Are you passionate about creating connections, supporting fellow moms, and making a positive impact in your community? If so, we want YOU to join us as a volunteer leader for the Boise Mom Facebook group! Learn more about the group here.
Our community is growing, and we’re looking for dedicated volunteers who are excited to create a supportive environment for all moms in Boise. As a volunteer leader, you’ll do a few things:
Help plan and attend in-person playdates and meet-ups
Help manage the Boise Mom Community & Conversations Facebook group
That means actively engaging with members, facilitating conversations, and creating opportunities for connection.
This is a volunteer position, but there are a few benefits:
Your photo and bio on the Boise Mom Meet Our Team page (with links to your personal blog, business, and/or social media handles if you choose to share them)
A professional headshot and team photo shoot with Boise Mom
Potential opportunity to test products, attend business openings, and/or visit local businesses for review purposes
Coffee shop meet-ups, hugs, and new friends!
If you are interested, please fill out the form below.
This post is sponsored by Perpetuity Skin + Spa. At Boise Mom, we work with businesses and organizations that bring value to our readers.
When is the last time you took some quality time for yourself and did something that helped you feel like you for a little while and not “mommy?” If the answer is “too long,” we can relate, and we know that finding “me time” is tough.
But you also know that self-care is important to your emotional and physical well-being, and ultimately it helps us be better parents. We encourage you to find that “me time” at Perpetuity Skin + Spa on the Boise Bench. It is a gorgeous space offering a full range of spa services with trained massage, skin, and nail care professionals. Forget the hustle and bustle! Perpetuity Skin + Spa offers the perfect escape for moms. It’s more than a spa; it’s a chance to relax, unwind, and reconnect with yourself and other women and mothers–a precious and rare treat just for you!
Relaxation at its Finest
Located on Vista Avenue, Perpetuity Skin + Spa stuns with its beautiful and spacious layout. From the moment you enter, the luxurious atmosphere washes over you. Eight pristine treatment rooms accommodate facials, massage, and body treatments, two floatation therapy rooms, and an inviting nail salon–everything whispers “relaxation.” All of the products have been thoughtfully chosen for their alignment to being natural, a core value of Perpetuity Skin + Spa. Perpetuity’s massages, body treatments, and many of their facials highlight the beautiful, food-based skincare line The Body Deli, handmade in Palm Springs, California. Products so fresh, they’re even refrigerated!
Feeling Good Goes More Than Skin Deep
Continual existence–that elusive philosophical concept is reflected in perpetuity, meaning “continual” or “uninterrupted.” At Perpetuity Skin + Spa, we believe in our connectedness and the cycle of doing and feeling good. Naming this spa came from a strongly held belief that the better we feel, the better we can do in our lives. Taking time for yourself can have a direct benefit on your attitude, your relationships, your workplace, and especially in your family as a mom. Treat yourself to the relaxation and rejuvenation you deserve. As a mom, your self-care affects those around you, in perpetuity.
Ease for Busy Moms
So you found a window of time, but finding a spa that’s convenient can be another challenge. Thankfully, Perpetuity Skin + Spa is just off the I-84 Vista exit, making it an easy escape from the every day, with many clients traveling from Mountain Home, Eagle, Meridian, and beyond. The parking lot is ample, so no need to worry about downtown parking lots or feeding meters. Once you walk into the lobby, you’ll be transported to a world of serenity and feel good about the time a mom can enjoy. We designed Perpetuity Skin + Spa with moms like you in mind. The private, yet convenient, location allows you to easily escape to beautiful, tranquil surroundings. You’ll enjoy a full range of spa and wellness treatments that even the busiest mom can fit into their schedule.
Luxurious Skin, Nail, and Body Treatments at a Fixed Price (i.e., No Tipping Here)
What makes you radiant is unique to you, and we offer an extensive range of options to personalize your treatments and focus on aspects of your appearance that you most wish to nurture. From Dermaplane Facials to Ashiatsu “Barefoot” Massage to Gel-X manicures, we strive to make each experience excellent, and our prices are fixed. Curious as to why we don’t expect tipping? Our blog post here explains it, but basically, we wanted to create a consistent experience for a consistent price for our clients, as well as a consistent wage for our team. Eliminating tipping goes miles in this team-based mission, and also, our clients and employees love it.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
Are you looking for a supportive community where you can connect with other moms who truly understand the joys and challenges of motherhood?
