Mama Knows Best: for Mothers from Mothers [Laura from PlayDrMom]

One thing I’ve learned from the popular From the Mouths of Moms parenting tips series is that every mom, child, and family is different.  And each mom assesses their own unique experiences, values, and circumstances to make the best parenting decisions possible for their own child and family.  Each mother knows best and tries to do her best for her child. 

So why not share and learn from one another; moms helping moms.  Every Tuesday, I spotlight one mama and her “best” tips for mothers on parenting advice, resources, and products.  This week I’m excited to introduce you to one of my favorite mama bloggers, Laura from Play Dr. Mom…

Mama Knows Best

Laura from Play Dr. Mom

Best Pregnancy or Birth Advice … Every body and baby is different. Trust what your own body is telling you above the MOUNDS of unsolicited advice. (see my blog post, Trust Your Instincts) And above all, take care of yourself … physically and emotionally. Because giving yourself the best opportunity to be YOU allows you to be there for others.


Best Parenting Website … Google! It allows us to have endless information at our fingertips, an excellent calendar program, maps & directions, and a great free resource for editing photos!



Best Blog for Moms … I love so many of them … but I think the best is hands on: as we grow. It's one of the first I followed. The blog is organized wonderfully, looks great, and always has high quality posts. But I think what really makes it stand out is how much Jaime does to promote and support the “kid blogger” community!

 

 

Best Baby Product … When my “babies” were babies I loved my Boppy! It made it so much easier for me to breastfeed and snuggle my little ones while rocking them! It was also great for propping them up to take photos!



Best Parenting Advice … In those moments when you are stressed out and struggling with your child, take a step back and try to see the situation from their perspective. What are they really trying to communicate to you? Are the tired, hungry, lonely, angry, sad, confused? Remember how young they really are and how much they still need to learn about coping with the world, self, and others. (I wrote more about this, Princesses Don't Wear Socks)

 

 

Best Parenting Book … I don't have a favorite one, but I DO think it's really important for every parent to have a book on children's development … not just motor skill and physical development, but what type of behaviors are normal for each age. It's a great resource for parents to be able to check if what their child is doing is typical or “normal” for that age. So many children are labeled “bad” for simply just acting like a child! And, on the other hand … if there are developmental issues, a good book about child development can help the parents understand what's normal for their child's developmental stage (not the chronological age).



Best Children’s Book … I LOVE children's books … the list would go on and on. There's no way I could say I have a favorite.



Best Kids' Toy … AHHH! Asking a play therapist what's her favorite toy is like asking her to pick her favorite child!!! But … For my son, our Marble Run Sets definitely have been a favorite for awhile. Henry loves to build … and the possibilities seem endless. Here's a video of his most awesome marble creation (Henry's Ultimate Marble Run). My daughter's favorite is her play kitchen. She has played with it every day since she received for Christmas a couple years ago.



Best Kids’ Game … Another tricky one. Here's some posts on my favorites … Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.


Best Kids’ Craft … Again, I have SO many favorites … but what comes to mind first is our outside painting projects. Last summer we painted with ice-pop paints and this year we did some rock painting! OH … and Spin-Art! I LOVE Spin-Art!!! (hopeful a post on this from me will be ready soon!)

 

 

Best Outdoor Play Idea … You can't really go wrong with ANY outdoor play. But one of our favorites has been a Mud Kitchen that Honor received for her birthday last spring. It has been a wonderful place for not only her, but all the kids in the neighborhood to play and create.



Best Way to Stay Organized … lots and lots of storage bins/baskets for toys (and shelves for the bins/baskets) so that each certain type has it's own. Makes it easier to find things!



Best Way to Keep a Happy Relationship or Marriage … Never stop talking honestly with each other! And never stop having fun and playing together as a couple!!!


 

 

Best Family Outing or Vacation … We've been so lucky to have been on so many fun adventures it's really hard to say! A couple of my favorites 1. spending a week at a beach side cottage right on Lake Huron and 2. DISNEY CRUISE (I'm kinda an addict … we've been 4 times, twice before kids!)



Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant … Around here our favorite place is Leo's Coney Island. If you're ever in the Detroit area, you NEED to experience the complete yumminess of a Detroit Coney. They are great to take kids to because of the laid-back short order service, large variety of food, and inexpensive prices!



Best Family Meal or Recipe … any kind of take-out so that you have more time to play together!



Best Behavior Management or Discipline Tip … BE CONSISTENT. If you say there's going to be a consequence … follow up with that consequence. If you don't allow something … don't confuse your kids by sometimes not following through.



Best Way to Spend a Mommy Moment … I can think of a ton of things that I want to do in those precious few moments I have to myself … but simply spending some quiet time outside to relax is my favorite.


 

Do you have any clever parenting tips or fun kids’ activities?  I’d love to share them with my readers by having you guest post.  Just contact me for more information!

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