Smart phones and tablets and TVs…oh my! Screen time is at an all-time high for so many families out there. It is such a hot topic these days – how much screen time is the right amount for kids? I’ve thought long and hard about this question, and for me, the answer has a couple of parts.
The first part of the answer is to go with your pediatricians recommended amount of screen time based on age. There are lots of resources out there (please do ask your kiddos doctor), but if you want a quick read and good guidelines – click HERE. My guess is you will be shocked at how low the recommended amount of time really is – and how fast and easy it is to surpass it!
The second part of the answer is based on your own family and kid(s). The reason I say this is because each family, and each kid, is so different. We use screen time as a special treat for learning during “down time”, and for what I lovingly call “out in public emergencies” – if we’re out to dinner, on an airplane, etc. We love to watch educational shows and movies with the kids about animals, adventure loving characters, and more. It teaches them new things and really stimulates a lot of new conversation. They love to ask questions during and after what we watch with them – which is a lot of fun!
As for the times we use screen time when we’re out – it’s scarce and rare but does happen when necessary. Do I pull out the tablet right away and plug in my kids? Nope! I start with snacks, activity books, coloring, puzzles, etc. Screen time in those cases is literally if one or both kids is tired and starting to meltdown. Other people are around and trying to enjoy themselves, and I want to help make the situation better for us all.
That being said, we have a ZERO screen time policy in our home during the week. That means from Monday morning until Friday afternoon there is no screen time at all (games included). We made that choice based on our own kids and how we feel it effects their behavior during the week. Friday evenings we do “movie night” with the kids. It’s a treat that we all look forward to. We pop popcorn, snuggle up on the couch as a family, and watch something fun together. It’s always something that is appropriate for the kids – and it’s a bonus if we enjoy it as parents. 🙂 We try hard to make it something fun that the kids will not only enjoy in the moment, but that we can reference throughout the weekend with other activities.
How do I pick what they watch? Good question. There is a ton of content out there for kids that is fantastic! There’s even more truly terrible content out there, so be careful! I am very picky about the content my kids watch. I want it to be age appropriate, educational, and fun! I want my kids to connect with the characters and come away from the show having learned something – or even wanting to use their imaginations to play out the show they just watched!
What I don’t want is my kids being exposed to negative words or fighting, watching shows with adult undertones, or turning into couch potatoes. Sometimes a show looks age appropriate based on the characters or initial image – but it really is NOT. I’ve learned to never trust the look of the show – and always watch it with them before I really know the content. It can be frustrating given how much we juggle as parents. Being a super busy parent, I really need shows that I can trust for my family.
KIDS CENTRAL has been a huge help in that department. With the backing on Common Sense media, the content on KIDS CENTRAL has not only been reviewed, but it has been rated and approved in several categories. They are taking a lot of the work off my plate when it comes to reviewing content for my kids. I still watch with them to get a sense of the show – but I’ve gotten to know their content and really know I can trust it!
My favorite show as of now is Kit and Kate. It falls under the age 3+ category, which is perfect since my kids are 3 and 5. The big brother and little sister remind me of my own kids – the way they interact and play. I absolutely love the positive message that the kids learn within each episode, and how they are always on a new adventure. It’s colorful, fun and really engaging!
Kids have a wonderful sense of adventure – and limiting screen time to shows that help foster that is key. Watching shows on KIDS CENTRAL has been great because they are colorful, age appropriate, and really fun! My kids can get to know the characters and the adventures they love to go on, and when the show is over, we can continue the fun with our own adventure! A scavenger hunt, building a fort and pretending it’s a ship, drawing pictures what we would see if we were in a submarine…the options are endless!
At the end of the day – you want what is best for your family and know your kid(s) better than anyone, right? You know how much screen time works for your family, what types of content work for your kid(s), and have the power to pick it for them. If we can simplify that a bit with the help of great resources like KIDS CENTRAL – then I think it’s a win for everyone. Less stress and more fun all around!
I hope this has been helpful, given you some new information, and maybe even inspired you to look at content and screen time in a new way. Please reach out with questions, your own thoughts, and things you do to make screen time a really positive experience. Now – I’m off for another adventure with my littles! 🙂 Please visit us on Instagram and have a great day!
Being Greek, Tahini is a flavor I grew up with. It’s an ingredient I know well and makes me reminisce about baking with my yiayia (grandma). If you’re new to Tahini, it is a paste made from sesame seeds. It looks a lot like peanut butter (the natural kind that separates), and it has a nutty flavor. Grocery stores carry it, as does Target and Walmart (it’s easy to find).
