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If there’s one thing that all parents can agree on, it’s that parenting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. And, things only get harder as they get older and puberty hits. It can be particularly challenging when you feel like your teenager is going through a hard time and you can’t do anything about it. Sadly, there’s not much you can do about the things teenagers have to face like worries about their grades, peer pressure, and the ongoing changes in their body.

When this happens, it can lead to emotional and behavioral struggles, and while you want to do everything in your power to make things better for them, it’s simply impossible. If you’re worried about your teenager, check out these tips on how you can help them tackle these struggles and learn positively from their experiences.

Image Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-female-teenager-wearing-red-long-sleeves-6214650/

Learn the signs

Teenagers are well known for their erratic mood swings and out-of-the-ordinary behavior. And, while it can be challenging, it’s completely normal for them to push boundaries or struggle with the way their changing hormones are making them feel and act. So how do you know when there are signs that you should be worried about? Your teenager might show signs like:

  1. Unexplained decline in their grades
  2. Consistently changing friend groups
  3. Use of drugs or alcohol
  4. Talk of self-harm or suicide
  5. Unusual anger or defiance

These signs usually indicate deeper issues that will need lots of attention and support. Remember that if your teenager shows these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are “troubled”. These signs are usually a cry for help because they are experiencing things they don’t know how to process yet. Being there for them (without judgment) is the best first step you can take when it comes to tackling these behaviors.

Keep communication open at all times

Teenagers often close themselves off because they don’t feel like they’re being listened to or because they feel whatever they say is going to get them into trouble. And, while it’s important for you to take action if you hear something alarming about them, it’s how you handle the situation that will make all of the difference.

Take the time to actually spend time with your teenager! While it’s natural for teenagers not to want to spend every waking moment with Mommy, they also want that time to talk. Make the effort to actually listen to what they have to say, and avoid interrupting them. Even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying or don’t particularly like it, you’re building their trust to come to you no matter what’s going on in their lives.

How you communicate with your teen is also something to concentrate on. Sometimes asking “Did you have a good day?” might make them focus on all of the things they feel may have gone wrong. Instead, try asking, “What was the best part of your day?” or “Is there anything challenging happening to you that I can help with?” Again, prepare yourself to remain calm and really listen to what they have to say. 

While your teenager trusts you with lots of aspects of their life, building that trust in communication will take time, so be patient!

Lay out some boundaries

Your teenager is at a place in their lives where they’re naturally going to want more independence. However, as a parent, you also want to make sure their health and well-being is a top priority. That’s why it’s important to sit them down and lay out some boundaries as soon as possible.

As an example:

“We’re happy for you to go and visit your friends after your homework is done, but you must keep your location live at all times, and you must be home on time”

Approaching situations where both parties have to give and take will help teach your teenager self-discipline and respect for other people’s boundaries. These skills will help them in their adult life as well.

Setting boundaries will also mean respecting their privacy as well. Yes, you need to stay informed in their lives to make sure they’re not making any bad decisions, but at the same time, they also need to learn how to make those decisions.

It might take some adjusting and patience, but over time you will find that balance and find that they respect your wishes when you give them that little bit more space.

Support their mental health

More and more teenagers are experiencing mental health challenges like depression and anxiety these days. A large part of that is their exposure to the online world. Not so long ago, you couldn’t speak to your friends until you were back at school. Nowadays, you can speak to complete strangers! Make sure you’re monitoring their social media use, especially if they are joining in with trends on platforms like TikTok, as this can have a negative effect on their mental health.

It’s not just social media that causes feelings of anxiety and depression in teenagers. They might be experiencing bullying at school, a drop in their grades, or even peer pressure to do things they’re not comfortable doing. If you notice a change in their behavior or they tell you they’re struggling with their mental health, it’s time to take action ASAP. Remember to be open-minded when talking about mental health, and never hesitate to get professional help. The sooner action is taken, the sooner your teen can recover.

