It's Friday (yay!), January 26th, but let's be real, it feels more like January 45th – Does anyone else think January is the longest month ever? As we dive back into the whirlwind of sports schedules dominating both our weeks and weekends, I find myself reminiscing about those precious slow Saturday mornings that have become my haven over the past two months. Pure glory! Yet, I'm gearing up to embrace the rest of the year with full enthusiasm, especially with exciting travel plans on the horizon for my family.

• Momnesia: A real phenomenon. Discover tips for promoting good brain and memory health.

• Stranger Danger: Stay informed with various approaches to communicate stranger behavior effectively to your kids, regardless of their age.

• Pantry Organization: Transform your pantry into a serene haven with these ideas for maintaining a tidy space

HEALTH

I’m a mom. Of course, I can’t remember everything on my to-do list.

“Mom” brain. While our husbands are skeptical, it’s a real thing. Science can back us up! From pregnancy moments to navigating the digital parenting era, our brains could use a pick-me-up. But worry not! We have quick and easy brain-boosting tips to keep you sharp and thriving.

Mom Brain Real Talk

Have you ever heard of "Mom Brain" or "momnesia"? While not officially diagnosed, around 50-80% of postpartum moms experience it. Dr. Kristina Jones says it's usually a short-lived phase lasting two to four months. Learn more here.

💪 Quick Tips for Memory and Brain Health

• Lifestyle Changes: Quit smoking 🚭Moderate alcohol 🍷Limit sugary and processed foods 🍭

• Brain-Boosting Foods: Include leafy greens, nuts, berries, tea, coffee, and oily fish 🥬🌰🍓☕

• Stay Active: Mix in aerobic and strength exercises 💪

• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep 😴

• Stress Reduction: Embrace meditation and maintain social connections 🧘‍♀️🤝

• Lifelong Learning: Keep your mind active with new experiences and challenges 🎓

Why You Forget (HINT: it’s being a parent) 🧠 HuffPost reminds us…

• Parenting today, filled with constant information and context switches, poses a challenge for memory.

• Digital age distractions, such as alerts and emails, fragment experiences, making focus and clear memory difficult.

• Though not a cure-all, mindfulness helps control thoughts, enhances attention, and aids memory retention in the face of parenting complexities.

🌟 Simple Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy: For our fabulous moms gracefully aging, check out these 6 simple ways to keep your brain healthy.

PARENTING

Top parenting fear activated.

Reflecting on my childhood, I vividly recall learning a "stranger danger" saying that was meant to guide me if someone approached. Now, as I look back, I question its practicality. I'm fairly certain that none of my well-rehearsed maneuvers would have fazed an actual stranger.

But let's delve into the concept of "Stranger Danger" in today's world! 🌍 We've gathered some eye-opening insights to ensure your kids' safety without instilling unnecessary fear. Explore these essential reads for a modern perspective on stranger safety.

❌“Stranger Danger” – is it outdated? According to Health News, it very much is…

• Recent research challenges the effectiveness of "stranger danger" in teaching kids self-protection, citing difficulties in children grasping the concept of a stranger, especially younger ones.

• Advocates suggest a more nuanced approach, educating kids that certain strangers, like store clerks or police officers, can be helpful, and highlighting that 90% of harm to children comes from someone they know, not strangers.

💡Motherly shares an informative Instagram reel with a different approach to teaching Stranger Danger and introducing “Stranger Behavior” on Big Little Feelings (Highly recommend giving this account a follow!).

Overall Consensus: Teach kids to be aware of a person's actions or behaviors instead of their appearance. Here are a few helpful tips to share with your little ones!

• Teach kids to trust their instincts; if something feels off or uncomfortable, they should walk away immediately.

• In the rare event, that they need help from a stranger, advise approaching individuals in uniform or those with familiar traits (grandparents, women, people with children) while reinforcing the importance of trusting their instincts.

Quick facts about abductions…

• Most abductions involve a suspect driving a vehicle and occur for children between the ages of 10-14 and between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

• The top five abduction attempts are through 1) offering a ride, 2) offering candy/treats, 3) asking questions, 4) offering money, and 5) offering or showing an animal.

Age group breakdown: Every child will need a different approach, check out Hopkins Medicine for a complete guide on how to talk to your child about stranger safety based on their age group.

WEEKEND

Organizing your kid's favorite place: the pantry!

Ready to conquer the chaos in your kitchen? Let's dive into the art of pantry organization and transform that clutter into a space of zen! 🌪️➡️🏠

🌈 Fresh Start

• Kick off your pantry makeover by decluttering. Check out HGTV's guide for transparency, stackability, and functionality tips.

• Maximize your space. Explore House Beautiful's clever ideas to transform your spacious pantry. Hint: #27 is a game-changer!

• Better Homes & Gardens suggests organizing your pantry into zones for easy access during impromptu entertaining, baking, and quick meals.

No organization project is complete without a few new products to KEEP it clean. Here is what we found to narrow down your search…

From Food Network: 

YouCopia Water Bottle and Travel Mug Organizer - Link here.
SpaceAid Bag Storage Organizer for Kitchen Drawer - Link here.

☝️For even more ideas, check out Driven by Decor’s 6 favorite pantry ideas or Forbes’ pro tips for improving your pantry!

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

A great way to amplify yourself: Take this kit filled with tips on purging procrastination

🌨️🍨 A snowy dream. How to make the viral Snow Ice Cream and do it safely.

🍌🍒 Banana Split Bites. Try this healthier take on a classic dessert.

🍗🍴 Quick weeknight dinner. Trader Joe’s has so many easy dinner options when you’re in a pinch. Check out this one influencer, Steph Solomon.

👶🌨️ Sensory playtime. Save this 2- ingredient recipe for easy play snow. Best part? No coats are needed!

❤️ Valentine’s Day. Hosting a Valentine's or Galentine’s Day party? This Heart Caprese Wreath idea is sure to steal hearts! 

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