Celebrity News & Style for Black Women » Mommy Beautiful

Simple Advice On How To Handle The Hard Times

Renee Jones — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:00:45 +0000

Every family hits a bump in the road. Whether it is financial, medical or personal, adversity is always going to be a part of life. The current state of the economy has brought a lot of heartache to a lot of families across the country.

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Many great professionals are losing their jobs, forced into foreclosure, medical bills are piling up and divorce remains high. These times are really rough and some can’t see or don’t believe there is any light at the end of the tunnel. This is totally understandable and I see how one would lose faith. How does one remain hopeful? My answer to this is simple:

I am a true believer that God does not give us anything that we can’t handle, but I am also a strong believer that He gives us the tools, but we have to know how to use them. It is important to remember that what doesn’t break, you makes you stronger. The stronger you are the more confident and strategic you will become. We have to continue to move forward and go against adversity, because at the end of the day, you want to at least say you did everything you could do. You didn’t quit! As tough as it may be, there is always something better right around the corner!

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3 Steps To Planning A Successful Family Reunion

Renee Jones — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:30:29 +0000

Everyone has cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc. that they have not seen in awhile, I know I do. I started to think how nice it would be to have a family reunion. Sometimes it’s not always the easiest task to get all the family together, but it is so necessary.

My family has attempted a family reunion a couple of times but we are still working on tactics. Our family lives in all different parts of the world so it’s not always easy picking a neutral location for everyone, let alone a date. I began to think of the necessary steps it would take to plan a successful family reunion. This is what I came up with.

Step 1: Elect a Family Planning Committee: Sometimes when planning large events, it gets complicated when everyone has there hand in the pot. Each individual family should elect a main representative to serve on the committee. This way, every family is represented.

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Step 2: Conduct A Survey: Surveys are always an easy way to gauge people’s interest. You can ask questions about places they want to travel, best time of the year to travel, budget, etc. A great free tool to use is Survey Monkey or Google Documents. Once data is collected, a member of the committee can report back to the rest of the members for a general consensus.

Step 3: Execute Plan and Follow Through: Once data is collected, the committee can start drafting a plan that will consist of the family reunion location, date, time, venue, etc. Then each member of the committee will have a different responsibility to ensure that every item of the plan is executed properly. In addition, like with any other event, it is important that everyone follows through with their assigned tasks to ensure that the event is a success.

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Snack Time For Toddlers Made Easy

Renee Jones — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:12:49 +0000

1. Granola Bars – These are super healthy and kids love them. My daughter probably eats two a day. Hint: Purchase the chocolate chip ones. Kids love chocolate and they won’t even know they’re eating healthy!

2. Baby Carrots - Carrots are rich in antioxidants and minerals. I get the little baby ones as they are easier for kids to eat.

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3. Cheerios - I don’t know one child that doesn’t like Cheerios. I like Cheerios the best in lieu of the other sugary cereals. They’re a great source of calcium and fiber.

4. Organic Fruity Chews - These are a great alternative to your traditional fruit rollups. Look for ones that have no sugar and all fruit.

5. Buddy Fruit - Thank goodness for the company that makes buddy fruits. My daughter can’t get enough of them. They basically are pureed fruit packets that you can get in different flavors. Great and easy way to pack in the Vitamin C.

6. Goldfish - It seems like goldfish has been around forever. I remember eating them as a kid. I just put a few in a plastic baggie, throw them in my purse and I’m ready for that “I’m hungry” request.

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How To Reach Potty Training Success

Renee Jones — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:30:51 +0000

I remember the first time I attempted to teach my daughter how to use the potty. For some reason, I thought that if I just switched her from diapers to underwear that should be automatically know how to use the potty. Ha! What was I thinking? She ended up going everywhere but the potty!

Potty training isn’t easy. As a new parent, you are going to be clueless as to how to teach this very important skill to your child. Your children depend on you to teach them how to do everything and I would be doing my daughter a major disservice if I didn’t teach her how to use the potty.

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I wasn’t sure of the right steps, so what I decided to do is turn to my trusted series of books. I have discussed Babywise before but they also have a book called Pottywise. In a nutshell, this book laid out necessary steps that I should take to yield potty-training success. It’s all about reward.

