THE "TERRIFIC" TWOS -- IN 5 STEPS

WHAT IF THERE WAS A WAY TO TURN THE TERRIBLE TWOS INTO TERRIFIC TWOS??  WELL, THERE KIND OF IS AND WE THINK WE’VE UNCOVERED SOME MAGIC HERE MAMAS.

AFTER DOING A TON OF RESEARCH (YA KNOW FOR A FRIEND WITH UNRULY TOTS HEHEHEH) WE COMPILED A LIST OF THE ONLY ADVICE YOU’LL EVER NEED FOR PARENTING A TODDLER - - AND IT WORKS!!  GET OUT YOUR PEN AND PAPER --

1. STICK TO A SCHEDULE/ROUTINE

One of the reasons kids act out is because they are confused or overwhelmed because they don’t understand what is going on. That’s why kids are more likely to act like brats in a new situation meeting all your relatives, for instance. It’s unfamiliar.

On the other hand, most kids thrive with a schedule.

As much as possible, then, stick to one! Up at 7, play until 7:45, then breakfast. Play until 10, then outing. Home for lunch. Do a craft. Take a nap. Etc. etc

2. BE UNDERSTANDING

Kids are kids, and often we expect them to be able to behave better than perhaps we should.

GIVE THEM THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE AT SUCCESS. 

MEANING, HAVE TOYS FOR THEM ON PLANES, GIVE THEM A (HEALTHY) TREAT FIRST THING DURING A TRIP TO THE MARKET – GIVE THEM DESSERT WHILE YOU’RE EATING DINNER OUT WITH THEM. – OR DARE I SAY, AN IPAD?

On the same note, if/when you kid is frustrated and begins to act out, get down to their level and say something like this: “I understand how frustrated you are because you want to stay and play at the park, but mommy has to leave now. Why don’t you come with me and we can cook together at home”

Believe it or not, you reasoning with them will actually encourage them to reason with you. It’s quite amazing.

3. KEEP DISCIPLINE IMMEDIATE AND QUICK.

Kids don’t have long attention spans, and they don’t always understand things when there’s too much time between infraction and punishment.

If they’ve just bitten somebody, then you must respond right then. If my children were at playgroup, for instance, and they did something horribly inappropriate, like biting or throwing a tantrum, we would leave. They were very upset about that, and it often made the tantrum worse, but they had to learn that they couldn’t act that way in that setting.

ALSO- PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT OR BE CONNECTED TO THE CRIME – MEANING IF THEY THROW A TOY THEY LOSE THAT TOY –NOT SAY, TV WHICH HAS NO CONNECTION TO THEIR ACTION.

4. BE CONSISTENT

It’s better NOT to discipline or threaten if you’re not going to follow through in the same way all the time.

It’s better to have small consequences that you always enforce than some big ones you’re haphazard about, because you just confuse kids about the rules.

So don’t threaten something in anger. Ask yourself, “can I really follow through? Can I follow through like this on another day, too – HELL AND WHO WANTS TO GIVE UP TV FOR A WEEK -- !??!

5. TRY NOT TO YELL

YELLING SCARES KIDS AND UNDERMINES YOUR AUTHORITY.

Enforce consequences instead in a nice voice. “It’s too bad you can’t play with bunny anymore today, but Mommy warned you, and I have to take it away now.” Yelling creates a horrible environment in the home, and it’s not necessary except in really bad circumstances. Kids are far more likely to accept a consequence when you announce it in a firm but normal voice than if you go off the deep end.

The Particulars

It was so much fun having the tables turned on me with The Particulars! I’m so used to be the interview-ER but my good pal, Melissa - founder of the super chic site focused on the power of accessories - flipped the switch and got me to divulge some style secrets — like why I’ll never be caught dead in flats, what works well on TV, and the one item I’ll never leave home without. Click the link below for the full interview. Thank you so much doll — you’re a pure class act!

http://the-particulars.com/interviews/chatting-with-adrianna-costa/

WHITE IN WINTER IS TRES CHIC

Rules in fashion are often meant to be broken.  And though we're no Anna Wintour, we can almost guarantee that the Queen of V(ouge) would agree that wearing white into winter is not only acceptable but quintessential!  We're not saying break out the terry cloth coverup or white-linen loungewear but absolutely transform a section of your closet into a Winter Wonderland of cashmere, silk, leather and lace.  After all mamas, who the hell buys clothes to be worn half the year?  We've got college to pay for.  

On that note, here are the Top 5 Whites you should slip into post-Labor Day for a Tres Chic getup.  Trust us, you'll turn major heads at Drop Off!  Speaking of which....Yiiiiipppppppeeeee our kids are back in school!!  (eh hem -- ok back to the fashion :)  

SNEAKERS

Ultra Chic Sneaks

Original Stan Smiths

1. Golden Goose $500+

2. Gucci $800+

3. Balenciaga $800

4. Stan Smith $70-$150

COCKTAIL DRESSES

JACKETS

Bloomingdales

$98

St. Laurent

$3990

 NAILS

HANDBAGS

HOW TO GET YOUR BEST NIGHT SLEEP WITH BUNDLE OF DREAMS

As parents, we'll pretty much do whatever it takes for a good night sleep.  And let's face it, the only way that's happening is if our littles are sleeping well too.  It's funny to think of the great lengths we go to in order to secure a solid 8 hours (as if any of it really makes a difference anyway)

It usually goes a little something like this-  "Ok, be sure the blinds are all the way down and the sound machine is all the way up.  Rain.  That's the only sound she likes.  But it has to be 'City' rain.  White noise just won't do.  Oh and her panda pajamas?  Well those go with the purple sleep sack.  Ya know, she knows the difference and always gets the best night sleep in those as long as her humidifier is on.  Level 1 -- not two or three-- Two is soggy and Three is down right rain forest.  Got it???  Ok" 

Please tell us you've been on one or the other end of that convo at least a hundred (thousand) times before.  While we're constantly obsessing over how to get them to sleep we rarely dive into what they're actually sleeping on.  Ya know, the mattress.  

