50 Indoor Kid's Crafts and Activities

Are you looking for fun indoor kid's crafts and activities to keep your kids busy? Hoping to prevent them from going stir crazy in the cold months to come? Or maybe you're trying to keep your little ones busy while their siblings do school in the mornings?Whatever your reason these indoor kid's crafts and activities are perfect for you! They're going to keep your kids busy for hours and begging for more!  

Sending the kids outside to play is always a good idea! I don't know about your kids, but mine have ENDLESS amounts of energy! They wake up between 6 and 7 everyday and go non stop until their heads hit the pillow at night! Sending them outside means they get all of their wiggles and energy out WITHOUT breaking mommy's nice things inside.What do you do on the rainy days?Or the days where we're all stuck inside because of COVID-19? I'm looking around my complete mess of a house and realizing my h ouse won't survive this for much longer. This is exactly why I've compiled a list of super fun indoor kid's crafts and activities for the kids. Most of these include things you already have around the house so you won't need to order anything off of Amazon of brave a store!

Indoor Kid's Activities

Bollywood GakSticky Mural (Pictured)Spiderweb DiscoveryYogurt Silly PuttyFruit Loop SortingWashing Farm AnimalsTarget PracticeZipper BoardPeeling TapeFelt Tree StackingDinosaur TracksRainbow Loom Ringer Game (Pictured)Edible Water BeadsFelt Button ChainMixed Up Chameleon Felt BoardKinetic SandCloud DoughZen Toddler TrayColored Ice BinRainbow Sensory BottleMontessori FoldingRainbow BallPoking Sensory BinDIY Play Dough Tools (Pictured)Busy BoardButton SnakeTreasure ChestQ-Tips and Straws (Pictured)Pom Pom ActivitiesPool NoodlesGalaxy Slime (Pictured)Button TreesButton Sorting CraftsPeek A Boo BoardPlay Dough MatsThreading StationPom Pom DropRice Sensory Bin

Indoor Kid's Crafts

Drawing With CarsSticky FishDinosaur BonesDIY StampsFrozen Paint ArtCotton Ball PaintingUmbrellasSalt PaintingLeaf RubbingMonster Blowing PaintBinoculars Owl Bird Feeder

What is your favorite kid's indoor craft or activity?

6 Reasons Little Kids Test Boundaries

The moment the doctor tells you, "You're having another boy," you know things are about to get a little crazy.

Oh, and it definitely did. I have three boys, under five years old. As they get older, our stories about our day to day lives get more interesting.If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you've gotten to know my little family.You will definitely know my son Levi. I'm always posting pictures of his little mischievous antics. He's a riot. His nick name is Leviathan and if you were around him for any length of time, you'd understand. All of our crazy parenting stories involve him.

He greets people at our house half naked (Let me assure you I dress him about 15 times a day, but he always manages to "lose" his clothes).

He is always under the table with some contraband item (candy usually).

He randomly changes your name for an entire day (yesterday I was Queen Mommy).

He decides on a whim to cut our dogs hair.

He even wakes up at 5am to get a head start on it all.

It's because of him that I drink three cups of coffee a day. I have to keep up with him somehow! As he's getting bigger, I'm learning more about his character. Everyone always sees his mischievous and silly side, but people forget that their is so much more to him.People tend to think he needs us to raise our voice and be firm with him. They've told us he needs tough love and no grace. They make comments in front of him about how naughty he is. They tell us we're not parenting him right.What they don't see is that same little boy come up to me later that night and ask me to call him a good boy. While, you may think it's nothing, it is. He wants me to reaffirm that I love him and that I don't think he's a bad boy.There are so many rowdy little boys like mine in the world. Instead of understanding who they are, people label them the trouble makers or tell their parents they need to be put on ADD medication.Today I want to challenge all of you out there. Whether you're a parent or not. The next time you see a rowdy little boy, do not label him. Don't tell him he's bad because he wants to explore the world with his hands and push limits.

While you think he's disrespectful, he's learning what to say.

While you think he gets into everything, he's learning limits in his environment.

While you think he's can handle your "firm" words, he comes to mommy crying.

While you think he's being mean to his baby brother, he was trying to give him a big kiss.

While you think he's rude for not wanting to hug you, he is learning about his own emotions.

While you think he doesn't listen, he hears every word.

While you see some of the naughty things they do, you don't always know what they're trying to do. Instead of being tougher on them, figure out how you can help.I wish people would try to teach kids what they could do rather than what not to do. Yelling "NO" at a child doesn't teach him. Instead, teach him how to do it better.Kids need to be allowed to explore their environment and figure out how the world works. This means they will fail. They will cross the line. they will do it wrong. It's your job as the parent to teach them those limits.Children understand so much more if you encourage them to explore and set clear limits. Labeling a child as the "bad kid" will prevent them from being able to express themselves, learn about the world, have any self confidence, or want to learn how to do things differently. Encourage your children rather than label them.

Multiracial Motherhood: How Can You Bring Families Together?

What Can We Learn From One Mother's Story?

Happy Friday!Fridays are my favorite for so many reasons. They mean my husband gets to be home all weekend with us, they mean family night, and they means another mother is joining us for Family Fridays!This series is so special to my heart because it’s a chance for mothers to come together and share their experiences with their own multiracial family. The beautiful thing is that all of our families are unique. They all have their own special qualities, unique challenges, and different experiences.Today, Larisha from We're Parents blog is joining us! She's going to share about her multiracial family and one thing she's found that can bring all families together!

Let's Meet Larisha!

Hey y'all! I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share a bit about our family with The Almost Indian Wife crew, thanks to Brittany.Let's start with a bit of a background.I'm Larisha, a Caucasian American, born and raised in the hills of West Virginia. Andrew, my fiance, is a Jamaican American, born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey. Together we raise our two young daughters in New Jersey, just a short drive from where he grew up, while running our website, We're Parents, together.

Now let's rewind a bit.

Andrew and I met in 2005 during a History class freshman year at West Virginia University (Go 'Eers). The chemistry was always there, but I had a boyfriend and it wasn't until 2009 that we officially started dating.  I was working on my Masters and he had just finished up his undergrad degree.  He was moving back to New Jersey and we dated long distance for 3 months, then we decided that he would move in with me (WHOA, that was fast!). A few months later, we moved to New Jersey, and the rest is history (pun intended)It's been a whirlwind of an adventure and while we could tell you the stories of people asking if the girls are biologically mine, or the looks that we've received over the years while holding hands, you've probably heard all of that before or most likely experienced it yourselves.Today, I want to focus on how we've blended our cultures together SLOWLLLYYY.  It was really important to me for his mom to like me. I knew she was hesitant about me. Andrew quickly informed me that if she wanted me to understand what she was saying, she would speak so I could understand.  If she didn't, I wouldn't. His family speaks a strong dialect of Jamaican Patois, and while 90% of the time at this point in our relationship I can understand them, this advice still holds true to this day. Luckily, he did let me know earlier on that based on how she spoke to me, he knew she liked me. 

