motherhood Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Marybeth Heckler | Blog

How to Organize a Playroom

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 5, 2020. Posted in Homeowner.

All of the time that kids have spent at home lately, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, has probably left you with a disorganized and chaotic house.

This is especially true of your child’s playroom. With the holidays coming up, you might want to get this area under control before you add even more items to their play area.

Here are tips to get the chaos of your child’s room under control and organize their playroom:

Sweep through the room for trash — Before you try to do any organizing, you need to get rid of some of the items your child doesn’t need anymore. First, throw out any items that are broken. This includes toys that are falling apart, puzzles or games that are missing pieces, and anything else that is trash. Make sure you do this alone. Your kids may get a little sentimental and want to hold on to broken items and you don’t need that. Now is the time to absolutely get rid of whatever is broken.

Clear out items to donate — Now that you’ve gotten rid of the broken toys, go through with your child and help them pick out toys that they don’t play with anymore. Point out to them that it is especially nice to help those who are less fortunate by donating toys, games, and puzzles. Encourage them to practice charity and, at the same time, clean out the room as much as possible.

Get a system of bins — Playrooms don’t tend to be very big and you want to maximize as much floor space as possible so your child can actually play. To do this, get a bin system that is vertical and goes higher rather than taking up a lot of horizontal space in the room. Get multiple smaller bins instead of one large “toy box.” With the toy box, your child will throw everything out as he or she looks for that one toy they want to play with. With smaller bins, they have less things to go through to find what they want. Also, use clear plastic bins so you can see inside easily.

Sort by type — After you set up the bins, organize and label them by categories. If your child loves race cars, then you might want to create a bin to just hold these. If they are into board games, then separate those into an individual bin. Whatever system works best for you is ok, but it is essential to have some kind of system.

Only get down one bin at a time — Your child might have a couple of toys that they always gravitate towards. But if you want to get them to play with a variety of toys, you might want to consider only getting out one bin a day. This way, your child has fewer options and doesn’t feel overwhelmed. And, if the bins are stacked up, they won’t be able to get into the other toys that you haven’t put out for them. Plus, cleaning up one bin is a lot easier than five or six bins.

Getting your child’s room clean and organized isn’t just an important activity for keeping your home orderly. It’s also an important practice to help teach your child so that they can learn responsibility and how to keep themselves organized as they get older.

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Fall Break Staycation Ideas for Families

Written by Marybeth Heckler on August 30, 2020. Posted in Motherhood.

Think back to some of your most cherished childhood memories. I’m going to bet that a lot of them are centered around summer vacations with trips to visit family, hitting the beach, or enjoying amusement parks. And chances are you’ve been trying to recreate those kinds of memories with your own family. But now that the summer is over, it may seem like those opportunities are fading with the heat.

If you want to do something fun with your family this fall but don’t have the time to go on a long trip, consider these staycation ideas in your area:

Fall Festivals & Pumpkin Patches — During the fall, there are plenty of local fall festivals and pumpkin patches that can provide you with plenty of opportunities for family fun. Many of these don’t just have the opportunity to buy or carve pumpkins. They also feature cornfield mazes, games, arts and crafts, and great snacks like funnel cake and hot apple cider.

Haunted Houses — For those with older kids, you might want to check out the local area for a haunted house. Many of these attractions are enlarging over the years from a simple house to outdoor trails through mazes or the woods complete with scary characters ready to give you the chills.

County Fairs — Another great activity during this time of year is annual county fairs that pop up in locations across the country. These fairs, complete with kiddie rides and more exciting activities for the adventurous, are really popular. And you might even want to try one of the scary fried concoctions that appear every year like fried Oreos or even fried bubble gum. (Yes, that’s really a thing.)

Camping Trip — Once the summer heat dips, then fall is a great chance to get outside and do some camping. Whether it’s in a cabin in a state park or just a tent in the backyard, all of these activities let you get back to nature. This is also the perfect time of year for this so that you can enjoy the fall foliage and watch the leaves change colors.

Get Outdoors — Even if camping isn’t your thing, this is also a good time to enjoy outdoor activities. Try hiking a trail or taking a kayak for a short trip around a lake.

All of these activities are great opportunities to build memories and bond as a family. The fall also presents you with staycations that you don’t get to try during the rest of the year.

**********

Fourth of July Family Traditions

Written by Marybeth Heckler on June 18, 2020. Posted in Holidays.

We are huge fans of family traditions and one of our favorite holidays to celebrate traditions is on the way—the Fourth of July. We also love hearing about other families and their customs. But it’s also really easy to let your Independence Day celebrations begin with a cookout and end with fireworks.

