Nanny to Mommy

 I don't make my kids hug or kiss anyone they don't want to. I was never forced to as a child because different experiences that my mother had growing up. I was always thankful that my mom never made me because I would go through phases of being shy.

Quite a few years ago now, my husband's family had a Christmas party and my husband's Aunt told my daughter to come give her a hug. My daughter looked at me timid and I told her she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to. So she didn't hug her and just said, "Merry Christmas". Later, my mother-in-law confronted me about how she thought this was rude and "It was just Aunt [name redacted]". This was an uncomfortable conversation since I don't like confrontation, but it needed to be said. It wasn't about undermining or embarrassing anyone, but educating. I told her that I would never force my children to be hugged or kissed by anyone even if that person is their Great Aunt because it's their body. I also mentioned how they don't know her very well because they don't remember seeing her at all. I don't know what changed my mother-in-law's mind for sure, but she no longer expects the grandkids to hug anyone that they don't want to.

The reason I have this rule is simply, I don't want my kids to be groomed for sexual abuse.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Shake by IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have considered myself a content creator for a few years now. Have you ever thought about starting your own business in the field of Creative Influencer Marketing? It has been a great way to work from home and provide for my family while creating my own flexible schedule. But it is still a very unknown field with many different variables. How do I monetize my content? How do I find people willing to pay for my work? What if no one notices me? What are other creators charging? This post isn't about how to start your own blog, but this is a revolutionary way I have found to get you on the track to monetizing your creative content.

I have just come across a new marketplace for creators hosted by IZEA that takes so many unknowns out of the equation. It's called Shake. The platform helps individual influencers, photographers, writers and musicians collaborate and transact with marketers. How it works is you can create a profile on Shake with all of your optional services, rates, example work, basically like a resume! You can share what you have to offer, whether that is Instagram posts, content writing, photography. Creatives list “Shakes” on the site and Marketers buy creative deals through a streamlined chat experience, assisted by ShakeBot™. Plus you can find other creators that are similar to you and see what they are charging as well. Then brands will notice you, what you have to off, and hire you based on your rates.

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

So since my kid's no longer have their "school stomachs" and snack all day long, I have been on the hunt for healthier snack options that they will actually enjoy. Although we don't go as many places as we use to, I also still like to have easy on-the-go snack ideas that I can throw in my purse and head out the door with.

My family and I recently had the opportunity to try out LOVE CORN. They are savory, crunchy corn kernels. Popular in the Mediterranean, LOVE CORN is made with plant-based ingredients, and are vegan, gluten free, Non-GMO Project Verified, kosher, and sugar free. I was in love the package they sent to us. It had all the flavors to try.