The key -Food.  No seriously.

Alan D. Wolfelt once said,

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.”

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves too much here. I was a pretty terrible cook when we met.  Almost everything was processed, and not well seasoned, and well, it just sucked.  I could make my way around the kitchen, but it wasn't pretty. His mom on the other hand, AMAZING.  She should have her own show. It comes so easy and natural to her.  In the moments where I haven't always understood something and definitely in times where I wanted to become closer to her, there's always been food. When there's been trouble in our family, when there's been happy times, there's always been food. She's challenged my stubbornness with food (I didn't want to try ox tail, but SOOO happy I did). 

Cesar Chavez once said,

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”  

Through everything, his family has taught me about joy, togetherness, and the amazing bond that a family can having, bridging two extremely different cultures, one meal at a time. 

If I had one piece of advice for other multicultural families it would be to let food bring you together.  Ask your partner's mom (or dad, whoever cooks the most) or another prominent family cook for the family recipes.  But more than that, when you are around them and there's a food involved, try to incorporate it into what you do with them. Let food be the love that breaks the barriers.

Stay updated with Larisha by following her here!

Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram

You Know You're A Parent If...

Being a parent is a whole new level of crazy.

It's exactly why you tend to surround yourself with other parents. You need people who just get it! You need friends that know exactly why you've worn the same shirt for three days in a row and don't judge you.

A parent is the only one who will truly understand how you feel because they've been there themselves! They instantly understand how crazy your morning is after your son decides to flush his apple down the toilet or when your kids unravel every toilet paper roll because they needed it to create a bad guy trap.

10 Feelings Every Parent Has Felt

In addition to our crazy stories there are also a few feelings every parent has experienced.

Disbelief

That moment you can't believe your kids would actually say that to you in public!

Pure Shock

You realize your house is too quiet and go into your kid's room to see what they've been doing....

Disgust

The moment your child wakes you up by putting the toilet brush in your face!

Pull Out Your Hair Frustration

When your kids decide to trash the house after you just spent the whole day cleaning!

Exhaustion

Whether you have a newborn or your kids just decide they have to wake up before the sun comes out every morning, you've felt this one!

I've Had Enough!

A parent can only listen to their kids arguing and fighting for so long!

Losing Your Mind

The feeling you get when you put your kids to bed and they ask for 100 drinks of water. "Can I have another drink? I'm so thirsty!?"

Justice

The fuzzy feeling you get after you tell your kids not to do something, they do it anyways, and realize they should have listened.

Fed Up

Spending a whole afternoon making dinner, your kids seeing what you slaved over, and refusing to eat.

Proud

The moment you realize your kids not the naughty at the park! Proud parent moment!!

You know you're a parent if... Finish the sentence in the comments!

If you liked this post, you'll love these!

The Ultimate Travel Guide For Families

Traveling with kids is hard, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Check out the ultimate travel guide for families to see what you can do on your next trip!

The Ultimate Travel Guide For Families

The Rule Of Traveling With Kids: KISSAs parents we want to try and think of every possible situation that could come up when traveling. The problem is that means we end up taking an obscene amount of things with us. Or you end up like my poor husband and end up carrying it all while waiting for the flight because the kids have decided they can't carry anything and your wife is carrying three kids...Instead of trying to fit your entire house into your luggage remember one thing.Keep It Simple Silly

The truth is you don't need many things to travel successfully with your kids. All you need is a few things to keep them busy, the essentials, and a whole lot of patience!The novelty of the airport is usually enough to get your kids pretty excited anyways. However, many of us have been those parents on the flight with the whiny or crying kids.

5 Things To Do So Your Kids Won't Lose Their *$&# On The Plane

Walk Up And Down The Aisle.

Sometimes your kids could be feeling to cooped up on the airplane. Give them a little break from sitting by letting them walk up and down the aisles. My kids love it and always make a few friends!

Keep Their Toys Novel.

Give them a new activity every so often on the plane rather than everything as soon as they sit down. It keeps the toys novel and keeps them engaged in their toys longer. Or if you're letting them watch a movie, get a brand new movie they haven't seen before. Keep whatever it is novel and they'll be more interested.

Wear Comfy Clothes.

Nothings worse than sitting on a long flight in uncomfortable clothes. Set your kids up for success by putting them in cozy clothes. If it's an early morning flight, pj's all the way. Or if it's during the day think comfortable.

Ignore The People Around You. 

People will inevitably stare at you. If their parents, they somehow forgot what it felt like to have a kid on an airplane. Or maybe their kids were the model of perfection... Yeah right. All you can do is ignore them. If you let them stress you out, your kids will smell your fear and use it as an excuse to lose their minds!

GET GUM!

It doesn't matter if your a crunchy mom that doesn't want their kids chewing sugary gum, you want them doing exactly that while flying. I've made the mistake of not doing this and felt horrible the entire flight as my child cried in pain! Get them some gum to CHEW during take off and landing, a sippy cup, sucker, or a pacifier. Anything you can find to get them to suck on something to pop their ears.   

Must Have Travel Items

As your'e trying to decide on what essentials you actually need on the flight, take a look at these.These are a few of our families favorite travel must haves! The headphones are my favorite! We've tried so many, but these are great! They're cozy and the kids fall asleep with them on all the time!Disney Store Limited Drinks & Snacks Bottle J World New York Sunny Rolling Backpack Disney Store Frozen Fever Plastic Snack Drink Cup Cozyphones Kids HeadphonesMarvel Boys' Avengers 12 Inch Rolling BackpackPhil&Teds Lobster HighchairBRICA Fold N' Go Travel BassinetErgobaby Original 3 Position Baby CarrierContigo Trekker Kids Water Bottle WeeSprout Reusable Double Zipper Food Pouch

 What are your tips for traveling with a family?

This post has affiliate links. As always all opinions are my own. 

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How To Fight Jet Lag Naturally

Traveling with a family is tough work. My husband and I have taken our kids on dozens of trips around the US and each one is equally difficult, hilarious, and exhausting. Even the simple trips can be intense! My last trip with the kids can be summed up in a few words... two spilled Starbucks drinks, a crying baby, an exhausted momma, and jet lag! Jet lag makes it all worse. Even just a few hours can throw kids into a tail spin for weeks! Here are a few ways you can fight jet lag naturally so you can actually enjoy your trip! 

Tips For Fighting Jet Lag

Your first reaction when you want to fight jet lag is to load up on the caffeine. Or maybe you think sleeping all day will help... The truth is both of these will only make your jet lag exponentially worse. The best thing you can do is fight jet lag naturally.

Stick To Your Normal Routine

One of the most important things you need to do when traveling is stick to your normal schedule. It's easy to think you want to let things like nap and bed times slide, but it's the worst thing you can do. It's hard enough to train your body to stick to the new times, but sticking to the same routine during the day will help your body adjust. Timers are your best friend when you want to fight jet lag naturally.