Look no further! Welcome to the Boise Mom Community & Conversations Facebook group, a private group for Boise moms. Whether you are a new mom, new to the area, or just looking to connect with other moms, you’ve come to the right place.
Here at Boise Mom, we believe in the power of community. Motherhood can sometimes feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Our Facebook group is a place where moms from all walks of life can come together to share their experiences, ask questions, offer support, and make meaningful connections.
One of the best things about our community is the conversations. Whether you’re a new mom navigating the early days of parenthood or a seasoned mom looking for advice on everything from potty training to teenage angst, you’ll find a welcoming and non-judgmental space here. Questions can also be non-mommy related.
But that’s not all—we’re not just a digital community. We also host monthly meet-ups where you can connect with other local moms face-to-face. Whether it’s a coffee date, a park playdate, or a moms’ night out, our meet-ups are a fun and relaxed way to build relationships and strengthen our community bonds.
You’ll find friendship, support, community, and plenty of conversations here. You’ll find a place to be yourself, share your triumphs and challenges, and know you’re not alone.
Ready to join us? Send a request and an admin will approve you.
We know lots of people are not on Facebook. So while you may miss out on the discussion in the private group, we’d love the chance to invite you to the playgroups and meet-ups. So if you would like to be in the know about when and where, you can sign up to receive email updates below.
Working full-time and being a mom is hard work. We have daycare pickup, swim lessons, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, Girl Scouts, church events, you name it! We are busy! It’s hard to find time to do pretty much anything, but let’s talk about those crazy few hours after school and before bedtime, shall we?
We know how hectic life can get during the work week, but squeezing in some quality time with our little ones is an absolute must. It doesn’t matter how old your kiddos are, tailor the activity to your children’s age group.
Here are some ideas to make those after-school moments count.
Tech-Free Zone
First, let’s unplug and reconnect! Designate some screen-free time to focus on each other. Trust me, the TikTok videos can wait.
Outdoor Adventures
Time to soak up some Vitamin D! You would be surprised at how everyone feels better when they get outside together! Take a stroll, hop on bikes, or hit up the nearest park. It’s a win-win–fresh air for everyone and a chance to burn off some energy. You can even bring your dinner to the park and have a picnic as a family.
With springtime upon us, gardening is a terrific way to teach your children a new skill and bond with each other. You can learn about gardening with your kiddos in this great article by another Boise Mom: Guide to Gardening in Boise: How to Start and Involve Your Kids.
Crafty Indoor Fun
Get those creative juices flowing with some indoor projects. Think painting, baking cookies, or building the ultimate blanket fort. Crafts don’t have to be planned and structured. Get out the supplies and go to town! Let everyone create their own thing and let their creativity shine.
Snuggle up and dive into a good book together. Let your little ones pick out their favorites or discover new adventures. When they are younger, a few short books are great, but you’d be surprised at how your four-year-old might enjoy a good chapter book that you read to them. Trust me, these story sessions are pure gold for bonding.
Time to put those tiny hands to work in the kitchen! Whip up some dinner together and try out a new recipe. If getting their hands on the food makes you nervous, my favorite thing to do is to let them help me with the dishes. They rinse, and I load them into the dishwasher. It takes longer, but they have a blast. It may be messy, and a bit chaotic, but it’s worth it.
Game On, Family Style
Bust out the board games and let the friendly competition begin! Whether it’s Candy Land or Apples to Apples, family game night is always a blast. Learn new games together, and don’t forget to check out your local library! The Garden City Library has a ton of board games and activities you can check out. You can even find board games that are meant for your two-year-olds so they can get in on the fun!
Library Time
If you’re looking to get out of the house for something that isn’t your children’s extracurriculars, we love the library. Most local libraries are open until 8 pm on the weekdays. The hours and addresses of the public libraries are available here. The kids can pick out new books or your toddler can roam and play in the play areas. Most of the libraries have a great little play area for those younger readers! They also have computers and some have tablets with games if you want to give your children access to those as well. Some also host events after school for different age groups.
