Raising Biracial Kids in Today's World
Have you ever taken a long road trip with a toddler before? Well just a few weeks ago, my husband and I drove 11+ hours with 2. The closer the trip got, the more anxious I became. Going anywhere with little people can be taxing on your health and emotions….no exaggerations.
Here a few a things I learned to make a long trip a little easier…..
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*This post is sponsored by Oriental Trading Company. All opinions are my own*
Planning a toddler birthday party should be fun event for parents, not a stressful one. However, when toddlers are involved, unpredictable events can make one nervous. Here are some tips for a stress-free, fun party day.
I cannot say this enough. Toddlers get overstimulated easily and they really don’t care whether you spent hours on every detail.
They still might not smile for your picture.
One of my favorite places to purchase party supplies from is Oriental Trading Company.
Their supplies are affordable and often come small packs, perfect for giving as party favors.
My girls love playing dress up. Paw Patrol reigns at our house, so we picked up some Paw Patrol costumes .
They wore those things all day (pre and post party!) I think they almost enjoyed them more than the gifts. The adults even joined the fun and wore Paw Patrol masks!
Of all the birthday parties I’ve attended with my children, I’ve noticed that they enjoy the ones that are catered to toddlers (playdough, colored spaghetti noodles, small bouncy house, coloring station, etc).
Maybe it’s the educator in me, but I find that when the activities are age appropriate, it helps the kids have less melt down moments. Toddlers have short attention spans, so short games, music and age-appropriate arts and crafts are usually a hit.
Be careful to steer clear of foods that can pose choking hazards, unless they are cut into small bite size pieces (grapes, hotdogs, etc).
A toddler party is not the time to bring out expensive catered foods. Most toddlers are pretty picky and wasteful. Pinterest has a ton of ideas for healthy snacks that are colorful and attractive. Kids are more likely to try foods when they are appealing to the eye.
However, if you choose to go the catered route for the adults, make sure you have toddler-friendly snacks for the little (picky) ones.
There is NOTHING worse than missing those special moments because your camera or phone is dead.
Be sure charge the device you are using a day in advance to ensure you don’t miss blowing out the candles, family & friends or those messy cake moments.
Or, you can give the task of photography to a party guest so that you can fully enjoy the special moments with your little one.
When the guest list is too long, you are busy running around and entertaining, thus not enjoying the party or the time with your little one. Younger toddlers aren’t ready for a lot of socializing, so the size of your guest list doesn’t matter as much, however, that does add to your list of things to do as far as entertaining.
Older toddlers often enjoy the company of their peers.
I don’t know about you, but my kids get some kind of cranky before a nap, and even after waking up. Who wants to have a party with a cranky toddler?? NOT ME!!
Timing is super important. Try to keep the party two hours or less. Nap time is key! Their little bodies need time to rest and recharge after being partied out.
What tips and tricks have worked for you when planning a toddler birthday party? Leave a comment and share with me!
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I have to admit, toddlers do and say some pretty funny stuff, but they also have some annoying habits.
Strangers often look at me when I’m with my kids and say aw, those (referring to toddler years) were my favorite. You look up, and they’re grown. I’d love to share their sentiment, but as they attempt to walk down memory lane with me, my kids are hitting and slapping each other.
Some of their habits are cute and endearing. But some are just plain annoying.
These are my LEAST favorite.
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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:
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 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.
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.
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?
Spring break is a time that college kids and educators look forward to all year long. Vacations and outings can be challenging because not all activities are suited for toddlers.
As an educator, the closer it gets to spring break, the more it feels like a permanent full moon! We start to feel the itch as much as the kids do.
This week the girls and I have done a little of everything while daddy has worked hard on the farm (no spring break for him). I’ve composed a list to help you recharge, and enjoy the break with your toddlers.
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Becoming a parent means a major lifestyle change. The days of spending all day or evening at event become quite challenging with kids, especially toddlers under the age of five. Have you ever planned the perfect outing for your kids, only to be disappointed by tears, tantrums & meltdowns? Here’s what I’ve found works for minimizing the meltdowns: