Mom Hacks, Tips & Tricks

Disclosure :: this post is sponsored by Children's Hospital of New Orleans. Helping Children Cope After the Flood As the waters begin to recede and the great cleanup begins, the hard emotional work is also beginning for parents and children of south Louisiana. It can be understandably difficult for parents to maintain a sense of normalcy when life is now so different. How a child reacts depends on the level of stress they’ve experienced (having their home flood vs. hearing about the flood), and they will take their cues from adults as to how to cope. Parents should understand that feelings of sadness, difficulty sleeping, physical aggression, emotional outbursts, regression to “babyish” behaviors and increased distractibility can all be signs of...

10 Things You CAN DO for Flood Victims “Actions speak louder than words” is a saying that most everyone has heard throughout their life. Most of us understand the concept behind it, but for the Louisiana flood victims this saying is taking on a whole new meaning in their life that was turned upside down. I previously wrote a blog stating the 10 things you should not say to flood victims. Comforting words may seem appropriate, but sometimes words are not enough. In times like these, a listening ear, comforting arms, helping hands, and a shoulder to cry on is what they need most. They physically need you. In addition to telling your friend whose house flooded how sorry you are...

Author’s Note :: This blog was a collaborative effort of survivors of flooding and their thoughts on how common sayings have made them feel. Not all statements resonated with all victims, but I felt each one was important to list so that readers could understand their feelings behind the well-meaning comments. I have said many of these things and probably still do today. The list is not meant to demean others, but to give a new perspective on how some flood victims feel, remind others to be sensitive to their feelings and offer assistance if at all possible. As always, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and raw emotions. Giving support from your heart is ultimately the main...

Disclosure :: Staging and selling a house with kids in it is no easy task. Chelsea Meng, a full-time Realtor at CJ Brown, shares her top tips for how to sell a house with kids in this sponsored post.  How to Sell a House in 10 Days (With Kids) Ok, so I can’t promise that your house will sell in 10 days, but as a Realtor and a mom, I’ve learned a few things about what makes buyers envision their sofa in your living room and what makes buyers trip over your legos running back out the front door. Selling your home is hard, but selling your home with rambunctious kids is even harder. Here are some tips and to dos to keep...

The Importance of Recognizing Child Abuse {and How to Prevent It} Child abuse comes in a number of different forms but can have lasting, devastating effects on the victims and their families. The psychological damage that can come as a result of abuse can last for years, well into adulthood, and can lead to substance abuse issues, legal battles, and a cycle of violence and neglect that affects future generations. It’s imperative, then, that we know what the different types of abuse are, how to spot the warning signs, and how to keep it out of our own homes. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that 1 in 7 children suffered from some form of abuse in the past year....