Teach them about peer pressure

Speaking of peer pressure, it’s something that every teen goes through at some point or another. As a parent, it’s important to teach your teen early on how to find the strength to say no to something they don’t want to do. Don’t be afraid to talk about certain scenarios that they might find themselves in like trying a cigarette, underage drinking, sex, or even drugs. Your teenager might even have experienced some peer pressure that they want to talk to you about.

Your teenager might even find it helpful to rehearse their responses for certain situations. Sometimes knowing exactly what to say will make it easier for them to say no and escape the situation. Remember, if your teen calls you to go and collect them after getting out of a situation like this, it’s important to praise them for not succumbing to peer pressure. This will give them the confidence to do it if needed in the future.

Image Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-sitting-on-floor-with-smartphone-6594305/

Recognise when they need extra support

Unfortunately, some teenagers don’t get the support they need right from the start, and this can lead to them ending up in a youth detention center. And, if that’s happened to your teen, it doesn’t mean you can’t help them turn things around!

However, in these detention centers, your teenager might experience awful things like physical and sexual abuse. If you suspect (or know) your teenager has been a victim of something like this, it’s time to take action.

Your best bet is to start by speaking to a sexual abuse lawyer for youth detention centers as soon as possible. They can help pursue legal action, get monetary compensation for suffering, and offer you and your teen guidance to get through this difficult time.

Now is also the time to get some medical advice for your teenager too. A Doctor will be able to recommend therapy sessions and check your teen for any physical damage to help them begin the healing process. It’s awful to think about, but it’s also something to make sure you’re wary of.

Encourage them to explore new activities

Teenagers often lack self-confidence, especially when they see others online that look and act differently from the way they do. That’s why it’s important to encourage them to find activities they enjoy and thrive at. When this happens, their self-confidence levels rise, and your teen will find it much easier to navigate each day.

Whether it’s joining a local team or joining a music club to play their favorite instrument, that feeling of accomplishment will help boost their spirits! Make sure you’re there to celebrate their hard work!

Find trusted adults (aside from their parents)

Finally, as much as it might hurt, sometimes teenagers find it easier to talk to adults who aren’t their parents. Make sure you encourage your teenager to talk to other trusted adults like teachers, other members of your family, or even a close family friend. This will allow you to rest assured that even if they don’t come to you for advice, they will be given advice from someone you know will have their best interests at heart.

Not only that, the larger the circle of support around your teenager, the better. It’s good for their mental well-being to know that in all walks of life, there is an adult that they can lean on if they’re in trouble, scared, or even want to share some great news with.

Raising teens can be a challenge for anyone but with a little guidance and love, you can help your teen overcome and navigate through their challenging years.


Disclaimer:  This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted throughout. Feel free to read my Disclaimer Page for details and information on collaborative (collab) posts, guest posts, sponsored posts, affiliate links, and more.

As challenging as it is to have a kid with a food allergy, ensuring what they eat is nutritious is at the top of the list for your child’s growth and development. Despite these, however, and with a lot of planning and creativity, one can provide and serve up some good meals that are not only harmless but also for allergy kids. Therefore, this article provides suggestions for suitable allergy-free foods for your child and how you can support them to avoid each possible food intolerance as they continue to develop.

The science behind kids’ food allergy:

A food allergy occurs when one’s immune system mistakenly identifies something present in milk or wheat-based products as something detrimental to its body’s normal functioning (Helm et al. 20-27). This does not hustle; peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, fish, and shellfish are some of the common allergens. 

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Symptoms for mild reactions could be as trivial as hives as well as stomach cramps, however; in vigorous cases, one might experience difficulty breathing (shortness of breath) which is a difficulty if it is not contained on time you might experience what people so often call anaphylaxis. To ensure your child is safe, it is important to find out first about your child’s allergies as an Allergist.

Provide Suitable Substitutes for the Offenders:

Good nutrition is important for growth, so if your child is allergic to a common food source, It is important to find a suitable alternative to ensure they receive a full and nutritionally balanced diet. 