Try To Adjust On The Plane

If you're going to encounter a large time difference, try and adjust on the plane. Whether that means staying awake the whole time or sleeping for the entire flight. Do your best to get it all done and over with while you're flying to you're not doing it your first day on your trip.

Eat Before You Go To Bed

One of the biggest reasons people end up waking up in the middle of the night when dealing with jet lag is that they're hungry. Their stomachs wake them up so they can get something to eat. Be sure to have a snack before you go to bed to make sure you don't wake up hungry.

Keep Your Body Moving During The Day

When you need to fight jet lag naturally you need to avoid things like caffeine. The problem is your body starts to get tired and all you want to do it go lay on the couch. Instead you need to keep your body active. Schedule things like site seeing and different activities during the day.

Limit Naps

When you're exhausted all you want to do is take a dozen cat naps throughout the day. The problem is that your body is trying to figure out what time it is and if you sleep throughout the day it's going to take even longer to acclimate. Resist the urge to nap during the day.

Keep Your Room Dark While Sleeping

After doing your best to stay awake all day, you're more than happy to lay your head down on the pillow at night. The problem comes the next morning. The moment the sun comes out your body thinks it's time to wake up. Even if it is only 5 in the morning. The best thing you can do is to set up a dark room to sleep in. It will help trick your body to adjust to the new time.

Wouldn't You Rather Fight Jet Lag Naturally?

Whether you're dealing with a 1 hour time difference or 13, it's tough on your body. It takes it time to adjust but you can fight jet lag naturally. You don't have to load up on caffeine and energy drinks to try and keep your eye lids open. In the end caffeine only makes you feel like garbage on top of being wiped out.By being willing to fight jet lag naturally, you can spend your trip feeling great and enjoying your new surroundings rather than trying to play catch up on sleep the whole time!

How Do You Fight Jet Lag Naturally?

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40 Things Kids Think About During Nap Time

40 Things Kids Think About During Nap Time

Nap time used to be my favorite time of the day.It meant a relaxing break from the chaos of the day. Now, my two big kids think they're too big for nap time. Instead of happily going to bed like their baby brother, they try to get out of it the whole time!Not to mention they act like they've never had a drink of water in their lives.I get tempted to let them drop their nap, but they are so much happier after they finally give in and take one. I've always wondered what goes through their minds while they lay in their beds.What is it that keeps them up for SO LONG!Here are a few things I'm sure go through my kids heads when they're trying to take a nap! What would you add to the list?

1. Ooh I forgot to get a drink of water.

2. Hmm.. I don't think I have to pee, but I'm going to try anyways.

3. Mom said I cant go to the bathroom during nap time anymore!

4. What if I really do have to pee!?

5. I'm thirsty.

6. Bedtime is so boring!

7. I'm too big to take naps!

8. I'll never fall asleep.

9. Only babies take naps.

10. I'm really thirsty.

11. Where is that toy I played with yesterday?

12. Mom's making me so mad!

13. Why can't I just get up!

14. Mom's up.

15. Mom's not taking a nap.

16. I'm so thirsty!

17. I have to pee!

18. Oooh. Mom got really mad!

19. I should go down and tell her I love her.

20. She didn't want to hear it!

21. She's so mean!

22. I'M THIRSTY!

23. I hate naps!

24. I haven't eaten all day!

25. Mom said I just had lunch and I think she's lying.

26. I'm starving.

27. I'm SO THIRSTY!

28. Why won't she just let me get up!

29. OK. I'm going to ask one more time.

30. Mom's not taking a nap because she's not a baby!

31. I'm not a baby!

32. I haven't had anything to drink in SO LONG!

33. I should see if my brother is sleeping.

34. HE'S READING BOOKS!

35. MOM!!!!!!!!

36. I'm never getting out of here!

37. I hate this room!

38. This is why I never play in here!

39. Mmmm. I'm getting really sleepy...

40. I'm thirs........ zzzzzzzzz

Be sure to follow The Almost Indian Wife on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see what other funny things we come up with!

Raising Grateful Children: Thank You For My Siblings!

Have you ever wondered if you're raising grateful children? If your children are grateful for the people they love in their lives? Here are a few things you can start doing today to make sure you're raising grateful children!Raising Grateful ChildrenI don't know what it is, but have you ever noticed that every time you need to make an important phone call your kids go crazy?This afternoon I had to call my health insurance company. I only had an hour before they closed and I figured I would try and call while my two youngest were napping. They usually answer pretty quickly so I thought I could get it all done before my boys woke up.After about 15 minutes on hold I realized quick wasn't in the cards for today.Then my three year old woke up and thought it would be helpful to wake up his baby brother. I went up there, phone up to my ear, to grab them. Baby Luke's crib was full of toys along with a 3 year old big brother.They were both grinning ear to ear and loving their mischievousness!I ended up letting them destroy their room so I could finish my supposedly "quick" phone call. I have to admit, I love that they're getting closer.It's one of the reasons I wanted to have my kids so close together. I knew it would come with it's own set of craziness, but it would be worth it. I wanted my kids to be close.I was worried in the beginning because all my boys would do was fight! My husband and I joked about their love-hate relationship, but deep down I was worried they wouldn't be as close as I hoped. Now that they're a bit older, I'm starting to see how deep their brotherly bond really is.They all look to each other for approval, wanting to make sure their brothers think they're doing something amazing. The best is while we sit down for meals. They start telling jokes and instantly look to make sure their brothers are laughing at them! Even Baby Lucas joins in! No one knows what he actually says, but they love that he's trying and think his' hilarious!I want them to continue getting closer as they get older.I want my kids to be best friends.

3 Ways To Ensure You're Raising Grateful Children

This month, I want my kids to take a moment to be grateful for their siblings. The more they learn what they love and value in each other, the closer they'll be.

Lead By Example

If we want to teach our kids to be grateful, we have to start by being grateful ourselves. Kids are always looking to their parents to figure out what to do. If they can see us being grateful and loving to those around us, they'll follow suit.Parents can model gratitude by verbally expressing it, sending thank you notes, and even giving little gifts.Remind your kids how important to be thankful for people they love and talk to them about it. Let them know why you're thankful for them!

Create A Habit

Instead of being grateful once a year on Thanksgiving, make it a year long routine. Create a habit in your home to talk about what your thankful for. Whether it's over dinner each night, as you tuck your kids in bed, or on the way home from a busy day.It doesn't matter when you do it, just do it. Create those conversations early on so they become normal.

Sibling Dates

As your kids watch you leading a grateful life and a let it become a habit in their own, it will quickly start to affect their relationships with their siblings.You can foster their relationships with each other more by letting them have sibling dates!Do something fun and take them to a movie! Let them choose what they want to see together and their snacks! Or let them come up with their date night on their own. Encourage them to have fun thinking up the whole night and what they're going to do.The most important thing you can do as a parent is to help your children build strong relationships with each other.These relationships are going to last for their entire lives. By helping your kids learn how to be grateful for each other, you're making sure they have a strong foundation that can last through it all.

