Holidays Got You Stressed? De-Stress with Our Tips and Enjoy Your Christmas!

Although Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be one of the most stressful. There are work parties, school parties, church parties, family events, friend events, cooking, shopping, baking, wrapping, church plays, pictures with Santa, travel plans, outings to see live nativity scenes and neighborhood lights, and – of course! – that pesky elf on the shelf! We’re exhausted just thinking about it all!

But there is hope. Keep reading for 10 easy ways to de-stress this holiday season so you can enjoy time with your family and – most importantly – focus on the birth of our Lord. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

How Grateful Children Make for Happy Parents

What if we told you that moms are happier when their kids express gratitude? According to a new study from the Journal of Positive Psychology, just hearing your child say thank you can reduce your stress level and improve your mental well-being.

That should be reason enough to keep teaching your kids to say, “thank you,” but according to this study and others, that’s not the only reason. Keep reading to learn how expressing gratitude is good for you and your kids.

What Size Diaper Does My Baby Need? 7 tips to help you know when it's time to size up

It’s no question: diapers are a necessity when you have a baby in the house, and many will argue it’s hard to beat the convenience of disposable diapers. As new moms know all too well, babies go through A LOT of diapers! So you stock up – and suddenly your baby is outgrowing her current size.

New moms may not realize diapers are sized based on a baby’s weight, not on his or her age. A good rule of thumb is to check the size guidelines on your preferred diaper brand’s box and follow these 7 tips to help you know when it’s time to size up.

Summer Reading Fun

In our last blog, we talked about why it’s important to manage screen time, especially for young kids. In this blog, we’re going to make that job a little easier for you!

Many organizations offer free summer reading challenges that provide incentives such as free meals, movies, books, and more to encourage your kids to read over the summer. Why is this important? Children who read over the summer tend to maintain or improve their reading levels and improve their knowledge, emotional intelligence, focus and concentration, vocabulary, writing skills, memory, and analytical thinking. That’s quite a list! Reading also provides a nice break when needed from the summer heat or rain showers.

Below is a list of great summer reading programs to check out. Want to do your own? We have a Summer Reading Bingo game inspired by Imagination Soup that you can download – and ideas to start your own kids’ summer book club. Check out these summer reading programs, and let us know of any we missed. Happy reading!

Should Your Baby / Toddler Play on iPads or other Screens?

What do you do when you just have to get something done? You have laundry, dishes, and other chores that sometimes just can’t wait. As the old saying goes, dinner’s not gonna cook itself!

So how do you keep your baby or toddler entertained while you complete the task that can’t wait? It seems that more and more lately parents are allowing their kids to be entertained by screens in restaurants, in stores, in cars, and in homes as a way to keep kids entertained and quiet.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics may cause parents to rethink this strategy. This study included more than 7000 children and found that babies exposed to more screen time at one year of age are likely to demonstrate developmental delays by ages two and four.

Finding a Trusted Babysitter

Whether it’s date night, girls’ night out, or a doctor’s appointment, sooner or later a new mom will need a sitter to watch her baby. You might have an easy solution if you have family nearby just waiting to babysit your precious baby. But what if you don’t have family available or willing to help out? How do you find a sitter you can trust to keep your child safe? Keep reading for some tips on hiring and setting expectations for a sitter.

Exercise during Pregnancy Part 2 - What should I do, and how do I know if I should stop?

In part one of our blog on exercise during pregnancy, we talked about the benefits of exercising while pregnant and provided some basic guidelines for you to follow. As we discussed, while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says it is generally safe to exercise if you’re healthy and your pregnancy is normal, you should always talk with your doctor to get the official OK and recommendations tailored to your needs.

Once you have your doctor’s ok to workout, where do you begin? Keep reading for a list of good exercise options, exercises you should avoid, precautions to consider, and warning signs to heed.

Exercise during Pregnancy Part 1 - Should I or Shouldn't I?

The days are getting longer and warmer, and, if you’re pregnant, you may be wondering if it’s ok to get outside and exercise. For most pregnant women, the answer is, “yes!” According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if you’re healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to start or continue regular exercise.

Of course, you should always discuss your exercise plans with your OB/GYN during early prenatal visits to get the official OK and talk about what exercises are and are not appropriate. If you’d like to know the benefits of exercising while pregnant and some general guidelines, keep reading. Be sure to check back for our next blog discussing exercises to consider, exercises to avoid, and warning signs that signal you should stop exercising and call your doctor.

Focusing Your Kids' Attention on the Cross instead of the Bunny at Easter

As Easter approaches, your kids may be getting excited about Easter baskets and egg hunts. They may be picking out Easter outfits and looking forward to a day out of school on Good Friday. These traditions are certainly fun, but our kids need to know Easter isn’t about the bunny; it’s about the cross. They need to know Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead so we can live with Him in heaven when we die. If your kids need to be reminded of the importance of Easter, try out one or all of the fun activities below.

