MOTHERHOOD
While moving into a new home can be a very exciting time for parents, it can feel very overwhelming and scary for young children. I’m sharing five tips that helped make our recent move a smooth transition for my young daughter.
TIP 1: INVOLVE YOUR CHILD IN THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS.
Without a doubt, this has been the most crucial part of ensuring a smooth transition for Kalyn as we moved from the only home she knew, to a brand new space! I promised her in January of 2019 that I would get her a home, and as I hit each milestone, I reminded her that a new home was coming. Not only did it build excitement for her, it kept me accountable of the goal I had set out to reach. As we looked at homes, I made sure to always have Kalyn present to get a sense of her opinion on the space (yes, I care about my kid’s opinions) and to make sure that her first time walking in wasn’t to a strange place.
TIP 2: ALLOW YOUR CHILD SOME VOICE AND CHOICE.
Though the selection of our home was ultimately me and my husband’s, we allowed Kalyn to choose her room and playroom in the house. In addition, she chose new furniture to help her feel like a big girl! Giving your child some space to make decisions helps them feel invested and valued.
TIP 3: CONSIDER YOUR CHILDREN WHEN PACKING.
I tried to be proactive when packing, but wanted to make sure that Kalyn had plenty of her favorite toys and clothes left out so that she didn’t relate moving to having her things taken away. Up until the day we moved out, she had a reasonable amount of toys and activities to keep her company and I allowed her to select her own outfits (as crazy as they looked) so that she had plenty of things to choose from. When we moved in, her room and play room were the first spaces in the home to be set up, so that she could gain a sense of normalcy right away.
TIP 4: SET ROUTINES RIGHT AWAY!
We’ve always had a pretty consistent morning and bedtime routine, and I didn’t want a move to change that. I decided that on night one, Kalyn would sleep in HER room. I kept our normal bedtime routine: bath, two quick videos, books, prayers, and lights out. In full transparency, Kalyn was hesitant about sleeping in her new room alone. After a few tears and reminders that Jesus is protecting her, she went to sleep with no problem. The next morning she followed her normal morning routine!
TIP 5: CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESSES!
Moving to a new place is a big task for a little person! To celebrate a smooth transition and reinforce positive behaviors, we offered Kalyn some positive incentives. We ate our first meal picnic style (really because we didn’t have furniture yet, but you get the point)and Kalyn loved it! She also got a couple of playdates to show her friends her new home (building more excitement) and enjoy the new space. Lastly, we’re planning a sleepover with her favorite cousin to really reward her for her awesome transition during this time!
Moving with a little one has surprisingly been a breeze with these simple tips! Are you moving with children? Share a tip with me that might help them transition!
LIFESTYLE, MOTHERHOOD, STYLE & BEAUTY
Black-Owned Businesses For Every Member of The Family!
July 8, 2020
When you support a small business, you are supporting a dream!
If you’re anything like me, it’s been pretty tricky to stay away from online shopping while being quarantined for an extended period of time. As you order, I encourage you to shop with small businesses to support those living out their dreams. In the spirit of uplifting the Black community, I’m sharing 5 Black-Owned Businesses that suit the whole family.
Izzy & LivLadies, this is for you! If you’re looking for affordable clothing, accessories, and jewelry, I’ve found the perfect place to shop! Izzy and Liv offers all of the above with a dash of cultural flare to each product. An added bonus is that you can grab items for the kiddos while you’re at it!
Savoir FaireIf you’re searching for the perfect gift for your lover, friend, or family member, Savoir Faire fragrances are always a win. In addition to offering a reasonable price point, the scent is potent without being overwhelming. He’ll thank you later!
Just Like MeDo your children have literature that accurately represents who THEY are? If not, the Just Like Me Subscription box has you covered. Each month, your little ones receive 2-3 new books from award winning authors. A great way to entertain and educate, Just Like Me certainly won’t disappoint your little readers.
Juvia’s PlaceBeauty addicts, look no further! If you’ve not yet heard of Juvia’s Place, get ready to be BLOWN away! Juvia’s Place offers all of your essential makeup products at prices that are incredibly affordable. I most enjoy the quality of their products and the vibrant colors that represent black culture. Be sure to check them out!
La Bougie Parfait“The Perfect Candle” is an accurate way to describe these products. As an avid user of these candles and room mists, I’m in love with the beautiful packaging, the scents that fill an entire room, and the length in which they last. Another plus is the amazing customer service provided by this brand.
Happy Shopping! Drop some of your favorite Black-Owned Businesses below!
Turn on the news, and what you’ll see is a country that is bleeding from the consequences of racism, inequity, and injustice. As a black woman raising a black child, I feel it’s important to not only step up to end...
Summer break is here, which means my little beauty has made it through Pre-K. While I’m so excited that she gets to enjoy some downtime, the other part of me is freaking out because I know Kindergarten is quickly approaching. Like most children, Kalyn’s school year was cut short due to school closings. We’ve spent countless hours homeschooling, but the mama bear in me constantly questions if we’ve done ENOUGH to ensure that she is ahead of the game for the next school year.
Today, I’m sharing my version of a Kindergarten Readiness Checklist along with a few of my favorite home-school tips to continue learning even over summer break.
Tip 1: Read Daily
Did you know that children who read daily have bigger vocabularies, score higher on tests, and have better focus?These are a few of the many reasons we incorporate reading into our daily learning. We opt for reading before bedtime, and now that Kalyn is starting to read with my support, I use this as a time to reinforce practice of sight words or word families that she has learned.
Tip 2: “Write Daily”
Kalyn can’t quite sit down and write story yet, but she can draw a picture and tell a story of what’s happening in the picture. This is the start of a strong writer! Incorporating daily drawing gives children a change to put their imaginations to work, as well as to practice story telling, sequencing, and identifying main characters.
Tip 3: Numbers Are Everywhere
We generally play a math related game each day. Hopscotch has become Kalyn’s new favorite. It’s a wonderful to master counting and recognizing numbers 1-10, and and added bonus is that it gets your children moving and practicing some serious balance!
Tip 4: Social Skills Go A Long Way
The transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten is a HUGE one. Many times, children can feel overwhelmed with all of the new rules of a “big kid” school. It’s critical to begin teaching your children routines and rituals such as waiting their turn, using manners, knowing when/how to ask for help, and showing kindness/empathy to others. These simple skills will help your child transition smoothly into a new role as a student.
Tip 5: Have Fun
Learning should be something that every child LOVES! Don’t be afraid to incorporate games, music, and creativity to master skills and to have an enjoyable experience. Pull out that shaving cream for sight words, mix up some frosting with food coloring to learn colors, go on a walk to recognize shapes! Make learning memorable through play and loads of fun. Your children (and their teachers) will thank you later!
Do you have young children? What are some ways you are helping them learn at home?