About Katie Hurley & her Blog
Katie is a winner of Top 25 SoCal Moms - 2012
In what ways is SoCal unique from other places you've lived or traveled?
I was raised in Connecticut and lived in Boston and Philadelphia before moving to Los Angeles. As much as I miss the East coast, I do love that I can get my kids outside to play almost every single day. Even when it rains, it's usually warm enough to throw on a raincoat and boots and splash around! There are endless possibilities when it comes to outdoor fun, and I've always enjoyed the fact the beach and the mountains are both easily accessible. Families engage in a lot of outdoor exercise around here, which makes for a very healthy childhood. But don't get me started on the pollen count and environmental allergens...yikes!
What's the biggest misconception about living in Southern California?
That life is somehow easier out here. Sure, we've got the relaxed surf vibe down to a science, particularly on TV and in film. But life is life is life. Aren't we all just parents trying to provide a great start for our kids? My East coast friends like to joke about the lifestyle out here...but my friends out here are very similar to my friends back there!
What's your favorite affordable outdoor activity to do with your kids?
Feed the ducks! There are a few places within 10-15 minutes of our home where we can have a picnic, play at the park, and feed a few ducks. The kids love watching the ducks and the fresh air puts a smile on their faces. The best part? It's completely free! Grab some old bread and head off to the duck pond...what are you waiting for??
What are your favorite Blog Posts?
Katie's Answers
What's the best parenting advice your mom gave you?
The best advice my mom ever gave me was this: "Love your children every second of every day and give them everything you can, but love your husband just as much. Children are the greatest gift, but a loving marriage makes for happy children". While my kids are always my top priority, my marriage is right there with them.
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What's your best tip for not losing your temper?
Take three deep breaths, get down low, and empathize with your child. They aren't trying to upset you, they are trying to get their needs met. It's up to us to teach them how to verbalize their feelings and to make them feel heard. Daily exercise doesn't hurt either!
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What do you tell your kids when they start "questioning" Santa Claus?
The magic of Christmas is in believing. Sometimes helping a younger sibling continue to believe becomes the magic for the older sibling who has it all figured out.
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What is your definition of an overscheduled child?
One that is often tired, cranky, sad, and has sleep problems. One to two after school activities per week is plenty. Kids work hard during the school day. They need downtime and to learn how to relax and slow down.
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How do you get a fidgety or unfocused child to sit and do homework?
My kids are still too young for homework, but I can tell you the advice I've given countless clients along the way: Sitting still in school for six hours a day is HARD work! Give at least an hour of unstructured playtime after school. When it's homework time, factor in scheduled homework breaks. For every 20 minutes that a child attends to homework, give him 10 minutes to get up, move around, and decompress. Use timers to make sure that he stays on track. Be involved. When a parent is nearby asking a child to share what's he learning, the homework becomes more interesting to the child.
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Why is the stay-at-home vs. working moms debate so passionate?
All parents experience stress for a variety of reasons. Parents reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression is at an all-time high right now. It's not that parenting has changed so much over time, but parents are taking on more an more. Whether we stay at home, work from home, or work in an office, we are all putting everything else first...this breeds stress. Moms need to feel validated in their efforts and have someone to empathize with them. The problem is that we are all under so much pressure right now, that we start comparing problems instead of supporting one another. She who has the most stress wins. Unfortunately, it's the kids who lose when moms compete. The truth is that we are all doing our best on any given day. When we recognize this and support one another through the ups and downs, we are better parents for it.
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What's your favorite family tradition?
The pajama walk. We go out for a walk around our little town in our pajamas (all four of us!) and just enjoy the early morning air. It gets us off to a great start and gives us some distraction-free family time together!
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What are the top 3 pieces of advice you would give to a new mom (or mom-to-be)?
Sleep as much as possible and teach your baby to sleep.
Call the Dr with every little question...that's what they are there for.
Ask for help! No one can do it alone!
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Katie's Blogger SoundOff Posts
I love this new series from POPSUGAR and Kia and I can’t wait to watch… More
