Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

Our Favorite Quick Lunches for Kids

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Quick Lunches for Kids

Back-to-school season brings the dreaded lunch prep. If your child doesn’t get a meal at school or you need to pack food for daycare, you know what I mean. Parents should pack a lunch that the kids like, has variety, and is relatively healthy. After a few weeks, getting into a lunch-packing rut is easy. My kids used to go to school, and I remember how time-consuming packing lunches could be. Now we homeschool, but last year, instead of making lunch every day, I started packing our favorite quick lunches for kids so they could pull them from the refrigerator at lunchtime, and it was a time saver!

Time-Saving Techniques

Utilize these strategies to save time preparing lunches:

Get the Kids Involved

Let the kids help you by making sandwiches or filling containers with chips. Kids are more likely to want to eat what they help make because they can make the food the way they want (within reason). For example, my girls split this job. One makes all the sandwiches for the week, and the other fills all the chip containers.

Take Advantage of Dead Time

When cooking dinner, I often have dead time when I need to stir the meal I’m cooking, but I don’t have anything else to do while waiting for the food. I use this time to cut carrot sticks and celery or other fruits and vegetables to add to lunches for the week.

Prepare in Bulk

Another good strategy is if you’re making a few, make many. For instance, if I need four hard-boiled eggs for a meal, I’ll make 12 so that I have extra that I can use for future lunches. Likewise, if I make energy balls with peanut butter and oats, I’ll make a double batch and stick some in the freezer for lunches next week.

Easy Foods to Prep

Some foods are quick to prep and freeze well.

Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Instead of making one PB & J sandwich, make sandwiches out of an entire loaf of bread. Then, freeze each sandwich. Remove it from the freezer in the morning, and the sandwich will be thawed by lunch.

Muffins

Quick Lunches for Kids

Make a batch or two of banana muffins or another flavor your kids like and pop them in the freezer. Then, you can pull them out individually to put in lunches each day.

Easy Fruits

Some fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon require you to cut them open and chop them into bite-size pieces. These aren’t the kind of fruits I pack. Instead, I choose easy fruits such as clementines or grapes. All I have to do is stick a clementine in the lunchbox or give the grapes a quick rinse and put them in the container.

Final Thoughts

Making lunches can be time-consuming, but the process doesn’t have to be. Our favorite quick lunches for kids are easy, nutritious, and taste good. Plus, you’ll have more time in your day when you’re not spending as much time prepping food and packing lunches!

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How to Keep Your Kids Healthy On a Budget

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A healthy family is every parent’s pride and joy, and this is why it’s important to do your best to ensure that your children are healthy, even if you’re on a tight budget. Read on to see just how you can keep them healthy on a budget and have them live their best possible lives.

Grow Your Own Greens

Although food crops have to compete with 10,000 species of insects that eat plants, you can start a garden for food crops and have them thrive. Research measures to keep pests off your plants in a chemical-free way and you will get a good harvest. Borrow advice from local people who may also have their own gardens and exchange ideas so you can improve your yield over time. This will end up saving you a lot of money over time, as you will simply harvest what you need from your own yard. Your children will also enjoy taking part in the planting and harvesting, and it will be a worthwhile adventure for them.

Plan Ahead for Meals

To ensure your family eats healthily, it’s good to plan ahead for your meals. Write out a week’s worth of meals at a time so you know what you will need to buy. This way, you will be able to eat healthily without the stress of having to think about what to eat each time it is meal time. You can make the process interactive and have everyone share their ideas on what to prepare and such. This way, your children will be excited to have a meal that they suggested and possibly even help source the ingredients!

Shop Local

There are a number of people who have taken up gardening as a hobby, and sometimes they will harvest more than they can make use of. Shop from them, as they will likely sell their vegetables at a discounted price, and you will know you’re getting good quality. Small local businesses are another good place to shop from, as they will likely have sales every now and then. They will also source their produce from ethically-managed farms and gardens, so you will be helping your local economy grow at the same time.

Have Your Children Help Prepare Meals

When children help prepare a meal, they will be more likely to eat it without a fuss. Find a way to have them each play a role in the preparation, ensuring their safety at all times. When you do this, the meal will be an interactive one. Not only will you have fun and bond while cooking, but you will also teach them important life skills that will benefit them for a long time to come. With over 40% of children suffering from dental cavities by the time they’re in kindergarten, eating healthy will help them maintain good oral health.

Always Shop with a List

Finally, while it may be tempting to make a quick run to the grocery store to pick up some essentials, this isn’t a good idea. When you do this, you will likely fill your cart with items you don’t need but don’t want to leave. If some of the things you buy this way are perishable, you may have to throw them out if they go bad before you’ve had a chance to eat them. Avoid this by always taking the time to prepare a list of what you need and sticking to it while grocery shopping.