Heart-to-Heart Chats
Take a breather and have a good ol’ chat. Ask about their day, share funny stories, and let them know you’re all ears. It’s these little moments that matter most. We love to do conversation cards and ask a few each night. It helps you open up talking points, and it can help you get to know your older kids who aren’t as chatty all the time.
So, there you have it–some easy-peasy ways to make the most of our mom time after school. The great thing about kids is these activities don’t have to last for hours. Even giving them 30 minutes of your undivided attention helps strengthen your relationship with them. It will make you feel better too.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present. Let’s cherish these moments and create memories that’ll last a lifetime.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
Navigating the early stages of motherhood is challenging to say the least, filled with fluctuating hormones, lack of sleep, and days (and nights) full of brand-new experiences. And as friends of new moms, all we want to do is help, right? Offer our insight, expertise, support, and encouragement, and seize an opportunity to hold a new squish.
At the heart of it, I believe we all want to support new moms as best as we know how, but there seem to be some important nuances to how we can best support moms in those early stages. Below are five things to never say to a new mom and some great replacements you can say instead.
I’ll never forget my first time walking through a grocery store with my newborn. I was stopped by strangers for the first in my life, commenting on my adorable newborn. The first question that followed the well-meaning compliment was almost always, “Are you breastfeeding?” At that moment, I almost burst into tears. Little did this stranger know, I was struggling because my doctor was recommending I start supplementing my daughter’s feedings with formula due to an inability to produce enough milk.
We’ve come a long way in our society to accept that “fed is best” and moms should not be shamed for feeding decisions. However, it’s not something a mom should feel the need to explain to a total stranger in the middle of the dairy aisle. There is a time, a place, and a certain level of intimate friendship one needs to have to ask such questions. When that time and place arrive, might I recommend asking the question, “How is feeding going?” And allow your new mom to share or not share as they please.
2. Did you give birth naturally?
Similar to the breastfeeding question, this question involves a preconceived “right” or “natural” way of having a birth. To which I respond, is not all birth natural? Let’s just assume for a moment that every mom on her day of delivery has a preferred outcome of how delivery is going to go. We call this the infamous “birth plan.” And then let’s just assume 99.9% of women’s births don’t go exactly as planned. (I just made up that statistic to make a point.) The most predictable thing about birth is how unpredictable it is. And while I love a good birth story, I might phrase my question this way. “When you’re ready to share, I’d love to hear about your birth experience if you’re open to sharing.”
3. Have you tried . . .
Sleep, the most fleeting thing in the early stages of motherhood. Sleep training, co-sleeping, cry-it-out method. A new mom will not benefit from hearing your advice about how to get her baby to sleep better. However, I’m increasingly convinced that being graced with a great sleeper is a matter of luck. And the overwhelm of information for the newborn mom is so intense. We moms are resilient. We learn from our mistakes how to best care for the children we’ve been blessed with. Support your friends by keeping unsolicited advice to yourself.
4. Let me know if I can help.
I’m probably guilty of saying this. I love to be helpful, but I rarely think of specific ways to lend a hand before reaching out. Or maybe I offer help by saying, “Let me know if I can make dinner for you.” I’ve learned that if you really want to help someone, don’t leave room for them to say no to receiving your help. Try saying, “I’m planning to make you a meal this week, would Tuesday or Thursday work best for me to drop it off?” Similarly, if you are in their home for a visit, find a few things to help with and just do them. Offer to watch the new baby while mama showers. Head into the kitchen and do the dishes. Or my favorite, make mama a snack. We all know she needs one!
5. How is your baby doing?
I have heard countless stories from women of people asking how their baby is doing, but not asking how they are doing. An increasing number of women are experiencing postpartum mood disorders. So let’s remember, check in on your new mama friends regularly. This new stage of life brings an unexpected amount of isolation. When asked how life is going, a new mama friend of mine comments on her baby’s weight, height, and most recent pediatric data. I get it! But it’s important to remember that we have an identity outside of being a mother. Dreams get put on the back burner for a few months. So let’s be people that help rekindle passions and learn to dream again.
We’re all well-meaning friends wanting to offer our support and a helping hand to new mamas. Let’s take our good intentions and add a dash of sensitivity and creative solutions. And let’s schedule time to be a tangible help to those nearest and dearest to us!
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
I met my husband in his small hometown in Spain during a study abroad in college. After we got married, he joined the military. Since getting together, we have spent a lot of time apart. Whether across the table from each other or across an ocean from each other, life has a way of creating gaps in even the healthiest relationships. Intentional communication can help bridge those gaps.
For us, this has come in the form of five simple questions that we ask each other on a regular basis.
Regular check-ins ensure we are on the same page and moving in the same direction, even when we are apart.
We had our first spouse check-in a few years ago. My husband had been home for a week after being gone for 8 months of military training. When he left, I was 37 weeks pregnant with our first child. Needless to say, he came home to a very different house than the one he had left behind. He was getting to know his new-to-him baby. And after 8 months apart and a lot of change, we were getting to know each other again, too.
The living room that had once displayed nice decor was now covered in toys and spit-up. The bed that we used to share now had a tiny indentation from where our baby had taken his spot. Late-night movies had been replaced by late-night feedings. The silence that had once bounced effortlessly between the walls of our home had been replaced by a litany of new sounds.
No matter how much we had anticipated the adjustment of him coming home, it still felt like we had both been bucked off a horse, then shattered when we hit the ground like a Mr. Potato Head.
We were both working on putting ourselves back together again, and I felt like we were as disjointed together as we were individually.
So I came up with a list of five simple questions. Questions to force us to be straightforward, proactive, and compassionate with the big changes we were both going through. I gave them to him, scribbled on a piece of paper.
I told him to think about them and let me know when his answers were ready. Then one night, while the baby was asleep, we walked through them carefully and intentionally.
Fast forward a few years, and these checkins have become a standard for recalibration in our marriage.As seasons change and the challenges of our lives come and go, these questions help us manage those changes. They’re nothing fancy or complex, but they do seem to work.
The 5 questions:
1. What are three things you’re stressed about?
2. What are three things you’re excited about?
3. What are your short-term goals?
4. What are your long-term goals?
5. How can I support you?
That’s it. Just 5 simple questions to touch base and help both people feel seen, heard, and understood. They quickly address the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Sometimes they take five minutes to go through, sometimes an hour. Most of what comes up is things I already knew. Sometimes, I realize I had been making assumptions about his stressors that were way off base. As we make it a priority to have transparent, regular communication, the time apart doesn’t seem to affect us as much.
Last year, we added a little brother to the party. While he was at least there for the birth this time, the military called him away again shortly after. It was hard, but the foundation was there. A foundation we had built intentionally, knowing that life would continue to create gaps between us.
I think it’s easy, amidst peanut butter stains and sleep deprivation, to forget that your spouse is the most important person in your life.
When I prioritize my relationship with my husband, then we can prioritize our kids together. These check-ins help me to do that. I hope they are helpful for you, too!
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
There I was, earbuds in, bopping along down the greenbelt while listening to one of my favorite podcasts (Ask Lisa), when I heard a statement that stopped me in my tracks. Quoting research from Dr. Suniya Luthar, the author stated that “the number one intervention for any child in distress is to make sure the primary caregiver’s well-being is intact.”
Okay hold up. Here’s what the author did NOT say.
She did not say that the best intervention was to read all the best parenting books and become a master of all the latest techniques. She did not say that you should fill your child’s schedule with sports and playdates, take expensive vacations, change their diet, redecorate their room, or put notes in their lunchbox. But she did say that if you are the primary caregiver and your child is in distress, the number one way to help that child is to take care of YOUR OWN well-being. (Insert bomb explosion noise here.)
Jennifer B. Wallace, author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It, highlights a profound claim here. She prioritizes the mental health and well-being of moms, who are most often the primary caregivers. This is a message that has long been ignored. We live in a culture that has often identified motherhood as the pinnacle of sacrifice and selflessness.
Moms feel tremendous responsibility for their child’s health and well-being.
So much of our time and money is invested into making sure our kids have everything they need. We measure their vegetables and their screen time. Bedtime stories are read and homes are cleaned with chemical-free products. We rush to sports practices and schedule summer camps while there is still snow on the ground.
