The Biggest Mom & Baby Trends Of 2021

 2020 was a weird year for everyone, but for those of us that had a baby, or have a family to raise, it has been a wild ride. However, the good news is that you get ahead of the curve by checking out my guide to the biggest mom and baby trends of 2021, below. 

More sustainable baby products 

Sustainability is most definitely a watch-word in mom and baby trends this year. What that means is less of a focus on disposable items such as nappies, and wipes and more on good quality reusable ones that can be washed and used over and over again. 

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This focus on sustainability also means there will likely be a reduction in plastic toy use, and perhaps a move back to more traditional wooden toys. Something that fits well with the Montessori educational ethos. 

Finally, when it comes to sustainability you can expect big changes in the Baby Food Industry as well. In particular, plant-based baby food is set to be big this year, not to mention packaging made from materials such as sugarcane pulp which can be recycled or composted as easily as any other biodegradable waste. 

More gender-neutral clothing for baby 

I know that gender reveals seem to be as popular as ever on social media, but 2021 may just be the year we see this trend start to shift. After all, there is a real conversation about gender going on right now, and many parents are reluctant to impose an identity onto their children that may not ring true for them as they get older. 

With that in mind, expect to see more gender-neutral dressing and outfits in yellow, greens, and especially greys. 

More deliberate screen time for the kids 

2020 was the first year that many kids of all ages experienced online learning, and due to the constraints of the pandemic, we can largely expect this trend to continue. 

Of course, this can be somewhat problematic to families that like to limit screen time. However, it is important to recognize that not all screen time is bad. Indeed, at the moment it is what is allowing our kids to maintain their friendships and their educational process. 

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Having said that, will the necessary increase in deliberate screen time, it may be wise to encourage other non-screen-based activities as well, especially ones that involve outdoor activities and exercise. 

Outside parenting support 

Let’s face it, parenting is hard, and I'm pleased to see that we as a society are finally beginning to acknowledge this. Indeed, instead of getting on with the task of parenting the kids alone, there is now a lot more support for those of us having a bad day, or struggling with longer-term problems like poor mental health. 

I often find that one of the best places to go for support is other mommy bloggers, as many are wonderfully honest about the downs as well as the ups of parenthood. Then there are text and video call therapy services and there are even subs like r/breakingmom on Reddit that are specifically designed to be non-judgmental places of support and encouragement. 

Encourage Your Kids To Go For What They Want In Life

 In life, your kids are going to need to know how they should go about getting what they want. It’s not going to be a case of wandering through their days and demanding things, because this isn’t going to fly in the real world and it shouldn’t work for you either. But, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a right way to do it. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the things that you should do to encourage your kids to go for what they want in life, without seeming like spoiled, entitled brats. If you would like to know more about this topic, then keep reading down below where you will find the information that you need.

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Ask Nicely

The first thing that you should always teach your kids is that the first thing to do is ask nicely. If it is something that someone else has the power to give or take away, manners are the most important part. Your kid should know that they need to say please and thank you when they are asking for things at the very least. This is an extremely basic level, but it goes a long way when they are talking to others, and teaches them manners from a young age. We know that it might feel tough when they are young, but teaching them that they won’t get something unless they ask nicely for it is necessary.

When they are young, you should start doing this with things such as toys. For example, if they want a Superwings Paul police airplane then they need to ask for it politely. It then gets them in the mind frame that when they want something, they should ask for it in a nice way. Until they do this, do not give them what they want. 

Work Hard

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Another thing that they need to understand is that in life, you’ve got to work for things. Nothing is going to get handed to you for free unless you are a child who can’t do anything to earn what they get. But, you can start getting them into this mindset when they are a little older by asking them to do things like chores if they want a reward. Positive reinforcement is going to work wonders on children, and it is a far better alternative to negative reinforcement. Instead of telling them ‘unless you do this, you won’t get this’, try something along the lines of ‘if you do this, then you are going to be rewarded with this’. 

