Motherhood Hacks
The purpose of this mom blog is to share experiences and feelings with one another. As military spouses, we often take on additional challenges like moving, having a husband come home late or are deployed for training / work, living in remote communities, and grappling with limited resources (like raising little ones during a pandemic). I am still getting used to working with the energy of a high gross motor toddler that loves to run around the living room and throw + climb everything. Here are some things I am trying to do to make my life and other moms who live far away from family support easier. I am open to any ideas to add on to the list to help one another build community and receive that much needed recharge to avoid care giver burnout too.
Below are resources that may be of benefit to you and your family.
Have an enclosed play space at home. Examples for home "yes" spaces / play set ups are a pack & play or fenced off area, the crib / bed with books, toys, and / or balls; create a ball pin, a gated yard, and a children’s bedroom. Use a highchair / table space or outdoor area with sensory play.
Find enclosed child friendly spaces in your community. Examples are a children’s room at the library, an art museum play space, a church nursery, a play area at the gym. Additional ideas are a local community center such as the YMCA, boys and girls club, 4h, little lions club, boy / Girl Scouts, a nature center, cultural center, recreation area, art museum, creation studio, cultural center, indoor restaurant with play space, kid cafe, etc.
Create a portable child friendly space. Use a shopping cart, stroller / wagon / push bike etc., and perhaps serve snacks / meals. I like to use a silicone bib food catcher as a snack holder or a snack cup. I also placed his food and beverages on the window ledge or table bench (picnic and play style).
Have playdates and meet other families at child friendly places or at one another’s homes.
Below are ideas for what to do when your baby or toddler does not want to nap
Baby wear. I enjoy using the Toddler Tula carrier or Ergobaby carrier.
Stroller ride. I liked the fact that my carseat and stroller connected back in the day when EJ was able to nap on the go.
Car ride. I liked to use white noise hz music or mozart music box on Insight Timer App along with a car ride when EJ was fighting his naps.
Remember to check diapers and if your little one is hungry or has a tight tummy. I liked using Gripe water and gas drops to ease EJ’s tummy discomfort along with bicycle wheels and torso circles while seated.
Offer baby / toddler massage, a bath / shower, outdoor time to help if little one does not go to sleep after 15-30 minutes.
Ease teething pain. For me, Dr. Tablet chamomile homeopathy helped along with the amber necklace. I took off the amber necklace before EJ went to nap. I also put a bib over the necklace so he could not take it off himself.
Offer quiet time with music and a book, teething toy, and / or a fave stuffed animal / blankie in bed. I take out the items once EJ was asleep.
Be consistent with timing and recognize the sleep window for your baby / toddler from wake time. Typically, it is a 15 minute window before the cortisol kicks in and you have tired / wired child.
Message me if any of these baby / toddler hacks benefited you and / or if you have any additional ideas to share.
@WanderingWomanPhotography, Carly photographer