Moms do so much for their kids out of love, but also an undercurrent of anxiety. There is a felt pressure that our actions will have a significant impact on how their lives turn out. Our intentions are good, they really are. Seeing our kids happy and engaged in activities and friendships brings us so much joy. We want to see them succeed. We want our kids to have everything . . . even if it costs us our own sanity.
But let’s face it–this is exhausting.
Moms are tired. And there is just no guarantee that all of these things will work out the way we think they will. Sometimes, our kids struggle. Being a kid, and especially being a teen, is hard in this day and age. We are all keenly aware of the dangers of social media and bullying and social isolation and, and, and . . .
When a mom is worried about her kid for any reason, her first reaction might be to seek out a therapist for her child. This is a great step if the child is open to it and if it widens the support system for the mom. A skilled therapist can create a relationship with a child in which they feel safe and understood. A therapist can also offer insight and strategies to manage the presenting issue. It’s easy for us to conclude that if our kid is struggling with their mental health, then we need to seek out additional resources to help. So why aren’t we willing to do the same for ourselves?
I see you cringing because it requires a deeper look at your own well-being. So how are you, really?
If your kid has been struggling, I can say with a certain confidence that you are too. What’s stopping you from seeking therapy as well? The expense? The time? Yes, those are real factors. However, most insurance plans have really raised the bar on what they will cover for mental health. If you don’t use insurance, there are many therapists that have a sliding scale fee based on your income–you just need to ask.
It takes one hour a week (at most), and you could make less frequent appointments or consider telehealth to reduce travel time. You likely spend that much time doom scrolling (hi, I’m the problem, it’s me), so why not replace it with an activity that will pay dividends in improving not only your mental health but your child’s as well?
If therapy does not seem like an accessible option to you right now, perhaps just make sure that you have a close friend or two who can deeply listen to you. Choose someone who can spend time making sure you feel safe, heard, and validated. You know the saying, “If the plane is going down, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first before you can help your child.” The same applies here. If you think that bubble baths and manicures will help this situation, you are missing the point. It is not incumbent upon you to “self-care” your way out of this. As Dr. Suniya Luthar indicates, you need someone in your life who will put your oxygen mask on you.
Not sure where to start?
Try a localized database search such as psychologytoday.com or therapyden.com or call your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
Mama, you deserve to prioritize you. It’s time.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
Growing up in rural Idaho on two acres of farmland, I was never a stranger to gardening. I can remember hot summer afternoons resentfully pulling weeds as a teenager in my parents’ garden. And yet, here I am today, happily gardening in Boise.
Isn’t life funny? After around 15 years of backyard experimentation, I can confidently say I love gardening now.
I have also learned through my own trial and error as a gardener. I love nothing more than sharing the calm, peace, and personal satisfaction of gardening with my kids–and today, with you, too.
Gardening in Boise: The Quick Start Guide
Here’s a simple guide to planting your garden in Boise, including all the need-to-know information to get you started. Whether this is your first time pushing seeds into the soil, or your determined tenth attempt after abandoning some crispy crops sometime in July in the past, I hope these tips help you find the joy in gardening alongside your kids.
Boise Hardiness Zone and Planting Schedule
Boise is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, so plan your planting schedule around our zone’s first and last frost dates of the year.
If you’re just getting started, I recommend planting only during the height of our growing season here in Boise. In other words, put starts and seeds into the ground after the danger of frost has passed–around May 6th–and harvest before our first anticipated frost around October 8th.
Use the hardiness zone 7a to find specific planting schedules like the one available from VeggieHarvest.com.
Quick Tips Before You Start Gardening
Ready to get your hands dirty? Here’s my Boise-specific starter garden guide.
Invest in a water timer: Perhaps our biggest foe as Boise gardeners is our dry climate. We are, after all, living in the high desert. I highly recommend investing in some affordable water timers to help you in your starter garden.
Think early about pests: Squash bugs, aphids, and earwigs, oh my! Rely on your local garden supply store–I recommend Zamzows–-for tailored and organic pest control in your garden. The pests can be a pain, but they shouldn’t stop you from gardening.
