I hope you're all taking some time to relax this Thanksgiving holiday. Even us moms need a break too! Speaking of breaks, there won't be a newsletter this Friday, Nov. 24, as we'll be busy shopping all the deals we've shared with you over the past few weeks! And while you're out looking for gifts, be sure to support local businesses this Saturday for Small Business Saturday. Take the family out around town to explore what your city's boutiques and shops have to offer. Happy Thanksgiving, Birdie family – we're grateful for your love and support!

• Sibling Relationships: Ways to help build up and nourish that special bond between brothers and sisters.

• You’re Beautiful: But I still feel the need for my multi-step skincare routine. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

• Be Aware: Tips for a safe online shopping experience this season.

FAMILY

Strategies For Fostering an Unbreakable Sibling Bond

“Be nice to your siblings, they're your best link to your past and the most likely to stay with you in the future.” - Baz Lurhmann.

I share an incredibly close bond with my two sisters, who have become my best friends. However, our journey to this strong connection wasn't always smooth. Positioned right in the middle, I found myself caught between a harmonious relationship with my older sister and a tumultuous one with my younger sibling during our formative years. 

As I reflect, it's challenging to identify the precise moment that transformed our dynamics into the close-knit relationship we share now—a transformation that isn't always a given with siblings.

Did you know? 51 percent of adults report a lasting, competitive relationship with a sibling, according to a survey done by the BBC.

As a parent, cultivating a strong sibling bond requires mindful strategies:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Avoid comparisons.  Resist the urge to measure one child against another, as this can fuel sibling rivalry and breed resentment. 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Routine. Try different ways to have siblings bond through designated special times together like a planned activity just the two of them do together. Or a bedtime ritual of saying “good night” to each other.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Referee with care. While it's tempting to intervene in sibling arguments, refrain from taking sides. Instead, teach conflict resolution skills and empower them to find solutions, fostering independence and understanding.

For families grappling with existing sibling rivalry, implementing these suggestions can help navigate and improve the situation.

And also this…

📚 Books can help children better understand why they should want a good relationship with their sisters or brothers.

BEAUTY

I’ve officially entered the 6+ step skincare routine era.

I'll keep my age a mystery, but as a millennial, I've recently overhauled my skincare regimen to several steps my husband will never understand. Since becoming a mom, my skin has taken on a life of its own, refusing to cooperate—it's almost like my skin is mimicking my kid’s behavior.🤔.

When is a good time to change up your skincare routine? 

According to Real Simple…

• Seasonal shifts play a role. Winter, being a drier season, demands richer moisturizing ingredients, whereas summer calls for a lighter moisturizer fortified with SPF.

• Other factors. Your skin evolves due to various factors such as pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, or relocating to a city with a distinct climate, impacting its texture and appearance. Identify and eliminate products that might be contributing to the issue.

• Change in results. If your current routine is no longer delivering the desired results, it's time to consider a change.

Here are some insights I've gathered from research and my personal skincare journey. Please note that I am not a dermatologist.

🫧Start by removing makeup with a cleansing balm, such as this one from Elemis, before washing your face.

🫧If you prefer using only a face wash, make it a double cleanse. Good Housekeeping offers excellent suggestions for cleansers tailored to different skin types.

🫧If you're dealing with issues like uneven skin tone, acne, fine lines, or an undesirable skin texture, consider incorporating retinol into your nighttime routine. While it's a superstar ingredient, be sure to avoid these common mistakes when using it.

🫧Complete your morning skincare routine with SPF. Living in Florida, I consider this step non-negotiable. Personally, I adore a tinted moisturizer with at least SPF 30.

❄️WINTER TIP: If you are feeling excessive dryness this season despite using a moisturizer, it might be because…

• Your shower is too hot.

• You're opting for makeup wipes.

• Your products contain alcohol.

• Using too many “actives” isn’t always a good thing.

AND ALSO THIS. . .

💳 💸 Read This Before You Start Shopping Deals This Weekend.

If you’re making your holiday shopping list and checking it twice, make sure you do the same when purchasing gifts online this Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Beware of deceptive ads, mirror sites, and dubious sellers. Follow these tips for a secure and savings-filled online shopping experience this season.

Tip #1: Only shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites. Secure web addresses begin with ‘HTTPS’ not ‘HTTP.’

Tip #2: Search for deals directly on retailers' websites, avoiding search engines. Scammers often taint Google and Bing results with harmful links. For the best iPad deals, use internal search engines on Best Buy, Amazon, or GameStop sites instead of relying on Google.

Tip #3: Only shop online with a credit card - this offers an extra layer of protection just in case information gets compromised.

⚠️ CAUTION: While online shopping scams are a concern this holiday season, porch pirates have also made off with over $8 billion in goods, as reported by Forbes. Stay vigilant against charity, vacation rental, and social media ads as well.

SNIPPETS

🖍️Crafty Adults. An adult craft table might be the answer you were looking for to avoid awkward conversation this Thanksgiving.

🤰Pregnancy Workouts. Fitness guru, Megan Roup, shares her workout routine for pregnant mamas.

🎁Gift Guide. Get the toddler in your life a gift that keeps them moving and thinking.

🧥Toddler Tricks. It’s getting cold out there. If you have a toddler, teach them the “coat flip” trick to make getting ready just a tad bit easier.

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