What tips do you have for helping your kids be grateful for their siblings?

How To Stay Sane Over The Holidays

 

The holiday season has always been a busy time for families. Last year our family learned just how crazy it could get. Between the months of October and December we have 2 birthdays and 3 major holidays. It may not seem like too much, but keep in mind all five of these events require planning, some of them mean traveling, making elaborate meals, and parties.I feel like we're planning and hosting a part every other week! 

10 Ways To Stay Sane Over The Holidays

This year my husband and I have decided to keep things simple. We want to let go of all the holiday stress and just enjoy it.

Give Group Gifts

When you're giving presents to different families, you can end up getting dozens of gifts for all the family members. Try to think bigger this year and give group gifts rather than all individual ones.

Don't Overextend Yourself

It's easy to overcommit to way too much over the holidays. You want everything to be perfect and take it all on yourself. Be sure to think about what your taking on. Is it possible with your schedule? Write it all out and decide on which tasks you can do yourself and what you can hand off to someone else.

Make A Holiday Budget

This is the perfect time to make a holiday budget. Think about any meals you may be hosting, if you have family planning to visit, presents, travel, etc. Make a realistic budget that you can try and stick to over the holidays.

Remember What It's All About

Sometimes we lose sight of what the holidays are about. We give in to the craziness and stress and forget. This year make sure you remember why you're doing it all.

Be Sure To Rest

The only way you will be able to get everything on your to do list accomplished is by taking care of yourself first. If you're only focusing on those around you and forget to rest you'll end up getting sick. Be your best this year by resting when you can.

Buy Presents Early

Plan out your gifts and purchase them early this year! If your kids are anything like mine, they already have their Christmas lists going. Take a look at the lists and buy something from it every pay check. This helps to spread it out and means you're not doing it all last minute!

Be Thankful

Take time every day to think about what you're thankful for this year. It's going to help you prioritize because you'll be thinking about what actually matters.

Take Time For Yourself

In addition to resting, take time for yourself this busy season. Find time to go out with a friend or go and get a delicious pumpkin spiced latte. Don't get so busy that you only think about those around you for the next few months.

Stay In The Moment

During the holidays a lot of us think about what's next. Instead of just focusing on the holiday at hand, we get lost in planning for the next one. Stay in the moment this year and relish in the holiday traditions, your kids, your family, and you'll be making memories that last.

Take A Deep Breath

At the end of the day, things will get crazy. Things may not go the way you planned, but it's ok. Take a deep breath and remember that no one is looking for a perfect holiday. They just want time with the people they love.

Incredibundles Is Just What You Need To Simplify The Holidays

Today I'm partnering with Incredibundles to make your holidays a little easier. They've done so much of the work for you and just want to help you find the best gifts for the littles ones in your life.Whether you're looking for a group gift for a family, a gift for a new dad in your life, or you're prepping for your holiday gifts early Incredibundles is for you!We got our first bundle last week and our kids loved it! We created our own and included age appropriate gifts for all of them! I love how many options they! They have year long subscriptions, one time bundles, essentials, and so much more!

What Does Incredibundles Offer?

First Time Daddy BundleOne Year Subscriptions (Books, Diapers, or Toys)Create Your Own BundlesLearn and Grow BundlesSleep BundlesBath Bundles

Incredibundles is giving away a free bundle! You can use this as a gift for the holidays, to spoil your kids early, or just something fun for a little one in your life! Be sure to enter in to win your own Incredibundle!

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Teaching My Multicultural Kids What's "Normal"

My Little Explorers

One of my favorites part of homeschool has been watching my kids explore. My little boys are curious about everything around them! If you look into their eyes, you can see they're always pondering something.Momma, why can't I marry you?Why can't we spend your grocery money on our toys? Aren't toys more important?Why doesn't everyone speak Telugu like daddy and me?I love hearing the questions their little minds come up with. While I may be assuming they're only thinking about the toy in their hand, they're actually processing life going on around them. They want to figure it all out.Sometimes, these questions are centered around what they want in the moment, like going toy shopping rather than grocery shopping. Other times, they're thinking about something much deeper. I'm always surprised to hear how deep their questions can become.Lately, my oldest son, Liam has been pondering the differences between him and those around him. As a biracial child, he's not new to the idea of being different than some of his friends, but he's starting to identify how they're different.

I Speak Normal

This week, we went to the store to pick up a few supplies. While we there, Liam overheard a few employees speaking in Spanish. He's fascinated with other languages because this is the first year he's had a personal desire to pick up more Telugu.He immediately started talking to me and asked if they were speaking Spanish. I said yes and he started to go off in his own version to show off for them, throwing in a few real Spanish words.He was so proud of himself. Then I became the mom that reminded him most of what he said was made up. Luckily, he just laughed and he started listing off all the Telugu words he knows.I love that he wants to explore languages, but I don't ever want him to come off as mocking someone else. I want him to know the difference between a made up language and a real language. Then he brought up one of his cousins who grew up in India.Momma, why doesn't he speak normal like me?Hun, there's not really a normal language. People across the world grow up speaking different languages and he grew up speaking Telugu. It's normal to him.  Mom... Listen to me. See.. I'm speaking normal. It took some time to explain to him that normal is relative, but it got me thinking. I don't want to raise kids that think they're way is the only "normal" way. Right now, he's young and he's trying to process the world around him. I love that he's able to talk to me about everything he sees and wants to know more about.

Diversity Is Normal

I want my kids to grow up knowing diversity is what's normal. I want them to be able to look around and see the beauty in the differences between cultures.The more I can talk to my kids about the differences they see, the more normal it becomes. "Normal" is relative. It changes for everyone. However, one thing that should always be normal is a love for different cultures around the world.As my kids continue to question and figure out the world, I'm going to be right next to them. I want to help them as they figure it out.It's our role as parents to teach our kids the beauty of diversity. How can you do that? You do it by pointing out racial inequality, talking to your kids about what's going on the world, encouraging them to ask questions, and teaching them that all lives matter.Sometimes, I look at the news and for a moment, I wish I could hide it all from my kids. I don't want them to see how terrible people can be. I don't want them to know that some people are so hateful that they see their race as better than another.It's my job as their parent to talk to them about the hard things. I'd rather be the one to tell them, so I can also be the one to remind them all lives are important and diversity is what makes our world so beautiful.

How To Prepare For A Multicultural Family

How To Prepare For A Multicultural Family

While I was pregnant, I found myself daydreaming over my little baby. I wondered what he would look like, what type of personality he would have, and how my life was going to change forever.

As a mother expecting a multiracial baby there were a few other things that came to my mind as well. I started to wonder how I would raise a biracial child.

How would I be able to blend cultures in their life? 

Would I be able to show them the best from both of their cultures?

Would it be possible to teach them about Indian culture as I was just learning myself?

I had to remind myself I had time to figure it all out. My baby wouldn't come out expecting me to have their whole life planned out. All my baby wanted was my love, cuddles, and kisses right away.