If you’re interested in finding new ways to celebrate our country’s 244^th birthday, here are great ideas you can use to start your own Fourth of July family tradition:

Outdoor Games—Sure, we all know about how everyone loves to grill outside and eat hot dogs, hamburgers, and other July 4^th But while you are manning the grill, the rest of the family can enjoy some time outside by playing outdoor games. Badminton, horseshoes, and cornhole are all great games that young and old can enjoy together.

Non-Explosive Fireworks—If you live in a state that bans fireworks, or if you have little kids and are worried about their safety, then you can make “non-explosive” options. One way is to let the kids make “sparklers” by tying red, white, and blue ribbons to a stick and then running around swirling these behind them. You can also fill a balloon with patriotic colored confetti and then pop these to let the confetti fall over everyone. Finally, if you just want to light up the night sky, you can always go on a firefly hunt. Once you catch them, place them in a jar with holes in the lid and let them be a natural night light.

Watch a Patriotic Movie—How about a family tradition that is both fun and educational? If you’ve never seen 1776, then you are in for a treat. This film from 1972 stars William Daniels (better known as Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World) as John Adams. It’s a highly accurate depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with one big difference—it’s a musical. This is the perfect option for younger kids as it’s a G-Rated film. If you’ve got older kids, however, you might want to check out Disney Plus which is set to debut the original cast of Hamilton just in time for the 4^th.

Make Red, White, and Blue Tie-Dyes—Buy some cheap white t-shirts and turn them into patriotic tie-dye shirts. You just need the white shirts and some simple materials to create a cool effect that you can wear for years to come.

This Fourth of July you can create memories that will last a lifetime for you and your family. These are some great ways to build traditions with your family that can be carried out for years (and even generations) to come.

**********

Backyard Summer Camp for Kids

Written by Marybeth Heckler on May 21, 2020. Posted in Motherhood.

Summer is coming and for those of us who have been tucked away in quarantine, it may seem like we’ve already been on one continuous break with the kids. But, now that distance learning is taking a break, there may be fewer activities for you to keep the kids active. But you don’t want to let them become couch potatoes and video game zombies.

Here are ways to recreate the summer camp experience in your own backyard.

These activities are guaranteed to help you keep the kids from being bored and help you maintain your sanity this summer.

Sprinkler Fun — Let’s start with a tried-and-true favorite from everyone’s childhood: playing in the water sprinkler. This is the perfect way to get cool on a hot summer day.

A DIY idea for this is to make your own sprinkler. Get a 2-liter soda bottle (empty) and poke holes in the plastic with a knife or scissors. Then, attach the garden hose to the bottle and affix it with duct tape. Once you crank up the water, it will come shooting out of the holes and your kids can have fun jumping through the stream.

Soda Bottle Rocket — While you’ve got those empty soda bottles, try this little science project. First, tape pencils to the sides of the bottle so that the bottle can be placed opening down without covering the neck of the bottle.

Then, fill the bottle with vinegar, add baking soda, and then quickly cover the bottle opening with a cork. Flip the rocket upside down so it rests on the pencils and wait for the chemical reaction to shoot the rocket into the air.

Make a Shaving Cream Painting — This one may sound bizarre but hold on a minute. It’s actually a great way to get artistic expression and fun sensory play combined.

Get several cans of shaving cream from your local dollar store. Then, use food coloring to dye the shaving cream into different colors. Set up a tarp in the backyard and let your kids use the colored shaving cream to create pictures from rainbows to sky scenes to whatever their imagination can conjure up.

It’s messy fun, and the tarp can be easily hosed down and reused later if the kids want to try this again.

Tightrope Walking — If you want to help your kids train for a career in the circus (or at least work with their motor skills), do a tightrope play area. If you have two sturdy trees, run two soft ropes between them. It doesn’t have to be high—just a couple of inches.

Then place the second rope high enough for your child to use as a handhold as they walk across the lower rope. If you don’t have a pair of trees, you can also use fence posts or poles in a pinch.

This year, we may still be dealing with a quarantine lockdown in our homes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t let your child explore their backyard and turn it into a home summer camp with these activities.

**********

Stress Relief Techniques for Moms

Written by Marybeth Heckler on March 15, 2020. Posted in Motherhood.

Anybody who says that being a full-time mom isn’t stressful is just kidding themselves. Motherhood, be it the stay-at-home or working variety, is one of the roughest and toughest occupations out there.

