11 Reasons to Drive a Minivan & Love it by Chic Mom Blogger Britney

Hi everyone, my name is Britney and I'm visiting from Britney Dearest. I'm so excited to be guest blogging on "The Chic Stay at Home Mom" today!

Upon reading the title, some of you may be puzzled as to why anyone in their twenties would proudly admit to driving a minivan, let alone enjoy it.

Hear me out before you think I'm crazy!

I was once anti-minivan too. I could not fathom the idea that I would ever drive a van. EVER! A minivan wasn't the right vehicle for this hot, young mama.

How it happened...

In 2011, during the last month of my pregnancy with my youngest son, my family owned two small cars; my husband's black manual 2-door Scion tc & my 4 door Chevy Cavalier. My husband had bought his car brand new and customized and it was his 'baby'. He dreaded the thought of selling it, but knew it was time for a newer, family-friendly vehicle.

I never ever considered a minivan as an option. I was actually searching for a 7 or 8 passenger SUV. My dreams were shattered when my husband said something like, "babe, we're not getting an SUV, we need a van." I probably replied something like, "honey, you have lost your mind if you think I'm gonna be seen driving a VAN." Then, because he's Mr. Logical, he explained all the reasons why a van would be the most practical choice for our family. He was right, but I probably said, "screw that, I'm too young and fly to drive a van!"

A month after the birth of my son, my husband and I contacted my cousin, who at the time was a salesman at a Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership. A couple of weeks after our initial conversation, he called us saying he had something for us; a van that only had one previous owner prior, it was in great condition, had low mileage, yada yada yada...

I was ridiculously dramatic on the way to the dealership. I guess reality had set in. I don't know if it was my postnatal breastfeeding hormones or what, but I cried (literally) and debated with my husband during the entire ride. I realized I may have lost my battle against the minivan and the possibility that I could really be driving one by the end of the day was over whelming for me. I know it seems silly, but I was really stressed out!

I wasn't sold on it until the test drive.

Needless to say, my husband and I became owners of a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited minivan by the end of that day. I named it Pearl, because of it's pretty, light blue pearly color.

Although my ideas of driving a minivan didn't start out so well, I have made it to a great place and now, it's all love and light.

October 11, 2015

Allow me to explain why...

1. Nice aesthetics. Everything on the inside and outside was close to perfection. It looked brand spanking new. The previous owner kept the vehicle in great condition.

2. It drives so smooth. During our test drive, my husband and I were blown away by how smooth the ride was. It was so much better than what we were used to. It still rides pretty good.

3. Entertainment for the kids. Our van has two TV screens that fold down from the ceiling of the van, a remote, and two Bluetooth headphones so I can ride in silence or listen to the radio while the kids listen to their movie. Every now and then we're offered three free months of SiriusXM satellite radio. I love it! I can't wait until the offer comes back around again. Using an auxiliary cord, I can hook up my phone and listen to my own music via YouTube, Pandora, or any other internet radio apps. We also have an electrical power outlet we can turn off and on in the second row.

4. Rear view screen. My kids leave out their bikes and toys in the driveway pretty often, so when I open the garage, I can check the rear view screen to make sure there's nothing and no one behind the van before backing out. It's beneficial in parking lots because in addition to my rear view mirrors, I have another way to check for other vehicles and people walking by. The screen also allows me to control the radio and has the ability to show a movie while the van is in park.

5. It has automatic sliding doors that open and close with the push of a button. Yeah, SUV's are nice at all, but automatic sliding doors are a great feature they lack. I feel like I'm living in luxury when my kids and I are leaving the grocery store, and I tap the button to slide the doors open for the kids before we make it to the car. Instantly following that, I tap the button to open the trunk for the groceries. Then, I tap the button again to close the trunk, while my kids tap the button located inside the van to close the doors. I get that "I'm so fancy" attitude.

While I'm in the back, slaving away.

6. Because  of the sliding doors, I don't have to worry about my kids swinging doors open and scratching or denting cars nearby.

7. Stow-n-Go seating is great. Instead of removing seats, we're able to fold them down into the floor. It has been great for big purchases. I can put a few seats down to load a large item. We have also used the seating at the drive in, changing the trunk into comfortable seating and a spot to lie down.

