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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Parenting

Our children, School and Their Safety

February 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

Every morning we send our children off to school without a second thought thinking that they will be learning new wonders about the world or expanding their vocabulary and writing skills. The last thing that we as parents think about is that they will be killed by someone that walks into the school with a gun. However, the thought that someone may walk into our child’s school and harm them has come to the forefront of all parent’s minds in this country. Sadly, school shootings are happening all over this country and parents and even children are beginning to become scared. When Sandy Hook happened my son was a little over a year old and in daycare. It was easy at the time to say “well I’m just going to home school my children.” Yet here we are five years later and my son is in first grade at a local area school. The desire to shelter my child from the what if’s is strong but it is impossible to actually home school because we do enjoy having a roof over our heads and food on the table as I’m sure many other families do too. What happened in Florida has brought those fears back to light and stirred up more debate and controversy.

I personally tend to avoid politics because often times I find myself divided between both sides on where my views lie so I struggle with political debates. The majority of the time I feel that each side has their own strict view on what is right and is unwilling to budge or compromise in order to create a better political system. Why after so many mass shootings in schools, we as a nation, are still unable to come together and develop a better plan on how to protect one of our most vulnerable populations? This isn’t about gun control or about a better mental health system (even though those are important) it is about educating our children to notice the signs and empower them to speak up as well as protecting the schools in which our children attend. Every article that I have read in the last 24 hours insinuated that there were signs this man was unstable and could potentially commit such a heinous crime. Another huge issue is that this man had unrestricted access to the stairwell that he entered the school through. (Now I know that my facts may bot be 100% accurate since the media tends to skew things and spin things for dramatic flair, so please correct me if I am wrong).

So why aren’t our schools better protected? And why aren’t we educating our children on not only what to do in an emergency situation such as this but also empowering our children to use their voice to say when something doesn’t feel right about another student?

We entrust these schools with our children five days a week and expect them not only to provide a quality education but to keep them safe. So where are the locked facilities, metal detectors and guards? After 911 happened, airports and airliners changed their policies with increased security. Why aren’t we doing better in our schools? Sadly this is the world we live in where our schools should function similarly to prisons and that everyone coming and going needs to be scrutinized and screened. I know many schools in my area have locked doors during school hours where parents and visitors need to be buzzed in. Who is actually monitoring the individual that walks through those doors and what they may be bringing inside with them? I know we can’t prevent everything from happening but we can do better to provide a sense of security to parents but the children as well.

It’s also important to educate our children and teachers on what to do if a school shooting were to happen at their facility. In the hospital that I work at we have codes for a person demonstrating violence with a deadly weapon and have even had active shooter drills. These are things to think about incorporating in our school systems. I think it is also important to educate our children to speak up if something doesn’t feel right about another student. I get e-mails from my teacher if my child calls another student a name or acts out in class, yet no one spoke up about this man in Florida or voiced their concern about his behavior till after the act of violence. Everyone is so concerned about “offending people” these days that they are too afraid to say something. As parents we need to be educating our children to speak up and voice their concerns instead of making them feel like their opinion doesn’t matter or may be offensive.

I don’t have all the answers around this topic and it is a much bigger problem then what I have addressed here. All I know is that our children should feel safe at school and feel that it is a place for education as well as fun. For now I will continue to do my best to educate my own child and fight to keep him safe as best I can when he isn’t with me. However a small piece inside of me will still be terrified every time I send him off to school.

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, girlfriend and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on all things mom as well as life!

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@dunkin has me covered with a little afternoon pick me up with their delicious coffee and a new Snackin’ Menu. You can choose from stuffed croissants, stuffed bagel minis, a gluten-free brownie and Snackin’ Bacon available for a limited time at select locations! 
Pair these with your favorite coffee, my current fav is the Explorer Blend, for the perfect combination. So whether you are on the go or taking a mini afternoon break, make sure to grab something from the @dunkin Snackin’ Menu! 

Any guesses on how long my toddler break will last? I’ll give you a hint; not long! #toddlermomlife 
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Growing as a person, a mom, a friend, a wife, and growing in my own personal goals. My life is pretty damn good and I am loving every second of growing older with the amazing people around me. So cheers to another year around the sun! 

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The extra strength and softness as well as the beautiful prints and patterns help this mama keep the sniffles at pay. Especially with this little one of mine who is constantly trying to wipe her nose on just about everything.
 
Looking to prepare you and your family for the cold and flu season? Check out my latest blog post (link in bio) on tips to do just that!

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1. Dress for the weather. Snow pants, hats, boots and warm clothing are a must. We spent over an hour there and the children only complained once they were cold.

2. Mask up. Masks are required. We took ours off briefly for the photo, making sure there was plenty of distance between us and others.

3. Book ahead. You can book your reservation online and it is highly suggested. Times sell out quickly during vacation weeks and on weekends. The day we went was sold out. 

4. Bringing a really small child? Make sure to bring a sled to pull them on or put them in a carrier. Strollers will not move through the snow and ice. 

5. Visit at night if you can. We didn’t this year but in years past we have gone at night  when the Ice Castles are lit up with lights making it that more magical. 

Lastly, have fun and stop by the little fire pits set up throughout to warm up.

Have you been to the @icecastles_ this year? What did you think?!
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My favorites; sweet roots and vanilla cashew! ⁣
Delivered right to your door with no mess , use the code DANIELLE15 to get 15% off and grab the link in my bio to shop. ⁣
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Taking a much needed break while the toddler naps Taking a much needed break while the toddler naps to just breathe. Chasing her around all day can be absolutely exhausting which means by the time I get to sit for a minute I am starving! 

