tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53619840245556620112024-03-13T11:53:44.519-07:00A Passion for ParentingThoughts on how to love your child to success from a veteran mother of five.Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-38961547808264108212015-06-01T10:55:00.001-07:002015-06-01T10:55:51.832-07:00Ha Ha! Loved this!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Loved this Parody about Bedtime from Mercy River!</div>Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-80863342520520892112015-05-25T19:31:00.001-07:002015-05-25T19:31:09.100-07:00Ha ha!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeEcyoIISJ56NMPf4c9j8oXsD4GOS4lQ1qpiJNS-I_sEE-8Rt3tZTc0zTectpgaENACQA-Vp0GT9GE2AA7f-84nGcxDZm3wqT3olfl4l24bTd44xiXB_-hKRL7xun6QzwMlytub0_9ks/s1600/85406a1f58b3780be800e94669cd0ed9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeEcyoIISJ56NMPf4c9j8oXsD4GOS4lQ1qpiJNS-I_sEE-8Rt3tZTc0zTectpgaENACQA-Vp0GT9GE2AA7f-84nGcxDZm3wqT3olfl4l24bTd44xiXB_-hKRL7xun6QzwMlytub0_9ks/s640/85406a1f58b3780be800e94669cd0ed9.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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(amazing-creature.blogspot.com)</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-29590401630883945122015-05-19T08:22:00.000-07:002015-05-19T08:22:45.642-07:00Loved this!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecwINxwgYLQJAd7ZSwfNWsbSM4Ny68qFo9x1Zb9KZvrAzHFOFFlF0_kNS9p5GPLEI3tu5a4HgB-AT71jpSCUGVXwc4GUwWuJ1uzt9aFquVV1_Vf2HTVRb5DfJo06Sx6CKP51w_l_QvSE/s1600/kidssnackshealthy30days.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecwINxwgYLQJAd7ZSwfNWsbSM4Ny68qFo9x1Zb9KZvrAzHFOFFlF0_kNS9p5GPLEI3tu5a4HgB-AT71jpSCUGVXwc4GUwWuJ1uzt9aFquVV1_Vf2HTVRb5DfJo06Sx6CKP51w_l_QvSE/s640/kidssnackshealthy30days.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2015/03/self-serve-healthy-snacks-for-kids/" target="_blank">(thirtyhandmadedays.com)</a></div>
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Click the caption to read about it! I'm totally doing this!</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-81076835781030914262015-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:002015-05-11T05:00:09.645-07:00My Favorite Fast Recipe: Hot and Sweet Salsa Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaFnTtZO-DLIceTDrobiHoNgaElRNUOEnxziOJij_ERq8STP4uo9Hng1lf1hCZIqpU0Q4yBKlhJlPWwihFsqj3ZQuHDIHw_lMUsaqKD4_gv3-NnBJsyg3tyuTpFla7EFAdX1ST-Iwvi0/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaFnTtZO-DLIceTDrobiHoNgaElRNUOEnxziOJij_ERq8STP4uo9Hng1lf1hCZIqpU0Q4yBKlhJlPWwihFsqj3ZQuHDIHw_lMUsaqKD4_gv3-NnBJsyg3tyuTpFla7EFAdX1ST-Iwvi0/s640/images.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite go to meal when I have no time to make a meal. Just throw it in the crockpot and leave!</div>
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<b>HOT AND SWEET SALSA CHICKEN</b></div>
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3 lbs. Chicken thighs, bonless, skinless</div>
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2 cups salsa, medium</div>
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Place chicken in crockpot. Mix sugar and salsa and pour over chicken. Cook on low 4 hours. Serve over rice. Delicious!</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-60705118728077726522015-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:002015-05-10T05:00:03.400-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GQ4TPn8hjxI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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You are amazing!</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-82335188435979906002015-05-09T14:17:00.002-07:002015-05-09T19:18:39.058-07:00Ha Ha!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(image: playbuzz.com)</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-12500508545478958832015-05-06T08:46:00.001-07:002015-05-06T08:46:31.456-07:00Radio Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I did my first radio show interview this morning about the book, <i>Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat</i>! I can't believe how nervous I was! You can listen to it<a href="http://billflynninthemorning.podomatic.com/entry/2015-05-06T07_46_36-07_00" target="_blank"> here on The Bill Flynn Morning Show</a>. My interview is about 3/4 of the way through the show. I love how the Bill Flynn Show really celebrated motherhood today!Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-21477527711408333052015-05-04T16:11:00.000-07:002015-05-04T16:11:03.885-07:00BYU Women's Conference! So Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7U47Mma65JW2jQOIKYIdAIRjcRtvIw_-k26nbAENbJ36GqPUvSw4AFRB_xxOhTEB7MyjW0RVMuVdnSrj2mU9MQzJrRKq4qhtWWQ3oT14hql8uJ5m9OAP1vwfBpnwb9UzdddheoAZzcE/s1600/broadcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7U47Mma65JW2jQOIKYIdAIRjcRtvIw_-k26nbAENbJ36GqPUvSw4AFRB_xxOhTEB7MyjW0RVMuVdnSrj2mU9MQzJrRKq4qhtWWQ3oT14hql8uJ5m9OAP1vwfBpnwb9UzdddheoAZzcE/s640/broadcast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Last week I went to BYU Women's Conference where they teach classes about raising families! Can you see me in the picture? Just kidding. I am in that picture somewhere, though! I had a great time signing books and also going to the classes. My favorite class was called, "Honestly Acknowledge Your Questions, but first Fan the Flame of Your Faith." The rebroadcast dates are<a href="https://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/broadcasts.php" target="_blank"> here</a> if you want to watch it. I hear John Bytheway was awesome too! Also, if you have time, check out my book review on Kim Thacker's book review blog, <a href="http://kimharristhacker.com/2015/05/04/book-review-dont-put-lipstick-on-the-cat-by-kersten-campbell/" target="_blank">here</a>. Hope you have an awesome day! </span></div>
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Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-52485465354400478242015-04-27T15:16:00.001-07:002015-04-27T15:16:39.757-07:00We've all got one of these!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8mWGne2xx6cOjt8CoZMv4NS_BpiZFufMNApsY_IMLakUR9E_T_U5HCKdNYeYCfoxh-CCDP9B5LNqM6MfrA3GfBAFKg9u4_j5y2kqOz179CQtldqVUqqJoCNX30b8ZzJlIuZtqUsUMBI/s1600/26b70ff3282fda3c190edffe2085e38b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8mWGne2xx6cOjt8CoZMv4NS_BpiZFufMNApsY_IMLakUR9E_T_U5HCKdNYeYCfoxh-CCDP9B5LNqM6MfrA3GfBAFKg9u4_j5y2kqOz179CQtldqVUqqJoCNX30b8ZzJlIuZtqUsUMBI/s1600/26b70ff3282fda3c190edffe2085e38b.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></div>
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(babyblueline.com)</div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-30071647494662438472015-04-22T08:53:00.001-07:002015-04-22T08:56:00.032-07:00Moms and Sports<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2XnB6BGsLMFqrIK9BQfn-DltB9wtnTDqsN5MXRW6IzS4RiT2k1qrqHEt1-phw2jWYhosQrqXLFkudMmjj6XCcVpziSlF6gEq9nOZ0fnSVlJGSx7zGO7kN2ZlJr0zqQBTb3XqVtVLi9g/s1600/22c5f567ed8b94a1d99a29be424fabee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2XnB6BGsLMFqrIK9BQfn-DltB9wtnTDqsN5MXRW6IzS4RiT2k1qrqHEt1-phw2jWYhosQrqXLFkudMmjj6XCcVpziSlF6gEq9nOZ0fnSVlJGSx7zGO7kN2ZlJr0zqQBTb3XqVtVLi9g/s640/22c5f567ed8b94a1d99a29be424fabee.jpg" /></a></div>
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I know some moms love sports, but it's all greek to me!</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-67942405175205222312015-04-15T08:37:00.002-07:002015-04-15T08:37:25.201-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(kudofoo.com)</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-45437403875636337462015-04-13T09:04:00.001-07:002015-04-13T09:04:35.782-07:00Spring Break!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry it's been a week since I've posted, but we went to Arches National Park for Spring Break. It was so fun! Here's a picture of the family under one of the beautiful arches. There is some beautiful country in Moab, Utah.</div>
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I love family vacations for the way it helps our family bond together. This creates a family culture that helps build resistance to peer pressure. It's so important!</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-20516801649837612982015-04-02T12:44:00.002-07:002015-04-02T12:44:15.195-07:00Humor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-61716705148655681522015-04-01T05:00:00.000-07:002015-04-01T07:23:21.214-07:00What to Do if you Make a Parenting Mistake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu/" target="_blank">legacyproject.human.cornell.edu</a></div>