The larger front row storage compartment has DVDs, change, hand sanitizer, lotion, car sprays, stuff like that.

8. There are useful storage compartments, including a nice sized trunk. There are two glove compartments on the passenger side and two nice sized storage compartments in between the driver and passenger seats. I store DVD's in the larger one and and stuff like loyalty/reward savings cards, baby wipes, lotion, & feminine products in the smaller. I keep my emergency kits and reusable grocery bags in the floor compartments located in the second row. We're able to fit our groceries, wagon, bikes, and scooters in the trunk with ease. In the third row, there's a few holders and areas where the kids store a few of their small toys.

9. There's so much space. My kids can get in and out very easily. When there are three people in the third row seat, it's still comfortable and spacious. On the day of my sister's wedding, when their limo, which was carrying majority of the wedding party including the bride & groom, became stranded on the side of the road {gasp!}, I was able to seat seven of them into my van... and they watched a movie on the way to our destination. :-)

10. Heated Seating. The driver, passenger, and second row seats have heated seating. It's perfect for the colder seasons! Not only am I able to keep my backside warm, but my kids can keep theirs warm as well.

Our emergency kits, reusable bags, and other stuff in the floor.

11. My family loves having a van. My entire family is spoiled by the perks that our Pearl offers. I don't want any other type of vehicle. I would love to upgrade to a 2016 Town & Country. They're so sleek and gorgeous, inside and out. I considered a 2015 Honda Odyssey; for awhile, it was actually my dream family car, however, when I saw the newer Town & Country, with chrome accents and new logo design, I fell deeply in like.

Truth be told, we won't be upgrading to anything newer any time soon. We'll be driving our current van until it can't go anymore, or as some say, "until the wheels fall off!" But it's fun to dream :-)

Third row. Snapping photos as I clean!

Having a van has most definitely changed my opinion. I was so hesitant to own one, but now, I don't want anything else. Well, I would like to have a nice 4-door mid-size sedan, eventually, in addition to my van, but it's not feasible for us right now, so the other alternative we have currently is my husband's Chevy truck.

Yeah, my vehicle screams, "I HAVE A BUNCH OF KIDS!" But that's not an issue for me, I'm a proud Mommy. I don't mind the "soccer mom" references. Regardless of the negative stereotypes and opinions surrounding minivans, my van is what I make it. And I like to believe my family makes it look darn good. :-)

Any other proud "minivans moms" out there? Or, are you considering joining the club? Did I convince you enough? :-) Thanks for reading! And thank you so much to Tia for having me!

In addition to my blog, Britney Dearest, you can also find me {as @BritneyDearest} on Instagram,  Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Mommy & Me Errands by Chic Mom Blogger Tara

It can be extremely challenging managing 3 children under 5 years old. At such a young age patience is very short and they still need lots of attention from mom. My oldest child is 4, and over the years I have learned how to get the most out of my day. We live in Japan and we don’t have that many options for childcare. We’ve decided as a family that it would be best for me to be a SAHM. Often, I have to take all of the children with me to run my errands. I have been forced to get creative with how I keep the kids busy and calm while I get things done.

So just recently browsing around the ¥100 store(dollar store) I found these food stickers. They were super cute with pictures of basic items that you would find in the supermarket.I thought it would be a great idea for the kids to use these to help me make shopping lists! They cannot write yet at 2 and 4, but they can use stickers. I could keep them busy for a few minutes making their lists while I change the baby, and get everyone ready to leave.

The first time I tried it they naturally took every sticker and put it on their lists, that was ok, but then I started thinking about how this might turn into something expensive. This is when I decide to get the 100 count pack of blank labels and just draw out a few items that I really wanted to get from the grocery store that week or the night before (it does not require sophisticated art skills….I have none). This way if they chose every sticker it would not be a big deal, and I actually had a practical list to use once we got in the store.

This is working extremely well for me and now that my 3 month old baby is here I need those few minutes to get my thoughts together. Three car seats! Amazing how spending just ¥100 can change your life.

See more from Tara on her blog, TaraKamiya.com, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Etsy.

