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Spellbound: A Genius Film with Deeper Layers for Modern Families

Spellbound: A Genius Film with Deeper Layers for Modern Families

It seems like the majority of people are completely missing the deeper messages in Netflix’s new children’s movie, Spellbound.

In a world of instant gratification, it’s easy to dismiss this film as another “cute family movie,” but if you can wait until the end and reflect on its deeper layers, you’ll see just how brilliant it is.

This is a movie that speaks directly to modern families navigating the challenges of life with kids and maintaining a marriage—and it does so in ways that are both visual and profoundly relatable. Plus, the visual concepts around how our words and thoughts affect our experience and reality is straight GENIUS. 

December 05, 2024 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: animated movie review empowering kids movies family family movie review kids movie review modern family challenges Netflix Spellbound parenting movie social-emotional learning movies Spellbound movie analysis Spellbound review Spellbound themes
A Kinder Countdown to Christmas: Rethinking the Advent Calendar with Love Notes

A Kinder Countdown to Christmas: Rethinking the Advent Calendar with Love Notes

The magic of Christmas is often found in the little things: a kind smile, a thoughtful gesture, or a heartfelt note. This year, we’re inviting families to reimagine their holiday traditions with Christmas Advent Love Notes—a meaningful and memorable twist on the classic advent calendar.
November 20, 2024 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: Advent calendar ideas alternative Advent calendar Christmas Advent Love Notes Christmas affirmations for kids Christmas kindness traditions holiday kindness activities Kindness Calendar Kindness Christmas Advent Calendar meaningful Advent calendar positive affirmations for kid teaching kids kindness
ADHD Made Simple: Tips for Parents from a Childhood Therapist

ADHD Made Simple: Tips for Parents from a Childhood Therapist

As parents, we've all encountered moments when our child seems to have endless energy or is lost in their own world. For many, these behaviors could point to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. With nearly 10% of children diagnosed, understanding ADHD is more important than ever. In this post, we'll dive into what ADHD is, how it affects kids, and practical ways therapy and parenting strategies can help manage symptoms. From calming techniques like 'fire hands' and 'melting' to managing screen time and diet, there are plenty of ways to support children with ADHD both at home and in therapy.
September 28, 2024 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: ADHD diagnosis ADHD executive functioning ADHD in children ADHD management ADHD play therapy ADHD support for parents ADHD symptoms ADHD therapy ADHD treatment emotional control in ADHD hyperactive ADHD impulse control in ADHD inattentive ADHD
Art Supplies for little Kids: what to buy that's waterproof, easy and toddler friendly

Art Supplies for little Kids: what to buy that's waterproof, easy and toddler friendly

Arts and crafts play a vital role in early childhood development, fostering fine motor skills, creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving. As an artist, it took me some time to find the right supplies for my kids—ones that let them explore freely without creating too much mess. Now, at ages 3 and 5, they can easily access their craft materials. While the mess is constant, I’m committed to nurturing their creativity. Here’s a list of toddler-friendly, washable, and easy-to-use supplies.
September 23, 2024 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: art activities for toddlers arts and crafts for toddlers arts and crafts mess control craft mats for kids crafting with kids crafts to improve fine motor skills Crayola washable paint creative activities for toddlers creative play for toddlers development through play DIY crafts for toddlers early childhood development easy art projects for toddlers easy crafts for toddlers encouraging creativity in toddlers fine motor skills development fostering creativity in kids kid-friendly craft ideas mess trays for toddlers messy crafts with toddlers motor skill development paint palette tray paintbrushes for toddlers protecting surfaces during crafts scissor skills sensory play sponge roller brushes for kid toddler art mess toddler art stations toddler art supplies toddler brain development toddler crafts toddler creativity toddler drawing tools toddler fine motor skills toddler friendly crafts toddler mess control toddler self-expression toddler-safe craft supplies toddler-safe scissors washable craft mats washable craft supplies washable markers for toddlers washable paint for toddlers
Dye in Our Kids' Foods: What to Look For and How to Monitor It