Because it is made of seeds, not nuts, it is also great for sharing with others where nuts can be risky or not allowed due to allergies (bake sales, holiday cookie swaps, school or church functions, etc.). Below is a very simple recipe for these yummy Tahini cookies. They are perfect with tea or coffee, not too sweet, and so simple that they are great to bake with little ones (my Sofia helped with measuring and pouring for this recipe).
Keep scrolling for the recipe and please let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cups Tahini (room temp)
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 Cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 Cup honey
- 1/4 Cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl (your dry mixture). Use a fork or whisk to mix well.
Use a mixer (stand or hand) to combine your butter and honey for about 3 minutes. It should be light and fluffy when done.
Gently add in the tahini and mix for about 30 seconds before you add half of your dry mixture. Let the mixer completely combine the first half of the flour mix before adding in the rest. Once it is all combined thoroughly, your dough is ready!
Put your toasted sesame seeds into a small bowl (enough room to roll a cookie ball in and not get sesame seeds all over the place).
Each cookie needs about 1 full tbsp of dough. Scoop the dough and roll into balls. Dip one side of each ball into the sesame seeds and place them sesame side up on your baking sheet. They will flatten while they bake, so give them about 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cookies cool before removing them from your baking sheet.
Enjoy and share with others! Keep scrolling for some of my favorite tools (including a fantastic hand mixer that is super budget friendly), a personalized cookie jar that is currently in my cart, what to package these cookies in (if you intend to share), and more! Happy Holidays! xo
Tools
Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life. Ok ok…maybe that’s going too far. However, these shoes are pretty perfect if you ask this mommy and daughter duo! We are completely smitten with these Valentino Garavani Rockstud Slingback look-alikes!
Sofia has the most adorable studded flats on that are so comfy yet dressy – they are perfection. I got them from StyleChild by JL (peep them on Instagram as well). They have the best kids gear – I’m totally obsessed! My shoes have a pointed toe (like the Valentino’s) but the point starts far enough away from the toe area that they are very comfy. The heel is also the perfect height – not too high to walk and function (huge requirement for this mama) – but high enough to look and feel sassy!
I’ve linked my exact shoes as well as Sofia’s below. I got Sofia a size 10 and myself a size 7 – both fit true to size in my opinion. I’m sometimes between sizes (6.5 to 7) and went with a 7 to have extra toe room. You’ll also find the Valentino’s below for comparison (or if you can afford the real deal)! Lastly – there’s some very similar flats for those of you out there who want to match but don’t want the heel. Totally valid – and truthfully – sometimes really needed. These are currently in my cart!
My exact black dress (a FAVE – super flattering – under $100) is linked as well as other items that are very similar to ours – in case you need holiday party gear! If you snag this dress (which you totally should) – size up based on the brand (and to save a little extra room for Christmas cookies). Scroll down to shop our look, comment below with the favorite shoes you’ve ever owned, and have beautiful day!
Crafts are fun all year round, but they are especially helpful during the cooler months. This is an easy craft that you can do with simple supplies that you most likely already have on hand. It has a turkey theme for Thanksgiving and is perfect for some easy family fun!
I hope you give this a try and let me know how it goes in the comments! Enjoy and have the Happiest of Thanksgivings!
What You Need
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- A circle roughly the size of a small Tupperware lid or masking tape
- Pencil
- Crayons
Instructions
Pick a color for the turkeys body. Fold the paper in half and trace your circle. Cut the circle out and because you folded the paper you will have more than one!
Next make your paper leaves. I made them about the same height as my glue stick (to keep it easy). You can make them super simple or get fancy with the edges. It looks cute no matter what!
Stack your construction paper (pick 3 sheets in different colors than the body) and draw your leaves on the top sheet. Keep the papers in a stack and cut out your leaves. You’ll end up with lots of leaves very quickly!
Use some scrap paper to cut out the beaks and turkey gobbler.
Give the paper pieces to your little one(s) – it’s time to glue it all together. You can see Gabriel and Sofia gluing all the feathers on the back of the turkey body.
Trace the bottom of the glue stick for finger holes. Cut them out using the scissors.
I cut out a smaller circle and glued it to the back of the turkey to make it thicker and help it stand up better.
Use the crayons to draw on the eyes and decorate the feathers if you want. Have fun with it!
