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Ok, friends! It’s been a while and you asked for it, so here we go!
Go to @theappreciationpage .
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We are giving one of our lucky followers $750 cash as a thank you for following along with us! Entering is easy and the lucky follower will be chosen immediately after the contest ends. Note this runs 24 hours so join in while there is still time. Open worldwide!
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How to enter:
✖ ”LIKE” this post
✖ Head to @theappreciationpage & follow everybody they follow! ✖Optional & just for fun: share why you love following my page! .
Ends in 24 hours. To read all the rules please visit the appreciation page. Note: This is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. By participating you agree to the above rules, confirm you are 18 years old, release Instagram of any responsibility and agree to their terms.
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#familyovereverything #family #tuesdaytreat #thankyou #❤️

Riding out the stress waves: everyone has them, nobody wants or needs them.
Understanding the difference between stressors and stress themselves is important.
We can remove triggers and they will be gone, but the STRESS RECEIVED from these triggers still needs to be worked through so that it doesn’t have an effect on health.
Stress comes in ALL areas of life. A SAHM can get just as high on a stress-level scale as a CEO, working mom or an Olympic champion.
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These things I’ve learned during my (highly stressful) prof. dancing days and are essentials that actually have scientific backing behind them. Hope they help you too!
🔸getting out and doing some sort of physical activity.
This is a must.
Activity, via different effects, helps to reset the body back to the state of calm and normalcy. Ground zero, if you will.
If you don’t have time, try just tensing/contracting all your muscles for 4-8 seconds. As hard as you can. Then release.
This is a small, but a VERY helpful trick. It helps to reverse negative physical effects of the stress. .
🔸VISUALIZATION while doing physical activity.
Huge. And immensely helpful.
We used to be taught by different art directors to channel the emotion and “dance it out”. Turns out, this is not only helpful in art expression but has GREAT physical benefits too for dealing with stress.
Visualize however works best for you. I heard some people who love boxing visualizing the problem and beating it out. Others imagine the stress and how they crush it with their feet while running.
Do whatever works for you.
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🔸good nutrition and supplementation.
My body, brain and everything just works best when nutritional needs are met, and I can definitely see the difference when I wasn’t as diligent about my nutrition as I usually am.
I also believe that supplementation is essential. I alternate what I do through the year, but there is always something.
Again, in times when I experimented with skipping/relying on food only, I could see the difference, not in the best way, too.
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🔸 sleep.
Sometimes you just have to “sleep on it”, you know? Things are always better in the morning.
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How do you deal with stress?
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#wellness #health #stressrelief

#Sponsored 3 months after I came to the US I lost my grandfather unexpectedly to a heart attack. Ever since that time in my life I have made it a goal and dedication to be committed to and sharing about the importance of heart health.
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I have close friends whose babies have undergone open heart surgeries, and have loved ones who are dealing with serious heart conditions.
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This month I am partnering with @Stage to help spread awareness about healthy heart habits that can start from home. .
There are two things I want to focus on today:
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One- on the blog there are two heart healthy recipes that my kids absolutely love. So, head on over there, especially if you have picky toddlers and struggle on how to get them to eat healthy.
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Two- is a cause that I am very passionate about: Stage has pledged to donate $1 to the American Heart Association for every photo that is posted on Instagram and Facebook with #BringHeartHome. This will go towards all the good that is done by the Association.
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I’ve read somewhere that if each person on this earth makes just one other person happy, the entire world would be a happy place. If each of you who are reading this will take part in this cause, then together we can make a big difference. Think about how many lives, how many children can be saved.
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Let’s do this thing. Who is with me?
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#BringHeartHome #OnAnyStage #health #wellness #recipes #healthykids

