Children of the 70s and 80s rode in the front seat of the car with their parents and sometimes in the back of a truck unrestrained. Nowadays, we know it’s safer to make sure our children are properly restrained. From the time a child is born until the child is between eight and ten, parents need to have a car seat.
The Key Things to Know About Depression in Kids
Depression isn’t typically an illness that we associate with children, but many mental health professionals believe that it should be. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), around one in every twenty children in the U.S. suffers from depression today. For parents, it’s important to understand the signs and be able to determine whether their child is simply unhappy, or whether their symptoms are a sign of something more serious. As a parent, you will, of course, hope that depression is something that your child never has to go through, at any stage in their life. However, it’s good to be aware of what to look out for, so that you can be there for your child and offer them the support that they need should they ever become depressed.
Depression Can be Genetic
If you or a close family member suffers from depression or has suffered from this mental illness in the past, then it’s worth bearing in mind that depression can run in the family. Studies show that around 25% of children with a parent who has suffered from clinical depression will experience symptoms of their own. If both parents have suffered from depression, then the risk of the child also becoming depressed rises to around 75%. However, bear in mind that even children with no history of depression in the family can become depressed.
It Can Manifest as Other Problems
Many adults who develop depression can find it difficult to manage the feelings that it causes, so for children, it can be even worse. Parents should be aware that depression in children can often manifest as different problems; it’s not enough to assume that if your child is depressed, they will simply be sad all the time. Children with depression may suddenly become more anxious and clingy, their grades at school may suffer, or they may become more irritable with their siblings and friends. It’s also worth bearing in mind that a large percentage of children who suffer from depression also suffer from other disorders, such as anxiety disorder.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment is Important
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from depression, then it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to getting a diagnosis. Taking your child to see a mental health professional who can assess them as early on as possible will help them to recover quickly since treatment can then be provided to help them manage their symptoms and get back to normal health. There are a variety of treatments available for children who are suffering from depression, including counselling, antidepressant medication, and in some cases, TMS therapy such as the depression treatment Los Angeles offered by Smart Brain and Health.
Depression is a mental illness that can affect people from all walks of life, at any point in their life. Although it is not an illness that we commonly associate with children, it’s entirely possible for a child to become depressed. As a parent, it’s important to know what to look out for and what to do to ensure your child enjoys good mental health.
James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.
9 Important Values to Teach Children
Parents have the greatest privilege in the universe. We have the opportunity to raise kids – to construct important values to teach children and witness the result. At the end of the day, they are individuals – separate from us – who have their own minds, hearts, hands, feet, wishes, and skills. Even so, seeing my kids become the people they were meant to be is a delight.
I love seeing my young daughter spin around in our living room as a ballerina. Then I see my son carefully line up his trains or the way he tends to his stuffed animals when one of them gets “hurt” and needs a bandage.
From a young age, our children show us so many beautiful values they explore. However, kids enter the world with a free will, which means that “Me First” mentality kicks in pretty early. It is our job as parents to start conversations about right living – about healthy values.
Here are a few topics for you to begin the conversation with your child:
9 Important Values to Teach Children
“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”
― Elizabeth Stone
Work Ethic
Understanding that money comes from labor is a fundamental lesson that will stay with your child through adulthood. You can employ him or her to do chores around the house, bring up topics to discuss, or simply lead by example in your own field of work.
Giving
Kids are such natural givers. Somewhere along the way, we figure out it’s really fun to just keep what we have and use it on ourselves. Tapping into their young minds and encouraging things like gratitude, contentment, and giving can also stay with your child for life. It may mean letting her see you tip extra for the server or give to a charity or hand
Kindness
This world is full of cruelty, especially on the internet. Our kids are among the first generation growing where this level of connection and advancement in technology is simply a way of life. Learning to offer a kind word or do something nice at a young age will help your children counteract the ever-rampant negativity out there today.
Prioritizing Family
It’s so easy to take one’s family for granted. As children grow, it’s vital for parents to help them understand the value of keeping family first. There will be a thousand things that will try to take its place – especially when your children reach adulthood.
Integrity
As kids age, they have more and more responsibility placed on their shoulders. Therefore, they have more opportunities to do things when others aren’t hovering over their shoulders. Whether they’re male or female, what they decide in those moments matters so much more than they realize.