Every time my daughter used the potty correctly, I would reward her with M&M’s. First, we used the potty training seat then moved to the regular toilet seat. There were definite times where we didn’t make it to the potty in time and we had many accidents!

After a couple of weeks though we finally reached potty training success. No more diapers! It wasn’t has hard as what I thought. Just like with everything in parenting. It’s new to you and it’s new to your child. But you will make it through together. I definitely recommend the book! Good Luck.

Helpful Tips About Caring For Your Child’s Teeth

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Helpful Tips About Caring For Your Child’s Teeth

Renee Jones — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:57 +0000

When I was preparing for the arrival of my daughter, I read all types of books. However, one subject that I thought was lacking in most of these books was how to care for your child’s teeth. I was told by her pediatrician that as long as her teeth came in within the first year that I had nothing to worry about.

However, I wasn’t given much guidance after this stage. Now that she is getting older, I am unsure of what steps to take to properly care for her teeth. I decided to do some research online and I also started the search for great pediatric dentist in the area. Here are a few tips I found helpful.

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Toothpaste – For younger children, make sure the toothpaste you use does not have fluoride in it as it can be harmful to their teeth. If you do use toothpaste that has fluoride in it, just use a small amount.
Dentist Visit – It is recommend by the American Pediatric Academy that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be around their third birthday.
Proper Diet & Routine – It’s always important to have a healthy diet as what you eat can affect the healthiness of your teeth. Try to keep your kids away from sugar. In addition, practice flossing and brushing with them. It’s important they develop a routine to ensure strong and healthy teeth.

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FTC Claims Skechers Shape Ups Don’t Work Like They Claim

Renee Jones — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:00:25 +0000

I was shocked to find out that the company Skechers was sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) because of their false advertising regarding their Shape Ups shoe line.

“The FTC is claiming that the reported studies that Skechers used in advertisements that proved health benefits from wearing the shoes were flawed and false. The company even made claims about weight loss and cardiovascular health,” David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in the statement. “The FTC’s message, for Skechers and other national advertisers, is to shape up your substantiation or tone down your claims.” – CBS News

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I never bought the shoes, but I definitely thought about it. I know a lot of moms who swear they are the bomb! Getting to the gym is not always the easiest tasks for moms, so putting on sneakers that you can do your daily activities in and still improve your body is a win win! If I could just put on some sneakers and increase calorie burn, help with back pain, increase leg muscle activation and improve posture all at the same time, hat’s sounds pretty good to me. Maybe the FTC is right, it all sounds a little too good!

The company still stands by their product and agreed to settle. They will have to pay over 40 million in benefit claims. Regardless, I am sure Skechers will see a drop in sales. To read more about their findings, please visit, CBS News. Customers who bought the shoes can get a refund from the FTC directly. To submit a claim, visit Skechers Settlement.

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Can Facebook Be Used To Punish Your Kids?

Renee Jones — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:24 +0000

I recently read an article in the Huffington Post about a parent who punished her child by posting a picture of her on Facebook with a red X over her mouth because she mouthed off. They captioned the photo saying that she is no longer able to post on Facebook. This is totally ridiculous!

My daughter is only three years old, but I still have an opinion on this matter. Why as a parent would you even use Facebook as a source of punishment? The first thing I would do is take every source of technological device away from my child. I would not be worried about humiliating or punishing her on Facebook. As a parent, we have to do better than this. What is the world turning into that we have to use social media to punish our children?

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I understand that this is a new age and technology is a big part of how we interact with one another, but how would using such tactics help the situation. Is your child going to stop disrespecting you because you used Facebook to punish them, I would probably guess not! There has to be a better way to adapt our parenting skills to these new times. Let’s try harder!

What do you think about punishing your kids publicly on Facebook?

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Kids Are Not Things To Be Molded, They’re People To Be Unfolded

Renee Jones — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:06 +0000

My mother just sent me a recent article on Purpose Driven.com about how we as parents should embrace our children’s uniqueness. This is so true. I think as parents we always want our children to be exactly like us and we fail to realize that our job isn’t to make them like us, but our job is to teach and support them as they discover who they are.