For those allergic to dairy, plant-based milk alternatives such as almond, soy, or oat milk also offer a variety of flavoring possibilities for your child coconut yogurt and cashew cheese may be appealing ways of swapping traditional dairy snacks. 

Via Pexels

Integrate Kid-Friendly Allergen Eaters in the Diet:

It is vital to take care of their health as well as that of your child by having vegetables every day and for this purpose, fresh fruits are available naturally gluten-free and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 

Besides, lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, and beans are good sources of essential amino acids, healthy fats may be avocados or olive oil as well as chia seeds. Energy and vitamins can be obtained from other sources of whole grains such as brown rice and oats that do not contain gluten and do not cause beagles’ allergies. Different foods allow your child to enjoy a varied and nutritional balance.

Plan a Creative Meal:

It can indeed bring joy to the young ones when you plan meals, to avoid their diets becoming monotonous Prepare a weekly menu that has some of your child’s favorite dishes coupled with at least several new preparations. Involve him or her in the planning process by knowing what foods they like you can make all the surprises as well as the meal times to be easy. 

For example, you can use Quinoa or rice-based pasta and tomato sauce or a high-protein medium-sized cube of tofu in a sweet soy sauce with broccoli(Whitelaw). Snack foods like carrots and hummus, fruit… and something else healthy. allergy-free graham crackers can provide your youngster with a filling snack between meals. 

In conclusion, allergies make it hard, so it is important to have a healthy balanced diet that can be done by understanding the allergen source, finding suitable alternatives, using a range of allergen-free foods, and mixing those foodstuffs at meal times. It is necessary to be vigilant through these strategies to ensure an allergen-free childcare feeding environment allows children to consume the proper nutrients and develop as they should.


Disclaimer:  This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted throughout. Feel free to read my Disclaimer Page for details and information on sponsored posts, affiliate links, and more.

When you have a younger brother or sister to take care of, having an older sibling can be both exciting and challenging. This is especially true when there is a new baby in the family. When your parents have to go back to work after taking maternity leave, it’s possible that you’ll have to take care of your younger brother or sister more often than you normally would. It can be a big responsibility caring for your 10 month old baby, but with some tips and guidance, you can do an excellent job of taking care of your little one.

First – Establish a Routine

In the first place, it is necessary to establish a routine for your younger brother or sister. Babies thrive on routine and having a regular schedule can help them feel more secure and at ease in their environment. Make every effort to stick to a schedule that includes regular times for feeding, naps, playtime, and changing diapers. You can also make a chart or use a whiteboard to keep track of your younger sibling’s routine and any important information, such as when they were last changed in their diaper and when they ate the most recently.

Image Credit: Pexels

Second – Have Patience and Understanding

Second, when your younger sibling is being fussy or upset, it is critical to demonstrate patience and understanding toward them. Babies may cry for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include being hungry, uncomfortable, or just plain tired. It is not always easy to calm them down when they are crying. Take a few deep breaths and try to calm down your sibling by using a variety of techniques, such as singing them a lullaby, gently rocking them, or giving them a pacifier.

Third – Have Your Eye on Your Sibling at All Times

Thirdly, make sure that you keep a close eye on your younger brother or sister at all times. Babies need to be watched over all the time. You should take every precaution to ensure that they are safe and sound at all times. Keep them confined in a secure space, such as a playpen or a crib, where they will not be able to crawl or walk away. If you have a younger sibling and need to leave the room, take them with you or ask an adult you can rely on to watch them while you go.

Fourth – Follow Up and Discuss Your Day with Your Parents

Fourthly, make sure that you discuss the care of your younger brother or sister with both of your parents. Inform them of how the day went, any concerns you may have, significant milestones, or developments that have occurred. Ask for advice or direction on how to handle specific situations, such as how to deal with a diaper rash or how to help your younger sibling sleep better. This can be done by going online or talking to people.