For example, Ellen recently tested her audience members by placing hidden cameras at the free gift booth. Before the show, each member was told she could select one free item from the table. One woman was caught on camera taking multiple items and returning to the booth two more times for more! Ellen not only showed the tape to the millions of viewers of her show, but she then called out this audience member and made her sit on a stool in “Ellen Jail” right in front of everyone.
Sure it’s a light-hearted example, but the message runs deep. Check out Ellen’s reaction to the woman who robbed her booth here:
https://youtu.be/Cn3AgNC2TSk
Capacity to Apologize
My kids’ favorite movie is “Moana.” They love the music and love racing around the house pretending to be the demigod Maui shouting “Chee-hoooo!”
One of my favorite parts of the film is actually toward the end when Maui comes face to face with someone he robbed. At first, he tries to laugh it off until he sees the hurt look in the other character’s eyes. I love what happens next. He looks her in the eye and says, “What I did was wrong. I have no excuse. I’m sorry.”
What a great example for kids to see the power of owning up to their actions. To be held responsible for those choices. It’s another life lesson that would likely stay with them for life.
Try Your Best
Could we please dissolve the old adage “Practice makes perfect”? Talk about setting unrealistic expectations for kids. Now hear me out – I’m not a big fan of participation ribbons or removing competition altogether. It’s important to learn how to win AND lose with dignity and respect; however, walking up to the plate with perfection as the goal isn’t going to fly.
Remind your kids to try their best, and then remind them again. And again. Just keep that flag flying!
Money Management
So many 18-year-olds graduate with almost no money management skills. Then, they fill out paperwork for colleges and make the largest financial decision they’ve ever made which typically lands them in debt up to their eyebrows. Being equipped with the head knowledge and habits of handling money while they’re under your roof will make their entire adult life completely different.
Caring for the Environment
Your kids may not grow up wanting to major in environmental studies, but educating them about how to be less wasteful should start in the home. Think about your own habits, like not littering and sorting out recyclables. Your kids will see how you treat the world around you. Taking time to talk through those things or initiate something unique like planting a garden or using compost will help them learn skills to better protect their environment.
Final Thoughts
There are so many more values we could cover. In fact, it may seem overwhelming some days. Just remember these happen one day and one conversation at a time.
What’s on your list of important values to teach children? Is it on this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Blue Apron Review: Is This Meal Delivery Service Right for Your Family?
Blue Apron’s meal delivery service was just the reboot my family needed to try fresh meals and food combinations we’d never experienced. As a mom, meal planning is a huge part of my week. Sometimes, I get stuck on autopilot with family favorites like pizza, tacos, or breakfast for dinner. Or peanut butter and jelly. We all know how much time and effort it takes to cook a new meal from scratch. So, here is a Blue Apron review.
And, we all know how much free time parents have…
What if someone just handed you a box of ingredients and a recipe so you could finally try out some new, healthy meals?
(That’s your cue, Blue Apron.)
Want to know what goes into cooking a Blue Apron meal? Check out these real families trying it out for the first time in this video.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdvnpdJ7RtE]
My Blue Apron Review: Is It Right for Your Family?
Trying Out Blue Apron
Blue Apron’s user-friendly website made it very easy to get started. I noticed there were options for specifying dietary preferences or restrictions. They assigned three meals to me:
- Cheddar Cheeseburgers
- Spicy Chicken Chili
- Cajun Catfish
I’ll be honest. My first reaction was a furrowed brow. I’m not a huge spice fan, nor do I care much for cheeseburgers. (I’m so glad I didn’t have a choice with the meal selections, though. Keep reading to find out why!)
A box showed up on my doorstep a week later. My kids could barely contain their excitement. I was psyched, too.
Upon opening the box, we discovered colors and shapes and textures all waiting to be diced, sauteed, and garnished. It was delightful.
I loved the freshness of it all. It truly was a chance to cook gourmet meals from scratch as a family.
Each meal comes with clear instructions. The kids loved looking at the step-by-step pictures and matching the foods with them.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Blue Apron
With any review comes the honest observations of pros and cons. I feel it’s only right to share both sides of my experience with you.