Tara Kamiya

I was born and raised in New York City where I later met my husband.

We were chosen by an American reality TV show to have our wedding shown to the world in the form of a competition (Four Weddings season 2). It was a fun experience that has led to many other opportunities.

I am currently a blogger, YouTuber and freelance writer. I’ve been to Canada, Africa, and Costa Rica. I now live with my husband and 3 children in Japan.

To contact Tara email her at kamiyatara@gmail.com

Guest Blogger: Movies with great values for children

Movies with great values for children

These days, there are movies wherever kids go. And as a mother, it seems important to try and guide our children into watching the kind of movies that will help give them great values in life – but which are grounded and realistic about life’s downsides.

This isn’t about particularly encouraging children to watch more movies than they already do of course. Most kids these days watch too much “TV” of one sort or another whether it’s actual TV, DVDs, downloads, movies in the car, and the time-gobbling internet. Add into that mix smart phones and we, as parents, are very much swimming against the tide in trying to limit this stuff. I guess you already know that right!?

So what’s a mother to do? Well instead of trying to fight it – perhaps it’s better to go with the flow but guide their choices, particularly during the very early, most formative years.
A lot of recent movies for young children are a little sickly-sweet and patronizing – where no bad things really happen beyond the obvious setbacks that are all too obviously going to come right in the end.

Older movies are better in this regard. They have genuinely heart-breaking moments which are upsetting but which are part of real-life; scenes like Bambi’s mother being shot, or the young George Baily getting a clip round the ear in “It's a Wonderful Life”. These things happen but not in any modern movie – and that’s a mistake.


Or how about a young Elizabeth Taylor crying her eyes out in “National Velvet” when the Pie falls ill? Of course, she goes onto win the Grand National against all the odds. These days, people in the UK love a bet on the Grand National with Betfair.com because the odds are generally better as Betfair is an exchange with no bookmaker involved. But no-one wants to encourage children to gamble – but we do want them to develop real values that aren’t just sin-deep. So movies like “National Velvet”, “Bambi”, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and others help do that in a way that a lot of modern “pap” simply doesn’t.

*This is a sponsored post.*

Guest Blogger: Sia from Diary of a Fit Mommy

Hi there! My name is Sia Cooper and I run Diary of a Fit Mommy blog. My blog is dedicated to pregnant and postpartum ladies who want to get back into shape, as well as for ladies who want to tone up before getting pregnant! I am currently 7 months along and have been enjoying a healthy and fit pregnancy. Before getting pregnant, I changed my whole entire lifestyle and ended up dropping 45lbs from clean eating alone. I would love to share some tips on how to bounce back to your pre-pregnancy shape after you give birth.

How to Bounce Back After Pregnancy

Bouncing back after pregnancy is quite the challenge for any woman when doing it in a realistic way. How you took care of yourself during pregnancy usually determines how fast or effectively you will “bounce” back. But, sometimes, the idea seems inevitable and impossible. Don’t give up! Anything worth building did not happen overnight, and your transformation is no different!

Diet

Diet plays a huge role in fitness-even more so than the gym, believe it or not! What you decide to fuel your body with is ultimately what you get back into return. My goal for bouncing back after my pregnancy is to lower my carb intake, eat 6 small meals a day, and fuel with my body nothing but water or flavored water.

You can steer clear by focusing on whole grains and unrefined, unprocessed foods. Stay away from any starchy veggies such as white potatoes or white pastas, breads, rice, sweets, and sodas! Instead, aim for whole grains, whole grains, oats, and quinoa. Choose green leafy veggies and veggies filled with colors! I love potatoes and have found a healthy alternative in switching to sweet potatoes instead. If you have a sweet tooth as I do, learn to make healthy alternatives of your favorite guilty pleasures. Simple swaps such as using Splenda instead of sugar, almond or coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour, or even almond or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk can lead to a huge difference!

Eating several small meals a day instead of 3 large meals actually does more for your weightloss than one may think! Think of your body as a fireplace-it NEEDS wood to keep burning a fire, right? Your body is NO different! By supplying your body with 5-6 small meals a day, it keeps your metabolism roaring! It is always working at a constant motion. Also, by eating several meals you become more satisfied and you are less likely to reach in the cupboards for more food or swing by the drive-thru window.

