“Dasher is a captivating tale that gives us all the feels of the Christmas Spirit with the story of Dasher.” – Momma Braga
Synopsis
Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life – one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It’s not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh – a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Dasher is a captivating tale that gives us all the feels of the Christmas Spirit with the story of Dasher. We have all heard of Rudolph but have you ever wonder about the other reindeers? I know that we have and now we get to read the tale of Dasher from this author’s perspective, Matt Tavares.
So what did we think of it? We loved it! Such an articulated tale full of hope, love and magic. A perfect combination for a Christmas story and one that should be told. We love hearing stories on other icons that may not have had any light shine on them previously. Good on Dasher for getting her spotlight! By the way, we love to know that Dasher is a female. For some odd reason, I always thought that Dasher was a male so this was great to learn. 😉
Therefore, for this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give Dasher 10 stars out of 5! It is an absolutely beautiful story through words and illustrations. We truly recommend this book for children ages four to eight. However, this book is great for the child in every person who wonders how Santa’s great team of reindeers became the team who bring much joy to children around the world.
If you would like to bring this book to your collection and into your reading collection, click here.
About the Author
Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of Crossing Niagara, Henry Aaron’s Dream, There Goes Ted Williams, Becoming Babe Ruth, and Growing Up Pedro, as well as Zachary’s Ball, Oliver’s Game, and Mudball. He is the illustrator of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Over the River and Through the Wood, Lady Liberty by Doreen Rappaport, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, and Jubilee! by Alicia Potter. Most recently he wrote and illustrated the modern Christmas tale Red and Lulu. Matt Tavares lives in Ogunquit, Maine.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
The leaves are starting to turn colours, the air is getting crisp and the smell of Autumn is filling the air. All clear signs that Fall is soon upon us.
Now when we think of Fall, we rarely think of swimming but we would like to change that especially with the great new services offered at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools.
Here is what is new at Aqua-Tots Burlington.
New Swim Club
Make a splash in a new club this Fall! This service is open to swimmers in Level 7 and 8. Swim Club is a 30-minute program intended to help advanced swimmers with developing endurance and stamina. Students will have the opportunity to refine technique in all the major strokes as well as working on their flip turns while swimming the whole length of the pool!
This weekly Swim Club is an easy drop in on Tuesday from 8 PM to 8:30 PM and will be available on a pay per class basis. Swim Club is perfect for those swimmers aspiring to move into competitive swimming down the line.
New Adult Lessons
Who says only kids can learn how to swim?! It’s never too late to start! The one-on-one (private) adult swim lessons will include a personalized approach to every adult’s individual goals whether that be building basic comfort in the water or wanting to master the breaststroke, you now can with this new service.
These lessons will be offered in 30-minute segments on a pay per class basis. These classes will be available during lunch time every Thursday.
Family Swim
Fall and winter can be tough to get through especially when you have little ones at home that get the wiggles! As parents we want to help everyone in the family stay active heading into the cooler weather days. This is why Aqua-Tots is hosting 3 FREE Family Swims every week including: Wednesdays from 12 PM to 1 PM; and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM to 2 PM. These family swims are great for bonding with your wee ones and also a wonderful opportunity for older children to show off the swim skills they learn in class. The pool is 90 degrees which helps everyone stay warm and comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside.
There you have it! Three new amazing services that are being offered this Fall at Aqua-Tots in Burlington. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to join one or all of the new services.
As we have mentioned before on our blog, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools are great schools that truly teach the importance of water safety while still having fun. They provide a much-needed service to the communities they serve and I am truly grateful for them.
If you would like to learn more about these new services or how you can get your child enrolled in a swim program, please feel free to contact them at 905.331.3393 or send them an email at burlingtoninfo@aqua-tots.com. They will be splashing for joy when they hear from you!
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
This article is a paid partnership with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Views and opinions expressed here belong to Momma Braga.
“Curious minds are rewarded with curious answers in a fantastical bedtime book by Marc Barnett and Isabelle Arsenault.”