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“Kids are not things to be molded; they’re people to be unfolded.” Your goal in life should not be to mold your kids in your image. Your goal in life should be to help them discover who God made them to be” – purposedriven.com It’s nice to be reminded of this as I think as parents we get so wrapped up in making sure that our children are smart and successful that we tend to ignore they also need guidance and support as they grow and mature.

It’s not always easy being unique, especially now a days with more and more bullying in schools. It’s easier for children to conform instead of standing out from the crowd. Uniqueness should be celebrated and encouraged. It’s is our job to talk to our children about embracing their uniqueness. Help them understand that they don’t have to be like you or they don’t have to be like their friends. It’s okay to be exactly who they want to be!

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What You Should Know Before Your Child Gets Vaccinated

Renee Jones — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:30:56 +0000

Vaccinations cause debates amongst many parents. Some parents are totally against them and some are totally for it. The main concern for parents are the side effects that may occur after certain vaccines are administered. Some even talk that certain vaccines may lead to Autism; however this has not been proven. Check out this report from the CDC on this issue.

My stance on this issue is very simple. I have full trust in my pediatrician and his recommendations for my child. My daughter’s pediatrician has been there from the very first day my daughter was born. He is a well respected phenomenal pediatrician. When it came time for my daughter to get her first shots he informed me of all the risks but also informed me of all the benefits. The ultimate decision was still up to my husband and I.

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Ultimately we chose to go with the doctor’s recommendations and administer the shots. Some may totally disagree but as parents we have the right to choose. The American Academy of Pediatrics provide an enouroums amount of resources on educating the public about the importance of immunizations. I say, educate yourself first before you make a decision. My daughter has taken about eight shots since she’s been born and she is a perfectly healthy little girl.

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I Got 99 Problems, But My Child Ain’t One

Renee Jones — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:47 +0000

I was recently talking to a few parents about their children and behavior. Some are really having difficulty with how their children behave. I started Googling child behavior and I came across a checklist called the Child Behavior Checklist.

“The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely-used method of identifying problem behavior in children. It is a component in the Achenbach System of Emperically Based Assessment developed by Thomas M. Achenbach. Problems are identified by a respondent who knows the child well–usually a parent or teacher. There are two versions of the checklist. The preschool checklist (CBCL/1½-5) is intended for use with children aged 18 months to five years. The school-age version (CBCL/6-18) is for children aged six to 18 years.” I am not sure if this test would be helpful but it could be a start.

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I think all children go through different stages. Some have The Terrible Two’s. Some have The Terrible Three’s. Some have terrible teen and even adult years! All children are different. But as parents it is our responsibility to be there every step of the way. Parenting is a hard job. There is no written description of responsibilities. We have to find a way to connect to them on their level, otherwise they may end upon a destructive path.

Every stage of their lives is different but at the same time the same principles still exists. Love, care and understanding are the keys to connecting with our children. So when I say I got 99 problems, but my child ain’t one–I mean that I am striving to be that parent that loves, cares and understands my child through all stages of their development so that they remain on the right path. I am dedicated to helping them through whatever may come their way because their lively hood depends on it.

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What To Tell Your Kids About The ‘N’ Word

HelloBeautifulStaff — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:05 +0000

In an ideal world your child would come to you asking about profanity and words they may have heard at school, but the reality is they probably already know many of the socially constructed meanings of those words.

This can be particularly challenging as a parent as you attempt to grapple for control over how your child interprets or uses particular phrases.

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As a black mother or caregiver, the infamous ‘N’ word is probably the biggest vocabulary-related dilemma you’ll come across. So how do you deal with it?

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A good idea is to never show your child any extreme reaction when they ask you or you hear the ‘N’ word used by them or around them. Instead attempt to sit your child down and, calmly, walk them through the history of that word, recommending that they too keep they’re calm if they hear it used.

The ‘N’ word tends to be used against young black children in school as a way of provoking a strong reaction and causing conflict. Many parents talk of how schools overlook the issue or don’t believe a child’s complaint that they were bullied using the ‘N’ word.

Empowering your child with calmness and intelligence is by far the best medicine for a bully and your child’s concentration at school.

Must Read: Should The N-Word Be Abolished?

Now if you’re extremely against the ‘N’ word, irrespective if you have children or not, check out an interesting site called Abolish The ‘N’ Word, belonging to a group aimed at eliminating its use in American society. They recommend you consider some of the following tips:

1. Make a personal commitment to stop using the “N” word.

2. Download the contract. Read it. Sign it. Hang it up in a place where you can see it. Other people will see your contract and support your efforts.

