Parenting Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

June 22, 2019

4 Quickie First Date Ideas for Single Parents

Being a single parent is one of the most challenging and most rewarding experiences a person can go through. Taking care of a child on your own means you grow as a person and reach levels of maturity and competence you’ve never thought possible. At some point, single parents dating will cross your mind, and you’ll become open to meeting someone and letting them become a part of your life. Once that happens you’ll be faced with a dilemma – how could you possibly squeeze in dating into your already packed schedule? Below, we present our top 4 ideas for quickie dates every single parent can enjoy.

1: Brunch at the Park

As a single parent, you pretty much have no choice but to be the most flexible person on the planet. Going out on a Friday night and grabbing dinner, catching a movie, and spending the night at his or her place is something that last happened about 11 or 12 years ago before you had kids. As a parent, you simply have to improvise and make the best of any situation. That’s why a quickie date during your lunch break at work can ensure you don’t go for weeks without seeing each other. Make sandwiches the night before, bring a picnic basket with a table cloth and napkins, and serve brunch to your date next to your office building. A date like this would not only ensure you actually spend some time together, but it will help you take your mind off work for a little while, making you feel more refreshed and energized for the rest of the day.

2: Break a Sweat Together

Squeeze-them-in dates become the norm once you have children, especially if the person you’re seeing is also a single parent. More often than not you won’t have the time to spend hours on end in each other’s company, uninterrupted by the lives you lead when you’re not together. That’s why you should take part in your everyday activities together instead of waiting for the opportune moment to spend some quality time. If you’re both physically active, go to the gym, or do yoga, you should totally do it together. That way you’ll get to talk in person, look into each other’s eyes and hold each other’s hand, and even though you’d love to leave the gym together and go grab some food, this hour or so spent breaking a sweat is still far better than texting or talking on the phone.

3: Host Your Own Happy Hour

After a long day at work or scrubbing the mess your kids made off the floor, it’s hard to imagine that going to a crowded bar for a few drinks with your date could make your day better. Instead of pushing yourself beyond your limits, host your own happy hour and get a quickie date at the park or in a private corner somewhere. All you’d really need are two cocktail glasses and easy-to-follow recipes, and you’re all set. Not only would you save yourself the headache of pushing through the crowd at a restaurant or bar, but you’d also save money, which makes this date idea that much more appealing.

4: Just Dessert

Instead of grabbing a full meal together on a Saturday night and spending hours at the restaurant when you’d rather be in each other’s arms, go straight for dessert. You can choose a restaurant that makes delicious sweets or goes to your favorite bakery and satisfy your sweet tooth in under an hour. Make it a rule to talk about anything but your work and the kids, and this hour or so will feel like you spent an entire evening together.

May 14, 2019

Sending Your Son or Daughter to College: 5 Helpful Tips

Heading off to college is a big moment for any young person. After all, attending a university is about more than just taking new courses; for many, it represents their first taste of adult life and freedom from their parents. Understandably, parents themselves may feel a good deal of anxiety about this moment too. No matter how dedicated they are, parents simply can’t monitor their kid’s activities when they’re hundreds of miles away at college. Instead of trying to micromanage your child’s life remotely, it’s better to focus on preparing them for the realities of college life now, before they leave. Today, we’ll explain five helpful tips that will make sending your child to college a lot less stressful and nerve-wracking:

Pick the Right School

No two colleges are the same, and as a result, no two college experiences are identical either. Parents should encourage their kids to explore all of their options when it comes to applying for college. It’s important that a student finds a school where they can feel comfortable. Size, campus make-up, location, and reputation should all play a part in the decision. Making time to visit as many of these schools in person as possible may seem like a hassle now, but it could save you and your kid a lot of trouble down the line.

Take the Pressure Off

For many young people, college is the first time they feel genuine stress or worry. Classes become more difficult, they’re expected to handle more responsibilities, and the pressure to meet new people is increased tenfold. Parents, therefore, should attempt to ease that strain whenever they can, rather than adding to it. Look for ways to support your child through well-intentioned advice –– or on a more basic level –– with care packages that include gift cards or snacks from home.