The demands of being a mom are also aggravated by the unbelievable stress and anxiety that comes with the responsibility. After all, no one wants to be a bad mom and you want to make sure that everything you do is helping to make your child a better person.

But just when you think you want to snap if you have to listen to “Baby Shark” one more time, take a deep breath and realize there are a few ways to relieve the stress and anxiety:

Stay Organized — This stress relief technique is pro-active. You’re less likely to get stressed out if you stay organized and on top of things. By keeping a schedule, you don’t have to worry about rushing from one location to another. You know exactly what is expected of you and you can plan accordingly. This also means that you need to set limits on yourself and your children. You know there are only 24 hours in a day so you shouldn’t try to over-schedule your time.
Meditate — This is a tried and true technique, and it really works. Spend about 10 to 15 minutes each day in quiet meditation. Just let yourself sit in a comfortable position and relax. This can be when you put the baby down for a nap or when the kids are already in bed and you have a few moments before you pass out for the night in exhaustion. Just let the problems of the world flow out of you and relax.
Exercise — No, we aren’t crazy when we say this. Exercise releases endorphins in your body that can help you maintain a relaxed and happy demeanor. We aren’t saying you need to do a full cardio workout for an hour every single day. (Although there’s nothing wrong with that if you can work it in.) Just take 15 minutes during a lunch break at work to walk around the block. This will be hard at first, but with time it will help you feel better and more relaxed.
Bubble Bath — Sometimes the old favorites are there for a reason. Once a week or so, take a half-hour and set it aside for yourself. Turn on some soft music, light a few aromatherapy candles, and relax in a warm bath. Throw in some bubbles or bath salts to help you relax even more. If it helps, throw in a rubber duck. Just spend that time with the door shut and locked and be at peace.

It’s hard for moms to set aside time for themselves in their busy schedule. But if you plan and organize your schedule and learn how to set limits then you will find that you can build more time into your daily life to relax and not feel overwhelmed.

**********

Easy Self-Care Routines for Busy Moms

Written by Marybeth Heckler on February 16, 2020. Posted in Motherhood.

If you’re a mom, then you know just how selfless the job can be. Time can seem like a commodity just as important as money or credit.

But most moms also know that they have a tendency to spend their time on others—balancing family, career, volunteering, and the dozen other myriad activities that make up our day.

What usually gets lost by the wayside is time for yourself. And this can be very dangerous. If you don’t take time to care for yourself, then you’re at risk of running yourself so ragged you can’t take part in the activities you are needed for.

That’s why you need to implement these self-care routines to improve your overall health and well-being:

First, let’s talk about self-care for the body. You must stay active if you are going to keep yourself going. Unfortunately, active doesn’t mean bouncing out of the minivan to pick up a Starbucks coffee in between work and dropping off the kids at sports practice. Spend some time each week to just do some kind of physical activity. After you drop off the kids at practice, take a walk around the field or the block. Spend an hour each week practicing yoga. Or you can just spend time at home, outside, doing something physical and a little Zen like working in the yard or tending to a garden.
Next, you also need to keep your mind engaged. Studies have shown that incorporating good habits to keep yourself mentally aware can stave off diseases later in life like dementia. So for now, spend a few minutes each night before bed reading something for yourself or quietly meditating. You can also start keeping a journal to document your ideas and feelings. If you are artistic, drawing or painting classes might help out. (If you aren’t artistic, but wish you were, pick up an adult coloring book that are at every bookstore.) Take some time to work on a jigsaw puzzle or play a board game. (This one’s easy to do because you can get the kids involved.)
Finally, do something nice for yourself regularly that can help you on a personal or spiritual level. Take a class where you can meet new people and experience new things. Have a girl’s night out once a month to just unwind and relax and socialize. Or you can even just set aside an hour each week for a nice long relaxing bubble bath. All of these can help you cleanse the spirit and rejuvenate you for the rest of the week.

Moms have a rough job, but a rewarding one. But you aren’t good to anyone if you let yourself get worn down by doing too much. Take care of yourself as well as your family and you will be better as a mom in the long run.

**********

Ideas for Closing Out Your Year

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 22, 2019. Posted in Motherhood.

Before the New Year rolls around and you start trying to keep your resolutions, it’s a good idea to think back on 2019 with some reflections. Part of growth as an individual is to recognize what went well and what didn’t so you can grow from your mistakes.

