inspired by true events

A couple of weeks ago when I [Andi] was working at the shop, two ladies came in one right after the other looking for a baby gift.

For a Mom who was not cloth diapering.

Well, let me tell you - they came to the right place! I don't know how many times I have said it already, but I'll say it again: We are not just about the cloth diapers. We are SO much more!

I was able to give both of those ladies about a dozen options to choose from that would be beneficial for a gift for a non-cloth-diapered baby.

Yup. A dozen!

So for those of you wanting to support a local business but thinking there's nothing for you here if you don't cloth diaper - think again! I'm going to give you a brief run-down on some products that just may interest you!

1. Glup Bebe St. Bernard Scarves. Need a drool bib for your sweet babe? The Glub Bebe St. Bernard scarf is a thicker terrycloth teething bib. Designed for the peak of an infant's teething stage when dribble is heaviest. It has a Velcro fastener and is made almost entirely of organic cotton. Or try our Bummis Best Ever Bibs as another option!

2. Delish Yum Bum Butter. Yum Bum Butter is a cloth diaper safe, diaper rash cream formulated with natural cocoa and shea butters, oils, and essential oils that heal diaper rash, and keep their bums baby soft. Many mamas use it for so much more than diaper rash. Eczema, psoriasis, cradle cap, cracked skin all over the body, elbows and heels all benefit from this "miracle"! You may also be interested in our Body & Baby Lotion!

3. The Pookie Toquie. Proudly made in Canada, the Pookie Toquie is a multi-functioning and fully reversible sock hat sized to fit babies 0-3 years old. With cozy fleece on one side and a cute sock style on the other, this adorable toque will keep little ones warm during Canadian winters. The unique design can be worn in countless styles, including The Executive, the Donald Trump Comb-Over, and the Princess Leia. Perfect for these chilly fall days!

4. Reusable Swim Diapers. I know, I know...I said these were gifts for NON-cloth-diapering moms. Well, you don't have to cloth diaper to use a reusable swim diaper. No other supplies are needed to successfully use these swim diapers. Simply use it instead of a disposable one and wash and re-use. Pair it up with one of our Colibri Wet Bags if you'd like!

5. The Wubbanub. Need I say more? I don't, but I will! These are adorable soothers that are hard to lose and anchors well on baby's chest. Easy for baby to grab, simple to clean...and cute to boot!

6. Knotted Statement Necklaces. Here is a perfect way to simplify your life as a hot mama -- a gorgeous accessory for you and a perfectly safe and durable chew toy for your teething babe!

7. Amber. Okay, this one is a win-win for anybody at anytime. Baltic amber teething necklaces are made for wearing (not chewing) when a baby is teething. The warmth from the skin releases the active ingredient in the Baltic amber, succinic acid. Recent scientific research has proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human body. It improves immunity and the balance of acids when absorbed into the bloodstream, it stimulates the thyroid glands to help reduce drooling and soothes red inflamed cheeks. Amber's anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties are recognized by allopathic medicine as a natural analgesic, which will help to relieve teething pain and calm a baby without resorting to drugs. The skin's warmth releases healing oils from the amber, a resin, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. As some sources may tell you raw vs polished or light vs dark may work better, but we believe that is a myth. They all have the same amount of succinic acid in them. Get them in adult sizes too! Or try Hazelwood as another option as well.

8. Soother Clips. If your baby needs a soother then the last thing you want to be doing is frantically searching for the plug. This soother clip is made using waxed cotton cord knotted around raw wood beads [made from the Ash Tree in sunny Crimea, Ukraine!]. The metal clip is sturdy, yet opens easily. Once closed around some fabric the grip is impressive. Kristin has intentionally given the larger beads a larger space between the knots to allow the beads to slide, making the soother clip a bit of a toy, too. It's all about dual-purpose! We love that it can also fit around the Wubbanub nicely.

9. jChews Chocolate Bar Teether. The guilt & dairy free Chocolate Bar. 100% BPA free silicone Chocolate Bar teethers that babies really want to sink their teeth into. Jellystone Designs has created a fun way to help your baby teethe with baby’s first Chocolate Bar! All of the fun of chocolate with none of the guilt! Chocolate Bar jChews are soft on gums and ideal for teething babies. Try them in the Skateboard or Smart Phone option too!

10. Sweater Babies. Made from felted wool sweaters and filled with clean carded local organic Nova Scotia wool, these dolls are the perfect size for little hands to hold and cuddle.