TODDLER-LAND, or how to work and manage toddlers when you don’t have family or nannies around.
Question number one that tops all questions I get. What I will say is, probably, different than what you’ve read before, but it WORKS. Guys, before you say “I can’t do this”, just try.
So, here are a couple of things:
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🔸 TODDLERS ARE NOT AN EXCUSE
This is step one, guys. Babies, toddlers, kids - they are not excuses for anything. They are not obstacles in our lives. WE are our own obstacles.
One phrase: “single mothers” proves the point. They get it done and do a great job.
If there were no options and you had to do it all, HOW would you do it? Think. The answer will bring some possible solutions.
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🔸 KNOW YOUR TODDLER.
Really know them. Know what triggers them, know what calms them, use THAT to both of your advantages. Toddlers, all of them, calm and active ones, all have high-energy and low-energy times. Schedule for work accordingly, it will help with the flow immensely.
It is not a toddlers job to perfectly behave, it is OUR job to provide them with environment without unnecessary triggers.
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🔸 QUALITY TIME
is everything.
Again, KNOW your toddler. They ALL have different needs. They don’t need YOU 24/7, but they are clinging because they are trying to get whatever need they have, yet they are not getting it. Allow for this quality time throughout the day. 5-10 minutes of dedicated time when a toddler is asking for it won’t ruin the project, but it will save the entire day and boost toddler’s confidence and independence.
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🔸MOM GROUPS.
I guarantee there is at least 2 moms in the same situation around you. Get together. Help each other. Saved my life when I needed someone to watch little kids in earlier years.
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🔸BASIC,
But make sure the toddler is getting good nutrition and is actually EATING. Simple, basic, but it’s easy to lose the track of time.
Believe me, they are a LOT more content when well-fed.😄🤗
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Moms, how do you do it? How do you manage? What helps you?
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#family #familyovereverything #toddlertips #baby #workingmom
@sashaandlucca #sashaandlucca

MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY : let’s talk!
“Doing it all” is a real life mirage that doesn’t exist, but being efficient - that is a whole other story.
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Being efficient is important for all.
It’s essential for me.
This is what keeps me sane, balanced and moving forward. Few things that I’ve learned over the years on how to increase efficiency and maximize productivity
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🔸NEVER 100% COMFORTABLE.
Sounds ridiculous, but what I mean is being 100% transparent with what you CAN do, and then adding 10-20% MORE to a “must-do” list, keep going until it feels comfortable and do +10% again, the cycle repeats.
This can be applied to anything, from working out to hit a health-goal to getting things at home done faster to business to whatever else, you name it.
This +10% is what prevents stagnation and keeps things moving forward.
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🔸 80/20 principle.
It applies to everything for me. For example:
I have 5 insanely intense days a week that are overbooked, and then have 2 flexible ones. It doesn’t matter WHAT days they are. Sometimes my weekends are crazy, so I will take 1-1 1/2 days out of the week to recharge. That’s what prevents burn-puts for me.
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Then, my daily schedule is filled but there are about 20% of things that CAN be moved around and I have about a 2 hour block sectioned off for emergencies. They happen all the time. If, on rare occasion, they don’t, that time won’t go wasted because of point one above. 🤗
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In my day I devote 80% to everyone and everything and then take 20% for just ME.
Again, that’s how I recharge and work the most efficiently.
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🔸 WEED OUT
all that which you don’t need.
It’s insane how much time can be wasted.
I evaluate what works/what doesn’t every few months, weed out what doesn’t seem to work best, find different solutions, substitute with what is most important and then do +10% rule from the first point above.
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🔸 PRIORITIZE
I have several “non-negotiables”, the rest gets filled around them.
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Should be keep talking about this? It’s such a huge topic, I just touched the tip of the iceberg. What do you say?
Also, what helps you be most efficient and productive?
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#productivity #familyovereverything #citykids #summertime #family

Praising all Target gods today for a drive-up service and for saving the busiest day of my month so far!😍
Ladies and gents, take NOTE! There is an awesome promotion at Target right now: when you purchase 3 qualifying Charmin, Bounty and Tide products at Target you’ll receive a free $10 gift card when you shop using Drive Up. I shopped on the Target app and ordered with Drive Up. Check if it’s available near you.
Basically, it saves your time and you get paid for it too. 🤗 Awesome, right?!
Also, make sure to check Cartwheel for extra promotions, I always do.
I linked details in stories - go see! .
PS: Why do all essentials seem to run out at the same time, and, usually, at the most inconvenient time too? Anyone can relate?!
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PPS: Groundbreaking. Went to target and DIDN’T buy anything in addition to what we needed. Drive-up, I LOVE YOU.
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@Target @Charmin @Bountypapertowels @Tidelaundry
#ad #linkinbio #mondaymonday #familyovereverything #deals

