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JoJo Siwa Fans: 13 Best Gift Ideas for Little Girls

Nov 12, 2018 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

My youngest daughter, like many other little girls, loves to sing and dance with JoJo’s videos. And if you have a young daughter, niece, or even a granddaughter in your life, you definitely need to know the best gift ideas for JoJo Siwa fans.

JoJo, whose real name is Joelle Joanie Siwa, is a successful teenager who is known for the big, colorful hair bows that she wears and sells. But, that’s not all she does. She is also a dancer, actress, and a singer too. Two of her popular most songs are “Boomerang” and “Kid in a Candy Store”.

Now, due to her popularity, there’s a large number of products related to JoJo. Among those products are clothes, shoes, electronics, and many others.

In this list, you can find 13 popular JoJo Siwa gift ideas that I am sure your little princess will love.

Make sure to pin it!

My daughter loves the gift ideas included in this gift guide! #pinterest #momsucceeds #christmas #giftguide #jojosiwa #giftsforgirls

13 Best Gift Ideas for JoJo Siwa Fans (Gift Guide)

Quick note: This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure for more info.

1. Bed Set

Let’s start with this beautiful 4-piece bed set. It includes a reversible comforter which allows you to keep switching the look of the bed every few months or even weeks if you prefer. It’s mainly pink and purple which is a very popular combination among little girls. I also like that it includes the motivational words “love”, “achieve”, and “believe”. Plus, it’s available in both twin and full size.

 

2. Curtain Set

After that beautiful bed set, why not add some curtains too? Curtains help add color and design to any room without breaking your budget, and this 4-piece set is not an exception.

 

3. Rainbow Unicorn Pillow Buddy

This cute and colorful rainbow unicorn pillow buddy is very popular among JoJo’s fans (a.ka. Siwanators). This pillow buddy is soft and gives your child something to cuddle with.

 

4. Dog Plush Pillow Buddy

I know! It’s another plush but it is too cute to not include. This adorable pillow buddy is BowBow, JoJo’s famous dog. And of course, even BowBow has a bow too.

 

5. Carry-on Duffel Bag

This duffel bag can be used for extra-curricular activities such as dance and gymnastics, sleepovers, and even to go on vacation. It has pretty colors, a comfortable size, and adjustable shoulder straps.

 

6. Handbag

Since little girls love to look like their mom, here is this cute pink and metallic handbag. It has the perfect size for little girls and helps them carry their own personal things.

7. Pink and Silver Watch

Now, your child can take JoJo wherever she goes with this pink and silver analog watch. It also has an adjustable strap which makes it easier to fit most wrists.

My daughter loves the gift ideas included in this gift guide! #pinterest #momsucceeds #christmas #giftguide #jojosiwa #giftsforher

8. Book

I always look for an excuse to motivate kids to read. In this case, JoJo has this inspirational book called JoJo’s Guide to the Sweet Life. It’s targeted toward bigger girls and it covers important topics such as confidence, loyalty, and perseverance.

 

9. JoJo’s Pajama

My daughter loves wearing nightdresses. That’s why I thought of this striped pink pajama that not only has a picture of JoJo but it also reminds kids of the importance of dreaming big.

 

10. Colorful Socks

This is a 5-piece set of colorful socks which means that there’s one pair of socks for every weekday. That’s definitely a win-win situation.

 

11. Black Cap

Your child can easily use this cap during summertime, outdoor activities, and hat days at school. As expected, this cap includes a hair bow too.

 

12. Winter Hat and Gloves Set

Yes, there’s something for the winter too. It’s a beautiful winter set that includes a trendy beanie with matching gloves.

 

13. JoJo Shirt

This list wouldn’t be complete without a JoJo shirt. Especially, because kids like to wear shirts of their favorite characters or TV personalities. This type of shirt comes in different colors, designs, and sizes.

 

You are all set!

Now, you have a list of great gift ideas for any JoJo Siwa fan. Now, it’s your turn to choose which gift ideas are the best ones for that special person in your life. Which one was your favorite?

Don’t forget to share it with friends!

My daughter loves the gift ideas included in this gift guide! #pinterest #momsucceeds #christmas #giftguide #jojosiwa #giftsforgirls

Filed Under: Blog, Gift Guides, Kids, Moms, Parenting

3 Quick Ways to Increase Productivity (get daily results)

Oct 8, 2018 by Lynelle 4 Comments

If you normally start your day with a huge to-do list just to end up with most of the tasks unchecked, you are not alone. The good news is that you can learn and apply these quick strategies to help you increase productivity.

I don’t want to waste your time so, let’s go over each of these three productivity strategies. Don’t have time to read it right now? Don’t worry, pin it for later!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

I like these quick ways to increase productivity! They're very helpful for busy moms who are trying to achieve more every day. #momlife #productivity #moms #lifegoals

Increase Productivity: 3 Strategies to Get Results

Productivity Strategy 1 – Create an organized task list

To increase productivity, we need to start with the basics: create a task list.

The reality is that there will always be many tasks added to our calendars for our kids, family, friends, and even the community. The key is not to do everything that comes up but to take care only of the tasks that we really need to take care of and in the correct order.

Start by creating a list of tasks or projects that you need to tackle for the day, week, or month. Arrange those tasks in order of importance and urgency because it helps you stay on top of important tasks that require your immediate attention.

You are the only one who can determine the importance and urgency of the tasks. Once you finish grouping similar tasks together, you will be able to see what exactly needs to be done and when.

There are different ways to create a task list, so let me go over that with you.

 

These tools help you create a task list:

– Use a task list template

Creating an organized task list should only take a few minutes and can save you more time down the road.

The easiest way is to grab any piece of paper and write down all of your tasks. Just make sure to put those tasks in order from the most important and urgent to the least important and least urgent. You can easily do that by assigning a number or a letter next to each task.

I find it easier to use this type of master task list for different reasons:

  • easier to group the tasks based on importance and urgency
  • better to visualize all the tasks
  • a faster way to add new tasks that you overlooked without having to re-do your list
  • keeps all the tasks more organized!

 

– Download these task list apps

If you prefer to use your phone, here are a few task list apps:

  • Todoist – In addition to adding your tasks, it has a feature called shared projects where you can delegate tasks. Plus, you can track your daily progress and access this app from different devices.
  • Tasks – Not only can you add your tasks, but you can also add details to those tasks, organize them, prioritize them, and even sort them into lists.

Download this free productivity guide for busy moms and achieve more every day! #momlife #moms #schedule #productivity #lifegoals

Productivity Strategy 2 – Use the time blocking technique

In case that you haven’t heard of this productivity strategy before, let’s start from the beginning…

 

What is time blocking?

Time blocking is a technique where you block a period of time on your calendar to take care of a task or group of tasks. You have to treat all your tasks as doctor appointments, company meetings, or vacation and schedule them on your calendar too. In other words, every day you assign a time to each of your tasks or projects.

Although I am focusing more on tasks and projects, make sure to schedule some time to eat, sleep, take a break, and even have fun too.

It’s something that I used a lot while working in Human Resources. I scheduled a time to review resumes, process payroll, conduct regular meetings, prepare the material for orientations, create training modules, and more.

Sometimes as moms, we keep doing what’s on the to-do list and we don’t realize that blocking different times would help us manage our lives better.

 

Time blocking simplifies your days in different ways:

  • It reduces the time spent shifting from one task to another

You already have a schedule of what needs to be done which means that once you complete the task, you know exactly what comes next.

  • Time blocking puts limits to complete your tasks

It can help you reduce distractions, too. Since your time for each task is limited, you would not be wasting your time on other tasks that are not related to the task that you are working on. When you start working on a task, you should know exactly how much time you have planned for that task. This should help you reduce, or better yet eliminate, the amount of time wasted on non-related tasks.

  • Helps you focus better

Your focus should increase due to several reasons. As I mentioned before, the limited time assigned to each task helps you reduce distractions and as a result, you should focus better on what you are supposed to do. Also, having a planned schedule stops your mind from wondering about what needs to be done and helps you focus more on your actions.

 

There are different ways to do time blocking

Some people set a few hours aside to take care of a group of tasks. In that case, your time blocking will look something like this:

Check out this example of time blocking

Another option is to block time for each task which is the method that I use. In this case, you estimate the time needed to complete the task and then you block the time based on what you estimated.

Start adding your important and urgent tasks on your calendar. Then, continue adding those other tasks that are not as important or as urgent as the previous ones. That’s why having an organized task list makes time blocking a lot easier and faster.

Here is an example of a more detailed plan:

Want to increase your productivity? Learn how time blocking can help you!

This is something that I do every night and it helps me have a clear picture of what I need to do the next day. Using time blocking gives me some sense of control and makes my day go smoother. Especially because I know that If I get behind on a task, it would make it more difficult to follow the rest of my schedule and complete my daily goals.

But, don’t get frustrated when something unexpected happens. If it happens, adjust your schedule as soon as everything goes back to normal.

Time blocking is great for overachievers who normally create a long to-do list to complete in a few hours. It helps you be more realistic when planning your days because you can see how much you can really accomplish based on your other responsibilities.

As with anything else, while performing time blocking, choose the option that works best for you.

 

Check out these helpful time blocking tools:

– Time blocking planner

Even though there are many planners out there, it’s important to use a productivity planner that can help you achieve your daily goals while also using the time blocking technique.

The planner that I have been using works great for me. It doesn’t have times printed on its pages but it allows me to customize the weekly pages based on my needs. Right now, I add a daily schedule from 7 am to 10 pm and I still have room for additional notes.

