“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Jelly Beans but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #JellysAreBack https://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”
#JellysAreBack Did you know that? Well, they are. Jelly Beans are back in style and a summer fashion staple. I was super excited the day mine came in the mail. I had so many fun colors to choose from. They were so nostalgic for me. I had jelly shoes when I was younger, but really they are great at any age. I have been looking for a fun pair of red shoes for quite some time, so I was pretty excited to be able to pick out these fashion forward sandals to go with a variety of outfits.
I changed shoes immediately. My other shoes kind of look red in this picture, but they are actually more of a salmon color. The bright cherry red is what I was really craving for summer fashion. They fit perfect. I look down, and they just make me smile. Is it because they make me feel young again or are just a happy shoe? As I began to enjoy my fun, new look for the summer and wear them around while doing my normal mom thing, I stumbled upon the thought, “What if my Jelly Beans sandals could talk? What kind of words of wisdom would they whisper as they travel from place to place in my mom world?”
PLAY WITH THEM
My shoes would tell me that, as a mom, this time is going to go super quick. People tell me that all the time. Enough people have told me it that I have willed myself to believe it although some days it feels like it is taking forever. Actually, most days it feels like it is taking forever. However, they are not going to be young forever. They day is coming where they won’t want to play like they currently do. Play with them now. You are not too old to slide down the slide. You are not too old to jump in the bouncy house with your kids. You are not too old to play tag or hide and seek. I never thought it would be hard to play like a kid, but it has been harder than I imagined since I often have my own agenda. Let it go and just play. I have to remind myself of that all the time.
LET LOOSE ON YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF YOUR HOUSE
“Cleaning the house while kids are growing is like shoveling snow while it is still snowing.” Can I get an, “Amen?” It seems like the moment I sweep the kitchen floor, there are crumbs all over the place again. I have to remind myself that the days are coming where there won’t be fingerprints on every surface or toys piled all around. I will have the time to make my house as clean as I want it later. Time will slip by and does slip by when I make the house as clean as I’d prefer. I way too often get out of whack with my expectations when we entertain. I need to learn to be real and say, “Yes, this is what life with a 2, 4 and 6 year old looks like in our house.” It’s humbling, but the more I obsess about cleaning, the more I ignore my own kids. They know when I have another agenda, and the day is more miserable for everyone.
READ TO THEM
My Jelly Beans Sandals would tell me to, “Read to them.” They learn so much snuggled up on your lap with a good book. Books teach reality. They teach imagination. They make you slow down and engage. They create life long learners. Take the time to read books with your kids. Engage them in the reading by asking questions. Start young to create lifelong readers.
SERVE OTHERS
You are a busy mom with kids. It’s hard to serve others, but I still believe it is important. In the picture above, I was watching my friend’s three kids because she was really sick. You need to be an example of sacrificing your own agenda to love your neighbor. Your kids are watching. We want to create kids who serve and care for others. Model it.
BE THE LIFEGUARD
I have heard way too many scary stories about kids around water. Moms don’t get vacations. Summer is often the time for vacations. With that travel often comes water. You can vacation in style with your new Jelly Beans sandals, but don’t let it take you off guard. We too often assume the lifeguard can catch everything that might happen with the 40 kids at the pool. We might assume someone else is watching. We just want a break. Please. Just a moment to read a book and enjoy the sun. Make sure to keep your guard up as you are with kids by the water.
GET EXERCISE
Exercising as a mom is a lot more challenging to do. I have, for a long time, not made it a priority. As a mom of three young ones, I had all sorts of excuses for not being able to get the exercise in, but when it came down to it, they were all excuseS. I’m currently training to run a 5K, which is a miracle in and of itself. I am not a runner and after having babies never thought I’d torture myself that way again. Well, I am. Does every work out look the same? No, I am often running up and down my driveway or street (back and forth, back and forth) while my kids ride their bikes or run around the yard. That’s not the kind of program I may have used to do, but I’m making it work in my current life. You might get your heart rate up playing tag in the front yard. You might be hard core walking with strollers. You might be creating your very own park workout using the equipment there. Maybe your kids want to dance in the living room to fun music. It takes a lot more creativity. No, I won’t always exercise in my new sandals. I use my tennis shoes for the harder training. However, the sandals are actually really comfortable, and I am able to run around the yard in them easily. I have already spent a few days wearing them all day straight with a lot of walking, and they haven’t bugged me one bit. They are more comfortable than I imagine. I will say one more thing about exercising. The hardest part about working out is starting. When you aren’t exercising, you don’t have the same energy. When you don’t have the energy, you don’t want to exercise. However, once you start, the energy comes back. I am able to run and play with my kids like I haven’t in quite some time. I can do all that in my Jelly Beans sandals.
WATCH THEM
Watch your kids as they are trying new things and performing. My girls are doing gymnastics for the first time. They are also doing swim lessons. I get to go to a lot of their practices. A lot of moms can’t do that, and I completely understand. However, when you are there, I want to encourage you to be present. I can’t tell you how many parents I see with their heads down in laptops, phones, iPads and books. I can’t tell you that I’m perfect. I might take a moment to glance at an email that has come in. However, your kids will stop looking at you in eager anticipation to make sure that you saw them do a summersault for the first time. You miss their brilliant move around the defender, and they will learn to celebrate their successes with their friends rather than you. I have kids who are always looking to make sure I saw. I smile and give the thumbs up. It’s too easy in our tech culture to tune out and disengage. It’s so tempting and definitely a lure I have in my own life. I have to constantly be TRYING to make a conscious decision to be present in the moment. My Jelly Beans sandals would tell me to plant my feet on those bleachers and plant my eyes on the game.
DO IT ALL IN STYLE
It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get a trendy new look for the summer. Jelly Beans sandals are a great option to spice up your wardrobe. This fun fashion trend will be a great addition to your summer wardrobe. Whether you want to add a pop of color or have a classic black or clear look, these shoes will just make you smile. You can wear the shoes at any age. Kids would love them. Adults will feel like kids again. So, as you wear your own Jelly Beans sandals, remember the words they would whisper to help you stay engaged in the moment.
Jelly Beans Sandal Information: Jellys are back and Jelly Beans launched their brand new (yet a recognizable shoe that we all love and remember) Jellys in the United States in July. Jelly Bean shoes can be shipped from Australia or the United States. You want to choose your “store” in the upper right hand corner of their website. Free shipping is available in the United States!
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