Synopsis
Why is the ocean blue? What is the rain? What happened to the dinosaurs? It might be time for bed, but one child is too full of questions about the world to go to sleep just yet. Little ones and their parents will be charmed and delighted as a patient father offers up increasingly creative responses to his child’s nighttime wonderings. Any child who has ever asked “Why?” – and any parent who has attempted an explanation – will recognize themselves in this sweet storybook for dreamers who are looking for answers beyond “Just because.”
#MelAndNikkiReview
Just Becausetakes creativity to a whole new level in answering the infamous “Why” and we LOVE it!
As the child tries to get the answers to some of the most common questions that we are asked, dad gives with out of this world responses. At first, Nikki would look at me and say, “Is this really true?” I had to tell her that these were responses used with imagination to make it more fun before going to sleep. Nikki loved that and started to ask me questions to get out of this world responses. In all honesty, I am not as creative as Marc is in Just Because.
The sweet illustrations tie everything in beautifully and it truly brings imagination to life. The whole book is just so unique in taking the standard response of, “Just Because” and makes it so much more fun. It reminded me that a big part of being a child is to have fun and that anything is possible. Therefore, for this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give Just Because10 flying fishes out of 5! You will love it too!
Momma Braga: Nikki why are there clouds in the sky?
Nikki: That is where angels sleep.
This book is recommended for children ages four to eight. If you would like to purchase this lovely book, click here.
About the Author
Marc Barnett is the author of several books for children, including Caldecott Honor Books Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, both illustrated by Jon Klassen; President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen; Leo: A Ghost Story, illustrated by Christian Robinson; and the Terrible Two series, co-written with Jory John and illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Marc Barnett lives in California.
About the Illustrator
Isabelle Arsenault is the creator of Alpha, Colette’s Lost Pet, Albert’s Quiet Quest and the illustrator of several other picture books, including Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year; Captain Rosalie by Timothee de Fombelle; and Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois by Amy Novesky. Isabelle Arsenault lives in Montreal.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
Books, books, books! Judy’s got books on the brain as she prepares for a totally RARE trivia competition. Has reading always been this exciting?
Judy Moody is in it to win it. Win the Book Quiz Blowout, that is. Judy and her brother, Stink, are two-fifths of the Virginia Dare Bookworms, and they’ve been reading up a storm to prepare for Saturday’s face-off against second- and third-grade readers from the next town. Judy’s trying out all kinds of tactics, from hanging upside down like Pippi Longstocking to teaching herself to speed read The Princess in Black, and Stink has fashioned a cape of book trivia sticky notes to help him remember all the penguins in Mr. Popper’s Penguins. But when Judy, Stink, and their fellow teammates discover the other group has a fourth-grader (no lie!), they get a bit nervous. Are the Bookworks up to the challenge?
#MelAndNikkiReview
Judy Moody Book Quiz Whiz is such an amazing book to read! But then again it is a Judy Moody book and they should be great! 😉
Never in my wildest dreams did I think book reading would be as exciting as it was in this book. The trivia competition had me on the edge of my seat as I wondered who would take it all as I was cheering for Judy of course! This book did not disappoint! What I found neat about this one was the referencing of other books within it and at the back of the book, every single book that was mentioned is referenced. LOVE THAT! Judy Moody Book Quiz Whiz is just simply great and a must read for young readers.
Therefore, for this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give it 5 stars out of 5! Keep inspiring us Judy Moody and encouraging young minds to love reading.
We recommend this book for children ages six to nine. If you would like to purchase a copy of your own, click here.
About the Author
Megan McDonald is the creator of the popular and award-winning Judy Moody and Stink series for older readers. She is also the author of three Sisters Club stories, two books about Ant and Honey Bee, and many other books for children. Megan McDonald lives in California.
About the Illustrator
Peter H. Reynolds is the illustrator of the Judy Moody and Stink books and the author-illustrator of The Dot, Ish, Sky Color, So Few of Me, The North Star, Rose’s Garden, The Smallest Gift of Christmas, and Playing from the Heart. Born in Canada, he now lives in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
Have you ever had the disagreement of which one was better: Fairies or Unicorns? Do you have a specific magical creature that you love the most?
Well, we have been presented with this very question by one of our favorite book publishers, Tundra Books. Of course there is no better way to determine our answer with two new stories that feature each character in depth. From beloved BC creators Ashley Spires and Cale Atkinson come two new picture books celebrating those most magical of creatures, fairies and unicorns!
