cool off, start with finding shade. If you have natural shade, place your seats here. If you do not have natural shade, invest in an umbrella.

Let Your Clothes Give You a Tropical State of Mind

The 2020 summer is going to look much different from any other summer I’ve ever known. It is looking more and more like we won’t be going on as many summer vacations to beautiful destinations. And, I’m not going to lie, it has had this traveler feeling a little down in the dumps.

But instead of wallowing about all the places I won’t get to go this summer vacation, I am choosing to lift my spirits by embracing a summer vacation mindset wherever I wind up. So bring on the drinks with little umbrellas and bring on the summer fashion!

Of all the times for tropical, beach fashion to be all the rage, this is the year! I guess we all want to have a tropical state of mind, even if we aren’t traveling to our favorite tropical destinations. If you need a fashion pick-me-up, here are some of my favorite summer fashion trends.

All About Raffia and Tropical Prints

From designer brands to Target, resort wear is 100% in. According to Italist, “A 2020 fashion trend and predominant aesthetic for Spring-Summer is natural and tropical-inspired style. Specifically, bags and shoes constructed of woven raffia, rope, bamboo, and other plant-derived materials that evoke a certain summertime slowness that we desperately need.”

You have probably seen fashion featuring raffia, which is made from palm leaves, showing up everywhere from runways to department shoes. It is used for handbags and added to the wedges of shoes. It shouts “tropical escape.”

In addition to raffia material, tropical prints are back in a big way. Whereas Hawaiian print shirts were once deemed unfashionable and only worn by older men, they are now all the rage. Not only are these tropical shirts back in fashion for men, but women are also embraced tropical prints for clothing. Tropical prints embrace tropical flowers, trees, oceans, islands, gardens, flamingos, and more.

If you want to embrace a tropical state of mind, even while staying in New York City, these are a few ways to add a vacation feel to your wardrobe.

For Your Bags

The raffia trend is huge when it comes to handbags. Even if the material is not truly raffia, you can find plenty of woven bags that are in fashion. Whether you are making a quick run to a store or finally heading back to the office, this tropical bag will remind you that summer is here.

For Your Shoes

When it comes to summer shoes, it is easy to embrace all things tropical. From raffia wedges to floral slides, tropical is in! If you treat your feet like they are on vacation, your mind will follow.

For Your Clothing

As I already mentioned, tropical prints are back in! While some women are ready to go all-in and dress head to toe in tropic prints, other women may want to just add a kimono to their wardrobe. Either way, a fun, bright print that reminds you of all things summer is just what you need to lift your spirits.

For Your Face

Last but not least, trick yourself into believing you are on vacation the next time you leave the house by sporting a tropical print face mask! You can even find face masks with the same tropical print as your resort wear clothing.

Summer Safety Tips for Kids

Even though New York families are still pushing through distance learning, Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the start of summer. While everyone is firing up the grills and heading outdoors this weekend, I thought it would be a good time to review summer safety tips for kids.

Protect Their Skin

Did you know the sunburns your kids get when they are children can result in skin cancer later in life? It’s true. That’s why it is so important to make them put on sunscreen with SPF whenever they play outside. It is also wise to invest in some children’s clothing with UV protection. You should also try to limit their exposure to the sun’s strongest UV rays that occur during the middle of the day. Instead, aim to play outside in the morning or the early evening.

Keep Them Hydrated

Dehydration is a serious problem on hot summer days, especially for kids. That’s why it is so important to make sure they are drinking enough water. Children’s Health suggests, “The amount of water a child should drink varies by age, weight and activity level. However, a general rule is take half of your child's weight (up to 100 pounds) – and that's the number of ounces of water they should drink every day.”

Teach Them the Pool Rules

My girls love swimming and going to the pool is a regular activity for us. But, even so, I make a point to teach my daughters the pool rules and teach them to swim. During the summer, the number of pool-related injuries is alarming. For example, running around the slippery pool deck is a leading cause of emergency dental visits during the summer. And, sadly, “drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4.” Adults should always supervise kids at the pool.

Keep Them Cool

Even kids can suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion. That’s why you should never leave your kids in a parked car. Also, kids should be dressed appropriately for the summer temperatures in lightweight and loose clothing. You should also avoid being outdoors during the hottest parts of the day – the hottest part of the day is typically 3 pm.