11. Baby Carrier. Going in on a bigger group gift? Why not give the gift of one of our many baby carrier options. From Ring Slings to Stretchy Wraps to Woven Wraps to Structured Carriers, there's something for every budget!

12. Mini Doll Carrier. How about a gift for the older sibling of a new baby? The Boba Mini or the Chimparoo Mini Wrap or the Over the Rainbow Doll Wrap are all great options for that new Big Brother or Big Sister.

So - there you have it! A dozen baby gift ideas for the non-cloth-diapering Mama.

Change of hours for November 11th, 2014

Please note that to respect our fallen soldiers, we will be closed for the morning of Tuesday November 11th and will be open 1pm to 6pm.

We are located at 230-600 St Anne's Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Always open online at www.tinytreehugger.ca.

Fall Faves: Part II

I have a couple more items that are great for fall that I wanted to highlight for you all!


First up: There's just something warm & cozy about these sweet little, eco-friendly, waldorf inspired sweater babies. Made from felted wool sweaters and filled with clean carded local organic Nova Scotia wool, these dolls are the perfect size for little hands to hold and cuddle. What baby wouldn't want to snuggle up with one of these?

 And, okay, have you seen two of the newest prints for the Colibri snack & sandwich bags?
School may very well be in full swing, but that doesn't mean it's too late to grab up these new prints!

Hockey season is upon us - what better time to surprise your hockey fan next time he or she opens their lunch bag at school!

And mustaches are still all the rage. This one was a must-have for me [Andi] the moment I saw it.

Why not add them both to your collection?

[A few more fall favorites coming soon in our next newsletter. Watch your email later on this week!]

Fall Faves: Part I

 With the change of seasons, we are saying good-bye to sunscreen, mosquito spray & sunhats...BUT that doesn't mean we still don't have products to meet your fall needs!

By now you're probably already aware of the adorable Pookie Toquie that we sell at the shop, right? Totally adorable. And really effective at keeping your little one warm in the cold months that are coming up right around the corner.

Well, we are happy to say that we have increased our Pook collection for your shopping pleasure!









First of all, now it's not just your toddler that can have the luxury of such a multi-functioning hat! Now the rest of the family can too! Yes, it's true! We have them in a bigger size now that fits from age 4 and up! The same reversible feature, the same multi-functioning...the same Pook, just bigger!





And your head won't be the only thing cozy and warm this fall/winter. We are also pleased to introduce Pook Dukes to our store. Available in 3 sizes - Baby Dukes [with no thumb holes to worry about!], Junior Dukes & Adult Pook Dukes - grab a pair for everyone in the family!

 

And finally...calling all Jets hockey fans...we have Hockey Sockeys available in kids & adults sizes. You don't want to miss out on getting one of these bad-boys!


So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Tiny TreeHugger (online or visit us in-store!) to get yours!

Workshops - they're a-coming!

Curious about cloth diapers?
Not sure where to start? Or what type of cloth diapers to purchase? How many?

What about poop? And wash routines? And rashes?
Start up costs? Savings? 

  

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Curious about babywearing?
Not sure where to start? Or what babycarrier to purchase?

Have a babycarrier you need help with?

Wondering why we recommend tummy to tummy for front carriers?

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We know it can all sound overwhelming to parents who are thinking about going down the road of cloth diapering or seeing what babywearing is all about.

That's why we at Tiny TreeHugger have workshops from time to time so you can get the information you need before you make any of your big purchase decisions.

We are excited to announce that we have 2 workshops coming up in the month of September - 1 for cloth diapering and 1 for babywearing.

Check out our Workshops section on our website for more information on costs, special offers and how to register! 

Back to School...it's only a couple of weeks away!

Okay, so here's the deal - like it or not, back-to-school is right around the corner. I'll admit, part of me likes it...and part of me doesn't.

But regardless, nothing can be done about the passing of time. We CAN make back-to-school fun though, at least in one small way...and that's lunches!

You are probably all familiar by now with our line of Colibri Snack & Sandwich Bags - complete with the new Wide Snack Bag great for storing wraps, cutlery, or even to use as a pencil case at their desk! Two of the newest patterns - the Foxes and Glasses both shown below - are my own personal favorites. I have bought one of each of them to surprise my girls with when they open their lunches on their first day back at school!

Other than the first & last days of school [and their birthdays] where I make their lunches for them, my girls are on their own for packing up their noon meal. Having fun patterned bags like these have helped make the job a little less like a chore.

