Parenting Healthy

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As spring approaches, nothing feels better than starting off the season of longer days and travels than with a clean and organized home. With so many cleaning products on the market, we have to now consider ingredients and ways to prevent having to use harsh ingredients when cleaning around small children and our pets.

We have 2 puppies under the age of 2 and dog messes happen almost daily. I just had one sneak upstairs and leave a potty mess in the hallway carpet this morning. Even the trained puppy slips at times.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Safely for the Dogs

Choosing the right cleaners. Choosing a toxin free cleaner is a must. Our pets are exposed to so much we cannot control such as what they encounter in dog parts, processed foods, outdoor and indoor pollutants so let’s make sure the cleaners we use are safe for them. I use a brand I get on Amazon called Truce. It really works great and they only include about 5 simple ingredients in their products. I am not sponsored by Truce for this feature, I just love their ingredients and want to share that option with you. In addition, constant use of alcoholic sanitizers and antibacterial wet wipes around the house can cause serious health issues for your dog. Products with harsh chemicals and ingredients should alert pet owners. Instead, using plastic-free eco-friendly wipes are a safe option. They are effective against 99.9% of germs and work great on counters, appliances, tables, and tiles for quick and easy cleanup without leaving harmful odors.

The Dog Dishes. Keeping the feeding area clean is so important. I used to pet sit years ago as extra income and I will never forget a home I was in to care for their 2 dogs. They kept their food in a small garbage can in the garage. As I was there I reached in as food was low and scooped up food and looked down and saw it–mold! Luckily, a new bag was available so I could discard that can (I dumped all food, used their hose and soap to wash it out and dry so a fresh bag could be put in). When you store food or keep food bowls full for free feeding you need to wash and dry between fills.
In this family’s case, they would see food get low and pour in a fresh bag so there was food at the bottom that never was circulating into the fresh batch and just sitting there as ‘the bottom of the bin’. With my dogs I use an elevated dish set that is all dishwasher safe (see what I use here). Have you cleaned the feeding area lately?
They will help with spring cleaning by first surveying the home to find all areas the dogs frequent. These professional cleaners will then tailor a cleaning schedule and use cleaning supplies that will be safe for dogs. This will usually involve using vetted and safe cleaning products and vacuuming often to remove any pet hair and dander that could be harmful if inhaled by the dogs. You can visit UrbanMop and find a perfect option for you, and be sure that once they’re finished, you can rest easy knowing your home is clean and safe for your furry friend.

Catch those messes early! With spring, comes wet yards. Having the right items nearby as you let your dog inside will prevent mud and dirt from reaching too far into the home. I keep a towel nearby for muddy paws and natural dog shampoo and soap in the downstairs shower or by a hose for the real messy outdoor play adventures. Taking a moment to wash down and with soap and a shower or yard hose keeps messes and stains from furniture and rugs.

Protect the human furniture. Using furniture covers or even keeping a blanket on the dog’s favorite couch spot really saves the sofas and chairs over time. If you are looking for a quality dog furniture cover that was recently updated in 2019, see these suggestions from DogProductPicker.com

Keep your pet groomed! My dog’s may not shed (we have Whoodles), but all dogs float dander. Keeping your dog groomed helps eliminate excess hair and dander from landing on floors and furniture. Invest in a quality de-shedding brush and if you are spring cleaning your home, make the dogs a grooming appointment. They get out of the house while you clean and when you pick them up, they are not excessively shedding int he clean space. Grooming includes clean ears and eyes so as not to have them rubbing yeast and debris on blankets an rugs.

Another note, if your spring cleaning plans include an upcoming move then consider these tips if you need some extra help keeping your fur baby in mind. Here are a few simple steps that can ease the stress of moving with pets.

Pets are such a blessing, but also can add to the mess of a home quickly. Practicing prevention is how I stay on top of my dogs’ messes. It is an easy routine to get into.

Earth Friendly, Giveaways

LotusTrolleyBag Reusable Shopping Bags Giveaway

April 15, 2019May 8, 2019 Erin Sluka

Welcome to our Pin It To Win It GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a set of the 3.0 Lotus Trolley Reusable Shopping Bags and a matching set of 3 reusable produce bags! Just follow the 3 steps below and you are entered! All 3 steps are mandatory, Follow-Pin-Email.

1- Follow LotusTrolleyBag on Pinterest

2- RePin This Pin Bellow to an eco-friendly related board and tag @lotustrolleybag. Easy – Click the SAVE button on the below pin and Copy and paste this into the description (or something similar): I want to help fight plastic pollution! @LotusTrolleyBag does too and you can win 2 types of LotusTrolleyBag sets! Visit this link to enter! #Giveaway Ends April 21, 2019

3- Email Lotus Trolley Bag at contact@lotustrolleybag.com with a link to your entry pin.

