Three Parenting Tips To Keep Your Child Healthy And Happy

If you're like most parents, raising a healthy, happy child is one of your top priorities. However, children don't evolve into well-rounded, positive people magically. Rather, they attain mental and physical well-being over time as the right environment is created to produce the desired result. Thus parents who are interested in optimizing their child's well-being should know that they can implement numerous strategies to produce a productive, positive child. Here are three of them: 

1. Make Activity A Must.

Physical activity is a must for children to be healthy and happy. Like adults, children experience a wide range of health benefits from working out regularly. Some of them include weight management, elevated mood, better posture, improved digestion, and enhanced metabolism. There are several ways that you can get your child involved in an active lifestyle, such as by using a portable gaga pit from companies like Octopit USA. These pits can be put together on the playground or in a gymnasium, thereby enabling children to engage in games of gaga ball and several other sports. 

2. Emphasize Education.

Children need to grow intellectually in order to attain self-confidence and the ability to navigate through their worlds. As such, parents who want their children to be well-rounded should place emphasis on education. Doing so is an effective, systematic way to ensure that your child develops strong speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Being in an educational environment also teaches your child social skills which will enable her or him to engage others in productive, proactive ways both within and outside the school setting. One great way to ensure that your child makes the most of her or his education is by becoming a member of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). This shows your children that you care about their education and are going to do all that you can to help them grow academically. 

3. Teach Good Dieting Habits.

Many nutritionists and health officials now agree that diet is one of the leading factors that determines mood, energy levels, the ability to concentrate, and much more. As such, it's important to teach your child good dieting habits. You can get the process started by packing their lunches and explaining the nutritional value of each component in the lunch. Also make sure that you are a good model by eating healthy snacks with and around your child. 

Conclusion 

If you want to optimize your child's health and happiness, now is the time to begin. Use some or all of the parenting tips outlined above to optimize your child's physical and mental well-being

Diva Bling

These temporary tattoos are a new twist to an old past time. I remember doing tattoos even as a kid, but these metallic designs are a new version I enjoyed trying with my daughter.

These applied just like any other temporary tattoo. Remove the outer packaging, cut out your design and apply with water. They take only a few seconds to adhere to your skin and come off smooth and even, not like some kinds I have tried before. 

The result is a nice, shimmery look that is eye catching and fun all at the same time. These do not stay on for a long time. Within a couple of days, the colors in some of the designs wore off or faded. I don't think they are intended to be worn for long periods though. They do make a nice bedroom twist too, add a couple of strategically placed tattoos for a new look ;)

We received six different sheets that all arrived in perfect condition and with no issues. The variety of designs and splash of color here and there made them just as fun for her as it did for me, even though these are intended for women.

*I received a discount on this item in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own

Black Light Painting Is Too Fun!

My kiddos love painting, both on paper, and on themselves. I had an idea paint that glows would be a sure hit with them, and I was right!

This paint kit can be a blast for both kids and adults. It comes complete with paints, palette, brushes and even a black light flashlight, so you can use this right from the box.

 It is easy to use and has a nice variety of color. Two of them are very close, but are different enough to tell them apart, plus, you can mix more colors using the palette. I was surprised by the size of the bottles in this kit, I assumed they would be smaller than they were.

I like that each one is sealed in plastic to avoid leaking, and that they can be seen in lighted places without the black light.

You cannot see them in the dark without the flashlight or another black light bulb. It is more fun with a larger light, so you don't have to shine the flashlight directly on your face to see the full effects.

This paint blends easily and covers fairly well, but takes an extra coat if you want full, all over cover. It is fun to use as is, and even more fun when you get it in the dark, under a black light. You can create everything from pretty faces to freaky looks with this kit, and it washes right off when finished. The kids had a blast playing with this and it would be great for Halloween or a black light party. You can get creative with some adult painting too, just remember, it is not edible, and keep it external!

*I received a discount on this item in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own.

Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit Giveaway

Welcome To The Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit Giveaway! #MomsMeet #MurchisonHume

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Thanks to all the promoting blogs!

This contest ends 2/29!

1 winner will win

Murchison-Hume Home Starter Kit

$59.00 rv

See the review HERE.

