Moms Archives - Baton Rouge Family Fun

Back to School: Ensuring an A+ start to the school year

August 10, 2019 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

Back to school…three words that represent great joy to parents who are ready to get back to routine and bring great anguish and “pain” to kids who aren’t quite ready to give up their summer freedom. In order to ensure a smooth transition from the fun and less structured summer into a new school year, I think it is important as parents to take the time to talk to our children about their worries and concerns going into the fall semester. The question could be as simple as, “Is there anything you are worried about for this school year?” I know in my office when I ask this question, I have had many a parent be surprised by the answer their child might give. When we know what our children are worried or afraid of, it makes us, as parents, better equipped to give them the guidance they need to maneuver through the unchartered waters of a new school experience happily and successfully.

Back to School: Ensuring an A+ start to the school year

I encourage parents to teach children to view school as their job. What better time to start teaching children about work ethic than from the very beginning of school. As parents, we should set expectations for our children in regards to their “job” performance, and if these expectations are not met, then they should be held accountable. Now, the expectations, as well as the consequences, will, of course, vary by age, but even the youngest child should understand that they should strive to be the best they can at their job. Even my son who is starting Pre-K 3, knows that mommy and daddy expect him to listen to his teacher, follow directions, and be a good friend to his classmates. If he doesn’t achieve these things, he doesn’t get to read books at night (his favorite pre-bedtime activity). These expectations are established from the get-go so that there is no confusion about the “job description.”

I also encourage all parents, but especially the parents of elementary aged children, to establish a good rapport with their child’s teacher. After all, the reality is that in many cases their teacher will spend more time with them during the weekday than we will. It is crucial to make sure there are channels of communication that exist between parents and teachers, and these should not be one-way avenues. Parents should feel comfortable bringing up concerns to teachers just as teachers should be respected when they bring concerns back to parents. A partnership between teacher and parent is vital to helping children achieve success in the classroom which often translates to increased self-confidence in kids.

So as everyone heads back to school, establish those expectations, let them know their “job description,” and then make sure your voice as a parent is a positive one with excitement, support, and encouragement for the upcoming school year. As kids make the trek up the ladder to reach those expectations you have set, make sure they know you are their biggest cheerleader and will always be behind them to catch them when they stumble, to give extra little pushes along the way, and to celebrate all of their achievements all from a place of unconditional love.

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM’s experiences with food, fitness, health and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Total Mom Makeover Show Premieres Tonight April 6th at 8/7pm Central

April 6, 2017 by Tiany Davis

It’s something many of us dream about and long for, for different reasons and in different seasons of motherhood… a Total Mom Makeover!! When Diasy Teh of The It Mom put out a call searching for moms to tell their stories and share why they wanted a Total Mom Makeover, I jumped on it! I won’t share my whole story or it will spoil the show but between diving head first into the trenches of motherhood, homeschooling, running a business and taking care of an ailing parent, I neglected myself and my well being. I needed help to turn things around and I didn’t know where to start. If you are a single mom let me tell you that not only you can get that first date but also a second date with this makeover, also be sure to check www.perfect12.com where you will find some interesting dating instructions and tips.

I was blessed to have been chosen as one of four moms to be included on The Total Mom Makeover Influencer Panel, together we chose the 8 moms that would join us for a Total Mom Makeover. Their stories touched me and made a lasting impression in more ways than one, you will get to meet each of these moms in their own show each week starting TONIGHT, w’ll be giving some awesome beauty tips from https://beautysetter.com/ as well and of course you will have an Excellence Medical Cosmetic Clinic helping you out, so don’t miss out!!.

In a whirlwind of a weekend, 12 moms were whisked off to California for a weekend of pampering, connecting and growing – we also learned the how-to’s of how to apply the very same makeover techniques so we could use all of the info we had gathered once we returned home. But that’s not all!! We were surprised with luxe products and outfits in a personalized kit that we brought home! Once we were transformed with the new hair for which we used one of the strainers from http://besthairflatirons.com/ and some awesome hair extensions from Haarverlängerung Berlin, makeup and outfits, we had photo shoots and…. no more spoilers!! If you wan to get the best fashion accessories visit Blue Bungalow which has the most beautiful outfits. For those moms out there I recommend using natural skincare which is one of the healthiest ways to take care of your skin, besides other methods like a Laser treatment at home that can make your skin healthier fast.