Examples of time blocking planners:

  • inkWell Planner – I use (and love) the Classic weekly planner. Now, they launched their new 360 disc-system which allows you to customize it in the way you want it.
  • Day Designer – it has different designs to choose from
  • Panda Planner – It’s a popular planner and since it’s undated so you can start using it at any time.

 

– Time blocking template (printable)

If you don’t have a planner, the time blocking templates are a great solution. For example, this daily planner has several sections on the left side to help you decide what needs to be done on that day. Once you are done, follow the time blocking technique by scheduling those tasks on the right side of the printable. It’s that simple! Click here to see it.

 

– Time blocking app

  • Time Tune

This time blocking app works as an electronic planner and helps you create routines, add daily activities, and set up notifications. You can also add your events very similar to the way you do it in google calendar. I like its features such as the daily timeline, tags, notifications, and reminders.

 

– Time blocking calendar

  • Google calendar

This electronic calendar is a great option to stay organized and, in this case, to block your time. You can also set alerts and even color code your tasks by family members, importance, or task type. To stay on track, I use the Google calendar in addition to my planner.

  • Trello

This tool is pretty much a combination of a time blocking app and a calendar. Even though it’s a tool intended for collaborations or people working together, you can still use it to organize different projects in your life. Its popularity keeps increasing due to its convenience, easy use, and modern features. Plus, you can access it from your phone or computer.

As a busy mom, I'm always looking for ways to increase my daily productivity. That's why I love these printables because they help me with that! #printables #productivity #organized #ColorfulBows

Productivity Strategy 3 – Keep a habit tracker

Forming a habit is another way to increase productivity. But sometimes, bad habits are hard to break, and new habits are hard to create too. Even popular habits such as drinking more water or doing exercises are hard (not impossible!) to commit to for a while.

To increase your productivity, you may also want to create habits such as using your planner daily, planning your day or week in advance, writing 500 words every day, completing your top three daily goals, or even creating products for your store on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that it’s easier to start with small or mini habits. This will keep you motivated during the process and increases the chance of forming a new habit.

In addition to starting small, make sure to track your habit. Tracking your habits is the best way to see your real progress and lets you evaluate how successful you have been. As human beings, it’s normal to overestimate our actions and think that our performance is a lot better than what it really is.

To successfully achieve goals or complete projects, we need to know how we are truly doing. A habit tracker can show us that information. And, of course, here are some tools for you.

 

These tools help you track your habits:

– Habit Tracker Printable

You can use a habit tracker printable to track your progress. To keep you motivated, choose a format that fits your needs. It could be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.

 

– Habit Tracker Apps

There are different habit tracker apps available too:

  • Habits

The Habits app is very easy to use and allows you to set reminders. You can also see the history, strength, best streaks, and frequency.

  • Habit Streak

This is another easy app that you can use to mark the number of days that you completed the habit. It has a free version as well as a paid option which includes extra features such as getting an analysis, exporting and importing history, sharing your progress, and setting reminders.

  • Habit Bull

This habit tracker app is more colorful. You can set reminders and notes too. Unlike other apps, it sends you notifications that are more informal and even funny at times.

 

It’s your turn to increase your productivity

As you noticed, those three productivity strategies are not complicated or lengthy. Instead, they are quite simple and easy to follow too.

Applying those strategies in your life should not only help you increase productivity, but you should also see a difference in your “to-do list” at the end of the day. You should be spending less time between tasks and focusing more on the tasks that really matter to you and your family.

By the way, make sure to download the productivity guide that has more productivity tips for you.

Which strategy do you need to implement? Or, which other strategy are you using right now? I would love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments below!

 

Additional Productivity Resources

  • Free Resources Library for Busy Moms
  • 5 Common Productivity Killers for Busy Moms (and how to eliminate them!)
  • Free 7-Day Goal Setting Challenge
  • Top 35 Productivity Tips for Busy Moms (achieve more every day!)

 

Enjoyed it? Please share it with friends

and help them increase their productivity too!

 

I like these quick ways to increase productivity! They're very helpful for busy moms who are trying to achieve more every day. #momlife #productivity #moms #lifegoals

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Productivity, Time Management

Disney Cruise Tips: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Time

Sep 17, 2018 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

If this is your first time going on a Disney Cruise, get ready to have a lot of fun. However, before you sail away, make sure to go over these Disney Cruise tips to help you maximize your time.

Even though there’s a misconception that Disney Cruises are only for kids, your entire family can have a great time on the cruise.

I bet that the person who said, “time flies when you are having fun”, took a Disney Cruise. No matter if it’s a short or long cruise, by the time it’s over, you will probably be sad. It happens so often that it’s even called the Post-Cruise Depression.

However, since I’m always looking for ways to save time and be more productive, vacationing on the Disney Cruise would not be the exception. After all, I wanted to enjoy up to the very last cent paid.

And, I bet that you want that too, so let’s get started…

A happy mom having fun in the beach with her kids after following these Disney Cruise tips

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

Contents
  1. 5 Disney Cruise Tips to Maximize Your Time
    • Disney Cruise Tip #1 – Keep your documents organized
    • Disney Cruise Tip #2 – Use the cruise rotational dining
    • Disney Cruise Tip #3 – Packing Tips: Simplify and minimize
    • Disney Cruise Tip #4 – Use the personal navigator
    • Disney Cruise Tip #5 – Wake up early
  2. Final Thoughts on Disney Cruise Tips

5 Disney Cruise Tips to Maximize Your Time

Disney Cruise Tip #1 – Keep your documents organized

Keeping all documents organized is important even when you are vacationing.

To make it easier, I classified my documents into one of two categories: essential documents or other important documents.

Essential Documents

The essential documents are important documents that you will need to use or show in order to access an area.

While traveling on the Disney Cruise, there are essential documents that you may need frequently. Because of that, keep the documents handy and in one place.

Imagine waiting in a long line to get off the cruise and start exploring the new port of call, just to realize that you left the passports in your stateroom and can’t go anywhere ☹.

That’s why I bought a functional bag like this one. It’s easier to carry and keep with me at all times. For the most part, here is what I carried inside that bag:

  • stateroom cards
  • passports for my family
  • tickets for the tours
  • money
  • credit card
  • blank paper (to take notes if needed)
  • pen
  • an extra pacifier (only a mom knows how important it is if it gets lost!)

Other important documents

You will probably have more important documents than the ones mentioned in the previous section. The difference is that these documents don’t always need to be carried. In my case, they were mostly documents needed before the cruise, after the cruise, or “just in case”.

I found a mini file to be perfect in keeping this type of documents organized. I used a mini file similar to this one and added some labels for extra organization.

My mini file included the following:

  • Disney Cruise planning book – this is the one you receive in the mail that has important details of your trip
  • Online parking payment receipt – on our second cruise, we drove to Galveston and left the car in a parking lot next to the port.
  • Airplane reservation
  • Cruise insurance document
  • Any hotel reservation – in our case, we drove for several hours and then stayed in the hotel the night before leaving in the cruise.

In Summary

Your documents may be different from the ones I had for our cruises, but the key is to keep your documents organized and handy, so you can have more time to enjoy your cruise.

Disney Cruise Tip #2 – Use the cruise rotational dining

Rotational dining is something that I really like about Disney Cruises especially when you are traveling with little ones.

Here is a quick summary of how it works.

Every day, the Disney Cruise reserves a table for you to eat dinner at one of its three main restaurants. It’s rotational dining because Disney reserves a table at one of those restaurants every night. It’s a simple concept with several benefits:

  • The reservation is already made for you: Therefore, there’s no need to waste time looking for a table because everything is ready for you and your family. I even had a high chair ready at the table. And to make things easier, your table number is the same every day.
  • Scheduled time – Since it’s a reservation, you (and the servers) know exactly when to go. That’s a huge benefit because you can decide what activities to plan before and after your dinner time.
  • Assigned servers rotate with you: Kids feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. In this case, your kids can interact with the same servers they already met.

In addition to saving time and reducing stress, those main dining restaurants are a magical experience for kids (and parents 😉).

However, rotational dining is completely optional and there are more places available to eat including ordering room service from your stateroom.

preview of the FREE printables for the Disney Cruise tips

Disney Cruise Tip #3 – Packing Tips: Simplify and minimize

If you want to take advantage of many activities during your trip, you will probably be running from one side to another trying to be on time for breakfast, character appearance, tour, dinner time, pirate night, show, musical, and much more.

Getting your family ready for the next activity or part of the day will take time. Follow these packing tips to make it better:

Packing tips for clothes

For the first Disney cruise, I grouped the clothes without knowing how much it would help me down the road. After seeing how easy it was, I immediately did the same for the second cruise.

Here is what I did to save time getting the clothes:

  • Got the cruise itinerary and identified the activities or events for each day. It will be something like this: a day at sea, tour at the Bahamas, Castaway, etc. Also, add the three main dining restaurants if you plan to use their rotational dining.
  • Wrote the identified activities on index cards (the contrast makes it easier and faster to see the information).
  • Separated my daughters’ and my clothes based on the activities or events. You can add the dates but keep in mind that you won’t know your assigned rotational dining restaurant until that same day in the cruise.
  • Grouped the activity clothes together, put them (nicely) inside in a storage bag like this one, and taped the index card to the bag. I did the same for every single activity or event. For example, if I had a bag labeled “Enchanted Garden”, it included all the clothes for that restaurant: my outfit, my two daughter’s dresses, and even her hair bows.

Again, my purpose is to save as much time as I can.