BENEFITS
Blue Apron completely transformed my kitchen. The aroma of Cajun rice with red peppers cooking next to two catfish fillets with sauteed collard greens was a thrill for my senses. Also, the food was delicious. I’m so glad I didn’t get to decide what meals arrived because I would never have braved these new flavors. They weren’t kidding when they said food from scratch is best!
Blue Apron also gave me the gift of education. I was able to teach my children about the meals, the seasonings, the nutrition in each food, and so on. My daughter bragged to her friends, dolls, and everyone in earshot that she tried a radish for the first time (Blue Apron sent a recipe for a kale and radish salad). I love that my kid took pride in eating healthy food.
Note: My kids are too young for using a knife, but if you have older kids, this is a great opportunity to teach them some important food prep/kitchen safety skills they can carry into their own lives down the road.
DRAWBACKS
Every recipe had something spicy which didn’t work so well for my 2-year-old. If you have younger kids, you may need to keep leftovers handy or whip up something on the side. That did take more time and effort.
Also, the prep time before meals is fairly time-consuming. That makes sense with meals from scratch, but the estimated prep time on each recipe card was much shorter than what it took me to wash, dry, mince, and chop everything. With both kids hovering nearby and no sous-chef, it simply took extra time. Make sure you factor that in when you plan your evening so that you’re not serving dinner at 8:30 PM (that may or may not have happened on Day 1…).
The most obvious potential drawback is the expense. Family meals per week are between $70 and $140. That’s a significant investment many can’t afford to make. The health benefits could, however, be worth it in the long-term.
Blue Apron Review: My Conclusion
Blue Apron has become my unofficial culinary school. Since trying it, I’ve branched out and purchased new ingredients at the store like fresh salmon and, yes, catfish fillets.
Although my husband and I agree that Blue Apron isn’t something we can afford continually, I’d love to try it out with the kids when they’re a little older. What a great way to make some memories, learn an awesome skill, and eat healthier.
If you don’t think this is a good fit for your family, consider it for when the kids get older or give it as a housewarming or wedding gift.
Ready to give Blue Apron a try? Click here to get started. That link is also good for $30 dollars off your first order.
Full disclosure: I obtained three free meals for the purpose of reviewing Blue Apron. However, the opinions and thoughts shared below are entirely my own.
If you enjoyed this article please leave us a comment below or share it on social media.
Here are Blue Apron reviews from our friends, Budget and invest, Thousandaire and Cleverdude. And for a more holistic view on all the current meal kit vendors, be sure sure to check out top10.com!”
P.S. Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!
- 10 Steps to a Successful Stay-at-Home Mom Budget
- How to Afford Your Dream of Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom
- 14 Online Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms (That Are Worth Your Time)
- 13 Ways for Stay-at-Home Moms to Save Money
- Loans for Stay-at-Home Moms – What Are YOUR Options?
- The SAHM Budget Test: How to Afford to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom
7 Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves
Due to the busyness of life, it’s not always feasible for moms and/or dads to be at home when the kids need to eat. Helping them learn to cook for themselves will help them understand responsibility, self-care, and a new way to have fun. Therefore, here are some fantastic and easy recipes kids can make themselves.
7 Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves
1. Salad Bar
Not only are salads healthy, they’re easy to make for kids of nearly any age. The ingredient possibilities are endless. If parents keep a variety of fresh ingredients on hand, kids can put together a salad that fits their differing taste preferences. Some ideas for ingredients to have on hand include:
- Bagged, pre-washed salad
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Green pepper
- Green onion
- Cucumber
- Deli meat
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Avocado
- Chopped walnuts, sliced almonds or sunflower seeds
- A variety of dressings
As long as your child has been taught how to safely use a serrated-edge knife, there’s no limit to the ingredients they can include in their salad bar.
2. Sandwiches
As with a salad bar, sandwiches have endless possibilities and don’t have to be limited to the traditional PB&J. A variety of deli meats, veggies, cheeses and spreads such as mayonnaise, mustard and guacamole will add an extra boost to the plain sandwiches of yesteryear.
