Mom to Mom

It's Almost Nap Time is hosting a Mom to Mom link party today.  She wants moms to share what has worked for them.

Three things popped into my head when I read her post.  They are not related to each other, nor are they new ideas.  Just three things I'm glad I do.

Baby Wearing - I have had some kind of carrier or sling for each of my children.  For Landon we had the Baby Bjorn front carrier.  I have to admit I only used it briefly because once he gained much weight, it killed my back.  My husband on the other hand loved/loves it.  We would do our grocery shopping with Landon strapped to his chest.  It was great Landon felt snuggled and loved and we could concentrate on the task at hand.  When our second came along I knew I wanted a sling for her.  I would need my two hands free to take care of Landon who was a mere 22 months old.  So I purchased a HotSling from Target.  It worked great.  It distributed the weight across my back.  She loved it too.  Then they got recalled for infants...so I was on the look out for something else for Baby #3.  My friend recommended the Sleepy Wrap.  Let me tell you, I wish I had had one from the beginning.  It keeps the baby so snuggly and it so comfortable.  I can do everything I need to, besides shower, with Levi snuggled up on my chest.  He has been a super baby, but does have some tummy issues, and when I put him in the Sleepy Wrap he relaxes and can sleep or just take in the world around him.  So I would recommend the Sleepy Wrap to any new mom.


Napping when Kids Nap - Do it.  Nap when your kids nap.  If some of your kids are too big for naps, have quiet time, and you nap.  I am telling you it makes you a whole new women, just getting a quick power nap.  I know you have a list of things to do during nap, and sometimes I have to skip nap too.  But if you would even just let yourself nap a few times a week, you will think more clearly and be much more productive.  I haven't had a straight 8 hours of sleep for a long time, because even once the baby is sleeping through the night little children wake and need taken back to bed.  So catching a quick nap during the day has been essential.

No shoes in the house - I know this may sound silly, but it really revolutionized my life.  Instituting no shoes in the house came from us moving into a home with hard wood floors on the first level.  I read up on how to care for them, and the worst thing you can do is wear your outside shoes on them.  It's like walking around with sandpaper on your feet.  So we started it to care for our hardwood floors, but it has had so many benefits.  First outside dirt stays at the door, so I have to sweep up less tracked in dirt.  Second, and possibly my favorite, we always know where the kids shoes are.  See we have a basket right by the door, and when the kids come in, their shoes go right in that basket.  No more running around the house trying to find where they took off their shoes the last time, as you are trying to get to the library or church.  So even if you don't care if you wear shoes in the house, having a central location for them is a must!

So there are my 3 quick and unrelated mom to mom tips.  What would yours be?