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February 9, 2024

February 9, 2024

Christen Robertson & Karin Sassser
February 09, 2024

Happy Friday, fabulous mamas! We're gearing up for a wonderful weekend filled with birthdays, baby showers, and sports – the classics! It's the kind of weekend we all crave, right? And to our new Birdie followers, a big welcome! 👋 We're here to make your weekend even brighter with our content. Don't forget to share the love with your mama friends out there too!

Veggie Victory: Strategies for Getting Your Kids Excited About Greens.
Thrifting: Our Tips to Save Big and Shop Smart.
Spring Break '24: Quick and Easy Family Getaway Planning for Unforgettable Memories!

PARENTING

Storytime, mama friends…

As a parent, you receive a plethora of advice, tips, and must-do's from your pediatrician. Honestly, you may try to adhere to them as closely as possible, but ultimately, you'll do what you believe is best for your child. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received—and followed—was to never prepare separate meals for my child at dinner; what I make is what they will eat. Initially, there will be resistance and perhaps even skipped dinners, but eventually, your child will become hungry and consume what is provided to them.

It can take over 20 exposures to the same food before a child definitively knows if they dislike something. The chances are high that they will come around (🥔except for mashed potatoes—my kids are CRAZY about not liking them!). Ultimately, my six-year-old is an incredibly adventurous eater, and I attribute it to standing my ground during the challenging toddler years.

🤔Now, I know your kids probably aren’t fighting you on the good stuff like pasta and other starchy favorites. How can you get your kids to eat more veggies?

🥦10 Easy Tips for Veggie Success from Mom Blog Life!

Discover simple yet effective strategies to make veggies a hit at the dinner table. From sneaky hiding techniques to embracing variety, we've got all the tricks you need. Here are a few of my favorites…

Hide veggies into their favorite dishes
Smoothies
Let them pick their veggies (within reason)

Viral Hack Alert: Sticker Magic! Explore the latest viral sensation - the sticker hack! Learn how fun stickers can transform veggies into exciting snacks that kids can't resist.

Nutrition Tips and More from It’s Peachy Keen😀

🥕Engage your kids in the kitchen with their educational cooking ideas.

🥕Turn healthy eating into a game with their "rainbow challenge" suggestion.

Kids Eat in Color provides these insightful suggestions for cultivating healthy eating habits in your children:

Establish open and closed hours for the kitchen, creating a structured environment that encourages mindful eating.
Engage your children in meal preparation in age-appropriate ways, instilling a sense of ownership and appreciation for wholesome foods.
Prioritize family meals, providing an opportunity for bonding and modeling healthy eating behaviors.

BUDGETING

One mama’s trash is another mama’s treasure.

Did you know that Americans discard a massive 11.3 million tons of clothes each year? 😱 That's a staggering 7.7% of our solid waste! But fear not, because there's a thrifty solution that not only saves money but also helps our planet: thrifting! 🌎💰

Here are 9 Thrift Shopping Tips For Saving Money And The Planet to get you started on your thrifting journey:

MINDSET MATTERS: Approach thrifting with a plan and an open mind.

LEAVE NO HANGER UN-MOVED: Explore every corner for hidden gems.

GET FAMILIAR WITH FABRICS: Know your materials for quality picks.

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM: Hit the stores early for the best selections.

BE CONSCIOUS: Shop with intention and avoid impulse buys.

DON’T DEPEND ON A DRESSING ROOM: Get creative with trying on items.

START WITH YOUR WARDROBE: Understand what you truly need.

DON’T FORGET YOUR BAGS: Bring your bags for eco-friendly shopping.

GO DIGITAL THRIFTING: Explore online thrift options for convenience.

Looking to revamp your wardrobe on a budget? Check out this Thrift Store Clothing Spending Guide:

Shop with a purpose to avoid overindulging.
Get inspiration from fashion magazines for your thrift haul.
Ask yourself three questions before adding items to your cart. Click the link to find the questions!

Still new to thrifting? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Choose the right thrift store for your needs.
Go during weekdays for better selections.
Take your time and inspect items thoroughly.