Here are ideas you can use to close out your year in a positive light:

List your accomplishments — Start off your year-end wrap-up with a list of all your accomplishments. Don’t let any of them slip by, not even the small ones. It could be something as “simple” as organizing your household paperwork or cleaning out the junk room. It can be reading at least one book a week to improve yourself mentally or spiritually. Or it can be major goals like spending more time with your family and friends each month. Whatever your goals were in the previous year, acknowledge the things you’ve accomplished.

Celebrate what you’ve achieved — The New Year is a time to celebrate new beginnings. But also celebrate the things that you’ve done in the past year. If you’ve managed to reach your goals, treat yourself to something special. It can be a night out at your favorite restaurant or a special item that you’ve had your eye on. Regardless of what you choose, it will be able to motivate you to achieve more things in the coming year.

Forgive your own mistakes — Acknowledge that you have made mistakes. But the important thing here is to forgive yourself for making them. A good visualization exercise would be to list out mistakes and missteps you made in the past year. Then take the list and burn it. Don’t linger on your mistakes but learn from them so you don’t repeat them.

Find your joy — Find what makes you happy and embrace it. It can be any kind of hobby or activity. If you like sports and exercise, celebrate that and make it the focus of your coming year. If you are a fan of movies, then make it a goal to go to one a month. Whatever is your source of joy, list it and make it your centerpiece for the coming year.

Set goals for the coming year — Now, it’s time to set goals for your new year. Don’t try to make resolutions since these are easily broken. Just set a series of goals that you want to achieve in the new year such as specific activities you want to take part in.

In the coming year, it is important to set goals for self-improvement that can guide you. This will help you cultivate a growth mindset in everything that you do.

**********

Holiday Activity Calendar for Families Seeking More Christmas Spirit

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 1, 2019. Posted in Holidays.

Nobody wants to be the Ebenezer Scrooge in their family yelling “Bah Humbug!” at the thought of Christmas. But with all of the stress of the holidays, it’s easy to find yourself falling out of the Christmas spirit.

Whether you have little ones who still believe in Santa, or you’re older and feel too “grown up” for Christmas, here are activities for you and your family that can put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart:

Advent Calendars — Some of us fondly remember the advent calendars of our youth that counted down until Christmas. Each day, you would open a window on the calendar and get a piece of chocolate. (Always a plus!)

As a family, create your own advent calendar. Tape the “presents” to each day on a regular calendar. (This is great because you can choose your own candy.) If you want to excite the older kids (or yourself), advent calendars have moved beyond the norm.

Try one of these variations:

Funko Pops — These collectible vinyl figures are super cool and can make for a great holiday tradition.
Legos — These super-cool calendars feature mini-figures each day in a variety of themes. Just don’t leave them on the floor to step on them.
Wine — This one is definitely for the adults! But check out a sampling of wines each day to make you warm and festive.

Santa — You’re never too old for Santa. This year, take part in some kind of activity that features the jolly fat man. Start by writing a letter to Santa thanking him for last year’s gifts and dreaming of what you really want this year. Then, make a trip to the local mall and have pictures with Santa.

Yes, it’s still perfectly acceptable to do this even without kids! If your pets are like family, take them as well to the local pet store for their own set of pictures. Finally, spend a day or two before Christmas baking special cookies for Santa and then leave them out on Christmas Eve. Just make sure they are your favorite types so you can enjoy them when the kids go to sleep.

Tacky Light Tour — Some families have turned their homes into the Griswold house from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Round up the family in your mini-van, throw in some blankets and hot chocolate, and drive around watching the Christmas lights. Just don’t forget your camera and a sampling of Christmas music for the trip.

Movie Marathon — Christmas is the best holiday when it comes to movies that warm the heart. Introduce your little ones to classic Christmas movies like the original Christmas Carol or Miracle on 34^th Street.

Of course, It’s a Wonderful Life is also a perennial favorite. After the kids go to bed, check out non-traditional Christmas movies with Die Hard or Love Actually.

Make a late resolution this year to do something special for Christmas. It can be anything as long as it brings happiness, joy, and warmth to you and your family.

**********

Teaching Your Children How to Be Compassionate

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 24, 2019. Posted in Motherhood.

In the past few years, bullying has taken center stage as a major problem among our youth. Be it physical bullying in schools or psychological intimidation on social media, this has caused parents, educators, and policy-makers to stand up and take notice.

All of the “zero tolerance” policies in the world, though, will have no impact on children and their behavior unless we begin to teach our kids how to be more compassionate. We have to be able to see our actions and behaviors through the lens of someone else so that we can see how those actions impact others.

