Between the Kids

Car Seat Safety over Convenience | #carseat #safety #kids

June 12th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

If you’ve scrolled around Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest for any amount of time, you’re likely to have seen it. There is always someone who posts a photo of their child in a car seat, buckled in wrong, or not tight enough, or sitting funky, or not in a car seat at all. Then it happens. The post goes viral, the photo gets shared, screen printed, and ridiculed from here to eternity! I like to call the mamas who jump on other mamas for not having their child properly restrained “car seat nazis”. And sometimes, I’m part of that crowd.

Not too long ago, we were driving home from a short road trip, and I noticed that my 6 year old son was falling over in his booster seat. The seatbelt never locked, and it seemed that the adjustable back on the seat kept sliding up as well.

Car Seat Safety

According to the State of Texas:

After age 4 and 40+ pounds, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly (usually when the child is 4’9″ tall).

The key here is “fit them properly”, which the above photo clearly shows that this booster seat is either too big for him, or he’s short enough to really need to be back in his 5 point harness.

Because we’re going on vacation, soon, we are going to go ahead and put him back in his 5 point Nautilus seat, and we’re just going to have to deal with the fact that we may have to move the seat back and forth between cars. I’m more concerned with safety than inconvenience, and he really feels safer in a 5 point harness. He’s a big kiddo, but he’s still little at heart!

In the event that we decide to go ahead and grab another car seat for a second car on vacation, we’re going to shop the sale at Wayfair with up to 70% off of all kind of products, including car seats.

They have great deals on Britax and Radian as well as many others, and the also have free shipping on their car seats, so we can’t really beat that. They even have those awesome Batman car seats in a 5 point harness, which I”m pretty sure he would LOVE.

Batman Car Seat

Disclosure: This is a partnered post.

Benefits of Clary Sage Essential Oil | #birth #doula #essentialoils #natural

June 12th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

I’m pretty sure I haven’t even talked about the benefits of one of my favorite oils, here on my blog. Have you ever heard of Clary Sage? Chances are, you haven’t, unless you’ve had a natural (or medicated, for that matter) childbirth with a doula or a midwife.

Clary Sage is one of my favorite oils for several reasons. Aside from the fact that I absolutely love the deep, earthy aroma, it has several therapeutic properties as well.

I’ve used Clary Sage at several births, and I’m always amazed at how it does it’s job beautifully! It turned me into a believer of the power of essential oils the first time I ever used it!

Benefits of Clary Sage Essential oil

One of the most useful properties commonly applied by birth workers is to help get labor going.

Add a few drops of Clary Sage to a carrier oil (I like to use coconut oil), and rub it on the moms belly as well as the acupressure points on the feet and legs (just below the knee) to help release oxytocin.
Deeply inhale Clary Sage to help increase the intensity of contractions. Unlike the use of pitocin (artificial oxytocin), Clary Sage will gradually increase contraction, rather than start hot and heavy all at once!

Clary Sage also has the following therapeutic properties:

antidepressant
antiseptic
aphrodisiac
astringent
deodorant
digestive
relaxant
uterine and nerve tonic

If you have irregular or painful periods, Clary Sage can help relax and calm the inflammation of menstruation as well as help curb many of the symptoms of menopause.

Make sure you check with your midwife to make sure it’s time to start using Clary Sage!

I am Queen Amidoula! | #doula #starwars #birthgeek #birth

June 12th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

Yesterday, after having a conversation with one of my beautiful friends from high school who is about to have her second baby, I posted this on Facebook:

I love that my friends from high school (and even Jr. High) come to me now with pregnancy, birth, and baby questions! Makes me feel accomplished.

A few minutes later, a blogger friend, Sheila from SheilaCakesBlog.com said..

That’s because you are queen Amidoula!

She knows me well! But, now, I have this image in my head of me as Queen Amidala holding a new baby! So, here goes!

This is what you get when Star Wars and Birth Junkies collide!

That’s kind of scarey! Hahaha! Thanks Sheila for giving me the inspiration to take up most of my morning on this silly project.

