🍋Why we all need Mom-Friends 👯‍♂️

The Benefits of Sensory Play for Your Toddler 👏

Sensory play is one of the best ways you can teach your little one. For anyone who doesn’t know, sensory play is a fancy term for any type of activity that requires your toddler to engage multiple senses. 

The five senses: touch, taste, hear, smell, and see, are rarely all involved in modern playtime, which is why incorporating sensory play into your toddler’s routine is so imperative. There are hundreds of reasons why toddlers and young children should explore sensory play, but here are the main ones. 

💭 Promotes Independent Thinking

Giving your child the space and resources to play and interact with the world around them during sensory play gives them the tools to think independently and trust themselves in the future.

🖐️ Teaches Fine Motor Skills 

As your toddler actively engages with the world and their toys through sensory play, they start developing fine motor skills and other skills they need to hone as they grow. 

🧠 Boost Cognitive Skills

Unlike looking at a screen all day, sensory play is so hands-on (literally) and engaging that your tot’s brain function and cognitive skills will skyrocket as they continue to learn about the world. 

🕵️ Teaches Exploration

Every toddler mom is all too familiar with their little’s curiosity. Thankfully, sensory play encourages curiosity and teaches children how to explore and interact with the world.

🎨 Encourages Creativity

Sensory play is what you and your or make it, so if you want to break out the arts and crafts, go for it. When children combine sensory play with arts and crafts, they are often more creative later in life. 

☺️ Calms the Brain

Several calming sensory play activities put your little’s minds at ease. These activities are relaxing and grounding, helping to calm your toddler down. 

The Importance of Making Mom Friends  🩷

Why is making mom friends so difficult? It can feel like every mom you meet is in a different life stage and family dynamic, not to mention -- who has the time? But a mom friend is one of the most important relationships you can have as a mom. There’s no one way to make mom friends, but when you’re reaching out, be intentional, be brave, make plans, and don’t give up! Moms are a strong community and having at least one on your side makes everything feel more manageable. 

These Veggie-Packed Sheet Pan Recipes Are Perfect For the Entire Family 🥒 🍅

We’ll say it: making a dinner that tastes good and is good for your entire family is nearly impossible. Thankfully, sheet pan recipes are here to save the day. Here are some of our favorites:

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas 

By Pinch of Yum

Sheet Pan Shrimp & Veggies

By A Couple Cooks

Sheet Pan BBQ Blue Cheese Chicken Pizza

By foodiecrush

Hey Mama, it’s Time to Eliminate Artificially Colored Food from Your Pantry 🔴 🟡 🔵

Is it possible to buy food without Red Dye in it? If you’re unfamiliar with the artificial color world, Red Dye 40 is one of the most taboo ingredients. While Red Dye and other artificial colors are far from the worst thing your kids can eat, it is good to know what ingredients are in the food you buy and their side effects. It might not be possible to eliminate every artificial color from your pantry, but it’s always good to be mindful.

Lemon Shots 🍋 🥃

🛩️ President Biden instructed the U.S. and U.K. to fire airstrikes at Houthi rebels Thursday night after months of attacks on the Red Sea. Houthi’s retaliation is imminent. 

⚖️ Israel fought against South America’s accusations, claiming the war in Gaza was a form of defense for their people and nation. 

🏈 Bill Belichick, coach of the New England Patriots, is also leaving the team. The Patriots hired Jerod Mayo, a former player, to replace him. 

🚰 New research found that plastic water bottles contained up to 100% more plastic than previously estimated. 

🧑‍⚖️ Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the nine charges in the California federal tax case.

💰 U.S. military assistance for Ukraine has stopped, as the funds are out until Congress approves emergency spending packages. 

🎙️ Ariana Grande’s new single, “yes, and?” hints at her new relationship and a new era for the singer.