There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my si There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my siblings under one roof again, going to bed each night with my best friend, and the best kids I could ever dream of. 

This year, I've really realllly focused on slowing down. Being 'in the moment' with the kids and doing my best to connect with them a little bit each day. To clean the house because it makes me happy but to also not to let the mess get to me when there's something more important to do, and sometimes that thing is just sitting on the couch with my loves. I've learned to work hard at my job but also close the laptop at the end of the day and walk away. I've learned that social media is a great place to connect with people, not EvErYtHiNg needs to be shared and no one goes hungry when I don't post for a few days. 

So many lessons I'm grateful to have had this year because we are better for them 🤎🤎🤎
A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet cradle care placement. She's now with her adoptive parents and I feel so blessed that we could be a small part of her story. We're continuing to pray for her, her bio mom, and her new family as they adjust to all the things that come with first-time parenthood. It was so hard to say goodbye but I'd do it 1000 more times!
The last time we had a cradle care placement I got The last time we had a cradle care placement I got a lot of questions about what cradle care is and how people can get involved in it. I wanted to create a longer video about what our first 24 hours was like with a new cradle care placement and then I realized reels can only be 90 seconds! 😅 So here's the first part of my cradle care rundown. Let me know what questions you have!
The other day I saw a comment on a post saying tha The other day I saw a comment on a post saying that if you choose to have children, they should take priority in your life and everything else comes second, including your marriage. Well, sure, while it's your responsibility to do right by your kids and raise them to the best of your ability, I think putting your marriage first actually does just that in many ways. Here are a few I thought of:

Putting your marriage first teaches your kids that they're not the center of the universe. We can make our kids feel special and meet all of their emotional needs while not teaching them that they are always first. It would be a rude awakening for them once ther leave our home if we do. 

Putting your marriage first gives your children a huge sense of stability. If there is instability in your life that you can't control, they'll continue to look to you and your spouse as their guiding light through it. 

Putting your marriage first also teaches our kids how they should treat their spouse one day. They'll learn how to handle conflict, how to stay unified, how to sacrificially serve each other. If kids get the massage that they come first, they may very well treat their future spouse that way as well. 

Would you add anything to this list?
What’s something you wish you did more since hav What’s something you wish you did more since having kids?

I remember a time when life was a blur of getting out of the house to go to work, managing the front desk at a small optometrist’s office, pumping in the bathroom at work, and getting home at 6 (some days, 7:30) for what little cuddles David had left in him before his bedtime at 8. And then you wake up and do it all over again. It was in those early days that I couldn’t remember who I was. And even if I had the time to “be myself” again, I’m not sure I would even choose to do the same things I had liked a few years earlier. I was changing and growing but rarely had the time to even think about how or why. 

Fast forward a few years, and I can say it *does* get easier. It is possible to give much of yourself to your family while still reserving some energy to nurture your own spiritual, physical, and mental health. Of course, when you have a baby that doesn’t want to be anywhere but in your arms, that gets a little more tricky, but that phase doesn’t last long, I’ve learned. 

It was during that crazy time when our first baby was still a baby that I said, “That’s enough! I have no idea who I even am anymore and I’m curious to find out.” So that’s when my blog was born. And from there, it took to Instagram and from there, writing books. 

It’s still a balancing act that I don’t get right much of the time, and most of the time it looks more like a pendulum, where I sway from being a great mom to a mediocre one but a great writer and vice versa. But all that to say, even in the baby era, you can take the time to rediscover who you are, what you love to do, and nurture those areas in your life. 

What’s something you wish you did more since having kids?

—

Shout-out to the makers of this GORGEOUS dress that I could literally live in 💙 @daughtersofindia
It's not possible to be in a sour mood when you're It's not possible to be in a sour mood when you're around that smile 🥰
A few photos of life lately. We've said yes to a f A few photos of life lately. We've said yes to a few placement calls but they've fallen through (that's how it goes!), we're kind of doing baby-led weaning with Cleo?, Josh and I have been setting up my new desk and I've learned more about keyboards than I ever needed to know 😅 So grateful for this family of mine.
The absolute best dad 🤍 We'd be lost without hi The absolute best dad 🤍 We'd be lost without him. He grounds us, speaks truth, and shows incredible love and kindness to each of us. I could not think of a better partner for life. 
@joshuadaviddamon
I leave tomorrow for a work trip and while it's on I leave tomorrow for a work trip and while it's only one night away, the last time I spent a night away from the kids was over two years ago and the last time I was away from Josh was maybe four?? 