When people ask me how they can prepare for their own multicultural family I talk to them about three things that have helped my family tremendously.

Start Building A Foundation Of Communication

As I welcomed my newborn into my life, I quickly realized how important communication was in our family. Raising a biracial child means you're going to have to talk about everything from racial identity to what they want to be when they grow up.It's important to think about how you can create open lines of communication from the beginning. Obviously, you have a few years before these communication skills will mean anything to your little one, but the more you work on it now the more natural it will be as they get older.Often times, we think we have all the time in the world and end up waiting. Even as a toddler, your children need to know they can come to you with anything.Start building this foundation in your relationship as parents and then it will be natural to continue it with your children. Your child will look to their parents to figure out what good communication looks like and whether or not it will be important to them.

Establish A Family Identity

My husband and I started to develop a family identity as soon as we got together, but it changed when we had our baby.When you welcome a child into your family, your family identity starts to change again. Now, you and your partner aren't the only important things in your lives. Now, you have a beautiful little baby you have to consider in all decisions you make. It's important to think about your family identity early on.How will your family blend cultures?What values will your family pull from your culture?What traditions do you want to pass on to your child?As you think about these things, you will begin to develop a family identity. No two family identities look exactly the same and that's what's so beautiful about it. You have the freedom to make it what you want. As time goes on, you'll even notice things changing. Things that worked at the beginning may need to be different years from now.That's ok. Your family identity will change and mold into what you need at each season. The most important thing is to discuss your values, beliefs, culture, and traditions as time passes. Then you can hear what everyone needs in each season.

Bring Diversity Into Your Child's Life

As parents of a multiracial child, it's your job as a parent to teach them the beauty in diversity. Many children face a time in their life where they struggle over being different. They want to be like their friends and look like the people they love.It's your job to remind them diversity is beautiful. How can you do this? Show them how diverse the world is.While you're pregnant, be sure to think about diversity when you register for baby items. Look for books that show main characters of different ethnic backgrounds. Find baby dolls in an array of colors. As they grow up they should see diversity as the norm.It's important to be intentional in teaching your child about the world around them. The more they learn about the world around them, the more comfortable they'll be in their own identity.

Start Preparing Today

As you prepare for your multicultural family, think about how you can begin to think about all three of these things. They're going to help you as you prepare for your new baby and throughout their childhood.

Today, I'm joining up with four beautiful mommas to talk about multicultural motherhood!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Multiracial Babies/ De Su Mama

Will My Child Look Like Me? Thoughts from a Multicultural Mom /Raising Whasians

Books for the Multicultural Family / Are Those Your Kids

Raising Multiracial Babies: Expectations vs Reality / Baby Making Machine

Don't Miss The Next Multicultural Motherhood Link Up and Follow Me Today!

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FX Better Things: Authentic Motherhood and A Giveaway!

When I was a little girl, I would dream about what it would be like to have kids. I've always loved kids. I went from babysitting all the kids in the neighborhood to working with children with autism. When I thought about having kids, I knew it would be amazing. I pictured my kids on special mommy dates, being told I'm the best mommy, and cuddling in my bed with them on Sunday mornings.Then I had three little boys and I realized what motherhood really is.

Motherhood is...

Staying up all night with a sick child. Stepping on Legos at 3 in the morning whispering every obscenity your mind comes up with. Getting spit up on repeatedly until you realize it's too much work to change your shirt and then you go around in spit up stained shirts for the next few months. Drinking cold coffee all day just to stay awake until nap time. Realizing you will never be caught up on laundry because your kids are little messy tornados. Knowing you love your new messy, chaotic, sleepless life. Motherhood is everything I imagined and everything I didn't. It's raw, real, and worth it.This is why I love the new Better Things show from FX. Most shows depict what we all thought motherhood would be like. Better Things shows what motherhood really is. The moments we pretend don't exist.Better Things is all about raw motherhood. They don't want to sugar coat it or make it into something it's not. It's hard, mothers everywhere are exhausted, and they love their kids more than anyone.

4 Times Better Things Showed Motherhood At It's Finest

"Get out of my room!"

There are so many times during the day where my husband finds me laying on my kid's bed. He looks at me dumfounded every time. Then he asks why I don't just hide out in our room. Probably because all three of my children congregate in their all day long!I'm constantly telling them to get out of my room, but I usually cave and go to theirs to be alone. Or the bathroom if we're going to be honest. The mother in this show, Sam tells her kids to get our of her room multiple times throughout the show! Do they listen? Of course not.

"Hide things from me! Please!"

The idea of our kids telling us everything is great. We raise them with the understanding that we're in their corner. We're here for them and they can trust us with anything. The moment it actually happens is another thing.During Better Things, Sam's daughter starts to tell her she wants to smoke pot and goes on to say she wants to tell her everything even when she wants to have sex. Sam's reaction, much like all moms, is perfect. She instantly freaks out and tells her daughter to hide things from her!The idea of an open and honest relationship with your children is beautiful, but the reality is exhausting!

"Mom. Can I ask you something?"

This is the question all moms fear. It's never good. It's never something as simple as we hope. The fact that they have to ask shows it's something they're worried for us to answer.Sam has three daughters in the show that all ask the scary question. Her face is priceless each time. She knows it's coming and waits...

"Keep your opinions to yourself."

This is one of my favorite scenes in the season premier. Sam is sitting on the mall bench with her daughter. She is losing it while Sam sits their looking at her phone. Next to her on the bench is an older woman staring and judging her relentlessly.As soon as Sam realizes what's happening she puts her phone down and stares back!"Do you want to go in and buy her the six dollar earrings she already has at home? Because that's why she's crying right now."No mother has gone without an incident like this. People tend to look in and have no idea what's going on. Instead of realizing they have no place to judge you, they judge away. I love that Sam completely calls her out on it! There are so many times I've wanted to do the same thing!!

What Are You Doing Thursdays at 10pm?

Put on your comfy sweat pants, grab a glass of wine or the whole bottle, and enjoy your new favorite show, Better Things! Take it up a notch and invite a few girlfriends over! This show is amazing and reminds you that you're killing it as a mother!

Better Things Swag Bag Giveaway!

Today, I'm partnering up with Better Things FX to give one of you the ultimate momma swag bag! You work hard every day and deserve this! This box is full of great goodies!To enter the contest, all you need to do is share a real and raw moment in motherhood that you've experienced. You can share it in the comments below!Don't forget to share the giveaway with other deserving mommas![tweetthis display_mode="box"]I just entered the #BetterThings giveaway! Enter to win your momma swag bag! #motherhood @almstindianwife [/tweetthis]The winner will receive...Ray Ban sunglasses, a Chipolo bluetooth keyring , a leather clutch , a hypoallergenic travel pillow, a lavander essential oils, a Better Things emergency bag, and a Better Things chapstick!Good luck mommas!

