February 2016 – The Stork Bag

Posted on February 25, 2016October 18, 2021 by The Stork Bag Team — Leave a comment

Review: The Power Of A Positive Mom

*This article from our archives was written by The Stork Bag founder Ericka Perry.*

Hi mommas, this is an unsponsored, ‘in a nutshell’ review of one of my latest reads, The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd. I received this book as a gift and I have to say, I love it.

The breakdown of the book is great for busy moms, as it gives you 7 different principles broken down into separate sections. I totally don’t want to give away the wisdom within this book but I will say that the power of mommy’s actions and thoughts directly impact that of the child and families. One part of this book that was my favorite was having an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’. This section of the book speaks about ‘Creating a Thankful Environment’ where the author uses real life examples to illustrate the meaning and importance behind this. Karol also writes about gratitude being contagious and how we shape our children’s attitudes by implementing a consistent attitude of gratitude.

This book also explains the importance of ‘Harmony With Hubby’ and ‘The Power of Strong Relationships’. The breakdown of this section within the book provides ‘Fire Builder’ tips, which help with ideas to keep the flame going in your marriage. Exemplifying strong relationship skills is key to leading by example for your children. When children see the positive impact that having strong relationships can have on life, they are more inclined to want these types of relationships as well. This is incredibly beneficial to the social development of your children.

‘Living Lesson Books’ is also one of my favorite parts of The Power of a Positive Mom; it illustrates how our actions speak louder than words. I think as parents it is important for us to not only tell our children what is right and what is wrong, but to also show them this through our actions. Our children are watching us even when we don’t realize it, and as parents we have the responsibility of shaping another person for this world.

The Power of a Positive Mom is a great read for every mother.

Posted on February 18, 2016October 17, 2021 by The Stork Bag Team — Leave a comment

Made By Mom: 5 Reasons You Should Buy More Products From Mompreneurs!

*This post from our archives was written by The Stork Bag’s founder, Ericka Perry.*

Okay, okay, so I’m a mompreneur which probably clouds my judgement, but hear me out. In a world fueled by innovation and technology it has become easier to start businesses, and with websites like Etsy, and The Stork Bag, it makes turning your passion into profit seamless. I could think of way more than 5 reasons you should buy more mom products but I’ve decided to state my case a bit more concisely with these top five reasons:

Posted on February 11, 2016September 27, 2021 by The Stork Bag Team — Leave a comment

Tips For Expecting Mothers With Toddlers

*This guest blog was contributed by Dee Styles*

I’m scribbling and crossing out as I try to write my article for The Stork Bag – it’s a bit difficult to concentrate now as an expecting mother. And my 2 year old toddler isn’t helping at all, with her constant questioning; “Mommy what is this? Mommy what is that?”

One of the hardest parts of writing these blogs is finding the right topic, which my fellow moms will find fun and insightful. I was just about to grab my hair and start tearing it out, when I thought to myself, “exactly!” I’m going to write about how to get by as an expecting mother with a toddler! My hubby and I are expecting our second baby and we are super excited (well he is more excited than I am since I’m the one going through the discomforts that come with pregnancy!).

It’s been an adventurous journey so far, taking care of my toddler (a super hyper active 2 year old girl), my hubby and myself, plus the little one in me. Trust me, it’s no joke -sometimes I wonder how moms with twins get by!

But it’s not all bad, and below are some tips to make your journey through this phase a little more comfy.

First, you need to have a good support system. Surround yourself with friends and family you can trust and that can cater to your needs or help you out when you really need them – especially on short notice. Maybe having a parent or sibling on standy if you need someone to watch your toddler for a few hours so that you can have a (much needed) break.
Second, talk to your toddler about the coming baby, prepare them mentally, and try engage them in DIY activities such as crafts. Fostering independence in your child will benefit both of you
Third, when you forget to take care of yourself (as we mothers tend to do every once in a while), remember the little one inside you. For their sake, you need to ensure that you are healthy and fit.

Try to eat a balanced meal each time whenever possible: infuse green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber, and fruits into your everyday meal plan. If you are a busy mom like me and you run around and driving a lot, it helps to have a water bottle or smoothie, along with a protein bar to take with you on the go.

Carry healthy snacks around like apples, dried fruits, nuts or a healthy sandwich. As the pregnancy progresses, I’ve discovered that I burn more energy quickly while catering to my toddler and the little one inside of me seems to want food more often than usual (especially when I am out!). Rather than get hungry and stop for some unhealthy fast food, I go to my pre-packed healthny snacks. Best of all, I can share these with my toddler if they are long.

Waking up in the morning has become a major chore as I am getting closer to my 3rd trimester and preparing my toddler for daycare every morning is always easier when I plan ahead the night before. I sort out her backpack with a change of clothes, ensure she has her snack and lunch for the next day available the night before, so all I have to do in the morning is warm it up and package it. I also sort out her clothing for the day the night before. Being a fashion oriented mom, I’m kind of particular about what my kid wears to school.

p.s. Remember to look after yourself! I can’t stress this enough. If I feel the need to rest I don’t push it. I found out the hard way during my first pregnancy that high blood pressure in pregnancy is not good for you or your baby. Relax, and take the time for some self-care.

Posted on February 1, 2016September 27, 2021 by The Stork Bag Team — Leave a comment

7 FREE and Fun Family Activities

The Stork bag - 7 free and fun famly activities - family at the park

With colder weather, it’s easy for cabin fever to kick in if we stay cooped up in the house too long. With that scary notion in mind, we’ve come up with 7 fun activities to keep your family busy without costing you a dime! Check them out:

Museums: Yep, believe it or not, some museums have free days or times for families to come and visit during the winter months. Although many of them have specific free times, this is still a great outing for the entire family. Pack a lunch and head out to your local museum!

Parks: I know, I know the park is outside but hear me out. In many of the colder states public schools allow the kids to play outside for recess anytime the temperature is above 32 so bundled those babes up and head out to your community park for some good old’ fashion fun. Pair your outdoor fun with some yummy hot cocoa and you’ve got yourself a free fun day!

Gyms: Have a gym membership? Bring the kiddos along for a family work out. Many families don’t think about this but imagine the fun games you could come up with by mixing your workout routine with some dance breaks!

Home Movie Night: Who knew the family room could be converted into a movie theater? Pop up some popcorn, grab some juice boxes and pull out that Halloween candy (I can’t be the only one still holding on to 3-month old candy)! With so many video streaming services and on demand movie access, you’re sure to find a movie that the whole family would love! This actvitiy is fun, free and convenient!

Rec Center/YMCA: This community gem is a gold mine for fun and free family adventure! From a friendly game of basketball to a little swimming time, there is all sort of fun to be had. Plan ahead and check out your local recreation center’s event calendar before you leave to avoid any disappointment.

Sightseeing: Pack everyone in the car and head over to the next town for some sightseeing. Live in or near a large city? Even better, there’s always so much to see in new or big cities. Even venturing to your local downtown area would be a treat; all the antique shops and old diners make for a good history lesson. Don’t forget to pack the snacks!

Your Local Library: This gem has so much free fun hidden away at your local library! From allowing the kiddos to pick out their very own book with their very own library card, to enjoying story time, arts and crafts and even movie time, the list goes on and on! Many local libraries have an event calendar as well with upcoming events they have, which are usually free of charge. The adventures tucked away at the library are endless and a true gem for the entire family.

These are just some of the great activities that you family can have for fun, and free – if you’ve got others, we’d love to hear about them!