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Promote Speech and Language Development: Tools to Help Your Toddler Talk

Promote Speech and Language Development: Tools to Help Your Toddler Talk April is Autism Awareness Month. Speech Delay can coincide with Autism. Communication is always a goal for toddlers, whether communication delay is present or not.  You can benefit from tools to promote speech and language development whether your little one is meeting communication milestones or not.  Let's look at tools to help YOU help your toddler talk. Start with Sign Language Starting with or relying on sign language is not a hindrance to speech development - quite the opposite! Children mimic motor movements or move their bodies sooner than they say words.  Using signs to communicate can help your child get their needs met and reduce frustration while facilitating the use of spoken words. Use Mirrors Liberally What little one doesn't like to look at themselves? They may like to communicate with their reflection. Full length mirrors are great to show body movements that are an important pre-spe...
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Door Security: 5 Cheap Ways to Secure a Door

 Door Security: 5 Cheap Ways to Secure a Door There are many reasons to seek door security. Whether you're at home or in a hotel, you may wish to secure a door for peace of mind.  Perhaps a pricey security system isn't in the budget, or you're a renter not yet in your forever home and unable to install cameras, etc. Spring break is upon us, heralding the busy travel season.  You might have someone in the home that likes to open and close doors, is beckoned by the outdoors, and may be unaware of the potential dangers of wandering outside.  Safety should be a priority wherever you find yourself. Let's look at 5 cheap ways to secure a door.  Warning: there may be times when entry is desired, such as in the case of an emergency. Added security measures such as these could thwart such efforts and affect timely intervention.  **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your...
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Life Lessons from Rockefeller

Life Lessons from Rockefeller That's John D. Rockerfeller, Sr. I'm sure you've heard of him. He was a gilded age magnate who revolutionized industry in America and abroad.  Most known for The Standard Oil Company, Rockefeller was a shrewd businessman. He built a monopoly when there were not yet laws concerning big business. Monopolies such as Standard Oil were what led to anti-trust laws in America.  Rockefeller, Sr.'s Standard Oil was referred to as an octopus whose tentacles snaked across America along train tracks and pipelines. Regardless of how you feel about John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the man was a smashing success. Let's look at some life lessons from Rockefeller.  This post was inspired by the biography  Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow  (affiliate link). Strict Schedule Rockefeller adhered to a strict daily schedule. He had great sleep hygiene , and would rise and retire at the same time every day. He ate similar foods, and play...
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How to Feed a Picky Eater with Few Safe Foods

 How to Feed a Picky Eater with Few Safe Foods We often have many strongly held beliefs surrounding food and eating if we're honest with ourselves, and not all of these ideas are healthy.  Preconceived notions about food and eating can be amplified during the holiday season, which is already an emotionally charged time of year. Even more-so if you count a picky eater with few safe foods among your ranks. Feeding a picky eater with few safe foods is not as tricky as you think. Let's look at ways to approach this. **Disclaimer: the suggestions in this article assume that there are no underlying causes of picky eating. Consult a healthcare provider to rule out conditions that could lead to feeding difficulties or preferences. Offer a Variety of Foods Your job is to offer a variety of foods. Your child's job is to decide what and how much to eat. Always offer at least one safe food that you know your child will eat.  Continue to offer "sometimes, rarely or never" food...
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5 Ways to Express Gratitude as a Family

 5 Ways to Express Gratitude as a Family Gratitude is thankfulness. To practice gratitude is to express appreciation for your blessings - your substance and circumstances. It's acknowledging things that are going right or well. It's identifying that there can be good in the bad, beauty in struggle, purpose in pain, etc.   Expressing gratitude has mental and physical health benefits. Showing gratitude can improve sleep, mood, and immunity; it can decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, and improve outcomes of chronic pain and disease (source: Mayo Clinic ).  Expressing gratitude is an antidote to negative feelings that can result from comparison and imposter syndrome.  Pair expressing gratitude with something you do every day to make it a habit. I state three things I'm grateful for while my morning coffee brews. This helps set the tone  to start the day with a positive perspective. Expressing gratitude is a great tool to model and practice. Let's ...
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How to Keep Bamboo Fabric Soft. Washing, Drying and Storage Instructions for Bamboo Fabric.

How to Keep Bamboo Fabric Soft.  Washing, Drying and Storage Instructions  for Bamboo Fabric. Bamboo fabric is trending, and I don't see the obsession going away anytime soon. Bamboo fabric is soft, stretchy, lightweight and breathable. Bamboo fabric is well tolerated by little persons who suffer from  eczema  and sensitive skin. Bamboo fabric is a worthy investment. The stretch factor makes garments last longer for growing kids and adults whose weight fluctuates. Bamboo brands often have loyalists who frequent  buy, sell, trade facebook groups , meaning there is a resale market .   Posh Peanut is my favorite, Check out this post for more  bamboo brands to try. Bamboo has somewhat of a reputation for being bougie when it comes to caring for it, but don't let that deter you! Consider this your bamboo fabric care instruction guide to keep your garments soft and maximize your return on investment if you plan to  resale . **This post contains af...
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How do I Teach My Child to Take a Deep Breath?

