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Raising Biracial Kids in Today's World

Diedre

The Best (and Most Useful) Christmas Gifts for Teachers

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At the beginning of December, everyone starts looking for unique gift ideas for teachers, especially if they have more than 1 child.

Usually, the crafty moms don’t have trouble because they can whip up something quickly, but those of us who may be a little challenged in the crafty area start to twiddle our thumbs and guess what our kid’s teachers will like.

Some teachers put out a list at the beginning of the year that helps us know what their favorite things are, but most of the time, it gets a little tricky.

I’ve been a school counselor for 11 years, and I still struggle with finding the perfect gifts for teachers (so that should make you feel a little better)!

Instead of another Christmas mug, check out this list for some pretty fabulous gifts that any teacher or educator would love!

Cooluli Mini Beauty Fridge

 

The Cooluli mini-fridge makes a perfect gift for teachers because it switches from food warmer to food cooler. Nothing speaks a teacher’s love language more than being able to heat their lunch and cool their drinks from their classroom/office! It can be powered by an AC/DC adaptor or a USB cord!

Urpower diffuser

For the teacher who loves a more natural lifestyle, the Urpower diffuser is the perfect gift! It diffuses for up to 6 hours and has an auto shut off option. It has 7 color changing light options and is quiet enough not to be noticed in the classroom.

L.E.D Clock Fan

Teachers are always rushing from task to task, and sometimes from classroom to classroom. This unique desk clock also doubles as a fan.

It’s the perfect gift for the hot-natured teacher!

USB Mug Warmer

I don’t know about you, but there have been so many times I’ve brought a hot drink to work and I got so busy, that my drink got cold. I’ve even had to reheat my drink, and still got too busy to drink it!

This USB mug warmer is perfect for the busy teacher with cold coffee and it’s just under $10!

Tile Mate Key Finder

Does your child’s teacher always complain about losing things? Then the Tile Mate Key Finder is the perfect gift! Honestly, this is the perfect gift for any busy person in your life and can make a great stocking stuffer!

Tile is one of the easiest gadgets to set up! All you have to do is download the app, sync your device, and find anything you need!!  I love that the Tile is easy to attach to things. It has a hole in the top corner, but it can also be attached to flat surfaces.

Delicacy Ocean Wave Projector

Does your child’s teacher love science? Or do they love to spend large amounts of time at the beach? This delicacy ocean wave projector is the perfect gift for teachers who love the ocean.

It even has a built-in mini speaker that can play music from an iPod, iPad, desktop computer, android tablet or Mp3 player!

Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook

Teachers are constantly taking notes during faculty meetings, professional development and while they are assessing students. This rocketbook reusable notebook has pages that can be uploaded to Google, email, and so much more!

Young Living Basic Starter Kit

Giving a teacher a Young Living Basic Starter Kit is hooking them up with the gift of wellness! The Basic Starter Kit includes:

  • Stress Away™, 5 ml (Stress Away™ essential oil blend contains a unique combination of Lime essential oil and vanilla extract. It’s this distinct mix of vanilla and Lime that gives Stress Away its unique and pleasant aroma, among other benefits.)
  • AromaGlide® Roller Fitment (a roller top to put on top of the oils)
  • Thieves® Hand Sanitizer, 1 oz. sample (non-toxic hand sanitizer)
  • Thieves® Mints
  • 2 NingXia Red®, 2 oz. samples (Natural energy booster made with wolfberries)
  • Essential Oils at a Glance flyer
  • Discover Your Young Living Lifestyle booklet

Finding the right gift for teachers can be daunting and overwhelming during the holiday season. This guide takes the stress out of finding the perfect gift!

You can purchase the kit in your name and you automatically become a member! Becoming a member gives you 24% off all YL products, the ability to sign up for Essential Rewards (basically your own monthly wellness subscription box), ability to help friends order premium starter kit and the ability to get a paycheck (yes you read that right!).

Finding the right gift for teachers can be daunting and overwhelming during the holiday season. This guide takes the stress out of finding the perfect gift!

 

This Season’s Must Have Family Friendly Advent Calendars

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Did you know that Advent calendars date back to the mid-19th century? The word Advent derives from the Latin word for coming.