Cover Some Basic Skills

Before your child leaves for college, there are some things they just have to know. It may not be glamorous, but showing your child how to do basic things like fix a leaky faucet or change a tire can help them get out of a bind later on. Remember, you won’t be around to help them out all the time!

Prep for Emergencies

The health of your child is more important than anything else. Though it might not seem necessary, it’s nevertheless a good idea to educate your child on some basic health and wellness best practices –– lest they find themselves in a threatening situation. Everything from signing them up for a CPR class to highlighting the nearest STD testing center to their campus may help them in an urgent situation one day. Of course, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Be Patient

For better or worse, college is about trying new things. Unfortunately, this means your child may end up making some mistakes along the way. It’s possible you won’t like who they choose to date, or what they elect to study. The key is to be patient and supportive. Fighting with your college-aged kid isn’t likely to produce good results. Rather, occasionally you have to let your son or daughter learn lessons on their own. Thankfully, everyone will be better off for it in the end for it!

Related:
5 Cheap Dorm Decor Ideas That Won’t Cost You Your College Fund
4 Tips If Your Son or Daughter is Looking At Grad School
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April 23, 2019

6 Lessons to Teach Your Teenager About Safe Driving

Has your baby reached the age when he or she is ready to start driving?

How did this happen so fast?

Suddenly, here you are, trying to figure out how to teach this no-longer-little person how to command a vehicle. Like, wasn’t it just yesterday he was learning to walk?

But take a deep breath. You’ve got this.

Here are 6 lessons to teach your teenager about safe driving. After all, that’s the most important lesson.

1. Avoid texting while driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents worldwide. And if you can instill good driving habits in your teenager before they adopt bad ones, they’re up for a lifetime of good driving habits.

This one involves leading by example. This means that you must avoid answering texts while driving — every time.

It’s easier said than done, for sure. But it’s crucial that you practice what you preach. Even if you think you can handle a little distracted driving, remember that your kids are watching. And they’re inexperienced drivers.

2. Start slowly

Depending on your teen’s excitement level, she may want to get in the car and start driving right away. But that’s not really how driving instruction works. Your teenager should know that operating a vehicle is a major responsibility that is not to be taken lightly.

3. Practice defensive driving

With so many distracted drivers on the road, your teen will need to learn to drive defensively. It’s not enough to know that your teen has safe driving habits. You’re going to want your teenager to look out for other drivers. Defensive driving involves paying attention to the drivers around you. Your teen will have to get used to anticipating other driver’s moves. This way, they’ll be ready to react at any moment.

4. When to ask for help

If you can manage to swing the expense, driving lessons are always worthwhile. Not every parent is going to be a great driving instructor. It’s unrealistic to expect that you’re going to have the patience and calm necessary to teach your child how to drive. If you’re nervous while your child is driving, pay for a lesson or two, so your child can learn from a professional (with a passenger-side brake). It’s not necessary in every case, but it can save quite a bit of tension.

5. How to drive in poor conditions

Naturally, you’ll start by teaching your child to drive in good condition. But once they have the basics down, it’s time to branch out and drive in less-than-desirable road conditions. Start by practicing in a light drizzle. Then, you can move on to driving in heavier rain, and then snow (if the weather in your area permits). You don’t want your child to face these conditions for the first time alone.

6. The importance of maintaining your vehicle

Car maintenance is an important part of car safety, so stress the importance of getting the car serviced at appropriate times. If your teen sees you slacking on things like oil changes or tire rotations, they’re likely to do the same. And these things can lead to breakdowns and unsafe driving conditions. So if you want them to be safe, teach them how to maintain a safe vehicle.

