Sending all you Birdie mamas a burst of positive Friday energy! May your coffee (or cocktail) be as strong as your weekend plans. 🌟✨ We're diving into the weekend with fantastic content just for you. Discover the significance of independent playtime for the little ones and learn how to restore order to your hallway closet chaos.  Here at Birdie, we want to fly to as many mamas inboxes as possible, and we'd love your help in spreading our wings to your friends. Your support means the world to us! Fly high and fabulous into the weekend, mamas! 

• Fostering Freedom: Exploring the Decline of Childhood Independence in Today's World and Its Impact on Mental Well-being.

• Revitalize Your Locks: Conquering Winter Hair Woes with Expert Tips and Tricks.

• Harmony in Hangers: Elevate Your Space with Ideas to Perfectly Organize Your Coat Closet.

MENTAL HEALTH

It may be time to let go just a little bit.

In 2024, the prevalent focus for many parents revolves around managing their children's screen time and delaying their introduction to social media. Yet, within these concerns, The Cut sheds light on a more profound matter: the diminishing independence of our kids, presenting itself as a notable mental health challenge. While this insight offers valuable perspective, it remains crucial to tailor your approach based on what is best for your individual child and family dynamics.

The Hypervigilance Dilemma – highlights we took away from The Cut article.

• In the world of play, kids distinguish it from recreation or family time—it's ideally initiated by them, free from adult supervision. i.e. parent guided trips to the park would be suboptimal 🛝👩‍👧. 

• A study from Switzerland shows that kids who can play outside unsupervised have more friends and are more active than those who have supervised play.

So, what changed to get us to this point? Vox says …

“Fears of kidnapping, stoked by a series of highly publicized cases; an increase in the length of the school year; parental anxieties about children’s futures in a time of growing income inequality and economic insecurity.”

📲 Technology takes its share of the blame, as therapist Lynn Lyons points out to Vox. 

• With parental access to every move our kids make, from early cellphone use to Air Tags tracking their movements and even daycares sending real-time updates – even down to dirty diaper notifications, which, let's be honest, can be a bit much. 🤢 

• The incessant flow of information, instead of providing reassurance, tends to fuel further monitoring and tighter restrictions on our kids' movements.

📚💡This is a conversation that can unfold endlessly, and if it's sparked your interest, we have more resources for you to delve into! 

The Washington Post - Children today have less independence. Is that fueling a mental health crisis?

Let Grow - Parents want to promote their kids’ independence… but don’t.

BEAUTY

Take care of your hair. It’s the crown you never take off. 👑 

As the temperatures cool down and the winter winds start to blow, it's time for us moms to show our hair a little extra TLC. Personally, I've been rocking long locks for quite a while, but I recently embraced the winter chop – saying goodbye to a good 6 to 8 inches in a single snip!

We've rounded up some fantastic tips that might just be the game-changer your hair needs this winter. Here's to conquering the season with the promise of the best mom-hair days yet! 💇‍♀️✨

🌿Moisturize. Make your scalp happy with a nourishing hair oil. I’m a big fan of the Moroccanoil Treatment myself!

🔥Limit Heat. Stay away from hot styling tools and switch to microfiber towels for gentle drying. Try this towel hair wrap to remove excess moisture and help prevent frizz.

❌Say No. To wet hair when stepping outside. When hair is wet, it’s 3 times more fragile than when it’s dry. 

🚿Water Temperature. Opt for lukewarm showers to prevent excess dryness.

PRO TIP: Less washes are better for your hair. Extend your hair days between washes with this Coconut Cleansing Powder Dry Shampoo from Missio. Not only are you using an all-natural, poder-based formula, but you're also supporting an important mission to fight human trafficking.

💁‍♀️Looking to achieve the curl look without the heat? Tiny Beans has you covered with an easy-to-follow guide for heatless curls!

CHILDREN

🌟 In Honor Of MLK Day Next Week 🌟

As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's take a moment to reflect on the rich history and contributions of Black Americans. Explore "Black Americans in History We Should Know" to discover remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on our society. The article not only highlights their achievements but also provides links to books, kids' literature, and movies about each person, offering an immersive experience for all ages.

📚 Enhance your family's understanding of race with "Ten Books to Talk to Your Kids and Teens About Race." These thought-provoking reads serve as valuable conversation starters, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion.

🗓️On your day off…
Consider dedicating some time on the 15th to learn about the contributions of an important Black American. Whether it's through reading a book or watching an impactful movie, use this day to celebrate diversity, honor history, and inspire meaningful conversations.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

💄💋Beauty Refresh Quest. Something about the new year makes me want to start fresh with my makeup routine. Instagram’s Choose Your Glow lays out the perfect everyday look, products included!

🧱🧳Kid Travel Hack. Do your kids love Legos? If you are traveling, check out this tip to keep your kids occupied courtesy of Unexpected Blessings.

📺🪙Screen Time Tokens. If you are looking for a way to add structure to screen time privileges for your kids, Kay Milliken has a “token” of knowledge for you!

🤧🍯Achoo Symphony. If your little one is struggling with a cough, try out this remedy.

Harmony is an organized coat closet.

Continuing our commitment to the organization this month, let's shift our attention to the often-overlooked coat closet. As discussed in last week's newsletter about bathroom organization (check it out here if you missed it!), the key is to begin by completely emptying the space. Evaluate what to keep, donate, or discard, and don't forget to give the area a thorough vacuuming.

What’s next?!

Better Homes and Gardens encourages the creation of zones for🧥Outerwear, 👟Shoes, 🧣Accecories, ☔Daily Essentials, and 🐕‍🦺Pet Supplies. Give the article a read-over for more specifics on how each category should be organized.

Organization Tips and Tricks

Equip yourself with the right tools to maintain a tidy space throughout the entire year.

The Spruce says… 

• Hangers: Purchase sturdy hangers for coats. We found these wooden ones that are sturdy and look great!

• Garment bags: If you need the space for another season, use these vacuum-sealed garment bags to store winter coats.

The Queen of Organization and Decor, Martha Stewart, proclaims to make use of your door space! Take a look at these solutions.

• Container Store Over the Door Shoe Rack - Link here.

• Container Store Over the Door Rack - Link here.

• Amazon Storage Door Solution - Link here.

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January