That’s it! Help us in this fight to cut down on plastic pollution! Good luck! Must be ages 18+ and a USA resident

Healthy Living, Parenting

7 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Child’s Next Well Visit

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 Erin Sluka

During a child’s well visit, the pediatrician will conduct a full physical exam, which includes reviewing your child’s weight and height, as well as body mass index, to determine if your child’s growth-rate, including any weight gain, is on track. Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will also be checked and necessary immunizations and vaccinations will be administered.

During the well visit, your child’s doctor will ask questions. But a pediatrician is also able to address any concerns you may have, answer your questions or offer advice. Find out how to make the most of your child’s next well visit with these seven tips.

1. Plan to Be There

When you work outside of the home, it can be easy to ask your child’s grandparent or babysitter if they wouldn’t mind taking your child to his appointment — but that’s not usually the best plan. Your child will likely feel much more comfortable if you attend the appointment with him. Plus, there may be questions or issues that arise during the well check that someone else cannot effectively handle. And, last but not least, by attending the appointment, you’ll have firsthand information about your child’s health — instead of relying on your child’s grandparent or babysitter to give you all of the details.

2. Write Down Your Questions

Before you go to your child’s well visit appointment, take some time to sit down and think about any issues of concern you may have about your child’s health and development. If you write down your questions now and take the list with you to the doctor, there’s less of a chance that you’ll forget to ask.

Don’t be afraid to write down things you don’t think your doctor can help you with — such as emotional issues your child may be having. Your child’s pediatrician can not only serve as a resource for you but also as a referral to another health professional who is better suited to address your child’s particular need.

3. Be Aware of What Questions Might be Asked of You

If your child is younger, the pediatrician will definitely ask questions regarding his development. To help this part of the well visit go smoothly, you should research these questions in advance and consider your answers. By knowing what your doctor might ask in terms of development, you’ll be able to find out from your child what he can and can’t do — if you don’t already know.

For example, when children are 18-months-old, developmental milestones include being able to do things, such as stack three blocks, follow directions using “on” or “under” and be able to point to at least three body parts on command.

4. Prepare Your Child in Advance

Unless your child sees his pediatrician frequently, you might want to spend a little time preparing your child for the upcoming well visit. This is especially important if you have a younger child who might be scared about going to the doctor.

There are storybooks you can check out from your public library that can help ease your child’s fears. You can also help your child by planning a small activity after the appointment, such as going for ice cream or stopping by the playground. Having something to look forward to could make the whole experience less stressful for both you and your child.

5. Arrive on Time

Just as with any appointment, it’s important to be punctual. Doctor’s offices operate on schedules, and if you are late, you will potentially lose out on part of your appointment time. This could reduce the amount of time that you will have to ask questions.

Leave for the appointment early. Even if you choose to sit in the parking lot for a few minutes before going in, you’ll still be there and not stuck in traffic.

6. Avoid Potential Distractions

If you can, leave other children with a relative or babysitter while you are at the well-check appointment with your child. Other children will inevitably be vying for your attention appointment, and your focus should be on the child that’s having the well check and the pediatrician. Because these type of appointments occur typically only once per year, you might not have an opportunity to consult with your child’s doctor again until your child needs to be seen again.

If you happen to be seeing a new doctor for the first time, make an appointment for the well check instead of hoping for a walk-in appointment. This will allow the doctor’s office to prepare for your visit. According to Pediatriccenter.com, “Forms can be completed, insurance coverage can be verified, and the visit will go more smoothly.”

Home, Mother's Day, Reviews, Travel

myCharge HubPlus 6700mAh Portable Charger Review

April 10, 2019April 16, 2019 Erin Sluka

I was sent a charger for feature. This post contains affiliate links. Opinions are my own.

myCharge HubPlus 6700mAh Portable Charger Review

While we like to travel several times a year, having a portable charger along for the trip is a must. Taking lots of photos and video drains a phone battery fast so I got used to lugging around chargers and cords. Then I was gifted a myCharge Hub and I did not need bulky cords in my purse anymore. The first myCharge I owned was a HubXtra and I would get so many comments on it while using it, especially from other travelers.

Now I have upgraded to the myCharge HubPlus. This charger has 3.5 times extra battery and also comes with the built-in lightning and micro-usb cords as well as built-in wall prongs to charge the unit.

We just got back from a few days in Las Vegas for Spring Break and I had my myCharge HubPlus in my purse everyday. I used it halfway through the day when my phone battery got to 19% and by the time we finished lunch it was charged back up and only 1 of the 4 charge indicators was off. I could have charged mine and my husbands phone many more times if needed.

I cannot stress enough how convenient it is to have an all-in-one portable charger like the options from myCharge. Bulky cords are so hard to travel with and get left behind. No more cords and that is my favorite feature in this portable charger review! It makes a great gift for Newlyweds on their honeymoon, Grads, Moms and Dads!

Visit myCharge to see all of their built-in cable portable chargers.

Buy myCharge HubPlus on Amazon