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Should you waste money on toys for your kids?

Do we really need to spend money on toys?

Do you ever find yourself disappointed with how much money you spend? Are you always second-guessing yourself on yet another purchase for your kids? Contemplating and trying to justify whether they really need another toy? Or game? Or _______(insert your item of choice here)?

I understand. I really do. You see, I was am a recovering shopaholic. Go ahead. Laugh, it is pretty funny! But seriously. You can read about that here. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve debated whether a toy was ‘worth it’ or not. The internal battle of wanting to budget…Avoiding strife with the hubs was usually enough to have me running from the toy isle….

Except, when. It. wasn’t. I’m a firm believer in the power of play, and maybe you are too. I’m not talking about the structured senseless, useless play with “those toys”…(you know the ones.) Those that don’t foster any kind of creativity at all. That actually stunt our kids’ development. Yea those. How do you know? And is ‘play’ really the route we should take our children?

I dare say heck yes.

Here’s why:

Play is truly the heart of how our kids learn and develop. Its fundamental in developing basic skills that will support our children’s literacy and understanding of the world as they continue to grow.

Key benefits of play:
- Creativity and problem solving:
By allowing our kids the freedom to play and make their own choices, we give them the opportunity to explore, use their imagination, discover, explore and express themselves. It’s the most natural way for children to piece the world together and develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills
- Social interaction
Playing with other children and working through conflicts that are sure to come, allows them to understand themselves and others. Working through their emotions is sure to build emotional development
- Physical development
When we let our kids play, we’re allowing them to build physical skills and use different body muscles that will later help with language and writing
- Communication
Simply put, surrounding our kids with other kids allows them to mimic what they see and hear. Which in turn will support language and the way they communicate with us.

What are your thoughts?
7 Things a postpartum mom REALLY wants (Revealed!)

What a postpartum mom really wants

So, your loved one has just given birth, and you’re ready to give a gift? Here are a few things most people don’t think to give and what postpartum mommas really, really want.

Feed her. Feed her family.
- What we want and need is food. Frozen meals, cooked meals, fast food meals, any food prepped or prepared is so greatly needed and appreciated. It can be so time consuming and draining to focus on a new life while having to prep tasty meals for a family as well.
Bring disposable dishes and cutlery
- Dishwashing is another chore that’s demanding (unless you have a dishwasher of course) Save her the trouble and bring over enough paper/plastic picnic plates for a month.
Entertain her other child(ren)
- It can be a challenge for new moms and veteran mommas alike to give all her littles her undivided attention. Offer to take her other kids on an outing, even if only to a local park. It’s extremely helpful and helps the other children in adjusting as well.
Wash or fold laundry
- Truth be told, despite almost every family owning or having access to a washer & dryer, it’s almost inevitable that only one of those tasks is being completed! The never ending, urgent, the sky is falling demands of everyone in the family, continually interrupts this duty of ours. Pick one, pick em both. But definitely consider helping us in this area.
Babysit for date night
- As much as we want to soak and lather our newfound love with our undivided attention, the truth is, we can’t forget the one person who matters even before them* Our spouse! Offer your babysitting services so that marriages can stay fresh, healthy and fun!
Run her errands
- This looks different for every mom, but here are some ideas:
  - Grab the mail
  - Pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy
  - Go shopping
  - Make phone calls
Send her words of affirmation
- Probably one of the most important things listed here. Every mom needs to know that they are enough. That they are doing a good job and it shows.
What are some things you could have really used after giving birth?
7+ things you should know about athlete wives

Do you watch basketball housewives? Or some sort of reality TV show like this? I’ll be honest. I don’t. Never have (seriously) and probably never will. I mention it because I think, when I tell someone my husband is an athlete, they imagine whatever lifestyle they see on television. So, if you’re new to this whole basketball wife thing or want to hear a real perspective, read on. Either way, here’s some truth in light of distorted reality.

What you don’t know about athlete wives

Your husband will work 7 days a week/ and almost 365 days a year

My husband loves to remind everyone that we are all athletes. We all have the responsibility of taking the best care of our bodies. But tell that to the overworked mama or the busy entrepreneur. Nobody has time for THAT! I agree we all should do our best to eat as healthy as we can and get at least an hour of physical activity in a day. But, this isn’t the reality for athletes. They don’t have the privilege to take vacations and be still. Their work, career, livelihood depends on the very condition of their bodies.

You’ll move a lot

Like a lot, a lot! Haha. This varies for every family obviously, but suffice it to say, you CAN adjust well and love traveling.

You won’t be able to attend most celebrations

(or you’ll travel a heck of a lot more in attempts to stay connected. which is totally remarkable & admirable btw) You’ll find yourself moving quite far from wherever you call home. If you live overseas, you might experience severe homesickness. You may find it really difficult to attend every wedding, birthday, baby shower and other engagements. Don’t fret. It does get easier over time. Try and prioritize things from the beginning. You’ll make tough, tough choices, but I promise you, it’ll be okay.

Don’t spend holidays with family

If you’re like most other people on the planet, you celebrate some big holiday! And THIS may be one of the toughest situations to work through. Do you travel back to visit family? If so, whose family? Yours? Hubby’s? Traveling during national/worldwide holidays will be one of the busiest, most expensive endeavors you embark on. I don’t say this to dissuade you or scare you. I just don’t want you thinking this is all simple and sweet. It isn’t. But it absolutely CAN be done with diligent planning!

Miss Independent

Brace yourself if you haven’t already. Your hubs doesn’t have a typical 9-5 like the average joe. There will be several practices in a day, long hours, and many many nights away. (away games, travel, etc.)

Depression can come easily

Protect your mind and sanity. Consistently surround yourself with anything that lifts your spirits and gives you all the positive feels. Depression or just a heightened amount of sadness may rear its ugly face because you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time alone. If you’re an introvert like yours truly, then this may or may not be such a bad thing. So, prepare yourself and make commitments to yourself right now. Decide how you’ll be intentional about relationships and connections. How you will spend your days. What you’ll do if you feel yourself falling into the black dog.

Be proud and support your husband, win or lose

I know this kind of goes without saying. But I mention it anyway. YOU are such an important source of energy. Remember to try and be a positive and powerful one. Like the mama from my big fat Greek wedding: the man may be the ‘head’ but woman, she’s the ‘neck’ and turns the head whichever way she wants it to go. You’re the backbone of your home. That’s a privilege and a huge responsibility, but don’t let that overwhelm you. You are strong. & If you find yourself in a place where you aren’t happy with being a basketball wife or the wife of an athlete in general…I wrote this for you.

Athlete wives are like a sorority, a sisterhood

We get each other! It’s kind of like that moment when you become a mom, and you all of a sudden are in with the cool kids. You begin and understand one another. This is like that. Wives of athletes just know. We get it.