(emily)
Looking for a new backpack and lunch box this school year? Check out Apple Park's adorable Penguin Backpack and Lunch Pack, available at FranklinGoose.com.
Not only are these two incredibly well-made and absolutely adorable, they're made with 100% recycled fabric from PET bottles. 24 bottles are used to create 1 backpack and 9 bottles for 1 lunch pack, saving 33 bottles from landfills!
We love our Supermoms! This month we’ve asked you to share about your lives as mothers. Here are your answers! And we might be biased, but we’re so proud to be in a community with moms like you!
Why do you love being a mom?
On the rare occasion my kids do something that makes me smile and feel like I'm doing a good job. For example, we were outside playing at a playground and there were 4 siblings there with 3 scooters. All the older kids took the 3 scooters and took off leaving the youngest crying because he wanted to ride one. My daughter ran to our house and got her scooter for him to play with. I was so proud of her for being so kind and noticing/fixing the problem.
(Sorry, I guess I shouldn't say on the "rare occasion" I meant that I rarely get to witness these things because they are in school or I'm just not there to see it.)
Stacy R.
Getting to see and be a part of so much of their development. Watching them go from sweet sleepy babes, snuggling on my chest to crawlers discovering their world to little people sitting there reading a book to himself (one I've read to him a million times) and challenging boundaries, becoming more confident.
Also motherhood has given me so much more confidence as a person. I'm better at dealing with stress and trusting my gut, seeing the big picture and letting go of the bad.
Kim S.
What did your mom teach you about being a mom?
To always keep them in your prayers and you really don’t know everything because kids surprise us.
Bianca M.
That my brothers and I were the best accomplishment of her life and to treat all people with respect!
Sarah G.
What is something no one told you about motherhood?
That it's okay to be frustrated and make mistakes and feel like you don't know what the heck you are doing - your kids will love you anyway!
Donna W.
Remember nobody's perfect. Everybody has a different way of doing things and that's fine! Life will go on and the little things that you screw up will soon be forgotten! Be a peaceful mama and kids and hug every boo boo!
Kristen C.
That sometimes your child will say something do profound that it will stop you in your tracks. And you'll know it will all be OK.
Caley C.
What advice do you have for a first time mother?
Breathe!
I've learned we all seem to have the same or similar worries and the babes have their own timetable. You aren't alone, you aren't weird, and there is no shame in asking for help/support!
Katja W.L.
Hire a postpartum doula or have someone hire one for you.
McRae B.
What is the funniest thing one of your children has done?
When my now 12 yr old son was 2, he was helping me put away groceries. I had bought douche, and the box had opened, so all the bottles (sans applicators) were loose in the bag. My son comes running to me, douche bottle in each hand, yelling "Kool-aid, mommy, Kool-aid!" He then proceeded to have a complete melt down, first because I said no, then because I couldn't help laughing like crazy lol. 10 years later, I still get a laugh out of it.
Amy F.
My potty training son tried to poop in the yard the other day because the dog does it.
Sara L.
What is the best advice another mom gave you?
Don't get caught up in when your children hit milestones compared to other people's children. They will all get there, it's not a race. Just enjoy it!
Kyndal F.
She said "Don’t listen to other moms."
Bryanna S.
Smile and say "thank you" to the random pieces of advice you get (from family, friends, and strangers); then do what you want to do. You know you and you know your kid better than anyone.
*My mom told me this and included herself. Even now (I have a 4.5 yo and a 9 m.o.) when she gives me advice, she reminds me that I don't have to take it.
Evelyn C.
Be careful when confronting a mother, because the kids will be playing at recess tomorrow with it all forgotten!
Lanette Z.
Enjoy your children at the stage they are in and try not to rush it. They are really only little once. And, appreciate (verbally) ANYTHING your hubby does to help with the baby.... even if he doesn’t do it just like you do
Karyn W.
Get an amber necklace... and if you have no energy Franklin Goose will mail it to you!!!! Every momma has been so thankful to know you all will do this for them.
Christine G.
(Thanks, Christine! It’s our pleasure.)
What is your favorite Mothers’ Day memory?
Right now. Laying on the beach with Zoe sleeping on my chest. I’ll never forget this moment. Amazing!
Katie C.
How many hugs did you get as gifts on Mother’s Day?
I got kisses from a baby that learned to "give me a kiss" and "blow a kiss to mommy" this week. Best present ever!
Katie C.
(emily, maryjo, & amber)
Toys are great for two reasons: they provide children with entertainment and learning at once. If you think about it, how many toys feature the alphabet or numbers or encourage problem-solving? Toys allow children to learn in a fun way.
