Nicole Olson

Are you ever out going with the flow but your visit is cut short because it’s dinner time, someone has to pee, or there’s nowhere to sit? Have a picnic kit ready at home and you can stay out until sunset. Plan your dinner ahead of time and bring it with you. Enjoy the outdoors and keep the mess out of your kitchen.

Please share this list far and wide. After taking care of babies and toddlers for over five years I have tried everything that works and doesn’t! I always have these things in my at home pharmacy basket and stock up whenever I see a sale. During cold and flu season we go through a lot of medicine. These are tried and true items and many items listed are the generic version I have found they work just as well. Make sure to always read active ingredients as you can typically make your own version of an expensive remedy with exactly the same ingredients while getting more for your money and saving trips to the store. Treat fevers and testing right away and try to stay ahead of the pain and fever. Rest is important for kids to heal so keep them comfortable at night and get some rest yourself. Having sick kids at home is absolutely the worst but it is much easier when you know what medicines and solutions will work to help them feel better.

If it is your first time participating in a kids soccer league you may find yourself underprepared as the season goes along. Here’s everything you need for a safe and fun season with your kiddos

If your baby or toddler struggles with excema it can be absolutely tortuous for you and for them! I tried nearly every cream and soap - ultimately here are the things that worked for us. The tricky thing about excema is that it can be caused by so many factors and requires some experimenting to figure out a treatment plan / routine for you. The more you learn about it the easier you can help your baby!

It is possible to teach children to read before they enter kindergarten. These products are suggestions to encourage early reading in children who haven’t entered elementary school but they help support emerging readers as well! I tried to teach my first son to read on my own but I was not successful. Now that he knows how to read after being in kindergarten I know how to teach my other kids - however I have to say temperament has a lot to do with it. My daughter doesn’t like to do “school” with me she wants to go to “real school” like her big brother. At a young age it’s important to be encouraging and fun and to foster a love of reading and learning rather than forcing them to learn.

Creating a designated free movement area in the main space of your home is great for baby to work on reaching their milestones, avoid container baby syndrome, and get into a routine of exploring and playing independently as well as with you near by of course! Having a comfortable and familiar space with all their favorite and fun things helps them work on learning and growing while you can step away and get things done or sit on the floor near by. There’s lots of fun for everyone to have especially near the mirror! Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

I sure do love my adventures! Here are the things that make taking kids and babies on the move a little easier and less stressful. From travel systems to accessories all these things are my grab and go to items that I refuse to leave home without! I use strollers and wagons for as long as I can - it is safer for the kids and easier for me. As they get older they learn about being safe in the street and staying by me. I really do think it's better to keep them strapped in as much as you can. All these items are ideas and inspiration - you can choose what works best for you. Don't forget to repurpose and reuse what you have or what your friends are giving away.

Here are all the things you need to get started making your own sensory materials and bins! This is just a start you can really create just about anything and design your own themes. Use what you have around the house and see if you can repurpose anything that isn't getting much use. Sensory play is an amazing way for kids to learn and play.

What on earth are you supposed to do when a baby is six months old - isn't crawling and doesn't sleep the whole day anymore? They are supposed to play! Yes even from this young age they are learning a lot. This is a list of the most engaging toys and my babies favorite toys. I have had three kids so these are things that they ALL have liked and that I have kept between all three kids.

These are all the things that make my baby's nursery my favorite room in the house. I truly have fun organizing and decorating the nursery and these items help me get everything just right. What's important in a baby nursery is to make sure every piece functions - in addition to looking beautiful. Do not over clutter the room as you want baby to have ample room to play and make room for their things as they grow. I have three kids and I can tell you now skip the diaper pail. I toss my diapers into the bathroom garbages right away and if it is a poopie one I tie up the bag and throw it into the outside bin. I hate having dirty diapers in the house the best thing to do is get them out asap.

You brought a puppy home now what! Things with a new puppy can get overwhelming quickly - as your family and new puppy adjust it helps to have some tried and true favorites at hand - or just a click away. Here’s what makes having a German shepherd easy and fun

Working from home with a baby, toddler and/or older kids can be tricky but if you are organized and have everything you need it’s definitely doable. Here are all the things I use in a daily basis as a work from home mama to keep things running as smooth as I possibly can.