What makes them fun is that they begin on the first of December and mark the days before Christmas. German Protestants use to make chalk marks on door or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas.

Advent calendars are a fun way to count down the days until Christmas with your family. Check out this list of family friendly calendars.

Today you can find advent calendars in a variety of styles, and you can just about find one for any person with any hobby or interest.

Pukka Herbs Tea Holiday Advent Calendar

This calendar is perfect for the tea lover in your life. All of the tea ingredients are Certified Organic; Gluten Free; Vegan & Certified Fair for Life. 

Lego Friends Advent Calendar

 

The great thing about this calendar is that you and your children can do this together. Each door opens and reveals an ornament that you can put on the tree. It’s something that the smallest child in your home can enjoy!

Frozen II Advent Calendar

This calendar is a little on the pricey side, but it does include dolls, accessories and the actual calendar is a playset for the dolls.

If you haven’t seen Frozen II, then you are missing out! We saw it on opening night and the whole family loved it..including my farmer hubby!

Little People Advent Calendar

This one includes 24 Little People friends and accessories. It makes the perfect addition to your family, especially if your little one already has Little People toys and playsets.

 

Little People Nativity Advent Calendar

When my girls were little, I bought the Little People nativity scene. It was such a fun and age-appropriate way to share the Christmas story with them as toddlers.

I packed the Little People away with the Christmas tree and only took them out during Christmas, so it made playing with them even more special. I wish I had seen this calendar when they were smaller!

Crayola Advent Calendar


This one includes DIY ornaments, as well as fun arts and crafts that can go beyond the Christmas countdown. It’s a perfect calendar for artsy kids!

Young Living Countdown Calendar

This calendar offers some pretty amazing gifts that are worth far more than the cost of the calendar. For families who value wellness and holistic methods, this calendar is perfect!

In order to score this calendar at a wholesale price, you must be a member of Young Living. Click here to find out how to become a member to take advantage of these amazing deals!

Advent calendars are a fun way to count down the days until Christmas with your family. Check out this list of family friendly calendars.

Which calendar is your favorite?

Curly Hair Accessories You Need This Season

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When I was a kid, the main curly hair accessories everyone had were beads and scrunchies. Now, the options are endless!

Curly Hair Accessories You Need This Season

Adding accessories to your curly hair gives you an opportunity to experiment with your look whether you are rocking your natural hair or wearing a protective style.

Scrunchies

Scrunchies didn’t have to make a comeback, because they never really went out of style–they were just reinvented! Now you can find scrunchies in all sorts of patterns, textures, and fabrics. They are perfect for buns, updos, and braided styles.

Metal cuffs

Metal cuffs make the perfect curly hair accessories because they are super simple to put in. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and look amazing in a variety of curl types!

Turbans

Turbans are chic and really require little effort. They are perfect for bad hair days, or for running out the house quickly while still looking put together.

 

Turbans have come a long way, and are available for babies, toddlers, and adults.

Grace Eleyae makes a beautiful collection of headgear–from turbans to beanies, to satin-lined caps, they get the importance of keeping curly hair tangle-free without compromising effort or style.

Wooden beads

The old plastic beads from the 80s have been given a makeover through wooden beads. They are the perfect accessory for all sorts of curly hairstyles!

The trick with wooden beads is having a tool to thread them with. I suggest a threader that isn’t cheap plastic. I used the one that came with the beads at the hair store and it broke after threading 1 set of beads.

You may also want to check the width of the beads against the size of your braids. The smaller the opening, the harder it is to thread. But once you have added beads to your look, you won’t regret it!

Yarn/Strings

I love my curls, but every now and then, your girl needs a break from the daily grind of washing and styling.

One of my favorite protective styles is braids. Right now I’m wearing passion twists and I’ve been decorating them with colorful yarn and strings.

The yarn takes just takes a few minutes to put in. All you have to do is cut it the length you want, tie it at the top of your braid, then criss-cross the yarn/string down your braid.

I love mixing up the colors to accessorize my look. You can find braid yarn/string at your local hair store, Sally Beauty Supply or on Amazon.

Check out my Amazon storefront for more curly hair accessories!