Esther the fairy doesn’t believe in magic. But fairies are all about magic, despite Esther’s best efforts to reveal the science of their world. No matter how she and her bird, Albert, explain that rainbows are refracted light rather than a path to gold, or that mist is water evaporating rather than an evil omen, or the importance of the scientific method, her fairymates would rather just do magic.
So when the other fairies’ solution to helping a dying tree is to do a mystical moonlight dance, Esther decides to take it upon herself to resuscitate the tree with the scientific method, some hypothesizing, a few experiments and the heady conclusion that trees need sunlight to live!
But while Esther manages to save the tree, she can’t quite change the minds of her misguided fairymates…or can she?
About the Author
Ashley Spires grew up in Tsawwassen, BC and after stints living in Toronto and Saskatoon, she now lives in Ladner, having made an educated decision to never move from B.C. again. She is the creator of the Binky The Space Cat series of junior graphic novels and the bestselling The Most Magnificent Thing, soon to be an animated short film. When not drawing, she is often jogging with her dog Gordon or cuddling her growing brood of cats. For more info, click here.
The unicorn is the most noble and beautiful of all the beasts. Colorful and shiny coats, luscious manes that smell of cinnamon, sparkly hooves. But not much was known about this fascinating species…until now.
Top professors working in the field of Unicorn Science have come together for the first time to create this comprehensive guide to the unicorn: Dr. Glitter Pants, Grand Unistorian; Dr. Sprinkle Steed, Doctor of Magic; Dr. Star Hoof, Rainbowmetrics Specialist; and Dr. Sugar Beard, Certified Hornologist.
These highly trained scientists will reveal all of the secrets you’ve been dying to find out: What is a unicorn’s horn made of? Why do I never see unicorns? What do unicorns like to eat? And what do unicorn homes look like? (Hint: there are guard’n gnomes, a ball pit and gummi bears growing on trees.)
This book will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about unicorns — and more. But please, handle with care, or you may be seeing sparkles for weeks.
About the Author
Cale Atkinson is an illustrator and animator living lakeside with his family in Kelowna, British Columbia. Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. He is the illustrator of many children’s books, including If I Had a Gryphon, and he wrote and illustrated Where Oliver Fits and Sir Simon: Super Scarer and many more. His work can also be found in animated shorts, television and games. He has not met a unicorn…yet. For more info, click here.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Now if you were not a fan of fairies or unicorns then you may just be after reading both of these books. Both books bring all the great traits that we love in both magical creatures and they also teach us a few new things that we can appreciate.
We absolutely loved the different perspective Fairy Science brought forth to the little readers. The use of science in the book was perfect and really gets the young minds to ask questions and wonder how things truly work. This earned some extra points in our books. Did we forget to mention how great the illustrations are in this story?! They are absolutely perfect and really bring the story to life. Therefore, for Fairy Science we give it 10 pixidust out of 5!
Unicorns 101 is just as amazing as it gives us the 101 all things unicorns. We definitely learned a lot about unicorns and had some giggles along the way. It was truly creative and hilarious to read. My favorite part is when we were shown what a baby unicorn looks like – too adorable! But be warned as if you stare for too long you may see only glitter for weeks! 😉 HeHe. The illustrations are vibrant and perfect in our education lesson on all things unicorn. Therefore, for Unicorns 101 we give it 10 sparkles out of 5!
You can rest assured that if you decide to read Fairy Science or Unicorns 101, it will not disappoint the inner magical creature in yourself! Both books are recommended for children ages three to seven (or if you are like me, age is no limit as long as you love great children stories).
Now the BIG question has still be unanswered by us…Which side are we on? Team Fairy or Team Unicorn? You must click the video below to find out! 😉
If you would like to purchase Fairy Science, click here. If you would like to purchase Unicorns 101, click here. Neither will disappoint!
