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Discussing #Blacklivesmatter With My Mixed Kids
Yes, I agree that all lives matter.
But in the wake of the things happened to black people in this country, it’s a little insensitive to say that all lives matter is an appropriate response.
I’m not quite sure why when I grieve for the black men & women killed unjustly, I’m looked at as biased for expressing that #blacklivesmatter.
It’s hard for me to not be biased. I am a black woman and I have 3 black brothers, a black father, and black male friends. It’s hard to turn a blind eye when you fear that discrimination has now turned to fatal brutality.
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A Story of Hope for South Sudan’s 5th Birthday
This month, my oldest daughter will turn 5. She will have a themed birthday party, receive presents & have the love and support of her family. Her life is glamorous in comparison to many 5-year-olds in South Sudan. July 9, 2016 marks the 5th Anniversary of South Sudan, the world’s youngest country. A country that is plagued by war and conflict. Many five-year-olds in South Sudan depend on the efforts of humanitarian workers, such as CARE workers, to survive.
Life in South Sudan
Let me share with you the story of a five-year-old named Nyahok. Her family doesn’t have enough money to send her to school.
South Sudan has the highest proportion of girls who aren’t in school in any country.
As much as my daughter craves learning and being around her peers, I can’t imagine this life for any five year old. There isn’t enough clean water where Nyahok lives, so she and other kids drink dirty, disease-laden water. We as Americans often take these little blessings for granted.
Children in South Sudan are 13 times more likely to die before their 5th birthday than American children.
Nyahok’s favorite game is mixing dirt with water and pretending she’s cooking food. With no crops or cattle, Nyahok’s mother feeds her a porridge of grains and wild leaves.
Watch this video to learn more.
What Can You Do To Help?
If you are looking to get involved in a humanitarian effort, CARE is the perfect organization for you! The best part about this organization is that 90% of money donated goes directly to program activities and CARE is a top-rated organization with Charity Watch. Donations of any amount will help these girls have a better chance at survival.
$150 can provide full nutritional support for a malnourished child. $70 can provide a family with a crop kit so they begin growing food again. For South Sudan’s 5th birthday, give its children hope for a better future. Our children are our future. The least thing we can do for them is helping them reach their full potential.
Thank you to CARE for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to help South Sudan!
How to Meet the Needs of Strong-Willed Children
Do I have a strong-willed child you ask? Believe me, if you are raising one, then you know. You know that simple tasks can have you in battle mode. There are times you just want to give up because it would be easier, but you don’t because you refuse to raise a bratty child who will hate you later.
There have been a myriad of books, articles and webinars about how to raise/deal with strong-willed children, but how many of them address what these kids need from their parents?
A few weeks ago, I wrote about an episode that I had with my strong-willed child that has forever changed how I parent. I wrote about it for a series entitled, What Motherhood Means to Me, on the Life of a Minister Mom blog. To read all about the time I lost control, click here.
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5 Handy Tips to Feed Your Picky Toddler Without Losing Your Mind
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GENERAL MILLS BUT THE CONTENT AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.
These days, my four-year old is very particular about what she wants to eat. If it was up to her, she would interchange between oatmeal and cereal for every meal.
What do you do when your toddler is a picky eater?
I GIVE MINE CEREAL!
At our last doctor’s visit, my four-year old was declared healthy.
This eased some of my mom fears about the lack of variety in her diet.
If she eats cereal all day, I know that I have to sneak in other things throughout the week, but it doesn’t make me a bad mom for giving in to her desires!
Cheerios (in all flavors) is a staple in my house.
I love that Frosted Cheerios is packed with whole grains and now Gluten Free!
These days, my four-year old is very particular about what she wants to eat. If it was up to her, she would interchange between oatmeal and cereal for every meal.
On the days that she is feeling adventurous, I try these tricks to make sure she gets the nutrition she needs:
Puree Veggies Into Their Favorite Foods
I love a good mom hack as good as the next mom. One of my favorites is pureeing veggies into my kids meals. I’ve pureed spinach into her lasagna and squash in curry chicken. The trick is to not overdo the veggies so that it changes the color or flavor of the food.
Toddlers tend to want the same things, so if the appearance or taste is different, the food is off-limits.
Vitamins
Vitamins come in all shapes, colors, flavors and consistencies. This helps with picky eaters.
There’s a vitamin for everyone! If your child loves gummy candy, try giving them gummy vitamins instead of the hard ones.
Introduce a New Food at Least 10 Times
I’m sure you read this in a baby book somewhere, but the advice still applies. Just because they didn’t try squash the first 5 times doesn’t mean they will never try it. Keep introducing it mama!
Your child will also be more apt to try a new food if they see their family eat it. I can’t tell you how many times my kids have tried something new (years after the fact) straight off my plate.
Invest in Cookie Cutters
Cutting sandwiches into your child’s name, or favorite character can be a lifesaver! This also allows you to incorporate education into their food.
Turn your Food into Art
We like to make words and numbers with Cheerios. Since my children are two and four, they are very interested in numbers and words. They get so tickled when they see their names spelled out in cereal!
What has helped you conquer the battle of your picky eater?
Train Together: Potty Training The Second Time Around
Potty training should be easier the second time around right? I thought that since I have done this once with my four-year-old, it should be a piece of cake with my two year old. I’m quickly finding out that potty training can be challenging, even if you’ve done it before.
Here’s what I’ve noticed about potty training the second time around:
Patience
With Baby #1, everything is exciting and astonishing. The moment they discover their toes for the first time is even exciting. By the time baby #2 comes along, you are so over diapers, that you are counting down the days until they are in underwear.
If you happen to have your kids close together (like I did), then you may have two in diapers at the same time (bless you)!
Twice the diapers means twice the mess and twice the amount of money you are spending on diapers.
Changing two sets of poopy diapers is enough to wear on anyone’s patience.
It’s inevitable if I want to workout, cook a meal, talk to a customer service representative, that will be the exact moment a potty training crisis will occur.
You Forget How Messy It Can Be
When you are potty training, you have to go all in to make it work. This means accidents. And more accidents. I prefer using flushable wet wipes–it gets the job done easier and disposing is simple too!
Consistency
Because you are juggling two kids instead of one, you are performing a balancing act daily and may not be as consistent as you were the first time around.
With the first child, you asked if they had to go potty every 3o minutes.
With the second one, you remember when you see their pull up droop, or after the accident has already happened.
Pull-Ups Are Amazing!
Pull-Ups brand has teamed up with renowned child psychologist and potty training experts to create a method that takes the guesswork out of potty training: the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership-a whole new way to potty train. Together.
Pull-Ups are great when you need a break from the accidents; especially when you are traveling and your child isn’t 100% potty trained.
My daughters loved that their favorite characters are featured on the box and the Pull-Up itself.
Timing is Everything
Baby #2 may not be ready at the same time as #1 and that’s okay! In some cases, potty training for your second child happens sooner than your first child, and in some cases, it happens later.
My oldest was fully potty trained by 3.5, just in time for Pre-K.
The youngest on the other hand, started peeing on the potty at 15 months, but at two years old, she’s not quite ready to be fully potty trained. I’ve only been at it consistently for a week since school has been out, but for shopping & road trips, pull ups come in handy.
I think this was partially due her sister actively potty training through most of her babyhood.
For those of you with two or more children, what did you find challenging about potty training the second time around? What tips do you have that worked through the potty training madness?
Tag me on twitter (rthoseyourkids) & use the hashtag #TrainTogether to tell me all about it!