Moving with Kids? Here’s How To Make Your Home Kid-Friendly (and Safe)

Moving with kids is hard enough, but now you’ve also got a new home to contend with. This is a new beginning for you and your children. To help them adapt emotionally and keep them safe, you should furnish your home to be kid friendly. From one parent to another, I’ll show you some game-changing hacks that have helped my little ones thrive since our last move.

Rounded Furniture and Safety Edges

You might bring a lot of furniture with you or buy everything fresh. Either way, your children are adapting to a new layout. Rough and sharp corners present hidden hazards for your little explorers.

Round everything out. For existing furniture, you can buy caps and edge guards, or you can permanently modify the furniture. When selecting new pieces during your moving process, look for safe designs with soft or round edges. Walk through your home at your child's eye level to identify potential risks. The goal is to create a space that's kid-friendly and stylish.

Anti-Tip Furniture

Large furniture pieces such as bookcases, dressers, and televisions pose tipping risks for curious and climbing children. Some furniture can be mounted or bracketed to the walls or floors using widely available mounting kits.

When planning your new home layout, prioritize furniture placement that minimizes tipping risks.

• Don’t stack furniture pieces.

• Keep walkways clear.

• Keep unbalanced furniture against the wall.

Locking down the furniture keeps all family members safe, and safety is the cornerstone of a kid-friendly home.

Create a Dedicated Play Zone

But another aspect of safety is giving your kids what they need. Dedicated kids’ areas let your children play and develop—away from your expensive furniture. Look for unused spaces, like under stairs, corner nooks, or spare rooms, that can be transformed into engaging play zones. Use soft rugs or padded flooring to cushion potential falls and prevent injuries during extracurricular activities at your new home.

Kids’ play zones should include:

• Easy-to-access toy storage

• Soft, washable floor coverings

• Good lighting

• Visibility from main living areas

• Proximity to adult supervision spaces

Kid-Friendly Paint and Wall Treatments

Settling into your new home is easier when you know it can take a beating without risking your kids’ health. Choose washable, durable paint that can withstand inevitable crayon masterpieces and messy handprints. Look for interior paints that are:

• Easily cleanable

• Stain-resistant

• Low-VOC (safe for children)

• Available in multiple finishes

Choose semi-gloss or satin finishes for high-traffic areas. These finishes are more durable and easier to wipe clean.

Smart Storage Spaces

More people mean more things that need to be stored. When you’re house hunting, keep an eye out for options that feature built-in shelves and storage. These houses blend aesthetic and function.

When shopping for furniture, try these space-saving, kid-friendly options:

• Under-bed storage containers

• Modular cube organizers

• Ottomans with storage

• Low, accessible baskets

Encourage your children's independence by making storage intuitive and reachable. Rotate toys seasonally to manage clutter and keep play areas fresh and exciting during the school year.

Pool and Water Safety

Pools are one of the most kid-friendly amenities your home can have. But everyone knows that they are a serious child-safety risk. Here are some ways you can prep your pool for the peewees:

• Perimeter fencing with self-closing gates

• Pool alarms

• Locked safety covers

• CPR training for older family members

• Constant adult supervision

Modern pool safety technologies can alert you to unexpected water entry, providing an extra layer of protection during long-term home enjoyment.

Baby Gates and Stair Protection

Stairs represent a significant risk for young children during the moving process. Strategically placed baby gates can prevent dangerous falls and create safe zones within your new home. Consider:

• Pressure-mounted gates for temporary use

• Hardware-mounted gates for permanent installation

• Retractable gates with sleek design

• Gates specific to top and bottom of staircases

Choose gates that blend with your home's aesthetic while providing maximum safety for curious explorers.

Interactive Learning Spaces

Transform areas of your home into engaging educational zones that spark curiosity and creativity. Designate wall spaces for interactive learning, such as:

• Magnetic wall boards

• Chalkboard or whiteboard sections

• Height-measurement growth charts

• Gallery walls for rotating artwork

• Build-in reading nooks with accessible bookshelves

Use vertical space creatively to maximize learning opportunities without cluttering living areas. Include low height shelves and displays that allow children to independently explore and engage with educational materials.

Add Multipurpose Play to Family Spaces

Make shared living areas welcoming for adults and children by creating flexible, adaptable spaces. Use furniture and design elements that encourage family interaction:

• Convertible furniture with hidden storage

• Craft-friendly coffee tables with washable surfaces

• Soft floor cushions for family game nights

• Wall-mounted activity boards

• Designated craft and creativity zones

• Comfortable seating that invites collaborative play

The goal is to create environments that seamlessly blend adult aesthetics with child-friendly functionality so everyone feels comfortable and engaged in shared family spaces.