Image Credit: Pexels

Fifth – Be Prepared

Fifth, Emergencies and accidents can occur at any time; therefore, it is critical to be prepared. Always be prepared for the unexpected by having a first-aid kit on hand and being familiar with its contents. Additionally, in the event that you need to call for assistance, have the necessary contact information readily available.

Sixth – Practice Good Hygiene

Sixth, it is essential to practice good hygiene. Infants are more prone to catching infections and illnesses than older children and adults, so it is essential to practice good hygiene. Always make sure to wash your hands all the time. But it’s especially important to do so before and after you interact with your younger sibling. Remind everyone else to do the same. Sanitize and clean the toys, bottles, and other items that belong to your younger sibling at all times.

Being a Good Babysitter Also Means Caring For You

In conclusion, do not forget to prioritize your own health and well-being. The responsibility of looking after a younger sibling can be taxing. Make sure to give yourself breaks whenever you feel the need to do so. While your younger sibling is sleeping, choose to read a book, nap, or engage in some other activity that brings you pleasure. Additionally, if you are in a position where you feel overwhelmed or require assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from a responsible adult.

You will be able to provide the best care possible for your younger sibling if you establish a routine, are patient and understanding, supervise your younger sibling, communicate with your parents, and take care of yourself. You will be able to make the time you spend with your younger sibling an enjoyable, rewarding, and memorable experience for both of you if you follow the advice in this article.


Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted throughout. Feel free to read my Disclaimer Page for details and information on sponsored posts, affiliate links, and more.

On January 12th, 2022 – my family and I had the opportunity to visit the Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park and Attractions. It was my first time going to the one in Hollywood, having only been to the one in Orlando. My children have not been to the Hollywood one either, so it was kind of a first-time experience for us all. If you’ve been reading other posts about our recent travel, this vacation included a lot of firsts.

Booking our Adventure

We booked our Universal Studios Hollywood experience through their website more than a month in advance of our trip. Having booked Disneyland Tickets and Reservations, I knew that it would be best to have everything we needed prior to arriving in California, so it was the best choice for my family.

What is the Universal Express Pass?

The Express Pass is a Universal Studios pass that is offered and available for purchase with a paid theme park ticket. At the current time as well as when we purchased our tickets, the 1-Day Universal Express ticket was $189.00 per person. Since my sons are all over the age of 12 – they paid a full fare.

The Universal Express Pass includes the following:

  • One-Time express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show (this is not for every attraction, ride and show and you’ll be told this as you check-in)
  • 1 Day General Admission to the Park (You select the date at checkout and this is only valid for the selected date)

The standard 1-Day General Admission is about $109 (depending on the time of year) so you do pay almost twice the amount with Express, but since we only had one day at Universal, my husband and I wanted to ensure that we were able to accomplish all the things we had planned. Our goal was to get in as many rides as we could so the boys would have a great experience.

What kinds of attractions can we expect?

Like with other theme parks, Universal Studios Hollywood had all kinds of things for all ages. Since we took on the park during January and on a Wednesday, I think that really helped with the number of people that were visiting. While it was busy – it was still not as busy as we had anticipated and for the most part, we were able to get on the rides more than once with minimal wait times.

Food lines were probably the longest wait and many different food vendors were not open since we started our day at the park quite early.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

One of our highlights most definitely had to be the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’m a huge huge Potterhead and have been looking forward to visiting Hogwarts and exploring all the things the space had to offer. Of course, we tried Butterbeer, but outside of that we didn’t really stop and grab any food.

Three Broomsticks was not open while we were there since we stopped at the Wizarding World first upon arrival at the park. The Magic Neep Cart was also not open till well after we left and came back in the afternoon, so we didn’t stop there either. Hog’s Head offered Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer but they were located within Three Broomsticks and we grabbed Butterbeer from a cart located outside. I would have loved to had tried Three Broomsticks, especially since I’m a huge fan of Turkey Legs and Shepherd’s Pie, but unfortunately – we didn’t wait around for them to open.

