Category: Ideas + Advice for Families

How much sleep does my child need?

The moment I became a mom I instantly became obsessed with the question, “How much sleep does my child need?“

Every time my child is cranky or going through a challenging phase, I always find myself wondering if they are getting enough sleep. Nice to have something to blame it on, right mamas?!

If kids don’t get the sleep they need, things can get ugly. That can go for moms too. Just sayin’!

In the course of working with Serta as a brand ambassador for their amazing mattresses, I learned of their partnership with the National Sleep Foundation. Serta’s Perfect Sleeper is the official mattress of the National Sleep Foundation.

Since this organization is an expert on all things sleep related, I poked around to see what they had to say about children and sleep, and came across this great article I wanted to share with you.

What do you think? Would love to hear your comments below.

Click here to read more!


How To Trim Your Daughter’s Growing Out Bangs

How to trim girl's growing out bangs

This post includes a how to video on how to cut your daughter’s bangs when you are trying to grow them out by OC hairstylist Tera Rae Stephens of Tek Salon in Costa Mesa.

Growing out a little girl’s bangs can be no easy feat!

If you are in the beginning phase, make sure to read this first post on How to Grow Out Your Little Girl’s Bangs to see four cute hairstyles you can do when they start getting in her eyes.

When they start to get longer, a little trim along the way, will make them easier to wear while growing out.

Here Tera teaches us how to cut your daughter’s bangs while growing them out by demonstrating on her own cutie patootie, Harper:

Click here to read more!


Find Some More Me Time in Your Day!

Find Some More Me Time in Your Day

As mamas, we give our kiddos everything we have – our unconditional love, our time, our patience, our nurturing, our advice, our many, many talents (chauffeur, nurse, teacher, monster-catcher, nose wiper…), and sometimes, our sanity.  And they deserve absolutely everything we have to give.

But sometimes, I find myself running on empty, completely drained.  Yes, I should exercise more.  Yes, I should eat healthier.  Yes, I should get more rest.  But sometimes, I just want more TIME.

And (gasp)…time for ME.

Here are some simple ways I’ve made some room in my life for more “me” time…and I hope these tips help you.  Us mamas have to stick together!

Click here to read more!


Menu Makeovers with Menu Therapy!

Menu Therapy Coupon Code

My family needs a dinner menu makeover. Does yours? 

Could you use a family meal planning service? I could, because I always seem to be stuck in the same weekly food rut, cooking the same things over and over again because…

1.) It’s convenient.  I default to comfortable when I’m busy.

2.) I always “pin” hundreds of recipe ideas on Pinterest and then don’t have time to shop or actually cook them.

3.) Many of the recipes I find look delicious, but then take 70 minutes to prepare and two hours to cook – who has the time?

4.) My cupboard full of all of the cookbooks we got for our wedding – with literally thousands of recipes – can be overwhelming when I want something quick during the week – seriously, I don’t need gourmet, I need a tasty chicken and veggie dish.

5.) I’m tired.  (Not lazy, just tired by dinnertime!)

Can any of you relate?

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Not a Fun Topic ~ But an Important One

This post was written by long time Tiny Oranges sponsor, Orange County estate planning lawyer, Darlynn Morgan, about the importance of taking the steps to protect your children legally if something were to happen to you. Not a fun topic, but an important one. Darlynn is hosting two free workshops for OC parents this month, details below. Here is what she wrote:

As parents, we know that bad things can happen to our family and that’s why we take steps to minimize our child’s risk or exposure.

We invest in the very best car seats, cabinet locks, helmets and other equipment—all in the name of keeping our children safe.   It feels like that’s all I ever think about, keeping my 3 year old son safe!

Yet when it comes to making sure our kids are protected in the event of mom or dad’s sudden death or incapacity, most parents find security by sticking their heads in the sand, doing nothing and thinking positive thoughts.

For some parents, they are in such denial that they don’t even let it cross their mind.  I understand; it’s very very hard to think about this stuff.

Click here to read more!