3. Remember your elders and the sacrifices they made for you.

4. Expand your vocabulary and find an alternate word to use

5. Only purchase the radio versions of songs.

6. Write to the record labels requesting that they stop publishing songs using the “N” word.

7. Write to individual artist requesting they stop using the “N” word in their work.

8. Start a writing campaign at your school to both artist and record companies requesting they stop using the “N” word.

Click here to read the full list.

They also have a little contract which you can print out and sign as a resolution for yourself. Click here to see that.

In the meantime, we wish you GOOD LUCK! with this trying dilemma as a parent and as a black women in general. It can be resolved with proactive parenting and strong intelligent, communication.

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Happy Mother’s Day

HelloBeautifulStaff — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:00:04 +0000

It’s almost always mom that has the strongest and the quietest influence on us.We’re wishing all our readers who are mothers a fun and healthy Happy Mother’s Day.

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Vacationing Without The Kids Can Be Fun Too

Renee Jones — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:13:58 +0000

As parents, when the summertime comes around, the first thing we think about is where we are going to take the kids. This summer, you should start thinking about where you will go without the kids for a change.

Call up the grandparents or a close friend and pick a date that works for both of your schedules, then off you go! Here some great resources that can aid in helping you find the perfect destination. Here’s to rekindling and reconnecting!

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1. Tripadvisor – Tripadvisor is a one stop shop to finding great locations and reviews.

2. Sniqueaway.com – Snique Away is a membership-only club that anyone can sign up for. It has great deals on hotels all over the world.

3. Livingsocial Escapes – Living Social is also a membership-only site that anyone can sign up, but they have all different types of deals on adventures that you and your partner can do together–from scuba diving to wine tasting.

4. Delta Vacations – If you are looking to go on a week long trip, Delta Vacations has some great deals to choose from. They assign you a personal vacation specialist to work with. It’s super easy to book.

5. Five Star Alliance – Five Star Alliance is a great resource to search and book the top hotels in the world-from resorts to villas to skyline hotels. It’s ultimate website if you are looking to splurge.

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6 Last Minute Gifts For Mother’s Day

Deborah Bennett, Senior Editor — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:16 +0000

Mother’s Day is almost upon us, and the time for procrastinating is quickly coming to and end. Here are some inexpensive last minute ideas to make sure mom knows just how much you care.

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A Letter To Mom For Mother’s Day

Renee Jones — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:48 +0000

Mother’s Day should be an every day celebration that shows the women that gave us life that we appreciate them. Not every mother gets that appreciation, so this is a letter to all the moms out there. Happy Mother’s Day!

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Dear Mom,

Thank you for teaching me my ABC’s. Thank you for teaching me my 1, 2, 3′s. Thank you for teaching me how to behave and thank you for teaching me how to share.

Thank you for teaching me about life and thank you for teaching me about how to wear my hair. You are the reason why I exist and you are the reason why I know how to live. Thank you Mom for all that you do because I would be no where without you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. You are truly a blessing to everyone you touch!

Sincerely,

Mommy Beautiful

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3 Great Mother’s Day Activities

3 Great Mother’s Day Activities

Renee Jones — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:30:29 +0000

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what you are going to do for that special lady in your life. Being a mother myself, here are some great ideas I think she will love.

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1. Mimosas and Massages – If your mom loves mimosas and massages, this is the activity for her. Find a nice place where you can send her to get an early massage then meet her after at her favorite brunch location. Red Door Spa is one of my favorites.

2. Breakfast in Bed – This is an old classic but I still think it’s adored by most moms. The idea of your children and/or husband cooking you breakfast is such a thoughtful way to celebrate motherhood. This Cinnamon French Toast Recipe is my favorite.

3. Relaxation and Do Whatever – Sometimes on Mother’s Day moms just want to do nothing. I am all for that. It’s nice to take a break from the everyday and just lay out on the couch and watch a favorite show, read a great book or just sleep. The important thing is that you let that special lady in your life decide what she wants to do. But, don’t forget the card!

What do you have planned for your mother?