For example, tuna and chicken salad are quick and easy sandwiches that can be spiced up with simple ingredients. Here’s an easy recipe kids can make themselves.
- 1 5-ounce can of tuna or chicken breast, drained
- 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise or salad dressing
- 1 green onion, sliced thin
- 1/2 stick of celery, sliced thin
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and spread on your choice of bread. Add a slice of cheese and/or pre-cooked bacon if desired.
3. Taco Bar
With only seven easy-to-prepare ingredients, your kids can whip up a taco bar that will please the masses.
- Browned hamburger (seasoned with premade taco seasoning)
- Bagged, shredded lettuce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- A jar of salsa
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced green onion
- Hard and/or soft taco shells
Want to do your taco bar a bit differently? Substitute the taco shells with tortilla chips and have your child put their nacho creation in the microwave for one minute.
4. English Muffin Pizzas
This recipe can be made in the microwave or in a toaster oven. For each child, have:
- 1 English muffin, sliced in half (toast in the toaster first if you’re using the microwave)
- 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce from a jar
- ¼ c. of shredded mozzarella
- Additional toppings such as pepperoni, sliced olives or other sliced veggies as desired
Place the two halves face up on a plate or toaster-oven-safe baking sheet. Spread one tablespoon of pizza sauce (I like Chef Boyardee) on each muffin half. Add desired toppings. Cover each half with some of the mozzarella cheese. Cook the pizzas in the microwave or toaster oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Homemade Mac & Cheese
This is one of the most popular easy recipes kids can make themselves due to its tastiness and simplicity. Not to mention the health benefits for making it from scratch rather than from a box.
Ingredients:
- 1 c. of dry macaroni
- 1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 c. milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare pasta as directed. When finished, drain and return pasta back into pot. Mix in all ingredients. When all of the cheese is melted and the ingredients are thoroughly mixed it’s ready to eat!
6. Creamy Fruit Dip with Fresh Fruit
This healthy and easy-to-make snack is great for after school or after dinner. It makes a terrific breakfast meal as well.
Fruit Dip:
- 1 c. vanilla yogurt
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a medium-sized glass bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and beat until combined thoroughly. Serve immediately or chill until ready to eat. Serve with your choice of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas or apple slices.
7. Banana Parfait Dessert
This simple dessert can be modified to satisfy a variety of different taste preferences.
Ingredients:
- 1 -3.4 ounce package of Jello instant banana pudding
- 1 8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed but still cold.
- 1 medium banana, sliced
- 4 vanilla wafer cookies
Prepare banana pudding as directed. Add sliced bananas. Place one cup of mixture in a medium-sized bowl or sundae dish. Garnish with vanilla wafers and a dollop of whipped topping.
Substitutions:
- Vanilla pudding with strawberry slices
- Chocolate pudding with bananas or chocolate chips
Even though these are easy recipes kids can make themselves, they’re also great for making with your child. Snag a few of these ideas as you plan your next grocery trip and get ready to make some memories (and a few messes) together with your children in the kitchen.
Finally, if you are a parent you know that children can be really expensive to feed. If you are interested in possibly cutting down on your expenses, consider something like Amazon’s subscribe and save. Subscribe and save is good for things like Z-bars, coffee and laundry detergent. If you use a lot of dry staples like these, it might be worth your time to sign up for it.
If you want to read more about kids in kitchen check out our articles on:
- The Learning Tower: Keeping your child safe in the kitchen
- Keeping your kids occupied without tv: screen-free activities for your preschooler
What recipes did you learn to make as a child? Share one with us!
Image Credit: lunar (MorgueFile)
P.S. Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!
- 10 Steps to a Successful Stay-at-Home Mom Budget
- How to Afford Your Dream of Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom
- 14 Online Jobs for Stay-at-Home Moms (That Are Worth Your Time)
- 13 Ways for Stay-at-Home Moms to Save Money
- Loans for Stay-at-Home Moms – What Are YOUR Options?
- The SAHM Budget Test: How to Afford to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom
5 Homemade Baby Food Hacks
I once saw a hilarious depiction of the five types of moms you meet: The PTA mom, Parenting Expert, Crunchy Mom, Hipster Mom, and (my favorite) Hot Mess Mom (see the video below). Despite my best efforts, I identify with the Hot Mess Mom racing to the meeting with stains on her shirt and yesterday’s hairdo going in every direction – which is why you need to know these homemade baby food hacks I’m going to share AREN’T just for the uber-crunchy, hipster, always-put-together moms.
