Eating Creatviely

This summer I had all my kids home with me...everyday...all day... lol. It wasn't that bad. We had fun actually. I discovered that my biggest challenge was my creativity and motivation. If the boys got bored they'd fight or become needy and grumpy or they'd snack. The same goes for me. Luckily I kept extra pounds off and little by little chip away at the baby weight (baby born 6/27).

I remember an article I read a few years ago. It said parents, moms especially, eat numerous empty mindless calories a day thanks to their children. Think about it: we buy junk for them (poptarts, sugary cereal, chips, cookies) and temptation stares us in the face multiple times a day. We stop at fast food for happy meal toys. We finish their fries for them or finish their dinner plates. The little ones walk up to you and literally put food in your mouth and you take it because junior is sharing and it's cute.

So what do you to curb your mindless eating and their 85% sugar diets? First I've nearly stopped eating out. It's very costly, unhealthy and my oldest is not satisfied and hungry an hour later. Next I made food at home they liked but in a healthy way.

For breakfast we might have a protein shake. Plain for mommy added fruit for the boys. You can do wonders with a plain tortilla. Any sanwich can be made using this (pb&j, turkey). I've even stuffed them with stirfry veggies (yellow squash, onions, zuccini, celery, carrots) with slice of cheese for veg fajitas. I made a thin crust pizza using a tortilla, spaghetti sauce, mozarella cheese, broccoli, and artichoke. Ricotta cheese is a miracle worker too. Use it in dinner (lasagna, baked ziti, chicken--all with lots of veggies) or add a pinch of sugar for a yummy treat. Spread cheese on crackers with sugar or put in pita with green apples and cinnamon/sugar. Yes they've eaten and loved everything listed above!!

The point is get creative. Many times WE put limits on our children. Do you hear yourself saying "Oh Johnny won't eat that" or "I know she won't like this" or because YOU don't eat x your kids don't eat x? Only if there are food allergies should this be ok. Open your mind and let your family try new things! You'll have more energy and be healthier. For an added bonus, let your kids make some dishes with you. You're teaching them an important skill, having fun, and spending quality time. Good luck. Let me know how it works.

Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share pt. 2

This is the second installment of Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share. Key words "Everybody Do Your Share". In part one of 'Clean Up' we decided that the children should also be responsible for some of the up keep of the home. After all don't they make most of the mess? Once a routine is established this will lighten our load as caregivers.

We also concluded that having kids clean the house teaches them responsibility, appreciation and care for their surroundings, and self-pride in a job well done. Having kids do chores is highly recommended by most experts. As with most things the earlier you start the better.

I know you're thinking "I have a ___ year old it's hard to get him/her to do anything let alone clean up". Step one is to decide what the chores will be. Let's go over some possible things different ages can do. Give them time to attempt their assigned chores and decide which are developmentally appropriate for your child. NOTE: I said developmentally, as in can their bodies and minds handle the task not if they feel like doing the chore!

Ages 2 and under: At this stage it's better to lead by example and narrate what you are doing. Encourage your child to help you. Praise them for doing so. Remind child to put away toys before getting out another. This is usually practiced at most nursery school so they should be used to these instructions.

Ages 3-5: Again at this stage chores are more of a helping and learning experience. Remember-ALLOW them to help and eventually do most of the work!
--Help pick things up in a room, Put toys away, Help make their bed, Bring items from one room to another, Gather trash or bring smaller trash cans for you to empty into a larger one, hold dustpan while you sweep, clear plate into garbage after eating, clear/help clear table after family meal

Ages 6-8: Straighten and pick up, Make their bed everyday, Vacuum, Sweep, Clear table after meals, Load/unload dishwasher, Fold and/or put away laundry, Dust, Windex glass and mirrors, Use comet and scrubber to clean the bathtub