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Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer During Fun Water Activities

Renee Jones — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:45:11 +0000

With the summer right around the corner it’s important know and to follow the necessary safety rules when dealing with summer time fun in the water to protect your little ones. “Forty-one percent of children aged 7-17 years and 17.4% of adults in the United States, swim at least six times per year,” according to the CDC.

Safe Kids.org is a great website that provides plenty of helpful resources for safety prevention. I provided ones below that I think are most important.

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1. Put Sunscreen On – The sun is can be very harmful to the skin especially for young children. Always keep babies under six months old out of direct sunlight. For older children the guideline is have sunscreen that is at least 15 SPF but the higher the SPF the better UV protection.

2. Supervision – Never let your children swim alone without any adult supervision. Even if you know your kids are great swimmers accidents happen all the time. It is never safe to leave them unattended!

3. Swimming Course – It’s always a good idea to enroll your children into a certified swimming course. Not only do they learn how to swim from a certified instructor but they also gain confidence with being in the water.

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Super Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipe

HelloBeautifulStaff — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:00:06 +0000

What kid doesn’t love chicken nuggets? McDonald’s isn’t the only authority for those yummy, crispy bite-size delights. You can always make your own! This is a great recipe for your kids. It’s super easy and super healthy. They will love it.

For more great recipes, feel free to visit my website.

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Ingredients

1lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs
4 tbs fresh grated Parmesan cheese
kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
2 tbs of fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
non-stick spray

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey

Method

1lb of chicken breasts should equal 4 individual skinless breasts
Cut each breast into about 10 nugget sized pieces. Add to a bowl.
Add olive to the breasts and mix well making sure all chicken is coated
Season with salt and pepper and mix again.
Add the bread crumbs and mix well making sure chicken pieces are coated
Place chicken nuggets on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Roast in preheated 450 degree oven for 20 to 40 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
Serve.

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Easy Recipe Ideas For A Cinco De Mayo Food Feast

Renee Jones — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:33 +0000

It is always good to expose your children to different cultures. In the United States, Cinco De Mayo celebrates Mexican heritage and pride and to celebrate freedom and democracy during the first few years of the American Civil War.

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The best way I like to celebrate Cinco De Mayo is by cooking great Mexican recipes. So I say, why not get your children involved an cook a great Mexican Feast?! Here are some great recipes to celebrate the holiday.

Watermelon Salsa

Margarita Fruit Salad

Guacamole

Mexican Ceviche

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Mexican Steak Fajitas

Chicken Enchiladas

Margarita Ice Cream

Enjoy! Happy Cinco De Mayo!

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4 Things About Planning A Themed Party That Moms Need To Know

Renee Jones — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:15:37 +0000

Themed parties are so much fun. From cartoon characters to hay rides! The possibilities are truly endless. Here are some steps to follow to help you plan the perfect themed party.

1. Choose a theme – There are so many different themes to chose from. Depending on how old your child is will depict what theme you go with. It’s always a good rule of thumb to choose a theme that corresponds with their interests. Rather that be princesses, sports, music, etc. Talk to your child about what type a party they want to have and begin the planning from there.

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2. Research Venue - Once you choose a theme, now it’s time to find a venue and choose your vendors. I always try to look for venues that are blank canvases for a themed party, like a park or a banquet hall. But there are plenty of party places that make it easy to plan your party. Like sports centers, play houses, etc. Depending on your child’s age will depict what type of venue you choose.

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3. Vendors - Once you choose the venue then it’s time to find vendors. Your vendors will be your food, entertainment, theme designers, rental companies etc. Depending on how big your event will be, it is always a good idea to hire an event planner as they know who the best vendors to use. In addition, they are great resources to help you carry out your event. If it is a smaller event, then the best way to find local vendors is to start a google search and start reading reviews. Websites like yelp.com or bizbash.com are great places to start. If you put the research in you will find the perfect location.

4. Personalize - When it comes to themed parties you must take personalizing to the next level. From custom cupcake toppers to themed food. Here are two great websites that I use whenever planning a themed party. Trust me, both of these sites are full of great ideas that are easy to implement. Etsy.com or Hostess With The Mostess.

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3 Tips For Finding Proper Childcare

Renee Jones — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:47:37 +0000

Are you the new kid on the block when it comes to finding the right daycare for your child? This is a very hard decision to make for new parents.