You and me, on our worst days, can pull these DIY hacks off, mama. I guarantee it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOQViEZOwGk]
5 Homemade Baby Food Hacks
When my daughter was born in 2013, we were slightly broke. We let go of my full-time income and benefits after my transition to a part-time position, and our health insurance plan went through the roof.
My husband supported us while I supplemented our income doing childcare, consignment sales, and eventually, launched a career from home as a freelance writer. Throughout that journey, frugal living became a mandate in our home. When I began researching ways to cut costs with an infant, I realized even a “Hot Mess Mom” like me (which, I’m convinced we’re all a hot mess on any given day – which makes us fabulous) could start doing DIY hacks in my home.
Baby food was a huge win. Besides breastfeeding for a full year, making homemade baby food was probably the largest money saver we unearthed (cloth diapers are also a great way to save money – but we rented our home and didn’t want to ruin the landlord’s washing machine…).
Here are five ways you can hack your way into the homemade baby food scene:
1. Don’t rush.
I’m no pediatrician, so please don’t assume this will be the case for you, but when the doctor says to start feeding your child solids when she’s six months old, you may do well to wait. Babies have their own timeline, and as long as they’re receiving full meals via breast milk or formula, they have the nutrients they need before their first birthday. “Food before one is just for fun,” as they say.
You could save tons of money by simply following your baby’s lead instead of forcing her to eat solids too early. When my son spit out every morsel of baby food I offered at six months, I got the hint to chill out. He was in the 98th percentile for height and weight entirely from consuming breast milk and refused solids until he was 11 months old.
The doctor’s only concern after I explained my son’s lack of interest was that he continue learning his motor movements with a spoon or fork. So I gave him plastic ware to tinker with in his high chair during our meals, and he loved it.
Every baby is different, though. When my daughter turned six months old, she watched my plate of food like a shark. I introduced her to solids shortly after that and she devoured them, happily.
Don’t feel the pressure to force your baby to eat solids if he’s not digging it, yet.
2. Start with an easy “superfood.”
Making homemade baby food feels like a huge undertaking at first with cooking, pureeing, freezing, and labeling everything. It can, however, begin more simply.
Try some superfoods that are basically ready to eat, like a banana, avocado, or peach. You don’t have to start with peeling, gutting, and broiling a gigantic butternut squash (although, once you’ve gotten your feet wet, it’s extremely healthy for your baby and not as harrowing as it sounds!).
3. Introduce one new food at a time.
To avoid the risk of allergies, it’s wisest to only introduce your baby to one new food at a time. You may think Tiger needs more variety and that you aren’t being kind by feeding him any other solids except softened carrots, but he’s doing fine.
Babies’ taste buds are developing and each new flavor, no matter how bland, is a vibrant experience to them.
4. You don’t have to use the fancy, expensive equipment.
Sure, companies have produced the perfect gizmos for homemade baby food hacks, but you don’t have to have them. Go ahead and register for a brand new Ninja or Magic Bullet, as well as baby food freezer trays that come with a lid.
If, however, you don’t receive them or don’t have the money to buy them right now, your existing blender, some ice cube trays, tin foil and a Sharpie did the trick for me.
5. DIY when it makes sense.
I started to get pretty good at making all sorts of baby food, but I finally reached my limit when it came to snack pouches. If you browse your grocery store’s baby food aisle, you’ll find a huge selection of pouches that are often organic with two to four healthy ingredients in puree form. The pouch is designed to be mess-free, can be stored anywhere before it’s opened, and exposes children to healthy foods they might not otherwise eat. All for $1 to $2 each. With coupons, I can easily get each pouch for less
The pouch is designed to be mess-free, can be stored anywhere before it’s opened, and exposes children to healthy foods they might not otherwise eat. All for $1 to $2 each. With coupons, I can easily get each pouch for less then $1.50.