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*The books were provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
Summer is the World’s First Healthy Eating Doll and she is adorable! She is a magnetic doll that can easily tell which foods are good for her. Summer comes with a set of 20 colorful, wooden toy foods and a cute shopping bag. Healthy foods like apples, carrots, tomatoes, blueberries and broccoli, stick to her mouth so she can “eat” them. If the doll is offered a lollipop however, she will not take it. The effect of tasting and touching the foods is accomplished through the use of hidden magnets, that are safely and inconspicuously embedded in the mouth and the hands of the doll. Summer can easily pick up healthy foods with her hands and bring them to her mouth. She really knows what’s good for her!
This children’s picture book is filled with bouncy rhymes and gorgeous illustrations made entirely of fruits and veggies. It features food art created by over 10 talented artists from all around the world!
This book teaches children about healthy eating and you can combine the book with the doll in the learning experience.
#MelAndNikkiReview
We already fell in love with this product during their Kickstarter Campaign as we thought the concept was genius! Now we get to actually try it out for ourselves and our love for it has grown tremendously. It is such a great way to promote and encourage healthy eating. Nikki really got a kick out of the doll only picking up and “eating” the healthy foods. Nikki is still trying to figure out how Summer does it but we will keep that secret from her a little while longer. At the present time, we tell her that Summer is very smart and knows what’s good for her body and it works! 😉
The combination of Summer with the Healthy Foods Are Fun To Eat Book is fantastic! This children’s book is unique as it uses fruits and veggies to create the illustrations. Each page is breathtaking and it simply amazes me to see the art created with fruits and veggies. I think I need to up my mom game! 😉 You can use both the doll and book in teaching about healthy and unhealthy foods. Plus, the doll is so adorable that it is hard not to enjoy learning about different foods through her.
Therefore, for this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this delightful duo of Summer and The Healthy Foods Are Fun To Eat, 10 strawberries out of 5! It promotes healthy eating in the most fun way and we love the combination of doll and book. We recommend this for children ages three and up. This would be great for schools to use with young children as it can be a great tool in teaching.
If you would like to purchase the combo pack which includes Summer and the book, click here. If you just want to purchase Summer or the book on its own, you have that option too. Just click here and select which one you would like. We recommend the package. 😉
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
* This product was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
“A silly but adorable young readers book that will have everyone laughing out loud and learn a very important lesson too!” – Momma Braga
Synopsis
Meet Chick and Brain. And their friend Spot. Chick likes to follow the rules. Brain might not be as smart as he looks. And Spot just wants to eat lunch. In a graphic reader loaded with verbal and visual humor, Cece Bell offers a comical primer on good manners gone awry. Simple, silly, and perfectly suited for its audience, this tale of Chick and Brain’s constant misunderstandings and miscommunications proves once again that Cece Bell knows just how to make kids laugh.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Smell My Foot!was a hilarious read and my daughter truly enjoyed it. She couldn’t help giggle along the way. We just loved reading it from beginning to end. I also love the comic style layout which is probably why my daughter was so intrigued by the book.
Not only does the book offer us some good laughs but it also carries an important message which is manners and a surprising hero by the end. It is a great book for early readers to grasp reading as the words are easy to read and follow. We also love the illustrations as it fits in perfectly with the story. This book is recommended for children ages four to eight and we would have to agree. 😉
It is no surprise that for this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give Smell My Foot! 10 feet out of 5! Believe me, you will be laughing out loud in no time!
If you would like to purchase a copy, please click here.
About the Author
Cece Bell is the author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover and the Newbery Honor Book El Deafo. She is also the creator of the Sock Monkey picture books and Chuck and Woodchuck. Cece Bell lives in Virginia with her family.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
“A heartfelt celebration of twins and all the ups and a few downs that come along with it.” – Momma Braga
Synopsis
A boy and a giraffe may be unlikely twins, but they don’t see it that way.
These two do everything together from leapfrogging and trick-or-treating to dancing and even, sometimes, disagreeing. Each half of this perfect pair understands that being a twin may have a lot of ups and a few downs, but in the end, it’s great knowing there’s someone in your world who is just like you.