Honestly before I provide some great resources to help you in this process I have to vent about my frustration about American policies on maternity leave. Here is a recent excerpt from Catalyst.org about family leave:

” The United States is one of the few industrialized nations that does not provide paid family leave for new parents. Some parents can take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which guarantees eligible employees at companies with more than 50 employees 12 weeks of unpaid, job-guaranteed leave for the birth of a child or care of a newborn, adoption of a child, to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or to take medical leave for a serious health condition. Although some individual companies offer a paid maternity leave benefit, many parents end up using a combination of short-term disability, sick leave, vacation, personal days, and unpaid family leave. “

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12 weeks?! This is ridiculous! How in the world are parents supposed to leave their new born child after 12 weeks? Parents and most mothers have to do this everyday. It’s just not right, but unfortunately some of us don’t have a choice.

So when we are faced with this daunting decision, what do we look for or what options do we even have? Here are three great resources that I think can help with this very important decision.

1. The National Association for the Education of Young Children – This organization has an accredited childcare program tool where you can look up accredited child care programs that best fit your needs.

2. The National Association of Family Child Care – This organization also keeps an updated list of accredited programs child care provides and many other resources to help you find great child care.

3. Babycenter – This is a great website that has great trusted information about everything baby, toddler and child. Just type what you are looking for in their search engine and you will find what you’re looking for. They have great resources like interview sheets for child care providers and also many other helpful guidelines.

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3 Tips For Planning Your Child’s Graduation Party

Renee Jones — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:17 +0000

It’s that time of year again. Your pride and joy is graduating! Gearing up for this special event is overwhelming and joyful at the same time. Here are some great party planning tips to ensure your event is successfully executed.

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1. Guest list – Before you start making any decisions on venue, theme, etc., you need to decide who you will be inviting. Will you just be inviting your family and close friends? Will your child’s classmates be invited? I suggest that you sit down with your guest of honor and ask them who they want to invite then add to the list from there. Here is a great website for invitations– Minted.

2. Venue – The choice of venue is really important. If you have the capability to hold the event at your own home. I say this is the best choice because most venues are going to charge you a fee to host your party. If you don’t have the option of hosting the party at your own home then I would suggest choosing a venue that is preferably outside such as a rooftop or a park that has gazebos for rent. Don’t forget to have a back up plan just in case of rain. Also here is a great website to find venues in your area–www.eventective.com .

3. Theme – A few suggestions I have for choosing a theme is make sure the theme speaks true your guest of honor’s likes. Ask them if they want to have a formal event or something more casual. Let’s not forget who the party is for. I love the idea of building a theme around the future plans of the graduate. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with it. Here is a great site for theme inspiration–Hostess With The Mostess.

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3 Ways To Choose The Right Summer Camp For Your Kids

Renee Jones — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:30:56 +0000

With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about summer plans for the kids. Summer camps are great places where your kids can have lots of fun and develop new interests. Here are few things to think about when choosing the right camp.

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1. Type – There are so many different types of camps–from language immersion to arts and theater to adventure, etc. Talk to your children about their interests and go from there. Choose a camp that you both can agree on. If your children are small, go for a camp that ecompasses all different activities. This way they can be exposed to a number of different experiences.

2. Length – The length of camp you choose will depend on the child’s age. There are camp programs that last half a day or full days. Also some camps are sleep away camps but these are definitely for older children.

3. Location – The location of the camp is very important because as the parent you will be dropping them off and picking them up each day so it probably would be in your best interest to choose a camp close by. Also if there was an emergency, it is always nice to be close by.

Once you have chosen a few camps that you are interested in, the next step is to get more information. Find out what the fees involved, what the camp to counselor ratio is, what training each counselor has received if any and also request a site visit to view the property grounds. Once you have done your due diligence then your ready to select your camp.

Here is a great resource to find camps in your area, The American Camp Association. Also don’t forget to check local magazines as they are great resources for finding camps in your area.

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How To Teach Your Kids While Grocery Shopping

Renee Jones — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:00:50 +0000

There are plenty of ways to make grocery shopping educational for your kids. I find myself in the grocery store at least two times a week and of course with my daughter in toe. It’s not always easy shopping with her because of course she wants everything under the sun but what I have been doing lately is turning our shopping time into learning time.