I'm very lucky to feel like I can leave for a couple days without having to worry that the kids will have everything they need, shoutout to @joshuadaviddamon 🩷 

But I will miss them a tonnn. But hey - maybe a night without having to make bottles or little legs kicking me in their dreams will be nice?? Just for one night, tho 😉
  • Family
  • Marriage
  • fitness
  • travel
  • Life & Finances
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Family
    • Marriage
    • fitness
    • travel
    • Life & Finances
    • Devotional
  • About
    • Contact
  • Devotional

Living the Sweet Wife

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Family
    • Marriage
    • fitness
    • travel
    • Life & Finances
    • Devotional
  • About
    • Contact
  • Devotional

Baby, Kids, Pregnancy, Sponsored · February 13, 2018

21 Tips For a Safer Nursery

  This is a sponsored post by Nationwide. All opinions are my own.

But as much fun as it is to scour the aisle for the cutest pillows, curtains, mobiles, and toys for your baby’s nursery, when it comes to nursery decor, it’s important to remember that oftentimes, less is more! And I’m not just talking about a minimalist style-sense, although that can really come in handy! For this blog post, I’m teaming up With Nationwide Make Safe Happen program and reminding parents that an adorable nursery and a safe nursery don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Maybe you’re going to be a brand-new mama and you’ve got the nesting bug or maybe you’re expecting baby #2 and you’re pretty much over the decor you used the last time around. Did you know that internet searches for nursery decor inspiration spike around January to March? This is because many people find out they are pregnant and excited to begin designing their nurseries. I don’t know about you, but with each new baby, I had a Pinterest board FULL of nursery decor inspiration! There are so many cute ideas out there!

But as much fun as it is to scour the aisle for the cutest pillows, curtains, mobiles, and toys for your baby’s nursery, when it comes to nursery decor, it’s important to remember that oftentimes, less is more! And I’m not just talking about a minimalist style-sense, although that can really come in handy! For this blog post, I’m teaming up with Nationwide’s Make Safe Happen program and reminding parents that an adorable nursery and a safe nursery don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Follow these safety tips below to be sure that your nursery is the safest environment for your baby. Nothing beats peace of mind!

Windows

  • Install window stops so that they open no wider than 4 inches.
  • Only use window blinds without strings or cords.
    • If blinds do have cords, cut the loops, tuck them away or use a cord shortener.
  • Be sure to always close and lock windows when you are not in the room.
  • Remember that screens are great at keeping bugs out but not at keeping children in.

 

Dressers, bookshelves, and other furniture

  • Always anchor furniture to the wall to keep them from tipping over, like our dresser.
  • On shelves, put heavier items on the bottom to prevent tipping
  • Open drawers can be an invitation to climb, causing the furniture to tip over. Add drawer stops so children can’t open drawers all the way.

Storage containers that are anchored or tucked away are a great way to keep baby’s room organized and cute while keeping him or her away from dangerous items. 

Changing tables

  • Always keep a hand on baby when changing.
  • Always use the safety straps on the changing pad.
  • Anchor the changing mat and changing table to the wall to prevent tipping.
  • Remember to always keep potentially dangerous items like diaper creams, small
    caps, and cords out of baby’s reach.
  • Keep changing supplies like diapers and wipes within your reach but out of baby’s.

Cribs

  • Make sure your baby’s crib has a proper crib mattress and a tightly fitted sheet
  • Keep the crib clear of anything extra like toys, teethers, bumpers, blankets, and pillows
  • Do not hang mobiles or other decorations near baby’s crib
  • Use a crib that was manufactured after 2011 and with slats no less than 2 and ⅜ inches apart.
  • Remember the ABCs of Infant sleep safety:
    • Alone: baby should not sleep with any adult, child, or pet.
    • Back: babies should always be put to sleep on their backs.
    • Cribs: babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard and never in an adult bed, chair, or couch.

Putting infants on their backs to sleep is the most effective way to prevent death; yet the number of parents following this advice hasn’t changed in the past decade.

Sleep-related deaths are the leading cause of infant mortality for children under age 1; 90% of these deaths occur before an infant reaches 6 mo. old (CDC). Here’s a helpful video on the ABCs of Sleep.

 

Plugs and Outlets

  • Be sure to use outlet safety covers when an outlet is not in use.
  • Keep cords at least 3 feet away from where baby sleeps and plays.
  • Try to avoid using long cords.

Emergency rooms treated over 65,000 (!) young children for nursery-related injuries in 2015 (CDC).