Find Out How Stitch Fix Spiced Up My Momma Style

How Stitch Fix Spiced Up My Momma Style

I do receive a small commission if you sign up with Stitch Fix. However, all thoughts and oppinions expressed here are my own. I only refer items I truly love and use.My momma style has always been the same. I find something I like and end up buying the same thing over and over again. After getting married to my husband, my style started to change. I was introduced to the world of Indian clothes and loved it.They were the complete opposite of what I typically wore. While I wore neutral colors, they were all bright. While I like simple, they were elaborate. It showed me that I didn't know what styles I liked as much as I thought I did. I started trying to explore different styles and brands. I set up Pinterest boards to get inspiration, but one problem always came up. While I could look up styles at night after the kids went to bed, I couldn't go shopping and look around with my kids.My husband travels for work which means it's just the kids and I most of the time. When I go to the store I go with a purpose. I make a plan so I'm in and out as long as possible. The longer I end up at the store the more likely it is my kids will melt down or start fighting.Right as I was about to give up on spicing up my wardrobe, I found Stitch Fix. It's an online company that lets you shop at home!!

How Does Stitch Fix Work

Step One: Fill out your profile and let the company know what you like, don't like, want to try, and even throw a Pinterest board in there. I set up my own Pinterest board to show them exactly what I liked.Step Two: Get a stylist. Stitch Fix assigns a personal stylist to you. Yep, that's right! They check out your profile and even ask you questions. You can even send them a note too, explaining what you want in your box.Step Three: Receive your Stitch Fix box with all of your goodies! This is the fun part. You get a box full of five different items. You can see what they are, try them on, and see what you think.Step Four: Within three days you will return whatever you don't want in the bag they send you. It's simple. You don't have to pay to return it, you just drop it off at a post office. You only pay for the items you keep and your $20 styling fee goes towards any item you end up buying.Step Five: Show off your adorable items!

What's In My Stitch Fix Box

Check out my box reveal here!

Maxi Dress $68: This dress is from Papermoon. It's comfortable and has a cinched waist. I loved this dress because I tend to not be able to wear long dresses because they're too long. This was great because i could move the cinch up higher on my waist for the perfect height.Halter Blouse $44: This blouse is from Pixley and it's just adorable. I love flowy tops like this because I find them so flattering. Especially because I like to wear leggings as often as I can. This top is perfect to wear with leggings or skinny jeans.Clutch $48: This clutch is from Street Level. Wow. Let's just take a second to admire this little beauty. It's adorable. I love that it even has an optional strap. You can dress it us and use it as a clutch or wear it day to day with the strap. It even has multiple pockets and can even work as a wallet.White Denim Jacket $88: This jacket it from Liverpool. While this coat was extremely comfortable, it reminds me too much of the 80's. I even talk about that in my unboxing video. This was the only item from my box that I wasn't a big fan of. However, they recommended it to go along with the maxi dress which I could see being really cute.V-Neck Dress $68: This dress is from Liverpool. This was the item I ended up choosing to keep. It's adorable and it was perfect for my conference. I spiced it up with a cute necklace and I've already worn it a few times! I love it because it comes right to my knees and it super comfortable.

Find out more about Stitch Fix here!

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Why Every Women Needs Her Own Tribe

My Week At She Speaks 16

This week I was blessed to be able to attend the She Speaks 16 Conference! It's been an amazing opportunity to get together with a group of women passionate about writing and speaking. The week has been full of amazing workshops and testimonies from inspiring women.I was able to leave my two older kids behind with their Nanamma (grandma) and Pinni (aunt). It's always so hard leaving them behind. Always being the two times in their entire lives! Right before I left, I started running through the list with my four-year-old."Mommy put your baby, lotion, and toothbrush in your backpack. Be sure to help your brother while I'm gone and you better miss me."The entire time I'm saying this, his hand is on my cheek and he's reassuring me with the sweetest little reassuring voice."I know mom. I know. I know."It was right then that I realized it wasn't my kids that would struggle with momma being so far away. It was me! They couldn't wait to spend time with their cousins and everyone. I love that they're getting bigger, but I can't help the sting I feel as I left. My kids are becoming independent little boys.Just to make myself feel a little better, I took my youngest little boy with me. I know, but I couldn't help it! My mom even offered to come and watch him while I was at the conference during the day. Maybe next year they'll all stay behind. Maybe...I learned so many things throughout the workshops. One of the biggest things I learned is how important it is for every woman to have her own tribe. A tribe is a group of your people. People that will have your back against all odds, help you get through the good and bad times, and you know you can count on. Here are a few reasons you need one!

Every Women Needs Her Own Tribe...

To Surround Herself With Like-Minded People

One of my favorite parts about going to She Speaks this year was the fact that I was able to sit in a workshop with over one hundred like-minded women. We were all there with the intention to learn more about writing, shape our strategies, and to be encouraged. It was a huge blessing. Being surrounded with like-minded people means you all have similar goals. The passions, strategies, and opinions are all different, but the core was the same.When you surround yourself with like-minded people you're essentially saying,"We're all on the same journey together, going to the same place. Let's walk together to encourage and support each other. We make take a few different paths on this journey, but I know at the end of the day you're in it with me." 

To Have People Willing To Challenge Her

There is nothing worse than surrounding yourself with a group of yes-women. What in the world is a yes- women you may be asking yourself? It's a woman that says yes to everything your say without fail. While that may sound nice, it's not.We need to fill our tribe with women that challenge us. We're imperfect and are bound to do things we shouldn't. Whether it's ranting about something that feels big in the moment, but really isn't in the grand scheme of things. Maybe it's the fact we've been in a bad mood all week because one of your kids aren't sleeping well... Or maybe you're trying to decide if you should take on yet another task when your plate is already completely full.You don't want to fill your tribe with a bunch of women that will encourage you to make bad decisions. You want women that will challenge you. That will be in your corner and tell you not to take on another task because you need a break. Or challenge you to have a better attitude while encouraging you. You need to be challenged in your life. Who better than a friend you know loves and cares for you?

To Have People That Get Her

Do you know the feeling when you're trying to explain something to a friend, fearing they're going to think you're crazy, and they just get it? They understand exactly what you're saying and have probably experienced something similar as well.You need to fill your tribe with women that get you. This happens when you're vulnerable and open up. The more you let the walls down and share the ins and outs of your life with your friend, the closer you'll get. As you get closer they're going to start sharing about their life and you can see where your lives are similar.One sign of a lasting friendship is one you can start to vent to only to hear, "You don't have to say anymore... I know exactly what you're saying."This happens through vulnerability, raw honesty, and trust. Allow yourself to grow closer with your tribe and gain a group of women that just get you.

To Have Someone To Cry With

I can't tell you how many times I have called up a friend to just cry with. Life gets sticky, messy, and overwhelming. Sometimes you're going through a painful season in your life and you just need a friend. Having a tribe of women you're close to a trust means you can call one of them and just let it go. You can cry on their shoulder and they can cry with you.A good friend and a good tribe of women would cry with you. They understand you feel overwhelmed and truly empathize with you. They feel your pain and want to help you get through it. They've created a safe place for you to come and be real and raw with them.