But hang on to your britches...we have GREATLY expanded our littlerless lunch selection at our shop! I hardly even know where to start. Just take a look at the pictures below and go ahead and try to decide which ones to get!

[HINT: It may be easier to just buy a little bit of everything!].

Up first we have the Splash Box by ECOlunchbox and the Blue Water Bento Lunch Bag. The stainless steel lunchbox bottom with a plastic-free silicone lid [that is easy for kids to open & close] fits beautifully in the organic cotton lunch bag, making these a great pair of items for your child.

 

Then we have the ECOlunchbox stainless steel sets - from a three-in-one stacking rectangle set to the circular tri-bento pack to the ECOdipper for the smaller snacks to the stainless steel spork...it really is all you need for those school lunches.

And how do you carry all of the stainless steel containers? In your soft ECObento bag, of course! We have a variety of sizes and designs [starting with the snacksack, the lunchwrap or the bentobag which perfectly fits the round stainless steel container]  - and even cloth napkins to seal the deal!

All of these litterless lunch options are great for your kids in school or daycare - as well as for Mom & Dad to take to work! Get the whole family involved with litterless lunches and do it in style with all of the options here at Tiny TreeHugger.

Visit us on Facebook here or find us on Instagram! [@tinytreehugger]

Guest Bloggers: It could be you!

From time to time I [Andi] write up reviews on products I have tried from Tiny TreeHugger. Unfortunately, since my 'babies' are no longer babies, there are a lot of products that don't fit with the age of my family. For that reason - among others - it would be fantastic to get many outside people participating in doing blog write-ups for Tiny TreeHugger. Afterall, variety is the slice of life...and you only want to read about MY opinion so many times before you're ready for someone else's perspective!  :)

From time to time we have had guest bloggers, but we are looking to amp that up on a much more regular basis. That means we need you - yes, YOU - to help us out!

So, we decided to start up a bit of a Guest Blogger Incentive Program. Anybody who does a guest blog post for us - that gets published - gets entered into a draw to win a $25 Gift Certificate to our shop. Draws will be done monthly as long as there is a minimum of 4 participants in that given month...if not, your name will get rolled over into the next month's draw.

So how do you go from here? Easy! Send us an email with your post/review [we love it when you include pictures of you and/or your littles using our products to go along with it], fill out a simple questionnaire which we will feature alongside your post and voila!

Entries will be posted using our discretion, and by emailing us you authorize us to use your post/pictures in part or in whole either at the time it was emailed or at a future date. Posts may also be edited if they too greatly exceed 250 words.

Email your write-ups to Pam at pamj @ tinytreehuggerdiapers.com or Andi at andi @ tinytreehuggerdiapers.com [no spaces] with "GUEST BLOGGER" in the subject line. We can then email you the questionnaire to fill out and then sit back and check the blog regularly to see when yours will be published! Don't forget your picture[s]!!

[Blog posts can include product reviews, your cloth diapering story, or anything else related to TTH and your family!]

~Andi

#thatsawrap

The picture says it all - come on down to 230-600 St. Anne's Road (or place your order online) - to take advantage of this #thatsawrap promo! Runs through to Sunday, July 6th.

Tiny TreeHugger Current Events

Swap
Saturday, April 12th
https://www.facebook.com/events/617498004971924/
Location - Evangel Chapel Church - 1073 St Mary’s Road
Time - 9 -11AM DROP! 12 - 1:30PM SWAP!
**READ FULL DESCRIPTION in the link!**

All About Cloth Diapering Workshop
Saturday, April 12th
Location - Room 230 - 600 St Anne's Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Building - Seine River Professional Centre
Time - 3:30 - 5:30pm
**One hour virtual one on one sessions available too.**
Please register on our website - http://www.tinytreehuggerdiapers.com/item_284/All-About-Cloth-Diapering.htm

Westman Baby Fair
Saturday, May 10th
Location - Keystone Centre Manitoba Room in Brandon, Manitoba
Time - 10 - 4pm
**FREE ADMISSION**

New to TTH: Spring Edition Part II

Yesterday we posted about some new products in our shop that are perfect for the spring/summer season and promised that more was yet to come! So without making you wait any longer...

Let's see a show of hands...who is ready for picnics in the warm sunshine? Of course these next two items are also useful for everyday school/work lunches, but I can't get warm weather out of my head so that's how I'm imagining them being put to use!