Have fun with it: Every single season, I learn something new, and it’s almost always through failure. Have fun with your garden and don’t be overly connected to the result. I promise you will enjoy yourself much more. Like the best fitness trainers will tell you, you’ll keep up with something when you enjoy yourself, so keep that in mind as you plan your spring garden.
My Recommended Starter Garden
I recommend planting a simple vegetable garden with a little color, some hardy plants that can stand some neglect, and plants that do well in our climate.
The plants I recommend for beginner Boise gardeners are tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, zinnias, pumpkins, and potatoes.
Tomatoes: I recommend buying these as well-established starts from Zamzow’s and planting them between May 6-15.
Zucchini: Choose some local seeds from a nursery like Edwards Greenhouse or Zamzows and plop these into the ground around May 6-15. Zucchini are easy to grow, but give them some room: the plants get enormous!
Squash: A yellow summer squash is a beginning gardener’s best friend–simple, easy to use in your kitchen, and delicious. Plant it the same way you plant your zucchini by seed and harvest regularly all season long.
Zinnias: I always recommend beginning gardeners add some color and fun to their garden, and you can’t go wrong with zinnias. Choose a local seed packet with your favorite colors and plant them around your tomatoes for added color.
Pumpkins: Kids love watching pumpkins grow with anticipation as the air cools in September and October. Like squash and zucchini, pumpkins are simple to grow in our climate. Start them from seed in May, and put them on your porch with pride in the fall.
Potatoes: We’re not the famous potato state for nothing. Potatoes are incredibly simple to grow and such a reward to dig up at the end of the season. Choose some tubers from a local nursery and plant them in June, according to the packet instructions.
While I groaned as a teenager about getting my manicure messy, I’m grateful now for the hours I spent in the garden. And there’s plenty of photographic proof I loved it as a kid, especially in my younger years. Now gardening has become a way to connect with my kids and share a screen-free hobby.
Getting kids involved in the garden is simple: invite them to get dirty. Elementary-aged and younger kids especially seem innately drawn to digging, cutting, pruning, pulling, and watering. Here are my quick tips for getting your kids into the garden with you:
Don’t take any of it too seriously: You will burn out and get frustrated if you approach your garden–especially your starter garden–with too much seriousness. Let kids be kids, and let your garden get a little wild. One year my youngest–around four at the time–lopped off every stalk of corn I had right at the base because she found my pruners. I was discouraged and angry at first, but now the memory of her cute little apology to me and the hilarity of a four-year-old in the cornfield with pruners makes me giggly and teary-eyed.
Use kid-friendly tools: One of my favorite tools is a seeding square, perfect for getting kids involved in the planting tasks.
Spend time there yourself: Our kids have a precious, short season of just wanting to be near us. When you take your Saturday morning coffee into your garden, your kids will likely follow you.
Connection Is the Point
If your crops fail but you’ve connected with your kids, you’ve already won. Spend time with your kids in your little garden and build those memories.
Point out the thriving microclimate your garden has created and admire it together. Identify plants together, connecting them to the food they eat and the earth we rely on. Let them boost their immune systems with vitamin D (yes, the kind from the sun, but also good old dirt).
I hope this quick start guide inspires you to garden with your kids. Here’s to your garden and maybe the spark of a lifelong hobby for your kids, too.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
Hey there, Boise mamas! Spring is springing (is that a thing?), and April is bursting with fun things to do with your little ones. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures, creative explorations, or storytime at the library, we’ve got you covered. The weather is slowly getting better and April is going to be epic! So, ditch the cabin fever and get ready to make some memories.
Below are some family-friendly events in the Boise area during the month of April.
Is it just me or did you dread potty training? I would always hear all the negative things about training your toddler on the potty. I would hear about the accidents, the mess, the constant laundry, and the frustration of it all.
So I was NOT excited in the slightest to start this journey. I did some research and nothing felt right. It all seemed strenuous and complicated. I wanted my kids to understand why we go on the potty, and I wanted them to have a positive experience.