So as tempting as it might be to fill baby’s room with the cutest decor and toys, sometimes taking the minimal approach can achieve both goals of style and safety for baby!!

For more safety tips based on location, your child’s age, or risk category, get the Make Safe Happen App or visit MakeSafeHappen.com!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nationwide. The opinions and text are all mine.

In: Baby, Kids, Pregnancy, Sponsored · Tagged: anchor, baby, bedroom, care, changing table, child, crib, dangerous, decor, diapers, father, furniture, hazard, infant, inspiration, mother, nationwide, noads, nursery, parent, room, safe, safety, sibling, sleep, small, tips, windows

join the club

You’ll Also Love

Embracing the Journey: A Guide for Couples Navigating Goals TogetherEmbracing the Journey: A Guide for Couples Navigating Goals Together
Forgiveness is an Attitude not a FeelingForgiveness is an Attitude not a Feeling
Lessons I learned in My First 2 Months as a Foster ParentLessons I Learned My First 2 Months as a Foster Parent

Comments

  1. Lisa | amerytina says

    February 13, 2018 at 11:47 am

    Great tips here and wonderful reminders for parents! and safety never ends, we are now experiencing our toddler trying to unlock our front door. thanks for this post!

  2. holly says

    February 14, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    These are great tips! I will def keep them in mind for the future. btw I adore your side photo of you eating a burger – so cute!

  3. Holly says

    February 14, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    These are all such great tips. I don’t have any babies yet, but I like to read stuff like this for future reference! There’s so many things I wouldn’t even think of.

  4. Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says

    February 14, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    It’s been a long time since we last had a baby at home. I think this is a great guide for parents, especially those setting up a nursery for the first time.

  5. Ana De- Jesus says

    February 14, 2018 at 10:26 pm

    I AGREE THAT NOTHING BEATS PEACE OF MIND SO I AM PLEASED TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE RAISING YOUR CONCERNS ON CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR CHILD. I LIKED THE TIP ON WHERE YOU SAID YOU SHOULD NOT HANG MOBILES NEAR A BABY’S CRIB FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.

  6. Rachel G says

    February 14, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    This was really great to read as we are expecting our first in about 2.5 weeks! I know I will be very cautious about having absolutely nothing in the crib! And when I set up the storage I made sure to put all the bath supplies on a high shelf.

  7. Tasheena says

    February 15, 2018 at 1:38 am

    I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS POST. IT’S SO EASY TO FORGET ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE ANCHORING FURNITURE ESPECIALLY WHEN HAVING THE A LITTLE ONE AROUND.

  8. eliza says

    February 15, 2018 at 5:30 am

    I really learn a lot ON YOUR POST. I alSO APPRECIATE THOSE PICTURES WHICH GIVES ME SO MUCH IDEAS TO PREPARE SAFELY FOR MY LITTLE ONE.

  9. Natasha says

    February 15, 2018 at 10:52 am

    You can nebrr be too safe! these are all great tips…i used all of these For mAking our spaces safe for our littles.

  10. Aditi says

    February 15, 2018 at 11:41 am

    As a mama-to-be, I am in the process of furnishing our baby’s nursery and these tips come right in time. Agree with all your advisee and will be keeping it all in mind. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂 x

  11. Lacey says

    February 15, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    So many good tips! I absolutely love your site BTW!

  12. Sheri says

    February 16, 2018 at 5:11 am

    These are all really great tips and so helpful for first time moms.Great for parents to read.

  13. David Elliott says

    February 16, 2018 at 11:57 am

    Those are great tips for the nursery. You did look like you did such a beautiful job there. I love how beautiful and organized you have it here.

  14. Lauren Ashley says

    February 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    These are great tips. I’m sure they’re some things first-time parents wouldn’t think of off the top of their heads.

  15. Blair villanueva says

    February 19, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    Eventhough i am childless, reading this tips are still very helpful so i could help my friends who have kids and no time to read. I may be their guide 🙂
    pastel colored rooms really works for kids!

  16. Oma N. says

    February 20, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    THESE ARE GREAT TIPS!! I DEFINITELY TRY TO GIVE EXPECTING MOMS THIS ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE IN CLINIC. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

Next Post >

7 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Their First Day of Preschool or Childcare

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

join the club

Recent Posts

3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

Embracing the Journey: A Guide for Couples Navigating Goals Together

Embracing the Journey: A Guide for Couples Navigating Goals Together

Forgiveness is an Attitude not a Feeling

Forgiveness is an Attitude not a Feeling

One of The Best Things You Can Do as a Parent Is Have a Healthy Marriage

One of The Best Things You Can Do as a Parent Is Have a Healthy Marriage

Categories

  • Family
  • Marriage
  • fitness
  • travel
  • Life & Finances
Shop Presets

Instagram

There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my si There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my siblings under one roof again, going to bed each night with my best friend, and the best kids I could ever dream of. 