Total Mom Makeover Show – April 6th, 2017 and every Thursday at 8/7pm Central beginning April 6, 2017

This reality webshow airs its season premiere on April 6th, 2017 and every Thursday at 8/7pm Central beginning April 6, 2017. Each episode will feature one mom’s unique story and their vow to stand out from the crowd with the opportunity to travel to a new location for an all expense paid weekend getaway and head-to-toe makeover transformation by the The It Mom’s “Dream Team” – some of the most elite fashion, beauty and style experts from around the county.

Meet the 12 Moms That Received an All Expense Paid Head-To-Toe Total Mom Makeover

I hope you’ll take the time to watch and be inspired by each moms transformation, they went through some rigorous Coolsculpting. This experience was about so much more than getting pampered and receiving free products, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. The Total Mom Makeover was an experience that I would like to pay forward….. soooo…. stay tuned for details because Baton Rouge Moms is going to bless TWO moms with their very own Total Mom Makeovers right here in Baton Rouge!! More details to come, but for now, be sure to watch the Total Mom Makeover TONIGHT April 6th, 2017 and every Thursday at 8/7pm Central!

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GoGo squeeZ applesauce recall due to quality concerns

March 6, 2016 by Tiany Davis

GoGo squeeZ® has issued a voluntary recall on specific applesauce pouches that may not meet quality standards. They found food product residue in two product pumps in one of their factories during an inspection by the Michigan State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). No illnesses connected to this issue have been reported. While it is possible the food product residue may have been incorporated into finished product, they test the applesauce extensively, and at this time, they have not seen evidence of this in their pouches.

Consumers who have purchased GoGo squeeZ® applesauce pouches with Best Before Dates between 12/4/15 and 3/4/17 can contact us at 1-844-275-5841 or visit www.gogosqueez.com to request a replacement voucher. For instructions on how to identify affected products, please visit: http://bit.ly/1RtHHe0.

Please note that this GoGo squeeZ applesauce recall does not include or impact GoGo squeeZ Organic products or our newly launched GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ®.

Production of the GoGo squeeZ® applesauce pouches has been suspended while they work with MDARD officials to continue their investigation.

GoGo squeeZ Founder and CEO Michel Larroche announced the recall on the product’s Facebook page

Larroche said, “Many of you know that last year we had a recall for a different reason, and as a result, we understand you may be losing patience with us. We have worked hard to earn your trust, and we are taking action to make sure we continue to deserve it. As a part of this commitment Bill Graham, our President, and I will be intimately involved in making the changes necessary to deliver on our promise. I can’t begin to express how sorry we are that this happened, and we appreciate your patience and support.”

So, before packing those lunches or grabbing a snack, check your applesauce and identify whether or not you have the recalled item!

A Mom for Christmas

December 1, 2015 by Guest Contributor

Hey ladies, Whitney here. I thought for this little post I would share my letter to my Santa, but really, it’s my tribute to all you Baton Rouge moms who have been filling those boots each year and for years to come.

Dear Santa,

I hope this Christmas is wonderful for you. Can I trouble you for a moment of your time? You see, this is a big year in my family. It’s our first Christmas as a family of four. I want the girls first Christmas as sisters to be something that will be etched their heart and your memory for years to come. I feel so lucky that God has chosen me to be a part of their lives in very different ways. They each call me two very different names and will grow up to know me as two versions of a mom, but if you look deep you will find that the pockets I have reserved for them in my heart are the same size. As I write this I am crying the same amount of tears for each of them. They are perfect little versions of their father, seriously, look at them:

Image courtesy of Kora Bruce Creative

You see I want to make sure I leave both of them with very important lessons in this life. So this is my ask, Santa, help me give them a mom for Christmas.

You see just like you, all year I am convinced they see me when I am sleeping and when I am awake. They know when I have been bad or good. They know and see all. So there’s some things I am going to need from you because, let’s face it, they are watching and copying my every move. I know you have given me these things before. You give them to me everyday, Christmas or otherwise, but I am a real live mom now, and I need my Santa this year more than ever. It’s a long list, but I think it’s worth it.

I would like to teach my girls that being brave will not always come with a big win. It often comes with great disappointment but even greater life lessons. So Santa, I am going to need a little BRAVERY.

I would love my girls to have patience for each other and humans in general. Humans are a frustrating kind. So Santa, I am going to need PATIENCE.

I want my ladies to know that manners will take them farther than anything in this world. I want them to know that napkins still belong on laps, ankles crossed, and that you can still be unique AND polite. So if you could, make sure my pinky is up when I drink my Franzia Chillable Red? No but really, can you make sure I stay on my MANNERS game?