Here, then, are ways you can help your child show more sympathy and empathy towards others:

Lead by Example — The first thing you need to do is to show your child how to be compassionate with your own words and actions. Speak kindly and sympathetically of others and try not to be abrasive or critical of others in conversation (at least not within earshot of the kids). Also, show compassion to others in your everyday actions. This can be just as simple as teaching your child to look others in the eye and say “Hello” as they walk by. This teaches them to see others as people deserving of respect, an important step towards compassion.

Volunteer — Another important step in demonstrating compassion yourself is to volunteer your time helping others. Most people think of this as volunteering at soup kitchens and, while that is a great way to help others, you can also do this in smaller stages such as helping a neighbor with lawn work or tutoring kids after school. Your children should see that you are compassionate towards others so they can then turn this into their own actions. You can also introduce them to charitable organizations that seek to help others who are less fortunate, such as Meals-on-Wheels or those who are sick, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Get a Pet — One of the big reasons many people suggest getting a pet is because they can teach your child lessons that will stay with them for their whole lives. If your child has to clean up after, feed, and walk a pet, they learn to care for something besides themselves, a key component in compassion. If you are worried about making a major commitment with a cat or dog, start with something small like a fish.

If the people of the world could learn to be more compassionate, then a lot of our problems would actually fix themselves. But none of this will become a reality until we take the step to teach this to our children and the younger generations.

**********

Halloween Activity Idea List for 2019

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 13, 2019. Posted in Holidays, Motherhood.

October is on its way and many people are already looking forward to the coming of cooler temperatures and chilly autumn nights. But if you’re like a lot of us, October gets you thinking of one thing—Halloween!

This is the holiday that lets you get your scare on and enjoy the creepier side of Denver. Let’s take a look at some of the best activities for adults and families this year:

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest — This popular theme park is already a family favorite. But in October, the park stays open late for Fright Fest, featuring a series of haunted houses (including a circus themed one, so beware the creepy clowns) and a “fully-immersive” ghost story experience called Séance. These activities require an adult over 18 to accompany the kids and are only recommended for those 12 and over.

Denver Zoo — If you are looking for something better suited for the little ones, then consider the Enchanted Hollows at the Denver Zoo. It features an immersive art walk along with other fall time family favorites, such as pumpkin carving and cornhole. Older kids and adults can try out the ax throwing, and everyone can enjoy the “Scary-oke” sing-along.

Pumpkin Nights — Another family favorite is held at the Adams County Fairgrounds. This event features 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins on display, as well as many more Halloween displays on hand to entertain your family. The festival also has outdoor movie screenings, bounce houses, a fire show, and snacks when you work up an appetite.

Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas — Don’t let the title of this one fool you. Tim Burton’s film classic has become a perennial favorite for fans of both Christmas and Halloween. This year, the Colorado Symphony will have a screening of the film complete with live orchestral music. This one is sure to be a blast for movie and music fans.

Denver Botanic Garden’s Corn Maze — A favorite for those who like their fun a little less scary is the corn maze at Denver’s Botanic Gardens. The seven-acre corn maze is a great place to get lost and explore. And, if you do like a level of creepiness, then come back in the evening for the After Dark Corn Maze and Dead Zone Scream Park.

Denver Zombie Crawl – Halloween without zombies? Celebrate the living dead by dressing up as a zombie and coming out for the party which features vendors, a costume contest, and a physical challenge for teams called the “Organ Trail.”

There is plenty to do this October to celebrate the creepiness of the Halloween season. So whether you are an adult who enjoys being scared or a family that just likes a little bit of spookiness with your fun, there is plenty to choose from.

**********

Tag: motherhood

If you want to do something fun with your family this fall but don’t have the time to go on a long trip, consider these staycation ideas in your area:

If you’re interested in finding new ways to celebrate our country’s 244th birthday, here are great ideas you can use to start your own Fourth of July family tradition:

Here are ways to recreate the summer camp experience in your own backyard.

But just when you think you want to snap if you have to listen to “Baby Shark” one more time, take a deep breath and realize there are a few ways to relieve the stress and anxiety:

That’s why you need to implement these self-care routines to improve your overall health and well-being:

Here are ideas you can use to close out your year in a positive light:

Whether you have little ones who still believe in Santa, or you’re older and feel too “grown up” for Christmas, here are activities for you and your family that can put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart:

Here, then, are ways you can help your child show more sympathy and empathy towards others:

If you’re interested in finding new ways to celebrate our country’s 244^th birthday, here are great ideas you can use to start your own Fourth of July family tradition: