Friday, January 6, 2012

Some New Year's Parenting Tips

Thoughtful parenting begins with the commitment to never stop learning new strategies to improve your parenting skills. What kind of parenting style you use is up to you, but every parenting style can be more effective with the addition of fresh ideas. Take a look at the practical advice below.

Often times it's easy to give a lot of attention to your kids when they are acting out. They demand attention through their negative behaviors at home and in public. In order to stem this trend of tantrums, start giving more energy to the positive moments. Feed into the desired behaviors instead of the discouraged behaviors, and watch your kids bask in the glow of confidence while their poor behavior subsides.

The best way to punish children is take away privileges. This will teach them that doing something they shouldn't do will cause them to have toys or maybe even the television taken away from them. Also, do not rule out putting your child in timeout. The general rule for timeout is one minute per age your child is.

TIP! To foster an environment where reading is encouraged, make sure a child is surrounded with books from a young age. For infants, have books with mirrors and textures that they can enjoy without language skills.

While having children will completely change your life it is important not to become obsessed with them. Most people will probably love your children as much as you do, but if your life starts to revolve around them you may find your friends become quite annoyed with you and your lack of attention.

Allow your child to share information with you free of interruption. Take the time to let your child talk to you in a quiet place, and always give your undivided attention. Encourage your child to come up with their own solutions to problems, but always be prepared to offer help if they need it. Once a child knows that their voice is heard, and their opinion matters, they will be much more likely to open up to you in difficult times.

Don't try to make your child grow up too early. There is a growing trend to allow little girls to wear makeup and provocative clothing from a young age, and this is encouraged in part by the entertainment industry. However, your daughter has many years ahead to be an adult so allow them to be a kid for as long as possible.

TIP! If your child is being bullied, talk to them about it. Have family members share their own experiences with bullying and how they handled it, and make sure to support them unconditionally.

If your child comes to you with a problem, help him think of some solutions instead of solving the problem for him. When you guide him in solving a problem, he will develop a very important skill which he will use again and again as he is growing up. Giving young children practice in solving their own problems will make them stronger individuals.

When reducing your child's television and video game time, make sure you are creating other fun activities to choose from. Play boardgames with your children; play outside with them; or go somewhere fun outside of the house, like a park or a play area. Whatever you do, make sure you provide options to your children.

When you are traveling with your baby, be sure to set up your room as soon as you arrive at your destination. The closer the set up is to your room at home, the more comfortable your baby will be. This will help keep things as calm as possible during your stay.

As mentioned above, no matter what parenting style you choose, you can make it more effective when you seek out new ideas. The key to thoughtful parenting is to recognize that you can always use fresh ideas to make sure your parenting skills are right for you and your child.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Making Christmas Memories

One thing we love to do on Christmas Eve is go through the local coffee hut, turn on our Christmas music and drive around looking at the Christmas lights. It's such a simple tradition but our children look forward to it every year. From the time they were just little ones drinking cocoa we have oohed and awed over the lights together.

Another simple tradition we have is baking cookies. These are the famous Spritz cookies everyone we know talks about. A perfect shortbread sugar cookie that we decorate and pass out to all our neighbors and friends. We always bake a plate full of goodies, tie a ribbon around it and ring the doorbell. It's a simple gesture but one that gets our children in the Christmas spirit of giving.

Creating your own family traditions should not be tedious and overwhelming for anyone. Even if it's having a family game night complete with popcorn, Christmas music and finishing it off with a Christmas movie, creating an ongoing tradition will make the best memories for you and your children.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

History of Thanksgiving for Kids

I think one thing we miss nowadays is teaching our children the history behind the holiday we celebrate. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays.
Below I have included several links to websites I think are great for kids and parents who want to explore the true reason we remember on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving - History. Com




What is Thanksgiving all about?

The First Thanksgiving

National Geographic Thanksgiving for Kids

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

What to do on a Fall Day




It's easy, It's free and It will Build lasting Memories~

Grab some rakes, a few great friends and a picnic lunch. Don't forget the hot cocoa. Taking an afternoon break down at the local park during fall is a wonderful way to spend a crisp fall afternoon.
Our local park leaves the leaves down for several weeks before they remove them just so families can come down and jump in the piles. The crisp air, and smell of dried maple leaves with come with lasting memories.
Don't forget your camera, you will want to get these printed for sure.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Harvest Chili


What is better on a cool fall day then a warm bowl of soup backed with all the flavors of fall. This is one of our families favorite fall dishes.



Harvest Chili

1 c onion chopped
1 c yellow bell pepper chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 15oz cans of black beans - rinsed
2 pounds chicken breasts, chopped
1 16oz can pure pumpkin
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
3 cups of chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low.

Recommended Side Dish - Crusty Garlic Bread and Apple Crisp

Shopping List
You will need, bell pepper, black beans, chicken, pumpkin, diced tomatoes, prepared crusty garlic bread and ingredients for apple crisp. You should have the other ingredients on hand.

