Ages & Stages

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Take Note.  Basis Baton Rouge Materra earns the coveted “A” Rating: A Closer Look at their Academic Achievement Basis Baton Rouge Materra, nestled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School District, has recently achieved an exceptional milestone by earning a coveted "A" rating. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the school's innovative approach to education and rightly deserves celebration. The process of assigning an A rating is rigorous and involves an evaluation of various aspects of the school’s academic performance. In Louisiana, a school’s overall letter grade, known as the School Performance Score (SPS), is based on the following factors: A large portion of the rating is based on state assessments including the...

So NOT Instagram Worthy I am often overwhelmed. I often find myself dreaming about the far away days when I don’t have someone always needing me. I imagine nights spent sleeping instead of chasing away bad dreams. I imagine stretching out without little feet in my back. Days spent in quiet, contemplative peacefulness. The ability to do whatever I want, whenever I want and to be able to take a bath without an impromptu audience busting down the door at any time. Am I the only one? Why do I feel like I am? WHY AM I NOT ENJOYING THIS?! I find myself comparing myself and my parenting to what I see on social media. You see, I know I’m looking at...

My husband was on his way home with both our girls. I had just arrived home from work, and I began my daily routine of feeding pets and changing into my workout clothes. I sat on the sofa and put on my socks and shoes. I wonder if my bonus-daughter’s phone is in her room, randomly popped into my head. I have never snooped at her phone before, so this thought was new and definitely random for me. But my brain could not let go. Starting to stretch for my evening run, I kept marinating on the idea. So, I said a little prayer, asking God for His wisdom, and I felt an even stronger urge to put my secret...

4 Reasons To Give A Kid A Camera Last Christmas I was talking with some friends about Christmas gifts for our kids when one recommended a toddler camera. I loved the idea! I remember getting my first "real camera." It was a purple Minnie Mouse camera that used 110 film and needed flash cubes. I'm sure it could get costly to buy film, flash cubes and pay for processing. Then there was the wait the time to get those photos developed. While all of that is probably a foreign concept to some, the prevalence of digital cameras makes getting one for a toddler, preschooler or young child much more reasonable and accessible. My kiddo was 3 that Christmas and it seemed like...

Dear Teen Mom, I See You I’ll never forget seeing those two pink lines. I was 16. I’d had a few different boyfriends since I turned 14, but this was my first serious relationship. He was thrilled. I was, understandably, terrified. After a very difficult pregnancy, we welcomed our first son two weeks before my 17th birthday. Of course, it was love at first sight. We had an awesome support system, and I know for a fact the days would have been a lot harder without the help and love we received from grandparents. I don’t take that for granted one bit; they were a saving grace on many nights when I wanted to give up from lack of sleep. In...