There has been a lot of buzz about these SmashBox Collapsible Lunchboxes which are perfect for on-the-go outings. If you are using them for indoor uses, they can go from freezer to microwave - but how perfect are they for picnic lunches? These boxes are collapsible which is great for storage, and they even come with a reusable "spork". What more do you need?



You have all heard me rant and rave about the Snack & Sandwich bags that we carry...but did you know we now have a third size to offer you? Colibri (formerly known as The Sling Sisters) came out with the Wide Snack Bag to add to the collection. These are perfect for packing wraps, or to hold utensils for your lunch. Of course they can be used for non-food-related things as well, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste or make-up accessories.

[You can find other Litterless Lunch options here...]

And how many of you are counting down till your first beach day?? Of course you all know about both the AMP and AppleCheeks swim diapers that we stock - but we now carry a third option...you know, just to make your decision that much tougher! Introducing the Bummis Swimmi, available in 3 different sizes and 5 fun prints. Your babe is sure to be the talk of the waterfront with their stylish bottom!


Bummis didn't stop there with their swim line, though. We have carried their sun hats for awhile already, but new to their line are these co-ordinating UV tees and tankinis! With a UPF rating of 50 and specially woven fabric to offer natural protection, these are some beach attire items you can really get on board with!




So there you have it! Yet another amazing selection of BRAND NEW products that you can find at Tiny TreeHugger.

**And don't forget that not only can you order online [as always]...BUT we are now open Tuesdays 10am-6pm and Wednesdays-Saturday 10am-3pm [CLOSED Sundays & Mondays] at our new storefront in Winnipeg! Find us at 230-600 St. Anne's Road in the Seine River Professional Building on the second floor.**

New to TTH: Spring Edition Part I

I think it's safe to say that we are all waiting on the edge of our seats for spring to arrive - you know, weather-wise, not just calendar-wise. It's been a long haul this winter [at least for us Manitobans!], and we deserve a quick change of seasons to reward us for what we've had to go through the past several months.

So while we're getting ready to dust off our ballet flats, lawn chairs and BBQ's, what about adding to your spring repertoire with some of Tiny TreeHugger's newest products?

That's right...we have MORE new goodies available to you. Pam just doesn't stop with bringing in new and exciting products to meet the needs of our valuable customers. And a lot of them have come in great timing since they can be put to great use in spring and summer!

First up are two new Boba accessories that are a must-have for the in-between seasons. If you're wearing your baby/toddler on a walk to the park but just need an extra bit of cozy warmth - why not choose to snuggle in together with either the Boba Hoodie or the Boba Vest.  Complete with comfortable material, convenient pockets and other features, these are fabulous to have on hand. We have been cooped up far too much this winter - get ready to break out as soon as possible!

[And don't forget about the new Boba 4G too!]

What about when you get hungry or thirsty while out with your kiddos? We've got you covered! We now sell GORP bars in our shop - endurance bars made in Manitoba full of locally grown ingredients. Perfect for when you're on the go and need a filling yet healthy snack!

And nothing beats a cold drink of water on a hot summer's day [okay, well maybe a Pepsi slurpee...]. When you reach for that water bottle to quench your thirst, why not make it an Eco Vessel water bottle, available in two sizes and several colors. Whether you're at the gym, the park or the beach, these babies will keep your water cold for many hours. The "Boulder" Insulated Bottle is able to hold up to 750ml and will keep your water cold for 36 hours (!!!). It will also retain heat for up to 12 hours, if you want to use it for soups or hot beverages. If you like loose tea, then this is the bees knees for you - it has a remover tea strainer! Or an ice dam for those who like their drinks chilled with ice. And of course we have a smaller version, the "Frost" Insulated Kid's Bottle (400ml) for the kiddos, including an easy-sip straw.

Believe it or not - that's not all we have new in the shop! Stay tuned for Part II coming soon...!!

**And don't forget that not only can you order online [as always]...BUT we are now open Tuesday 10am-6pm and Wednesday-Saturday 10am-3pm [CLOSED Sundays & Mondays] at our new storefront in Winnipeg! Find us at 230-600 St. Anne's Road in the Seine River Professional Building on the second floor.**

Birth Roots and Tiny TreeHugger BONUS until March 25 2014

Birth Roots and Tiny TreeHugger are happy to offer a bonus between March 19 and March 25, 2014

 

If you register and pay for an Infant Massage Class series or a Baby & Me Yoga Class series you will receive a $5.00 gift code to use on anything at Tiny TreeHugger (in the retail store or online).