From a father of fraternal twins comes this silly and sly demonstration that the wonders of twinship have nothing to do with looking alike and everything to do with sharing an unbreakable bond – with a sibling, a friend, or even somebody from a different species.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Twins is an adorable children’s book that allows us to take a glimpse into twin life. Even though this likely pair may not look exactly the same, but they do have a bond like no other. We loved seeing that bond that they shared and how great it can be to have a twin. I always wondered what it would be like to have two of me. 😉
The story flowed nicely and it was an easy read. The illustrations were adorable and complimented the story beautifully. We recommend this book for children ages two to six and if you have a twin, this is a great book to celebrate you! 🙂
For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give Twins 5 stars out of 5!
If you would like to purchase a copy of our own, please click here.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
Many things in life have become more demanding and complex than when we were kids. With higher expectations, both for students and teachers, as well as additional challenges, like new curriculums and smartphones, homework is one of the many examples. Despite your already busy schedule, you have to teach your kids after school, while also making sure that you don’t interfere with their learning. This can be tricky, which is why these six great tips can be helpful.
Talk To The Teachers
Parents often don’t know how involved they should be in their child’s homework. The only way to find this out for sure is the speak to the teacher. You and your child’s teacher should be a team dedicated to the academic success of your kid. This is an important relationship, which means, like any other, communication is the key. For this reason, you should attend all school events.
Make A Study Space
Studying on the couch isn’t nearly as productive as your child would have you believe. After all, the living room is filled with distractions, from the television to siblings, and even pets. Your child must have a space dedicated to completing homework. This should be in a quiet and well-lit location, with plenty of space. As long as the room is free, your dining space could work well.
Provide The Proper Tools
Although most parents make sure their child has plenty of stationery for school, many kids leave their pencil cases in their lockers at the end of the day. To make sure your child has no excuse to skip their homework, you must have all the tools they might need, including a computer, printer, and ink cartridges. Remember to store these things together so that nothing gets lost.
Work With A Routine
Structure is very important for children, especially where homework is concerned. Different kids work best at different times of the day, so create a routine that works for your child. While most parents would prefer their kids to do their homework as soon as they get home, yours may not want to do that. No adult wants to begin the chores right after getting home from work, after all.
Focus On Healthy Habits
It’s not uncommon for kids to have several hours of homework to complete each night. When your child also has other after-school commitments, like sports or music, this leaves very little time in the day. While making time for homework is crucial, your child’s health is more important. If they aren’t getting enough sleep or skipping meals, you may want to talk to the teacher.
Set A Good Example
Kids learn by copying what their parents do. This means that, if your children see you working hard, they will know they should be doing the same. Although you don’t need to start pouring over a math textbook, you could let your child see you reading a novel or balancing the budget. Your child is much more likely to follow your advice if they see you doing the same.
We all want our kids to be successful, so help yours on their way by following the advice above.
The day I became a mom, I knew that I would do everything and anything to be the best mom that I could be for her. From that day on, I spent many sleepless nights and days to make sure that she was very well taken care of. However, in the first three years, I was neglecting myself. During the transition into motherhood, I forgot about me as a person.
I thought that my job was to be with my child 24-7 and I shouldn’t think about having “me time.” I thought this would have been selfish (#momguilt) of me to even think that I deserved some time away as I should only focus on caring for my child. But soon I realized that I wasn’t good to anyone when I was feeling defeated and drained. I really needed some time away to re-focus and be me.
After a chat with a long-time friend who also expressed the same struggles, we thought we should launch our Girl’s Night. After convincing each other that we really did deserve it (amazing how strong mom guilt is), we were setting up our first girl’s night. Our girl’s nights are sometimes every other month or sometimes a little longer as it depends on life’s schedule; however, we always try not to delay it too much as we know how important this time is for our sanity.
That is exactly what we have been doing and we have even included more of our friends when they are able to come hang out for a bit. The Girl’s Night is one of my favorite events and I always look forward to it.
It is so important to care for yourself and much more as a mom. This is why I felt it would be great to share seven reasons why I love Girl’s Night and how it has made me a better person.
