Navigating through your child's sports schedule, managing work commitments, meal planning, and carving out time for yourself – the journey of motherhood is an intricate balancing act. 🤹 Step right up to the latest edition of Birdie, where we bring you a wealth of valuable information, from insights into youth sports to clever budgeting hacks for your grocery bills. Cheers to a fun-filled weekend ahead!

• A Case for Youth Sports: Discover the optimal age to start enrollment and explore the advantages of participating in multi-sports activities.

• The Rise of the Grocery Bill: Dive into the strategies that can slash your grocery bill in half.

• Culinary Harmony: Organize your recipes to create a seamless blend of deliciousness and efficiency.

PARENTING

The youth sports balancing act. 🏀⚽🏈

Being avid sports enthusiasts, my husband and I eagerly introduced our kids to the world of athletics once they reached a suitable age. As they grow older, balancing the increasing demands of youth sports with downtime has become a crucial consideration, posing a puzzle for many parents.

The challenge emerged when faced with the dilemma of selecting the most suitable sports amidst many options and limited time. Questions lingered: How do you determine the right sports for your kids? What's the optimal number of activities for them to participate in simultaneously, and at what age should they start? Finding answers to these queries became an essential part of our parenting journey.

The EveryMom poses some interesting research on the topic…

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most children are not ready for organized sports until they are at least 6 years old. 

• Mayo Clinic states that children ages 2 to 5 are not ready for organized sports. At that age, “unstructured free play is best.” 🏃🚲

• According to the report by Dr. Laura Purcell, kids are not developmentally ready for competition until approximately age 9. Therefore, the emphasis of sports between ages 6 to 9 should be on learning new skills, making friends, and having fun.

The Case for Multi-Sport Athletics

Remember the days when kids played different sports each season, just for fun? Explore the benefits of embracing various activities, from decreased burnout risks to engaging with different team dynamics. Let's bring back the joy of playing!

DID YOU KNOW? A significant number of top athletes, including 30 out of 32 first-round picks in the 2017 NFL draft and 29 out of 32 in 2018, participated in multiple sports during high school, as revealed by Tracking Football. 

🗝️Key Insight: Optimal timing for selecting a single sport or specializing in one, involving intensive training for eight months a year, is recommended around the ages of 15 to 16. This strategic choice enhances the likelihood of excelling, as dedicated practice during this phase lays the groundwork for mastering essential movement skills such as agility, balance, coordination, and speed.

BUDGETING

Cut your grocery bill in half.

📈 Monthly groceries have increased by 71 percent in just one year.

Ugh, groceries. Unfortunately, it’s an expense we can’t eliminate, but it costs us the most money. How can you cut your grocery bill in half without sacrificing quality? I’ve uncovered a few tips I think might help.

Your Modern Family suggests…

• Quit Target. While it seems Target is the initiation to all things mom, it’s trapping you and your wallet. If your only purpose for your trip is groceries, steer clear!

• Meal Plan. Take 15 minutes to plan out 4-5 meals each week and make a list. This will keep you on task while perusing the aisles.

🤫Stockpile Secrets: According to Living Well Spending Less, buy in bulk, but buy smart. Stock up enough to last until the next sale. It's like creating your grocery time machine, ensuring you always pay the lowest price. ⚠️BEWARE: While buying in bulk can be a money-saving dream, don't be fooled by the size. Check the price per unit or ounce. Sometimes, that jumbo shampoo isn't the real MVP.

Let’s redefine dinner time according to Living Well Spending Less…

• Veg Out 🌽: Going the veggies route can trim your grocery bill and keep your waistline happy. Swapping out meat a few times a week could save you a cool $1,000 annually. Who knew veggies could be so financially fit?

• Pancakes for dinner? 🥞 Yes, please! Simplify your meals, and watch the stress and the grocery bill shrink. Soup and grilled cheese night? Absolute comfort food goals.

🔓EXPERT LEVEL UNLOCKED.

Curbside Saviors 🚗: If in-person shopping is too tempting, try curbside pickup. Shop without the aisles' distractions, and save both time and money.

Shelf-Level Awareness 🧐: Ever notice the priciest items are right at eye level? It's not a coincidence. Channel your inner detective and explore the top and bottom shelves for better deals.

No Hunger Games 🍔: Shopping on an empty stomach is a risky business. Those snack attacks can lead to serious unplanned purchases. Stay fueled, stay focused, and save those extra dollars.

WEEKEND FOCUS

Cooking 101: Where Flavor Meets Function.

As a passionate cook, experimenting with new recipes brings me joy (unlike the aftermath of cleaning, but let's not dwell on that). Currently, I’m on a quest to seamlessly organize the victorious recipes that earn my family's culinary applause.

Embracing the Tangible: Paper Recipes

There's something magical about flipping through the pages of a physical magazine or cookbook. If you share this sentiment, indulge in the art of organization with top-rated solutions from The Spruce Eats.

PRO TIP: If a cookbook doesn't spark joy in its entirety, scan and keep only the treasures, then liberate your kitchen from unnecessary clutter.

Navigating the Digital Culinary Cosmos

While Pinterest has been a trusty sidekick, the digital realm offers a plethora of recipe-organized apps waiting to be explored. Dive into the top-rated options beyond Pinterest and elevate your digital recipe curation game. Check out the cream of the crop here!

May your kitchen be a haven of organized culinary delights! 🌮📚

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

INFLUENCER HIGHLIGHT

❌🚂No more clutter. Simplify the challenge of organizing small toys with an ingenious solution from Katie Keever. 

☕️🍫Elevated hot chocolate. Stay cozy with this Vanilla Chai Hot Chocolate from Half Baked Harvest.

🍝 Keep it simple. With this roasted tomato and sausage pasta recipe, the whole family is sure to love.

🥐National Croissant Day. In honor of it on Jan. 30, Burger King is offering its customers the Croissan’wich for just a penny.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up here

View our Privacy Policy