Make Them Wear Helmets

Whenever your kids are enjoying any activities with wheels, such as riding bikes, roller skating, or skateboarding, they need to be wearing helmets. According to Children’s Health, “Apart from automobiles, bicycles are related to more childhood injuries than any other consumer product. Wearing a helmet is the first rule to preventing serious bicycle injuries in kids.”

Protect Them from Bugs

When spending time outdoors in a locale where bugs are biting, be sure to use insect repellant. Insects, like mosquitos and ticks, can bite and spread disease. Plus, bug bites are super annoying. You can also avoid getting bit by saying no to strongly scented soaps and lotions.

Summer Safety Tips During the Time of COVID

The summer of 2020 will look different than previous summers because we are still dealing with COVID-19. As a result, it means there are some additional summer safety measures parents will need to consider. For example, kids (and parents) are still encouraged to practice social distancing. Plus, as pools and other kid-friendly spaces open back up, parents should remind kids not to share anything – especially things like swim goggles or nose clips.

Do Your Kids Ask for Snacks All Day Long? Here’s What to Do.

Whenever the kids are home from school during the summer, it feels like a constant battle over snacks. They seem to want to eat all day long! They will literally ask for a snack thirty minutes after breakfast. First, they can’t possibly be hungry. Second, they will eat me out of house and home if I let them eat snacks every time they ask.

Since they have been home for longer than normal due to COVID-19, I realize something has got to change. My overall goal is to buy the right snacks (more healthy snacks and less junk) and teach them to be more self-sufficient. With those two ideas in mind, I did some research about the kid snacking dilemma. What I discovered is that, like all parenting methods, snack plans are all over the place! I’m sharing the main principals I found, but it’s up to you to choose which snack method works best for your family.

Set a Daily Snack Limit

Some parents choose to set a daily snack limit. What this means is the parent decides a set number of snacks the child can have during the day. In some cases, the parents actually set out the snacks for the day in a bowl so that the kid can see what is available. Then, throughout the day, the child can select snacks from the bowl. Once the snacks are gone, they are out of snacks for the rest of the day. Once kids get used to this routine, they will stop asking mom for snacks every hour. * Fingers crossed. *

Make Them Earn It

Other parents use a system where children have to earn snacks. For example, some parents require kids to complete their schoolwork before they get a snack. Others have turned snacking into math lessons where kids have to “buy” their snacks throughout the day, with unhealthy snacks costing more than healthy snacks.

Opt for a Snack Schedule

One of the more common methods is to maintain a snack schedule. Our kids do not get snacks throughout the school day. There are set times when they get snacks. That’s why some parents choose to continue to have set times for snacks, such as once before lunch and once before dinner. It may be helpful to reach out to their teacher and ask when they get snack time at school.

Let Them Eat What They Want When They Want

Finally, some parents simply let their kids eat what they want when they want – as long as its in the house. In this case, kids can go to the pantry or the fridge and choose healthy snacks all day long. To make this work, parents will have to do prep work, such as chopping veggies and washing fruit, so that it is ready and available for kids to munch on.

I want to know what you do for snacking at your house. Let me know in the comments!

Quarantine Pampering – With Stuff You Already Have at Home

If quarantine has you missing your beauty pampering, you are not alone. According to reports, “Consumers in coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown are looking forward to plenty the other side, but beauty therapy tops the ranks – way ahead of eating out, socializing and travel.” We miss getting our hail and nails done and feeling a little bit pampered. I am a fan of spas as much as the next gal, but I understand it may be a while before my spa days look normal. In the meantime, here are some of the things I am doing to pamper myself after a long day working and homeschooling my girls.

Clear Out Old Makeup

Now that I have a little bit more time at home, I am going through my makeup stash and getting rid of old makeup or makeup that I don’t love. At the same time, I am also getting rid of skin care products I no longer use. It is amazing how much makeup and skincare products we can accumulate! By clearing out the excess, it is much easier to find the makeup and products I love and use on a regular basis.

Clean Your Brushes

Along those same lines, this is also the perfect time to clean your makeup brushes. Here is a method from Style Blueprint:

1.       Apply a pea-sized amount of facial cleanser in your palm.

2.       Wet your brush under warm water and swirl the brush head in your palm, in a circular motion, for several seconds.

3.       Rinse your brush under warm water again and massage the brush bristles between your fingers to thoroughly wash out all of the suds.

Maintain Your Skincare Routine

Since we are staying home and not seeing people in person (or at least not within 6 feet), it is easy to let our skincare routine slide. Don’t make this mistake! Instead of letting your skincare routine slip, you should use this time to master it.