When you’re done – put your fingers through the holes and do the turkey trot! 🙂 Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Muah!
First of all – isn’t it crazy how white legs can get when it’s cold outside? I miss being tan already! Though I don’t miss shaving everyday! Guess that’s the only bonus! Ha! Now if only my teeth were as white as my legs…Success! I’ve figured out how to make that happen! How do you like my transition? Haha! 😉 Ok – I’ve got a good share for you today – plus a giveaway and coupon code by my after pics below (which I know you want to see)! My share today will give you a dazzling smile for the holidays, Winter wedding, anniversary, or whatever you have coming up that you want to look extra special for!
It’s no secret that I love coffee. It’s how I start my day. It’s what gives me that pick-me-up so I can keep up with my littles in the early morning. Many of my Instagram posts include coffee, because my life requires caffein! If only I could bottle my kids energy and use that instead! lol! Oh well…I digress. Back to my teeth! Coffee does not help my teeth stay white, so I have made it a point to try various whitening techniques. Whiter teeth makes me feel more confident! It makes me want to smile bigger and take on the day! It makes me feel more put together!
So many times in the past, I was disappointed when I looked a photos and saw that my smile was stained and not as white as I wanted it to be. They could have been worse, but I wasn’t happy with the color. I knew that I wanted a whiter smile, but I didn’t want to damage my teeth, and I didn’t have the money to spend on professional whitening at a dental office! Keep scrolling for my before pics which show my love for coffee and my effort to curb the stains.
To date, I’ve tried whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, teeth whitening charcoal powder…you name it! I tried to keep the products as natural as possible, vegan, and pick methods that wouldn’t wreck my enamel. Yup…tall order! I would say the solutions I tried worked well for short term results. But for longer term results and to really get those stubborn coffee, tea, and red wine stains…I needed something more professional. Again, cost was an issue. Do you know a lot of people who have an extra $600 – $1K laying around for teeth whitening at the dentist..? I don’t! Even if I did have the extra cash – I would love to spend that money on something else and still get a bright white smile and the confidence that comes with it!
Then I learned about Smile Brilliant and my whole view on teeth whitening changed! It’s super safe, it’s vegan (yes, I am a total animal lover and tree hugger), it’s custom, and it’s affordable! You order your system online, they send you a kit, their lab makes you professional trays for your teeth – and then you get to sit back, relax and whiten like a pro at home! Game changer!
Smile Brilliant is not only affordable, but it gives you options. If you have sensitive teeth (like me) – they’ve got you covered. Yes – you can whiten your teeth even if they are sensitive! These guys have totally figured it out! If your teeth aren’t sensitive – lucky you! 😉 They’ve got you covered as well! I chose a package that focused on sensitive teeth because I’ve tried whitening before and my teeth can get pretty sensitive because of dehydration. Smile Brilliant not only provided me with custom trays made for my teeth – but they provide the whitening gel AND desensitizing gel that helps to alleviate that sensitivity that many get from whitening.
They also have 3 levels to choose from depending on your whitening needs – light, average and heavy stains. I personally think the heavy stains package (T9 system) gives you the most bang for your buck! It’s the best value for those of you who drink coffee, tea or wine regularly and have some sensitivity (yup…I fit into to that category – lol)! You can see the packages by clicking HERE. I was super surprised at how affordable the packages are – and what kind of results you can actually get! You can check out their amazing reviews HERE – and I’m happy to share more about my experience as well! Don’t be shy – reach out!
Imagine sitting in the comfort of your own home, binge watching shows on Netflix in your comfies, while whitening your teeth. That’s basically what I do – with fuzzy slippers and my dogs on my lap. Haha! Truthfully, it sort of forces me to take some much needed me time. Sure, I can do dishes or laundry while I whiten my teeth at home (and sometimes I do) – but I like to make it a point to do this before bed as a nice relaxing me moment. We all deserve some pampering – so why not pamper yourself with some relaxation and teeth whitening!?! You know you want to!
Let me share my actual experience with you. Yes my actual, real, full disclosure experience! Let’s dive in! First, I picked a package online. It’s super easy to pick if you know your teeth (which you should since they are yours). I don’t use special toothpaste for sensitivity, but I do know from past experiences with whitening that I can have some sensitivity. I also drink coffee, tea and wine. Those factors made it easy for me to pick the package that was right for me.
