Avoid These Common Car Seat Mistakes

Together with

"Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together."

Wakey-wakey Mamas! Sunday is here, faster than a toddler with a permanent marker. Time for some cookies, crafts, and car seats.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Car seat chaos: common mistakes to avoid

• The miraculous playdough holder

• Iced oatmeal cookies for the win

• DIY: hand-crafted finger puppets

BabyQuip: The one-stop shop for insured, clean baby rentals.

Mom’s Field Guide

Car Seats: Avoiding Classic Mistakes

Used Car Seat Roulette

First, we tackle the world of used car seats.

They're budget-friendly, yes, but before you snag that thrift store steal, make sure it comes with a 'Car Seat CV.'

Instructions, labels, recall-checks, expiry dates, crash history – the more details, the better.

Or else, it's like hiring a babysitter who can't remember if they're CPR certified. Not ideal!

Backseat Politics

Next up, seating arrangements.

Just like at Thanksgiving dinner, where you sit matters!

Back seat, away from airbags, ideally in the center—that's your child's VIP zone.

Installation Shenanigans

Now, installation.

A wobbly car seat? That's a bigger no-no than feeding your tots sugar after 8 pm.

Make sure your seat is tighter than your pre-pregnancy jeans.

Remember: instructions are not just 'suggestions.'

Reclining Rumbles & Forward-Facing Fiascos

When it comes to reclining and transitioning to forward-facing, patience, my dear moms, is key.

No one likes a head-bobbing nap, and early graduation to forward-facing is like eating cookie dough – tempting, but risky.

Stick to the weight and height limits – and hold onto those rearview mirror baby smiles as long as possible.

Booster Seat Bloopers & Seatbelt Soirees

Lastly, don't rush into booster seats and seat belts.

This is usually when they reach over 65 pounds or 49 inches.

Just as potty training too early can lead to, well, messy situations, so can moving on from booster seats prematurely.

Every transition has its time, so no jumping the safety gun.

Conclusion

Car seat safety can seem daunting at first, but with this guide, you're ready to avoid these classic mistakes, securing your adorable cargo for the ride.

Always remember: safety first, even if it’s coated in a layer of crushed crackers!

Keep reading here.

Together with BabyQuip

Travel Light, Enjoy the Sight

Ever been in a crowded airport, struggling to manage your bouncing baby, their enormous gear, and your precious sanity?

Wouldn't you love to leave all that behind?

Well, meet BabyQuip.

It's more than just a rental service, they’re a community ready to help you enjoy your travels, offering thousands of insured, clean items.

And my favorite thing at BabyQuip isn't even the traditional service - it's their oh-so-convenient party rentals.

So, next trip, ditch the gear, not the fun.

Mom Hack

Playdough Holder Hack

Mom Hack

For those mini playdough tubs we end up collecting from birthday parties, try using a rotating coffee pod holder for storage.

It’s a super fun and accessible way for the kids to pick their colors and keep them organized.

Prepare yourself for the surprised and happy face of your child!

Mom’s Menu

Soft and Chewy Iced Oatmeal Cookies

Well, hello again 😄.

Remember those store-bought iced oatmeal cookies you loved as a kid?

Guess what! I've found a recipe that makes them healthier, yummier, and just as comforting as you remember.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 tablespoon molasses

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup oat flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 3 cups rolled oats

For the Icing:

1. 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2. 2 teaspoons milk

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and get those baking sheets ready with some parchment paper or a silicone liner.

2. Mixing: In your trusty stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, whip up your softened butter, and brown sugar till it's light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and keep beating. Then comes applesauce, molasses and vanilla. Mix until you've got it nice and smooth.

3. Whisking: In a separate bowl, whisk your all-purpose flour, oat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

4. Blending: Add your whisked flour mix to the wet goodies and mix on low until combined. Add in the oats and give it another low mix. You'll have a sticky dough that needs a little chill time, so let it rest for 30-60 minutes.

5. Baking: Using a 2 tablespoon size cookie scoop, drop your cookie dough onto the prepped baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. You're looking for golden brown edges but still soft in the middle.

6. Icing: While your cookies cool, whisk up that powdered sugar and milk for the icing. Drizzle this sweet goodness on top of your cookies once they've cooled.

Wrap-up

If your cookies spread more than you'd like, no worries! You can reshape them while they're still warm.

To keep these beauties fresh, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. 

Feel free to get creative and throw in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even make a sandwich cookie! 

Say hello to guilt-free indulgence, ladies!

Keep reading here.

Daily DIY

Finger Puppets

Create adorable no-sew finger puppets with the kids.

They'll enjoy crafting their characters and staging a puppet show.

Remember, they might need help with the hot glue gun.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

This teether is a lifesaver for moms with teething babies.

It's a favorite of mine because it provides relief for the baby and peace of mind for the mom, plus its stay-on design means less work for moms constantly picking up dropped teethers.

Smily Mia Penguin Buddy

Game

Parenting Quiz

At what age should a child start brushing their teeth? (Answer below)

A) As soon as the first tooth appears

B) At 1 year old

C) At 2 years old

D) At 3 years old

E) When they start eating spinach

Mom’s Meme 🤣

Answer

A) As soon as the first tooth appears