@dunkin has me covered with a little afternoon pick me up with their delicious coffee and a new Snackin’ Menu. You can choose from stuffed croissants, stuffed bagel minis, a gluten-free brownie and Snackin’ Bacon available for a limited time at select locations! 
Pair these with your favorite coffee, my current fav is the Explorer Blend, for the perfect combination. So whether you are on the go or taking a mini afternoon break, make sure to grab something from the @dunkin Snackin’ Menu! 

Any guesses on how long my toddler break will last? I’ll give you a hint; not long! #toddlermomlife 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#dunkinmaine 
#dunkinpartner 
#dunkin
Happy thirty-something birthday to me!! Birthdays Happy thirty-something birthday to me!!

Birthdays used to be a big deal to me, now not so much. Getting older was scary but as the years have gone on, I look at another year older means another year of growth. 

Growing as a person, a mom, a friend, a wife, and growing in my own personal goals. My life is pretty damn good and I am loving every second of growing older with the amazing people around me. So cheers to another year around the sun! 

Also, getting a photo with balloons is about as hard as getting a photo with your children just in case anyone was wondering! ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#birthdaycelebrations 
#thirtysomething 
#thirtyflirtyandthriving 
#itsamomthing
Anyone else hate when their toddler uses their clo Anyone else hate when their toddler uses their clothing to blow their nose?! Fully prepared for cold and flu season over here with the help of @scottiestissues. (ad)

The extra strength and softness as well as the beautiful prints and patterns help this mama keep the sniffles at pay. Especially with this little one of mine who is constantly trying to wipe her nose on just about everything.
 
Looking to prepare you and your family for the cold and flu season? Check out my latest blog post (link in bio) on tips to do just that!

Double tap if your toddler does the same thing! I can’t have the only one 😆
 .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#TripleSoftProtectionSquad
#healthykids
#motherhoodmoments 
#raisingtinyhumans 
#toddlerhood
Sunday’s are for being lazy, well as lazy as you Sunday’s are for being lazy, well as lazy as you can be when your solo parenting two kids all day and night. 

Sharing this space of my home because soon this dining room table will be replaced by what I think is the perfect new addition. But I want to remember the imperfections and memories this old one holds. Anyone else feel a sense of nostalgia about their home furniture or is it just me?

And to note the vase and fake stems are from @walmart and cost less then $10 for it all! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#homedecorinspo 
#diningroomideas 
#simplehomestyle 
#cornerofmyhouse 
#walmartfinds
#squaresofmeandmine
Our @icecastles_ adventure was a success! The kids Our @icecastles_ adventure was a success! The kids loved all the fun ice slides, hidden pathways and thousands upon thousands of icicles frozen together to create this winter escape.
Looking to visit one near you? Here are my tips to make your visit fun and exciting.

1. Dress for the weather. Snow pants, hats, boots and warm clothing are a must. We spent over an hour there and the children only complained once they were cold.

2. Mask up. Masks are required. We took ours off briefly for the photo, making sure there was plenty of distance between us and others.

3. Book ahead. You can book your reservation online and it is highly suggested. Times sell out quickly during vacation weeks and on weekends. The day we went was sold out. 

4. Bringing a really small child? Make sure to bring a sled to pull them on or put them in a carrier. Strollers will not move through the snow and ice. 

5. Visit at night if you can. We didn’t this year but in years past we have gone at night  when the Ice Castles are lit up with lights making it that more magical. 

Lastly, have fun and stop by the little fire pits set up throughout to warm up.

Have you been to the @icecastles_ this year? What did you think?!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#newenglandliving 
#icecastles 
#lifewithatoddler 
#adventureswithkids 
#newengland_igers
#mylittlestolove
Living this mantra more and more. Picking and choo Living this mantra more and more. Picking and choosing what to spend my energy on in order to stay sane these days. 
Focusing on the good versus the bad and the things that I can control. Applying this daily to my relationships, parenting and work life. 
Choosing the right things to spend my energy on in my day to day life has made all the difference in my own personal happiness. 

So how are you choosing to spend your energy in your own life? 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

#motivationalwords 
#motherhoodgoals 
#dailyliving 
#quotestoinspire 
#inspirationalpost
Happy love day from my cutest little Valentine’s Happy love day from my cutest little Valentine’s. 
I love how much they love each other and want to spend time together despite their age gap (almost 7 years). 
And they remind me often to celebrate our love for each other every day! ❤️

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What are your plans? Swipe to see some extra cuteness from my littles! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

#lifewithkids 
#raisinglittles 
#raisethemkind 
#motherhoodmoments 
#mynameismama
I love all the benefits that raw juice provides bu I love all the benefits that raw juice provides but not the mess of making it myself! (ad) @raw_generation_juices  is helping me hit the reset button this year with their raw juice cleanses. You don’t have to be doing a juice cleanse to benefit from cold pressed juices. These juices can help you jumpstart a healthier diet, increase your fruit and veggies intake, and improve your digestion. ⁣
⁣
My favorites; sweet roots and vanilla cashew! ⁣
Delivered right to your door with no mess , use the code DANIELLE15 to get 15% off and grab the link in my bio to shop. ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#rawgenerationjuices 
#healthymommy ⁣
#busymoms ⁣
#momlifestyle
Follow Me on Instagram
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