Archive: moms

How the Government Shutdown Affected Kids and Moms

Mom Trusted reports on how the government shutdown affected kids and moms here:

The government shutdown affected kids and moms as it blew through the country, shutting down federally funded programs left and right on the first of October. Many federally funded Head Start programs, which offer free preschool to kids under five, ran out of funding at the end of September. Those that couldn’t afford to stay open through other channels of income were forced to send preschoolers home indefinitely. Head Start programs in Florida, Alabama, Connecticut and Mississippi were among those forced to close, hitting 3,200 preschoolers by the day after the shutdown.

The government shutdown affected kids and moms of all ages, not just those in preschool. Programs labeled “non-essential” were the ones forced to close with the shutdown. Among the many hit was the WIC, the Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The WIC provides healthy food for low-income moms and moms-to-be with children under five years old.

Nearly nine million women and children participate in the program and receive an average monthly benefit of $45. By providing healthy food to children, the program hopes to cut medical costs in the future. For every $1 spent on WIC, the program will save over $4 in medical bills.

Many program workers and parents who depend on WIC argue that the program is the opposite of “non-essential.”

Sources:

-“Shutdown threatens nutrition for mothers, children” CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/30/news/economy/shutdown-wic/index.html

-“WIC support for moms, babies threatened during shutdown” CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57605501/wic-support-for-moms-babies-threatened-during-shutdown/

-“Low-income moms and infants will see support disappear in a shutdown” Think Progress: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/09/30/2701131/shutdown-wic/

-Photo courtesy of adamr/freedigitalphotos.net

Best Books for Moms

Trust us, we know how important some down time is for busy moms. So after you tuck your little ones in at night, before you collapse in exhaustion, relax by reading a book. MomTrusted is here to help! We’ve scouted out the top 7 best books for moms:

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

By Maria Semple

This is the hilarious story of an agoraphobic woman who goes missing. Her best friend and daughter must hunt her down. This goofy read explores the strong bond of a mother and daughter.

No Biking in the House Without a Helmet

Melissa Fay Greene

Right before Melissa’s oldest of her four children headed off to college, she and her husband adopted five more. They took in four children from Ethiopia and one from Bulgaria. In No Biking in the House Without a Helmet, the author explains why and how they doubled their family size.

Bossypants

Tina Fey

As any fan of Saturday Night Live knows, Tina Fey will have you laughing out loud in no time. In Bossypants, Fey talks about being a mother. She touches on the funny parts of being a mom and the scary ones, making for an incredibly relatable book for any mom.

Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Peggy Orenstein

Peggy Orenstein explores what influences like Miley Cirus, the American Girl Dolls and Disney World are doing to young girls in today’s society. She argues that these influences are putting an unneeded emphasis on appearance and sexiness too young.

It is Well with My Soul

Ella Mae Cheeks

106 year-old Ella Mae Cheeks tells the story of her life in It is Well with My Soul. She reflects on watching W. E. B. Du Bois speak in the early 1920s and attending President Obama’s inauguration. Learn about how she lived a happy life for 106 years.

Forgotten

Catherine McKenzie

When Emma Tupper heads to Africa on vacation, she has no idea that an illness will strand her in a small village for six months. When she finally returns home, she finds that everyone thinks she died. Read as Emma struggles to reestablish her family and life, all the while discovering her true self.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms

Kristine Carlson

Kristine Carlson writes of her own experience as a mother, with an understanding voice, offering advice and learning from her own mistakes.

Sources:

-“Mom Will Love These Entertaining Reads.” She Knows

-“Books Moms Will Love.” Oprah

-“10 Best Mother’s Day Books of 2010.” The Christian Science Monitor

-Photo courtesy of marin/freedigitalphotos.net

Diaper Bag Checklist

photo from fao.com

With closets full of diapers, bottles stuffed in your cupboards and toys cluttering your countertops, it’s tough to know exactly what you should have in your diaper bag. You hear phrases about how moms always need to be prepared, but how can you possibly stuff all of that gear into one little (ok, maybe it’s closer to the size of a minivan than you’d like to admit) bag? Here’s a simple checklist to help you organize and prioritize what goes into your diaper bag:

Essentials

The essentials are items that you probably want to have on you at all times, regardless of where you’re going and for how long.

-Diapers (always at least one more than you think you need)

-Wipes (Tip: Save by buying in bulk and sticking them in ziplock bags “travel” bags)

-Plastic bags

-A changing pad

-Bottles and formula

-Snacks (toddlers)

-Sippy cup (toddlers)

-Backup outfit

-Blanket

-Sunscreen

-Pacifier (maybe throw in an extra one since little nooks tend to go missing often)

-Emergency info (better yet, store important information, like doctor’s phone numbers, in your cell phone)

-Favorite toy

-Diaper rash cream

-Bib

Extras

If you have extra space (haha) or plan on being away for a full day or more, consider taking a few more items.

-Extra clothing (and really extra of everything in the essential list)

-Pain relievers

-Comfort toy for your little one to nap with

-Hat if you’re going to be out in the sun

-Hat, mittens and other winter gear if it’s chilly out

-Nail clippers

-Camera

-First-aid kit

Sources:

-“Checklist: What to Put in Your Diaper Bag.” Baby Center

-“What to Keep in Your Baby Diaper Bag.” Parents.com

-“Diaper Bag Essentials.” Mom Advice

-Photo courtesy of digitalart/freedigitalphotos.net

Fitness Tips for Moms on the Go

Sticking to New Year’s resolutions is never easy, but it’s even tougher for busy moms. Take the start of a new year as an opportunity to revamp your health plan. Here are some fitness tips for moms to help squeeze workouts into your busy schedule:

Set a routine

And stick to it! Pick a few days a week and put your workouts on your calendar. You already have everything from play dates to soccer games on it, so the best way to guarantee your own time is to pencil yourself in.

Overlap workout time with social time

No matter how hard you wish, there are only 24 hours in a day so take advantage of the little free time you can squeeze in. Get a group of friends together and go on a bike ride. Call up your sister for a running buddy. And socializing while you exercise will make burning calories a lot more fun!

Find a gym with daycare

Lots of gyms are family-friendly and have childcare options available. Many even have special playrooms so your kids can run around and get some exercise while you’re pounding away on the treadmill.

Sneak in mini workouts throughout the day

Don’t have time to set aside for the gym each day? No problem. Just sneak in simple exercises like crunches, pushups, squats or planks during nap time or while your little one’s tuned into Sesame Street. If you do so on a daily basis, you could start seeing results within a month.

Bring your toddler along

Can your little one join in on the fun? Coordinate a stroller run with other moms or buy a bike with a child seat on the back.

Don’t forget about what you’re already doing

Chasing a toddler around, cleaning the house and walking the dog are workouts in themselves. Pick up a pedometer to see just how much ground you’re covering every day.

Sources:

-“Workout tips for working moms.” Every Day Family

-“Family Go Fitness.” Disney

-Photo courtesy of photostock/freedigitalphotos.net