Dye in Our Kids' Foods: What to Look For and How to Monitor It

As more and more studies suggest that certain food dyes cause increased hyperactivity, especially in kids with ADHD, parent's don't know what to do with this information. Personally, I have seen these results in my own kids, and I’m starting to have more conversations with other parents about it. However, many of us don’t know where to start. Here are the quick and important details I’ve learned so far.
July 30, 2024 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: ADHD and diet ADHD and nutrition ADHD diet education ADHD diet for kids ADHD in kids artificial colors in food artificial food dyes hyperactivity artificial food dyes in snacks behavioral changes diet behavioral effects of food dyes behavioral nutrition Blue 1 in food diet and behavior in kids diet for emotional stability diet tips for hyperactive kids dye-free candy dye-free drinks effects of food additives effects of food dyes food additives and behavior food additives to avoid food choices and health food dye allergies food dye alternatives food dye cheat sheet food dye guide for parents food dye ingredients food dye regulations food dye restrictions food dye safety tips food dye-free snacks food dyes food dyes ADHD food dyes and anxiety food dyes and behavior food dyes and emotional health food dyes and kids food dyes and mood swings food dyes banned in Europe food dyes in candy food dyes in cereals food dyes in desserts food dyes in drinks food dyes to avoid food dyes US vs Europe food labels food dyes food labels for parents food safety for kids food sensitivities in kids healthy eating for kids healthy snacks for kids how to read food labels for dyes hyperactivity and food dyes hyperactivity management identifying food dyes impact of diet on kids impact of food on behavior kids diet and behavior managing hyperactivity mindful eating for kids mindful parenting diet natural eating for kids natural food dyes nutrition and behavior parenting hyperactive kids parenting tips for ADHD reading food labels reading ingredient lists Red Dye No. 40 effects reducing food dyes removing food dyes from diet sugar and hyperactivity talking to kids about diet teaching kids about food toddler food understanding food labels what food dyes to look out for Yellow 5 and kids Yellow 6 behavior young kids
Free valentine printable for kids classroom. You make me feel happy. Simple. Modern. Happy feelings. Happy faces. Love yourself you're awesome

Free Valentine Printable

Let's be honest, most of the Valentine options at Target are cheesy and not cute. Snag our FREE Valentine Printable for an easy parent win. It's cute, free, and helps kids connect to themselves and their happy feelings. 
February 07, 2023 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: big feelings in kids day of love easy valentine February 14th free valentine printable happy face happy feelings ideas for valentines day for kids kindergarten love yourself preschool valentine cards for kids classroom valentine printable you make me feel happy you're awesome
Family and Kids Gratitude Scavenger Hunt. Ideas for Kids Mindfulness. Thanksgiving activity for children. Toddler parent activity ideas. Scavenger hunt for kids and parents. Bonding activity with family. Practice gratitude.

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt


Practicing a daily attitude of gratitude can be a powerful way to bond and build mindfulness in your littles . It doesn't have big ideas and concepts. In fact, finding things to be grateful for in your everyday life with your kids is actually best. Here are ways to take a look around with your children to help identify simple things to be grateful for:
February 07, 2023 — Aubrey Borchardt
Tags: attitude of gratitude Baby Baby Products Baby room End of the year Everyday life fall fall activities fall baby fall fun Fall thanksgiving Family Family Activities Family fun Family gifts Gift grateful Gratitude Gratitude Scavenger Hunt journey of motherhood meditation mindfulness mindfulness for kids Minimal gift ideas motherhood mothering November practice gratitude support Thankful Thanks Thanksgiving toddler toddler activities toddler nursery toddler parent
art print size and configuration recommendations for decorating baby nursery room, kids bedroom or playroom

Need help figuring out what size art to choose?

Here are our size and configuration recommendations for how to hang artwork in your baby's nursery room, kids bedroom or playroom. 

 

August 23, 2022 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: art configurations art print size guide Baby room ideas empowering posters for kids how to choose artwork sizes how to decorate a baby nursery room how to hang art playroom wall decor
Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness 

Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness 

Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness 

Pregnancy loss is complex, and it can be incredibly isolating, even though 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Hopefully, with continued awareness efforts, we as a society can help end the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss and bring support to those who have been through it. 

October 11, 2021 — Aubrey Borchardt
Tags: awareness Baby baby nursery Caretaker grief infant and pregnancy infant loss journey of motherhood loss Maternity Products motherhood mothering new mom postpartum postpartum loss postpartum support pregnancy pregnancy loss pregnancy loss awareness support
Blog post for How to Set up a Nursery. A photo of a gender neutral nursery. The walls are beige, the chair is light pink and the furniture is white. There is an art print that has the letter K on it as well as a personalized name.

How to Set Up a Nursery

How to Set Up a Nursery

It's time to set up your nursery! Step one in setting up your nursery is to take a deep breath. Everything about becoming a new mother can add up and make this time feel stressful. After collecting your thoughts and taking your deep breath, it is time to start with the nursery!

September 22, 2021 — Aubrey Borchardt
Tags: Baby Baby Products Baby room Baby room ideas Boy nursery Caretaker Cozy nursery Forest Nursery Gender neutral nursery Girl nursery How to decorate your nursery How to set up a nursery Modern nursery Newborn Nursery Design Tips Nursery essentials Nursery ideas Nursery Inspriation Nursery Trends Playroom Playroom design Stylish nursery Woodland Nursery
The short list of must have products for after birth and newborn baby

The Short List: Must-Have Products for Post-Birth and Newborn Baby

It can be extremely overwhelming when you first walk into a Buy Buy Baby and see aisles and aisles of baby products that you’re told you will need. Or seeing mile long sample baby registries that would require a small fortune to afford it all. I’ve outlined my must-have products in three separate categories to hopefully simplify the process or reaffirm advice you’ve heard from your other mom friends.
May 17, 2021 — Ashlee Kinsella
Tags: Baby Products Maternity Products Sample Baby Registry