Outdoor and Indoor Transition Spaces

Design transitional areas that encourage active play and exploration—and keep the dirt outside. Create spaces that bridge indoor and outdoor environments:

• Mudroom with kid-height storage

• Washable, durable flooring near entry points

• Shoe and coat stations at child level

• Indoor/outdoor play zones

• Easy-to-clean surfaces for messy adventures

These transition spaces help manage the chaos of active children while keeping your home organized and functional.

Zip To Zip Made Moving with Family Fun for Everyone

Me and my husband recently navigated a complex family move in New Jersey. I can't overstate the importance of using a professional moving company. They handle all the logistics and heavy lifting, so you have time to plan out your kid-friendly home.

Zip To Zip Moving Company transformed what could have been an overwhelming moving day into a smooth, stress-free experience. Their team didn't just move our belongings—they understood the unique challenges of relocating with children.

What stood out most was their genuine rapport with our kids. The movers were patient, friendly, and made the entire moving process feel like an adventure rather than a stressful transition. If you’re planning a move in or around New Jersey, give them a shot. Good luck with your new kid-friendly home!

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$200 Custom Neon Shopping Spree Giveaway! Make Your Own Sign!

 I am super excited to host this fantastic giveaway by Custom Neon! Winner receives a $200 Shopping Spree! Enter to win on the form below.

Sponsored By: Custom Neon

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive - 

A $200 Shopping Spree to CustomNeon.com

+ FREE Shipping on all signs!!

If you can't wait to find out if you won...

Custom Neon was gracious enough to share with my readers a 10% OFF coupon code! Just use LOVEMRSMOMMY10 at checkout to save on your order! 

+ You get FREE shipping on all signs! 

About The Company:

Custom Neon creates beautiful, handmade neon signs, LED neon light installations, lamps & wall art. Let us light up your business logo, name, favorite quote or image & turn it into something amazing!

Our LED neon signs are:

Durable

Energy Efficient 

Safe 

Easy to Install

Low Maintenance

Lightweight

Open To WORLDWIDE entries and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 1/14/24 1:00 PM EST through 2/12/24 11:59PM EST

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this, please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

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Preparing for Your Child's Financial Future with a UGMA Account!

I think it's safe to say that we all want the best for our kids. We want them to have good health, happiness, an enriching education and of course, financial stability when they get older. While we make sure to give our kiddos healthy food to eat, time spent outdoors for playing or reading them a bedtime story, we are working to give them that "best" we wish for them. However, there's another important thing we can do as well, and that's helping them to plan for their future financially.

If you’re looking for an easy way to give your child a jump start, a great way to do so is by setting up a UGMA account. If you aren’t familiar with what that is, it stands for Uniform Gifts to Minors Act and I am going to break it down for you.

A UGMA account is an investment account that allows you, as the parent (or guardian), to invest on behalf of a minor. This investment will be held and managed until the child reaches adulthood. Even though the account is in the child’s name, the guardian will have control over the investments until the child reaches a certain age, typically 18 or 21. This age depends on your state regulations.

UGMA accounts have no income or contribution limits and no early-withdrawal penalties or restrictions on how the funds are used for the child. Basically, these are easy-to-open accounts used to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more… all to give a child a better future. 

A really nice feature of this type of an account is that family and friends can make contributions to the account. There are no contribution or income limits and contributions are made with after-tax dollars (meaning donors don’t receive an income tax deduction). However, please know that once a deposit has been made into this account, it is permanent. The transfer cannot be reversed once placed.

Have you ever had a family member say… I don’t know what to get “____” for their birthday or holiday gift? Having the ability to make deposits for your child can be a great option. Knowing they are investing in your child’s future would make a meaningful gift.

If there ever becomes an emergency for your child and he/she needs some money before they turn the age of majority in their state, you are allowed to make a withdrawal. There are no withdrawal penalties, but the reason has to be an expense that benefits the beneficiary.

If I piqued your interest in setting up a UGMA account for your child, you can easily do so through a bank or a brokerage institution. Happy saving!

*Please note: Since these assets are owned by the minor, they do count on their application for federal financial aid for college. This could potentially decrease their eligibility. How Does a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) Account Work? (investopedia.com)

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Easy Ways to Support Hair Growth and the Health of Your Scalp!

With aging, I think the more we know, the more empowered we can feel. If you are struggling with changes to your hair, such as hair loss and thickness I have some information that can help. Please note, I am not a doctor. All information posted within this article is research I have completed through various websites and compiled here for you. 

Here are ways to help promote a healthy scalp so your hair will have a better chance at growing back.