Xbox One Preorder – Day One Edition – Release 11/30/13 | #xbox #gamer

June 10th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

It’s what you’ve been waiting for! The Xbox One Preorder from Amazon is live! Preorder now, and have it ready to ship on the November 30 release date! Pre-order Price Guarantee! Order now and if the Amazon.com price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you’ll receive the lowest price.

Xbox One Preorder HERE!

Price:	$499.99
	Pre-order Price Guarantee. Learn more.

This item will be released on November 30, 2013.
Pre-order now.
See details. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Xbox One – Day One Console includes a limited edition controller, token code to unlock Day One achievement, premium packaging, and decal.
Kinect is included with every Xbox One. Completely reengineered to be more precise, responsive and intuitive with unparalleled voice, vision and motion technology
The console is driven by a powerful combination of CPU, GPU and 8GB of RAM, governed by an innovative OS architecture, to deliver power, speed and agility
Only Xbox One unleashes the vast and scalable power of the cloud for your games, entertainment and apps with Xbox Live
With Xbox One, you can quickly jump from TV to movies to music to a game

6 Activities the Whole Family is Sure to Enjoy | #family #summer #kids

June 10th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

If your kids groan over ”family time,” don’t take it as an insult. Instead, take it as a sign that you need to ramp up your creativity and try some new experiences together. Here are some activities that will get everyone in on the fun.

Camping at Home

Description: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/73/161915591_2388c52d93.jpg

Image via Flickr by Chris Penny

You don’t have to pack up the car and head for the wilderness to have a bit of a camping trip. Pitch a tent in your own backyard and enjoy a family night away from technology. Tell stories, lay out stargazing, and cook your meals outside for the night. Avoid the temptation to bring your laptop or tablet out, even though you’ll still have Internet access. Just step away from it all and pretend you’re really in the wilderness for the night.

Themed Dinner and Movie Nights

Plan a special movie night for the family and choose a film everyone will enjoy. Then plan a special dinner that goes along with your theme. Have a royal dinner before watching a Disney princess movie and dress everyone up like princes and princesses. Have green eggs and ham before a Seuss movie marathon and encourage everyone to talk in rhyme through the meal. Get creative and you can easily build an enjoyable evening.

Creating a Work of Art

Paint a mural on your backyard fence or in a bedroom, spray paint the furniture a fun color, or create special stepping-stones for the garden. Get everyone involved in a fun home decorating project that really dresses up your space. You’ll have fun with the project and the finished piece will add a distinctive flair to your home. If you’re not ready for a permanent work of art, have a chalk art contest in your driveway.

Getting Active Outside

Participating in outdoor activities is a great way for families to bond. Check out what’s available in your local parks. Grab some skates and explore your neighborhood or get mountain bikes to traverse more challenging terrain. The number of paths that are available to explore around town or in parks may surprise you.

Checking Out Local Museums

Many people think of museums as dry and boring, but there are some fascinating options that are far from ordinary. Keep up with your local museums so you’ll know if a special exhibit comes along that peaks your family’s interest. Go try out a new place when they’re running a promotion for free admission. Many museums are always free, so there’s nothing lost with a little experimentation. If the museum isn’t for you, your family can still discuss your impressions and opinions together afterward.

Doing Good Deeds

Volunteer together for a touching family experience. If you have small children, put together shoeboxes of essentials for the needy or holiday gifts for other children around the holidays. Older children can serve in the community at various volunteer events. You may even consider training together for a family marathon that benefits a meaningful charity.

Spending time together as a family with these activities is a great opportunity to have an educational, entertaining, and enriching experience.

Guest Contributor Amanda Brown is a freelance writer whom enjoys playing and coaching volleyball. She loves her friends and family including her dog, Charlie; as well as traveling all around the world.

Awesome Pop-Culture Retro Tank Tops | #retro #popculture #atari #geek

June 10th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

These are pretty awesome!

Men’s Pop-Culture Tank Tops – Online Deal

$11.99 for Men’s Video-Game-, Car-, Band-, or TV-Show-Inspired Tank Top ($22.49 List Price). Free Returns.