Amazon Prime Day is like Christmas in July for Amazon Prime members. It's a day with amazing sales. Here is a list of sale items for curly girls!

 

5 ways to help your child with angry emotions

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Teaching your kids how to navigate their angry emotions can be a challenge–especially if you never learned how to manage your own.

Here are a few simple steps to help you feel more success with your children and empower you as a parent.

Teach them coping strategies for different environments

When you are angry at home, you can go outside and bounce a basketball, punch a pillow in your room, run a lap outside or even turn up the music and sing loudly.

The problem for kids is that any outward expression of anger in a school setting will mostly likely get them in trouble.

Teach your kids that what works at home may not work at school.

Dealing with your child's angry emtions can be frustrating--especially if you've tried everything and haven't been successful. Here are a few easy tips!

Give them ways to manage their behavior that don’t get them in trouble like:

Request to see the school counselor to talk it out

If the teacher has a calm down corner in their room, request to go there

Squeeze a stress ball

Doodle on a piece of paper

Talk to the teacher about what made them angry

Read a book

Teach them the I Feel method

I feel mad when you…..

I feel disappointed when you….

My feelings were hurt when you…..

I’m guilty of telling my kids to use their words, but then I don’t provide them with the words to use. It’s important to not only give your children the skill set to deal with their problems, but make sure they understand how to use it.

Dealing with your child's angry emotions can be frustrating--especially if you've tried everything and haven't been successful. Here are a few easy tips!

 

These conversations start when they are toddlers. When they are toddlers, talk them through scenarios. As they acquire language skills, they will begin to mimic the words that you provided to them.

When my daughters have a disagreement, I resist the urge to get frustrated and send them to their rooms. We talk through the issue and I often encourage them to talk it out.

We discuss what upset them, and I encourage them to talk to each other and let each other know how they felt. I model these conversations with them until they can do them on their own.

When I hear yelling, I remind them to use respect when speaking to each other. It’s definitely a work in progress, but the more you start teaching them effective communication skills at an early age, the more empowered they will feel about advocating for their own feelings in a variety of environments.

Give them time to cool down

Remember everyone expresses emotions differently, so while you may be ready to talk it out, your child may need some time to cool down before they talk.

Try not to compare your siblings. “Your sister never pouted like you do when she was mad.”

This can be difficult if you have a mild mannered child and one who seems to struggle with managing their anger, but you don’t want your child to begin to resent the one you are comparing them to.

Don’t make excuses for bad behavior while angry

“Your dad use to break stuff too when he was angry.”

Being angry is not bad–it is a normal emotion that comes as a secondary response to another feeling (embarrassment, feeling left out, etc), however lashing out and hurting others while angry is not okay.

Dealing with your child's angry emotions can be frustrating--especially if you've tried everything and haven't been successful. Here are a few easy tips!

As a veteran school counselor, I notice that boys seem to struggle more with outward expressions of anger while girls tend to internalize or use microaggressions.

When I talk to students about being angry, one of their first responses is that they know their anger was bad. I work to help them reframe those thoughts and show them that anger is normal, but hurting others (with words or physical aggression) is not okay.

If emotions seem out of control or not appropriate for the situation, seek out the help of professionals

It can be frustrating when you feel like you are being judged because of your child’s behavior. Sometimes you have exhausted everything you know to do, and your child’s behavior is still out of control.

It may be time to enlist the help of a professional.

Is your child acting out because they can’t hear?

Do they have a disability that interferes with their ability to control their emotions?

Getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion allows you to make the best decision for your child so you aren’t punishing them for something that they can’t help.

I’m Married to a Farmer, and This is What Life is Really Like

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If you would have told me 10 years ago that I’d be married to a farmer, I’d laugh in your face.

Seriously.

I remember the day my husband asked me if we could get chickens like it was yesterday. We lived on an acre of land in a quasi neighborhood.

I said no–firmly.

And I continued to say no every time he tried to change my mind.

In my mind, having chickens meant that my backyard would stink every time I went outside, and I also worried about attracting predators like snakes or foxes.

It also seemed too country for me. I grew up on an Air Force base hearing stories that my Jamaican parents shared with me about raising animals. My mom talked about having to kill a chicken, pluck it, then cook it for dinner. It seemed like such a far removed concept.