Water is very important to losing the baby weight because it flushes those fat cells and toxins out of your system. It also keeps you feeling full in between your small meals. The best way to calculate how much water you need daily is simple! Take your body weight in pounds and divide by half. That is the number in ounces of water that your body requires at a minimum. So, if you weigh 120lbs, you will need to drink at least 60oz of water per day to supply all of your bodily functions.

Exercise

Exercise goes hand in hand with diet; you simply cannot do one without the other and expect a perfect transformation.  I lost 45lbs through dieting alone, but I was left skinny with zero muscle definition. Once I started weight straining, I noticed my body changing and becoming powerful. I continued strength training and cardio throughout my pregnancy and will do so after my baby is born as a part of my postpartum fitness plan. To get back to your pre-pregnancy shape, there are a few workouts and exercises that I highly recommend! 

One huge workout tip-always pair cardio with strength training. Cardio will be your best friend after your give birth to baby. My favorite and most effective form of cardio is running! Take a jog with your baby in the stroller, or if you can get some alone time, head to the gym and run on the Elliptical. I also love running outside on the track and using the MapMyRun app for iPhone which tells you how many miles you run, calories burned, etc. If you are not a runner, simple jogging or even walking in the evenings will help you out more than you know. Swimming is another form of amazing cardio that won’t leave you sweaty and breathless.

Strength training for me consists of the bench press, squatting with free weights, bicep curls with barbells, and using the leg press machine at the gym (love that thing!). Start off with a lighter weight and slowly work your way up. You will notice your body adjusting to the weight as you go on. That is when you know it’s time to vamp things up! One common myth is that weightlifting will make you bulky- we do not have the genes or hormones to become bulky like men! Do not believe this myth. Other great forms of exercises that I enjoy and would be great to use postpartum are pilates, yoga, CrossFit, etc. Find what works for you.

Most importantly, to bounce back after pregnancy, you must stay motivated! I always make it a point to do my workouts first thing in the morning before anything else. It is my priority! Set your alarms, lay out your workout clothes the night before, and mentally prepare yourself for your transformation that is to come.

You can follow me at:

 My blog: Diary of a Fit Mommy

Facebook

Pinterest: 

Also, if you would like more information on eating clean and clean eating recipes, I have a few eBooks that you can view on Amazon here.

Summer Vacation Tips for the Family

5 Tips for a Summer Vacation Every Family Can Enjoy

Between the planning, packing, and getting everyone else ready, family vacations can get a little stressful before the trip even begins. However, with the right preparations, every family trip can be smooth sailing and stress free. The key, as in all matters of motherhood, is to plan ahead, but not over-plan so much that you have to hand out a daily newsletter.  

• Tip 1: A family travels on its belly.  The key to avoiding cranky kids (and parents) is to make sure everyone is eating frequently and eating the right things.  Plan ahead by packing portable snacks like pretzels and fruit.  This will help avoid some impulse buys and too many sugary snacks along the way. Even if you have to take stops and grab something on-the-go you should still make healthy fast food decisions to avoid the repercussions later!

• Tip 2: The next key to a successful family vacation in making sure everyone gets enough rest.  This may mean paying a little bit more, but it is more than worth it in the end.  Typical family destinations, such as many Orlando hotels, are rife with family-friendly packages (including quiet hours policies!)  However, if you are traveling more off the beaten path, be sure to pick lodging that is not too low-budget.  While the cost may seem too good to resist while you are planning, it is all for naught if your room faces the pool bar someplace with no quiet hours.

• Tip 3: Don’t forget the hand sanitizer.  What mom worth her weight would travel without it?  You bought it and packed it, now don’t forget to use it.  Did you know airplanes don’t get a real thorough cleaning until their last stop of the day?  If your flight leaves at 4:00pm, then that plane has been a sort of germ incubator all day.  Don’t be paranoid, but be prepared.

• Tip 4: All the good done for our spirits while we are on vacation can be undone so easily with a bad “reentry” into real life.  Consider coming home a day earlier.  Let the whole family rest, sleep well and eat a couple normal meals before having to get back to school and work.