Give Yourself an At-Home Facial

There are so many at-home facial products readily available, from face masks to face sheets to face peels. You can order them online or purchase them from a local pharmacy. But, I have a feeling you have plenty of facial products in your makeup cabinet that you haven’t gotten around to using – now is the time!

Befriend Your Tweezer

If you haven’t touched your brows since the shelter-in-place orders were announced, your brows are in trouble. I know many of you are scared to tweeze them, but you have the time to get fully acquainted with your brows. Check out InStyle’s How to Groom Your Own Eyebrows — Without Making a Disastrous Mistake for a step-by-step guide.

Enjoy a Pedicure and Manicure

I’m not quite convinced that an at-home Mani and Pedi is as good as your local salon, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Plus, I do think you can do a better job of your nails than you typically would because you have more time. So, get out all your nail products and take your time.

Watch YouTube Instructional Videos

This is also the time to master a new look. After you put the kids to bed or while they are napping, try to follow along with a makeup tutorial on YouTube. You may finally learn how to contour or create the perfect smoky eye. And, if you mess up, it’s no big deal because no one is going to see you!

How to Avoid Distractions and Focus While Working from Home

The work from home struggle is real – especially for those of us who typically do not work this way. Since the coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of Americans to start working from home, we have been thrown into a new workplace full of distractions making it harder to focus. If you are finding it hard to focus while working from home, here are some things you can do to avoid distractions.

Turn Off the TV

Yes, it is super tempting to binge on Netflix while you are home and have full access to a TV without your boss knowing. But, it is super hard to stay focused on work with the TV on, so turn it off.

Avoid Chores During the Workday

While at home, you can distract yourself from work by focusing on all the “work” you need to do around home. If you spend the day doing chores, you won’t be able to focus. Instead, make it a rule to only do things around the house after your workday is done.

Set Aside Time for Emails

If you get bombarded with emails that keep you from staying on task, set aside time to check emails rather than checking each time you receive a new email. For example, opt to check emails from 8 – 9 am and then from 3 – 4 pm, and be sure to let your coworkers know your email hours.

Start Each Day with a To-Do List

Before you begin working each day, make a to-list. Write down your goals for the day, as well as identify the items on your to-do list that are “must-do’s” versus “may-do’s.”

Have a Dedicated “Office”

With mobile devices and Wi-Fi, it makes it possible to work anywhere in your home. The problem is that you can choose a different place each day and you don’t typically do this at work. Instead, you should have a dedicated workspace. No matter if it is your kitchen counter or a desk in your living room, make a point to work in the same space each day.

Create a Family Code of Conduct

If you have kids, then they will likely be your biggest distraction. Since you and your kids are working from home, create a family code of conduct. Some ideas: 1.) No TV during the day. 2.) If mom is on the phone and a kid needs something, kids should either wait or silently put their hand on mom’s arm (rather than yelling for her).

Turn Off Notifications

If you get all sorts of notifications on your phone from social media or news sources, you absolutely need to turn these notifications off. You can check your notifications when work is done – they aren’t going anywhere.

Take Breaks

Sitting and staring at your screen all day isn’t healthy either, so be sure to take breaks throughout the day. If this is a struggle for you, set alarms to go off after chunks of time to remind you to get up and move.

Use Tools to Block Distractions

Some websites and apps are just too tempting, and we need help to avoid them. If this sounds familiar, then utilize tools like Freedom to block tempting websites and apps like Offtime to block distractions on your mobile device.

Allow Yourself Time for Distractions You Need

Lastly, it is important to allow time for the distractions you need. You deserve a break to watch videos on YouTube or scroll through Instagram, so allow yourself to do so during set times, such as lunch.

The Free Gift All Moms Want This Mother’s Day

The coronavirus quarantine has made shopping for Mother’s Day a little more difficult this year. Yes, we are all about shopping online and gift cards. But, given our current circumstances of working from home and helping our kids with distance learning at the same time, there is one thing all moms want for Mother’s Day – alone time. We are with our children 24/7 during this pandemic. Whereas we have always enjoyed some alone time, now we NEED it.

So, dads and kids, you can make Mother’s Day extra special this year without spending a penny. How? Give her the beautiful gift of alone time.