I loved the idea of having goats and other animals to care for, but killing my own dinner seemed like a thing of the past.

Now that he is a full time farmer, we have at least a dozen different chicken breeds that I could easily rattle off to you.

Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position.

 

 

I can also tell you about different plants, oils, and holistic uses for a variety of plants we grow and use.

What changed my mind

4 years ago, my husband’s father passed away from dementia. He was a State Farm agent and my husband worked in his office as an insurance agent. He hated being on hold, haggling with customers who let their policies lapse and all the the politics. He had a voracious appetite for learning all things horticulture and was invested in growing a variety of different tropical and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

His hobby became his passion and he decided to start his own business and set out to provide our local community with fresh produce.

Seeing his passion for sustainability, I jumped on board.

Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position.

Day to Day Farm Life

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man  healthy, wealthy and wise.”

I’m sure this quote is true, but he wasn’t talking about my family. We hate getting up early!

My husband is such a great father. He helps me with the kids in the morning and helps see us off. He even makes time to make homemade french toast.

Some days though, he has a long to do list and he is out the door while it is still dark.

Most days he is home after the kids are in bed. He has 200+ chickens, so he collects eggs 2x daily. He cleans, weighs and boxes up each one everyday.

He spends most of the day on his feet whether it is 90+ degrees outside, raining, cold, hail, etc.
Being married to a farmer means understanding that his body often takes a beating from the physical labor.

How we involve our kids

Teaching our kids about eating sweets in moderation, steering clear of genetically modified foods and inquiring about where their food comes from could literally be a full time job.

Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position.

We are investing in our children and leaving a legacy of health and wellness to them.

Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position.

They get to help raise chickens and collect eggs, so they value the hard work that their dad (along with other farmers) do to put food on the table.

The worst part

Spring, summer and fall are the busiest seasons. My husband works Sunday through Saturday and most nights are late nights.

This makes family time a little harder to get.

Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position.

 

Being an entrepreneur does provide some flexibility in day to day scheduling, but it also makes for a choppy day. If we are together for homework and dinner, sometimes he has to leave to finish farm chores at bedtime.

On Saturdays when most families are going to the beach or taking a long weekend somewhere, my husband is still working. Either we leave him behind to take a trip, or we spend time together on the farm or somewhere local so that he can be home in time to tend to the crops/animals.

The best part

Honestly, the benefits of being married to a farmer far out outweighs anything bad. The more I learn about how food is mass produced, the less I can eat! Watching my husband sow into our community brings me such a great sense of pride! I love seeing him work so hard to educate and provide food for our family and community that is free from chemicals.

All of the physical labor means that he is getting a fair amount of exercise. His svelte physique encourages me to stay in shape and make healthy choices.

Watching our kids run around the farm playing for hours on end reminds me of the carefree days in my childhood. I love that they are using their imaginations and enjoy unplugging from technology.

I also know that they will be equipped with life skills beyond what they learn in a textbook. They will never go hungry because they will know how to grow their own food.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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There has been a lot of talk lately about the unfair treatment of animals and toxic chemicals in our products & our food. Growing up, I loved hearing stories about my parents growing up in Jamaica. They talked about the chores they had before school (feeding animals) & I remember thinking, I’d love to have a fun chore like that! My mom described how it was often her job to kill, clean & cook the chicken. I often got lost in their stories & tried to imagine what that life was like. When my husband first took an interest in horticulture, he started talking about food & quality. Most people rolled their eyes when he talked (me included), but now with all of the recalls, our conversations ate etched in my brain. I’m so glad he had a vision for a lifestyle similar to the way my parents grew up. While I won’t be killing any chickens to eat, I’ll rely on other local farmers & butchers to provide us with food that was raised free of hormones & animals that were treated kindly. It’s time to wake up y’all. Turning a blind eye to wellness has costly long term effects that are starting to manifest in young people.Start paying attention to those labels & start asking questions. Ignorance is NOT bliss.

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Farm life has been a wonderful addition to our family life. Being married to a farmer is unique, in that his job is not a 9-5 position. Farming is a sacrifice, but provides such wonderful benefits to our family and community.

