A Can Do Mom

Any parent knows that most holidays are completely transformed when you have children. Road trips have to be planned carefully, traditions may need to be adjusted, and new activities are often created just to make things work. New Year’s Eve with kids can be particularly tricky because so much of the celebration tends to revolve around staying up until midnight. And for young children, that’s not exactly easy. So that raises the big question: Should kids even stay up until midnight? Sure, it’s a special occasion, but some parents wonder if it’s really worth the next day’s crankiness. Plus, it can be tough to keep kids happy and entertained that late into the night. If you're on the fence about how to handle New Year's Eve with kids, you're not alone. Here's a helpful guide full of ideas and tips to make the evening fun and manageable, no matter what bedtime looks like in your house. Should You Let Your Kids Stay Up Until Midnight? Let’s start with the big one: Is i...

Fall is almost here which means cooler weather, colorful leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and of course… the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy some intentional family time . One of the best ways to make the most of the season is to start planning now , so you’re ready to enjoy every crisp, cozy moment. To help, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite family-friendly fall activities that are simple, fun, and totally memory-worthy! 1. Decorate for the Season Most families decorate for holidays, but seasonal decorating is its own kind of magic especially in the fall. This is the perfect time to add a little warmth and autumn charm to your home. Think: Pumpkins on the porch A DIY fall wreath for the door Faux leaves, pinecones, and acorns for tabletops Cozy plaid throws and scented candles inside Let the kids help you pick out decor or make some of their own! (Painted pumpkins, anyone?) You’ll be surprised how much fun they have transforming the home with you. Need i...

Yoga has been around for centuries, and with good reason. It's more than just a workout. It’s a whole-body, whole-mind practice that helps you feel more present, balanced, and strong. And let’s be real: what mom doesn’t need a little more of that in her life? In this post, I want to focus on how yoga can benefit moms first (because yes, we need to take care of ourselves sometimes!). But if you decide to invite your kids into the practice too, there are some pretty amazing benefits there as well. Benefits of Yoga for Moms 1. Yoga Gives Moms a Much-Needed Break Let’s face it there’s always something else to do. Laundry, dishes, school runs, meal prep… the list never ends. But that’s exactly why you need to carve out a moment for yourself. Even just ten minutes of yoga can be a reset button on a stressful day. It helps calm your nervous system and gives you a chance to breathe. When you’re more grounded and centered, you’re more patient, more present, and honestly? A better v...

There’s just something satisfying about checking off a to-do list. I love making one and then going through my day with a clear sense of purpose. Sure, there are days when I just carry a mental list around in my head—but I always notice I get a lot less done when I don’t physically write it down. Seeing the list in front of me, even with just a couple of things checked off, somehow keeps me grounded, focused, and motivated. Of course, I know not everyone feels the same way. My husband, for example, is definitely not a fan of lists 😄. Some people get overwhelmed seeing everything that needs to be done in black and white. Others feel like keeping a mental checklist is enough. But here’s the problem with that: our brains are constantly juggling a million things so it’s easy to get distracted, forget something important, or lose steam midway through the day. That’s why I want to encourage you to just try it. Just for one week. Give a daily to-do list a fair shot and see how it changes ...

Today’s post is all about how to prepare your children for their first pet in a safe and practical way. Because even though getting a pet can be a big responsibility, it can also bring joy, comfort, and lifelong memories to your home — especially for your kids. Pets can actually help children develop in many important ways. They teach empathy and responsibility, and they can even support your child’s emotional and mental wellbeing. A furry (or scaly or feathery) friend can truly be a comforting presence. But one common mistake families make is bringing home a pet before the children are ready. Thankfully, this can be easily avoided with a little preparation. So let’s talk about some simple ways to help your child get ready to welcome a new pet into your family. Involve Your Kids from the Very Beginning One of the best ways to prepare your children is to let them help with the setup process. This could include: Choosing a special area in the home for the new pet Picking out ...

  As a mom of two girls, I only had to go through the transition of adding a new child to our family once. But even that one time taught me so much. It was a beautiful, exciting time… but also a really tough one. In my case, my eldest daughter had begged for a sibling. During my pregnancy, she was so excited to meet her little sister but jealousy crept in too. And after I brought the baby home, that jealousy really came to the surface. Thankfully, after a few months, things started to settle down. But those first few months were rough. If I can help even one mom feel more prepared for this kind of transition, then I’d be so happy. So today I’m sharing some of the things that helped us through that big change and that might help you too. Start Making Adjustments During Pregnancy Bringing home a baby changes everything  so the more you can ease your older child into those changes beforehand , the smoother the transition might be. Ease them into independence : If your ...

Back in 2021, the Boppy Newborn Lounger was recalled due to a tragic and very real danger: the risk of suffocation . Parents were urged to stop using the pillow immediately. But heartbreakingly, two more babies have died using this lounger even after the recall . You might be wondering how this is still happening. After all, the product hasn’t been legally sold since the recall. The problem? Facebook Marketplace . Despite being a recalled item, nearly 1,000 Boppy Newborn Loungers are still being listed on Facebook Marketplace every month . Yes, every month . And while it's technically illegal to list or sell recalled products, many of these listings go live, get sold, and are only removed after someone reports them. But by then, the damage may already be done. And it’s not just the Boppy. The Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper , recalled in 2019 after being linked to over 100 infant deaths (including eight deaths since the recall ), continues to show up on resale platforms ...

Summer is here, and I’m in full cleaning mode. To be honest, I stay in some kind of cleaning mode year-round, but once the school year ends, I shift into declutter-and-refresh mode. Back when my kids were little and we homeschooled full-time, I’d deep clean and reorganize the schoolroom at the start of every summer. It helped me get ready for the new school year with a fresh space and clear mind. Even though those days are behind us now, I still use this season to reset our home—physically and mentally. If you’re homeschooling or still have younger kids at home, this is the perfect time to go through your shelves and closets. You might have books your kids have outgrown, clothes that don’t fit, or toys collecting dust. These kinds of items sell well on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or in local buy-sell groups. Not into online selling? No problem—host a yard sale, or consider renting a booth at a local flea market. The point is, what’s clutter to you might be exactly what someone else...

  Most of us have heard that too many carbs and too much sugar can be bad for us. But if you’re like me, that warning probably went in one ear and out the other for a long time. The truth is, we’re constantly bombarded with health advice so much so that it’s easy to tune it all out. Especially when the “bad guys” are things we actually enjoy, like bread, pasta, and sweets. But recently, I started paying more attention. I’d been dealing with a handful of minor health issues and just didn’t feel like myself. So I decided to try cutting back on carbs and sugar to see what would happen. The difference? Almost immediate. I felt better, more energized, less bloated, and more in control of my cravings. That experience inspired me to write this post. I want to share a few important things about what carbs and sugar actually do in the body and the impact they can have when we go overboard. What Role Do Carbs and Sugar Play in the Body? Let’s start with carbs. There are three main typ...

The minimalist movement has been gaining popularity for many years now. It has a lot of followers, but also plenty of people who question whether it’s a practical way to live. Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I don’t think I could ever go fully minimalist like some people do, but I don’t disagree with a lot of their principles either. One question that’s always popped into my mind, especially as a mother, is this: how can you realistically pull off the minimalist lifestyle when you have children? It seems like it would be incredibly difficult. But does difficult mean impossible? Today I want to explore that question a little more by looking at the relationship between minimalism and parenting. We’ll talk about some of the benefits, the potential challenges, and a few practical tips that might help if you’re thinking about going minimalist with kids. Benefits of Minimalism for Kids As parents, we want to give our children the best start in life. We want to teach t...