Time to Herself

When is the last time mom got time to herself? Something as small as taking the kids outside and giving her the house to herself for a few hours is a gift she will love. Or, sending her to her bedroom and not allowing the kids to enter will grant her much needed time to herself. And, for goodness sake, let her go to the bathroom alone!

Time with the TV

If your house is like mine, the kids are getting way more screen time than usual. But this also means my TV time has cut way back. Treat mom to a day where she is in complete control of the remote. Let her binge-watch shows like Real Housewives or Outlander. No kid shows allowed! If this just doesn’t seem possible, revert to the suggestion above (time to herself) by sending her to a room with her mobile device and earbuds.

Time Without Noise

Another thing that has been challenging during the quarantine? Our houses are NEVER quiet during the day. There is always noise. At some points, there is noise from separate devices for online learning, plus work from home Zoom conference calls. And, moms need silence every now and then. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to give Mom the gift of silence. Send her outside and away from the noise. Better yet, give her noise-canceling headphones and tell her to wear them all day on Mother’s Day.

Time Without Being in Charge

I know there are tons of dads doing their part to help during this strange time, but there is tons of evidence that the quarantine is reinforcing traditional gender roles with moms doing the bulk of “parenting and schooling” while also trying to work from home. This means Mom has a whole lot on her plate and is making decisions all day long. And, making all the decisions for a household is exhausting. On Mother’s Day, give her the gift of not having to be in charge. For example - Dads, you decide what to eat for lunch and when.

And a Simple “Thank You”

Last but not least, have your kids say thank you and tell mom how much they love her. We are tired and are doing our best during a trying time, so a little appreciation would be appreciated. Let us know you see how hard we are working. It means more to us than you know.

10 Teacher Appreciation Gifts During Quarantine

If you think suddenly substitute teaching your kids at home is hard, imagine how hard it has been on their teachers! Many teachers are not only having to continue creating lesson plans and providing learning resources, but they also have to teach parents how to follow the curriculum and use technology. Plus, many teachers also have to be their own kid’s substitute teacher at home!

Even though teachers are not in the classroom with your kids are teaching like they wish they were, let’s not forget to celebrate them during Teacher Appreciation Week. Hint – Teacher Appreciation Week is THIS week. With the COVID-19 quarantine orders, it makes purchasing teacher gifts a little different. To help you find a way to show your gratitude, here are ten teacher appreciation gifts you can still give during the quarantine.

1. A Homemade Card

Nothing beats a homemade card. Bonus – If you make your kids make the card, this will take up some of those extra hours you have during the day. Just be sure the card shows your child’s teacher how much he/she is appreciated and missed. If you don’t have the teacher’s home address, you can send the card to the school and address it to the teacher. Along those same lines, a simple email “thank you” from you will be appreciated, especially during such a crazy school year.

2. Gift Cards

You know what teachers really want? Gift cards. No more personalized apples. Think about it - If they got an apple or teacher mug from every child, they would have hundreds upon hundreds. Instead, get them gift cards to use at stores they love. Bonus – Choose gift cards that allow them to shop online since going to stores isn’t easy right now.

3. Restaurant Delivery

Treat your child’s teacher to lunch or dinner by having a meal delivered via Uber Eats or GrubHub. Or, give your child’s teacher a gift card to use at their favorite local restaurant.

4. Donate to Their Classrooms

Make their day by donating to their classroom. Many teachers keep ongoing Amazon Wish Lists for their classrooms or share project needs on DonorsChoose.

5. Flowers

A lovely way to show appreciation is with a bouquet of flowers. If florists are opened where you live and floral delivery is available, this is a great choice.

6. Donuts on the Doorstep

If you know their address, show your appreciation by leaving them some donuts on the doorstep. This is a sweet way to say thank you and practice social distancing.

7. A Video Message

If you don’t know by now, teachers love your kids. They miss seeing them and are heartbroken they don’t get to instruct them face to face. So, the next best thing is “seeing” them online. Have your child record a video message telling them how much they appreciate them and email the video to your child’s teacher.

8. Say It in Chalk

Bust out the sidewalk chalk and tell the world how much you love your child’s teacher. You can do this on your own driveway, your child’s driveway, or even the sidewalk in front of the school.

9. Give Them a Parade

If you can coordinate with other class parents, plan a surprise teacher appreciation parade. In separate vehicles, ride past the teacher’s house in decorated cars with kids waving and yelling, “thank you” from the windows.

10. Quarantine-Themed Gifts

And, last but not least, consider a quarantine-themed teacher gift from an Etsy seller.