This year, I've really realllly focused on slowing down. Being 'in the moment' with the kids and doing my best to connect with them a little bit each day. To clean the house because it makes me happy but to also not to let the mess get to me when there's something more important to do, and sometimes that thing is just sitting on the couch with my loves. I've learned to work hard at my job but also close the laptop at the end of the day and walk away. I've learned that social media is a great place to connect with people, not EvErYtHiNg needs to be shared and no one goes hungry when I don't post for a few days. 

So many lessons I'm grateful to have had this year because we are better for them 🤎🤎🤎
A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet cradle care placement. She's now with her adoptive parents and I feel so blessed that we could be a small part of her story. We're continuing to pray for her, her bio mom, and her new family as they adjust to all the things that come with first-time parenthood. It was so hard to say goodbye but I'd do it 1000 more times!
The last time we had a cradle care placement I got The last time we had a cradle care placement I got a lot of questions about what cradle care is and how people can get involved in it. I wanted to create a longer video about what our first 24 hours was like with a new cradle care placement and then I realized reels can only be 90 seconds! 😅 So here's the first part of my cradle care rundown. Let me know what questions you have!
The other day I saw a comment on a post saying tha The other day I saw a comment on a post saying that if you choose to have children, they should take priority in your life and everything else comes second, including your marriage. Well, sure, while it's your responsibility to do right by your kids and raise them to the best of your ability, I think putting your marriage first actually does just that in many ways. Here are a few I thought of:

Putting your marriage first teaches your kids that they're not the center of the universe. We can make our kids feel special and meet all of their emotional needs while not teaching them that they are always first. It would be a rude awakening for them once ther leave our home if we do. 

Putting your marriage first gives your children a huge sense of stability. If there is instability in your life that you can't control, they'll continue to look to you and your spouse as their guiding light through it. 

Putting your marriage first also teaches our kids how they should treat their spouse one day. They'll learn how to handle conflict, how to stay unified, how to sacrificially serve each other. If kids get the massage that they come first, they may very well treat their future spouse that way as well. 

Would you add anything to this list?

trending now

  • So I know the title of this post says, “What men want most in a wife,” but to be more realistic, this is about what men need most in a wife. Like men, there are a lot of things that we (women) would really like in a husband. Like, it’d be a huge plus if he looked like Chris Hemsworth. But that’s not really what we need in order to have a positive relationship with our spouse. If we married him, we probably think he’s pretty cute, anyway. Take a look at these 5 things a man really needs in a wife, and if you can think of anything else, share your thoughts in the comments below! 5 Things men want most in a wife
  • Do you ever wish that sometimes you could just write a long list to your spouse of all the things he does that drive you insane?? I have done this. 8 of the Worst Marriage Habits
  • Disrespect in marriage can go both ways. Women can react to disrespect from their husbands in many ways. I'm here to share a few positive ways women can react to disrespect in their marriages in order to handle it well and steer their marriage in the direction of grace and kindness again. How to Handle Disrespect in Marriage
  • Sure, they say don’t go to bed while you’re still angry, but sometimes husbands and wives just need some space! That being said, there are healthy ways and unhealthy ways (productive and hurtful, if you will) to get space away from a spouse. Let’s talk about those. The Right and Wrong Way To Give Your Spouse Space

instagram

Follow @chelsealeighdamon

There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my si There's so much to be thankful for! 🤎 All my siblings under one roof again, going to bed each night with my best friend, and the best kids I could ever dream of. 

This year, I've really realllly focused on slowing down. Being 'in the moment' with the kids and doing my best to connect with them a little bit each day. To clean the house because it makes me happy but to also not to let the mess get to me when there's something more important to do, and sometimes that thing is just sitting on the couch with my loves. I've learned to work hard at my job but also close the laptop at the end of the day and walk away. I've learned that social media is a great place to connect with people, not EvErYtHiNg needs to be shared and no one goes hungry when I don't post for a few days. 