Ages 9-12: Kids this age are ready for more responsibility and they can physically do more advanced tasks. They also are more independent. They've probably lost the child-like enthusiasm of helping clean up. This is where the character building begins. Include them on the schedule making.
--Rake leaves, Learn to wash dishes, Clean the bathroom (more detailed), Let them make age appropriate meals (scrambled eggs, toast, sandwiches, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, etc)

Ages 13-18+: Kids this age are developmentally and physicaly ready for almost any chore we can do. Now is the time to emphasize habits they will take with them when they leave the nest. Hopefully by now they are in the swing of doing chores.
--Straighten and pick up (more detailed), Load/Unload dishwasher and/or Wash dishes in sink, Prepare simple complete meals (spaghetti, baked chicken/roast/pork chops-almost anything baked, lasagna, breakfast, etc.), Clean entire bathroom more detailed using various cleaners (comet for tub, tilex for shower, lysol for toilet and mopping floor), Operate washer/dryer-do laundry, Put away groceries, Mow lawn, help with yard work, Sweep outside house (like driveway and patio)

There we have it! Hopefully you'll sit down with this post and think of what your children can be assigned to do. This info from the Clean Up series can be helpful for just parents in general. For the non-parents out there reading the post this can also apply to HUSBANDS possibly even roommates! LOL LOL Because this post ran longer than expected stay tuned for parts three and four of 'Clean Up' where we will discuss making chore charts and online chore chart resources (pt. 3) and rewards systems and follow through (pt.4)

-Side note: The chores listed in an age group lower than your child's age may also be applied. For example a 15 year old can make his or her bed everyday just like a 7 year old can! Again it's up to you and what's best for your family.

Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share! pt. 1

You guys know you know the words to the Barney clean up song. If not, lucky you but you missed out on a wonderful way to get your 2 year old to pick up toys. :-p I find that as a single mom most of my weekday evenings are taken up by walking around the house constantly picking up things. Dinner time requires more time as a single mom: prepare the meal, fix the plates, feed the kids, then clean the kitchen. All while keeping the children entertained. Bath time takes time too: bath, getting dressed, settled, asleep then cleaning the bathroom.

If I don't clean clean clean and stay on top of everything the mess gets out of hand FAST. Who can relate? Show of hands. Yes we are fierce divas who can do anything but that doesn't necessarily mean we want to do everything. *Baby daddies did you hear that?!?* ...but I digress... Why do all the work? The kids make most of the mess. Now is a great time for us to explore creating a chores system. *Hold the applause now get your pads and pencils*

Creating a system not only will help us single moms stay relatively sane "Chores are beneficial for children - even very young ones" say Kristen Zolten, M.A. and Nicholas Long, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences writing for parenting-ed.org. "Being responsible for doing chores teaches children many important skills such as cooperation and responsibility. Chores also teach children about fairness and commitment. The skills and values learned by doing chores will benefit children throughout their lives." So if your older ones gripe about doing chores keep on them it is for their own good. I say in every situation there's an opportunity to teach our children something valuable.

When is a good time to start assigning chores? When the child can make a mess. Something as simple as putting away a toy after they are finished playing builds good cleaning habits. I've worked in schools and daycares with kids of all ages, trust me even your 2 year old is cleaning, and using good hygiene at school. Don't limit them by saying what they can't do at home. Here's a handy article on age appropriate chores. as proof that even our littlest ones can help.

What happens if we limit our kids duties or feel sorry and help them with their assigned chores? Parenting-ed.org says "Parents should not do their children's work for them. If parents get frustrated and give in and do their children's chores, children learn a number of things. First of all, children learn that their parents don't mean what they say and will not follow through. Secondly, children learn that if they hold out long enough someone will do their chores for them. Parents should simply apply consequences until their children comply." In laymans terms "we all know when our children are playing us for the fool, don't believe the helpless attitude."

So we've determined that our kids ages 2-22 definitely need to help out around the house. Later in "Clean Up...pt. 2" I'll get into the specifics on choosing the chores, different tracking and awards systems parents can use. {OhKay Kay-Kay}