Whenever it’s time to get ready, all you do is grab your already prepared outfit bag corresponding to that activity. You won’t waste time thinking about what to wear or trying to find the clothes that you left with the other things.

Since the bags that I used had a vacuum valve, it was easier to fit things inside the luggage too. There are different sizes available depending on your needs. I mostly used large and x-large to fit all the outfits together.

And speaking about the bags, here I found similar storage bags that seem to work even better based on the reviews received.

When you choose your clothes, it’s normal to take into consideration the weather of your destination. However, it’s also important to check on how the weather will be when you return from your cruise.

For example, when we went on the Very Merrytime Disney Cruise, the temperature in Texas was in the fifties. While Cozumel had beautiful sunny weather with a temperature in the mid-eighties.

A packing hack is also included in these Disney Cruise tips

Packing tips for shoes

Don’t go overboard with your shoes. Here is where I suggest you minimize.

To save time, I chose shoes that I could use for different occasions AND I only packed one pair of each:

  • Tennis shoes for tour days and days at sea
  • Casual shoes for casual main dining and musicals
  • Dressy shoes that can be used for both casual and fancy activities such as eating Royal Palace or attending an event with the Captain.
  • Flip flops for the pool or beach at the port of call

Disney Cruise Tip #4 – Use the personal navigator

Every day, the Disney cruise prints a personal navigator which they distribute directly to your stateroom. It’s a newsletter that includes all the details for a specific day such as special instructions, reminders, character appearances, movies, important numbers, highlights, shows, games, and much more.

You normally get the navigator on the previous day. Therefore, don’t just put it aside or in your luggage. Instead, use it to plan the next day ahead of time.

My strategy was simple.

Every night, I was going over every single detail included on that navigator since I didn’t want to miss anything. Especially, because some of the activities are only offered once or twice during the trip.

After circling all the activities that my family would enjoy, I made a list of those activities with their location, which was based on their time. I kept that list handy in my purse to refer to it when needed.

Download the app

After having the list of activities for the next day, I was adding them to the Disney Cruise app.

What I liked the most is that it lets you create reminders to help you stay on top of the cruise events. It also has the time and location for each event, and even the map of the ship so you know exactly where to go.

Make sure to download the app during embarkation because it has other helpful features available too.

The food at the Disney Cruises is delicious

Disney Cruise Tip #5 – Wake up early

If you like to sleep until late, this tip is definitely one that you won’t like to hear. I understand that being on vacation should be part of a relaxing experience.

However, getting up early helps you maximize your time on the cruise as well as in your daily life.

You want to get up early in the day for a few reasons:

  • Cabanas – It’s a delicious buffet place to have breakfast. Even though there’s a variety of food available, it gets crowded (at least during non-school days).
  • Castaway Cay (or any other destination) – Castaway Cay has is a pretty island to explore, play, and take beautiful pictures. Make sure you have enough time to enjoy the island.
  • Exercises – It gives you time to do some exercises before starting the activities planned for the day.
  • Nature – For some reason, the sky, sea, and the sun look prettier when you are cruising. This is the perfect time to enjoy nature and to take more pictures too!

By the way, if you want to learn more about their shows, dining, activities, and more, request the Free Disney Cruise planning DVD.

Final Thoughts on Disney Cruise Tips

You are ready to sail away! Make sure to follow the tips discussed above to maximize your time and enjoy every minute of your magical Disney Cruise!

If this is your first time, don’t forget to download the 9 Extra Tips You Want to Know Before Your First Disney Cruise.

Do you have another Disney Cruise tip to help maximize the time? Or, if this is your first time, which tip did you like the most?

Either way, leave me a comment to let me know.

Before sailing away in a Disney Cruise ship, check these quick ways to maximize your vacation time (Free printables with more Disney Cruise tips!) #cruise #tips #disneycruise #freeprintables #vacation #momlife

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, New Moms, Organization, Parenting, Productivity, Time Management

Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Mom Life

Aug 13, 2018 by Lynelle 10 Comments

If you are here, you probably like challenges as much as most people do. And I am not surprised because challenges have become more popular during the last years. That’s why I have put together a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life.

Here, I am giving you twelve monthly challenges to keep you covered for an entire year!

But first, let’s learn more about challenges…

Here you have free self-improvement challenges for an entire year! Plus, they help you take care of your home, money, and health! #challenges #lifegoals #momlife #stress

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

 

What’s a challenge?

For the purpose of this blog post, a challenge is something that you need or want to do that may be somewhat difficult to achieve.

The difficulty of the challenge depends on the:

  • Nature of the challenge: this is what the challenge wants you to do or what the challenge is about.
  • Length of the challenge: in this case, each challenge should last for a month but in general, challenges can take minutes, days, weeks, or even a year.
  • Skills you have: depending on your skills, background, and personality some challenges may be easier for you than others.
  • Expected outcome: this is what you should achieve once a challenge is completed (the results or transformation).
  • Requirements: some challenges require more time, effort, and involvement than others.

 

Types of challenges

Challenges have become so popular that you can pretty much find a challenge for everything.

As with anything else, there are negative challenges (and even dangerous ones) such as the Tide Pod challenge, the Snorting challenge, or exiting a moving car to do the In My Feelings (Kiki) Challenge.

Fortunately, there are positive challenges that you can follow. These challenges include funny ones, such as the lip sync challenge…and the ones that help you improve something in your life.

And that’s exactly what this post is all about.

 

Why challenges may be good for you

The increase in popularity of the challenges is in part because of the benefits that people find behind those challenges.

Let’s talk about different reasons as to why challenges may be good for you:

  • Being part of a group

We all like the feeling of being part of something which can be a team, group, or community. Challenges give people just that. The sense of being part of a group with like-minded people.

  • Feeling of excitement

Trying a new challenge produces the same feelings as trying things that you like for the first time. You are excited about the challenge itself and the expected results.

  • Keeps you motivated

When you like the challenge, it keeps motivating you to achieve the expected results.

  • Produces satisfaction

No matter how big or small the challenge is, completing challenges usually gives people a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

  • Helps you build confidence

Completing challenges usually gives people a sense of strength, confidence, and motivation to achieve even more things. If that’s your case, take advantage of these feelings and go for it!

 

Helpful Tips to Keep in Mind Before Starting These 30-Day Challenge Ideas

Focus on the challenges, not in the order – These challenges are scheduled based on what made sense to me, the seasons, and the nature of the challenge. However, feel free to complete them in a way that works best for you.

Keep doing the challenge longer if needed – Even though I am providing you a list of 30-day challenge ideas, the challenge doesn’t have to end once the month is over. For example, you may want to continue the Savings Challenge to start an emergency account, save for the holidays, or birthday gifts.

Any improvement counts – I am a firm believer that there’s always room for improvement and a small improvement is still an improvement. Just don’t feel the pressure to complete all the challenges. You may not be interested in all the challenges or you may not need to improve that particular area in your life. Either way, skip that challenge and move onto the next one or continue working on a challenge that you already completed.

Focus on the results – As you know, the purpose of these challenges is to improve your life. Because of that, I don’t want you to be frustrated. Instead, do the best you can and focus on your progress.

A preview of printables included in the home management binder.

12 Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Life

This list of 30-day challenge ideas gives you a challenge for every single month. I organized it by month just to make it easier for you, but you don’t have to do it in that specific order.

Are you ready?

Let the challenge begin!

 

1. Goal Setting Challenge in January

This is a free 7-day email challenge that I have created. It’s listed as the first challenge because January is normally when people think about setting goals (or New Year’s resolutions).

But, you don’t have to wait until the New Year to start. It’s actually better, and recommended, to start now. Plus, in this challenge, I’ll help you identify, plan, and set your short-term goals. Join the free goal setting challenge.

 

2. Savings Challenge in February

It’s time to save money! For the purpose of this savings challenge, set $5 aside every single day so at the end of the month you can have a total of $150. In twelve months, you can have a total of $1,800 saved.

You can save more with this challenge if you want to. One option is to increase the daily contribution. Instead of saving $5 per day, what about saving $10 or maybe $20?

Another option is to gradually increase your daily contribution. For example, during the first week of the month, you may save $5 per day. Then, in the second week, increase your contribution to $7.

The key for this savings challenge is to first, determine the purpose of the money saved and then, establish the amount of money needed to achieve that goal.

As I mentioned before, you may want to save that money to start an emergency account, get birthday gifts, or to cover for your kids’ school-related activities.

 

3. Declutter Challenge in March

March is immediately associated with nice weather, spring cleaning, and school’s spring break. Therefore, this is the perfect time for a declutter challenge.

Since clutter can cause allergies, stress, and even put you in a bad mood, this challenge is perfect for this series of 30-day challenges to improve your life.

Commit to decluttering one area for a month. The closets and drawers are two popular areas to declutter but don’t forget to include other areas too such as bookshelves, car, and garage. Plus, don’t forget that toy box which magically grows over time!

Once you are done with this 30-day challenge, you may want to re-schedule it every quarter or at least twice a year to avoid accumulating too much clutter.

 

4. 10,000 Steps Challenge in April

It’s time to be more active with a fitness challenge! In this case, you need to reach 10,000 steps every day.

Why 10,000 steps?

Because that’s the recommended number of steps to keep you active and healthy. But, of course, there are additional actions that you should also take to stay healthy.

If this is your first time doing this 30-day challenge, don’t let the number of steps stop you! It may sound impossible but it’s absolutely doable. Plus, it gets easier over time.

Just keep in mind that for this challenge you will need to track your daily steps. Another option is to download an app but that will only work if you carry your phone at all times.