To Dream Big With

As women, we're big dreamers. We strive for big and bold things. Sometimes those big dreams can get pressed down when we're busy with work or kids. You need a tribe of women that are there to remind you to dream big. They remind you that you're worth it. They remind you that you're capable and can do anything you set your mind to.Surround yourself with people that will always challenge you to be the best you can be and to stop limiting your dreams. You are worth it. Remember that.

How Can I Build My Tribe Today?

Having a tribe is crucial for us ladies.We need this tribe to help us, encourage us, challenge us, and help us to be better women. Look around you today and determine who your tribe is. Remember to pour into those ladies in your life. Build your tribe by encouraging them and be the friend you need and desire to them!

Send this post to your tribe and tell them how important they are to you and start building your tribe today! 

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5 Things Every Mom Needs To Hear

"Oh no! He must be freezing without his socks! Did you know he's missing his socks?"

Please tell me I'm not the only one that has heard this DOZENS of times at the store!

My children have always had an unnatural ability to lose one or both socks in the car, never to be found again... It doesn't matter how many times I try to put them back on. I'm not even surprised anymore when we get to the grocery store and I find my baby... sock-less.

I bundle my kids up with whatever's left and we start the "stress-free" grocery trip adventure. Obviously, these trips are easy. My kids never whine for all the goodies they see, toys I refuse to buy, or whatever else they deem fight worthy. I'm sure yours don't either.

Before any of those things even get to happen, were stopped by a frantic "Good Samaritan." This Good Samaritan runs over to our cart and lets us know something horrible has happened! Something catastrophic!

My. Child. Is. Missing. A. Sock.

 

Then the Good Samaritan starts searching everywhere. "Oh my goodness. Poor baby, you must be freezing. Did you know he was missing a sock?"

Instead of dealing with this person any longer I instantly say, "Oh no! Maybe he lost it down one of the aisles." Then I run off without waiting for her response.

Seriously. There is no way my child would ever get hypothermia due to a missing sock! In fact, I don't think a child has ever been hospitalized or taken to the doctor over a missing sock.

I know I'm not the only one that has dealt with this. People are always more than willing to offer up their opinions and advice. The question I have for you is how do you respond? Are you open to people that start spouting off unwanted advice or do you shut that business DOWN?

After I had my first son, I would look everywhere for advice. I was constantly posting my questions on Facebook or Twitter only to get dozens of completely different answers in return. I always ended up more confused than I was before I asked!

I would ask what people think I should give my son for a terrible cold... Then I would hear things like this...

"Give them Tylenol right away!"

"Medication is terrible for kids, let them drink garlic and ginger water."

"It's probably because you guys vaccinate..."

Am I right or am I right?! I know you're all shaking your heads furiously with me, in agreement! It's hard enough as a parent, trying to navigate through motherhood. Add in some opinionated people and you feel like you're always doing it wrong.

Well, I am here to tell you that you are an amazing mother. Missing socks and all. You make decisions for your child based on what you think is best. It may not always be the right choice, but that's how you learn. The love you have for your child out weighs it all.

Be comforted in the fact that we are all trying to figure it out with you. It doesn't matter how many kids we have all had, kids are all different. You have to figure things out all over again each time.

So, what can we do to encourage moms out there? We can take a minute to tell them a few things all moms need to hear. Find a mom friend of yours and encourage them! They need it.

 

5 Things All Moms Need To Hear

You're doing a great job

Every mom needs to be told she's doing a great job. There's so much pressure on her shoulders. She wants to be the best mom she can be, make the best choices, please those around her... Whether or not your think she knows what a good job she's doing, tell her. Telling her means so much.

You don't have to listen to everyone

As a mom, you feel pressured to listen to everyone. Whether it's a parenting book, doctor on TV, friends, family, or your Good Samaritan. Remind them they don't have to listen to everyone. It's nice to be reminded.

Trust your mommy instincts

Remind them to trust in their own instincts. We all have that mommy gut that tells us what's best for our baby. Sometimes you need to let everything else go and just trust in that. Mommy instinct is a powerful thing!

You can take a break

Moms spend all of their time taking care of their kids and their family. It's easy to overlook time for themselves. Mommy guilt can even kick in and tell you how wrong it is to prioritize time for yourself. Remind a mom in your life they can take a break. A break means she can get the TLC she needs.

Thank you

Take a minute to thank a mom in your life. Thank them for dedicating their life to their kids. Thank them for all their late nights, delicious dinners, cleaning the house, taking care of sick babies, kissing boo boos, and so much more. Every mom needs to hear this one. Thank you.

Take a minute and encourage a mom in your life.

The Wife You Become After Having Kids

The hardest part about adding kids to a marriage is learning how to balance it all. You want to be a good wife, mother, friend, daughter and the list goes on and on. Whether you work in the home as a stay at home mom, or are employed outside your home,  you know that there are some aspects of being a wife that change after having kids. I’ve highlighted just a few:

The wife whose  fashion sense suffers.

I have always loved fashion and been a fashion junkie. I subscribed to beauty boxes, read fashion magazines & followed celebrity gossip just so I could see what everyone was wearing. After a few evenings of sleep deprivation and a C-section, the last thing on my mind was what I was wearing. When it was a concern again, I struggled to find things that fit my new body. Thankfully, I have a husband who encouraged me through the process until I felt like myself again. 

The wife who runs out of things to cook. 

Balancing motherhood and being a wife gets a little tricky at dinnertime, one of the busiest times of the day. If it didn’t go in the Crockpot the evening before, or you’re too tired to run to the store, dinner tends to be a hodgepodge of what’s available at home. Sometimes it’s a great experience, and other times…well…you’re just glad everyone was fed. Your husband gets annoyed by all the time you spend on Pinterest, until you make an amazing dinner inspired by one of the recipes you actually cooked!

 The wife who craves alone time. 

Everyone mom gets this one! Being a mom and wife is fantastic; the pros definitely outweigh the cons. However, having alone time is like setting a reset button. Dealing with the everyday rush, accidents, tantrums & routines can make any sane person crazy. There’s something about a little quiet time that makes you start thinking rationally again. 

The wife whose love language may change. 

Before having kids, my love languages were acts of service & quality time. Now that I’m a mom, I’m always thinking of my family when I’m going shopping, even if the trip is supposed to be for me. So it’s a nice feeling when my husband takes the time to buy me a gift, one that I’d like for myself, but am too busy buying for my family to purchase. 

The wife who forgets her purse. 

Can I tell you how many times I left my wallet in the diaper bag? Really, I’m ashamed to admit it. It doesn’t help that I drive 80 miles a day to work. Thankfully I’ve never done that on an empty tank of gas. Even the most type A, organized mom forgets her purse (or wallet) on occasion. 

The wife who chooses sleep over sex. 