Save 20% on any order at murchison-hume.com! Simply enter the code MomsMeet20 at checkout. (Valid through March 31, 2016)

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from any of the sponsors in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the Continental United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 2/29/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

Entry-Form

Making Bacon Cheddar Ore-Ida Totchos

With a family of 5 , who all have different tastes, I often have to think out of the box for recipe inspiration. It is not often that I can serve something the basic way, somebody always prefers it altered or added to in some way.

Tater tots is one of the things I have to a little differently if I want everyone to be happy. It is simple to do, and you can personalize them to your own liking too. I use:

8oz sharp cheddar cheese- grated
2 oz crumbled bacon pieces
medium red onion chopped

Mix the cheese, bacon and onion together and set aside. I bake the tater tots to get them cooked inside, then pull them out and cover with the mixed ingredients. They go back in the oven just long enough to melt the cheese, remove and add cold toppings like sour cream, hummus, diced tomatoes and mushrooms, or whatever sounds good to you. That's it. Cheddar Bacon Totchos! Simple and quick, but tasty too.

*I was provided with a coupon for a FREE package of Ore-Ida tater tots to assist with my recipe. All opinions are my own.

KUKPO 8-Peice Measuring Cups And Spoons Set

My son is terrible at washing dishes, which has resulted in broken, scratched and otherwise ruined pieces and parts galore. I have had to replace half the items in my kitchen, including my measuring cups and spoons..or cup and spoon since the rest have gone missing. The new set is better, but don't tell him that.

 I really like this set of measuring cups and spoons. They are cute and functional, yet compact enough to store anywhere. The smooth, level bottoms make measuring easy, with no pockets or places that don't get filled and throw off your recipe. 

I like the coated handles because they give a firm but comfortable grip. My favorite part of these is the clasped rings that hold them together. They are sturdy and tight, so it keeps these neatly stacked, and in reach, and you can use the ring to hang them.

These clean easily with soap and water and dry quickly for repeat use. They look great with the bright colored handles, and they even have a curved side for pouring or drizzling. This has everything I need in a solids measuring set, and would make a great gift too!

*I received a discount on this item in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own

Automatic Foldable Rain Umbrella

I have to say this is the best umbrella I have ever had. Not only does it look great, but it is sturdy, and holds up well to wind and rain. The bold purple color is pretty and eye catching, and much more interesting than a plain colored version.

Aside from looking great, this is so easy to operate. The umbrella handle has a two button control with up and down arrows. When you press the up, or open button, it snaps out and opens instantly, and has a nice, wide coverage area. When you are finished, you push the down arrow button, and it collapses the umbrella, so you can easily close it. 

There is a strap with a Velcro closure to secure it tightly too. I love that this has a matching cover for storage and it folds up small enough to fit under a seat, in a tote, or you can carry it by the strap. It's fun and convenient, and does the job well. I have had several chances to use this with the weather here in Ohio, and I haven't had any issues yet.

*I received a discount on this item in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own.

Slimmin Suzie Clay Body Wraps

When I opened this box, I was surprised to find 8 packets of clay powder inside. I assumed that these would be like other wraps I have tried, a peel and stick type, with a cream or gel on them. Obviously, I was wrong. This set includes the pouches of powder, which you mix with water to create a clay, and two large stretch bandages for wrapping yourself after you apply the clay mixture to your skin. It is not difficult to use the body wrap kit, but it is more detailed and time consuming than the sticky kind.

You control the thickness of the clay depending on how much water you add to the powder. A small bit is all it takes to use this, and I found a thicker mix works best to avoid dripping and running once applied. 

Wrapping the area was not a problem, but it is tricky to hold the wrap tightly in place while you try to pin it. The box does not include safety pins for this, only the little metal clips that often come with compression bandages, and these never seem to hold well for me. 

I did notice a reduction of 1-3 inches each time I used one of these packets, and it seems to work about the same on all the areas I tried. It was not immediate, but after several hours I could see a change that seemed to stay, even after multiple days. I didn't have any reactions or skin issues from this, and there was no cold or burning sensation, but the wet clay itself did make me chilly after about 30 minutes. The instructions they sent me by email (there were none included) said warmth adds to the effects, so wearing this during a workout helped.

*I received a sample item in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own.