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Fun Fall Crafts
2016-10-13
Fun Fall Crafts
Photo: @craftylittlegnomeblog Fun Fall Crafts We’re entering the holiday season, and perhaps one of our favorite traditions is the fun crafts that come along with fall and winter. As the weather cools down, you may be spending more time indoors. Take some time with your kiddos to get creative and make memories together. Apple Stamps – Cut a couple of apples in half. One half is for snacking and the other half is a stamp! Paint the inside of the apple orange and stamp pumpkins onto paper. After they dry, add stems and fun faces. You can also draw tree trunks and use red, orange and yellow paint to stamp leaves. Juice Carton Ghost House – Clean an empty half-gallon...

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A Father’s Important Role
2016-10-10
A Father’s Important Role
A Father’s Important Role Since women carry babies for nine months, give birth and are credited for a large portion of the early parenting role, a mother’s role is in the spotlight much more than a father’s. As moms, it is important for us to recognize how vital dads are in our kids’ lives. So, let’s take a moment to put the spotlight on dads. Fathers provide balance. While both parents can essentially “do” all of the same things, moms and dads naturally balance one another out—and we’re not just talking about traditional gender roles. We are naturally attracted to people who balance us out in life, and this applies to parenthood too. It may be that one parent is more...

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DIY Halloween Costumes
2016-10-06
DIY Halloween Costumes
Photo: @laurynbecca   DIY Halloween Costumes Most of what we share on the Ollie Blog is serious in nature—meant to help you feel more secure and supported in parenthood. But, with Halloween around the corner we wanted to share some DIY Halloween costumes that are not only adorable, but also easy (and cheap!) to make for your little ones. We found inspiration on Pinterest, so check out our Halloween Pinterest Board here to see the costumes. Costumes for Infants: Grandma – First, make a wig out of cotton balls. Add in some oversized costume glasses with a chain, a long sleeved button-down sweater and a floral dress and you have a mini grandma! Scuba Diver – First, get a couple...

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Kids That Contribute – Chores For Every Age
2016-10-03
Kids That Contribute – Chores For Every Age
  Kids That Contribute—Chores For Every Age Household tasks are an essential part of every home. As moms, sometimes we feel like the chores never end—and that’s probably because they don’t! And while our kids often contribute (a lot!) to the endless laundry and random messes, they can also be fantastic little helpers. Don’t underestimate your little one’s ability or desire to help around the house. Kids LOVE to feel like they are contributing. Chores are a great way to teach responsibility and help your little ones have a sense of purpose within your family unit. Know that it’s never too soon to begin giving your little one chores to do—even if it’s just picking up her toys. A Side...

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Brain Development — The Third Year
2016-09-29
Brain Development — The Third Year
  Brain Development — The Third Year The first three years of life are a critical time for brain development, but sometimes we as parents can be at a loss as to how to help and challenge our little ones as they grow. By the time your little one is two, she is stringing words together into short phrases, doing things more independently and exploring her world. It’s important to understand that each stage of development builds on previous stages, and it is still important to hold, hug and talk to your little one like you did when she was a baby. We’ve got some tips for adding to your support of her development as you both navigate this third...

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