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You are not alone. We all make parenting mistakes. Often. Don't beat yourself up. Just learn from it. Try to do better next time. Forgive yourself. You will find your children are very forgiving. I can't count how many mistakes I have made, but when I apologize, all is forgiven, and we even laugh about it together. Often the conversations that happen after the apology are very precious and build your relationship even stronger. If you keep making the same mistake over and over, just keep trying. Do not give up. You will get stronger over time and as you get more sleep. I remember I would sometimes get grumpy at my kids when they kept getting out of bed at night. A short fuse from little sleep. But all that has gone away. I got better over time....and you will too. Forgive yourself. You will get stronger and your parenting skills will grow with time and experience. I know this from my own experience. Today I found myself not getting angry when my child made unreasonable demands in a rude voice. I calmly told her the right way to ask me, and she immediately fixed the problem with no drama. I thought...boy I've come a long way, to be able to do that. And you will to.</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-43875682265103479242015-03-31T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-31T05:00:07.478-07:00Toddlers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-NXQH8XIwQfukEJOmpofIWOeUWA7NTtOe_cTABTOIJw4CFiUzgqEzS7jsDhmiLA0M4saHG_eIGO43_ns8qvhg18eMar_qRSIjpNl5jmpDZJPvw3FxoCmpVen1CWLnVx9hGmiR6sEBuU/s1600/10906383_10153098017197082_7769114944766730305_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-NXQH8XIwQfukEJOmpofIWOeUWA7NTtOe_cTABTOIJw4CFiUzgqEzS7jsDhmiLA0M4saHG_eIGO43_ns8qvhg18eMar_qRSIjpNl5jmpDZJPvw3FxoCmpVen1CWLnVx9hGmiR6sEBuU/s1600/10906383_10153098017197082_7769114944766730305_n.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-25071446666295213492015-03-30T09:02:00.001-07:002015-03-30T09:02:18.615-07:00Love Languages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9-4tCytHTVukgxrJyf6ujDsWKNhic4S-MI1Tr3jWm1GQ5WIgGJZU8L1g3Uv3yiN6F2oexIG-Db80vl2DcupGUsVdDJe2aqyq6hWwT8GT25XrDll2qeu0dfhuxPHcAllOEomyJhKxvM/s1600/11064855_913645058657838_6880772325413897646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9-4tCytHTVukgxrJyf6ujDsWKNhic4S-MI1Tr3jWm1GQ5WIgGJZU8L1g3Uv3yiN6F2oexIG-Db80vl2DcupGUsVdDJe2aqyq6hWwT8GT25XrDll2qeu0dfhuxPHcAllOEomyJhKxvM/s1600/11064855_913645058657838_6880772325413897646_n.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-29463604835482630022015-03-26T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-26T05:00:03.143-07:00Becoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvrbbPtKKGshlbeihFbItvbfiWUt_-onUgU9ZLmV_8uVj9lkomZhMP650pfwx-tbb1dr1Ke1EUyku24lmEUPYmnQ3lme6G35ALzDSbleOVqkpe9wkbow0w5WS4CndBjO0vG_XDpKlNJ4/s1600/1958315_838671892867278_8849160282215848093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvrbbPtKKGshlbeihFbItvbfiWUt_-onUgU9ZLmV_8uVj9lkomZhMP650pfwx-tbb1dr1Ke1EUyku24lmEUPYmnQ3lme6G35ALzDSbleOVqkpe9wkbow0w5WS4CndBjO0vG_XDpKlNJ4/s1600/1958315_838671892867278_8849160282215848093_n.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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(Elephant meditation)</div>
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Loved this! Reminds me of parenthood!</div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-42265208949679664722015-03-25T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-25T05:00:08.521-07:00What to do when your baby has Colic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIguNd4f5Py63c3MHEFS0Cf5TNspZreifZMA9hlfloUH0qNGKuiXVaPN2-_bKna1k1dOn07uRRnYKUapAThYVV0DbAoU1xCS5Y9FpZoPlNMOhtd3EbpU7__ILLinbSxKue59Eyti_N_uk/s1600/colique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIguNd4f5Py63c3MHEFS0Cf5TNspZreifZMA9hlfloUH0qNGKuiXVaPN2-_bKna1k1dOn07uRRnYKUapAThYVV0DbAoU1xCS5Y9FpZoPlNMOhtd3EbpU7__ILLinbSxKue59Eyti_N_uk/s1600/colique.jpg" height="339" width="400" /></a></div>
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(colicnomore.com)</div>
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Four of my babies had colic so I've garnered some wisdom over the years about what to do. Here are some do's and don't's I've learned:</div>
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<li><b>DO:</b> Take your child to the doctor. He/she may have physical issues that are causing discomfort. My babies had acid reflux. This is VERY common. The medicine for it doesn't hurt babies, so even if your babies aren't spitting up a lot (mine didn't), it's worth a try. See if your doctor will let you do a trial run with the medicine.</li>