The thing is, you can do all of that from home if you want. You can buy reusable pouches that look extremely challenging to clean, as well as those unique ingredients like organic purple carrot or amaranth.
Then, you can cook and puree each one individually and fill your snack pouches with any combination you want.
I need a nap just from typing all of that. For a $1, it’s worth it for me to simply buy the snack pouch (sorry, environment).
Do the DIY thing when it makes sense. Don’t beat yourself up if your friend serves her family home-grown, organic rutabaga, kale and goat cheese for every meal. Start where you can and remember: Fed is best. Simple as that.
What are some homemade baby food hacks you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments below!
Image Credit: thesuccess (MorgueFile)
7 Screen-Free Activities for Preschoolers
The last thing you’ll ever hear me say is that I’ll never let my kids use technology. Part of their world will always be tied to it. However, I don’t want them to become overstimulated and addicted. To put up healthy boundaries, here are several screen-free activities for preschoolers – since both of my children are that age.
These activities have worked in my family. Now it’s my turn to hand them over to you.
I notice subtle changes in my children’s behavior when they’re in front of a screen for too long. After doing some research, I now understand better what those changes are.
Or more importantly, what they could become.
What does the research say?
Preschoolers don’t reflect the more serious side effects of too much technology, but the average child eight years and older is spending 8 to 11 hours per day looking at a screen, according to the NY Times. What suffers as a result?
Emotional connect. Reasoning skills. Coping mechanisms. The ability to process thoughts, anxieties, and problems.
All those developmental skills are under attack when screens dominate a child’s day, according to this report from NPR.
The earlier we create boundaries for our children’s time with technology, the better their transition into adulthood will be.
7 Screen-Free Activities for Preschoolers
Read books.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Establishing a daily reading habit with your child is a great way to advance his development away from screens. To change things up, try attending a reading time at your local library or purchase some nonfiction books (i.e. a picture dictionary or a book all about what your child loves most).
We keep a basket in between the children’s car seats so they can pick out a book to read on their own while I drive.
Listen to audio books.
One my kids’ favorite activities is listening to audio books. We pull up “reading chairs” so they know it’s time to sit and listen (you could also cut out cardboard circles with their names on them or set out folded blankets).
The library offers lots of variety when it comes to audio stories for kids. Turn the pages for the children until they get the hang of it and can follow along by themselves.
This activity promotes sitting still, listening, learning by spoken word, and early reading along.
Make believe a favorite character.
During an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, my children watched the characters try on several different costumes and parade around the play room. Once we shut the TV off, my kids instantly wanted to be like those characters, so we grabbed some play clothes and made it happen.
This activity helps kids develop their imagination, and helps them understand that not all fun happens on the other side of a screen.
Bring mess-free travel crafts.
Screen-free activities for toddlers especially come in handy in the car. Have a basket of mess-free crafts, book or toys can help them learn to occupy themselves without DVDs or iPads.
One of my go-to examples is the Melissa and Doug Paint with Water book. These last a long time, help your children learn hand-eye coordination, and never leave a mess behind.
They also make great birthday presents for other children. Find them here.
Build something.
Whether it’s a fort made from couch cushions or a castle made from LEGOs, building something is immensely beneficial to your preschooler. It’s like you can see the smoke rising from the wheels turning in their brain as they problem solve each piece of the puzzle or tower.
My favorite toy that helps my children develop these skills is the Mega Bloks Big Building Bag.
It’s an 80-piece set of easy-to-use building blocks that can be added to over time and at any age.
Getting outside.
Staying active is next to impossible while a child is hooked up to a screen. Just like you can create a reading time every day, try to take the kids outside each day. You can take them to the park, for a walk, to the zoo, the pool, on a field trip, or just out to the driveway with some sidewalk chalk.
Study the world together.
Last Christmas, my husband and I gave our children a globe. Over the last year, we’ve looked at it together and studied the numerous intricacies of our world. Yes, you can download Google Earth for free, but studying a 3D globe in a group is different. The children can feel the earth. They feel the mountain ranges, spin the planet on its axis, and wrap their arms around its round shape.
Being able to study that together creates a discussion format that wouldn’t likely happen through an app.
For more ways to keep your kids busy without putting them in front of a screen check out these articles.
