The good folks at Tractive GPS have compiled a list of the top five ways to celebrate today, which is National Love Your Pet Day. The highlights: Praise them. Spend quality time together. Upgrade their toys and safety gear. Treat them to new healthy foods. Use your imagination to do their favorite things. You can … Continue reading Celebrating National Love Your Pet Day
Win a Pet Parents® Pawtect™ Blanket!
This giveaway is sponsored by and fulfilled by Pet Parents®. We recently told you about the new Pet Parents® Pawtect Blankets–waterproof blankets specifically designed for pet households. These…
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Virtual Night With The Museum of the Dog
From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: The AKC Museum of the Dog is excited to announce “Virtual Night with the Museum,” a livestream virtual gala honoring the Museum’s longtime friend, supporter and board member Ronald H. Menaker on Friday, February 12 between 8pm -9pm. For almost three decades, the Theatre Benefit for the Museum has been … Continue reading Virtual Night With The Museum of the Dog
5 Bedtime Tips for Young Kids
Some of you may remember me sharing a similar post to this a couple of years ago. My kids are now 5 and 7, and while bedtime has gotten easier in some ways, we still face challenges. (I’m not surprised either; both my husband and I are night owls by nature.) We continue to learn as we go, and implement the strategies we’ve learned along the way with new insight.
Several of my friends with younger kids have been struggling with bedtime, which inspired me to share an updated version of our bedtime tips post. I hope this proves helpful for anyone going through similar situations!
1. Start bedtime early.
We still struggle with this sometimes, but are well aware of how important it is. When bed time is rushed, it almost jacks the kids up and then takes them longer to fall asleep. If we start an hour beforehand to allow plenty of time for getting bathed, getting into pajamas, brushing teeth, and reading books, they fall asleep more quickly, and stay asleep better.
2. Be consistent with bed times.
My husband and I are naturally both night owls. For a long time, we would make sure the kids went to bed early during the week, but let them stay up quite late (and sleep in) on the weekends. This always backfired. We still let them stay up later on the weekends, but no more than an hour past their weekday bedtimes.
3. Take screens away several hours before bedtime.
Do as I say, not as I do! (I read or watch Netflix on my iPad every night before bed.) In all seriousness though, making sure our kids didn’t have access to screens at least a couple of hours before bed has made a huge difference in how well they sleep. (Research backs this up!) My son used to always if he could watch a movie or show before bed, and I was often so exhausted myself I would allow it. I noticed that when we opted for a book instead, he fell asleep much more quickly. That became the rules, and now he looks forward to the storytime and no longer requests a screen.
4. Use the bathroom right before bed.
The only thing worse than trying to get a 5 year old back to sleep after a middle-of-the-night pee is changing their wet sheets. Both of these problems can usually (hey, accidents happen) be avoided with a trip to the bathroom immediately before they go to sleep.
The only thing worse than trying to get a 5 year old back to sleep after a middle-of-the-night pee is changing their wet sheets. Both of these problems can usually (hey, accidents happen) be avoided with a trip to the bathroom immediately before they go to sleep.
5. Do what works for you.
This is still my favorite tip! (And it applies to all aspects of parenting!) There is so much advice out there for the “right” ways for your child to be sleeping (let babies cry it out, never let babies cry, cosleep with babies but not kids, cosleep as long as you want, make them sleep alone from the beginning, use a bassinet, use a crib, use a floor mattress, use a toddler bed, don’t use a bed at all, let them come into your bed, make them stay in their rooms, etc. etc. etc.). And honestly, I disagree with all of it, because there is simply no right or wrong way. Period. I am not a sleep expert, but I have found that being openminded and paying attention to what works best for my kids and for us as a family is what makes nights the easiest for all of us. (Take this from a cosleeping “I will NEVER cosleep” parent.) So while these tips have been extremely helpful for us, and my hope is that one or all of them helps you as well, you do you. Feel out your family, take notice of what nighttime habits produce the best results, and go from there. You’re doing a great job.
I’d love to hear other tips and tricks that work for your family as well!
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10 Reasons You Need a Waterproof Blanket
This post is sponsored by Pet Parents®. Pet parenting can be messy business–but that doesn’t have to stand in the way of snuggling with your dog on the couch or in your favorite chair….
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7 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe at a Super Bowl Party
Even if this year means a Super Bowl party for your quarantine pod only, it’s still a day to make sure your dog remains safe while you all enjoy some fun. Keep an eye on alcoholic beverages….