Obviously, you can’t do this all the time, and you’re going to need to say no sometimes. But, when it is possible to do so, teaching them from a young age that hard work pays off will set them up with a super important life lesson.

Set The Goals

Finally, you should make sure that you are setting achievable goals. Aiming for things in life is a fantastic thing to do, and your kids need to learn how they can do this without setting goals that feel like mountains. If you are setting goals, or your kids are setting goals, that it isn’t going to be possible to reach, it is going to be disheartening and discouraging when they can’t reach them. Often, kids have a bad habit of trying to aim too high, too fast, and it ends up with them feeling as though they are a failure.

You need to teach them the importance of breaking things down and doing one thing at a time. Think about the end goal that they are trying to achieve, and then simplify it into a number of smaller goals. They can then work towards each goal individually, which will all come together, in the end, to help them achieve the bigger goal. When you are setting the goals, make sure that they are involved in the process so they learn how to do this. If you don’t, then you are going to create adults who are trying to get things too fast and failing rather than succeeding.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to encourage your kids to go for what they want in life. A lot of the time, if there is an issue with kids doing this, it’s because the parents haven’t encouraged it, or they shut the kid down http://www.thekerrieshow.com/2012/07/encouraging-your-kids-to-try-new-things.htmlevery time they asked for something. Instead of doing this, teach them the right way to do things. Good luck.

How To Give Yourself More Focus

 How To Give Yourself More Focus

Time flies when you have your head down and are focused. It can be too easy to let time pass by and not focus or check-in with yourself. Think back to the last time you really focused on yourself and thought about how you are feeling. If you are having a hard time remembering, that is an obvious sign to give yourself more time. 

Today, you will discover simple ways for how to give yourself more focus. Instead of continuing with your head down and dismissing how you really feel, give yourself a few minutes each day to think about how to focus on yourself. Or, use those few minutes for self-focus. 

Do More Of What You Love

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As much as work and social commitments are crucial for everyday life, we need time for ourselves for a good balance. You do not need to give the same amount of time to yourself as you use for life commitments. A simple 15 to 20 minutes every so often is enough to enjoy doing something you love. Self-focus is an act of self-love, which can increase happiness and calm. 

If you like to read, exercise, sing, or try new adventurous things like getting a new piercing or dye your hair, then go for it. Do more of what you love. If you need more help or guidance with fun things to do in your free time, here are more nipple piercing facts.

Try Something New

Along the lines of trying something new, when was the last time you tried something different? If you can remember, think back to how it made you feel. If you want to transform your life then trying new things is a great way to find new passions and hobbies. It is also a great way to unleash your inner fun and adventure. 

Focusing on new activities helps restore the mind to a place of calm. A new activity could be something mindful like yoga or learning a new language. 

Say No More

If you are feeling overwhelmed due to work or other commitments and know this is the reason you do not focus on yourself, learn to say no more. 

You cannot always say no because nothing would ever get done. But learning to say no to commitments that can wait or are not essential is a step in the right direction. Try not to overload yourself with a large to-do list. You are only one person and your wellbeing is as important as ticking off of your to-do list. 

Learning to say no leads directly to the next point.

Give Yourself A Break

It is hard to recognize when it’s time to give yourself a break. But when you do, take advantage of it. Even if it’s a breather from a stressful work task and you feel the need to leave your desk for five minutes of fresh air, then do what you need to. 

Instead of overwhelming the mind unnecessarily, try to acknowledge when you need a break, need to say no, or have time for yourself. Instead of dismissing the feeling of needing time for self-focus, give in to it. You do not want to burn yourself out and a small break or a fun activity may be all you need to recuperate and restore your balance. 

The Art of Co-Parenting During or After a Separation

 

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It's easy to say that divorce is something that can make us feel like, as parents and as partners, we are a failure. But when it comes to making sure that you prepare for your children's future, you must remember that the art of co-parenting is about working together with your ex. If you have come to the decision of sharing the parenting of your children after a split there are some essential rules to make the arrangement easier for everybody. Let's show you some of the best approaches.

