Puppies and babies. Few things are cuter. But it is not all fun and games. There are a lot of details to consider before you take the plunge. But if it all works out, it can be one of the best decisions your family ever made.  Wondering what it's really like to raise a puppy and a toddler? Here is the real truth and some tips.

Working Moms - How to Press Pause and Pivot When a working career woman has a big life choice to make it can be an excruciating decision to change her career path.  How do you know when its time to give yourself permission to pivot for a time from the trajectory you envisioned in your 5 year plan to submit to a new plan for your life?  Walk with us as we navigate the journey on a new pathway.  Join us on www.laboyjoy.com www.facebook.com/laboyjoy and on www.facebook.com/groups/laboyjoycomm

How do you find the joy in the chaos of your life when your head is spinning out of control?  1. Ditch your mommy guilt 2. What is so funny anyway? Find the humor in every situation if you can.  3. Look for the joyful lessons that you can learn from to make it better next time.    Be sure to join us at www.LaboyJoy.com/library to subscribe to all the latest hot tips, podcast episodes, blog posts and our free resource library.  Find us on Facebook.com/LaboyJoy to join our groups: the Laboy Joy Community group and the MOTTS-Moms of Teens and Tots group.  Until next time, have a great week! Chandra of LaboyJoy.com

As your teenagers are heading to adulthood, your time is running out to teach them all the things. All the life skills they need to learn before you set them loose on the world.  Career choices and Academic options Social skills and relationships Life Skills for independent living Financial education How to travel well and so much more.  It's not too late, but you want to be intentional. It's time to put some focus on your oldest child and get them ready for what lies ahead. When you do, you will have a confident, empowered and capable young adult you can be proud of.  Cheers!  Chandra  Check out the post with all the show notes at https://www.laboyjoy.com/running-out-of-time-podcast/  Plus much more at www.LaboyJoy.com  Thanks for joining us on the Joy in Chaos Podcast!

You cannot always play the role of Wonder Woman. Can you be all things to all people? Not without burning out. Here are 5 mindset shifts you can make to take care of yourself and recharge your tank.  1. Release control 2. Get restored 3. Listen to your own emotional cues. 4. Take little breaks 5. Reconnect with your Lover.  Your family deserves a mom that is happy and rested. Remember, you are not alone. Join our community at www.LaboyJoy.com  Music from Pond 5 Sweet Baby Freedom

"Say What? Time to learn how to be a mom again? What are you talking about? I've been a mom for 15 years." Yes, but you are about to start again from scratch and you don't remember all the minute details. That's okay, you are allowed to forget some of the little stuff for the benefit of the bigger picture. Experienced moms can sometimes struggle with memory loss of what's exactly involved in raising babies and toddlers. That's okay. Just because you're the seasoned mom in the group doesn't mean you have to be the guide all the time.  Here are the truths about starting over as the experienced mom whose forgotten many of the finer details of raising a child.  It's good to ask for help.  Check out https://www.laboyjoy.com/learn-how-to-be-a-mom-again/ for the complete blog post.  Welcome to our community at www.laboyjoy.com and join us on facebook www.facebook.com/groups/laboyjoycommunity to contribute to the conversation. We want to hear from you.  Thanks for being here and be sure to subscribe to the Joy in Chaos Podcast!  Until next time, Chandra of Laboy Joy

Are you nervous your kids are going to be home all summer and you don't have anything for them to do? Don't you cry, you don't have to blow your family budget on camps all summer. Instead, here are 7 ways staycation ideas for families can make summer fun easy and inexpensive to plan.

Truth time: Are you the embarrassing parent at your kid's games? Is it time for a change? Right here we are talking about how to stop being an embarrassment at your child's games and how to start modeling good sportsmanship for everyone around you! This podcast is not for the mom or dad that respectfully cheers for the great plays made by each team. Or the mom or dad who behaves themselves at game-time, makes friends with the other parents of the competition, and high fives the referees after the game even when the other team won. This one is just for the mom or dad who loses their cool on more than one occasion, at each and every game when things start going the wrong way for their kid's team. You know the one. The one who screams at the ump and throws down his hat when the ump called a strike when it was "clearly too high." Or the parent who freaks out and starts arguments with the parents of the opposing team. You know the one. Or worse of all, the one that yells, mocks, or rants openly at other players on the opposing team. Oh, that is bad. If YOU are the ONE, then this one is for you. Check out the entire article and useful links to other articles at  www.laboyjoy.com/good-sportsmanship Thanks for joining us at the Joy in Chaos Podcast! Join our community at facebook.com/groups/laboyjoycommunity Music Credits to Pond5 Sweet Baby Freedom

In this episode, we explore the chaos of the softball season and how to find the balance and the joy in the chaos of it all.  For links and complete show notes head to LaboyJoy.com post called: How to help Frazzled Moms Conquer Softball Season Chaos Review the Weekly Schedule for Schedule Changes Coordinate Rides and Carpools for the Week Ahead Plan meals for the week and use the Crock Pot if you’re into that kind of thing Include after-school and pre-game snacks in the meal plan Have your child set out her uniform and pack her equipment bag the night before a game Put ice water and bench snacks in the fridge the night before Wash uniforms twice a week (in the tub or sink if necessary) Keep your car stocked with the Family Car Kit Essentials Limit your child’s extra-curricular activities to one sport per season Frazzled Mom, you are ready, now look forward with excitement to the day’s events. Time for a player pep talk Wrapping it up…you are a Frazzled Mom no more! Some more great resources and printables for you. Before the Softball Season Begins, let’s make sure your player’s softball equipment is game ready. Check out the Ultimate FastPitch Softball Equipment List with a link to a printable checklist.  Get your car ready for any need you’ll come across on the softball field! Check out my Best Basic Travel Softball Car Packing List complete with a link to the printable checklist. Join us at LaboyJoy.com and check out our Facebook Community at www.facebook.com/groups/laboyjoycommunity Music Credit Pond5 Sweet Baby Freedom by LowNotes

In this episode, we talk about the lessons learned from the book Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp and how it worked with our 3rd baby.  It is critical to take care of mom in her postpartum period.  Truly colicky babies are really quite rare. To help them sleep and feel contented during the first three months of a baby's life also known as the 4th Trimester, Babies like the following things:  Babies need noise Babies need motion Swaddling works amazing on babies to help them sleep Cuddling does not spoil babies  Give baby something to suck You be the swing for 3 short months.  If you are awaiting your bundle of joy or just gave birth, try these basic principles to keep your baby happy and help keep you mentally healthy during your postpartum period.  For the links to all the favorite products mentioned in the show and complete show notes go to The 4th Trimester: How to Have a Happy Baby at LaboyJoy.com LaboyJoy.com  Join us at our Facebook community of Moms like you raising teens and tots. www.facebook.com/groups/laboyjoycommunity Until Next Time!  Music Credit Pond5 Sweet Baby Freedom by LowNotes