We rode on the Happy Potter and the Forbidden Journey – TWICE! It was definitely fun and worth it. Keep in mind that it has much more movement throughout the ride than I expected, but I loved it and the boys did as well. You’ll be given a locker that you set with your fingerprint to hold your things. Make sure you utilize that because little things can easily get lost if not locked up.

We also rode the Flight of the Hippogriff – which the boys enjoyed tremendously. They rode it five times before we left the park and while it’s a smaller scale rollercoaster, I think it was fun enough for even a teen to really enjoy.

Jurassic World

We couldn’t go to Universal Studios Hollywood without riding on Jurassic World. The boys enjoyed it and while we did get pretty soaked on the ride, it was a great thrill and definitely fun! Of course – we also had to do the Studio Tour. I did it in Orlando and loved it so I wanted to boys to experience the same kind of fun. They definitely enjoyed it and we had a blast. Of course, we had to take a look at all the awesome Dinosaur things (including Raptors) while in the Lower Lot. Make sure to stop and check out all the different stores, and more in that section, because it can be easy to just leave without a second thought of it.

Visit the Kwik-E-Mart and the gang from the Simpsons or check out Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Another fun thing to do is the DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda. That particular attraction is fun for the whole family because you’re sitting in a theatre-style setting and experiencing everything in a comfy (but moving) seat.

Did we enjoy ourselves?

Sharing this experience with my family was Amazing! Honestly, we didn’t expect the park to be so easy going on that day – but we are thankful since we weren’t rushing. The park opened at 10 am and closed at 5:30 pm so we truly didn’t have as much time there as we would have liked. After the park closed to walked over to CityWalk and grabbed a few yummies like Voodoo Donut.

We grabbed some giant pretzels while out and about through the park and also had a turkey leg from a vendor. I love Turkey Legs, but as much as I did – honestly, Universal’s does not compare to Disney’s. If you are expecting a turkey leg the size of what you get at Disney – you’ll be disappointed. We noticed it was significantly smaller – but still pretty good.

Is Universal Express Worth It?

If you’ve never been to Universal Studios Hollywood before or only have a short time to spend there – YES, I think it is. While it was not busy on the day we went, I definitely can see how it can be crazy during peak times of the year. Quick note – January is really a nice time to go and cool enough to not feel so overwhelmingly hot. Since we only had about 6 hours or so at the park that day – even if the lines were not too bad, we definitely didn’t want to miss out on a thing. If you have a short time to visit and a family, definitely get Express. Since we traveled all the way from Hawaii, I wanted to make sure we could make use of our time there and I wanted to boys to experience all the attractions.

Does Express Pass include Photos?

Unfortunately – the Express Pass does not include photos. While photos were taken of us on some rides, we were able to purchase a digital package (which cost $69). That cost is for one day only and we only had a total of 5 images. I remember visiting Orlando years ago and it was about $20 per image. So I think you do save with the day pass, but it’s still a hefty cost.

Covid-19 Protocol

NOTE: The regulations are a bit different between Universal and Disneyland since Universal Studios is a part of LA County. All persons 5+ must be prepared to show proof of full FDA or WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccination (a full 14 days after final dose was administered) or negative test taken within 24 hours. Regardless of Vaccination status or negative test results, face coverings are required to be worn at all times, both indoors and outdoors when visiting the theme park. The same goes for Universal CityWalk. We removed our mask quickly to take photos and while eating, but always wore a mask throughout the park on our day of visit.

Final Thoughts

Overall – like with any theme park no matter where you go, there will be a ton of walking, long lines and you’ll get your occasional unhappy person. But, this was a first-time experience for my twins Luke and Isaiah and also for Kevin Ka’eo who had gone to Orlando as a baby and really would not have remembered. Since they are old enough to experience these things, it made it so much more memorable. We definitely had a blast and it’s a place we hope to visit again soon.

