Positive Parenting

Save the Children’s Tips for Coping #PrayforOklahoma

May 21, 2013 By Vanessa Leave a Comment

Naturals Disasters for Kids Like many of you, I was glued to my television yesterday. I sat praying and in awe of all the disaster that nature can make. I watch as my Facebook stream exploded with statuses of prayer and worry. It was just so sad. It was so overwhelming. And those poor poor babies. But I had to remember my three year old who was watching, IS always watching. And when Save the Children sent me this press release with tips on how to help your child cope through natural disasters, I knew I had to spread the information. My friends, if at all possible, please turn off the tv … [Read more...]

Mixed Hair Care Tools: Transition to Shower

May 2, 2013 By Vanessa 1 Comment

Our journey in healthy mixed hair continues. At three years old, Alina's hair is thick and thick. And super thick. Her mixed hair is definitely very curly, with tight, tight ringlets at the nape of her neck, with looser curls on the top. She still has a more coarse section at her hair line. It is growing beautifully and the length is starting to really come down. I think doing the banded ponytail in our mixed hair night time routine really helps. Right now, her hair is taking shape very much like mine did was I was her age - like a big cone! Whenever we do get Alina's hair cut, it will be done … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Mixed Hair, Products I Love, Self Image

Onward to Toddlerhood and Potty Training

April 10, 2013 By Vanessa 10 Comments

Sebastian is officially a toddler!! His first birthday party was a success, which means we are onward to toddlerhood - including adventures in potty training. I've learned a lot about the topic while working with Pull-Ups and their Madrinas del Baño campaign. I was even able to ask medical and parenting experts one of my burning questions about potty training boys. And thank goodness I did, because I probably never would have asked it otherwise! I've also learned that potty training Sebastian is going to be a family affair. Being the second born, and utterly in love with his big sister, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Latina Mom Bloggers, Products I Love, Promotions

Myths about Imaginary Friends: Meeting Alina’s Penguin

March 26, 2013 By Vanessa Leave a Comment

I'm not sure when Alina's imaginary friend first came around, but I know its been a few months since I was introduced to her penguin. If you ask his name, she'll make up some crazy slur of sounds, but usually he is just known as "my penguin". Alina's penguin is nice enough, but she is always asking for his input before she makes a decision and that kind of bums me out. It is daily that Alina will say, "my penguin didn't like that" or "no penguin! don't touch that!". When she asks me to sing the hello or good bye song to him, she insists I look penguin in the eye. Seriously??? It wasn't long … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Alina, Positive Parenting

When Baby Turns Toddler, Trials in Potty Training Await

March 22, 2013 By Vanessa 1 Comment

Sebastian will be a year old soon, and while his road to potty training is still a ways off, the plethora of questions I have is not. When you have your second child, the piece of advice {or thing to remember} that you are frequently told is to not compare - every child is different. But when it comes to potty training Sebastian, versus my experience with Alina, their differences is about ALL I could think of. Big thanks to Pull Ups for including me in the Madrinas del Baño campaign. A couple weeks ago I had the chance to consult Dr. Alberto Andres Cotton, a well-renowned Miami … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Latina Mom Bloggers, Products I Love, Promotions

Alina’s Room: The Writing Station

March 4, 2013 By Vanessa 2 Comments

Design or Function? We moved into our home a year ago and I've been nonstop making the space our own. I've loved sharing my progress here, including Sebastian's Gentleman Grey and Yellow Nursery, the DIY Fabric Wall Panels and the DIY Sofa Table that my sister and I made together. Photographing and writing on a space makes me feel like that area is done; like I've put a bow on the package and I can move onto something else. And so it is with Alina's Big Girl room - it's almost done and ready for its bow! But first, I want to make a note about the areas of functionality in her room, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Alina, Home Decor, Our Home