Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Family Chores: Creative Ways to Get Them Done!

Not everyone's home is going to be spotless, but, with a little help from everyone in the household, it can be close!  Below are some tips from Parents Magazine to help you get your family and your home clean and organized!

  1. The Chore Wheel:  Make up a wheel with each of the family chores written on it.  Spin the wheel weekly to rotate the jobs amongst each member each week.  Avoids boredom and spreads the work out evenly to keep it far.
  2. Responsibility Chart:  Post a Responsibility Chart with daily chores on them.  Have your kids check off the ones that are complete and offer a treat at the end of the week if chores were checked off every day.
  3. Ready, Set, Go!:  Make everything a race. From cleaning up their rooms to taking out the trash and washing dishes.  Makes it more fun and everything's done much faster :)
  4. Make it Make Cents: Pay them! Teach them responsibility and how to budget their money at the same time. Pay them 10 cents a chore and encourage them to save the money up for a specific item they want.  They'll have a goal to reach and realize you have to work for what you want!
  5. Last but not least, use My Job Chart (click on the link):  My Job Chart is the free, easy to use, online chore chart and reward system for organizing and motivating your kids to learn first hand how to Save, Share and Spend. Kids earn money then they can set it aside to save, give to charity, or buy rewards you set. An incredible website that offers parents and kids an invaluable tool!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

10 Tips for EGG-cellent Egg Recipes for Kids


The incredible egg is a nutritional powersource for protein and other important minerals tha tfuel your child's brain and overall health.  Here are some ideas, outside of the same ol' fried and scrambled to get your kids eating eggs!

  1. Make an egg pizza! Toast an English muffin, add a slice of tomato with slices of hard boiled egg on top and drizzle with your favorite cheese for a nutritious start to the day for breakfast!
  2. Combine yolks with sauteed spinach and pieces of ham or turkey to make your own version of "green eggs and ham (or turkey) deviled eggs"
  3. Add slices of eggs or just egg whites to sandwiches.  They're an egg-cellent addition to BLTs.
  4. Mash yolks with pico de gallo for deviled eggs with some kick!
  5. Make egg-salad wraps for a snack or lunch staple.
  6. Sandwich a fried egg between a waffle split in half.
  7. Finely chop eggs and toss into macaroni or potato salad.
  8. Wrap scrambled eggs in a high fiber tortilla and top salsa and avocado.
  9. Mix chopped egg into tuna salad.
  10. Drizzle a little ketchup over a plain hard boiled egg & eat plain! Most kids love ketchup so much they'll eat anything with it :)

A HOT new Kids Product! Toy, Furniture, Educational & more!

      
BOBLES is an amazing new line of toys that double as furniture and tools to help your kids master motor skills!  Check out the different shapes, including a pig, elephant, fish, rock, snake and more!  They're made of toxin-free materials and they're soft to keep  your child accident free!  You can find them on Amazon and at abesmarket.com!  Check 'em out!

Here's an excerpt from the website:
bObles is children's furniture with a simple and creative design shaped in a way that makes you eager to use it. The name "Tumbling animals" covers exactly what you have to do with this piece of furniture - the children have to tumble and gain some bodily experience, which can serve as the foundation for further development. They appeal to something human inside us as they look like animals - but they can easily represent whatever the child wishes during the play. The material is firm but still soft and it is also user friendly as it is easy to clean - wipe over using a wet cloth.

Healthy Tips for Formula Feeders!

While breastfeeding is the most nutritious option for babies, it's not always an option for every mom for a variety of reasons.  Bottle feeding with formula is always an option and here are some tips to to make sure it's nutritious and safe! 

  1. CLEANLINESS:  Wash yourhands well with soap and water before feeding.  Consider sterilizing new bottles and nipples before using them for the first time.  After that, washing in the dishwasher will due since the heat sterilizes on its own.
  2. ONE AT A TIME:  Prepping a days worth of bottles is convenient but, to be on the safe side, avoid it.  Toss an leftovers and start with a fresh bottle the next time you feed.  Bacteria from baby's mouth can contaminate leftover formula.
  3. WATER WORKS:  Only mix powder with plain tap or bottle water that's been boiled for a minute, then cooled.  Bottled water may also contain bacteria, depending on whether it's been opened and/or refilled. Boiling will remove anything harmful that may be in the bottle.
  4. THE FINE PRINT:  Follow directions on the formula container carefully.  The powder and water must be measured correctly so your baby gets the nutrient he needs.
Excerpt from Parenting Magazine April 2012

Martial Arts for You & Your Kids!

There are tons of activities to choose from when you're looking to keep you kids active & entertained. One of my favorites and definitely one of the most beneficial is martial arts. Not only does it keep kids (and adults) fit but it also teaches discipline, dedication & determination with its belt ranking system. Kids WANT to work harder and harder because they want to achieve that next belt. Most importantly, it helps with the ever rising problem called "bullies"! Bullies seem to be getting worse and worse and even more brazen. Getting involved in martial arts will help your kids defend themselves, not only against bullies, but also against anyone wanting to cause them any harm.

Having said that, there are many choices today when it comes to martial art studios. They seem to be popping up everywhere. One problem.....they're expensive and some don't tailor their classes towards little ones.  So, do research in your area and take advantage of FREE classes. Most studios will offer a free introductory class to see where your child is, if he or she is ready for the class and if you like the class for your child.  I tried 4 different studios before I found the right fit for my daughter.  Make sure to check out your local community's parks and recreation programs too!  They're usually taught at the high end studios but at a portion of the price!