 

 

 

8 Books That Break Down the Amazing Benefits of Essential Oils

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The benefits of essential oils have been an amazing addition to my family’s wellness routine. I started my essential oil journey 4 years ago. Read more about it here.

We use oils to cook with, for skin/scalp issues, to moisturize, to deodorize, to clean and the list goes on!

The benefits of essential oils are more than you can count.These 6 books provide DIY recipes, history of oils and practical everyday uses.

My Why

When I first heard about the benefits of essential oils, I hate to admit that I was a skeptic. I couldn’t understand how a little bottle of oils could do anything, and I certainly didn’t understand why people raved about them.

I thought it was another fad.

When my husband became a farmer, I started to learn about the source of our food, and our everyday products.

My husband had been telling me for years that we needed to ditch processed foods, and we needed to be mindful of the ingredients in our products.

All I heard from him was that he wanted to spend more money on organic things–and who said they tasted better, or were any better for you?
I was somewhat resistant to having a “clean” home because I was stuck on the price tag.

When I started doing some research for myself, I was amazed at all of the chemicals that our country says are safe to put into our products.

My own research made me a believer.

My Young Living Journey

So I invested into a Young Living Premium Starter Kit. I used the oils that I needed for my daughter and the rest of the oils just sat there.

I had a wealth of resources at my fingertips, but I really had no idea what to do with them.

Now that I’ve been using oils for a few years, I’m so thankful that there are people to help lost people like me. I’ve purchased several books that have been so helpful on my essential oil journey–books that provide DIY recipes, history of oils and practical everyday uses.

I didn’t have to sell my husband on the benefits of essential oils because it was he who tried to convince me years ago!+

Books that Explain the Benefits of Essential Oils

No matter where you are on your journey (curious, just starting out, or have been using oils for years), these books are a great resource for you:

Superheros: An Essential Oils Guide for the Atypical Child
The benefits of essential oils are more than you can count.These 6 books provide DIY recipes, history of oils and practical everyday uses.

As an educator I know the frustration parents often feel with the lack of resources for their special needs children. When I saw this book, I knew I had to have my hands on it! She even has a support Facebook group, Heads Hearts & Essential Oils.

The benefits of essential oils are more than you can count.These 6 books provide DIY recipes, history of oils and practical everyday uses.

What I love about this book is it breaks down which oils can be used for very specific needs such as sensory support, big feelings, wellness & sleep support and so much more!

Oils + Scripture

One of the first essential oil kits I purchased was the oils in scripture kit from Young Living.

I purchased Oils + Scripture shortly afterward to get a better understanding of each oil in the kit, how to use them, and the historical uses of each. If you are a history buff, then you’ll love this one!

Oil + Glass

As a farmer’s wife, I’m always looking for DIY recipes for cleaning, farm life & gardening. Oil + Glass has all of that and more! It also has sections on pregnancy & baby, body woes, diffuser supplies and more!

Kinky Locs

There are very few natural resources for curly haired folk. Did you know that it takes an average of 26 seconds for anything you put on your skin to be absorbed into your blood stream??

That’s why books like Kinky Locs are so important! It’s a book specifically designed for curly haired people written by a curly haired person.

The Power of CBD and Essential Oils

How does CBD work in the body? Which essential oils should be added to CBD? Why and how? What happens to your body after consuming CBD? What’s the difference between hemp and marijuana?

The benefits of essential oils are more than you can count.These 6 books provide DIY recipes, history of oils and practical everyday uses.

This book answers all those questions lingering on your mind and so much more.

Hello Glow

After doing a ton of my own research, I’ve become really interested in product labels. I want to know what all the ingredients are–and why the ingredients are used. I’m also teaching my kids how to pick out naturals vs fake (full of synthetics).

Hello Glow has 150 really simple DIY recipes for hair, face & skin masks and a plethora of other really useful basics.

Essential Glow

Essential glow was written by the same author as Hello Glow. There are 200 + recipes and projects with easy step-by-step instructions for even more DIY recipes.

There are so many good books with DIY essential oil recipes, history and benefits of essential oils, but these 8 will get you started on your journey.

Have you been interested in oils, but didn’t know where to start?? Click here.