Recharge Your Mom Battery

As a mom, do you ever feel like the Energizer Bunny?

It seems some days you’re running nonstop chasing kids, doing laundry, prepping meals, all until your battery just dies and you collapse into bed.

It doesn’t matter how much you love your family or how much you love spending time with your family – there are just times you need a break.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in luck. We have some great suggestions to help recharge your battery!

Volunteer with Us to Serve Pregnant and New Moms!

As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, are you looking for a way to serve others? At One by One we have many opportunities for you to help change the life of a pregnant or new mom and her baby. Of course, mentoring tops our list, but there are many other ways you can join us. Keep reading to see how you can help!

Celebrating Life - How One by One mentors support moms who choose life for their babies

For most women, finding out they are pregnant is a cause for celebration. But imagine you weren’t planning to get pregnant. And maybe you’re alone – because you live away from family or because your family (and maybe even your boyfriend) don’t support your decision to keep your baby. Where do you turn? How will you do this on your own?

The answer is – you don’t have to do it alone. At One by One, it’s always been our goal to walk alongside new moms throughout their pregnancies and at least until their babies turn one. Our mentors love and support our moms without judgment. They provide friendship, support, and parenting education to help moms learn to parent well. We want every mom to know she is not alone - because we are here to help.

How to Keep Your Child Focused on Jesus at Christmas

December is here, and Christmas is just around the corner! For many of us, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” so it’s easy to get caught up in all things holidays: decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, parties, and more. Imagine how easy it is for our kids to focus on Santa, gifts, and parties! If you’d like to teach your kids more about the true reason we celebrate Christmas, we have 10 great tips to help you keep your kids focused on Christ this Christmas.

Avoiding Stress during the Holiday Season

The holidays are just around the corner! If you’re like so many of us, you’re looking forward to the fun, but your stress level rises every time you add an item to your to-do list. From buying groceries to decorating to planning and attending events, to traveling/hosting family members, to buying presents…. If your blood pressure is rising as you read this list, we have some great tips to help you destress – and dare we say enjoy?! – this holiday season.

Gratitude Challenge - How to Instill a Sense of Gratitude in Your Child

It’s November – and you’re social media may soon be covered with #GratitudeChallenge posts! While we count our blessings this month, do we help our kids count theirs? Kids have a reputation for being selfish, but they can be some of the kindest and most generous people. It’s up to us as parents to instill a sense of gratitude instead of entitlement in our kids. Here are 10 ways to begin to instill a sense of gratitude in your child.

Cindy CurryNovember 1, 2023gratitude, gratefulnes, thankfulness, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving, children, saying thank you, gratitude challengeComment

Will You Be the One to Help a New Mom?

You’ve heard it before: it only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life. Often, we hear adults thank a childhood teacher for being that person: the one to perceive when a child is struggling, the one to provide special encouragement, the one to recognize special talents. As adults we remember those teachers who really took the time to know us and help us grow.

At One by One, that person can be you. Our mentors serve pregnant and new moms by providing friendship, support, and encouragement as well as parent education and life skills lessons to help them learn to parent well. We talk a lot about our mentors because they’re on the front lines: each mentor talks/texts with her mom weekly and meets with her monthly until her child turns one. But there are other ways you can be the “one” at One by One.

Outdoor Activities for Late Summertime Fun

It’s hard to believe summer is almost gone! Kids are going back to school, and many families are looking forward to the cooler temps and more structured schedules that come with fall. But August can still be such an in between time – your kids’ school may not have started yet, or you may need activities for younger kids or home-schooled students. If that’s the case, check out this list for late summertime fun!

Most of the activities on this list are free, and they come with opportunities for your kids to use their imaginations and burn off some energy. These ideas also provide great opportunities for you to teach your kids about their world and all of God’s creation.

Reading to Your Baby - Why Talking and Reading are Vital to Your Baby's Development

“My child is still a baby. Is reading really that important?” The answer is an undisputable YES. Talking, singing, and reading to your baby is absolutely vital to your baby’s growth and development. Your baby also learns about communicating and the world around him when you talk and read to him. Need more convincing? Nemours Kidshealth shares these important reasons to talk to and read to your baby early and often.

Summer Reading Challenges - Incentives to Keep Your Kids Reading this Summer

In our last blog, we talked about why it’s important for kids of all ages to keep reading over summer break. In this blog, we’re going to make that job a little easier for you! We have a list of organizations offering free summer reading challenges that provide incentives such as free meals, movies, books, and more to encourage your kids to keep reading over the summer.

Summer Reading - Why It's Important to KeepKids of All Ages Reading over Break

It’s summer, and, if you have school-age children, you know they’re excited for a break! But you should also know it’s important to keep your kids of all ages – even babies! – reading through the summer. In this blog (the first of a three-part series) we’re taking a look at why it’s important for your children to keep up with their reading.

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