<li><b>DON'T:</b> Try and handle it all by yourself all the time. Get help. Family members and friends can help you take breaks from the constant crying.</li>
<li><b>DO:</b> Let your husband help. A lot. Ask for it. Don't wait for him to offer. And don't criticize his efforts. Let him do it his way. It's important not to criticize him if you want his help in the future.</li>
<li><b>DON'T: </b> Let yourself reach the breaking point. If you feel yourself getting angry, call someone right away. If no one is available, put the baby in a safe place, like his crib, and let him cry, while you get a short break. Turn on the television or put in soothing music to help you calm down, or take a short bath. Praying helps too.</li>
<li><b>DO:</b> Try many different tactics. Baby slings are great and help you get more done.</li>
<li><b>DON'T</b>: Feel like you have to hold the baby 24 hours/day. If you need to let them cry for a bit while you eat your dinner, it's okay.</li>
<li><b>DO:</b> Try gas medicine for babies. Many times that helps. </li>
<li><b>DO: </b>Try baby massage to get gas bubbles moving. Try lots of things: baths, swaddling, burping, rocking, singing, stroking their forehead, driving in the car, vibrating chair, swing, or gently walking and bouncing (never shaking).</li>
<li><b>DO: </b> Plan ahead. If you know there is a fussy time, get dinner made and a nap in for yourself before it happens. Make extra portions of dinner to freeze for later. Crockpots are a lifesaver.</li>
<li><b>DON'T:</b> Be afraid to hire a babysitter to give yourself a break. Also accept meals from friends who offer.</li>
<li><b>DO:</b> Go on dates with your husband. Colic is hard on a relationship. You need to give each other some time.</li>
<li><b>DO:</b> Buy earplugs. Trust me if you are holding a crying baby a lot, this will save your sanity. You can still feel good about comforting the baby, but it won't grate on your nerves so much.</li>
<li><b>DON'T</b>: Listen to criticism from other people. Grandmothers used to stop me at the store and tell me to feed my baby more so he wouldn't cry. I just ignored what they said, told them my baby had colic, and kept shopping. Nobody knows what your personal struggle is, so they do not have the right to criticize. Don't worry about what other people think, and don't let them tell you it's your fault. It's not. Colicky babies just cry a lot, and you are doing your best, so don't listen to their negativity.</li>
<li><b>DO</b>: Know that it will end sooner than you think. I promise. Usually at around 2 1/2 months and sometimes sooner. It won't last forever!</li>
</ul>
Hope these tips help!<br />
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<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-16494351955910222362015-03-24T08:50:00.002-07:002015-03-24T10:08:47.020-07:00How Much Should You Pay Your Babysitter? And How to Find a Great One!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE89CQd0AY37Kjfmf-3MeRkPEhxyu9LfkEy0djDFHUSQUmng08SLy_h9p92RxQuYzm5leCCUGkJCxC3O3ygYFWeKakd9peE5w_fK_W0djVF6EFIeFJwb5FHNtBVB2TLrNoqXTapZ7y_iM/s1600/5f0fcf16c58ba21ccd8433109711d1d7ade6d818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE89CQd0AY37Kjfmf-3MeRkPEhxyu9LfkEy0djDFHUSQUmng08SLy_h9p92RxQuYzm5leCCUGkJCxC3O3ygYFWeKakd9peE5w_fK_W0djVF6EFIeFJwb5FHNtBVB2TLrNoqXTapZ7y_iM/s1600/5f0fcf16c58ba21ccd8433109711d1d7ade6d818.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/how-much-it-costs-to-hire-a-babysitter-around-the-114417637147.html" target="_blank">(Yahoo.com)</a></div>
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I was inspired by this great <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/how-much-it-costs-to-hire-a-babysitter-around-the-114417637147.html" target="_blank">article </a>on Yahoo to write a post on babysitting. When my kids were younger I paid $2/per child per hour. When I had five kids that was $10 per hour! According to the article, that's not enough these days. $13.44 is the going rate now. Quite a lot, but I think it's worth it, when you find the right person, to pay enough to keep them interested. How do you find the right person? Networking! You need to talk to your friends and parents of the teenagers you know. Ask them these questions:</div>
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1. Does your daughter like children?</div>
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2. Is she too busy with extra curricular activities?</div>
