Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Spend some quality time together to help your little one fight off the cold and flu blues.
It’s cold and flu season, and the weather’s been unseasonably warm, which all adds up to one thing: your sick toddler. My daughter’s at the tail-end of a battle with a respiratory virus, one we unfortunately passed all around our family… and back again. But during the past two weeks, I’ve been trying all kinds of things to get her to eat, relax, cheer up, go to sleep… Just about anything I can think of. Because the toughest thing with having a sick toddler is communication. They can’t tell you where it hurts or what they’re feeling. And you can’t explain to them why they feel so lousy or ask how to make them feel better. Basically, part of caring for a small child who feels under the weather involves the art of distraction. Find a way …
Monday, December 12, 2011
Adding a simple twist to every day meals for your little one can be healthy and fun.
It’s easy to fall into a rut when it comes to meals, especially when time is limited. Most evenings you want what is fast and uncomplicated. When you add picky eaters to the mix, the rut-factor is doubled. My sweet, naive pre-parent self asserted that this would not happen. I would encourage my child to develop diverse and healthful tastes! He/she will eat vegetables! And sushi! And tofu! Cut to the reality that is toddlerhood, where chicken nuggets and mac ‘n cheese are king. Toddlers are notoriously choosy about what goes on their plate and into their mouths. I have found that simply adding a few ingredients to basic every-day meals can make all the difference. Chicken nuggets are an obvious kid favorite. In a stroke of genius (and fit …
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The holiday season's toy haul can be overwhelming.
I have to admit I’m tempted to tell my friends and family not to buy any more toys for my daughter this Christmas. With so many already, many of which sit neglected in a corner toy chest, I don’t know where we’ll put another holiday haul. Especially since her birthday is in February, so a supplementary haul isn’t too far off either. That’s a lot of toys for one little girl. But I don’t want to be a total killjoy, either to my daughter or the people who love her. So instead, I started thinking about the benefits of getting new toys and what kind would be the best choices for my daughter at her age. She’s just shy of turning 2, but even if your child is older or younger, these shopping tips can help you too. Why Toys Are Important Yes, it’s…
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ways to make the experience easier for both parents and kids.
Shopping with kids is not on my list of top 10 favorite experiences. It involves a test of patience and wills and maybe a tantrum or two, for both parent and child. And while I’ll do most anything to avoid it, inevitably during this holiday season I will find myself at a local mall with my son, along with many other parents in the same situation. There are ways to make the experience a little easier for all involved. Be aware of his schedule. Make sure your child is not overtired or hungry. If it’s right around nap time, it might not be the best idea to take him out. Or if he hasn’t had lunch yet, feed him first. A full belly does wonders for the attitude. I also carry snacks and little toys at all times, since they can provide a …
42.479722
-71.216228
Burlington Mall
75 Middlesex Tpke, Burlington, MA
/articles/shopping-with-toddlers-93ce19ac
1955406
/locations/5885740
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Working at home can help you make extra income while caring for your children... as long as you can manage your time effectively!
When people ask me if I’m a working mom or if I stay at home, I’m never quite sure how to answer the question. See, on top of writing this column and The Beauty Beat here at Patch, I’m also a content writer for several internet sites. And, oh yeah, I’ve published two novels, with three more slated for next year. So, even though some may think that I sit at home in my yoga pants and drink coffee all day, that’s not exactly the case. Yes, I do wear lots of yoga pants and drink coffee all day, but in between sips, I’m a stay-at-home mom with a work-from-home career. Raise your hand, Moms and Dads, if you can say the same. You see? I think this is a new trend and, with the economy like it is, it’s a necessity. If you have an applicable skill…
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Turning story time into more than just a bedtime ritual.
As an avid reader and novelist, married to another writer and reader, the topic of books is serious business in our household. Needless to say, my daughter has quite an impressive collection of books even at her young age. Of all the qualities I wish I could pass on to her, a love of reading is up at the top of that list… but I know that just stocking up on books for her to gnaw on is not exactly the best way to go about this. So how can you turn your toddler’s first curiosity about books into a lifetime hobby? While there’s no way to really brainwash them into believing books are better than TV, you can sure try to get them hooked on books today. As an article at Baby Center advises, “it’s never too early to steer your child toward …
42.506216
-71.192763
Burlington Public Library
22 Sears St, Burlington, MA
/articles/raising-little-readers
1802138
/locations/5804752
42.4793
-71.21617
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
98 Middlesex Tpke, Burlington, MA
/articles/raising-little-readers
759428
/locations/5804753
Monday, November 14, 2011
Making dinner time a fun and easy experience for the family.
When both parents work outside the home, sitting down to dinner as a family is not always realistic. But even if it doesn’t happen every night, it is important to us that we make it work as often as possible. After we’ve spent the day going our separate ways, it’s a great way to reconnect and eat a healthy meal as a unit. But it takes some planning ahead to make it happen. Meal plan. Create a menu at the beginning of the week and stick to it. This helps set a streamlined shopping list and cuts down on wasted food. It also helps give peace of mind and minimize those moments of standing in front of an open refrigerator, hoping that dinner will magically appear. I keep our weekly meals and shopping lists in a folder on my computer, so I can…
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Pick the right foods to help your little one grow big and strong.
Although I’ve talked before about picky eating habits and how to chase down your toddler with healthy food, I’ve never delved into the realm of nutrition. At my most recent visit to the pediatrician for my little one, her doctor talked a lot about making sure she was getting a diverse range of foods to round out her diet. Eggs, fruits, chicken, whole wheat toast, lots of water, and milk… of course. But unfortunately, there’s no eating guide for toddlers, no fool proof plan to make sure she’s getting the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food I’m giving here. At least, I didn’t think there was, until I started Googling “Toddler Nutrition.” And so here we are… In the midst of a column about this very topic. Here’s what I’ve …
Monday, October 31, 2011
When the weather outside is frightful, but you still want to leave the house.
The inevitable is upon us. We are slowly but surely barrelling into the winter season. And while there are certain things I love about this time of year: the holidays, cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and watching the snow fall from the comfort of my couch, there are also some definite down sides. One of the negatives is not being able to go outside easily, especially with an energetic toddler running around. As the temperatures dip to bone-chilling lows, there are times we start to get a little stir crazy in our house. So we are constantly on the search for ways to get out, yet stay warm indoors. At first thought you might not consider the Burlington Mall an ideal excursion for little ones. But the mall actually has quite a bit to offer for …
42.506216
-71.192763
Burlington Public Library
22 Sears St, Burlington, MA
/articles/cold-weather-indoor-activities
1802138
/locations/5701511
Monday, October 24, 2011
Surviving cold and flu season with toddlers
It seems every year just as the weather starts to turn, my house gets hit with the Cold of All Colds. It starts with one and snakes its way through each of us, leaving a trail of phlegm in its wake. That time is upon us. While I am only at the beginning stages, my husband and son Des are a few days into the inaugural illness. I would gladly take the brunt of any and all sickness if it meant Des would go unscathed. Is there anything worse than watching your child suffer when there's little you can do to help? Most colds are just a waiting game until it's over, but there are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. Keep him hydrated. We have a sippy cup of half juice/half water around at all times and we encourage him to drink. We …
LV
12:13 pm on Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I love the mini chicken parm idea! The only problem is that it violates TWO clauses of the picky eater rule book: 1. No sauce and 2. Don't EVER let two types of food touch each other. I'll eat chicken, and I'll eat cheese, but I will NOT eat cheese ON my chicken. more ›