The winter brings colder days, shorter days and especially in these 2021 days, we’re experiencing cabin fever and COVID fever, or is it just anxiety? Let’s not get started on homeschooling and the copious amounts of time we’ve spent with our families who, as it turns out, are pretty annoying in high doses!
Like most recent celebrations and holidays, Valentine’s Day is going to look very different this year. Usually, at this time, our kiddos are excitedly preparing cards for their friends and working on crafts during art class. Many children are currently doing school online, and all are feeling the pain of getting fewer hugs from grandparents and friends. So, what can parents do to ensure the kids still have a fun and special day? Create some crazy new traditions and do some fun activities My friend Jenn, loves to celebrate everything! One of the traditions she started was to keep her Christmas tree up year around, but she and her family decorate it according to the season. Her Valentine’s tree looks spectacular! Kids love doing crafts and we love kids being busy, so picking up a Valentine’s Day Craft Kit is top of my list. I also discovered a local mom…
If there’s one bullet I’ve dodged as a parent, it’s picky eating. Somehow, by some miracle, both of my kids have eaten really well since day one. They like fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, spicy dishes, sushi, you name it. They’re easy to feed at restaurants and other people’s houses (remember going to other people’s houses?? Haha, sob). Basically, I make food and they consume it, with very few exceptions. I am incredibly lucky; this I know.
It’s that dreaded question.…What’s for dinner tonight?
It could be asked by your spouse over text, it could be a question you silently ask yourself mid-afternoon when you realize you forgot to plan something, or it could be asked by your 10-year-old when he hops out of bed at 7am because he needs to know what the day has in store for him. (Hypothetically speaking, of course…)
To the makers of LEGO,
This isn’t yet another complaint about how much it hurts to step on one of your pointy pieces.
The third Monday in January was coined “Blue Monday” several years ago when it was decided that it represented the saddest day of the year for people.
It gained this reputation was for a few reasons: At this point in January, the weather is a bit glum, the days are a bit dark and people are feeling a little financially strapped after over-spending during the holidays. Having those credit card bills roll in can certainly leave the best of us feeling a little unenthusiastic.
Yesterday I texted my daughter’s teacher the word pancakes.
Because, you know, we’re living in a pandemic and it’s back to work and trying to keep things ‘normal’ and not panic our faces off and do all the things while worrying about our jobs and waiting on the vaccine / worrying it will give us rickets (it won’t, don’t @ me) and not letting our eyes roll right out of our heads when someone says they’re doing ‘dry January’ and constantly answering questions like ‘hey mom, is a hot dog a sandwich?’ or ‘hey mom, would you rather fight a bear-sized duck or a duck-sized bear?’
In keeping with tradition, I’m going to share my best mom fails of 2020. My kids love gathering during the holidays and deciding where I screwed up most during the year. As a parent of six kids, I’ve definitely relaxed more with each child and my three biggest kids like to jokingly describe me as having been “a little asleep at the parenting wheel for the last three kids”. Truthfully, I’m not sure they’re actually joking.
During December, I often find myself craving Christmas flavours. Gingerbread, shortbread, sugar cookies and pumpkin pie – you name it! When it is cold and snowy outside, there is nothing better than sitting down to a Netflix series with a slice of Christmas on my plate! Since the beginning of the pandemic, however, I have been consciously trying to curb my comfort eating. Easier said than done during the holidays, right? In an effort to eat cleaner, I have also been trying to reduce the fat and sugar content in many of my traditional Christmas baking recipes, while attempting to not compromise taste. It is actually easier than you think!
This year has been all about distance: social distance, physical distance, keeping our distance. During the holiday season, how can we abide by these public health requirements, yet still feel close and connected to our loved ones? As we wrap up this unprecedented year, here are some of the ways you can still share holiday cheer, safely and responsibly.