Relaxing
Just a couple of hours away from the home with your girlfriends is a relaxing experience and many times it is much needed. It gives you time to regroup and focus. Keep in mind that girl’s night doesn’t mean anything grand or expensive. A simple outing for a coffee is great idea as long as its an environment you can feel relaxed in. Just think that you don’t need to hide from little ones to enjoy some time to yourself! It is also great not to worry about having to assist anyone with their meals or even asking if anyone needs to use the washroom. 😉
You can even do other activities such as yoga or hitting the gym. The possibilities are limitless when you are planning a get together with your besties. 🙂 We have opted to do dinner as we have started a bucket list of restaurants that we want to try out! 🙂
*We may even launch a restaurant review section if our readers are up for it! Send us an email at mommabraga@gmail.com and let us know which ones we should try in the Toronto and Mississauga area.
This may not apply to everyone but it does for me. On Girl’s Night I can just be me. I don’t need to worry about the language that I use (I work in the construction field and therefore, I have picked up on a few fowl words). 😉 You can speak freely with no filter and you don’t have to worry about being judged. It feels great to let loose and be yourself as it makes the evening much more enjoyable.
We tend to forget the people we are after we become parents and that person should never be forgotten as it makes who we are.
You can even be a little silly and try out Snapchat without your child getting in the middle. 😉 Here is my sister and I.
Laughter
Now you can’t have a girl’s night and not have laughter. That is my favorite part as we get to talk about everything and anything. We always have a great laugh as there are no limits on what we can say since there are no listening ears of little ones. We also get to share stories from our past and present that always bring a few more laughs that were unexpected.
Did you know how much laughter is good for your soul? It truly is and it helps with any stress that you are feeling. I honestly love to laugh and love to make those around me laugh (even if it is making a foul out of myself). 😉
Support
Now even though your child isn’t with you on a girl’s night, it doesn’t mean you can’t use this time to talk about them. We don’t eliminate talking about our children during our girls night as sometimes we need that listening ear. Having that support in-person is so amazing and bouncing ideas off one another on any parent struggle is so helpful. We use the time to vent, support and just be there for one another.
Parenting is not easy and it is great to get the support outside the home. Mind you, girl’s night is not around child talk but we know that if we need to we can talk to one another about it. Our girl talks cover an array of topics that are important to us and we know we will be supported.
My bestie, Tanya, and I at The Rec Room at Square One on one of our girls nights. Photo Credit: My sister Karen.
Self-Care
As moms we need to find the time to take care of ourselves. Girl’s night helps me with self-care as it helps me find my way back to my inner rock star that I am and allows me to let go of high expectations. The hardest part was to let go of mom guilt that many of us are encompassed with. I knew that having time for myself did not make me a bad mom and it was important for my self-care.
When we feel great about ourselves, we will be better people and moms at the end of the day. I didn’t realize how important my own self-care was until it took a toll on me. Now I am not last on the list of caring but at the same spot as my husband and daughter. We all come first and it has been much better for us all.
Reconnecting With Friends
Relationships are important to nourish as we take care of our relationships with our children and spouse. Our friendships are also important and we need to reconnect with them too.
Girl’s night is the opportunity to connect, laugh and grow friendships. Everyone needs a friend to talk, cry and laugh with and a night out is a reminder that they do exist! The best part is that you know they are true friends when you have been apart for months and as soon as you are together, you continue exactly where you left off at. That is the power of friendship! Even if it is just one friend, that is all that is needed. I always say quality over quantity.
Renewal of Appreciation
Spouse and child(ren) will have a renewal of appreciation for all that you do when you return. You will also feel the same way. It may only be a few hours away but that is just enough to freshen the mind and make the everyday whining okay again. That time away can make mom feel happy and that in turn will have everyone else feel happy. Who doesn’t like mom being happy?!
The appreciation when you return feels great as I am always greeted with lots of hugs and kisses from both my child and husband. It makes me feel great to know I was missed even if it was just for a short period of time. It is also great for children to see that it is ok for mom to be someone besides mom and that they have friends too. When I get ready to go out, my daughter always tells me how beautiful I look and that she hopes that I have a great time with my best friend. It always makes me feel great to hear it! We all love to feel appreciated in life.
My family.
Above all, girl’s night might only be once in awhile, but every mom deserves a girl’s night out whether they go for dinner or to see a play. It is a great reminder on how much fun being an adult really is.
Hope you are taking good care of yourselves moms and know that you are amazing in everything that you do! Let us throw away the mom guilt and remember to take care of mom as we deserve it.
