Children Archives | But First, Joy

Inspiring ordinary women to find joy in everyday things. Get My Newsletter

7 Things To Remember When Setting Rules for a Happy Family Life

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Baby Things To Buy Before Birth: A Complete List

100 Children’s Books to Read In a Lifetime

Best Fall Sensory Bins Activities for Toddlers

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5 Simple Reasons You Have an Unhappy Toddler

13 Games & Emotions Activities For Toddlers & Preschoolers

15 Fun Exercises For Kids Under 5 (to do as a family)

15 Empathy Books for Children to Understand Feelings

Toddler Proofing: How to Secure Every Room in the Home

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Life-Saving Tips To Keep Children Cool in the Car

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Cheap Summer Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers

How to Teach Children Empathy

My motherhood journey starts here: Protecting baby’s lungs – Join me!

RiddleCube The Game – A Game For The Mind #EducationalInsights

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Head to Target to Pick Up Disney Imagicademy Activity Books For The Kids #Wonderforge

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Transform Any Room with the Children’s PlaSmart Smart Mat #GiftsForKids

Disney Imagicademy Storymation Studio Stop Motion Movie Kit #Wonderforge

Good Dinosaur Roarin’ River Board Game #Wonderforge

Inspiring ordinary women to find joy in everyday things.

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Where my people pleasers at? 🙋🏻‍♀️ I

Where my people pleasers at? 🙋🏻‍♀️

I used to be a people pleaser. It came in the form of comparison, self-hatred, and perfectionism.

I was constantly at war with myself to the point of rethinking and second-guessing EVERY decision I made from posting on social media to raising my kids.

I knew, if I wanted to be a good mother AND an impactful human being, I couldn’t continue judging myself or trying to be someone I’m not.

So, I started putting in a real, genuine effort to love myself, which is something I’d never really done before.

I introduced so many new things into my life, like journaling, personal development books, human design, and positive self-talk.

I also let go of A LOT... toxic friendships, expectations of people who continued to disappoint, attachment to material things, and bad habits.

I unknowingly was rewiring my brain to give myself more love and less critique. I allowed myself to do all of the things we’re often told we shouldn’t do: rest, fail, cry, make mistakes, and share all of that on social media.

My goal in sharing this is to inspire you to also put in the REAL work... FOR YOU. Stop listening to the busy world and start doing your own thing. Do what feels RIGHT for YOU and let go of anyone or anything that just doesn’t align with your end goals.

People will judge you regardless and when everything is quiet – it’s just your body and your mind. Learn to love it fiercely. 💖

#peacefromwithin #inspiringquotes #selfloveisthebestlove #warriorgoddess #humandesign #humandesignprojector #peoplepleasers

EDIT TO ADD: Reposted due to typo 🤦🏻‍♀️

Spending my days doing the things that I love. 🌿 Making things with my hands is something I enjoy so much. I’m thankful for my #CricutJoy and it’s ability to create big beautiful signs!

There’s something about finishing things and accomplishing something that makes me feel great everyday. Life is too short to NOT do the things you love.

Swipe to see the process photos. Let me know if you’d like a blog tutorial! 🌟

Bulk White Smart Vinyl from @officialcricut / Cut with Cricut Joy machine/ Wood round: @homedepot / Stained with Birchwood Walnut Stain / Ribbon and leaves from @michaelsstores / bought the design on @etsy & customized it in Cricut Design Space. 🙌

#cricutmade #cricutcreated #lifewelllived #createmore #diysign #cricutproject

When I’m stressed, I lose myself in tedious task

When I’m stressed, I lose myself in tedious tasks. I dumped everything into bins a month ago and finally used my @officialcricut Joy to make labels today. It gives me control of SOMETHING and the outcome is marvelous. The labels themselves were easy to make!

How do you manage your stress at home?

#thehomeedit #organizationideas #cricutjoy #cricutmade #cricuthome #stressreliever

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐚

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 🦋🌷

This is something I've found myself saying since December. I was wrapping gifts and my husband commented on how much work I put into wrapping each individual present – even for the kids.