 

Classes are offered at both Birth Roots locations: 

83 Sherbrook and 600 St Anne's. 

Register now with Birth Roots!

Details - The $5 gift code will be emailed out to all registrations that apply to this special offer. If you have any additional questions please call or email 204-792-6769 or info@birthrootsdoulas.com

Amanda on #AMPdiapers

I love my AMP diapers.

It was not my idea to cloth diaper. My husband really wanted to cloth diaper. So, for a person who is skeptical about cloth diapering, as I was, these are the diapers for you.

There are many great qualities of AMP cloth diapers. They are soft, great colour choices, they fit well, they hold messes in amazingly well, and the quality is awesome. I had a good friend tell me some cloth diaper basics before we had our first son and we figured AMP sounded like a good option and we liked that they were (and are still) made in Winnipeg.

We primarily bought the One Size Duo™ pocket diapers, because we wanted our diapers to grow with our child and to be able to stuff them with how much fluff we needed at any given time. That being said, I was getting a little tired with always stuffing fluff inside the pocket (which you don't have to do, but we liked that the inserts didn't shift around if they were placed inside the pocket). So, we tried a couple of Hook and Loop Stay Dry All In One's (AIO) and a couple Snap Stay Dry AIO's. Love that I do not have to stuff them. My husband prefers the hook and loop and I prefer the snap.

Our second is wearing a Snap Stay Dry AIO (pictured), that our first son wore and as you can see is wearing well and let me tell you, has been put to the test. I have a great stash of cloth diapers and don't need more, but every time I see a new colour or print for AMP, I want to have it. I recommend any of the AMP diapers.

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Thanks for the write-up, Amanda! If anyone else is interested in being featured on our blog please let us know! Email Andi at andi@tinytreehuggerdiapers.com.

Teaching Responsibility

A while back one of our Facebook statuses was "What kinds of chores do you give your kids? (And what ages are they?)" The responses we got were as follows:

Jen said: "My son is 21 months, and he tidies his toys, stacks his books, and helps put his diapers in the cupboard whenever I do laundry. He loves helping!"

Jessica said: "My 5 yr old feeds and waters the dog and birds wipes down the table and helps clear the table after dinner. My 3 yr old picks up toys puts dirty clothes in the laundry cleans the lint trap etc. They are great helpers."

Deborah said: "My 2.5 year old helps set the table and clear it. She helps with her toys. She tries to help with sweeping."

And we can't forget what Krista had to say: "A's primary job is making laundry and she is on floor dirt patrol, she cleans all dirt/rocks/food/etc that she finds. We are hoping she will be as detailed orientated when she needs to use a broom or vacuum instead of her mouth. She's 10 months. : )"  


Kids as young as two (and even younger) are capable of helping out with things around the house as these few comments have shown. So what kinds of things do YOUR kids help out with?

I came across an article (yes, on Pinterest) entitled "The Key to Avoiding Entitlement." I encourage you to read it in its entirety, but the main message it was getting across was to stop doing stuff for your kids that they can do for themselves! Otherwise they are developing a sense of entitlement that won't serve them well as they get older.

What are your thoughts on this? Should kids - whatever their ages - be encouraged to do everything that they are able to do for themselves? Or is it still okay for parents to do things for our kids? It could be for a variety of reasons - maybe we just don't have time (or the patience) to let them do things themselves. Or maybe, quite simply, we WANT to do things for them.

In my personal experience with my own daughters (they are 8 and 10), they thrive on responsibility. Sure, this doesn't mean they won't complain about it from time to time - but I believe it serves a purpose to allow them to feel a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.

Two years ago - when they were in Grade 1 and Grade 3 - I stopped making their school lunches for them. I decided that this was a "chore" that they could take on themselves on a daily basis. I am happy to say that almost a year later (we started in March) this is still going strong. They do it all from start to finish - they get everything out of the fridge and cupboards, they make their sandwiches, put things in containers, and clean everything up afterwards. It took a little while for them to get into the groove but kids are quick learners and now it's like second nature for them. I have a list on the fridge that reminds them of what all needs to go in their lunch and they are good to go!

I have a ways to go yet to instill other regular chores in my kids - but I'm working on it! Dusting, vacuuming, emptying the dishwasher, folding laundry - these are all things that they are capable of doing. I don't think that kids need to run the household just because they can - afterall, kids should still have time to be kids - but instilling the value of hard work and responsibility are things they can carry with them as they grow up, leave the nest and start a home of their own.