• Tip 5: Finally, remember to take some grown-up time.  Take turns with the kids to give each other some alone time or get a bottle of wine and some plastic glasses to enjoy on the hotel balcony after the kids pass out.  

So, after all the prep work is done, remember the most important rule of family vacations: slow down and enjoy the time together!  (That and use lots of sunscreen.  That’s one of the most important rules too, of course.)  

*This post was written by Kendra, former Orbitz Director of Communications and promoted into full time position in the care of Motherhood.

H-E-B Little Texans Tour

I am so pleased to announce that I have been asked to be a guest speaker during the HEB Little Texans Tour. The tour will take place at several of the HEB locations throughout the San Antonio area and Sea World. There will be product demonstrations, exclusive discounts, activities for kids and of course guest speakers! Sounds fun, right?

I will be apart of the following tour dates:

May 5, 2013 - HEB
May 6, 2013 - HEB
May 8, 2013 - HEB
May 11, 2013 - Sea World

Please check the HEB  site for the addresses for the dates I provided. I would love to meet some of my readers! Thank you again to everyone who supports this blog. It has always been my dream to stay at home with my kids but still do meaningful work. I am beyond appreciative that doors have been opening for me. I am a living example that living in your purpose and having faith will indeed move mountains. Have a great weekend every one! I may get a style post up tomorrow so please check back! 

Witness For Fitness: Guest Blogger

Tighten Up After Baby

Going through a pregnancy and bringing a child into this world can be one of the most life-altering events you'll ever experience. While exercise maybe the last thing on your mind while nurturing your infant, it is extremely beneficial to be conscious of it and incorporate it into your daily routine. Exercise after pregnancy will help reduce the stress and anxiety of caring for a newborn, give you more energy, and get those muscles toned back up. While you don't need to jump on the treadmill immediately after birth, you should be thinking about starting or maintaining a fitness routine by the time the baby is a few months old, if not sooner.  Exercising doesn’t have to be expensive either.  There are a number of exercises that will target the areas typically affected by pregnancy- and on a budget!

Kegels

If you had a natural birth, Kegel exercises are invaluable to getting your inner "parts" tightened back up to allow increased bladder control. Kegels are easy to do and virtually undetectable, so you can actually do them while out and about. Just squeeze your pelvic floor muscles as if you are trying to stop urine flow. Hold for three seconds or longer, release and repeat. Try to squeeze them in several times a day. 

Before starting exercises more intense than kegels, stretching, or walking, consider consulting your doctor. Your doctor can provide the best recommendations and advice for you when it comes to post-partum exercises. I had a great relationship with my doctor during my whole term; he was involved in helping me make optional decisions for my birthing plan, like pain medications, breastfeeding, cord blood banking, and immunizations, then was also great about helping me plan out a post-delivery diet and exercise plan.

Abdominal Strengtheners

Abdominal exercises are the best way to tighten up your unfit tummy. Pelvic tilts are a gentle way to work up to doing crunches or sit-ups. I’ve always been one to hate doing ab workouts, but love the results of them. Pelvic tilts are a great way to start back into ab workouts, but also a great one to continue when you work up to doing more vigorous exercises. Perform pelvic tilts by lying on your back with your knees bent. Inhale and tighten you stomach and bottom muscles while tilting your pelvis up and inward, keeping your lower back on the floor. Hold for five counts, then release as you exhale.

As your abs gain strength, you can progress to a crunch, which begins in the same position as a pelvic tilt. Place the hands behind the head or neck, elbows straight out. Be careful not to pull on your neck with your arms. Inhale as you slowly lift your shoulders a few inches off the floor, tightening your abs. Slowly release as you exhale. You can do crunches slow and controlled, or you can stay in the lifted position and pulse up toward the knees for 10 quick counts, then release. You can also work the oblique muscle by lifting one elbow toward the opposite knee, engaging the side abdominal muscles.