Sure, I could easily throw everything into bags and call it a day. The kids don't care and honestly, I'm not sure if anyone in my family appreciates the effort. 🤷‍♀️

THAT ISN’T WHY I DO IT.

Wrapping gifts with pretty paper, bows, ribbons, and homemade gift tags – 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲.

At least once a month, I spend a lot of time putting together a fancy charcuterie board for my husband and I. I fold the meats, cut the cheeses, and careful place every piece on the board. It's a lot of time and effort – but 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭 because I appreciate a beautiful setup.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

The point of me sharing this is to simply remind you that 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐓𝐇 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

Think about the last time you worked on a project at work, home, or school. You likely shed lots of a sweat and tears. You may have failed and second-guessed yourself time after time.

𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵? 𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥?

When you put 100% of your effort into completing something, it is much more solid than something you just threw together.

YOU are more tough and durable when you build the tools you need to survive hard times.

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞. 𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲.

#growthmindset #wordoftheyear #goodthingstaketime #selfcarepriority

2 0 2 1 G O A L S ✨ Every year I like to writ

2 0 2 1 G O A L S ✨

Every year I like to write down my list of goals, in an effort to manifest exactly what I want for the new year. Life is unpredictable; 2020 taught us that. However, I’ve learned to be hopeful no matter the circumstances. These are my goals.

✨ L I S T E N more — to my body, to my kids, to compliments, to the universe.

✨ M A K E more — memories, great content, money, crafts, space for those who matter.

✨ L E A R N more — spirituality, human design, ways to impact others, from mentors & like-minded individuals.

✨ W A S T E less — money, attention on things that don’t matter, food, energy on toxic people, time on social media.

What do you want from 2021? Tell me in the comments below! Talk about it. Let’s MANIFEST it together!

#humandesignprojector #manifestation #personaldevelopment #2021goals #humandesign

Our first Christmas as a family of 4 and despite t

Our first Christmas as a family of 4 and despite the circumstances, it’s going to be Incredibly magical.🎄✨ #tistheseason #boymom #christmas2020

Be Mindful this Holiday Season ✨ It’s been a

Be Mindful this Holiday Season ✨

It’s been a hard year so please remember these few things as Christmas comes:

⭐️ This is the first year many will be spending without family which means many will be completely alone.

⭐️ Many will be hurting this Christmas, due to the loss of loved ones. Keep that in mind as you interact with friends & strangers – including online interactions.

⭐️ The gifts you receive this year mean a little bit more for those who were/are unemployed. Think of how hard they worked for the gifts you’re receiving.

😷 Gatherings should be done with masks and with social distancing. Think of those who are sick in the hospital.

⭐️ If 2020 taught us one thing – it’s that life is precious. Let go of family tension and grudges. Have the difficult conversations needed for closure and move on.

⭐️ Kids are going to remember the memories you create for them, not the actual gifts. They will remember traditions, laughs shared, and the magic of Christmas.

⭐️ Don’t allow toxic people to interrupt your peace. They don’t deserve a space in your mind.

⭐️ Give yourself some grace. You can’t do it all or be everything to everyone. Allow yourself to be happy.

I’m wishing everyone a lovely week. Please be compassionate, kind, and mindful. 🌟

#mindfulnesspractice #mindfulliving #targetfinds #protectyourpeace

{You’re allowed to love yourself & be happy☀️}

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 – 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟:

⭐️ Others don’t agree with or understand your choices.

✨ You’re not as healthy as you’d like to be.

🌟 Someone you love is having a hard time.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧...

⭐️ You’re working a 9-5 job.

✨ You’re alone, not married, and don’t have kids.

🌟 You’re a stay-at-home-mom.

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭...

⭐️ Thriving when your friends are struggling.

✨ Working outside of the home, as a mom.

🌟 Being upset about the “little things”.

We need to stop punishing ourselves for our failures and successes. Allow yourself to just LIVE without comparison and guilt. You pain is your pain. You are allowed to be upset when something bothers you and you’re allowed to celebrate, even if others aren’t doing the same.

We have to stop telling one another than being YOU isn’t enough. More importantly, we have to stop telling ourselves that.

#loveyourselffirst #acceptyourself #youmatter #selfcarefirst #butfirstjoy