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3. Will she play with the kids?</div>
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4. Will she help the children clean up after themselves?</div>
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When you ask these questions to parents of teens, they will pass along to their teen that these are the things you care about, and they can decide if they are up to the challenge. This will help them fulfill your expectations. You also need to tell them your expectations before you leave. Lists are always helpful.</div>
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Another way to find great babysitters is to be involved in helping the youth while volunteering at a church or school. You can scope out teens' personalities as you work with them. Once you find a great babysitter, be sure you pay them enough so they'll want to keep coming back. Always praise the things you see that they've done well. This will make them want to do it again the next time, and usually it will inspire them to work even harder!</div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-24414896870255250732015-03-23T11:17:00.002-07:002015-03-23T11:17:39.581-07:00Getting through Hard TimesI loved this video! <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=2178839742001&linkBaseURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lds.org%2Fmedia-library%2Fvideo%2F2013-01-003-mountains-to-climb%3Fcategory%3Dmormon-messages%2Fmormon-messages-2013%26lang%3Deng%26cid%3DHP_Homepage-2015_3-17-15_dPTH_L1-A_759&playerID=710849472001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAApYNoccE~,xDmRWfqDlPhbhwoOkZ1F_TSoe20nAtRQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=2178839742001&linkBaseURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lds.org%2Fmedia-library%2Fvideo%2F2013-01-003-mountains-to-climb%3Fcategory%3Dmormon-messages%2Fmormon-messages-2013%26lang%3Deng%26cid%3DHP_Homepage-2015_3-17-15_dPTH_L1-A_759&playerID=710849472001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAApYNoccE~,xDmRWfqDlPhbhwoOkZ1F_TSoe20nAtRQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-85792064865159846562015-03-20T20:58:00.000-07:002015-03-20T20:58:00.764-07:00Parenting Tweens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSV3d2GvY5gRCFema5f7sB_aI0yQ9zV1Eljafr60pTP-_Yi2oDCbImH8an6NZeyWtAWca1EU8iOZTbsKTYDWhW3RCgL6jUfpP_dZd3ifC59rpYtMB1bk44nbNs4tB7cB8Ne2qcuvgLo/s1600/5bdb8bf8943aa1b79df6f619995f2b79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSV3d2GvY5gRCFema5f7sB_aI0yQ9zV1Eljafr60pTP-_Yi2oDCbImH8an6NZeyWtAWca1EU8iOZTbsKTYDWhW3RCgL6jUfpP_dZd3ifC59rpYtMB1bk44nbNs4tB7cB8Ne2qcuvgLo/s1600/5bdb8bf8943aa1b79df6f619995f2b79.jpg" height="640" width="423" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/parenting-the-in-be-tweens/" target="_blank">(howdoesshe.com)</a></div>
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Loved this article! Click the caption to go there.</div>
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<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-65188849540637877892015-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-18T05:00:03.270-07:00Love this Quote!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvykljeNEtSKDQnIA3nML9FY6MOwcNAGvhXFFql45qVkbhQqrkoHdlZRKk6iIIMzIIlpwC2TKOumo8_bKGO7oocm2FaXEXeSTnauHrzu-QUbaHE86r-3RJlA1xZ7T7iZhiibOslqVY9g/s1600/eedab7c5f1ea3a1038787106db8101ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvykljeNEtSKDQnIA3nML9FY6MOwcNAGvhXFFql45qVkbhQqrkoHdlZRKk6iIIMzIIlpwC2TKOumo8_bKGO7oocm2FaXEXeSTnauHrzu-QUbaHE86r-3RJlA1xZ7T7iZhiibOslqVY9g/s1600/eedab7c5f1ea3a1038787106db8101ad.jpg" height="640" width="429" /></a></div>
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(familyshare.com)</div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-11093194272728640162015-03-17T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-17T05:00:09.471-07:00Carseat Humor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohV2qrmF-deTFnxMLQHOyLkz3elI-19v-mnB1KKD4QSa39yiwK_m5IgwDOwNctdvDjsRIssmSZGGZV-MwEq7CwwsmZZWBAnqK-8jluhlHx82fKNYZNp2pb8cLJxpVhpjYScV1F6Xomwk/s1600/Comic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohV2qrmF-deTFnxMLQHOyLkz3elI-19v-mnB1KKD4QSa39yiwK_m5IgwDOwNctdvDjsRIssmSZGGZV-MwEq7CwwsmZZWBAnqK-8jluhlHx82fKNYZNp2pb8cLJxpVhpjYScV1F6Xomwk/s640/Comic.JPG" /></a></div>
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(allthingskaty.blogspot.com)</div>
Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-68128033527225751122015-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:002015-03-16T05:00:10.079-07:00Agenda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GHWKGlz3vbIrhWpoXFsMB9lQtIfkMq5i5yLqXjH1dL3ES66mb6NLTZ-beICWgNnWBglkfykOU-29w85B4XHUSBdevKtrh4HsGxoSZLsrpL4fPwFqCZTw5IWO2J0RRTY0o3c6wDgLIHI/s1600/tr0033.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GHWKGlz3vbIrhWpoXFsMB9lQtIfkMq5i5yLqXjH1dL3ES66mb6NLTZ-beICWgNnWBglkfykOU-29w85B4XHUSBdevKtrh4HsGxoSZLsrpL4fPwFqCZTw5IWO2J0RRTY0o3c6wDgLIHI/s1600/tr0033.gif" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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(www.tshirtmagic.com)</div>
<br />Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361984024555662011.post-9285536114385513832015-03-14T08:06:00.000-07:002015-03-14T10:59:40.144-07:00How to Help a Child who is Being Bullied<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DJOXnikvuqa-Mhd1Dgn0EchMn5zHrh0iM16zHm63w4c2iLj4NTXITUl46a6zIJQu9ALOEqR1H4M-Y9GhqnCP21S5qA4BYr38tL5dqyagfHxd0oIEtXS44qErBaPX8VHo8L-SKbooqCY/s1600/bullied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DJOXnikvuqa-Mhd1Dgn0EchMn5zHrh0iM16zHm63w4c2iLj4NTXITUl46a6zIJQu9ALOEqR1H4M-Y9GhqnCP21S5qA4BYr38tL5dqyagfHxd0oIEtXS44qErBaPX8VHo8L-SKbooqCY/s1600/bullied.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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(www.mhpbooks.com)</div>
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This is a tough topic. We all feel sorry for the victims of bullies...and yet, the bullies themselves often come from terrible home situations which fuel their behavior. When my son was being bullied by a boy he sat by at school here are the steps I took which seemed to work well.<br />
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1. <b>Find out the full story.</b> If your child hints at being bullied, stop what you are doing and take the time to get the whole story. Find out if he is doing things to exacerbate the problem and aggrevate the bully's behavior. You need to get the whole picture in order to fix what is wrong.<br />
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2. <b>Once you understand the situation, talk with your child's teacher</b>. Teachers are usually committed to stop bullying, so they will be your ally. They can talk with the bully and his parents if necessary. It is never a child's responsibility to stop a bully problem. Only adults are equipped to stop a bully. Teachers need to be aware of what is happening, so they can foresee and prevent potential problems from happening.<br />
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3. <b>Remove the child from the situation as best as possible</b>. If he sits by the bully, have him move to the opposite end of the classroom. Teach your children to walk away from bullies and find a teacher. If cyber-bullying is the problem, help your children block the offenders from their phones and email, and teach them to stay away from sites the bullies go on.<br />
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4. <b>Give your child skills</b>. If they encounter a bully, help them know to remove themselves from the situation and report it to a teacher or parent right away. Help them not to do things that will not exacerbate the problem, such as needling the bully about a sore subject. Tell your child not to say mean things back to the bully, as it may escalate the problem. If they see others being bullied, they should tell a teacher right away.<br />
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5. <b>Help them understand that it is not their fault.</b> No child deserves to be bullied. Help them understand that it is not their character that invites bullying. Teach them that bullies usually have hard home lives and that they haven't learned to get their needs met appropriately. Tell your children to be kind, but to stay away from the bullying behavior. <br />
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6. <b>Help your children have confidence </b>and self-esteem through love at home and developing their talents. This way, mean words won't bother them so much. Help them know that mean things people say are never true, and that they can ignore and not believe the words a bully uses. This is a skill they will need to have for life...so it is important to teach and re-teach this principle.Kerstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08208370383994488655noreply@blogger.com0