Either way, it’s time to move and track your steps!

 

5. Water Drinking Challenge in May

Drinking enough water is always difficult for many people including me. That’s the reason why I included this water drinking challenge. However, before starting this challenge, you need to calculate the amount of water that you need to drink every day.

It’s okay if you don’t like math because it’s a very easy and simple calculation.  Just get your weight and divide it by two. That total is the number of ounces that you need to drink daily.

After calculating how much water you need, make sure to work on this habit daily!

This busy mom is reading a book for the reading challenge while relaxing in the beach.

6. Reading Challenge in June

Summertime is the perfect time for a reading challenge. Even though, sometimes it’s hard to find time aside from the responsibilities, let’s make the point to read this month.

The goal of this 30-day challenge is to read two books this month. Make sure to schedule a minimum of 30 minutes every day to avoid falling behind. By the way, check out this list of books to get you started.

Want to read more? Instead of reading every day for 30 minutes, schedule an hour and finish one book per week!

Related: Encourage your kids to read too with these reading logs

 

7. Fun Activities Challenge in July

Take advantage that your kids are out of school and enjoy this Fun Activities Challenge. After all, I am pretty sure that your kids will like it too!

During the entire month, have indoor and outdoor family activities. Choose a different activity every day such as crafts, sports, board games, etc. Make sure to choose a variety of activities to keep all family members happy.

 

8. Journal Challenge in August

Journaling has become pretty popular. You can find many videos on YouTube that teach you how to journal. You can start a journal on anything that you want: frequent ideas, a summary of your day, or anything else that you prefer.

As UJ Ramdas said in an interview, journaling is like a toothbrush for your brain. You are pretty much dumping the information from your brain to your journal. It may sound basic or even silly, but journaling helps you in different areas including your mindset and well-being.

The best part is that you don’t have to spend too much time doing it. Ten or fifteen minutes is more than enough.

For this 30-day challenge, get ready to write!

 

9. Zero-Spending Challenge in September

September is the perfect month for a zero-spending challenge.

That will give your pocket a relief after back to school shopping done last month. Plus, it gives you a break before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The purpose of a zero-spending challenge is, well… that. Not to spend any money this month which should help you save money too.

It’s normally used to reduce your spending on groceries but, for this 30-day challenge, pick an expense category where you are currently overspending or one that you would like to reduce or improve. For example, you may be spending too much on groceries, cosmetics, eating out, or buying clothes.

Pick a category and apply this zero-spending month to that category. Just keep in mind that after choosing a category, you may need to adjust other areas. If we use the example of not eating out for a month, you may have to cook more and plan your meals better.

But, here is something that I want you to keep in mind: Even if you can’t go the whole month without spending on that category you chose, cutting the spending amount in half is already an improvement!

A mom is finally relaxing in the spa.

10. Self-care Challenge in October

As a mom, you are probably taking care of everything and everyone, except for yourself. Therefore, this month is dedicated to you!

Many of us take our health for granted and don’t realize the importance of taking care of ourselves. But self-care has several benefits including reducing stress. That alone is a huge benefit!

This time you have 30 days to focus on yourself with this self-care challenge. No excuses allowed! 😊

In this case, think of indoor and outdoor activities that you like, make you relax, or entertain you. Don’t forget to add things that you have never done but have always wanted to do.

This would be a perfect challenge to continue even after the month is over.

 

11. Gratitude Challenge in November

With the month of November comes Thanksgiving and the gratitude challenge.

Even though many stores are fully decorated for Christmas right after back to school, it’s still important to stop for a moment and be grateful for what we have. Especially because gratitude helps us in different ways including an increase in happiness and better health.

To complete this 30-day challenge, spend a few minutes every day to write down a list of things that you are grateful for and positive things that happened that day. Write a minimum of five things (even though ten would be better) and avoid repeating the same reasons.

The best part is that at the end of the month, you should have at least 150 positive reasons to be grateful for.

 

12. Say Something Nice Challenge in December

There’s something about the holidays that make most people happy. That’s why this is the perfect time to add the Say Something Nice Challenge to the holiday festivities.

It shouldn’t be that hard, right?

Well, there’s a twist. Go the entire month without repeating a person AND stay outside of your comfort zone.

In other words, even though you may feel more comfortable saying something nice to your friends and family members, make sure that you also include strangers and those with who the relationships are not at its best.

Now, get ready to make this December extra special.

The Complete Home Management Binder for busy moms is finally here!

Bonus: Minimalism Challenge

If you skipped one of the challenges mentioned above, here is a minimalism challenge to complete in its place.

Some people take the word minimalism as a synonym for sacrifice, while others focus on the state of mind. And, that’s the direction that I prefer to take.

One of the reasons is because I am pretty sure that you already have a lot on your plate. Plus, as I said before, my goal is for you to improve your life and not to get frustrated.

Use this minimalism challenge to help you simplify different areas of your life throughout the month. There are different activities that help improve the state of mind. Some of these activities include meditation, yoga, and even reducing the use of technology.

Choose a combination of your favorite minimalism activities and enjoy your month!

 

Get ready to complete your first 30-day challenge

Now, you have a list of the best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life for an entire year!

Keep in mind that to achieve better and long-lasting results, you need to keep working on the challenges longer than 30 days. But, these challenges should get you started in the right direction.

Now, it’s your turn. Which one of the challenges will you work on first? Let us know in the comments below…

Take care!

MomSucceeds.com helps busy moms achieve their personal and professional goals through better productivity, money management, and self-improvement.

 

Enjoyed the post? Please share it with your friends!

A mom is happy playing with her baby after completing the challenges.

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Self Improvement

20 Best Summer Books for Preschoolers (free activities)

Apr 23, 2018 by Lynelle 8 Comments

Summer is the time for fun…and summer books too!  For years, experts have talked about the benefits of reading to our kids when they are little.

In my case, I love reading non-fiction books but reading to my toddler at night is even better! That’s something that I have done with both of my kids since they were little.

Several of my daughter's favorite books are included in this list! #summerreading #summerkids #preschoolers #momsucceeds

Quick note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for more info.

 

This article covers the following summer books for preschoolers:

  • Best preschool books of all time
  • Newer popular books for preschoolers
  • Picture books about summer
  • Children’s books about the beach

summer books for preschoolers

Best preschool books of all time

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar – It’s a very popular book among kids, including my daughters, that has been around for years. This book explains the days of the week in an interesting way for kids ages 3 to 5.

Caterpillar Book Activities:

  • Hungry Caterpillar Flap Book Craft and Free Template
  • Paper Chain Caterpillar Craft for Kids
  • 3D Paper Caterpillar Craft with Template

2. Llama Llama Red Pajama – I love Llama Llama books and even though, I am only mentioning one book in here, there are many more Llama Llama books available. These books are easy to read and understand and talk about common behaviors in kids. They also use rhyming which is something that is covered in the early years of school.

Llama Book Activities:

  • Popsicle Stick Puppets for Llama Llama Misses Mama
  • Llama Llama Pajama Matching Activity
  • Llama Llama Red Pajama Day Snacks

3. Don’t let the pigeon ride the bus – Through this book, a pigeon interacts with your child by pleading to be allowed to drive the bus. After reading the book at school, my daughter warned me to not let the pigeon drive our car! And like Llama Llama, there are additional books available to entertain your child.

Pigeon Book Activities:

  • Paper Plate Pigeon
  • Pigeon Paper Bag Puppet
  • Make a cute pigeon mask!
  • The Pigeon Needs a Bath! Activity Kit

4. If You Give a Moose a Muffin – This is the classic book of a very hungry moose that stopped by to visit, but after eating a muffin, he kept asking for more muffins until they were all gone. After that, he had the idea to get some muffin mix!

Moose Book activities:

  • Paper Plate Muffin
  • Moose Mix-Up
  • Handprint Moose Headband

5. Green Eggs and Ham – Like always, Dr. Seuss has a unique way to present his stories. This book reminds kids about the importance of trying new things. If you have a picky eater at home, you may want to get this book! And, the question is: do YOU like green eggs and ham? 😉

Green Eggs Book Activities:

  • Green Eggs and Ham Pretzel Bites – another kid recipe!
  • Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Maze
  • Seuss Green Eggs Sight Word Game
  • Green Eggs and Ham Coloring Page

 

summer books for preschoolers

Newer popular books for preschoolers

6. What should Danny do? – I discovered this book while doing the research for this blog post and I have to say that I loved what I saw! It’s one book with nine stories focused on kids ages 3 and up. This interactive book follows the “choose your own story” style giving your child the opportunity to decide what Danny should do next throughout the story.

7. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site – This is a great bedtime story since in this book the construction trucks are ready to go to sleep after a day of hard work. This is a way for kids to see that after working hard, there should be some time to rest and get ready for the next day.

8. The Most Magnificent Thing – This is a book that shows little kids that it’s okay if things are not perfect and encourages them to look at things from a different perspective. It shows how a girl struggles, gets frustrated and even quits when trying to build what she wants. But at the end, after trying and trying, she is satisfied with her invention.

9. When I imagine – This is a story of a girl named Andie with a great imagination like many kids. Even when she is told that her dreams will not come true, the sweet girl still makes her dreams come true in her mind.

10. The Day the Crayons Quit – In this very popular book, the crayons had enough. They got tired of doing/being used for the same purpose and decided to quit. However, the boy works with the crayons in order to come together in a new way.

