Posts in Motherhood
What to Pack for a Beach Day with Toddlers
What to Pack for a Beach Day with Toddlers

Pre-kids, I thought going to the beach was the ultimate way to relax. I loved listening to the sound of the waves gently crashing in the background while I enjoyed the feeling of the sun on my face and the sand beneath my toes. Before kids, my biggest problem at the beach was forgetting to apply sunscreen.

Going to the beach with 3 kids ages 4 and under is a sharp contrast to those days. We live only a few miles away from the beach, so we go there quite often for free entertainment. No matter how prepared we are, though, it still feels like it takes hours to even get out the door with all the gear we need, and I consider hiring a sherpa to carry everything.

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Travel, MotherhoodEmily Krausetravel tips, beach Comment
100 Engaging Conversation Starters for Families
100 Engaging Conversation Starters for Families

Enjoy this list of engaging conversation starters for families! You can use these while sitting around the dinner table, on a long road trip, or anywhere you find yourself waiting or bored. Pull these out on a rainy day or bring them along on your next vacation!

I think after asking some of these questions you’ll be surprised at what you discover about your kids! Now let’s get talking!

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Motherhood, TravelEmily Krauseactivities for kids Comment
Simple and Fun Screen-Free Activities for Little Kids When You're Stuck Inside
Simple and Fun Screen-Free Activities for Little Kids When You're Stuck Inside

These are screen-free activities, not because I have ANYTHING against screen time. I just wanted to provide some alternatives for when your kids need a break from Disney+. I will be writing another blog post with my favorite at-home activities involving technology or a screen, so stay tuned for that!

Most of these activities are free or fairly cheap. They don’t require much (if any) prep work on your part. And hopefully, you can get the kids started, then sneak away to do something for yourself. Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments!

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Motherhood, FamilyEmily Krauseactivities for kids, parenting tipsComment
Experience Kids Cooking Classes at Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs
Experience Kids Cooking Classes at Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs

Looking for something fun and outside-the-box to do in Orlando? You’ll definitely want to make your next stop Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs.

The cozy sit-down restaurant located in The Landing section of Disney Springs offers more than just a view of Lake Buena Vista and deeply satisfying Italian food. Terralina now offers both kids cooking classes and kids birthday party packages that families will love!

I loved the family-friendly ambiance, and can’t wait to go back! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Terralina with your kids, and how you can get involved in one of their kids cooking classes.

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MotherhoodEmily KrauseDisney Springs, Florida, activities for kidsComment
How to Take Better Family Travel Photos
How to Take Better Family Travel Photos

I realized so many of my travel dreams revolved around the memories I would make and the subsequent photos I would take.

So I talked to my husband, and we decided to invest in a DSLR camera. I had NO idea what I was doing, so I purchased our camera through a small camera store where they offered 5 free photography classes where you could learn to use your DSLR when you purchased one from them. It was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.

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Travel, MotherhoodEmily Krausephotography, photography tips, travel photosComment
Tips for Flying with Toddlers and Little Kids without Losing Your Mind
Tips for Flying with Toddlers and Little Kids without Losing Your Mind

Are you nervous to fly with your baby, toddler, or small children? I don’t blame you.

Being trapped in a metal tube hurtling through the air with a kid who just wants to move and explore is a challenge, to put it kindly. Then there’s the enjoyable process of navigating airport security with a baby on your hip and a bored TSA agent hustling you along without even making eye contact. No matter how prepared you are, there is bound to be some stress involved in air travel with kids.

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Motherhood, TravelEmily Krausetravel tips, flying with kids, toddler travel tips Comments
Why You Should Travel with Your Kids Even Though It's Kind of A Pain
Why You Should Travel with Your Kids Even Though It's Kind of A Pain

So why do people do it? Why do we keep subjecting ourselves to the trials and tribulations of air travel and long road trips with our tiny dictators who leave destruction and lots of crumbs in their wake? Why do we open ourselves up to disrupting routines and sleep schedules? 

It's because the reward is so great. The return on our investment is huge. Yes, travel with kids is tough, but the growth you will see in your children and in yourself makes every sleepless night and transportation nightmare totally worth it.

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Motherhood, TravelEmily Krausetravel tips, parenting tipsComment
10 Tips for Recovering from Long Travel Days
10 Tips for Recovering from Long Travel Days

It would have been easy to feel very overwhelmed and let my kids watch unlimited TV and eat every snack they begged for while I regained my sanity. However, I knew that putting these 10 tips into action would make the transition much smoother in the end. 

Re-entry into your everyday atmosphere doesn't have to be miserable. If you remember to implement a few key strategies, you'll be back in the groove in no time. 

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MotherhoodEmily Krausemom style, travel tipsComment
Bento Box and School Lunch Ideas for Kids
Bento Box and School Lunch Ideas for Kids

If packing lunch is a struggle for you, too, let's go through a few ways to make life easier. I'll provide some lists of ideas for each category, then show you some inspiration from Bento Box Expert Mamas. Don't worry, you don't have to cut your kid's food into cute shapes to be a good mom. Sometimes it's just fun to get ideas or admire other moms in their element, though!

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MotherhoodEmily Krausesnacks, bento box, kids, health productsComment
What to Wear for Disney World in Summer
What to Wear for Disney World in Summer

I find deciding what to wear for a day at a theme park to be exceedingly difficult. On one hand, I want to be comfortable, as these are long days of walking in the hot sun. On the other hand, I want to make sure I look put together since I know we'll be taking a lot of pictures. Outfits need to be breathable and cute, and I need to be able to sit comfortably on all types of rides. 

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Travel, MotherhoodEmily KrauseDisney, theme parks, mom style, travel gear Comments
lewis's first year
lewis's first year

Lewis William.

You are one today! How has it been a year already? 

Your birth was so easy, laid back, fun. We were all so excited to meet you...that is, once Pippa got over her disappointment that you were a boy. From the moment we brought you home, your big brother and sister smothered you with affection, hugs, and kisses.

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MotherhoodEmily KrausefamilyComment
things I wish I had known before my first C-section (plus some recovery tips)
things I wish I had known before my first C-section (plus some recovery tips)

I am a three-time C-section mama and proud of it. Of course, it wasn't the type of birth I pictured when I got pregnant for the first time, but after going through the procedure 3 times, I've realized it's not so bad at all. In fact, I've even grown fond of my C-section memories, because it's how my babies made their way into the world safely. Now that I'm a Veteran C-section Mom, I've picked up a few tips and tricks for making recovery a little smoother. 

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MotherhoodEmily Krausepregnancy, pregnancy and nursing, C-section Comment