I have the best mom (see what I did there, Santa?) and the most okay-est brother (love you Cam!) ever, but even they would say that family is not always what you are born with, but sometimes the one that shows up in a car on the way home from college. That family can be where your strength comes from in the darkest of days, that’s the village it takes to survive this world and raise a family. Santa, help me build my VILLAGE.

Let’s talk, Santa. I feel like you can relate. You know the day after Christmas after all those cookies? I imagine your body changes. Imagine nine months of cookies and then birth and then still really liking cookies. I really still like cookies. My body is not what it used to be. I am one of the most confident girls you’ve ever delivered gifts to, but this year my pants don’t fit the same. I want my girls to grow up with the confidence to look in the mirror when their body completely fails them and say, “I got this!” or “Who is that beauty looking back?” So Santa, can you send a bit of your CONFIDENCE down my way?

I hope this isn’t asking too much. You have been good to me over the years. You always ate my cookies, and the note you left me on my magna-doodle back in 1994 didn’t go unnoticed. I always appreciated that you brought the apple up to the reindeer even though you had places to get, going up and down our chimney twice must have been tough. So thank you. I can’t promise this will be my last letter to you, but I can promise your grace and your magic through the years never went unnoticed.

Sincerely,

Whitney , Playing Santa since 2014

World Prematurity Day – Signs of preterm labor

November 17, 2015 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Today is #‎WorldPrematurityDay‬. A day to generate global attention on the leading cause of deaths of children under 5. Complications from preterm birth account for more than 1 million deaths in a year, surpassing pneumonia as the leading cause of under-5 child mortality. Nearly a million of these deaths took place within the first month of life, with the remaining 125,000 deaths taking place before age 5.

World Prematurity Day offers an opportunity not only to focus on cost-effective solutions for prevention and care of preterm births, but also to offer support for families who have experienced a preterm birth. This year, World Prematurity Day will also highlight cross sectoral interventions, as well as the important work of the Every Newborn effort, which seeks to end preventable newborn and maternal deaths and stillbirths within the next generation. Approved by 194 member states at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May and launched on June 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, the Every Newborn action plan is mobilizing support across the world and sectors to save the lives of mothers and their babies, who continue to die at alarming rates in many low resource countries.

Signs of preterm labor

Preterm labor is labor that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is too early for your baby to be born. Babies born too soon can have lifelong or life-threatening health problems.

What are the warning signs of preterm labor?

Here are some signs that you may have preterm labor:

Contractions (your belly tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
Change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding)
Pelvic pressure—the feeling that your baby is pushing down
Low, dull backache
Cramps that feel like your period
Belly cramps with or without diarrhea

What should you do if you think you’re having preterm labor?

Call your health care provider or go to the hospital right away if you think you’re having preterm labor, or if you have any of the warning signs. Call even if you have only one sign.

Your health care provider may tell you to:

Come into the office or go to the hospital for a checkup.
Stop what you’re doing. Rest on your left side for 1 hour.
Drink 2 to 3 glasses of water or juice (not coffee or soda).

If the signs get worse or don’t go away after 1 hour, call your provider again or go to the hospital. If they get better, relax for the rest of the day.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing and caring for preterm birth and promoting maternal and newborn health.

For more information and additional resources please visit:

www.facebook.com/worldprematurityday.

Follow #WorldPrematurityDay on Twitter

http://www.everynewborn.org/about/

To join the conversation on twitter follow #WorldPrematurityDay.

World Prematurity Day on November 17, 2014, will be a key moment to generate global attention on the leading cause of deaths of children under 5. According to a recent study published in The Lancet, complications from preterm birth accounted for more than 1 million deaths in 2013, surpassing pneumonia as the leading cause of under-5 child mortality last year. Nearly a million of these deaths took place within the first month of life, with the remaining 125,000 deaths taking place before age 5. World Prematurity Day offers an opportunity not only to focus on cost-effective solutions for prevention and care of preterm births, but also to offer support for families who have experienced a preterm birth.This year, World Prematurity Day will also highlight cross sectoral interventions, as well as the important work of the Every Newborn effort, which seeks to end preventable newborn and maternal deaths and stillbirths within the next generation. Approved by 194 member states at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May and launched on June 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, the Every Newborn action plan is mobilizing support across the world and sectors to save the lives of mothers and their babies, who continue to die at alarming rates in many low resource countries.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing and caring for preterm birth and promoting maternal and newborn health. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/worldprematurityday and http://www.everynewborn.org/about/

To join the conversation on twitter follow #WorldPrematurityDay. – See more at: http://www.everywomaneverychild.org/news-events/events/811-world-prematurity-day-1#sthash.h4C8vnXC.dpuf

resources: http://www.marchofdimes.org, http://www.everywomaneverychild.org

#GeauxPink – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 22, 2015 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

As moms, we often put the needs of our families in front of our own. But we must remember, to care for our family, WE need to be healthy! And that means being on guard against cancer.

