One thing I’ve learned from the popular From the Mouths of Moms parenting tips series is that every mom, child, and family is different. And each mom assesses their own unique experiences, values, and circumstances to make the best parenting decisions possible for their own child and family. Each mother knows best and tries to do her best for her child.
So why not share and learn from one another; moms helping moms. Every Tuesday, I will spotlight one mama and her “best” tips for mothers on parenting advice, resources, and products. Last week I shared my personal “bests.” This week I’m so excited to introduce you to Rebekah, the beautiful and creative mama behind The Golden Gleam…
Mama Knows Best
Rebekah from The Golden Gleam
Best Pregnancy or Birth Advice
Indulge in cute clothes and pedicures. Pregnancy is tough, so don’t feel guilty doing something that makes you feel cute.
Best Parenting Website
Free Fun In Austin is my go-to place for fun, free, frugal things to do with kids in town.
Best Blog for Moms
The cartoons at Crappy Pictures always make me laugh, and moms need to laugh more.
Best Baby Product
Mei Tai Baby Carrier – My daughter needed to be held all the time as a baby, so this could keep my hands free and satisfy her need for physical touch.
Best Parenting Advice
You can’t do it all. I am still working hard on this, but I am getting better at delegating and accepting offers of help.
Best Parenting Book
The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine N. Aron – Insightful thoughts on sensitive kids and non punitive advice for parenting a child who is sensitive. It views sensitivity in a positive light, and it has shaped the way I view almost all parenting challenges. Just because a parenting issue is hard for me, doesn’t mean that something is wrong with my child. A lot of times changing myself improves a tough situation with my daughter.
Best Children’s Book:
The Maisy Series by Lucy Cousins – It was the first series my daughter adored, and it is perfect for tots with books about everyday life and friendship in simple language and pictures.
Best Kids’ Toy
Dollhouse – It’s the one toy that has captivated my daughter and brought alive her imagination for two years now.
Best Kids’ Game
Right now my daughter’s favorite board game is The Ladybug Game.
Best Kids’ Craft
Contact paper and tissue paper crafts like these rainbows are always a hit in our house. Simple and pretty.
Best Outdoor Play Idea
Playing with a chalk has always been a favorite for my daughter.
Best Way to Stay Organized
Labeled Storage Bins for toys makes it easier for your child to clean up. One of the best ways to keeping a clean house is making it easy for kids to help tidy up too.
Best Way to Keep a Happy Relationship or Marriage
Don’t forget to pay attention to your partner too. One of my big problems is that I get so caught up in being a mom that I forget to show the adults in my life they are special to me too. It’s important for kids to see parents doing nice things for each other even if that means a little less time with the kids.
Best Family Outing or Vacation
We’ve been to some pretty fabulous places with our daughter, but the trip she keep talking about is to Hot Springs.
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Kerbey Lane Cafe. It’s an Austin chain, and has kid friendly food like pancakes, and has healthy, home cooked food that appeals to grown ups.
Best Family Meal or Recipe
Taco Chicken Bowls. Crockpot meals are the best for families, and this is one recipe that is healthy and appeals to a crowd.
Best Behavior Management or Discipline Tip
When you say no, mean no. I don’t mind explaining a no to my daughter, but it is confusing to a child when you tell them they can’t do something but then relent when they whine or cry about it enough. It may make things easier in the short run, but not in the long run.
Best Way to Spend a Mommy Moment
Drinking an entire cup of coffee without being interrupted.
Rebekah shares some of her BEST parenting, play, and art ideas over at The Golden Gleam. Like her on Facebook to learn ways to light up kids’ lives.
What are your “bests,” Mama?
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I love to link up with: Thrift Share Monday, Made by Little Hands Monday, Learning Laboratory Monday, Ta-Da Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Tip Toe Through Tuesday, Tuesday Tots, Tip Me Tuesday, Get Your Craft on Tuesday, Show & Tell Tuesday, Made by Me Wednesday, Sugar & Spice Wednesday, Kids Get Crafty Wednesday, The Mommy Club Wednesdays, Happy Lil Hearts Are Baking, It’s Playtime Thursday, What Are Little Boys Made of Thursday, The Weekly Kids Co-op, Read Explore Learn Friday, For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Craft Friday, Show & Share Saturday, and Link & Learn Sunday.
Kimberly Sminkey says
Thanks for this wonderful bit of information! So glad you linked this up with us as all mom's can use a tip or 2!
JDaniel4's Mom says
The taco chicken bowl looks awesome!
Mama Pea Pod says
Great post – Rebekah, I love you even more after reading this! Great tips all round. I also bought and loved The Highly Sensitive Child. I only wish everyone else in the world would read it, too!
Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom Blog says
Lovely to get to know more about you, Rebekah, and your tips, too! I definitely agree with no means no…especially when you have sneaky little kids, like mine, who know just how to work it to get what they want 🙂
Leigh Ann says
High five on the Ladybug Game!
PlayDrMom says
Great post! Looking forward to more in the series!
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Thanks, Laura!
MaryAnne K says
What a fun series! Thoroughly enjoyed this post 🙂
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
Thanks, MaryAnne!
Rebekah says
Thank you so much for including my thoughts. =) I love all the images too. They add so much to the post. I will be sharing this later today.
Krissy Sherman Bonning says
My pleasure, Rebekah! It was fun getting to know you better.