8 Simple Rainy Day Activities For Kids
Three Inexpensive Spring Break Ideas
How to Save Money On Kids Toys
What screen-free activities for preschoolers does your family enjoy?
Image Credit: Frank McKenna (UnSplash)
This post may contain affiliate links.
My Favorite Resources to Use When Cooking For My Family
When you work full time and are pressed for time after work, preparing and cooking dinner can be a chore. I actually don’t mind cooking but during the week it simply comes down to something I have to do.
While it is tempting to eat fried eggs and toast every night to avoid meal planning, when you want to eat healthy this isn’t realistic. To prepare healthy meals for my family, it starts with proper meal planning. Not only does this ensure we eat well it’s a huge help to our budget. I have a few go-to resources that make my life a little more manageable and I will share them with you:
Host a Big Cook. This isn’t something I’ve done in a while but it is definitely meal prep at its finest. I borrowed the Big Cook cookbook from my local library but have considered ordering it so I can continue to share it with those in my life because I rave about it so much. Though this is initially a lot of work, you end up with many pre-planned/pre-prepped meals you simply need to grab from your freezer and usually throw in your crock-pot day of. This is something I want to do again soon.
Pinterest. Like everything, Pinterest is a great resource. I have found many inspiring recipes from browsing on Pinterest. I like being able to organize my pins based on different things; you could have Vegetarian/Chicken/Beef organized boards or more simply breakfast/lunch/dinner ideas. It’s a nice way to start organized digitally.
EmilyBites.com. This is one of my favorite websites for recipes. It’s well laid out with great visuals. I don’t love most recipe websites because I find they’re usually quite overwhelming, but Emily Bites is focused on good tasting, healthy-versions of family favorites. I’ve never made something I didn’t love. She offers ‘’extra’’ information too for each recipe like Weight Watchers points values if you follow a particular diet.
Skinnytaste.com. Another great website that is well laid out. The thing about this website is that I really like, is that she includes entire weekly meal plans you can follow along with, but if you’d rather she also has it organized by individual recipes. If you’re someone who is super organized she also offers a meal planning book you can follow along with. Finally, her pictures are great too.
The hardest part of cooking for my family, is planning what to cook for my family. By using a few of these resources taking care of the planning is much easier, even a picky three year old!
What are your favorite meal planning tools?
Catherine is a first time momma to a rambunctious toddler. When she isn’t soaking up all that motherhood has to offer, you can find her blogging over at Plunged in Debt where she chronicles her and her husbands journey out of debt. You can also follow her on Twitter.
The Importance of Living a Healthy Lifestyle as a Family
I want to start by saying I am by no means an expert in nutrition or pediatrics. I am however a mother and woman, to whom this is an important topic to me for many reasons.
Growing up as a young girl who was surrounded by pre-teen and teen magazines (thank God the internet wasn’t mainstream yet), I was constantly comparing myself. I remember my first ‘’diet’’. Basically as long as it was low fat or fat free it was ok to eat. So though I couldn’t eat an avocado, sour candies were fine. I was probably around the age of 13/14 and working hard for a six-pack in the gym. It was ridiculous in hindsight.
Thankfully it was never really an ‘’issue’’ for me. Though I was attempting to ‘’diet’’ and was going to the gym with my friend (who at 13 was following weight watchers per her family doctors OK), my mom was an educated woman and made sure I was healthy. It actually encouraged her to start going to the gym as well, to quasi spy on me which then led to her own love affair with working out.
I don’t know what it’s like to be a young boy, I know boys must suffer from body issues like girls do but likely in a much more silent way. Body ‘’issues’’ are a huge issue. Childhood obesity is also a terrifying statistic. I read an article recently about a pre-K student being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (no reference so maybe it wasn’t true), but it’s totally possible.
We live in a word of extremes and we as parents have to try and find a healthy balance. We don’t want childhood obesity to scare the life out of our kids but we also don’t want our kids suffering from body dysmorphic issues. We need a middle ground.
Healthy Habits Start at Home
Healthy habits definitely start at home and it doesn’t need to be complicated. For us, we ensure that our daughter gets outdoor play every day (weather dependant) and on days the weather doesn’t cooperate, we do fun stuff inside. Sometimes she works out with mommy and other times we have a 30 minute dance party. As long as she’s having fun and getting exercise that’s all we care about.