Thigh Strengtheners

Squats are an ideal exercise for new moms for a couple of reasons. First, they require no equipment so you can do them while chatting on the phone in your kitchen, or anywhere else. Second, you can do them while spending quality time with your newborn by placing the baby in a front carrier. Babies are often soothed by the up and down motion, and they love to be close to mommy. The next time your baby is fussy, or you are feeling like you need to blow off some steam, try a couple of squats.

To perform a squat, place your feet about shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward. Lower the bottom half of your body down and back, like you are about to sit in a chair. Squeeze your bottom and thigh muscles as you lift back up to a standing position. You can work different muscles by placing the feet a little wider apart and pointing the toes out, away from the body. Lower down into a squat, squeeze those inner thighs and lift up to standing.

With these exercises helping you work back into better shape, you will soon be feeling more energized and ready to move on to more strenuous workouts. You will be slimmed down and back to your pre-pregnancy weight before you know it and feeling healthy for yourself and your baby. 

“Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.” 

Party Pooper: A Short Story

I had the pleasure of writing a short story for MommeMag. They are a new online magazine aimed at celebrating motherhood. Please head over to their site and check out my story along with a few others. Happy Monday!

Oh. And the sleep situation at my house is still killing me. I haven't been feeling well these past few days and I do believe it's because I haven't been sleeping well. They don't call it beauty sleep for nothing! Let me know what you think about the short story and feel free to share a funny story of your own in the comments!

Chic Obsessions: Baby Essentials with Guest Blogger Baby Teems

Classic Muslin Swaddle Blankets by aden + anais® 

So you finally got your swaddle down? You're on to your last wrap and tuck but don't have enough cloth. Rats! Now you have to start all over again. LOL, Well, the classic muslin blankets by aden + anais solved all of my problems. No more fighting with odd-shapped blankets. The muslins are large, perfectly square, and get softer with every wash. You will find the cost easy to justify with its versatility. During the summer months I have also used these blankets as a car seat cover and a receiving blanket.

Easy Expression™ Bustier By Medela 

Even though I am a SAHM, I pump. If you haven't discovered yet...pumping can be annoying. Once you get the hang, there is little need to monitor your flow. Instead of being bored, why not make the best of the next 10-20 minutes? I suggest you go hands-free and watch some tv, tweet, text, or update your Facebook status. You might not want to tell the world what you're doing though. LOL, Hands-free pumping will be your little secret to productivity. I already own a Medela pump so the this bustier was the perfect compliment. 

Ergo Baby Carrier

Baby wearing helps my son feel secure and in the mix while letting me be hands-free. I actually prefer grocery shopping with my carrier. There is only one cart to push and more room. Although I love wrap carriers, my Ergo is a fave because its durable, quick to put on, yet manly enough for my husband. I also love having pockets and the option to wear it on our back. There are many chic colors to choose from!

Chicco KeyFit Caddy

 When my husband and I made our fancy stroller purchase, people suggested we get one strictly for the infant car seat. I was dead set against it due to cost and storage. However, in less than 4 weeks we gave in and bought the KeyFit Caddy. Everyone was right. It is quick, light, and super convenient. This was a much better purchase for the earlier months. Although my stroller has an adaptor for the car seat, it's just not as easy to pull up to a table or maneuver through small stores like the caddy. I love the cup holders and large storage below. There is also a little hidden compartment up top. I use that for hand sanitizer which is good to have before you pick up the baby in public. 

Pronto! Changing Station by Skip Hop

  

This changing pad is by far my favorite item ever! The Skip Hop Changing Station is affordable, sleek, and stylish. It is designed like wristlet/clutch- so perfect for a chic mom! In fact, I use it so much that I tend to keep my baby bag in the car. I am no longer afraid to change my son in public. I even use this on top of changing stations in the restroom. It is easy to clean and makes me feel a little more sanitary. One of the best buys you could ever make.

Thanks for letting me share my top 5 chic obsessions for the first 5 months. I hope you enjoyed it! 

Feel free to stop by Baby Teems where my expectations meet experience in a candid journey through motherhood. 

Guest Post: My Toddler is Public Friendly...

My toddler is public-friendly…

I know you're probably wondering what a public-friendly toddler is.

Read the full story over on the Baby Teems blog, I'm her guest blogger for the day!!! :-)