Not sure about that secret ingredient? Pumpkin has such a mild flavor with is balanced beautifully in this chili. My children never even notice and its a great way to get some vitamin packed into this meal.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

BBQ Short Ribs

Yes you can still enjoy ribs without even touching the Barbeque. This is a family favorite and we always fill our crock pot to the rim with ribs.

BBQ Short Ribs

8 Tbls Flour
3 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
10 pounds of beef short ribs (less if you do not think you will eat leftovers)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 onions sliced
1 bottle favorite BBQ sauce
1 Tbls liquid smoke

Usually we cut up the short ribs into 3 rib portions. Drudge them with the flour mixture. Add oil to the bottom of the crock pot and place ribs inside. Top with sliced onions. Take the bbq sauce and mix the liquid smoke into it. Pour on top of ribs and onions and cook on low 6-8 hours.

When you remove the spare ribs, use a little flour and water mixture, less then 1 Tbls each and thicken the sauce. Serve with ribs.

Serve With - Potato Salad or Potato wedges and Salad

Shopping List:
10 lbs Short Ribs
2 onions
BBQ Sauce

You should have flour, salt, pepper, olive oil and liquid smoke on hand. If not add these to your list.

Enjoy a summer favorite on a busy weeknight!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pizza!


Pizza in the Crockpot? Really? Oh yeah! It really is "almost" all in the crockpot. Ah yes, there is a little catch.

Here we are going to make all the topping for the pizza let it simmer and cook all day in the crock pot and then top our pre-made or home made pizza crust with it, top with cheese and pop it in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Not really a bad deal now is it?

Pizza

1 pound of ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 pkg of pepperoni chopped
1 pkg of mushrooms (I like fresh, but canned is fine)
1 jar of pizza sauce

2 pizza crusts - home made or pre-made
2 cups of shredded cheese, mozzarella or a mixture

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot except cheese and crusts. Cover and cook on low 4 hours.

When you are ready for dinner, take out the crusts and top each with 2-3 scoops of sauce. Top with cheese and bake for 10-12 minutes. Dinner is served!

Serve with - A Yummy Green Salad

Shopping List -
1 lb Ground beef
1 pkg of shredded cheese
1 pkg pepperoni
1 pkg mushrooms
1 green pepper
1 jar of pizza sauce
2 pre-made pizza crusts (if you are not making your own)

You should already have onions on hand.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Lemon Chicken

It doesn't get a whole easier to feed your family a healthy dinner then this fantastic recipe.
Today it's all about Chicken~

I love to use a whole chicken because then I know we have at least three meals. Dinner, Lunch and a wonderful soup for another day. When you know you have a busy week ahead this one is a dinner winner!

Lemon Chicken


1 4-5 pound whole chicken
2 Lemons
Fresh Oregano

Yes, that is it! Put the chicken into the crock pot, slice lemons and place all around the chicken. Add 4 cups of water and lay the fresh oregano on top. Cook on medium or low for 8 hours. When you're ready to serve just cut off some wonderful white breast meat and season with salt and pepper if you like.

Serve With - Garlic Bread and a Green Salad

Shopping List:
4-5 pound chicken
2 lemons
fresh oregano
garlic bread
bagged salad
tomato
cucumber

It's a simple delicious dinner that will have you prepared for chicken sandwiches for lunch the next day and already made chicken broth just waiting for you to de-bone the rest of chicken and add some veggies for a warm homemade chicken soup. 3 for 1, not bad!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Island Pork Chops

Today's recipe features a tropic get-a-way during your busy week.

Island Pork Chops

6 pork chops
1 cup of apple juice
1/2 cup of soy sauce
1 T. Oregano
1 can of pineapple crushed
2 roma tomatoes diced
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Place pork chops in the bottom of your slow cooker and add the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low 8 hours. After you remove the pork chops, take the remaining sauce and thicken with corn starch.

Serve With - Rice and Corn on the Cob

Shopping List:
6 pork chops
apple juice
crushed pineapple
2 roma tomatoes
flaked coconut
corn on the cob

You should have rice, soy sauce, oregano and corn starch on hand but add those to your shopping list if you need to.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Pork Flautas

This is one of our family favorites. We love Mexican food, and this simple dish not only can be cooked in the crock pot, but makes you look like a gourmet cook too.

Come back daily for the recipe, side dishes and a shopping list.

Pork Flautas

1 lb pork roast tenderloin
2 stalks celery (sliced)
1 can (4oz) green chilis (optional if you don't like heat)
1 can of Rotel tomatoes or Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 can (16 oz) of prepared chili - any flavor

Mix all ingredients into the crock pot and cook on low 6-7 hours. When done fill flour tortillas as you would a burrito.

Serve with: Guacamole dip, salsa and shredded cabbage

Shopping List :
Pork roast
green chilies
rotel tomatoes
chili
flour tortillas
guacamole
salsa
cabbage

You should have onion already, but if not add it to your shopping list too.

Hope you enjoy this yummy simple after a hard day meal.