Men’s Tank Tops

Classic icons such as Atari, Super Mario, and Pink Floyd
60% cotton, 40% polyester
Machine wash; tumble dry
Do not iron

Happy 9th Birthday, Mr. B.!

June 9th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

Preparing for the Summer: 7 Ways To Stay Cool | #summer #hot #weather

June 7th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

Summer is coming, and with it comes the overwhelming heat of the season. Keep yourself cool using these proven methods.

Keep It Cool Indoors

Description: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Man_Sweating_MIN.jpg

Image via Wikimedia.org

Houses can become stuffy and hot if people aren’t careful. Here are some tips to stay cool inside.

Open Windows & Doors at Night

As soon as the temperature outdoors is cooler than inside you should utilize that free fresh air. Open all of your screened windows and doors to create a natural cross breeze inside. The warm, stuffy air of the day will be blown away as you enjoy summer flower fragrances and the noise of crickets chirping.

Get Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a smart way to save on your air conditioning. While it’s imperative to get air conditioning from a reliable company like McGowans, it’s also smart to extend the life of your cool air with ceiling fans. The fans are able to spread the cool air and make it seem to last longer.

Enjoy Cold Foods

Dunking your feet in iced water or eating cold foods is a good way to cool your internal temperature. Try freezing grapes, making yogurt smoothies, or eating cold salads. Keep an ample supply of ice in your house for beverages.

If you need to bake something hot try to do it later in the evening or early in the morning. Cooking in the afternoon will make your entire house feel hotter and less comfortable.

Take a Cold Shower

Cool showers will lower your body temperature and make the warm air seem less appalling. They are an inexpensive way to get the sticky elbows clean and relieve a tension headache from the heat.

Stay Comfortably Cool Outside

Description: http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1208/1469574745_be1b4d221c_z.jpg?zz=1

Image via Flickr by A. Blight

Going outdoors is healthy and important, but can be uncomfortable in the summer. Here are a few tips to keep you cool and un-sticky, even in the dead heat of August.

Wear White & Light Clothes

Deflect the sun by wearing light, breezy clothes. Keeping your skin covered is a good way to stay cooler, too. Most people think that bearing it all is cooler, but Middle Eastern families have taught us that staying covered is actually less hot in the summer.

Use a Hand-Held Fan

Hand-held fans can be purchased at dollar stores and drug stores for about a buck. They can mist you or not, but they always keep you cool. Using them at ball games or parks is a great way to enjoy the outdoors when it’s too hot to go outside otherwise.

Exercise Outside at Night

People still need to get their job on in the summer! If you want to exercise but can’t face the 100 degrees of June, then wait until dark. Jogging around nine at night means that sprinklers are misting the air, the streets are clear, and the air is less humid.

Think of these savvy tips when you prepare for summer this year. It will keep you comfortably cool and happy. If all else fails, turn the AC up a notch and enjoy the sweet luxury of modern convenience.

Guest Contributor Amanda Brown is a freelance writer whom enjoys playing and coaching volleyball. She loves her friends and family including her dog, Charlie; as well as traveling all around the world.

4 Ways to Keep Your Family Out of Harm’s Way | #family #safety

June 5th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

We don’t live in a movie. We don’t have amazing superpowers. There isn’t a vigilante who will swoop in at the first sign of danger and save us all. It’s in our hands to keep our family out of harm’s way. With that priority in mind, there are a number of steps we can take to prevent and eliminate the dangers that can befall our loved ones.

Keep Home Dangers Away From Children

Description: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5058/5429690076_a0e3018e2f.jpg

Image via Flickr by itsjed

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 245 unintentional injuries occur in homes and communities daily. Prevention efforts will work to eliminate many of these. When children get to the point of moving around and becoming more curious, it’s time to double your efforts to make sure nothing happens to them. Harmful objects are found all around your home so here are some steps to take to keep them out of the hands of your children.