Popular books activities:

  • Tools Shadow Matching
  • Construction Zone Printable
  • Crayon Coloring Page (click on the image to print)
  • Create a Crazy Crayon Craft

 

summer books for preschoolers

Picture books about summer

11. Curious George Goes Camping – Summer is also a popular time for people to go camping, and Curious George won’t be an exception. As it happens in the tv show, George’s curiosity makes things get a little out of control. But at the end, he always manages to save the day.

12. The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation – Since it’s summertime, the Berenstain Bears are ready to have fun through all the activities available at the seashore. They do a little bit of everything such as swimming, fishing, museum, and more.

13. The Night Before Summer Vacation – This family is getting ready to go on a vacation, but they overlook something. Sounds familiar to you?

14. A Day at the Airport – If you have plans in taking your child to the airport for the first time, this book can help you prepare your child for the experience. This story takes into consideration different areas of the airport for your kid to understand better.

15. Daniel Goes to School – After having so much fun during the summertime, it’s hard for kids to start/go back to school. If this is their first time away from you, this book can help them feel more comfortable with the transition.

Summer books activities:

  • Trace the Pattern: Bug Trail
  • Simple Color Scavenger Hunt for Kids
  • Rhyming with the Berenstain Bears
  • Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
  • Airport Scavenger Hunt for Kids
  • Passport Activity

 

summer books for preschoolers

Children’s books about the beach

  1. Biscuit’s First Beach Day – I always like Biscuit’s sweet stories. In this occasion, he is going to the beach for the first time and, as expected, he is very excited about all the things that can be done at the beach.
  2. Pete at the Beach – This is just one of Pete the Cat books. He is good at finding shells and building castles, but when it’s time to go to the water, don’t forget that he is still a cat!
  3. Wild Sea Creatures: Sharks, Whales, and Dolphins! – Like in the PBS show, the Wild Kratts are in another adventure while teaching kids about those awesome sea animals.
  4. Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach – Harry is a hippo that likes to play hide-and-seek everywhere including the beach. It’s funny for the kids to see a big hippo trying to hide behind smaller things such as a hammock or an umbrella. My daughter was entertained looking for Harry throughout the story.
  5. Bats at the Beach – Bats deserve some time off too! That’s why one night, they decide to pack up and head to the beach for some fun.

Beach books activities:

  • Biscuit Activities
  • Alliteration with Pete the Cat
  • Shark Paper Plate Craft for Kids
  • Paper Plate Hippo Craft
  • Little Miss Muffet Bouncing Spider Craft

Related post on summer arts and crafts:

  • 25 Easy Summer Arts and Crafts for Preschoolers

 

It’s time to read summer books with your preschooler!

I am always looking for great books. Which other summer books would you add to this list? Let us know in the comment section!

 

Make sure to pin it for later!

summer books for preschoolers

Filed Under: Blog, Kids, Moms, New Moms, Parenting

25 Easy Summer Arts and Crafts for Preschoolers

Apr 9, 2018 by Lynelle 2 Comments

If your child is starting preschool soon, don’t panic! This list of easy summer arts and crafts for preschoolers has the purpose of keeping your child entertained while practicing concepts covered in preschool.

Just keep in mind that even though these activities are labeled as easy arts and crafts for toddlers, your child may still need you to read the instructions, cut some materials, or any other step required to complete the craft. And, for your kids’ safety, make sure to keep an eye on them while making they are making or playing with their crafts.

Now, get ready to have fun with your child!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. You can read the disclosure for more info.

summer arts and crafts for preschoolers

Beach crafts for preschoolers

Let’s start this summer arts and crafts with a variety of cute beach crafts that include a jellyfish, flip-flops, and going under the sea.

  1. Colorful Jellyfish Craft for Kids – In addition to being a colorful, easy-to-do craft, you probably already have most of the materials needed.
  2. Under the Sea Ocean Paper Plate Craft for Preschool Kids – If your child hasn’t eaten all the goldfish yet, grab some of them for this under the sea craft experience.
  3. DIY Ribbon Flip Flops – I love ribbons which is one of the reasons why I started Colorful Bows. If you like ribbons too, this flip flops craft makes it the perfect time to use those ribbons that you have around the house. Or, better yet, it’s the perfect excuse to stop by your favorite craft store. 😉 Also, tying the ribbons up will be a good exercise for your little one’s fingers.
  4. Handprint Wooden Spoon Butterflies – Since it’s easy to do, your child can make at least a couple of these butterflies to play with.
  5. Under the Sea Graham Crackers – This is more like a cooking craft and these crackers are absolutely adorable! (There’s a video too.)

 

Hand arts and crafts

Since preschoolers love playing with their hands, here are some hand arts and crafts for them to enjoy.

  1. Handprint and Footprint Flowers and Vase Craft for Mother’s Day – This cute craft is suggested for Mother’s Day but it’s something that kids can still do during the summertime.
  2. Paper Plate Frog Craft – This is a paper plate craft where you need to trace your child hands for the frog’s legs.
  3. Summer Kids Craft: Footprint Flip Flops – This is a fun summer craft for kids, and it’s the type of craft that you can keep it as a memory too!
  4. Handprint Fish/Footprint Seaweed Tote – Here is another 2-in-1 craft for kids. After completing the craft, your child ends up with a cute tote to keep toys or something else.
  5. Handprint Hermit Crab Craft – This crab craft helps kids learn/practice a variety of skills needed in preschool.

 

Paper plate crafts for preschoolers

Paper plate crafts are always great. Not only during the summertime but for crafts in general. They are inexpensive, entertaining, and foster creativity.

  1. Paper Plate Umbrella Craft for Preschoolers – My little one had the opportunity to do many crafts during pre-K and this umbrella was one of them. Her teacher planned to do this craft during the weather unit and my daughter enjoyed making it and decorating it her way.
  2. Easy Paper Plate Watermelon Craft – A refreshing kids craft that requires very few materials. Take it beyond the craft and give real watermelon to your kids, too!
  3. Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft – Your child may need some help with a few steps but overall, it’s a cute and creative craft for them to enjoy.
  4. Easy Paper Plate Jellyfish Kids Craft – Have your kids do this simple jellyfish craft and you can even use it as part of your summer home décor.
  5. Paper Plate Pizza Craft Idea – What about some yummy pizza? Have fun designing a pizza. The design can be simple or complex depending on the type of pizza and your child’s age.

summer arts and crafts for preschoolers

Weather craft for preschool

This list of summer arts and crafts can’t be complete if we don’t include the weather. After all, that’s a strong characteristic of summertime.

  1. Toothbrush Painted Rainbow – Your kids can enjoy making this super easy summer craft while creating a rainbow (something they love).
  2. Simple Spring Flower Craft – This is an opportunity for kids to get very creative while creating their flowers. Just grab different embellishments and let them use their imagination.
  3. Weather Chart Kid Craft – My toddler loves checking the weather after learning about it in pre-K. You might need to help your child with the paper fastener and to make the lines on the plate. But other than that, it’s an effective way to learn and play at the same time.
  4. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars Craft for Cloud Observation – If your child loves to look at clouds like mine does, then you definitely need to try this is cool craft. That may also increase their desire to learn more about clouds.
  5. Spring Windsock Kid Craft – This is another craft that my toddler did and liked. Since it worked, I am sharing it with you!

 

Websites with summer worksheets for preschoolers

  1. Kindergarten Worksheets is a site that has tons of worksheets to prepare your child for Kindergarten. The worksheets are sorted by sections such as counting, more or less, patterns, addition, and much more. Each category has worksheets for different levels. Here are some of those categories:
  • Summer Worksheets
  • Pattern Worksheets
  • Numbers Worksheets
  • Math Worksheets
  • Counting Worksheets

 

  1. Planes and Balloons has many beautiful and educational printables available. Here are just some of those printables:
  • Summer Preschool and Kindergarten Worksheets – Include patterns, words tracing, word search, problem-solving, and more.
  • Preschool Worksheets – Include worksheets for different activities such as big and small, matching, and tracing.
  • Kindergarten Worksheets – This section includes more than 100 printables to help with number order, addition and subtraction, shapes, letters and much more.
  • While there, check out the Halloween worksheets, Thanksgiving worksheets, and fall theme worksheets

 

  1. Worksheet Fun has plenty of worksheets for preschoolers and there’s also a section for kindergarten. Here are only a few of those worksheets available on the site:
  • Preschool Same or Different Worksheets
  • Connect Other Half Preschool Worksheets
  • Line Tracing for Preschoolers
  • Preschool Matching Worksheets
  • Missing Numbers

 

24. Teachers Pay Teachers is another website with many worksheets for the little ones. Here are some of those worksheets to get you started:

  • Summer Pattern Practice Page
  • Numbers 1-10
  • Piggy Shape Graph
  • Name Activity

 

25. Education.com also has great worksheets for your toddler. This site includes worksheets for other purposes too such as learning their phone number and address. I purposely chose the following worksheets based on what my daughter had to learn during pre-K:

  • Sort Out the Five Senses
  • First, Next, Last
  • Hot or Cold?
  • Insects or Not Insects, Cut and Categorize
  • My Phone Number (mom’s or dad’s phone number)
  • What’s your address?

 

Bonus Section: Activity books for preschoolers

There are activity books available that you can use too. They are normally sold by grade. Some books cover all the classes, while other books only focus on one class or one area such as math or writing.

I love these types of books and have used them with both of my daughters. I use them all year round, including summertime, as a practice and to teach them new concepts.

These preschool workbooks can be found at different popular stores including Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Target. If you want to check them out, here are great activity workbooks at Amazon.

 

It’s time to create summer arts and crafts!

Now, you have a list of fun summer crafts for kids and more than twenty-five links to access worksheets for preschoolers.