The grocery story is a great place to teach your children their shapes, colors, reading, math and the list goes on. The age of your children will determine what activities you do with them. With my daughter, I started asking her to tell me colors of certain products. I also give her our shopping list so that she can start recognizing and associating words with different items.

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If your child is older, you can have them spell and write down the names of products or you can have them start comparing price to quantity. The activities are really endless. The point is that you can turn the dreadful trip to the grocery store to an enjoyable educational trip. Have fun and be creative, your children will thank you later.

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Fun Ways To Keep Your Kid’s Mind Working Through The Summer

Renee Jones — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:00:06 +0000

It’s a normal reaction to worry about the lack of school during the summer months for your child. Here are some fun and cool activities that can keep their little minds pumping.

1. Visit Museums/ Historical Sites - Museums and Historical sites are always easy ways to sneak in a little learning during the summer. Take a family trip to a new museum or visit an historical site while making that family trip.

2. Visit your local bookstore – Your local bookstore is filled with information and fun things for your child to learn. Go on a Saturday and just hang out. Let them pick out books they are interested and pick a stop to sit down in the store and read. Also check your local bookstore for events.

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3. Start a Journal – Have your child start a journal about their summer. This is a great way to work to help them improve their writing skills.

4. Conduct fun science experiments – There are so many resources our there online and in the store for kids to learn about science. Experiments are great ways to incorporate fun and learning. PBS.Kids.org is one of my favorites.

What are some of the things you like to do with your kids over the summer? Sound off in the comments below!

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How To Get Your Child To Sleep In Their Own Bed

Renee Jones — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:30:32 +0000

My daughter has always been a good sleeper. She slept in a bedside crib when she was an infant, then I moved her to her crib, then we turned her crib into a toddler bed. All things were looking good but recently, she had been finding her way to our bed in the middle of the night. Where did I go wrong?

Unfortunately, I think no matter how good of a sleeper your child is it’s inevitable that they most likely will find their way to your bed and want to stay there! Well, I am nipping this in the bud right now because that is just not going down!

I decided to go back to the basics as when she was a baby. Sometimes I used to sleep on her floor just so she would know I was right next to her. Guess what, that worked! After a week or two she didn’t cry when I put her down to sleep. So maybe this tactic will work again.

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The past few weeks she has been waking up and instead of letting her get in our bed, I take her back to her room, put her back in her bed and tell her that I am going to sleep on the floor next to her. She agrees and she falls back to sleep maybe after 10 minutes or so. I find my way back to my bed and she sleeps the rest of the night.

I have been doing this for maybe a week now and this weekend she didn’t wake up once! I think my tactic worked as long I keep the faith and stay consistent, victory will be mine and I will get a good night’s rest. If not, it’s daddy’s turn!

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It’s Time For A Digital Detox

Renee Jones — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:30:58 +0000

I think I have developed a love-hate relationship with technology. From televisions, video games, cell phones, social networks, tablets and all the rest. I think it’s time for a digital detox. I started to think about how technology falls in with my family, how it affects my daughter and how we can achieve digital balance. I think it’s important that technology serves us and not the other way around.

Not many know this, but the week of April 30 – May 6 has been designated Screen-Free Week or Digital Detox Week. “ Screen-Free Week (formerly Digital Detox Week) is an annual event where children, families, schools and communities are encouraged to turn off screens and ‘turn on life.’ Instead of relying on television programming for entertainment, participants read, daydream, explore, enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends.”

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“In 2010, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) became the home of Screen-Free Week at the request of the Board of the Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness (CSTA), which ran the initiative since 1994 (first as TV-Free America). CCFC launched a new website and developed a new Organizer’s Kit, fact sheets, and other materials for Screen-Free Week 2011 and beyond. The Screen-Free Week Organizer’s Kit is available as a free download” here. Over 100 million people have taken part in the turnoff, with millions participating each year.

I think I am going to participate this year. It might be a little difficult, but I am taking the steps to make some changes. Turning off the television is going to be the easy part, but I also want to turn off the computer from time to time. It might not totally disconnect because I do have to work but what I am going to do is designate quite times, maybe just 30 minutes a day. I am not going to look at the computer or even allow my daughter to use her iPad (yes she has an iPad! ugh!). I think it’s a good thing to pause technology every now and then. Let’s see how it goes.