Make your cabinets and drawers child-proof. Knives, heavy pots and pans, and plastic bags can all lead to injury. Cabinets also house poisonous cleaning products that are hazardous to your child’s health.
Prevent drowning or other injuries by investing in a barrier fence for your pool area.
Unplug electrical equipment after use and store them out of the reach of your children. Then, protect that outlet with safety caps.

Install a Home Security System

You may already take a number of precautions for safety, but with the array of home surveillance systems out there, risks can be reduced still further. Most people are familiar with the traditional intruder alarm system, but with new technology available today, that intruder alarm can work even better for you. Purchase carbon monoxide, water level and temperature detectors, among others, and then wirelessly monitor and control your systems. The sky is the limit as far as home systems are concerned, even while you’re away.

Fireproof Your Home

A serious fire will not only do significant damage to your home, but can harm your family too. It’s important to put prevention measures in place and have those fire-fighting items in your home should one occur. To equip your home for prevention and detection, follow these steps:

Install a smoke detector. Where there is smoke there is fire, or at least a great chance of it.
Equip your home with a fire extinguisher. Should a fire start, quickly grab the extinguisher to eliminate it before it gets out of hand.
Avoid electrical issues by unplugging unused devices and never overloading extension or power cords.

Deter Criminals

You may live in a gated community and you even have a neighborhood watch group, but the possibility of an intruder breaking into your home is still there. Sometimes a traditional alarm cannot work alone to deter criminals from entering your home. Therefore, it’s important to take additional steps to keep those harmful individuals away. If someone is trying to break in, motion detectors and outdoor lights can do the trick. In addition, keep your yard maintained to reduce hiding places for intruders, secure your windows and don’t showcase your valuables for anyone looking in to see.

The mounds of statistics and stories are proof that unfortunate instances do occur. By doing what you can to protect yourself, your home and your children, you end up greatly reducing the risk of turning in to one of those statistics and ensuring an emergency in the process.

Guest Contributor Amanda Brown is a freelance writer whom enjoys playing and coaching volleyball. She loves her friends and family including her dog, Charlie; as well as traveling all around the world.

Don’t over pay for used cloth diapers! #clothdiapers

June 4th, 2013

Lisa Johnston

I almost never buy new cloth diapers unless it’s just such a great deal that I can’t pass up.

Just like when you buy a car, the moment you sign your name on the dotted line, the value of the car decreases. When you drive it off the lot, it decreases even more, and the more miles you put on it, the lesser in value it becomes.

Here is my rule of thumb* when it comes to selling used cloth diapers:

10-15% off – NWT – New With Tags
25% off – EUC – Excellent Used Condition, NWOT – New Without Tags, or Never Worn
50% off – GUC – Good Used Condition
75% off – Fair Condition
FFS (Free for Shipping) – Poor Condition

*These are only guidelines.

If you’re not selling them locally, it’s up to you whether or not you want to offer them PPD (postage paid), which means that the price that you have them listed as includes shipping.

Before listing them for sale (or before buying), I would check sites like Spots Corner on Hyena Cart to make sure that what you’re selling it for isn’t too high, or too low.

Don't over pay for used cloth diapers!

(Photos compliments of local cloth diaper group member Chelsea R.)

For instance:

If you have a Flip Cover that you’ve only used a handful of times, and you consider it EUC (Excellent Used Condition), you can’t really sell it for $14.95 (retail price), because the buyer can go out and get one new for that!

You’ll want to sell it for closer to $11. At this point, you’ve used a diaper, and turned around and sold it for about 75% of it’s original price. Chalk that 25% up to a “rental fee”!

Before buying or selling any used cloth diapers, do a little research! There’s no reason to over pay (or get paid less) for diapers. If you are interested in a diaper and you think that the prices are too high, it’s ok to ask the seller if she will come down a little on the price or if she will include shipping in the cost of the diapers. Just remember that it’s not proper cloth diapers buying/selling etiquette to try to take advantage of someone buy over pricing or under paying for used cloth diapers.

Play fair, and happy buying and selling!

Car Seat Safety over Convenience | #carseat #safety #kids