The box arrived really quickly – which was a pleasant surprise! I was super excited and opened it up right away! There were two blue trays that I knew were for making the impressions of my teeth. There was also a weird blue and white putty (that you mix together) and then use to make the molds. I was super intimidated and didn’t want to mess it up! The good news is they lay it all out for you in easy to understand steps.
If you’re anything like me, read the instructions a couple of times to make sure you feel comfortable with the steps. It’s actually super easy, but I get nervous with new things like this. The key is not to over fill or under fill the trays – and to take an extra second or two to line up your teeth and bite down on the putty in the right spot. That’s it! Honestly – they came out great and I was nervous for nothing!
After that, I let them dry (they dry fast and timing is in the instructions), rinsed off my impressions and mailed them in! That was it! Easy peasy! The turnaround on these was super fast! I got my custom trays in 3-4 days after I shipped my impressions. I’m in the US so the turn time is super fast – but they do ship internationally as well – so click HERE to read more about international orders in the Q&A section.
As soon as the custom trays arrived, I wanted to give them a try! Because I have young kids, I waited until after I put them to bed to put in the trays. It’s hard to talk with them in, and I knew I wanted to relax while I was whitening. After getting the kids to bed, I flossed my teeth, brushed with water only (no toothpaste because fluoride slows down the whitening process), and got ready to whiten!
The first time I used the whitening gel, I wasn’t sure how much to use. Each syringe is 3ml and has enough for at least 3 applications. For me, the key was to put a thin line on the top and bottom trays, enough to spread on my teeth once the trays were in, but not so much that it would end up leaking out of the trays and all over my mouth. It’s less gel than you think and after your first application, you adjust and you’re sort of a pro!
I whitened for 45 minutes that first time, to sort of judge my comfort level. You can actually whiten for as long as 3 hours if you respond really well to the whitening process and aren’t super sensitive afterwards. I built up to that, adding time with each application. After that first 45 minute whitening session, I brushed my teeth again, with a non-whitening toothpaste, rinsed out my trays with cold water, and used the desensitizing gel for 20 minutes. I set the alarm on my phone for 20 minutes and once it went off, I removed the trays, spit out the extra gel, and did not rinse. You want a thin layer of that desensitizing gel to stay on your teeth.
The bonus of whitening before bed is that you can’t eat or drink for an hour after each session. If you’re going to sleep, you don’t have to worry about that, and you can let the whitening really take effect! I also like that while the whitening trays are in, I can’t snack on anything, which I tend to do at night when we watch TV. It’s like an added little diet bonus! Haha! 😉
That’s it! So now when people on Instagram or on my blog ask me how I get my teeth so white – I can tell them! Smile Brilliant!
Now for the FUN part! I’m doing a GIVEAWAY! Click HERE to enter (it’s super fast and easy) for a chance to win $149 credit and it is open to the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. All you have to do it click HERE and enter your name and email address. SUPER simple! The winner will be contacted via email in 2 weeks – so make sure to enter now and please use an email that you actually check!
If you’re just too eager to get your dazzle on and want to purchase right away – you can get 15% off your order by using the coupon code: themommylexi
Keep scrolling for my after pics. I am so beyond happy with my results and hope you give this a try if you’ve been wanting whiter teeth!
I hope my experience and this information was helpful! When people ask me questions about fashion and beauty – I like to share – because sharing is caring (yup – I’m a toddler mom)! Check out Smile Brilliant and please reach out via comments or on my Instagram via DM with any questions. Smile Brilliant also has fantastic customer service so you should feel free to reach out to them as well! Enjoy and have a wonderful journey to a whiter smile! Muah!
So much goodness comes from my trips to Target…like my entire outfit! Yup… this whole look came from Target and is super budget friendly! The sweater is soft and fits true to size in my opinion (I’m in an XS for reference), the mules are super comfy with a squishy inside, the earrings look more expensive than they are – by far – and my jeans are only $20 and have rave reviews! The only thing in this photo that isn’t from Target is my bag (which I figure doesn’t count) – but I linked a super similar one that IS from Target so it’s still a total win!
Scroll down to snag this look while these cutie items are still in stock. My fave faux pumpkin (perfect since it’ll last forever) – is also from Target and matches my outfit. 😉 They have the cutest mini pumpkins available right now – along with a 25% off sale this Sat and Sun only on home decor. Look at my Instagram post ASAP for a peek at how to style these pumpkins in your home for Thanksgiving this year! Happy weekend!