We recently potty trained my youngest, and I found a method that I loved. I used this method with my older daughter too. You can read about it in this ebook on Amazon. I love the way she approaches this journey. Along our journey, I compiled some great tips from my experience, but also from fellow mamas. These tips were very helpful as we prepared and went through this potty training journey.
1. Do Your Own Research
We know how loud things can get when it comes to people in our lives giving opinions on our parenting decisions, but the most important thing is to do your own research! Potty training will work differently in every family and with every child. So look into all the methods, and ask trusted friends for recommendations. Read up on them and decide which route you want to go. A lot of moms swear by a lot of different books but find what fits your family.
2. Say Goodbye!
It’s time to ditch the diapers and pull-ups completely! For us, it was so much easier to rip off the bandaid. Children can get confused going back and forth between underwear and diapers. The morning we start potty training, we have them go around the house and round up all the diapers and then they throw all the diapers away. Tell them they are a big kid now and this is what big kids do. It’s important to get them excited for this new journey!
3. Find Their Motivation
Every child has their very own extrinsic motivators. Whether it be prizes or treats, find what they love and use it as a reward! They deserve to have a treat for all their hard work. One of the best motivators for children is a boost in their confidence. Throw a dance party for every success and make them feel accomplished!
4. Long Weekends Can Work Magic
No one wants to stay home an entire long weekend, but having 3 days to stay at home and get a handle on things can be a game changer. Consecutive days with full attention can do the trick when it comes to potty training. Consistency is a big key to their success. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be cleaning accidents at home for a few days than be cleaning countless accidents when you are out and about. So if one weekend is what it takes, it’s worth it!
5. What to Wear
This may seem unimportant, but it’s a good idea to think ahead. We bought lots of pairs of underwear since we expected lots of accidents. We even bought bigger and smaller sizes so we could use them longer. I liked ones with a moisture-wicking liner, but they aren’t absorbent because you want them to feel their accidents. I suggest not getting toilet training underwear with the extra padding. It takes away some of the discomfort when they have an accident. I found that when my kiddos felt the sensation of wet underwear, it makes them uncomfortable. They need to feel that discomfort to learn that they need to go on the potty. Here are the ones we enjoyed, and they also have a boxer brief version.
For clothing, on day one, we did just underwear so it’s easier to catch accidents as they are happening. On days two and three, we added easy up and down pants. We try to avoid any complicated or bulky clothing while we are potty training. Even in the first month or so, use easy up and down clothes. It helps avoid the accidents that happen because they weren’t quick enough to get their clothes off and onto the potty.
6. All the Supplies
It doesn’t take a lot of things to potty train, but there are a few things that I have found to make the process easier. We loved a little potty for the car to keep in there at all times in case of emergencies. We found one we love on Amazon. Whether it be no bathrooms or just gross bathrooms, we can grab the potty wherever we are! You can also find great things to help motivate them. You can get potty charts, stickers, training seats for your toilet, and even fun books to talk about potty time. It all just depends on how your child responds to things.
7. Let’s Go!
Out and about can be hard. I was so nervous about accidents in stores and other businesses in the first few weeks after starting potty training. My biggest tip is to always go potty before you leave the house. If you can take the time, don’t leave the house until they go potty. Put off heading out until they can fully go pee. In the beginning, when they are still learning, they have a hard time going potty on command, so if you can wait around, do it! The first week or so after you start potty training, do short trips. Don’t stay out too long the first few outings. Go potty wherever you are before you leave too! This helps prevent those car seat accidents.
8. Know Every Child Is Different
Remember, each child has individual needs, and just because a method worked once doesn’t mean it will with a second child. I try to keep in mind that all kids take their own pace and learn at their own speed. Don’t get discouraged if it takes longer than you were expecting. Just be persistent and keep going!
Stay positive and support them! You can do this!
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boise Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
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If therapy does not seem like an accessible option to you right now, perhaps just make sure that you have a close friend or two who can deeply listen to you. Choose someone who can spend time making sure you feel safe, heard, and validated. You know the saying, “If the plane is going down, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first before you can help your child.” The same applies here. If you think that bubble baths and manicures will help this situation, you are missing the point. It is not incumbent upon you to “self-care” your way out of this. As Dr. Suniya Luthar indicates, you need someone in your life who will put your oxygen mask on you.
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