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DIY Kids Valentine’s Day Baskets + Handmade Valentine’s Cards
This post is in partnership with YumEarth
I have always been a fan of Valentine’s Day. I’ve never really looked at it as a romantic holiday, but instead as a day to celebrate love. (I mean, who doesn’t like love?!) After having kids, Love Day (as my little ones call it), became next level. Both kids absolutely adore the crafting aspects of it, especially creating Valentines for their friends. This year, I thought it would be fun if in addition to making Valentines, we put together little love-themed gift baskets to give to a few of their friends that would include handmade cards, a few small goodies, and our favorite organic valentine candy from YumEarth. They were so much fun to make and turned out really cute, and today I’m going to share with you how we did it!
VALENTINE CARDS
Supplies
medium sized foam or cardstock hearts (you can buy precut or cut your own)
medium sized foam or cardstock hearts (you can buy precut or cut your own)
small sized foam or cardstock hearts
Valentine-themed stickers
sparkly washy tape
double-sided tape
YumEarth Organic Lollipops, YumEarth Organic Gummy Fruits, and YumEarth Organic Giggles
YumEarth Organic Lollipops, YumEarth Organic Gummy Fruits, and YumEarth Organic Giggles
Directions
For each Valentine, use double-sided tape to stick a small foam or cardstock heart, centered, onto a large one.
Once again using the double-side tape, attach a piece of YumEarth organic valentine candy to the center of each heart.
Encourage your kids to use their creativity to decorate however they choose with stickers and washy tape.
Once again using the double-side tape, attach a piece of YumEarth organic valentine candy to the center of each heart.
Encourage your kids to use their creativity to decorate however they choose with stickers and washy tape.
VALENTINE BASKETS
Supplies
Small basket
Small basket
Valentine-themed dish towel or tissue paper
Handmade Valentine card
Small stuffed animal
Valentine-themed pencils
Valentine stickers, temporary tattoos, or other small goodies
Large heart sticker
Directions
Insert dish towel or tissue into basket and fluff from center.
Add stuffed animal, YumEarth Organic Lollipops, YumEarth Organic Gummy Fruits and YumEarth Organic Giggles, pencils, and stickers (or other small goodies).
Place handmade Valentine card in the back.
Add heart sticker to the front of the basket.
Add stuffed animal, YumEarth Organic Lollipops, YumEarth Organic Gummy Fruits and YumEarth Organic Giggles, pencils, and stickers (or other small goodies).
Place handmade Valentine card in the back.
Add heart sticker to the front of the basket.
Both the handmade Valentine cards and Valentine baskets are simple to craft but make such a special statement. My kids have a great time making them, and it brings them such joy to give them as gifts. Their other favorite part of these projects is getting to sample the delicious YumEarth organic candies! YumEarth candies are some of their all time favorite treats because they taste so good. And I feel good about giving them YumEarth because all of their products are not only organic, but also non-GMO, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and free from the top 8 allergens. They also contain no corn syrup or natural dyes. That’s pretty impressive. Did I mention almost all of their products are vegan too?
The fact that they’re allergy-friendly treats also makes them the perfect addition for our little Valentine basket gifts, since several of my kids’ friends have food allergies. (Side note: I’ve been known to enjoy my fair share of YumEarth Giggles. So fruity and flavorful!)
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day candy and treats you can feel good about giving to your babes (and also good about them handing out to their friends), go to their store locator to find out where to buy YumEarth allergy friend candy near you, or shop online. And if you end up making your own Valentines and/or these fun Valentine baskets, tag me (@bubbyandbean) on social media so I can see them and share!
Shelter Sunday: Anemone / Hope Animal Rescue / Maxwell, IA
Meet Anemone! She is said to be good with kids, cats, and other dogs. Here’s what her rescuers have to say about her:Anemone is a sweet little 8 week old girl. She is still learning the ropes on potty training, she just isn’t too sure of this Iowa snow! She and her sister Amaryllis love … Continue reading Shelter Sunday: Anemone / Hope Animal Rescue / Maxwell, IA
Posted in Pet Health Articles
Tagged Anemone, Animal, Hope, Maxwell, Rescue, SHELTER, Sunday
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Win a Heart Birthstone Purse Locket with Paw Birthstones!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner…and to celebrate we’re giving away a PawZaar Paw Birthstone Purse Locket/Keyring! This heart-shaped purse locket or key ring holds up to…
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