As new moms, we're so overwhelmed with picking the right stroller, carseat, crib, yet the mattress, that's just an afterthought.  And wait, get this--- by the age of two, most children have spent more time asleep than awake and overall, a child will spend 40 percent of his or her childhood asleep.  

So if you're totally freaked out now -- not to worry, we were too.  And that's how we came to fall in love with Bundle Of Dreams. The guys behind this company have 3 generations worth of experience in beds so they know what should and more importantly, shouldn't go into your mattress - especially as it pertains to our precious little babes to keep them healthy and happy.

Bundle of Dreams mattresses are 100% breathable and non-toxic.  You know that funky smell that sometimes comes out when you yank the plastic off a new mattress??  It's called off-gassing and basically it ain't good.  Bundle Of Dreams has none of it -- no smell, no funk. Also (and here's some fancy talk) there are no VOC's (volatile organic compounds) which you absolutely want to stay away from when buying a bed for your babe.  Who knew??  

Now for the part parents'll love.  The mattresses are made with an Organic Cotton, totally water resistant cover -- meaning if your little pees in the bed, it will NOT seep in but rather bead at the top like some cool little magic trick.  

The crib mattress is two-sided (which this frugal mama LOVES) One side is firm for a newborn, the other side - super cushy so your little will feel like he's at the Four Seasons or something fab like that.  Meanwhile, the twin is delectable - trust us, we've slept in it probably more than we'd like to admit.  It also has two different firmnesses so parents can choose the perfect feel for their tot.

The reason these beds are so dang comfy -- and really the sweet sauce here -- is that Bundle Of Dreams has a special bundle fiber with memory technology that you sink into for the most perfect night sleep.

You, like us, are probably thinking -- ok this all sounds amazing but how much will a bed for my babe set us back??  How bout this - they're actually affordable.  Crib mattresses start at $179 and twins at $350 - which you know is totally on par with all the other premium mattresses out there.  Only thing here is you're bundling all the best features from each of them into one!  See how we did that??  Well, not us, but them.  And thank goodness because we're benefitting from it.  

After a few years of parenting, we can safely say that it makes no difference which color combo your child wears to sleep, but what does make a difference is how comfortably your babe sleeps.  Bundle Of Dreams -- is where it's at.  They're the mattresses we use for our littles and they certainly offer a better, healthier night sleep... for them AND us.  Sleep tight www.bundleofdreams.com

WHY BACKPACKS ARE NO LONGER LIKE MINIVANS

Warning:  If you own a minivan, don't read on :).  If you do read on, please promise you'll still be my friend.  

Minivans & Backpacks 

We've always thought of backpacks like minivans; confusing, unsexy, and basically a last step before totally giving up.  Too harsh??  But seriously, think about it -- There's never, EVER been a time when you've pulled up in your minivan and someone's like, "Dayyyyyyuuum woman! Love your ride."  And in our mind, the same thing applies to backpacks.  Or, well it did.  See, we've come around.  Well actually, they've come around.  Backpacks that is.  They used to be so Jansport-y, so "I've got too many text books to carry and don't give a S%$U about style so I'll just strap one of these big burlap sacks to my back and call it a day."  Oh and then there was that craze of the mini backpacks in the 90's (which now seem to be a major hit with A-listers again)  BTW, what the hell are you fitting in there anyway?  

Yea, and remember that nylon Prada that made the rounds with moms off to Italy for the summer??  Unoffensive but EVERYWHERE.  

So back to the part of coming around.  Backpacks are now hip.  Wait did I actually just say that?  There are just so many new styles.  It seems like designers love making them and fashionistas love wearing them.  

Shapes, Sizes, Styles...Hollywood's cray for them

And as it pertains to us, moms; well they're actually kind of conveniently amazing.  Hands-Free and totally on-trend.  We love that you can smash a million things into one compartment (like a big Mary Poppins purse) but the difference is the backpack's not always falling off your arm, or whipping you in the face as you reach down for your crying toddler, ass in the air.  C'mon we've all been there.  The security of the two over-the-shoulder straps (yes like a bra) -- offers so much more support for a juggling mama.  

Okay, so now let's talk about a Haute Mom's Life fave.  We've fully got our sights set on a V pricey (2k) Valentino Rockstud backpack - as gorgeous as any handbag you've ever laid eyes on - but let's face it, unless we're hitting the jackpot, we'll be stalking The Real Real until a recycled one pops up in the budget.  

Not every Backpack costs a month's rent -- Check out these -- super chic and affordable- $39.

GAP, $40

OR DARE WE SAY...THIS? 

JANSPORT $55

So while we can safely say backpacks are errrr, back and we're totally on board, it may take a few more years and lots of annoying car rides to break us in to the idea of a minivan.