If you’re looking to pass down healthy habits, safe driving is a big one. Start with the six tips on this list to ensure your teen starts with a foundation of safe driving habits. And if you would like more information you can read more on driving statistics here
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Related:
4 Ways to Help Your Teenager to Live a Healthy and Balanced Life
Ten Things Every a Teen Needs to Know About Life
Know the perspective of your child on teen drinking

February 22, 2019

5 Easy Home DIY Projects for Expectant Mothers

Congratulations! Whether it’s your first baby or not, welcoming this new family member can be an incredibly happy and exciting event. So exciting, in fact, that you may find yourself buying baby-related items every time you go to the mall even if you don’t intend to do so.

While there are essentials that you must get for your new baby, you must admit that your baby probably won’t need all those shoes, hats, and toys. Instead of channeling your enthusiasm via impulsive baby-things shopping, why not use your energy to make something special for your baby? Try these seven easy DIY projects for expectant mothers.

Personalized Onesies

Onesies are the go-to attire for babies. It’s easier to put on and take off on a fidgety infant and provide full-body cover that doesn’t stifle or irritate their sensitive skin. Onesies may not be high fashion, but they can be personalized to add fun and style.

Use baby-friendly fabric dyes to create exciting prints and patterns or sew cute accessories and decorations. You can make every onesie your baby wears one of a kind.

Fleece Baby Booties

DIY Baby Booties — Baby Booties-Bluprint

Your baby won’t be walking for several months, so they won’t need proper shoes until then. Instead of spending money for a pair that your baby is likely to outgrow in a short time, you should just make some out of felt.

Fleece is easy to find and very workable, and it comes in different colors too. The materials retain heat well, so your baby won’t get cold feet even on cold days. If you have old fleece blankets or clothing, you recycle them into baby booties.

It’s your first baby and instead of buying impulsive items use DIY Patterns to make booties, swaddling blankets and more

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Swaddle Blanket

Ensuring your baby is warm and comfortable is part of every parent’s instinct. Before your baby arrives, why not make them a blanket to not just to keep them warm but also to let them feel your love and care?

That said, there are many ways you can go about when making a blanket. In between preparing for the new baby and attending parenting classes, you can start a crocheting a baby blanket. Or if you want something less demanding wise skills and timewise, you can make a quilt.

Don’t know where to start? Here are 12 DIY baby blankets you can make for your bundle of joy.

Handmade Baby Hat

Making Baby Hats with patterns from Blueprint — Making Baby Hats-Patterns and Instructions

Hats are essential baby accessories. Not only do they protect your baby’s delicate head, but they’re also incredibly cute and stylish. Making baby hats is the perfect DIY project for expectant moms who don’t have a lot of sewing skills. These hats are relatively easy to make, require less time, and don’t need sophisticated tools to create. Try your hand at making these cute DIY baby hats.

Bump-to-Baby Book

Preserve all your precious memories before and after your child is born in a bump-to-baby book. You can write a journal or create a personalized photo book of your pregnancy and parenthood journey, and when the time comes, you can share all those moments with your child.

Making one can help you connect with your child, as well as assist you in dealing with all the changes that pregnancy has created in your life. Later when your baby grows up, you can browse through the book and look back on all the happiness and excitement you felt all those nine months.

Getting Ready for the New Baby

Preparing for the new baby also means making space in your home for another person. The baby will need their own room. And with an additional person in the house, an extra toilet and bath would be more convenient.

Making one can be a hassle with the drainage and pipes, but you can lessen the hassle by opting for an up flush toilet, like the SaniAccess by Saniflo, which allows you to connect the sink, shower, and toilet drain to a singular tank that links to your main sewage system or existing septic tank.

Welcoming a new member (and a new baby at that!) in the family takes a lot of preparation. But the most important kind of preparation is making sure that you’re physical, mentally, emotionally, and financially ready to raise a child. When you’ve ensured all those, you know you’re on the right track to be the best parent you can be.

What have you found that works for you, have you made things for an upcoming baby?
Was there a special carrier or baby stroller you would recommend?

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Related Baby and Parenting:
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