So many lessons I'm grateful to have had this year because we are better for them 🤎🤎🤎
A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet A little more on our first 24 hours with our sweet cradle care placement. She's now with her adoptive parents and I feel so blessed that we could be a small part of her story. We're continuing to pray for her, her bio mom, and her new family as they adjust to all the things that come with first-time parenthood. It was so hard to say goodbye but I'd do it 1000 more times!
The last time we had a cradle care placement I got The last time we had a cradle care placement I got a lot of questions about what cradle care is and how people can get involved in it. I wanted to create a longer video about what our first 24 hours was like with a new cradle care placement and then I realized reels can only be 90 seconds! 😅 So here's the first part of my cradle care rundown. Let me know what questions you have!
The other day I saw a comment on a post saying tha The other day I saw a comment on a post saying that if you choose to have children, they should take priority in your life and everything else comes second, including your marriage. Well, sure, while it's your responsibility to do right by your kids and raise them to the best of your ability, I think putting your marriage first actually does just that in many ways. Here are a few I thought of:

Putting your marriage first teaches your kids that they're not the center of the universe. We can make our kids feel special and meet all of their emotional needs while not teaching them that they are always first. It would be a rude awakening for them once ther leave our home if we do. 

Putting your marriage first gives your children a huge sense of stability. If there is instability in your life that you can't control, they'll continue to look to you and your spouse as their guiding light through it. 

Putting your marriage first also teaches our kids how they should treat their spouse one day. They'll learn how to handle conflict, how to stay unified, how to sacrificially serve each other. If kids get the massage that they come first, they may very well treat their future spouse that way as well. 

Would you add anything to this list?
What’s something you wish you did more since hav What’s something you wish you did more since having kids?

I remember a time when life was a blur of getting out of the house to go to work, managing the front desk at a small optometrist’s office, pumping in the bathroom at work, and getting home at 6 (some days, 7:30) for what little cuddles David had left in him before his bedtime at 8. And then you wake up and do it all over again. It was in those early days that I couldn’t remember who I was. And even if I had the time to “be myself” again, I’m not sure I would even choose to do the same things I had liked a few years earlier. I was changing and growing but rarely had the time to even think about how or why. 

Fast forward a few years, and I can say it *does* get easier. It is possible to give much of yourself to your family while still reserving some energy to nurture your own spiritual, physical, and mental health. Of course, when you have a baby that doesn’t want to be anywhere but in your arms, that gets a little more tricky, but that phase doesn’t last long, I’ve learned. 

It was during that crazy time when our first baby was still a baby that I said, “That’s enough! I have no idea who I even am anymore and I’m curious to find out.” So that’s when my blog was born. And from there, it took to Instagram and from there, writing books. 

It’s still a balancing act that I don’t get right much of the time, and most of the time it looks more like a pendulum, where I sway from being a great mom to a mediocre one but a great writer and vice versa. But all that to say, even in the baby era, you can take the time to rediscover who you are, what you love to do, and nurture those areas in your life. 

What’s something you wish you did more since having kids?

—

Shout-out to the makers of this GORGEOUS dress that I could literally live in 💙 @daughtersofindia
It's not possible to be in a sour mood when you're It's not possible to be in a sour mood when you're around that smile 🥰
A few photos of life lately. We've said yes to a f A few photos of life lately. We've said yes to a few placement calls but they've fallen through (that's how it goes!), we're kind of doing baby-led weaning with Cleo?, Josh and I have been setting up my new desk and I've learned more about keyboards than I ever needed to know 😅 So grateful for this family of mine.
The absolute best dad 🤍 We'd be lost without hi The absolute best dad 🤍 We'd be lost without him. He grounds us, speaks truth, and shows incredible love and kindness to each of us. I could not think of a better partner for life. 
@joshuadaviddamon
I leave tomorrow for a work trip and while it's on I leave tomorrow for a work trip and while it's only one night away, the last time I spent a night away from the kids was over two years ago and the last time I was away from Josh was maybe four?? 

I'm very lucky to feel like I can leave for a couple days without having to worry that the kids will have everything they need, shoutout to @joshuadaviddamon 🩷 

But I will miss them a tonnn. But hey - maybe a night without having to make bottles or little legs kicking me in their dreams will be nice?? Just for one night, tho 😉
It was just about a year ago that I sat in this ve It was just about a year ago that I sat in this very chair to take pregnancy announcement photos and here she is today, all smiles and two teeth. I can’t believe in the year year she grew in my tummy and now she’s here and we couldn’t imagine life without her.

Ps. I'm obsesseddd with her sweet sweater 🥰 @reesemyersco

Explore

  • About
  • My Book
  • Contact

join the club

Shop My Favorites

  • About
  • Instagram
  • About
  • Media Kit | Guest Posting
  • Privacy Policy & T&C’s

Copyright © 2023 Living the Sweet Wife · Theme by 17th Avenue