“The moment you receive success, you want more and those are unfulfilled desires that lead to unhappiness.
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The source of peace is to want nothing and to accept what comes.
We should not look for food. We should take what we are blessed with in gratitude and move to a higher level of spirituality.”
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Heard this on a radio today.
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I agree, we should receive ALL with gratitude.
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But WHO is going to bless others with bread, clothes, and other things necessary if ALL of us drop everything and start seeking a higher level of understanding and spirituality? It’s not that simple, right?
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If it comes to a simple separation, then, I, probably, belong to the world of sinning, less-spiritual people, because the last time I checked, my rent, bills, food and diapers required money for me to pay for. 🤗
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If I accepted what came, I would never even move from a small town I grew up in across the world.
I would have nothing.
It didn’t come easy, and every experience I am grateful for. I’ve learned a lot.
Despite of all, I always was and am happy. .
I do not belong to the mentality of waiting for what comes.
I believe in chasing dreams, setting goals and aiming high.
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What do you, guys, think? Wait for what comes and accept it the way it is, because that it the only way to grow spiritually? Do you think one can be spiritual, happy and achieve things too? Or do they cancel each other out?
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————————
TAGS:
swimming suite @currentlabel
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#familyovereverything #summertime #poolparty #style #citykids

FASHION. It’s all about ATTITUDE.
Happy Friday, guys!
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PS: dying over Elia. Fashionista in the works? What do you think?
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#fashion #style #attitude #citykids

Upside down or a different prospective?
What do you think?!
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That pic just about sums up my life right now. Ever planned things just so that EVERYTHING would change 100%?
#thestoryofmylife 😂
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But all in all, it’s a REALLY GOOD thing, guys, and here is why!
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🔸 these moments force you out of the comfort zone. It’s a good thing because we would hardly ever choose to do that ourselves, am I right?
Comfort is, well, comfortable! 🤗😂 why change?
When we are forced to step out of the comfort zone, great things happen, though. Do you agree?
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🔸these situations help to see things from a different perspective.
That’s so important. No need to explain why.
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🔸 EXPERIENCE.
This is gold just on it’s own.
I used to hate when things I feared happened. And then I realized that THE BEST thing to do, for me, is to face them, break them down, and look at different outcomes as if something did happen.
All of a sudden it’s not a fear any more, but a challenge. Challenges are solvable!
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🔸 And... all and all, if there is one thing I know for sure: for as long as **** happens, we are ALIVE, guys!!! That’s a GOOD thing too! Even if you just stepped on a Lego.
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Cheers to Wednesday! It’s all good!🥂🙌🏻
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How’s your life at the moment? The HONEST truth?
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#upsidedown #life #familyovereverything #positivity #lifehack

10 parental commandments ( according to Elia):
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I AM THY CHILD, the ruler of thy universe.
Thy shall always remember that.
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Thy shall get a kinder-egg.
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Thy shall remember THE RITUAL of getting the kinder egg.
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Thy shall not forget money for it.
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Thy shall not wish for another child during the meltdown of your own.
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Thy shall NOT try to steal the joy of the kinder-egg by offering an apple sauce!
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Thy shall NOT LIE that the store doesn’t have them.
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Thy shall not pretend this isn’t important.
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Thy shall ALWAYS remember to take a different route now.
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Thy shall ALWAYS carry an emergency kinder-egg from now on.
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Just about sums up my Saturday last week 😂.
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Ok, moms! Who even KNOWS what kinder eggs are?
These were a staple of my childhood and I introduced them ( made a mistake of, it appears 😂) at a local cafe to Elia.
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PS: Nikola snapped this at the said cafe mid-moment. We can’t just simply pass by that cafe anymore. 😂
PPS: love @yevatube face!
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#citykids #familyovereverything #momlife #family #lifeonthego @bugaboostrollers @thebucketlistfamily

Sunday Special!
GIVEAWAY ALERT! We've teamed up with some of our favorite friends to give you an amazing prize! Enter for a chance to win:
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🎁PRIZE:
1. Prize: 7 NIGHTS LUXURY HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS in KOH SAMUI or PHUKET. 😊
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☝️To enter, follow these simple steps:
🔸Follow @EpicTravelGiveaway And Follow ALL accounts @epictravelgiveaway is following (It is so important to follow us)
🔸Like this post
🔸Tag a friend in the comments below. (Multiple entries allowed by tagging one
friend per comment)
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*Open internationally and ends on April 12 at 11:59PM GMT.
Winner must be following ALL accounts and will be announced on @EpicTravelGiveaway. This is in no way administered or sponsored by Instagram Inc, PayPal nor Apple. By participating you confirm that you are 18+ years of age, release Instagram and all brands and participants of all responsibility, and agree to instagrams terms of use. VOID prohibited by law.
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Photo Credits: @DestinationsPass
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#sundayfunday #thankyou #goodluck #❤️

Look who made it to official IG!
Follow @yevatube on her own page.
You guys, this girl is DYNAMITE!
You’ll love her.
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PS: she comes up with some pretty awesome recipes. Those of you who are on LivingNotes newsletter email list already seen ( and tasted ) some in 2019 issues.
Isn’t she so good?!
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#newtoIG #friyay #citykids #family #familyovereverything

“You cannot be a “good wife and mother” if you work”.
I hear every day via all-reachable World Wide Web. I’ll skip over the fact of how surprised I am that these things are trending ( aren’t we in 2019?) and will get straight to my point:
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Of course, you can.
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There are hundreds of thousands of working women who are perfect wives to their husbands and are absolutely amazing moms to their kids.
Note: “to THEIR husbands and THEIR kids”. Those are important keywords to remember.
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“But they are not as good as ...”, “they can’t do as much as...”, “their husbands/kids don’t know what they are missing!”, etc. The never-ending argument continues.
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All of that is questionable.
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Ask husbands and kids of those working, not “good enough wives and mothers”, and I think you are going to find that, in general, everyone is pretty thrilled with scenarios they have. (Mine are too, btw. Just checked.)
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That “not good enough quality” part is not something to worry about.
But trying to fit into someone else’s “right” and live according to someone else’s “happy” definitely IS.
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When comes to life, choices and paths, YOU do YOU, because you are the creator of your own happiness.
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If being home with your kids is what makes you happy - do it.
If working and meeting career goals is what pumps your smile - do it.
If your heart leads you to move across the world - do it.
No path is easy, but if you follow your heart, it is always a choice that brings something good with it.
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There is one more thing to remember, too.
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Have you ever met a person who regretted living his/her life to their fullest?
But we all know at least one person who regrets missing an opportunity because they played it too safe when the moment came.
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Live today. Live it good. Live it 110% true to YOU.
It’s worth it. I promise.❤️
——————————
TAGS:
tinted face oil @kosascosmetics
mascara @juicebeauty
lips Kosas
SPF primer @origins
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#heforshe #familyovereverything #empoweringwomen #family #bethelight

Thank you for all your support! Weekly giveaway is on Thursday today! Sending you all lots of lucky vibes!
.
Go to @theappreciationpage .
.
We are giving one of our lucky followers $750 cash as a thank you for following along with us! Entering is easy and the lucky follower will be chosen immediately after the contest ends. Note this runs 24 hours so join in while there is still time. Open worldwide!
.
.
How to enter:
✖ ”LIKE” this post
✖ Head to @theappreciationpage & follow everybody they follow! ✖Optional & just for fun: share why you love following my page! .
Ends in 24 hours. To read all the rules please visit the appreciation page. Note: This is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. By participating you agree to the above rules, confirm you are 18 years old, release Instagram of any responsibility and agree to their terms.
#thursday #funtime #fridayeve

