A New Kind of Independence | Leave a comment

By Heather Ledeboer | Category: It Worked 4 Me

When your little one begins to learn how to feed herself, it can be a frustrating process for both parent and child.  First, there are the messes that end up on the table and floor.  Then there are the ones that find their way to baby’s hair and face.  Finally, there are the messes that can rattle even the most mellow moms and dads; the ones that force us to have to change our child’s clothes.  But, this is the price we pay to see our little cuties learn the delicate art of feeding themselves, thereby freeing us from being the mealtime wingman and also launching them into another level of independence.  When I was ready to teach my daughter how to feed herself I called my mom for some advice.  She suggested buying a long-sleeved smock from the art supply store so I could keep my focus on the skill of feeding rather than on the mess it was making.  I never did buy a smock because I found a great product similar to the Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib.  The one I used did not have full sleeves, which meant I still had to watch out when she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt.  But, because it was plastic, had a catch-all pouch and was fun and colorful, it made teaching my baby how to feed herself so much easier on both of us.  Using a bib like this worked for me…it might work for you too!   

Heather Ledeboer

I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of http://www.mom4life.com. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!

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Posted Thursday, July 5, 2007

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!Fun Idea | 4 Comments

By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Surprize Me!

Here’s a fun idea to mix things up for your children during the week.  Why not have a picnic inside the house, somewhere other than the kitchen table?  With summer upon us, it’s almost impossible to venture out during lunchtime for a picnic, but don’t let this temporary lack of freedom from the great outdoors get you or your kids down.  It can be just as exciting for your children if you lay down a blanket in the family room or somewhere upstairs and have peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches with apple slices and animal cookies.  And to keep messes at bay, consider using the dwink Box Holder to hold those juice or milk boxes.  They are sturdy in construction, featuring comfort-grip handles, a non-skid bottom, and they come in a variety of fun colors.  And at just $4.99 each, you can afford to keep one in the car, one in the house and one in the diaper bag.  Try it.  You might just find that with the dwink Box Holder, you can say goodbye to messy juice boxes and hello to enjoying sweet summer memories of picnicking indoors with your children.    

Heather Ledeboer

I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of http://www.mom4life.com. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!

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Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2007

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Dragonflies and Ladybugs – An Online Children’s Clothing Boutique | Leave a comment

By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Surprize Me!

I recently emailed with Robyn Johnson, owner of Dragonflies and Ladybugs about her on-line business.  I would like to share a bit about her store below as it was told to me and encouarge you to stop by and look around!

Since our inception in 2004, our store has grown to carry both national and international brands of children’s clothing including Baby Nay, BabySara, Beetlejuice, CachCach, Catimini, Chatti Patti, Le Pink, Little Mass, Jack and Lily, Meli Meli, Mish Mish, Oilily, Pipsqueaks, Room Seven , Sweet Potatoes, and Za Za Couture.

Heather Ledeboer

I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of http://www.mom4life.com. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!

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Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007

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NICU Parent Support | Leave a comment

By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Hot New Finds

I just came across two great resources for NICU parents and families–those who hold the littlest hands–a new blog and website. The blog is filled with reflections, ruminations & resources, the website with information and support. Both are from a respected physician, educator, author and former NICU Parent.  If you or someone you know has a baby in the NICU, you might enjoy checking this out!

Heather Ledeboer

I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of http://www.mom4life.com. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!

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Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007

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Dads Deserve to be Celebrated | 1 Comment

By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Surprize Me!

Soccer games, ballet lessons, play dates, business meetings, homemade lunches, carpools and birthday parties.  Today’s woman often feels she needs to bring home a paycheck, run a household and be the perfect mother.  No wonder we’re called super-moms; not to mention stressed out, overworked, exhausted and overwhelmed.  Fortunately, we are not in this alone.   

Today’s dad is more involved than ever before and he is definitely shouldering his part of the responsibilities.  With so many women going back to work outside the home and starting home-based businesses, dads have really had more of an opportunity to step it up and share the family roles while mom helps to ease the financial burden.  And it is no different with stay-at-home moms because being with children all day while taking care of a house and trying to have some personal time can overwhelm even the toughest woman, so help is still needed and perhaps even more so, by dad in this situation. 

Despite how well dads are doing these days at contributing to the awesome responsibility of parenting, sometimes they still feel lost in their role at home.  At work they thrive.  They know what to do, how to do it and they receive financial compensation for their labor.  At home however, they may have to be reminded of when the kids eat, what time baseball practices and tap classes are, and what new discipline strategies mom has implemented.  It can feel awkward, challenging and frustrating at times. 