(Our Snack & Sandwich bags are great for making lunches - and you can read my review of them here.)

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My name is Andrea (Andi) and I have the privilege of working part-time alongside Pam to help her with "a little of this and a little of that" as she strives to bring superb customer service to all of you through her Tiny TreeHugger business.

I am a 34-year-old mostly stay-at-home mother of two girls (aged 8 and 10) and have been happily married for 11 years. I am a Pepsi-loving, game-playing, guitar-learning, Nutella-craving girl [among many other things that make me ME]. I cloth-diapered my girls when they were babies and enjoyed the cost savings as well as the feeling of helping the environment - one cloth diaper at a time.

Thanks for checking in and I'll see you again both on this blog and on Facebook!

you can run...but you can't hide!!

How sweet is this ad for The Potty Pant by Bummis? Totally sweet! You know what else is sweet? We now stock these in our shop!

True story!

So how do the Bummis Potty Pants differ from cloth diapers? They're the perfect in-between 'pant' when your child no longer needs the thick absorbancy of a full diaper but where you still get the peace of mind that a mess won't be made wherever you go when you're in the first stages of potty training...because, as we all know - accidents happen!

Here are some special features of the Potty Pant:

• Very trim – can easily be worn under clothing. No fluffy bums here!
• Looks like underwear – let your little one feel like a big kid! Easy on, easy off.
• Accidents? No problem. Two hidden absorbent layers where it counts. One layer of long loop cotton terry and one layer of microfiber. Training takes practice!
• Soft lining made of natural cotton-hemp fabric for maximum comfort and to allow for that helpful sensation of wetness.
• Outer layer of waterproof fabric prevents leaks.
• Stretchy lightweight side panels make for a trimmer fit, ultimate comfort and greater adjustability. Will accommodate wee ones of all sizes – from skinny minis to chunky monkeys!
• Different sizes allow for a perfect fit. Most kids will potty train within a few months and will probably wear the same size throughout the process.

Available in Pistachio Dot, White, and Denim Dot AND they come in 4 sizes - ranging from 

Small [18-25lbs] to X-Large [35lbs and up].

Do YOU have a child nearing this daunting [yet exciting] time? You can run from it...but you can't hide - at least not forever! Why not give these bad-boys a try and just say "yes" to the process!

Good luck!!

Calling all Super Moms!

We all want to be Super Mom, don't we? You know - have other Moms look at us and think, "Wow - she has it all together. I wish I could be like her."

I'll let you in on a little secret: A lot of Moms probably think that of you already. True story! They see your posts on Facebook about the results of your baking day. Or they see pictures of your kids wearing home-made Halloween costumes. They see you at the school field trip with a perfect hair day and a great outfit to boot. They see your posts on Instagram of all of the workouts that you do.

But they don't see the baskets of unfolded laundry cluttering up your living room floor. They don't see the other many, m-a-n-y days where you aren't a domestic diva. They don't see you on a non-field-trip day in baggy sweats with baby spit-up on your shoulder. 

They only see what you portray; what you choose to highlight.

And you know those Moms that you look at and think "Wow - she has it all together. I wish I could be like her." She has the same story.

I read a quote awhile ago [I don't know who to credit it to, unfortunately] and it says this: "Never compare someone else's highlight reel with your behind-the-scenes footage."

The next time you see/read something on social media that has you feeling a bit jealous of how you don't compare to that...remind yourselves that this is their highlight reel you are seeing. Not the whole picture. You have your own highlight reel that others are comparing themselves too...and the vicious cycle continues.

We're so busy looking at other Moms and their accomplishments that we fail to look at our own. The bottom line is this: You only need to worry about being Super Mom to your kids...not to other Moms. 

So accept someone else's highlight reel as just that: highlights. Then go back to your less-than-perfect life knowing that they're doing the same thing.

And then spend some time doing what you do best - being Super Mom to your kids.

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My name is Andrea (Andi) and I have the privilege of working part-time alongside Pam to help her with "a little of this and a little of that" as she strives to bring superb customer service to all of you through her Tiny TreeHugger business.

I am a 34-year-old mostly stay-at-home mother of two girls (aged 7 and 9) and have been happily married for almost 12 years. I am a Pepsi-loving, game-playing, guitar-learning, Nutella-craving girl [among many other things that make me ME]. I cloth-diapered my girls when they were babies and enjoyed the cost savings as well as the feeling of
helping the environment - one cloth diaper at a time.

Thanks for checking in and I'll see you again both on this blog and on Facebook!