“But my kid’s dream doesn’t even make sense! What’s the point of doing it?!”
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You know, it’s true: they don’t always make sense.
It is also true that there is no requirement for their dreams/goals to make sense to us for us to help our kids to find their path in life.
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WE, as parents, don’t have to understand it.
That is not our job.
Our job is to show them all possibilities, give them support, provide tools for their success, encourage when they are doubting themselves, and cheer for them at every little milestone they hit.
Listen to what kids say. And I really mean “listen”. Don’t just hear. LISTEN. Think. Try.
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We don’t have to understand things.
We don’t have to “know for sure” that it will work.
We are not here to lay a “safe” path for kids to follow. Actually, if we do, in 99% out of 100 it will backfire.
Our job is to help them find their own path.
With 100% certainty I can tell you that their path in life can, and probably will, differ from OUR view of a happy life, and IT’S OK.
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We, as a society, often push our kids into “safe” professions and safe models of living, similar to what we know as “good”.
We say: “this is because of LOVE for them!”, but in reality it is because of our own fear, insecurities, bad past experiences and fear again.
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We all want for our kids to succeed and be happy. Yet, more often than not, we, ourselves, let our fears take the opportunity away from them before it has a chance to even sprout.
There is no easy path.
A safe path, too, will be hard. Harder at times than we could ever expect.
This is life in its essence.
Happy doesn’t mean easy, but at least there is a boost of passion and determination to help along the way.
A wanted path is a path worth walking on.
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Where do you stand? Would you let your kids do something that you don’t even understand? Something “crazy” ( to you)?
How do you define their “minute-long wants” vs their passions?
I’m just curious
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#family #familyovereverything #parenting #horsebackriding #equitation #inspiration

Little girl. Big dream. A path, that was in the works for years, is now hers.
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To my little brave girl I want to leave this:
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Every dream begins with a dreamer. Your strength and patience fueled by passion and hard work is that what will get you where you want to be.
No path is easy.
But the path you dream of is worth it.
Your dreams are what define YOU. They have the power to give you wings and make you fly high.
Keep going after your dream and the universe will light the way for you.
Always.
I promise.
❤️
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#dreambig #bethelight #inspiration #citykids #horsebackriding #familyovereverything #equitation

That moment when being a younger sibling has nothing but pure benefits 🙃
Bookmark another great snack to add to a stash of really good choices: Entenmann’s Little Bites® Muffins!
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No high fructose corn syrup, zero grams of trans fats, baked soft with real ingredients, great portion sizes and these Little Bites Muffins taste delicious.
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We bought Banana muffins, Chocolate Chip muffins and Strawberry Yogurt muffins - so good!
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Have you tried these? What flavors did you like? Which other one is good to try? What would you recommend?
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#ad @littlebitessnacks #lovelittlebites #lunchtime #family #familyovereverything #citykids

Everyone talks about “how-to”s of baby wearing a baby, but what about TODDLERS?
Let’s chat!
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I’ll skip over a million of benefits for right now. I want to focus on important moments that are often overseen.
Toddlers love being carried, but carrying a toddler requires some “how-to”s:
🔸Kneel down or squat to pick up the toddler. Use the leg strength to come up. It’s not the weight of the toddler from baby-wearing that causes back issues, but picking-up/putting down a wiggly and heavy energy ball that does.
🔸Use the arm to bring the baby close to your chest and position the toddler’s arms and legs before getting up. Avoid picking them up by armpits - that can be painful for the baby, also, their shoulder joints aren’t fully developed and can pop out of place easily.
🔸I personally like to secure a baby carrier BEFORE I stand up. Toddlers are wiggly. It is easier to secure the baby carrier first, before standing up. It is safer for the baby too. Sitting on the bed/couch/chair also works.
🔸I like carrying my babies in front, facing me most of the time, and they seem to like that too. If you carry the toddler on the back, make sure you secure the baby by the bed or other safe surface before standing up. When carrying a 3 year old, I ask them to hug me with their legs hard: it is easier to adjust the carrier that way - the baby stays in place.
If you are carrying the baby on the side of your hip, SWITCH SIDES every hour or so, otherwise it can cause some serious hip damage. Also, make sure to use arms to move/adjust the baby, not torso or back ( you know, the “wiggle the baby in” maneuver ) to save your back.
🔸Good carrier is a must. Not all carriers are made equal at all, so research before you buy. I always look for hip support and good shoulder positioning in carriers. Try the carrier on whoever possible. What works for one person may not work for you and vice versa. In my experience I have come across carriers that were too big for me causing a lot of discomfort, even though they had raving reviews and checked off in all important segments.
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Do you like carrying your baby? Do you notice the difference in baby’s behavior? I absolutely do!

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