If you haven’t yet, it’s time to click the links, get the materials, and have some fun with your child!

Let’s keep helping other moms!

If you know of another easy summer arts and crafts that weren’t included on the list, share it with us in the comments section!

summer arts and crafts for preschoolers pin

Filed Under: Blog, Kids, Moms, New Moms, Parenting

5 Common Productivity Killers for Busy Moms

Mar 12, 2018 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

You can’t add more hours to your day, but you can be more productive just by eliminating one productivity killer at a time. Remember that your time is something that will never come back.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Forever!

That’s why this post not only discusses five common productivity killers for busy moms, but it also provides you with solutions and resources to help you maximize your time and days.

As moms, we already have too many things on our plates. We help our kids with their homework, take them to extracurricular activities, attend games, and watch concerts, among many other things.

That’s why it’s so important to improve our productivity. That way, we can still achieve our tasks and goals.

Quick Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure for more info.productivity killer

Quick note before moving forward, as a Mom Succeeds reader you can:

Save 97% on this productivity bundle for busy moms!

 

Productivity Killers & How to Eliminate Them

Productivity Killer #1 – Believing the myth of multitasking

For years, we have been told to multitask but studies have shown that multi-tasking is not the best approach towards productivity. There are two main factors involved, focusing and switching tasks.

When you multitask, you are not giving your full attention to any of the tasks you are working on. That means that it takes longer to complete each task since your brain continues switching from one task to another.

A study shows that switching tasks can decrease your productivity time by up to 40%. In other words, if you are multitasking to be productive, you must realize that you are achieving the opposite.

Switching between simple and familiar tasks may not seem like a big deal. For example, you probably won’t notice it much if you are making your bed while on the phone having an informal conversation with a family member.

But, the story may be completely different with more complex tasks.

Just imagine calling your insurance company regarding an expensive procedure not covered by your plan while cooking a broiled double-thick lamb rib chops with slicked-up store-bought mint jelly sauce, for the first time! You would probably have to call the insurance company back or stop working on the recipe until you are done with the call. By the way, that’s a real recipe that you can find here.

After all, multitasking is a huge productivity killer. It takes you longer to complete tasks, your focus decreases, and the probability of making mistakes increases, affecting the quality of the results.

Before going to the solution, check out this short video about what happens to your brain while multitasking.

Solution:

Start by focusing on one task at a time. Once you complete the task that you are working on, then move on to the next one. Then, start the next task, complete and repeat. Plan your day (discussed under productivity killer #2) and keep a master task list to help you keep track of what needs to be done. A great resource is a book called The One Thing which covers the disadvantages of multitasking and the benefits of focusing on one thing at a time.

Learn more about The One Thing Book>

 

Productivity Killer #2 – Not planning your day

Not planning your day has several disadvantages. When you start your day without knowing what to do, it’s easy to get caught up on everything and any little thing that comes your way.

Life is not perfect and last-minute things will occur often. But, when I plan my day the night before, I achieve more. That’s because planning your day gives you purpose and direction so you can focus on what’s really important to you.

You may choose to plan your days in the morning, but doing it the night before gives you the advantage of knowing exactly what to do as soon as you wake up. There is no room for excuses. But, the times that I have tried to plan my day in the mornings, I got distracted by other things and ended up not planning at all (and wasting my time ☹).

I am a huge fan of productivity planners to plan your day. Plus, they are like your personal assistant keeping everything organized and in one place.

There are many cute paper planners out there such as the Happy Planner and Erin Condren. However, my favorite is the Classic InkWell Press Planner. I find its layout easier to customize, neater, and more organized. Especially now with their new 360 disc planner. You can take a look at it here.

But, the planner itself can’t do the trick. You must use your planner for it to work.

Motivate yourself, otherwise, you will end up not using it. Start by making it easy for yourself. Get a planner that matches your personality. For example, my brain pictures the tasks better when the week is arranged vertically. It looks more organized and it’s easier for me to quickly understand what needs to be done during that week. If you prefer a daily or horizontal layout, then choose that one instead.

Also, decorating your planner will probably motivate you to use it even more. Add family pictures to make it more personal and decorate the pages based on the season, holiday, and upcoming events. To make it easier for you, I have created a list of 130 free printable stickers to get you started.

Solution:

Get a planner and make it a habit to use it on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter if you choose the Happy Planner, Erin Condren, or the InkWell Press. What really matters is to plan your days.

This productivity planner is perfect for moms

Learn more about the InkWell Press Planner>

 

Productivity Killer #3 – Not tracking your time

When you are not tracking your time, you don’t know if you are on track to complete your tasks or meet your deadlines. Even worse, at the end of the day, you won’t know where your time went.

Tracking your time gives you a better idea of the tasks that are consuming your time. Knowing that allows you to make quick changes to be more productive the next day.

Once you start tracking your time, you might find out that you are spending a lot of time on things that will not help you reach what you want in life. For example, you might realize that you are spending too much time watching tv or playing on social media, instead of starting a blog as you wanted for the last two years.

Track your time with productivity apps

RescueTime can help you track your time and it’s available as an app and chrome extension. There’s also Brain Focus Productivity Timer. It’s a popular app that follows the Pomodoro technique.

If you are not familiar with the Pomodoro technique, it was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late ‘80s. The purpose is for you to focus on working on a project without distractions. After choosing a project, set the timer for a 25-minute session.

Once the session is over, you take a short break of 5 minutes. After the break, you start a new 25-minute session until it is time for another quick break, and so on. You have a total of four sessions before taking a longer break of 20 minutes.

Before starting a project, plan how many 25-minute sessions that project will require. By doing so, you are tracking your time and pushing yourself to meet a deadline. If you don’t set a deadline, you will find yourself moving from session to session without being productive.

In my case, I have noticed the difference from when I am tracking my time and when I am just looking at the time itself. I tend to focus better since I am on the clock. When I only check the time, I tend to be more relaxed and as a result, I take longer to complete the tasks.

Solution:

Start tracking your time. You can download one of the apps already mentioned, or you can do it yourself by using a regular timer. But, if you haven’t been tracking your time, I wouldn’t suggest the latter. If you want to learn more about the Pomodoro Technique, his creator just published a book. Click here to learn more.

Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique book>

 

Productivity Killer #4 – Lack of organization

This year, I am focusing on this productivity killer because there are so many things to learn and it is easy to start collecting articles, books, and magazines.

Disorganization has negative consequences.

That’s why recently, I got tired of a very disorganized area in my house and ended up transforming it into a simple command center for kids. Not only does that area look pretty and clean, but now my kids can easily keep all of their school materials in one place.

Disorganization highly affects your productivity time. Spending time looking for things won’t help you complete your projects on time. And it will get worse if you have to do the work all over again.

Not finding the required tools or materials can delay the completion of the tasks. And that may cause stress, frustration, irritability, and a decrease in motivation to complete the project.

Solution:

There are different solutions depending on your situation. First, go digital or paperless. If you are keeping many newspapers or magazines, try switching to a digital subscription. Make the point to only print what is absolutely necessary.

Second, transfer your documents to your computer. If you are keeping documents such as invoices, think about investing in a scanner where you can transfer those papers to your computer.

Another solution is to designate an area for every item which is something that I am working on right now. If something doesn’t have a “home”, then make a quick decision to sell it, trash it, or to donate it.

 

productivity guide for busy moms

Productivity Killer # 5 – Not taking care of yourself

I am pretty sure you saw this one was coming. As moms, we take care of our kids, work, home, and anything else except for ourselves. Just remember, to be able to take care of others, we should take care of ourselves first. Not doing so may result in higher levels of stress, tiredness, and other health issues.

When I do yoga and meditation first thing in the morning, my attitude towards the day changes. I see myself more focused, patient and handling unexpected challenges in a better way.

Every day, set aside some time where you can get involved in activities that energize you. You could have a combination of reading, running, and meditation. Just make sure to include at least one activity that keeps you active.

Make it a habit to take care of yourself and follow through. Quitting after few days will just put you back where you started. It’s not enough to choose activities and schedule times, you should track them too.

A habit tracker allows you to see your progress. It motivates you to keep moving forward or shows you that you need to work harder. You can track your habits on your cell phone with apps like Habit Streak, Habit Bull, or Loop.

If not, check your planner for a more traditional pen and paper method. Some planners like the InkWell Press, have dedicated sections to track your habits regularly.

If you don’t have those type of planners, don’t worry because there are other options such as these printables.

Solution:

Decide how you want to start taking care of yourself. Specify the activities and the amount of time you will dedicate to each activity. For example, you could plan meditation for 15 minutes, reading for 10 minutes, and running for 20 minutes.

To make it work, try setting up a specific schedule (for example: from 7 to 8 am). Block that time on your calendar and start a daily morning routine.

As discussed in the book titled The Miracle Morning, having an early morning routine gives you time to take care of yourself and other important projects in your life. That allows you to be more productive before life gets in your way.

Learn more about The Miracle Morning book>

 

Get rid of your productivity killers

After understanding the five common productivity killers, it’s time to take action. Make sure to choose one productivity killer that you need and want to work on first.

Download the productivity guide and don’t forget to create a plan of what you want to achieve, along with the action items and deadlines.

Remember, not all your days will go as planned but they can be better if you have eliminated those productivity killers.

In the meantime, which productivity killer are you struggling with right now? Leave me a comment!