A lot of times we buy toys for children and do not think much about how that toy will help them other than amuse them for a while.
With some children, however, considering the educational side of toys when purchasing a gift is beneficial. Autistic children struggle with communication, expression, relationships, and interaction. Yet toys can be a great way for them to develop.
The three of us (Emily, Maryjo, and Amber) have had different experiences with autistic children. We’ve interacted with children in both professional and personal settings, and together we’ve compiled a list of different toys we believe would be beneficial for children with autism.
They foster achievement through cause and effect and problem solving. Peg puzzles feature pictures for where the pieces go. For autistic children, this visual cue is a positive reinforcement for finding independent success while completing the puzzle.
Sitting down and reading with a child has so many benefits. First, it develops language and vocabulary. It also encourages social interaction between the child and adult, and reinforces listening skills and following oral directions. While reading to a child, adults can encourage pointing, a fine motor skill.
A dollhouse provides great imaginative play that encourages the development of language and social interaction. Playing encourages the use of new words, and allows for discussions of daily routines and the expression of emotions.
All children need to learn these skills, but for some children they will have a harder time developing them. Encourage all children, autistic or not, with toys that foster achievement. Keep in mind that each autistic child is unique, so play to your child’s strengths. Encourage him or her. Play with your child. Choose toys that encourage hand manipulation and that will encourage your child to communicate.
(emily)
Hey guys, who’s ready to learn their ABCs?
We’ve been tossing around a few ideas on how to encourage children to learn their letters, and we’ve come up with some fun ideas we’re eager to share you.
If you’re a new parent and the idea of having to teach your child things like the alphabet and numbers, has you feeling a little overwhelmed. Don’t be. This is going to be fun.
It’s important to note that most children will begin to recognize letters when they are about 2-3 years old. More advanced development like spelling and writing will happen when your child is about 4 or 5, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to create a lesson plan. Just play.
Focus on helping your child recognize and name letters. The easiest way to do this is to start with the most important word in your child’s vocabulary: their name.
Your child’s name is most important because it’s the word he/she “owns.” It’s his/her name, and no one else’s; therefore, it is special. Make the most of this. Write out his/her name as much as you can: sign his/her artwork with it, arrange it with magnetic letters on the refrigerator door, decorate hers/his bedroom door with it – make it a constant presence in their life, and call their attention to it. Each time you write it out, point to each letter and encourage your child to name it.
Start small. Use your child’s first name or nickname. Continue with hers/his middle name and surname, or encourage your child to name other words that begin with the letters in their name: D-A-N. Dog. Apple. Nose.
There are several creative ways you can reinforce letters with your child:
Alphabet Cookies – This is a very traditional way to teach your child letters. Bake cookies in the shape of letters. Go over the letters as you decorate and eat them. You can make the whole alphabet, just your child’s name, or even just one letter to focus on.
Once your child is consistently recognizing letters, they can help you make the letter cookies, too.
(image courtesy of baking for good blog)
Matching/Memory Game – Using alphabet flash cards, encourage your child to match the letters. You can do this by
or
You can have the flash cards feature all capital letters, all lowercase letters, or one of each, matching the capital letter to its lowercase form.
Alphabet Treasure Hunt – This is a great way to learn letters because it’s sensory, so it’s a lot of fun for children who are very tactile.
Get a set of letters – magnets, foam, wooden, whatever you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Find something to hide them in, be it a sandbox or a bowl of rice – or even a bowl of goo! Let your child dig through and find a letter. Discuss the letters as they are found. What your child is searching through will affect how quickly your child finds the letters.
Really young children will enjoy searching through for the letters. For older children who have a stronger knowledge of the alphabet, you can tell them which letter to search for by naming it or offering the sound the letter makes. You can also encourage older children to find the letters in order, starting with A.
Remember, children have a very short attention span, so if your child isn’t interested in learning the letter J at the moment, that’s okay. Keep your learning time age appropriate: if your child is 1, spend a minute on the letter. If your child is 2, then spend 2 minutes; 3, spend 3 minutes; etc. You can always come back to the letter later on in the day.
Children also learn differently from each other. You’ll be able to pick out activities and ways of learning that work better for your child the more time you spend with them. You can tailor activities to benefit your child. If one game is a favorite with your child, use it, and find others like it.
The main thing is to work at your child’s speed. Challenge your child, but have fun, too. Your child will enjoy learning because he will get to spend time with you, and if you’re having fun, he will have fun.
Franklin Goose offers several different toys that can make learning fun!