Thank goodness we live in a society that understands this dilemma and strives to provide families with creative solutions.  From feeding time reminders and self-swaddling blankets to catch-all bags created with dads in mind, there is something out there for every dad who feels he needs an edge on parenting. 

The newborn stage is an especially awkward time for dads because mom has spent nearly ten months with her child living inside of her and she is pretty much the sole provider of comfort and feeding when the bundle of joy is born.  This leaves dad to wonder how he can bond with the baby and what he can do to contribute.  One way dads have been successful at bonding with their newborns is through sharing feedings.  And there is a product out there that allows dads to share in the joy of feeding their baby while allowing mom to rest easy knowing that her child will not experience nipple confusion or become gassy from a bottle.  It is the Adiri Breastbottle Nurser and it features a unique design that imitates mom’s breast as closely as possible.  It is one of the best options for bottle feeding.  Another way dads can bond with their newborns is through comfort.  This is sometimes intimidating for them because it seems moms are pre-programmed with the ability to soothe, while it is often a learned art for dad.  Mom4life.com has several products that help comfort baby and ease them into sweet slumber.  From the Cozy Cocoon to the Sleep Sheep, you are sure to find the right product to help daddy experience the sweetness of soothing your child and helping them fall fast asleep. 

As your baby starts to get a little older, dad may feel brave enough to go on an outing alone with him or her, perhaps in an effort to give you a break.  This is a confidence builder for him and a sanity saver for you.  And it may only take one failed attempt to discourage him from trying it again, so make sure he’s loaded with all the right products to ensure success on his outing and future breaks for you.  One thing he is sure to need is a diaper bag outfitted with all the diapers, wipes, bottles and binkies he could possibly need, but do you really think he wants to be seen carrying that hip satin Chinese print shoulder bag/backpack you use?  If so, think again.  Dads are simple and practical, which is why Fleurville created the DJ Bag just for them.  It comes in a variety of dad-approved colors and keeps their hands free to chase after babies on the go.  It is the ultimate diaper bag for the ultimate dad. 

You and your husband have no doubt shared the duty of changing diapers, so why not continue to do that when you enter into the realm of potty training?  This way you are a team and your child knows you both mean business.  It also ensures that if you need to run an errand or be away from the child while your husband watches him or her, he will know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it with regard to potty training your child.  In the spirit of dads loving to make everything fun with their kids, equip him with PottieStickers.  They are portable, consistent and rewarding, making dad’s involvement in this process that much easier.  And if you want to reduce frustration from not being able to readily find all the potty training tools and supplies you are using, provide your child with the Potty Bench and Step Stool by Boon.  It organizes all your potty training supplies, makes cleaning up a breeze and converts to a step stool so you and your husband can remember to enforce the necessary habit of hand washing after going potty.  If you want your husband to partner with you on this sometimes challenging journey, be prepared with the right equipment and make it fun and enjoyable. 

Dad does a lot to help out around the house and with the kids, but there is more to parenting than just being responsible and doing what’s best for your children.  It has to be fun!  Playing is an element that cannot be overlooked because it is all too important to the learning and development of little ones, not to mention an excellent way for dad to bond with his children as they grow older.  Dress up used to be thought of as something only little girls did. But there are some great products out there that make it cool for both girls and boys to play pretend, and in turn, play together with dad.  Ellie Bellie Kids created capes that will inspire your boys to be imaginary superheroes and they will definitely bring out the little kid in your husband.  These little adventure creators come in a variety of colors and can be personalized with your child’s initial.  They are sure to be a hit with both dad and son.  Then there is the classic tutu by Lillian Grace or PrissyPoofs that will take your little princess to a far away kingdom where Daddy is her knight in shining armor, ready to rescue the damsel in distress.  And whether dad is pretending to soar through the air with your little superhero or slaying dragons to save the princess, the Lucy & Michael Table Tent is the perfect setting for their adventures.  So keep the camcorder on hand for those spur-of-the-moment dress-up sessions because these are memories they will all be fond of in years to come.

Dads deserve to be celebrated for how they provide for their families, come home to relieve mom, and create lifelong memories with their children as often as possible.  They are not perfect but they are invaluable.  As moms, we have the ability to equip the fathers of our children with all the right tools to help them feel more comfortable in their role as daddy, from newborn to graduating senior.  All it takes is a little creativity, forethought and caring.  So, whatever stage of parenting you are in, consider what it will take to get your husband more involved on all levels and then be proactive in helping him get there.  You never know; he might just surprise you.                                      

Heather Ledeboer

I am a Christian, wife, mom and the owner of http://www.mom4life.com. I have a passion for helping moms and encouraging them in their journey through motherhood. I invite you to journey along with me!

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Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

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