Mama Knows Best: For Mothers From Mothers [Andie from Crayon Freckles]

Best Pregnancy or Birth Advice
Don’t buy all the things on the lists that stores provide you when you’re getting ready for baby.  There are so many things that we spent money on that we didn’t end up using.  I read the book Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitzseveral times during my pregnancy.  Not only did it teach me about creating a birth plan and sticking with it, the meditations and imagery it provided allowed me to have a completely natural birth.

Best Parenting Website
I have relied on AskDrSears.com for four years ever since my lactation consultant referred me to his books. At times, the views and information that he, his midwife/nurse wife, and their 3 physician sons provide was the only support that  I had on my natural/co-sleeping/attachment approach to parenting.

Best Blog for Moms
Wow… I could make a list for this one.  Pretty much any of the talented ladies in the Kid Blogger Network have some amazingness to offer.  But if I had to choose just one, it would be hands on: as we grow because the site is such a great resource.

Best Baby Product
The baby wrap wins hands down.  I didn’t actually have a name brand one.  I had a very inexpensive version: a piece of jersey knit fabric that was 3’x6′.  I printed off the different wrap options off of the site and used it for the next 18 months.  Without a baby wrap, I don’t know how we would’ve ever made it through all those months of GERD and tummy troubles.

Best Parenting Advice
This is a simple one for me….Follow your gut.  Laugh at yourself.  Remember what it’s like to be small.

 

Best Children’s Book
This is a tough call with so many great books that I’d like to name.  I’d have to say that the best book would have to be The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  I get choked up at the end. Every time.

Best Kids’ Toy
LEGOs and Matchbox Carsare Bear’s current faves.  I don’t hesitate to buy them because I know that they will last him for many more years.

Best Kids’ Game
Candy Landalways has been and always will be the best children’s game hands-down!  It’s a classic.  I was so excited when Bear got to be old enough for us to play!

Best Kids’ Craft
There isn’t a particular craft that’s a favorite to me.  I love doing open-ended art with found items and traditional craft materials like pipe cleaners, craft pom poms, googly eyes, cardboard, and colored glue.

Best Outdoor Play Idea
Hm…This is a tricky one… Our outside play is mostly free play.  I love to watch Bear explore, hunt for bugs, and dig in the dirt.

 

Best Way to Stay Organized
I’m a list-maker, alphabetizing, color-coding momma.  Each member in our house has their own assigned colors.  I use them to add events onto the calendar, keep our travel toiletries together, etc.

Best Way to Keep a Happy Relationship or Marriage
Wow.  This is a tough one because there are just so many dynamics to a relationship.  I guess the basics are to keep communication, touch, and laughter an integral part of your day.

Best Family Outing or Vacation
Our zoo rocks.  We have a membership and go about every other week.  Whenever I take Bear, my husband or daughter are usually bummed that we went without them.  There’s plenty to see there that we can look at half of it per trip so we don’t get bored so easily.

Best Family Meal or Recipe
We love tacos. Tacos with beef and rice, tacos with chicken and beans, hard shell, soft shell… You name it, we love it.

Best Behavior Management or Discipline Tip
As much as possible, we use discipline with natural consequencesto handle negative choices our children make.  It allows us to walk through the repercussions with our children so that they can see what the effect of their choice is.

Best Way to Spend a Mommy Moment
Naps. I love naps 🙂

Andie Jaye is a former preschool teacher turned SAHM of two kiddos. Her blog, Crayon Freckles, is an eclectic mix of play, art, and learning activities. Mingled in are her perspectives on being a crunchy momma, having a long-haired hippy boy and using follow-your-gut parenting. See more of Andie on Crayon Freckles’ Facebook page or at Pinterest.

Do you have any clever parenting tips or fun kids’ activities?  I’d love to share them with my readers.  Just contact me for more information!

If you like this, get lots more by signing up for B-Inspired Mama’s Newsletter. And follow B-Inspired Mama on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!

I love to link up with: Thrift Share Monday, Made by Little Hands Monday, Learning Laboratory Monday, Tasty Tuesdays, Tip Toe Through Tuesday, Tuesday Tots, Tip Me Tuesday, Get Your Craft on 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, The Sunday Parenting Party, and Link & Learn Sunday.

This post may have affiliate or sponsored links. Please see my disclosure policy.