Additional resources to be more productive

  • Awesome resources for moms who are serious about increasing productivity
  • 3 Quick Ways to Increase Productivity (get daily results!)
  • 35 Productivity Tips for Busy Moms
  • Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Life
  • Free 7-Day Goal Setting Challenge

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productivity killer

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Productivity, Time Management

Is the guiding word of the year a waste of time?

Jan 1, 2018 by Lynelle 2 Comments

If you haven’t chosen your guiding word of the year, you are missing out. A guiding word gives you an extra boost to achieve your short-term goals.

This post includes the following:

– the benefits of choosing a guiding word

– five easy steps to follow to help you choose the right word

– ten examples of words that you can start using today

So, let’s get started!

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

 

Why should you bother to choose a guiding word of the year?

Several years ago, I heard about choosing a guiding word. I was kind of skeptical at first, but I still went ahead and did it. And, let me tell you that I haven’t stopped choosing a word since!

 

Here are three reasons (or benefits) to why you should do it:

  1. Provides guidance

The word guides you to what you want to accomplish. That special word immediately makes you think of what you are planning to achieve.

It also makes your decision-making process easier. For example, let’s say that my word for this year is “simplify”, then it guides me to make decisions that are aligned with the word.

  1. Keeps you focused on your goals

Every time you see the word, it acts as a quick reminder to keep moving forward. But it also helps you to get back on track if needed.

  1. Ensures consistency

The frequent reminders ensure you keep your actions and decisions consistent with your plans for the year. The more consistent you stay with your actions, the closer you get to achieve your goals. As a result, you will be more motivated and happier in life.

As you can see, these three benefits alone are enough for you to start thinking of potential words. But, before you do that, let’s go over the quick steps to ensure you choose the right word for you.

 

5 Easy steps to choose a guiding word of the year

STEP # 1 – SET YOUR GOALS FOR THE YEAR

You need to decide what you want to achieve during the year. In order to do that, think about your short-term goals. Your guiding word won’t be meaningful to you unless it’s related to your plans or goals.

Another way to choose your word is by thinking of a problem you want to fix. For example, a few years ago, I chose the word “simple” because after reflecting about the previous year, I felt that I was complicating my life too much by adding things to my plate that were not necessary.

Keeping the word “simple” in mind helped me to improve different areas of my life. That in addition to feeling less overwhelmed, saving time, and being more productive.

If you are still not sure of what word to use, go over your goals for the year and try to identify something in common between all your goals. Do you see any patterns?

 

STEP # 2 – FOCUS ON THE WORD YOU CHOOSE

Some people suggest that your guiding word of the year should be a verb. I understand why they say it because using an action word motivates you to take action.

But, I also look at it in a different way.

It’s better to choose a word that is meaningful and aligned with your goals for the year, rather than focusing on which type of word to use.

In other words, don’t limit yourself.

Choose whichever works for you: a verb, an adjective, a noun, or even a phrase. Choosing a phrase might sound weird but if a phrase such as “Make it happen” or “Less is more” matches better with your plans and intentions, then go for it!

In summary, be intentional when choosing your word. Don’t overthink it by trying to choose the perfect word. Just pick a word that can guide you, motivate you, and help you keep your goals in mind.

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

STEP # 3 – CHOOSE A WORD THAT’S MEANINGFUL TO YOU

The word you choose needs to, in a certain way, describe what you want to achieve. And most importantly, what you want to feel when you read, write, or hear that word.

For example, this year, I was trying to decide between the words “achieve” and “accomplish”. In the end, I chose “achieve” because it sounded stronger, to me.

You can also add the “ing” if needed. In my case, choosing the word “achieving” was perfect to describe the continuous achievement that I am looking for throughout the entire year.

If you have an idea of what you want to use but can’t find the right word, try using websites like Thesaurus or Merriam-Webster. There, you can get a list of similar words to help you decide.

However, if you need some ideas or inspiration, then check this great list of 50 Empowering Words for Women.

At this point, you probably have your guiding word. But, if you are still unsure of what word to choose, I still have one more suggestion for you.

Try the happier in life which randomly chooses a word for you. I tried it and got the word “start” which is great for perfectionists like me, who normally wait too long to start some things such as starting a blog.

For example, I wanted to start a blog seven years ago but kept waiting to have the perfect blog name, themes, ideas, etc. Back then, having “start” as my guiding word would probably have pushed me to get out of my comfort zone to work on that blog and to finally hit publish!

 

STEP # 4 – WRITE THE WORD IN VISIBLE PLACES

One of the most common reasons for people not to reach their goals is the lack of follow-ups. To reduce that, have your word everywhere to see it often.

Keeping it in visible places helps you remember what you want to do, achieve, or improve. But, don’t just put a note on the refrigerator. Put it in various places to ensure you “bump” into it regularly.

I always have my word in at least these three key places:

– A sign in my bathroom where I can see it several times a day since I am working from home.

– Write it on my productivity planner which I use every day.

– Use it as part of my password. It could be a password for the computer, cell phone, or an account that I use frequently.

The main purpose is to keep the word in your mind as much as you can.

 

STEP # 5 – APPLY YOUR WORD TO YOUR LIFE

This step should be easy if you followed all the previous steps. Because the more in contact you are with your chosen word, the more in contact you will be with your goals and intentions. You start applying it more consistently through all the areas in your life.

It’s like putting your guiding word on autopilot!

By the way, this post, mentions the different areas that you need to keep in mind when setting your goals. Those same areas are also important when choosing your guiding word.

That’s it! 

Those were the steps to choose a guiding word.

As you could see, those steps are not difficult to follow and doing them will put your mindset to achieve the results you are looking for.

Have you made your bucket list yet? Start today with these FREE printables! #momsucceeds #printables #bucketlist #newyear

10 Great words that you can choose

Here are ten quick examples of words that you can choose. This list includes a mix of different types of words that I would consider for my myself:

  1. Success (having a blog named Mom Succeeds, this word was a must 😊)
  2. Committed
  3. Intentional
  4. Influence
  5. Happiness
  6. Grateful
  7. Complete
  8. Valiant
  9. Simplify
  10. Balance

 

Bonus: Examples of phrases to use

  • I can and I will
  • It’s never too late
  • Take action
  • I believe in myself
  • Living life to the fullest

As I said before, focus on a word that works for you. A word that would inspire and motivate you to make the changes you want throughout the year.

Can I reuse a previous word?

Once the year is over, follow the same five steps mentioned above to find the right word for your new goals. Don’t be afraid to reuse words from previous years. Remember that there’s always room for improvement.

For example, this year, I could easily reuse the word “simple”. As a busy mom, I can quickly identify different ways to simplify my life: groceries, meal planning, and batch cooking.

 

You’re ready to make this year the best yet!

Ok, in summary, you:

  • learned the benefits of choosing a guiding word of the year
  • went over the steps to choose the right word for you
  • got examples of great words, and phrases, that you can use

Now it’s time for you to put everything into practice.

Just one more thing…

I have noticed that some people get so motivated that they replace their goal setting process with their guiding word. I personally don’t recommend that and suggest using both, choosing a word and setting your goals.

Your word works as a daily reminder of what you want to achieve (goals). However, setting your goals is the detailed plan explaining what, how, and when to achieve what you want.

So, make sure to use both for greater benefits!

Now, tell me…what’s your word for this year? Do you prefer a word or a phrase? I would love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments section below.

 

Additional resources for a successful year:

  • 19 Self-improvement books for a better year
  • A simple tool to increase happiness
  • Best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life
  • 6-Simple steps to set up your goals once and for all
  • Choose happiness: 25 ways to be happier in life

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I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

 

Filed Under: Blog, Productivity, Self Improvement

12 Days of Elf on the Shelf Ideas My Toddler Loved

Nov 27, 2017 by Lynelle 10 Comments

Having the visit from an Elf on the shelf for about a month is not just a lot of fun but it requires some preparation time too. You can have the best intentions, but sometimes you run out of ideas, or you just need one last-minute idea. These twelve Elf on the Shelf ideas can help you get back on track!

Since I grew up in another country, I remember learning about the Elf on the Shelf from my oldest daughter. Every day, she was coming from school telling me about a nice elf that kept entertaining one of her friends.

Then, the year after, we had our own elf on the shelf named Izzy. Our Elf on the Shelf kept visiting our house for a few more years until it wasn’t a secret anymore.

But last year, Izzy came back to surprise my little one for the first time. This time, I wanted Izzy to do more than just hiding or changing places. And, she delivered!

The good news is that there are so many good Elf on the shelf ideas out there that it was easy for Izzy to find something different to do each day. By the way, make sure to pin it this post for later.

Quick note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure for more info.

If you have a little one at home, check these Elf on the Shelf Ideas. I bet your child will love them! #elfontheshelf #christmas #holidays #momsucceeds

12 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Here are the twelve Elf on the shelf ideas that my toddler loved from last year:

1. Elf inside the cereal box

Cereal box Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy momsThis cereal box is such a cute idea from Lovebugs and Postcards. It took some time for my toddler to find our elf but once she found her, she kept stopping by the kitchen to see the elf inside the box.

 

2. Elf on the shelf eating marshmallows

Marshmallow Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

In addition to the adventures, our elf had to eat too. Evidently, she was enjoying the marshmallows but she still shared with the kids.

 

3. Elf with minion bananas

Minion bananas Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

While I was looking for a last-minute elf on the shelf idea, I found this one. As soon as I saw this minion idea at Fancy Shanty, I knew that my toddler would like it since she loves minions (and bananas!)

 

4. Elf on the shelf riding a horse and driving a car

Driving Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

Izzy was riding a horse one day next to her bear friend. Then, another day, she was found driving across the Christmas village after getting some groceries for the little one.