At just over three, she’s also involved in helping me in the kitchen. She, like most kids are more apt to eat foods when they’re involved with preparing it. For instance she insisted she didn’t like pizza, until she made one herself (we use small whole wheat naan bread or Greek pita, pizza sauce and low-fat mozza cheese). She loves eating what she creates. Sometimes it’s even just giving her the choice of side ‘’did you want cucumber or grapes as a side tonight?’’ This allows her to have control of the choice without realizing the restrictions you as a parent put in place.
Kids Learn Through Example
Kids, especially young kids, learn so much by what they see in their environment. Our daughter knows mommy likes to go for walks so will often ask if it’s something we can do together. While I’m sure she sees it as time together, she’s also getting fresh air and exercise.
My experience as a parent as well, is that parents are scared to talk to their kids about obesity. They’re nervous that it will embarrass their kids or make the kid think you think they themselves are obese. This simply isn’t true and childhood obesity is a huge issue that needs to be talked about early on. There are many ways to bring up the importance of living a healthy life without traditional ‘’fat shaming’’. Rather than teaching your kids to be afraid of something (obesity) educated them as to why it’s important to be healthy.
If living a healthy lifestyle is something the family does together it will transcend to children organically. Kids who know healthy balanced lifestyles will continue to live one, and if they don’t as they age, they will at least have the education to make informed choices.
How do you make healthy living apart of your family?
Catherine is a first time momma to a rambunctious toddler. When she isn’t soaking up all that motherhood has to offer, you can find her blogging over at Plunged in Debt where she chronicles her and her husbands journey out of debt. You can also follow her on Twitter.
4 Tips for Staying Fit on a Budget
Exercise is something that’s always been important to me. Growing up, my mom treated the family every year to a family membership at a local rec center. We loved it! We had unlimited access to multiple swimming pools, skating rinks, classes for all ages and as we got older we capitalized on the use of the gym.
Having a rec center membership isn’t an option for everyone. Not only does everyone not necessarily have access to a rec center, they can be expensive. For us as a family, while we work towards other financial goals, we’ve opted to not have a membership and instead stay fit with what we can do at or from home. Most things are pretty cheap, if not free.
Get Outside!
This is the easiest way to stay fit. Go for a walk, ride a bike, find a place to hike. The best shape I’ve ever been in was when I was walking 5km every day round trip to school. Since we don’t have access to a rec center my husband recently bought a new bike that was on summer clearance. This is something he’ll be able to use for years to come and didn’t cost much at all! I love walking and when I’m home with kiddo I like to put her in the stroller and walk around our neighbourhood. Hiking is another favorite activity of mine though I don’t get to do it as often.
YouTube
When I was home on maternity leave I would search for YouTube exercise videos to help with the baby weight. Combined with a good diet and regular walks with the baby I got to my pre-baby weight. There are entire YouTube channels offering free workout videos depending on what you’re looking for.
Home Workouts
There are entire companies out there that were established to make working out at home possible. I recently started following the video series of one of these programs and actually really like it. I can do it from the comfort of my home and all I need is a few cheap weights (check local second hand stores or garage sales), and a yoga mat. Be careful you don’t get sucked into buying some of these companies’ nutritional supplements though. They usually have a reasonable ‘’first time’’ price but can get you on subsequent orders. Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise, you don’t need fancy supplements.
Check Out Local Programs
Our local library often has fliers advertising free or cheap classes, everything from toddler ballet to 65+ Tai Chi. Some of the courses are free (Yoga in the park every Sunday!), but some have a small fee associated. When I was in university I partook in a cheap learn to run course and it was a great experience, I was especially thankful for my tight budget!
Some people only think of fancy gyms and pools when it comes to losing weight and staying fir when the reality is that you can live a very healthy life without paying for anything.
Do you have any tips for staying fit on a budget?
Catherine is a first time momma to a rambunctious toddler. When she isn’t soaking up all that motherhood has to offer, you can find her blogging over at Plunged in Debt where she chronicles her and her husbands journey out of debt. You can also follow her on Twitter.