Follow these tips to keep your family healthy on a budget, and you will be happy that you did so when your kids grow up healthy and strong!

Should You Keep Your Child on a Schedule When School Is Out?

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Most American children are currently home from school and sheltering in place as ordered by their governors.  I’ve seen different advice flying across the Internet about how to handle this situation.  Some give a schedule to follow.  Others say this is a stressful time for kids, so let them relax and just be.  Of course, you as the parent ultimately choose what is best for your child.  But there are some things to consider when asking yourself, “Should you keep your child on a schedule when school is out?”

Should You Keep Your Kids on a Schedule When School Is Out?

Why You Should Have a Schedule

My kids, since they were little, have always done better when they had a schedule.  Now, I’m not saying we had a strict schedule, i.e. get up at 7, eat breakfast at 7:15, do the dishes at 7:30.  Honestly, such a regimented, precise schedule would drive me batty.

However, think of your own schedule.  You likely have a daily rhythm.  You get up at a certain time, you may then work out, then drink your coffee, then make breakfast, etc.  Those daily rhythms give us a sense of normalcy, something all of us desperately need now.

Should You Keep Your Child on a Schedule When School Is Out?

Photo by Trent Szmolnik on Unsplash

When asking if you should keep your child on a schedule when school is out, keep in mind that when they’re in school, kids have a schedule.  They know what to expect.  It makes them feel secure.  That is why I’d suggest having a schedule for your kids now, during these precarious times.  We could all benefit from feeling that at least one part of life is still normal.

How to Create a Schedule

In my experience, having the parent create the schedule doesn’t work well.  Instead, ask for input from your kids, if they’re old enough.  I would advise against making the schedule too strict.  For instance, when my kids first started staying home in March, my youngest, who is 10, went to work making a fairly strict schedule.  We followed it for about a week, but we all felt confined by it.

Should Your Child Follow a Schedule When School Is Out?

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Now, in the four weeks that we’ve been home, we’ve relaxed the schedule a bit.  The kids still get up at the same time they used to when they went to school, so our morning routine is largely the same.  Then, at the time that we would normally take the kids to school, we start school work.  We follow a general routine of which order we do subjects, and that just makes life easier.  We don’t have to take the time to decide what we want to do next.

Allow More Free Time Then Normal

Even though a schedule can help the rhythms of your day, make sure to build in more free time.  We are living in a very stressful time.  That takes a toll on all of us, including kids.

I prefer to have the kids’ schoolwork completely done by lunchtime.  Then we have the afternoon to pursue other interests.  I do let my kids watch TV and play video games, but there is a time limit for these.  I’ve been surprised to find the kids playing more together and spending more time creating art and performing dance routines together.

Final Thoughts

We’re living in an odd time in history, the likes of which our country hasn’t seen in 100 years.  My advice, when considering should you keep your kids on a schedule when school is out is yes, keep a loose schedule.  But also allow plenty of free time.

6 Tips For Choosing A Super-Healthy Protein Bar

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protein bar

As fitness becomes the buzzword of the day, more and more health-conscious people are beginning to understand the significance of increasing their daily protein intake. But this is easier said than done because few of us have enough time to prepare protein-rich, wholesome snacks and meals to ensure that we get a hefty supply of this key nutrient. However, this does not imply that getting enough of it is impossible, because there are plenty of supplements that you can rely on to fill your dietary gaps. Protein bars make an amazingly healthy, grab-and-go supplementation option for those who want to be in top shape despite all challenges.

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4 Ideas For Self-Care That Don’t Take Much Time

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How many times have we read an article on self-care and thought, “yea, but I just don’t have the time!”. Guess what? You can probably find a whole minute or two to try something to help you. I know that not all of us can find time for yoga that doesn’t involve cutting into our sleep. However, there are tiny things that no one talks about that can be done. Here are a few of my tips on things you can do now, while you figure out how to get some extra you-time.

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3 Best Health Apps To Keep You On Track

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Keeping healthy is so important to our well-being and our wallets. With some of us working non-stop from morning until night and the ease of convenience foods, we can find that our healthy habits take a backseat to all our other engagements. Unfortunately, we need to learn to put our health first and we live in a society that expects us to give our all, all the time. If you are like me, it just helps to be reminded throughout the day to make sure I am doing something towards my health. I want to share with you my favorite health apps that shoot me a reminder to take care of me. Hopefully, you will find one in this list that can be helpful for you as well.

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Car Seat Recommendations: How To Find The Right One For Your Child

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car seat recommendations

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.

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The Key Things to Know About Depression in Kids

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sad-child-1759986_640

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.

9 Important Values to Teach Children

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important values to teach childrenParents 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:

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.