Breast Cancer Fast Facts

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
An estimated 232,340 new cases in women and 2,240 new cases in men of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur in the U.S. during 2013.
Breast cancer is second, only to lung cancer, in cancer deaths among women in the U.S.
About 39,620 women and 410 men in the U.S. are expected to die from breast cancer in 2013.
There is not any official study that proves that breast surgery (הגדלת-חזה) leads to cancer of any sort or prevent it either.
One case of breast cancer is diagnosed every two minutes, and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the U.S.
African American women have higher rates of distant stage breast cancer than white women and are more likely, in the U.S. to be diagnosed with larger tumors than white women.
Although men are diagnosed at a much smaller rate than women, their chances for being diagnosed with breast cancer also increase with age. In fact, most cases of breast in men occur between the ages of 65 and 67.
There are 2.9 million breast cancer survivors alive in the U.S. today – the largest group of all cancer survivors.
About 80-90% of breast cancers in women without symptoms in the U.S. will be detected by mammography.
Only 53% of women 40 and older in the U.S. reported having a mammogram in the last year.

For more information, please visit: Understanding Breast Cancer
*All information taken from Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Throughout the month of October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mary Bird Perkins is also partnering with local schools, organizations and businesses to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer in our community. Go to http://www.mbpolol.org/geaux-pink for a list of upcoming events and promotions that benefit #GeauxPink. Visit one of the participating retailers or restaurants to show your support. It’s never been easier to give back! Starting today, individual events will be taking place around town to support #GeuaxPink, including Style Encore, Bistro Byrons, Canes, Santa Fe and more!

Balancing Act

August 4, 2015 by Doris Heckert

Almost 8 and half years ago, I joined the legion of parents to kids who are differently-abled. While it may not be the legion I would’ve chosen for my 26 year old self, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else now. On this journey I’ve learned more than I ever could’ve imagined and am still learning daily. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (and am still working on) is balance. How do I manage my son being a kid and his physical needs? His medical needs and his social needs? His academic needs and his appointments? Being a mom and a therapist and advocate? And above all I’ve had to learn to find myself again.

I feel like most days, I do well. Some days all I do is therapy and send email after email to get what my son needs and deserves. Over 8 years, I learned the ins and outs of what is worth fighting for and what is worth letting go.

One of our recent adventures involved recasting our son’s recurring club feet. His diagnosis (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Cogenita) is not regressive, but as he grows, muscles tend to want to go back where they were at birth. We saw the doctor right before we left for vacation in Florida and decided we would wait to cast until we got back. No one wants to go to the beach in casts, we had the most amazing vacation this year, my husband and I decided to contact twiddy and we couldn’t have been more satisfied with our decision, our vacation was a total success. Balance: being a kid and medical needs. We casted for 2 weeks and when we took them off, his feet looked great, could we have gone another 2 weeks and gotten more…absolutely! However, we have another family trip planned and when we cast, we have to bend his knees (we had major surgery to straighten them out) and getting them back straight requires lots of stretching and is uncomfortable, so we decided to brace again. Plus, school starts soon. Balance: being a kid, educational and medical needs.

I’m thankful for a team of doctors, therapist and a husband who fully supports my decisions. They see the value in balance.

Why Baton Rouge Moms Are The Best

July 23, 2015 by Guest Contributor

Baton Rouge moms rush ahead to open the door for you when you’re manning an unwieldy stroller.

Baton Rouge moms smile at cranky babies. They offer encouragement in the checkout line at Albertson’s when your two boys are acting like wild hooligans. They tell you it’s going to be alright, and they know what they’re talking about because they were once where you are and they lived to tell about it.

Baton Rouge moms offer you a glass of wine or a cup of coffee when you come over. Sometimes they’ll offer you both, because it’s not quite morning, but it’s not quite noon, and it’s been a rough day already.