A few tips for those planning a visit:

  • Make sure you’re dressed comfortably and have comfortable shoes or footwear that you can walk in all day.
  • Bring a small water bottle with you because it’s best to stay hydrated. Many vendors were not available or open when we first entered the park, so it’s best to be prepared.
  • Download the Universal Studios App so you can track your parking location, view dining options and so much more. You don’t get a map when you enter the park. So the app will be your map for directions to restrooms, dining, etc.
  • If you are parking – pay the extra fee for front gate or premium parking. Normal parking is $30. And after a long day of walking, it sucks to walk back to the car with tired kiddos. We paid for Front Gate Parking which was $65. We literally were parked right outside the front gate. When we were ready to leave, we were seconds away from the car. It’s so worth it in my opinion. While we don’t have little travelers, as a mom who traveled with toddlers, I know how much of a challenge it can be after a long day. Pay for the parking, it’s definitely worth it.

Disclaimer: The products featured within this post were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links can and may be posted throughout. Please visit my disclosures page for more info.

We just completed Week 6 of Distance Learning and our daily schedule is starting to become the new norm around here. Last week finished with its fair share of challenges, but I digress. Just a few short weeks before the end of the year and still so many changes are among us. This lockdown is taking its toll, but we’re making it work.

Mother’s Day

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all of the mommies out there. I’m constantly reminded that I am absolutely blessed to be the mother of such fun-loving and interesting littles. This Mother’s Day was especially important because the last few weeks have had me second-guessing myself a lot! While the boys are struggling with learning from home, I’m definitely having a hard time balancing work, teaching school, and managing the house.

Regardless of my struggles – I am so thankful for all that I have and all that I’ve been blessed with. I just wanted to share that, in case there is ever any doubt in anyone’s mind. Mother’s Day was celebrated with great food and even greater company.

Is Hawaii ready to reopen again?

In today’s Podcast Episode I discuss my thoughts on reopening Hawaii and getting back to normal without lockdown. I have a reason for chatting about it since I experienced something interesting this past weekend. You can listen to the Podcast Episode below. Honestly, I think that it’s way too soon to do so and not a good idea. But, if you want to really get my thoughts on the subject, tune in to the segment.

Our Adventures for last week

The twins and Kevin Ka’eo had quite a fruitful schedule last week. Their days were filled with Zoom meetings and there was quite a bit to do. We were so busy we didn’t get a chance to go on more than one walk for the week. I spent a few days out of the week working on jewelry pieces and working through a content schedule. My goal is to get on a better plan for the blog and posting. I’m pretty proud that I’ve been able to keep consistent lately.

On our walk last week we found a gorgeous array of florals lining a neighbors yard. I have seen flowers like these before, but never in a yard. We photographed it to do a little research. It’s called the Moss Rose or Portulaca Grandiflora. It is a succulent flowering plant in the family Portulacaceae, which is native to Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. It is often cultivated in gardens, though I do not recall seeing it in a household garden before. This gorgeous flower has many common names which include: rose moss, ten o’clock, Mexican rose, moss rose and Vietnam rose. Some also call it sun rose, rock rose and moss-rose purslane.

In that one yard, we saw at least 5 different colors. To say that this is a beautiful flower is an understatement. I immediately fell in love with it when I saw it. I hope I can pick up some seeds and plant some in my garden.

Teacher Appreciation Week (last week)

While it seems like the time is dragging when it comes to school, we are all excited that the school year is ending. But, it also makes us a bit sad. Last week Friday we went to the boys’ school to pick up their belongings from their desks. It was such a sweet thing for the boys to experience because staff and teachers were lining the parking lot with signs that said: “We Miss You, We’re Proud of You, We Love You!” I cried because it filled me with so much emotion. I’m incredibly thankful for all that the teachers and staff of the boys’ schools have done for my sons. We all agree that this is not the way we wanted to end the school year. But I’m so grateful for all the teachers and their hard work and support through this uncertain time. I definitely could have not been able to teach the kids without guidance for the last 2 months.

A thank you to the teachers from the twins!

We certainly have a lot to get done this week and a fruitful schedule. But, we are so excited to share our adventures with all of you. What have you been up to lately? Anything new in your World? Wishing you all a wonderful week!