Ready to thrift like a pro? Check out these 10 TOP TIPS TO THRIFT LIKE A PRO

Keep an eye out for sales and discounts.
Create a thrift list to stay focused.
Know your measurements for better fits.

FOR THE KIDS

🎲 Math Games Galore!

Looking for fun ways to boost your child's math skills? Dive into the world of Math board and card games! 🧠 Check out our top picks:

Fun Math – Best Math Board Games that Kids Love: Explore a variety of engaging games including Sushi Go Party, Proof, Sumoku, Zeus on the Loose, Math Dice, and Math Dice Jr. Find out why they're favorites among kids! Read more here.

What’s the Best Math Board Game for Your Child’s Grade?

Wondering what the perfect math board game is tailored to your child's grade level? From kindergarten to 5th grade, there's something for everyone!

🔍 Tips for Spotting the Perfect Math Board Game

Everyone can win, no matter their math level.
Games that enhance learning while playing are key.
Most importantly, games that kids adore!

Bonus Tip: For preschoolers, consider Zingo 123!

Get the most out of your babysitter: Say hello to the latest parenting hack that's taking the internet by storm: turning your babysitter into a multitasking marvel! Thanks to one ingenious mom's brilliant idea of offering her babysitter the chance to earn extra cash by tackling household chores after the little ones hit the hay, moms everywhere are jumping on board.

SNIPPETS

Black History Month. Check out Scary Mommy’s month-long reading challenge.

Knife hack. Are you storing your kitchen knife correctly? Ina Garten may have a helpful hack for you.

I won’t be there for you. With so much anticipation around this Super Bowl, let’s not forget about all the hilarious commercials. Have you seen this one with Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer?

Easy dinner. All you need is a sheet pan, chicken, veggies, and some seasoning for this yummy recipe.

The way to a new mom’s heart. Is through her stomach! Seriously, new moms are hungry and need easy ways to feed themselves and their families. Check out this idea for a gift.

DIY cleaner. Try out this make-it-yourself magic cream cleaner for a sparkling, fresh home!

Teachers make the world go round. Make sure to read this sweet story on TODAY.com about a teacher going above and beyond for her students.

Alright, mamas, listen up. I've stumbled upon a recent favorite product of mine that I just have to share with you!

No matter how diligent you are with laundry, those bath towels you use to dry your face after washing it end up harboring a ton of bacteria. That's where Clean Skin Club's XL face towels come in – they're dermatologist-approved and biodegradable! Let me tell you, my skin feels incredibly clean after using one of these. Say goodbye to leftover makeup residue on towels, and as a bonus, these towels double as counter clean-up when you're done!

DID YOU KNOW? Secondhand shopping isn't just about saving money. It's also about sustainability and the thrill of the hunt! 🛍️ Check out this insightful article on CNBC to learn more!

Spring Break 2024!

While it’s ideal to have Spring Break planned a few months in advance, sometimes life doesn’t work like that! It’s never too late to plan something fabulous for you and your family. Whether you're dreaming of a beach getaway or an adventure in the great outdoors, I've rounded up some fantastic resources to help you make the most of your family vacation without breaking the bank.

Practical Tips & Inspiration

Need to stick to a budget this spring break? No problem! Check out these handy tips from Seven Corners and explore 25 amazing spring break ideas from Global Munchkins and Momma Wanderlust. From luxe resorts to outdoor adventures, these articles have it all!

More Budget-Friendly Destinations… Discover the best inexpensive spring break destinations from US News and learn how to score last-minute travel deals with tips from Forbes. With a little planning and savvy searching, you can enjoy an amazing spring break without breaking the bank!

Bonus Snippets! Looking for the best websites and apps for last-minute vacations? Check out these resources for finding great deals and planning your spontaneous getaway:

Best Websites & Apps for Last-Minute Vacations
Travel + Leisure’s Best Apps.
Smarter Travel’s Best Websites for deals.

So go ahead, and start planning your spring break adventure today! With these tips and resources, you'll be well on your way to creating unforgettable memories with your family. Happy travels! 🌴✈️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