Are you and your family going to participate in Screen Free Week?

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Moms, Get Sleep Or Your Health Pays The Price!

Renee Jones — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:00:55 +0000

“Women in their prime caregiving years, ages 30-60, clock an average of only 6 hours and 41 minutes of sleep per weeknight. Moms who work full-time report spending under 6 house in bed during the week. But a busy schedule doesn’t diminish our need for sleep, says Dr. Sridar Chalaka, M.D. When we repeatedly shortchange our sleep, our bodies pay the price.” – Broward Family Life

The article goes on to say that it’s not that moms don’t know they need sleep, it’s just that they are truly very busy with work, managing the household and everything in between. I have said this before, but it is so important that we take some time out for ourselves and remember that we need rest too.

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It’s not only important to be productive each and every day, but it is also important for our health. A lot of people don’t know that sleep deprivation can trigger many different health problems, such as weight gain, heart disease and high blood pressure. No one wants to become ill because they aren’t getting enough sleep. Therefore, take care of yourself and get that needed sleep you need. Not tomorrow, today! Well, tonight!

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Choosing Godparents Helps In Your Child’s Upbringing & Development

Renee Jones — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:00:52 +0000

MommyBeautiful With Her Daughter And Daughter's Godmother

I was moved to write about godparents because I am extremely happy with who my husband and I chose as godparents for our daughter. As parents, you always want the best for your children and I think choosing the right godparents is not always an easy undertaking.

Nowadays, the role of a godparent has somewhat evolved. Of course, the main role of godparents is to ensure that the child establishes and maintains a religious education, but I also think the relationship implicit in this role involves taking a greater, more encompassing interest in the child’s life.

I found the definition of “godparent” provided by Wikipedia. “Traditionally, godparents were informally responsible for ensuring the child’s religious education was carried out, and for caring for the child should he/she be orphaned. Today, the word godparent might not have explicitly religious overtones. The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child’s upbringing and personal development.”

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The key phrase here is “interest in the child’s upbringing and personal development.” It could not be more important to me that my child’s godparents take a real interest in her life. My daughter raves about her “God-Mommy and God-Daddy” all the time, and I am overjoyed with how much love she has for them and how much love they have for her. My advice to parents is to think long and hard about who you elect to fulfill this role. Godparents should be extensions of yourselves and they should be people who can be seen as genuinely interested in the well-being of the child and the child’s parents for a period spanning their lives.

I had to share a picture that I just love of my daughter, her godmother and me! Priceless!

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How To Shed The Pounds After Having A Baby

HelloBeautifulStaff — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:00:52 +0000

I recently saw pictures of Beyoncé two months after having Blue Ivy. She looks great! I remember when I was pregnant, I was worried about how I would lose all the baby weight. This was definitely not an easy task, especially when I was dead tired from taking care of a newborn. Now, I’m sure Beyoncé has access to some of the greatest trainers in the business but let’s face I’m not Beyoncé so here are three main things that worked for me–an average woman–that helped me shed the pounds fast.

Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is a sure way to lose the weight. I had trouble learning how to breastfeed, but with a little practice I was on the fast track to shedding the baby weight.

Regular Exercise: Exercise is always the best way to lose that unwanted weight. I just found a way to either work out in the morning or I would watch the exercise channel on television. I only did about 20 minutes a day but that’s all it really takes. You will be surprised by the results. The key exercise to do is definitely sit-ups. It helps get your abdominal muscles back in shape after the pregnancy.

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Health Eating: Healthy eating is imperative to losing the baby weight. There are a lot of articles out there about baby weight diets; I didn’t do any of those because they say dieting too early after giving birth can affect your milk supply, so I just avoided it all together. Instead of cutting back on what I ate, I just changed what I was eating. I would go to our local farmers markets and buy a bunch of produce like avocados, tomatoes, carrots, celery etc. and I would just eat them raw. Sometimes I would make a salad and add chicken, steak or crab. It was super good and I lost the baby weight at the same time. Here is a great crab salad recipe from my website, Crab with Avocado and Grapefruit. To die for!

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