How Do I Teach My Child to Take a Deep Breath? Teaching your child to take a deep breath is a valuable investment. Deep breathing is a self regulation tool that your child can use any place any time, and will remain useful when they get bigger.  The key is to practice deep breathing techniques during calm times. Think of deep breathing when it's calm like developing muscle memory, that way the skill will come easier in times of stress. The best way to teach your child to take deep breaths is to model and use props.  **This post contains affiliate links. I earn commissions from clicks and qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! 7 Props to Teach Your Child to Take a Deep Breath 1. Belly Breathe Demonstration and Music Videos  Warning: this  Sesame Street Belly Breathe Song  will get stuck in your head! The music video and Learn to Belly Breathe with Rosita  demonstration video are useful tools to model belly breathing.  Sho...
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Is it a Good Idea to Get a Pet? 10 Things to Consider Before You Get a Pet.

  Is it a Good Idea to Get a Pet? 10 Things to Consider Before You Get a Pet. This post is going to highlight some of the not so glamorous parts about having pets. Please, don't come at me! The truth is if done right, owning pets can be costly among other challenges.  At the time this post is being published, there is an epidemic of "Covid pets" - animals that were adopted while people were spending more time at home during the pandemic that are now being surrendered to shelters.  If you take on a pet without truly knowing what you're getting into or being in it for the long haul, then that's not fair to the animal either. Don't mistake me for a pet hater. I have two cats, and there was always at least one pet in my childhood home. I'm not denying the benefits of having pets, and realize that they can be beloved family members.  But let's explore some of the things pet owners might not realize they're signing up for when they get a pet. Is it a Goo...
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Best Stain Remover for Stains on Clothing

Best Stain Remover for Stains on Clothing Let's talk stains on clothing. Clothing is a tricky topic. It's a need, but according to  the Pareto Principle , only 20% of our wardrobe is worn 80% of the time. For the purpose of this post, lets focus on the 20% of our wardrobe that’s getting the most action! You’re doing life in these clothes. Stains on clothing are inevitable.   During the COVID-19 pandemic, I got pretty good at removing stains on clothing. Since I have a somewhat messy toddler, I had a lot of opportunities to practice! Here’s what I learned.   The Basics The following principles apply to ALL stains: The best stain treatment is AVOIDANCE . If you know you or your child is likely to get messy, maybe pass on the family heirloom garment. If you can, opt for “play clothes” that you don’t mind getting dirty. Utilize aprons or bibs if you’d like to preserve the garments, but it’s not a huge deal if they get ruined. Have your tot go topless and/or pant-less (if it’s...
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Screening colonoscopy prep and procedure: a firsthand account

Content warning: mentions cancer and death If I had a dollar for every time a patient came into my office and said they “want to be checked for cancer,” well…I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post! There is no single universal test for cancer, but common things happen commonly. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined ( cancer.org ). Screening for colorectal cancer should be on your list to be “checked for cancer.”  For those at average risk, screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45 ( cdc.gov ). If you want to know more about colorectal cancer incidence, risk factors and screening methods, then check out last week's blog post  here . I am at increased risk for colorectal cancer, because my father died from complications of colon cancer when he was only 45. So though I’m only in my thirties, I’ve already had my first screening colonoscopy, which is the gold standard screening method for individuals a...
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Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!

Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!  Let’s talk high yield savings accounts (HYSAs). Gone are the days of having “mattress money.” Or at least they should be. Why? Because you should not be keeping your emergency fund under your bed! Wouldn’t it be better to put your money where it could make you MORE money while you sleep instead?   If you have an emergency fund, you are already ahead of the game. Check out this article  that states only 44% of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings. An emergency or rainy day fund is just what it sounds like: money set aside for unforeseen costly circumstances. Think car or home repairs, medical emergencies, pet injuries - you get the picture. These things can happen to anyone, so we should all prepare for them. You’ll find that the more prepared you are, the less emergencies you will experience! So what should you do? First, aim to have $1,000 set aside. Ideally, you will...
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What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween?

What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween? From pillowcases to pumpkin pails, kids carry all kinds of candy receptacles to trick-or-treat. While much thought might not go into using a grocery bag, the use of different colored pumpkins for trick or treat could be intentional.  Just as trick-or-treaters can send a signal with what they carry to collect candy, people passing out treats can do the same with their Halloween decor. Whether you collect or pass out treats, arm yourself with the knowledge of what different colored pumpkins mean on Halloween to prepare for all sorts of trick-or-treaters. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Teal Pumpkins  Teal pumpkins represent food allergies. Your child with a food allergy can carry a  teal pumpkin trick or treat bucket .  Decorate your porch with a  teal pumpkin  to provide a more inclusive tr...
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