 

5. Elf the Snowman

Snowman Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

I found this idea at Frugal Coupon Living! It was pretty easy to do and we all enjoyed it. I just customized it a little bit more adding a red Christmas garland at the top and using some chocolate cookies to leave a trail of the snowman’s buttons (something that my daughter appreciated). For the scarf, I went through all the ribbons that I use to make hair bows and I found the Olaf ribbon which couldn’t have been more appropriate!

 

6. Elf on the shelf fishing

Fishing Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

Since my daughter loves goldfish, Izzy had two days of fishing. On the second day, there was even a printable for my daughter to color.

 

7. Elf on the shelf snow angel

Snow angel Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms The idea of the snow angel was found at Pretty Providence. It was also a perfect time to add some powdered donuts for the kids since it was something that we don’t do at home often. If you have some cookie cutters, you can add some designs to the elf’s mess, like the heart I added in the corner.

 

8. Elf on the shelf playing games

Playing Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms This relaxing day had our Elf on the Shelf playing games with her special group of friends who were on the other side of the board. This friendly game ended with a smiley face on the board.

 

9. Elf in the flower

Flower Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

Another easy and cute idea! To create this flower, just head over Remodelaholic to print your template. Then, just cut the three different layers and glue them together. I used a butterfly bucket that I had at home but you can find similar ones at Walmart, Target, and even at dollar stores.

 

10. Elfie Selfie 

Selfie Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

Selfies are everywhere and elves can’t be the exception. This elfie selfie is more like a close-up, but there are other great selfie pictures that you can check out here, here, and here.

 

11. Elf with nativity

Nativity Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

This idea came from a picture I saw at Sweet Shoppe Design. I gave it a try and not only did I like the picture, but it was an opportunity to remember the true meaning of the holiday season.

 

12. Elf on the shelf pictures

Pictures Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms

On the last day, my toddler received several pictures of Izzy. Those pictures showed the adventures that Izzy had during the previous weeks. My daughter not only had a good time remembering those days but I am still keeping those pictures as a memory.

 

Please share it with your friends. They will love it!

If you have a little one at home, check these Elf on the Shelf Ideas. I bet your child will love them! #elfontheshelf #christmas #holidays #momsucceeds

Elf on the shelf ideas

There you go! The twelve days of Elf on the Shelf ideas that my toddler loved.

Have fun with your Elf!

In the meantime, which idea was your favorite? Leave me a comment below.

Filed Under: Blog, Kids, Moms, Parenting

Choose a Daycare: 5 Must-Know Tips for New Moms

Oct 16, 2017 by Lynelle 17 Comments

Today, I am providing you with important tips to help you choose a daycare for your baby. If you have been following this blog post series from the beginning, you should have already accomplished a lot throughout this process.

This step of choosing a daycare should be pretty easy if you have completed the previous steps. If you are just now joining me in the process of finding a daycare, make sure to start with Part 1 so you can start identifying your needs.

  • Part 1: How to find a daycare
  • Part 2: Find a daycare near you
  • Part 3: Daycare Tour
Choose a Daycare

5 Important tips on how to choose a daycare

Look for a reputable and licensed daycare

There are different ways to find a reputable, licensed daycare. Yes, things can happen at a licensed or unlicensed daycare. But at least licensed daycares are regularly inspected by the state to make sure they follow the required standards, regulations, and laws. Those inspections are conducted in areas like certifications, trainings, background checks, safety, staff to kids ratios, and more.

But, just because it’s a licensed daycare, doesn’t mean that it’s the right one. There are still several factors to take into consideration such as other people’s opinion about that daycare. Find out what people are saying by checking the comments and reviews that they have posted on the internet, including websites, forums, and social media.

Meet the daycare staff

After years of working in Human Resources, I can tell you that there’s a difference between employees and engaged employees. You want to choose a daycare with an engaged staff who truly like their job, workplace, and who enjoy working with kids. You want positive, happy role models around your child who can inspire and motivate them every day.

You also want a staff who believes in having an open communication with parents. As a parent, it’s important for you to know what has happened with your child that day and anything new at the daycare including minor incidents or even illnesses that could affect your child.

An awesome staff with seniority is definitely a plus! At Corporate America, having a group of employees with many years of service is always a sellable point for any prospective employee. Because seniority usually translates to happy, loyal and engaged employees. And that’s normally achieved through a positive work environment that results in less turnover.

What does all that have to do with a daycare?

Everything! 🙂 A positive work environment is a plus at the time to choose a daycare. When the daycare staff members have worked together for a while, they know each other and have already found out ways to work better as a team. That not only benefits the daycare but parents and kids too. Having the same staff members showing up to work every day, make kids feel stable, safe, and give them the opportunity to build a better relationship with their caregivers.

People in charge of kids have to be properly trained to handle different situations. That’s why it’s important to keep their skills current and to complete every training on time. That supports the importance of the first tip: choosing a reputable, licensed daycare.

Check the daycare’s organization and cleanliness

An organized daycare benefits your child in many ways. Because the organization is more than just the way it looks. It includes the daycare’s decoration, curriculum, routines/schedules, and of course, orderliness.

The daycare should be decorated in a way to make kids feel happy and welcomed. And, it should be designed for kids to explore and learn at the same time. Since kids react positively to bright colors, it’s not a coincidence (or lack of creativity 🙂 ) to see many daycares decorated in a colorful way.

Make sure to choose a daycare with a well-structured curriculum because of its benefits. It provides guidance to daycare providers on what needs to be covered. It focuses on helping kids to develop different learning areas and skills, helps to create consistency across different locations and among staff members, including new employees. Having a structured curriculum also makes it easier for the daycare to share with parents the upcoming topics and activities.

Routines and schedules have positive benefits for adults as well as in kids. That’s why a curriculum is as important as having a daily schedule in place. Experts agree that a daily routine helps kids feel less anxious, more confident, and able to handle changes more positively. Plus, let them sleep better at night which is a huge plus for you! 😉

In addition to evaluating the cleanliness during the daycare tour, check how often they clean the toys and furniture included in your kid’s area. And, ask them about their procedure when a kid gets sick. Many daycares have a designated area where sick kids rest until a family member arrives.

Last but not least, orderliness. An unorganized daycare can create an unsafe environment where kids can trip over, cut themselves, or have major accidents. And, that takes us to the next tip…

Keep all the information in one place with these free daycare worksheets. They help you step by step in the process of finding a daycare. A ranking system is also included to make your process easier.
 

Ensure a safe environment for your child

As I just mentioned, the organization goes hand in hand with safety because an unorganized daycare creates a dangerous environment for kids.

Take everything into consideration when assessing the level of safety in a daycare. It’s not uncommon to only focus on evaluating the indoors but keep in mind that outdoor areas are important too. Look for red flags such as hanging cables, uncovered electrical outlets, unlocked entrance doors, unfenced patio, unmonitored drop-off/pick-up process, etc.

Some things are not necessarily considered red flags but you may prefer to have them in a specific way. For example, you may want to choose a daycare with covered playgrounds in hot weather states or one with security cameras throughout the facility.

 

Trust your gut feeling when choosing a daycare

After following the previous tips to choose a daycare, make sure to trust your gut when making the final decision.  

And, that’s what I didn’t do! 🙁

I searched, pre-screened, and toured different daycares. But, because of our corporate jobs, I felt the pressure to make a quick decision. I had a bad feeling about one of the daycares but still decided to focus only on the facts such as its close location, affordable cost, and extended hours of service. I completely ignored my gut feeling and ended up enrolling my little one in that daycare.

On that first day, I kept telling myself that there was no reason to have that bad feeling. That day, I planned for my baby to stay at the daycare only for a few hours. But, not even that discouraged me from calling the daycare twice to check on her status.

After my husband picked her up, he mentioned that all the infants in the room were sleeping at the same time. All infants sleeping at the same time?!! That really concerned me. My daughter was sleeping so profoundly that she wasn’t responding to anything. She looked very weak and couldn’t eat or even open her eyes. She was completely out!

Her behavior was so awkward that we ended up calling the Pediatrician who asked us to take her immediately to the hospital. After several physical check-ups and a few hours, she finally woke up! As a mom, it was such a scary situation that I still get chills every time I think about it. I was lucky that she went back to normal but I didn’t take her to that daycare ever again!

After that scary situation, I decided to trust my gut feeling (after following a process)…

As you can imagine, after that incident, I started my search for a daycare all over again. But this time, I decided to trust my gut as part of the process. After evaluating different daycares, I chose a daycare for my baby. This time, I didn’t have to convince myself that my little one would be okay. At the end of the day, I felt even better when I picked her up and her behavior was completely normal.

My advice to you?

Do the research AND trust your gut feeling. If you feel that something is not right, then keep researching until you feel more comfortable with that daycare, or just move on to another one. Listen to your gut feeling and you will have peace of mind!

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Daycare

You did it! You have completed the last part of this blog post series on How to find a daycare.

This time, we went over five tips on how to choose a daycare. These tips include researching, observing, and following your gut feeling.

Before finishing, don’t forget to get the free daycare worksheets if you haven’t done it yet. Those forms include a ranking system to help you choose a daycare. 

I would love to know how the information covered in this series has helped you. Best of luck to you and your family on this journey and let me know how it goes!

Do you have a tip that you would like to share? Let me know in the comments section.

Enjoyed it? Please share it with your friends. Thank you! 🙂

Read these five must-know tips before choosing a daycare. Also, learn the mistake I made so you can avoid it! #baby #pregnancy #moms #momlife

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, New Moms, Parenting

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