8 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Confidence to Speak Their Mind

"You can't pour from an empty cup."

Hey, hey, hey, Mommies! Rise and shine, it’s Fri-YAY! Today we’re giving you all the tools to become the cool mom on the block.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Chatting champs: teach kids to speak up!

• DIY masking tape racetrack

• Yum! Breakfast pizza recipe

• Halloween bandana pumpkins 🎃

“It's like a fresh, organic coffee shop in your kitchen” - Wandering Bear

Little Scholars & Growing Giggles

8 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Speak Their Mind

Ever find yourself answering for your kiddo when someone asks them a question?

Guilty as charged, right?

But what if we could help our little ones speak up more and be the assertive individuals we know they can be?

Let Them Answer for Themselves

First stop: zip it, Mom! If someone asks your child a question, let them respond.

Breaking this habit will empower your kid to use their voice in new situations.

• Mom Tip: To ease into this, prep your child with a question you know someone will ask them, like “How was school today?” Then, give them the floor to answer when the moment comes.

The Art of Small Talk

If idle chatter isn’t your kid’s strong suit, teach them to navigate the casual convos. A little small talk never hurt anybody.

• Mom Tip: Role-playing can be a fun way to practice. Pretend you’re the neighbor or the new kid at school and let your child lead the conversation.

Thoughtful Discussions, Please!

Take some time each day for a meaningful chit-chat. Ask open-ended questions that prompt them to think, making mealtime or walks ideal talk time.

• Mom Tip: Make a “conversation jar” filled with different topics and questions. Let your child pick one each day to discuss during dinner.

No Judgy Eyes Here

Keep those judgmental eyebrows in check. Kids shut down if they feel judged.

So, when they open up, really listen, and don't immediately jump to conclusions.

• Mom Tip: Maintain eye contact and keep your phone away during these moments. Your full attention sends the message that what they're saying matters.

Choices, Choices, Choices

Let them pick their own snacks or even plan a family activity. Small choices can make a big impact on their confidence levels.

• Mom Tip: Create a “Choice Board” at home. Put two or three options for snacks, activities, or even weekend plans and let them pin their choice.

Labels Are for Jars, Not Kids

Avoid labeling your child as the “smart one” or “the funny one.” Every child is a mix of many talents.

• Mom Tip: Use descriptive praise like “You worked really hard on that!” rather than labels. It encourages a growth mindset.

Be a Role Model

Model assertiveness in your daily interactions. Whether it’s admitting you’re wrong or sharing a different opinion politely, let your actions do the talking.

• Mom Tip: Make it a “Tell-Me Tuesday” or “Speak-Up Saturday” where you share a story from your day where you stood up for yourself or others. Encourage them to do the same.

Let's Get Factual

When your kid has an opinion, encourage them to back it up with facts.

It enhances their executive cognitive functioning, which is linked to long-term achievement.

• Mom Tip: Next time they express an opinion, turn it into a mini-research project. Sit down together to find three facts that support their point of view.

Act on Opinions

Show your child how actions can bring change by involving them in community activities. It helps them see the power of taking a stand.

• Mom Tip: Choose a family cause that you can support together, like a local animal shelter or food bank, and make it a monthly tradition to volunteer.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, Mamas! Turn those mini-mes into mini-advocates for themselves.

Happy parenting, and remember—your child’s voice is the sweetest sound, so let it be heard! 💕🗨️

Keep reading here.

Together with Wandering Bear

Cold Brew Coffee - Big, Strong, and Surprisingly Smooth

Moms, ever feel like you're running a summer camp instead of a home?

Check out Wandering Bear Cold Brew Coffee for that bit of extra energy.

It's not just any coffee; it's an extra strong, surprisingly smooth, 100% organic lifeline that stays fresh up to 30 days in the fridge. 

It's like having a ready-to-drink coffee shop in your home.

And don’t even get me started on my favorite seasonal flavor 😋 

Mommy readers, enjoy a 10% treat today with code WANDERING10

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

Poll Results From 10/4

What age do you believe is appropriate for a child to have their own smartphone?

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Younger than 10 (2%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Between 10-13 (41%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Only once they're in high school (57%)

Featured Response 🙂 

Seems like that could be a fair compromise!

Mom Hack

Masking Tape Racetrack

Mom Hack

Looking for an easy, mess-free activity?

Lay down some masking tape on the carpet to create "roads" for toy cars.

It keeps your child engaged and it's simple to remove.

Mom’s Menu

Breakfast Pizza 🍕🍳

• Are you stuck in a breakfast rut? 🙄 

• Tired of cereal and toast every morning?

Let's level up breakfast with this game-changing Breakfast Pizza!

Think scrambled eggs, sausage, and all the cheese, sitting pretty on a 5-minute homemade pizza crust.

Yeah, you heard me, 5 minutes! 🕒

📝 Ingredients

5-Minute Pizza Crust:

• Flour

• Parmesan Cheese

• Water

• Rapid-rise Yeast

• Olive Oil

• Sugar

• Salt

Pizza Toppings:

• Ground Sausage

• Eggs

• Bell Pepper

• 2% Milk

• Mozzarella Cheese

• Cheddar Cheese

• Butter

• Flour

• Salt & Pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

For the 5-Minute Pizza Dough:

1. Activate yeast by mixing water, sugar, oil, and yeast. Let it get foamy.

2. In a food processor, pulse together flour, Parmesan, and salt.

3. Slowly add in the yeast mix to form a dough. Knead it a bit and roll out.

For the Breakfast Pizza:

1. Roll out the dough into two circles and place on parchment-lined pans.

2. Cook sausage and bell pepper in a skillet. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add flour and milk to make a sauce. Toss in eggs and cook to a soft set.

4. Top each crust with egg mix, sausage, and bell pepper. Sprinkle on both types of cheese.

5. Bake at 475°F until browned and bubbly.

📌 Notes

• Don't overcook the eggs in the skillet; they'll keep cooking in the oven.

• In a rush? Use store-bought dough or even pita bread.

• Want more flavors? Add things like mushrooms, onions, or even some diced roasted sweet potatoes.

Whew! There you have it, girl! A Breakfast Pizza that will make even the pickiest toddler say, "More, please!"

Trust me, this will vanish faster than your alone time on a Saturday morning. 😂 Enjoy! 🍕🍳

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Fall Edition)

DIY Halloween Bandana Pumpkins

Ready for a no-fuss, super-cute Halloween DIY? Let's transform some patterned fabric into the most adorable mini pumpkins you've ever seen.

Perfect for your fall decor and so easy, even with little helpers around.

All you need is some fabric, a bit of sewing, and ta-da—a pumpkin patch right in your living room!

Plus, the kiddos can help find sticks in the yard for stems. 

Crafty and budget-friendly, what's not to love?

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

Ladies, let's talk leggings. You know, the unsung heroes of mom fashion?

These leggings are a game-changer.

Imagine leggings that are like a warm hug for your baby bump, but also chic enough for a Target run.

Yep, these are those leggings. 🤰

High-Waisted Over The Bump Maternity Leggings

Game

Mama Knows Best: True or False?

Teething can cause a fever in infants.
(Answer below)

A) True

B) False

Mom’s Meme 🤣

Answer

B) False