Folitin - Folitin is a revolutionary, topically applied serum made from a proprietary blend of active peptides that works to reverse hair loss and improve the overall health of your scalp. Folitin doesn't just focus on re-growth though; it also fortifies your existing hair. Your hair will be stronger, healthier and even fuller! 

Red Light Therapy – Red light therapy uses an LED that emits the correct level of light. When the light enters your skin, your mitochondria uses this to make more energy and in return, helps your cells repair themselves. There have been studies that show red light therapy can be an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia, improved hair thickness, as well as hair growth. 

Microneedling/ Derma Rolling – There is evidence to suggest that this can stimulate hair growth. Studies have shown that microneedling can treat androgenetic alopecia and some cases of alopecia areata. However, your dermatologist can run tests to find out what type of hair loss you have, so that you can come up with the best treatment plan for your specific needs. 

Lose the Stress – Stress can be a major cause of hair loss. Stress can cause a lot of harm to our bodies and our hair is not safeguarded from the effects of what it can do. In fact, stress can cause 3 different types of hair loss, Telogen effluvium, Trichotillomania and Alopecia areata. By managing your stress level you will be helping to take control of your overall health, not just your hair. 

If you are dealing with hair loss, you are not alone. Knowing there are ways that you can easily help move yourself in the direction you want, is the first step to getting there. Set up an appointment to talk to your dermatologist to find a course of action that best fits your needs and your desired results. 

Best of luck to you!

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The Freedom to Multitask: Why Wearable Breast Pumps Are a Game Changer for Modern Moms

There was a time when conventional electric breast pumps were considered to be the pinnacle of breast pump technology, but not anymore! Regular electric pumps need either a wall outlet or a battery and both of these are not ideal for on-the-go moms. Modern moms need something that suits their lifestyle because motherhood today is a juggling act between feeding schedules, household responsibilities, and career goals. This is why wearable breast pumps are a game changer – they are a hands-free, portable, and efficient solution that enables you to multitask without compromising your baby's nourishment or your comfort.

Benefits of Wearable Breast Pumps for Modern Moms

Discretion
The most significant advantage of wearable breast pumps is the discretion they provide. Gone are the days of noisy breast pumps drawing attention. Modern wearable breast pumps utilize noise-reduction technologies so that they emit a barely audible hum. This discretion is particularly beneficial in professional or public settings so that you can pump confidently without attracting undue attention. There are plenty of wearable pumps in the market but not all of them are equally silent or equally good. This is why you should check the best wearable breast pumps that have been vetted by independent experts to help you decide which one is best suited to your needs.

Comfort
Any mom from the 90s will attest to the discomfort caused by conventional breast pumps with their painfully rigid plastic flanges. On the other hand, wearable pumps feature soft silicone flanges that mold gently to your body. This design not only enhances comfort but also creates a better seal, improving suction efficiency. Furthermore, these pumps are lightweight and designed to fit naturally within a bra, making them suitable for extended wear.

Easy Cleaning
Conventional pumps contain several parts that are not easy to clean which can make this task frustrating and time-consuming. One of the toughest things to clean is the tubing which comes with its own thin cleaning brush. According to FDA recommendations, all parts of the pump that come in contact with milk need to be rinsed as soon as possible and then each piece needs to be washed separately with warm water and then thoroughly rinsed once again with hot water after every use. Most wearable breast pumps do not have tubing, and they also have fewer components which makes it a breeze to clean them.

Freedom
Regular electric pumps need either a wall outlet or a battery and both of these are not ideal for on-the-go moms. The pumps that use a wall outlet require you to stay put while you pump while the conventional portable ones have comparatively large batteries. When using a conventional pump, you need to find a private space where you can pump but a wearable pump fits right into your bra so that you can use them as you go about your day. You can run errands or even exercise while you pump.

Customizable Settings
Unlike conventional pumps that only have a few basic settings for suction and speed, wearable breast pumps are integrated with apps so that you can fine-tune the settings so that they are perfect for you. These pumps also have two phases – stimulation and expression which are based on your baby’s natural sucking pattern. Research shows that this is more efficient and comfortable and increases milk output. Many wearable pump apps also track your output, and you can also set reminders for when you need to pump again which is very useful when you’ve not yet established your pumping routine.

Cost-Effective
When wearable breast pumps first hit the market, most of the models were priced at almost $1,000. However, with newer manufacturers entering the market, the price has fallen significantly and today, you can get a good wearable pump for $200 or less. Furthermore, since the newer pumps are so efficient, you will not need to invest in any other pumping devices. Some insurance plans partially cover the cost which will further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, but you will need to check your plan to know how much is covered.

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