Monthly Archives: March 2019

Tough Conversations

Posted on March 19, 2019     Leave a Comment

Talking to our kids about big things like protecting their bodies and safe versus unsafe touching can be a pretty heavy, uncomfortable, and overwhelming task. As parents, where do we start? How far do we go? How much do we share and what age do we even begin? I’m overwhelmed with the uncertainty of all […]

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If only I could keep you little… (a letter to my daughter)

Posted on March 12, 2019     4 Comments

My dear girl, you’ve always loved bedtime stories. Happy ones, silly ones, rhyming ones, teaching ones, nonsense ones… There’s just something about being able to wind down and snuggle up together with a cozy blanket and good book that makes this a time to love and look forward to. The bedtime story we chose recently […]

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kayla! I’m a mom of three sweet toddler tornadoes who have taught me that parenting is one great big oxymoron. My life is controlled chaos, full of contradicting elements, ideas, and thoughts! If you enjoy stories of real moments and raw parenting, then you’re in the right place! Thanks for stopping by!

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Why am I here? I’m here to inspire others. To build relationships. To validate the chaos. To do something creative that goes beyond finger-painting with my kids. To share raw stories and real moments. To connect with other like-minded mommas and become a part of this amazing community of moms. You know what I’m NOT here for? I’m NOT here for attention or insta-fame. I’m NOT here to push products or lifestyle changes. I’m NOT here to gain numbers or play the follow/unfollow game. I’m NOT here to buy followers or join follow loops. I am a mother. I am a blogger. I am a writer. And I am hoping to also someday call myself an author. My dream is to eventually publish a book filled with raw stories and real moments related to motherhood’s paradox of loving fiercely and lacking sanity. That is my ultimate goal and what is driving my account. To all my friends and followers- those of you who have clicked that ‘follow button’ because you sincerely felt inspired or interested in my account, THANK YOU. Thank you for your encouragement, your feedback, your comments, your questions, and your connections. From the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul, thank you for being a genuine part of this journey. AND LET ME JUST ADD- to those of you who are dedicating these little IG squares to your small business or your coaching team, I have RESPECT for what you’re doing and I wish you the BEST! This is not intended to be anything more than a post about my own personal IG goals. I hope it’s very clear that I have nothing but love and appreciation for all those who are working to use this space for inspiration, encouragement, and improvement in the lives of others! YOU DO YOU and LET THEM DO THEM! ❤️ . #controlledchaostruths
Talking to our kids about big things like protecting their bodies and safe vs. unsafe touching can be pretty overwhelming. As parents, where do we start? How far do we go? How much do we share and what age do we even begin? I’m overwhelmed with the uncertainty of all those questions but you know what? The answer is now. We begin right now. According to statistics, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted in their life. 15% of those assaulted will be children under the age of 12. Pretty alarming numbers, right? I read those statistics and think about my daughter’s kindergarten class of 30 children- according to those numbers, 6 of her peers are at risk. 20%. You know what? That warrants some tough conversations. Our children only know what they know. Their understanding and awareness of this great big world they live in will come primarily from the talks they have and the events they experience. If we don’t teach, guide, and educate them through these tough topics, who will? How will our kids know what is unsafe or inappropriate if we fail to talk with them about it? The more we talk, the more knowledge our children acquire. The more knowledge they acquire, the better equipped they are to handle situations. The better equipped they are to handle situations, the more likely will know what to do when something happens. So despite our discomfort and perception of our children’s innocent and naïve nature, we need to start the conversation. Whether our children are 3 or 13 years old… we need to equip our children with knowledge. Literacy is one of my favorite ways to teach my children about lessons and life. I recently purchased the book, “God Made All of Me” via the recommendation of @kaleymunday and found it to be a really great tool for parents to introduce such a tough topic, especially for younger children. Though Christian connections and gentle information, this book teaches children that their body is theirs and something to protect. It teaches them about safe vs. unsafe touching, the difference between secrets and surprises, and what to do when something might make them uncomfortable or unsure. It’s mom approved guys. Check it out.
Tips for shopping with toddlers. I usually try to confine my kids to the cart if it’s big enough... even though I feel guilty for squishing them into such tight spaces. I often use my phone to keep them distracted... even though I feel guilty for using technology as a ‘babysitter’. . I sometimes make the choice to just not leave the house... even though I feel guilty for making them the reason we stay home. I never have an empty hand. I always feel like I’m losing my mind. And I’m constantly aware of how others might be perceiving my cartload of chaos. Oh wait, this was supposed to be a helpful list of tips and tricks. Whoops. Ok, let’s be honest, whether you have 1 baby or 6 toddlers, shopping with kids is always an adventure. They grab at everything, they want it all, they always have to go potty, they’re tired, they’re hungry, they’re bored... it’s HARD. It’s hard for all of us. None of us know what we’re doing and all us are desperately just trying to finish our shopping list and get out before we’re met with another tantrum or toilet trip. I don’t know if the ‘tips and tricks’ I do are the right ones but you know what? They’re right for me. And that’s all that matters. Do you struggle shopping with your kids too? What are your tips and tricks for surviving the chaos? #controlledchaostruths #shoppingwithkids #motherhoodintheraw
Looking for some ideas to get your kids moving and off the couch? My trio of toddlers are recently obsessing over this kids yoga series we’ve found on YouTube! It’s totally free, child friendly with fun themes, and has given me multiple 30 minute breaks. We stream it on our living room TV so most of the time, I just sit back and watch them from my recliner (whoohoo for a mom break!) but every once in awhile, I get down on the floor and work out with them! Swipe across to see a few more pictures as well as a screenshot of the YouTube channel. It’s definitely worth checking out guys! My kids are loving it and I think yours might too! Be sure and tag me or let me know if you end up giving it a try! . #controlledchaostruths #stayathomemom
No matter how old I am or how hard I try, they both end up messy. Why are these so hard? 🤦🏽‍♀️😆 . #controlledchaostruths #momtruth
Look closely... notice the stirrups in the background? Some days, my greatest accomplishment as a stay at home mom is simply keeping the kids from destroying the house... but other days, days like today, I feel like someone should crown me with a super hero cape (or at least a really good strong cup of coffee) 🦸🏼‍♀️😉☕️ . Today, I not only showered, curled my hair, and arrived on time to an 8:30 am appointment, but I also survived taking both toddlers with me to an annual exam AND walked out without having any major meltdowns, awkward conversations, or uncomfortable questions to answer! That’s something worth celebrating, right?! . Oh, and speaking of celebrating, I would like to take this moment to give special thanks to my dear husband who took charge of getting the kids ready so that my morning routine could go beyond a 5 minute deodorant and dry shampoo spray, the generous nurses at the office who fed my kids endless sugary treats to keep them both satisfied and occupied, Amazon for making kindle tablets filled with entertaining games and videos for distraction, Donut Bank Bakery for the opportunity to bribe my kids with their delicious donuts and pastries, and most importantly, my very patient and easy going gynecologist who so understands the life of a stay at home parent. If you need me, I’ll be working on my next honorable accomplishment… Something like conquering world hunger or maybe just tackling the heaping piles of laundry scattered throughout my basement. 😜 . Mamas, enlighten me! Have you had any ‘superhero moments’ lately? What’s one of the most challenging things you’ve had to do with your kids in tow? What are your tricks for entertaining toddlers in moments of chaos? #controlledchaostruths #stayathomemom