Baton Rouge moms knock on your window to tell you that you left a sippy cup on top of your car.

Baton Rouge moms chase you down in the middle of the mall to hand you a missing shoe or a dropped lovey. They tell you “It’s alright, I have one at home too” when your oldest child stomps his feet and screams “YOU’RE MEAN!” in public.

They stop you in Target or on the playground to tell you that your tag is sticking out of the back of your shirt.

Baton Rouge moms know how to cook. But if they don’t feel like cooking, they also know how to order enough food to feed everybody, because Baton Rouge moms love to eat.

Baton Rouge moms don’t care what you look like, where you come from, or what you wear.

Baton Rouge moms care who you are.

What do you love about Baton Rouge moms?

You’ve Got Your Hands Full

June 11, 2015 by Rachele Ezzo

“You got your hands full, don’t you?” they say and chuckle.
Sometimes I laugh with them but most times I am not amused. It’s the moment when the my boys who are 21 months apart, are flying, screaming, shooting bad guys, yelling or punching each other, arguing…the list goes on. They are 3 and 5. People ask me all the time if my kids are twins. Most of the time I say no, but on our bad days I say yes. It sure feels like it.
We make an entrance wherever we go. I mean for once, I would love to blend in with the crowd. Not stand out. Not get looks. Not have other people stop to make a comment. Not have to avoid eye contact with people. Just not get watched…ya know what I mean?

Today we are headed to Disney. Happiest place on earth right? What they don’t tell you is the way there will be quite the opposite with children. I’ll spare you the details but imagine me by myself with a double stroller, 3 carry-ons and a backback and two wild boys. Lets just say you need a system rigged right in order to steer all that in one direction without losing a bag or a kid. A sight to see, I promise you.

If I had a dollar for every time I hear “You got your hands full” since I had kids I would be rich. Or so I thought, until this trip. This trip would make me money people.

So there I am looking disheveled, and telling my kids to stop shooting imaginary guns at people and telling them to stay with me in the airport and in comes the same comment I hear over and over.

“You have your hands full.”

I am not sure why, but this time it was different. A light bulb went off. I do. I do have my hands full. Most days I feel like I cant keep up, like all I do is break up fights and threaten punishment until they are eighteen. But what if….what if my hands were empty?

What if they weren’t there. If I never had a chance to be a mom. Never had them. Or God forbid, I lost them. I could not bare it. My mama heart would ache so badly I am not sure how I would go on. They are my babies. They fill my hands with struggle but they fill my heart with meaning and love and are the best gift I have ever been given. It is only by God’s grace I have them because I do not deserve them.

Most days I feel like I am not doing this motherhood thing right. My kids are a lot and take a lot out of me. Motherhood is a call to be selfless. Its hard! Its exhausting. But I am a mom! They are mine. I carried them and brought them into this world. That was hard work too. But once they placed those boys in my hands, they were full. I pray they always are.

So the next time someone decides to remind me, my new reply will be: It sure beats having them empty, right?

Because it does. They are my world.

Declutter and Put Cash in Your Pocket

May 2, 2015 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The companies who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

Getting rid of the extraneous things in your life and around your home has it’s advantages. It’s a great feeling to know you’re getting rid of items that are not being used, collecting dust or simply in the way. If you haven’t purged the clutter in your life, give it a try. With Varagesale you can declutter locally, easily and safely while earning cash! A little Lagniappe for a your pocketbook never hurts!

Average U.S. Household Has Over 50 Unused Items Worth $3100 According to Nielsen Survey

What kinds of things can you sell on VarageSale?

VarageSale is pre-accepting members now! Take a peek in the community, poke around and list your items for sale before the official launch next week. As an early bird you will have exclusive access to the early bird sale starting Sunday, May 3 at 7PM until Tuesday, May 5 at 7PM where they’ll be dropping in heavily discounted to FREE items such as diapers and toys!

Not to mention, each listing you place in the Baton Rouge or Denham Springs VarageSale community is an entry into their Disney on Ice Family Four Pack Giveaway! Each community will give away a Family Four Pack to Disney’s Frozen on Ice!

It’s easy as….

1. Join the Baton Rouge community here —-> http://bit.ly/VarageSaleBR

2. List your items to sell {the more items listed the more chances to win Frozen on Ice Family Four Pack.}

3. Earn Cash!

What are you waiting for? Visit the website or download the free app and pre-register now to get exclusive access to the 48 hour preview sale and join the fun early. See you there!!