Speaking Positively About Your Ex

Something that we can all feel tempted to do, especially after they've hurt our feelings and our souls, is bad mouth them. But even if you think that your ex is someone who is more than keen to smear your reputation, you might be quite surprised as to how reserved they can be throughout the divorce process. Even if you consult divorce lawyers for men, throughout the process, you might be quite surprised as to how reserved and accommodating they are. And it's important that you both learn the fine art of keeping a lid on those visceral emotions. Not just for the sake of the divorce process, but what you say about your ex is something that your child will react to. They can also think this about themselves. And, the most important thing to remember when it comes to co-parenting is that your child still loves them as a parent. You bad mouthing them is going to be a dagger to your child's heart.

Keep the Rules in Both Households Consistent

For the sake of your children, they need structure and routine. Everything needs to be the same in both homes. It's about making sure that you both, as the child's parents, run a tight ship. This will make sure that you create a sense of security for the children. Wherever your child goes, and whenever they are, they will know that rules will be enforced. By operating in this respect, the children won't feel so insecure, which will result in a greater sense of well-being.

The Importance of Open Dialogue With Your Ex

Many marriages and relationships break down due to a lack of communication. By creating an open dialogue with your ex and keeping each other informed, it will make the relationship work. It can be emotionally painful, but making sure that you are both informed about the changes in your life or challenging circumstances will ensure that your child is never the key source of information. This is vital because if you ask your child what is going on in the other person's life, it is second-hand information, and it also results in putting your child in the middle. This is something that you will never, ever want to do.

As painful as it can be, you can make it work. The art of co-parenting during any separation is very much a fine one. It is not easy, but it is achievable. 

Staying Responsible For Your Children's Future

 Being a parent is hard - we all know that! Whether you’re working from home whilst looking after your children, or you’re juggling childcare and work-related needs at the same time, you’ve got it difficult! Getting through the day-to-day is a real achievement when you’ve got so much responsibility on your plate, but unfortunately, your work doesn’t end there. 

There are so many future considerations to keep in mind whilst raising your kids to be good, safe, and kind people. After all, you’ve got to ensure your kids are ready for the world and to do that, you’ve got to have responsibility in mind at all times. And with that in mind, here are the top three things you’ll need to do right now to make sure your kids do well when they hit the age of 18 and beyond. 

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Teaching Your Children How to Handle Their Emotions

You don’t have to make your children happy at all times, of course, but you do need to show them what to do to handle their emotions. Handling emotions is a big deal, and a lot of adults can’t even do it! This is why it needs to be something you pass onto your children; teaching them to be productive with their feelings will lead to them being well-adjusted adults, and it’d certainly help them to stay close to you as they grow and become more independent. 

Focusing on Your Children’s Financial Future

Of course, you can’t work for them, but you can set them up with the right habits (and the right background resources), to ensure your children spend and save well when they’re all grown up. Giving them their own bank account, which you control, is a good way to introduce them to such a concept in the long term. 

You could also think a little more about taking out a life insurance policy - it’s a big step, but it’s a good idea if you’re not sure if your current savings would be enough to keep your family going if something happened to you. But you need to work with an insurance company you trust! For example, check out some National Life Group reviews before you buy anything, and be sure to compare what’s on offer with other companies. 

Showing Your Children a Good Example

Finally, your own thoughts, actions, and behaviors come into it. You need to be the person they look up to and keep in mind when making decisions - you’re their whole world right now, and as they get older, they’ll take the lessons you give them to heart. Make sure you’re showing them to behave in a way you’d be proud of, and would ensure their health and happiness when they’re finally out there on their own two feet. 

Your children need to learn a lot before they grow up and move out - make sure you keep the above ideas in mind as they grow, because they really matter!