It’s not that we don’t want to have sex, it’s just that if we get more sleep, we’ll feel like having sex. The more children we have=less sleep. It’s a vicious cycle. A date night every now and then usually helps the mood. 

The wife who goes above and beyond for her family. 

Despite the craziness of family life, you love every second of it. You put yourself last to make your family a priority. Hats off to you! 

Be sure to follow Diedre and stay updated on her latest posts!Blog/Facebook

5 Things Moms Teach Their Kids

5 Things Moms Teach Their Kids

As a mom, you're always on the go.You wake up in the morning thinking about everything that needs to get done all day, what you're going to make for dinner, the tower of laundry that needs to be folded, the doctors appointment that needs to be scheduled, and the list goes on. You have been given one of the most amazing gifts in the world. You're a mother. You've been given a beautiful child or children to raise and help become strong and powerful little people that will maybe change the world one day. 

5 Things You're Teaching Your Child

It's ok to lose your cool sometimes

As much as you'd like to be calm and loving at all times of the day, it's impossible. You will inevitably step on a murderous lego, have a hard day at work, or deal with a self-righteous person. Your child is going to see you lose your cool and it's ok. The most important lesson is what comes afterwards. After you lose your cool, you need to be able to rebound and move on. Kids need to see that their parent isn't perfect so they can accept their own imperfections. 

How to take care of people

Your child sees you take care of them everyday. You make them lunch (even if they don't eat it), you make sure they're safe, you tuck them in to bed at night, you help them deal with disagreements with friends... Even though they don't tell you, they know you're taking care of them. This is why you're the first one they go to when they're in trouble.You're teaching them how to take care of others just like you take care of them. 

What he or she deserves

Your child looks to you as their example for everything. They watch to see how your spouse talks to you, how the impatient driver behind you treats you, how your naive friend jokingly makes racist comments to you, and most importantly they watch to see how you respond. Your response teaches them how you let people treat you. Kids watch how their mom let people treat her to determine how they'll let people treat them. 

How to have hope in an imperfect world

As much as you'd like to prevent them from seeing all of the evil and imperfections of this world, they see it. They see how the justice system doesn't always let good guys win, they see things aren't always fair, and sometimes they see things that could make them lose hope in the world they're growing up in. You teach them to see the hope in it when you don't give up.Your child will fight for change in the world when they grow up seeing their mom making a difference.

How to love themselves

As a mom, you and your body have gone through more changes than you can count. It's easy to focus on the negatives. You look in the mirror and see stretch marks, extra weight, or imperfections you can't see past. Your child watches to see what you say about your changing body. As their body starts to change or they see how different they look in comparison to their friends, they'll look to you to see what they should think. Moms teach their kid to love their bodies, imperfections and all, when they love their own. 

A Promise To You Mom

You may not see everything you're doing for your kids and what it means when you're up to your neck in dirty dishes and laundry, but I promise you're changing their lives. You're teaching them how to be world changers by loving and taking care of yourself. It's easy to feel guilty over putting yourself first sometimes, but your kids learn more from a well taken care of mommy than a burnt out one. 

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Things I Never Thought I Would Say Until I Had Kids...

After a full week of going to the gym every day, my children are finally excited to go. It started off a struggle every morning because none of us wanted to go, but I knew we needed to. After they started to make new friends and realized how much fun they were having, they started to anticipate it every morning.Now, we're all excited to get out the door in the morning to head to the gym. Okay, I still have my days where I have to listen to my trusty Instagram friends and sleep in my gym clothes to motivate me to go, but I'm having less and less of those days. This morning, my kids were racing to the Lifetime Kid's Activity Room (fancy name for gym childcare). Liam beat us to the door and the only logical move that came to Levi was to bite him. "Levi, we don't bite!""Mom, he won and I hate when he wins! So, I bit him.""Well, I don't bite my brothers when they beat me at something."As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how silly it sounded. Sometimes, the things we have to tell our kids is completely nuts. I never would have expected I would have had to tell my kids half the things I do on a weekly basis. Another mom over heard me and started laughing. She knew it too. We gave each other the look. You know the look I'm talking about. The "I'm right there with you," look. This post is to all of you moms out there. I'm right there with you! Here are just a few of the things I've had to tell my kids....

Never in a million years did I think I would have to say to my kids...

It's not nice to pee on your brother. Why are you licking him!?Stop licking the floor!Don't eat that! It was in the garbage!Stop licking the dog's water!Take the underwear off your head!Stop putting underwear on your baby brother's head!Don't clean the toilet with your tooth brush!You can't put your sandwich on the toilet!Stop trying to fart on your brother's face!No, you cannot put your brother in your toy box.No poop is not a bad word, I just don't want to hear you talk about it. Be a good example and stop eating your boogers!

I definitely didn't expect them to say this...

Mom, I had to pee and I couldn't wait so I peed in the tub.Mom! My brother is outside naked!Do you see that? That man has a towel on his head. I think he was just in the shower. Mom, you're tummy is big again. Is there another baby in there?How did my baby brother come out of your belly button? It's really small...Mommy, if you don't let me stay up I won't give you any money... but I will give you money...Did the dinosaurs eat Jesus?Mommy, when I get big can I marry you?Mom, Levi took my bed skin (bed sheet) off!--Life with kids is one of the craziest things, but it's never dull.

What is the craziest thing you've found yourself saying to your kids?

Motherhood Expectations

I've always wanted to have kids. It's never been a question for me. I grew up with younger brothers, working in the church, babysitting, and searching for new babies at church to hold. I am completely obsessed with little squishy babies.However, I don't think I ever thought of how much work they really require. I'm not one to complain all the time, but sometimes you just need to.Being a mom is hard work. We are always expected to do things for other little creatures. Here are just a few of the things moms are expected to do...

Motherhood Expectations

You are expected to live off of a few hours of interrupted sleep.You have to kiss every, single boo-boo. Even if they're two weeks old.You're expected to make meals for picky eaters or homemade baby food for babies that decide they hate avocados after you mixed it into everything. Scratch little one's backs until they choose to fall asleep.Determine what's wrong with little ones when the only hint is a blood curdling scream.You're expected to wear dirty shirts because no matter how many times you change in one day, you still find boogers, spit up, food, and things you don't want to know all over them.Answer hundreds of, "But why, mama" and "What's that mean" all day long.Do it for free!

Why Do We Do It?

As hard as some of those days are, I don't know one mother out there that would give any of it up. God gives us mama's the strength and grace to get through every day. I don't how, but He does.I was having a rough day, a few days ago, and my little Liam made it all better in a few seconds. I was sitting on the couch, avoiding the pile of laundry in my room and overwhelmed with my day. He came up to me, asked me to scoot over, put his arm around me, kissed my cheek, and said, "I love you mama."I'll take all the booger shirts, sleepless nights, crying, and questions any day for my boys.It's easy to focus on the hard days. When you experience your next one, I challenge you to sit down with your kiddo, set aside all distractions, and just spend time with them. Remind yourself why you do it, how much you love them, and how their little kisses really do melt all the problems away.