Breezy Mama

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Dogs and Kids: How to Keep Both Safe

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A friend suggested I cover dogs and kids safety after her Lab that she had owned since he was 8 weeks old — and is now 9 years old — bit her 4 year old on the face. Fortunately, the wound was superficial but it did cover half her face and required the work of a plastic surgeon. This dog is a great, great dog and was always very sweet to my three kids. However, as my friend said, “Small children are always at risk, especially ones that have no fear of animals and are extremely attentive…sometimes more attentive than the animal likes.” As their family comes to terms with their daughter’s surgery combined with the loss of a beloved pet, Breezy Mama turned to Joel Silverman, host of Animal Planet’s Good Dog U, for advice for other families to avoid this tragic situation.

Let’s face it – if a dog is a part of the family, there can be times when an overzealous child may do something to the dog – without realizing it – that can have a negative reaction such as biting. How can busy parents keep both the dog and the child safe?

The best way for busy parents to keep both their dog and child safe is by [Read more…] about Dogs and Kids: How to Keep Both Safe

Body Image: Tips for Helping Your Child Have a Healthy One

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Recently I nearly had a heart attack when I over heard my SIX year old and her bestie ask one another, “Do I look fat in this?” Another friend mentioned her Kindergarten son came home from school and asked her if she thought he was fat. What has Elmo been talking about their on the ‘ol Street? Seriously, I full well expected to address this issue at some point because I am raising children in bikini clad California, but ALREADY? Breezy Mama turned to Dr. de Freitas, a pediatrician and founder of Healthy Chats, for her advice for promoting a healthy body image no matter how young or old the child, signs a child/teen may have an eating disorder and more.

After hearing two six year olds ask one another if they look fat, what would you have recommended I had said? [Read more…] about Body Image: Tips for Helping Your Child Have a Healthy One

The Truth About Divorce, Protecting Yourself, Your Children and Your Assets

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Ironically, Breezy Mama Martha has learned a lot about divorce from being married… to a BIG D attorney. Recently, we were at our three year olds’ sports day and were told about a friend of a friend who is being taken advantage of after her husband decided to leave her and Martha said to me, “You need to tell moms how to protect themselves!” Breezy Mama turned to divorce attorney Jim Ratzer – a.k.a. Martha’s hubby – to get advice for moms either for themselves or to help out a friend who may need it and to our Go-to Psychologist Dr. Gordon Caras to discuss the best approach to take with the kids. Plus, Jenny of Perfectly Disheveled gives her firsthand account on life as a single mom. [Read more…] about The Truth About Divorce, Protecting Yourself, Your Children and Your Assets

Grandma Gonna Pinch Cheeks Again? Helping Your Kids Survive the Holidays

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IMG_4942Oh the weather outside is frightful, but you can help your kids stay delightful. And since we’ve got a lot of people to see and places to go, Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, gives Breezy Mama tips on helping your kids enjoy it so. From teaching them to appreciate that awful gift they were given to guidance on handling the relatives even you can’t, here you go, here you go, here you go…

Let’s face it — kids will get worn out during the holidays — how can parents manage their stress levels and keep the tantrums and meltdowns to a minimum?

Routine, routine, routine! The most important thing that parents can do is [Read more…] about Grandma Gonna Pinch Cheeks Again? Helping Your Kids Survive the Holidays

Crafternoon: 5 Cheap Boredom Busters

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100_2957Through the wonders of Facebook, Breezy Mama Rebecca and I reconnected after close to a twenty-year gap! It’s funny how not a moment goes by… except for the addition of kids! Recently, I learned in her post Carlsbad High (go Lancers!) life, she was a preschool teacher. She shared her crafty ideas that even I could be capable of.

As a stay at home Mama of two little ones, I absolutely love summer vacation. Every day is yours, no schedules to adhere to, no homework or carpooling, sleeping in, lazy days, water play, swimming, lots of time to do art projects and activities, play dates, popsicles, etc. But something starts to happen after a couple months of all that free time….burn-out, boredom and a sudden grasping at straws as to what to do to keep the children entertained. Those fun and new ideas we as Moms had in the beginning of summer no longer seem so exciting to the kids anymore. After all, it seems like we have been doing the same great ideas so often that they are now routine. With August already upon us, so is the typical end of summer boredom. Yawn! Moms are beginning to really appreciate that school will be starting again soon and some I know have even begun the counting down of days. Here are some fun, easy and low cost boredom busters you can do at home to mix things up a bit and reignite that spark of excitement in your children. And most importantly, just about everything needed to implement these ideas can already be found in your home. YAY! Music to a Mommy’s ears! Enjoy the final days of summer with your little ones and these simple, fun and easy projects.

5. Kool-Aid Playdough. This is a personal favorite that I have made with my preschool students (and now my own children) for years and years. What can make playdough even more fun than it already is? Yummy fruit scents, that’s what! We keep a plethora of playdough tools on hand and I try to switch things out and mix it up as often as I can. This keeps it [Read more…] about Crafternoon: 5 Cheap Boredom Busters