ML Interest Tag: feel-guilty

11 Things Successful Working Moms Refuse to Spend Time On

by Elizabeth Broadbent

So many of us are scrambling to parent small people and bring home a paycheck. Doing so without losing it is nearly impossible. It’s a constant struggle to meet competing demands in a world that asks women to do it all, be it all, and look flawless at the same time. Yet somehow, we make it work—from harried mornings and lunchtime errands to that sacred, late-night Grocery Shopping Alone Time. What we don’t have time for is nonsense. And when you don’t have time for nonsense, the world’s mists clear. Priorities take hold: family, well-being, work. The rest falls by the wayside, including these unnecessary tasks.

1. Making elaborate meals

Working moms simply don’t have time to cook for hours every day. And even if they did whip up an incredible feast, their kids would take one look at that painstakingly prepared leg of lamb and drop to the floor whining for frozen dino nuggies. In the end, they’ll eat what they want to eat. My kids are going to eat ramen for dinner again tonight because they genuinely like it; we throw in chopped veggies for nutritional value, and it takes approximately five minutes to cook. Call me lazy. I prefer “clever.”

2. Attending work happy hours or after-work drinks (unless they want to)

I’m sure you’d have fun at your office mixer. Really. I bet Bob from IT has fascinating stories about his collection of samurai movies and/or birdwatching jaunts. Personally, I’d rather not spend an extra two hours in forced proximity with the people I’m already communicating with eight hours a day, five days a week, when I have three children and a spouse at home. We have almost nothing in common other than a job. Let’s not pretend.

3. Guilting ourselves about not volunteering at school

It would be nice to sell cookies at the during-school-hours class bake sale or tickets for the school dance or . . . you get the idea. Unfortunately, mom’s gotta make money. I will not feel guilty for refusing to use my precious, precious vacation days to hawk goods or perform other tasks easily accomplished by a handful of gifted kids. Can’t you bribe a fifth grader for that?

4. Throwing over-the-top birthday parties

Some kids’ gift bags come with live goldfish. My kids’ party guests are lucky if their brown paper bags have the crunchy snack variety. I have time for birthday parties 1980s style: cakes and chaotic screaming. But there’s a huge secret to birthday parties that Martha Stewart won’t ever tell you—the cake and the screaming? That’s the really fun part, anyway.

5. Attending useless meetings

There’s only one thing worse than an office mixer: a meeting that should have been an email. Between kids and work, my time is more than money. My time is time. I could be making my kids’ dentist appointments, but I’m being lectured about the proper use of a new program for the… third time? Hand me the highlight reel. Better yet, let me attend virtually (so I can mute you and make those dentist appointments).

6. Keeping in touch with people who do not spark joy

Being a working mom means I have to Marie Kondo my life. Do you embrace toxicity? You’re gone. Do you drag me down or build me up? If it’s the former, you’re out. This is both a self-preservation mechanism and a time-saver. I don’t have the mental energy or spare minutes to waste on people who don’t bring something to the table. If you’re not adding value to my life in some way, it’s a hard pass. That means you, Jen from high school, who always works the conversation around your multi-level marketing scheme, and you, cousin Phil, who always ends up talking about “What The Real Crime Is.”

7. Getting involved in work/office drama

The office is not Game of Thrones, and I don’t have time to play Cersei Lannister. Your drama is not my drama. Moms go to work because we have to work, and maybe because we like to work, but we don’t have time for your petty machinations. Office drama sucks up energy, and I save mine for things that matter, like a child barfing all over my bathroom floor at 2 a.m.—you never know when that’ll happen, and you have to be ready. (It’s sort of like being a ninja. But in a low-grade way, with a mop, a lot of willpower, and a strong stomach.)

8. Making Pinterest crafts

They’re twee and cute. They require $200 worth of supplies from three different stores and two hours of DIY fun followed by an hour of cussing and a child meltdown. All that, and they end up looking lopsided anyway. Maybe you can get them picture-perfect. If so, you can pin them and I’ll admire them from afar. Deal?

9. Making ourselves available at all hours

I come home; the email gets ignored. Sorry, but I’m only available during business hours (hence the name). Email is not a magic summoning button, and last I checked, I wasn’t a genie caught in a lamp. These are the boundaries we all keep talking about with our kids, and unless working moms set them for themselves, we’re trapped. So we learn, or we’re miserable. If you’re in an industry where that’s impossible, I’m so sorry—I can only offer only hugs and condolences.

10. Apologizing when we have to stop working

I will not apologize for not working when I can hardly speak or rise from bed. I’ve seen women work while in labor, work five hours after giving birth, work through Covid, work a few days after a mastectomy . . . the list goes on. I will not be one of them. Work can go on without me.

And if my kids are the ones laid up with hand, foot, and mouth disease or pink eye or whatever it happens to be? Same deal. They will only be small once, and they will not look back on that smallness and think my mother wasn’t there. I don’t have to answer to my boss on my deathbed, and he won’t pick my nursing home (if I can ever afford one).

11. Trying to do it all on our own

Cold, hard fact: You need help. You need a village. You need a partner, friends, teachers, family—anyone. You need a team. And if you truly don’t have one, you need to find one, if only for the sake of your children. These are people who can pick up your slack, make you feel better after a bad day, keep your kids when you need a break, and make you laugh when you need some comedy. And you can do it right back for them when they’re in need. Moms can’t do it all. No one should expect us to. It was mean of them to think we could in the first place.

Ask yourself: Does it make your life better? Does it make your kids’ lives better? No? Then you don’t have time for it. Simple as that.

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13 Things to Throw Out That You’ve Been Desperately Clinging To

by Elizabeth Broadbent

We’re drowning in stuff. We desperately need to get rid of some stuff. And there should be an easier way to go about it. Marie Kondo (who’s actually come around after having kids) made an empire out of ditching everything that doesn’t “spark joy.” But my vacuum and dish rags do not spark joy. Once in a while, my children don’t spark joy, either. I cannot Kondo any of them out of my house, no matter how much, some days, I might want to.

Any time I’ve embarked on a massive decluttering spree, I’ve regretted the epic scale and whirlwind effort later. Yes, I really chucked all my winter clothes in the middle of summer more than once, because, unlike lab rats, I do not learn from experience. Do not follow my lead—there’s no need to go all in.

Instead, let’s focus on certain categories of items that can be purged without repercussions. You can chuck these without guilt, intense spousal consultation, or lingering regret. Donate and recycle what you can, and trash what you can’t. You can do this; I believe in you.

1. All that art
Picasso probably created 50,000 works of art in his lifetime. Your kid appears to be headed in that direction, too. We know your son or daughter is precious, but do you need to keep every single drawing they have scrawled in their lifetime? Keep the best, maybe one from each month, and throw out the rest. Your kid doesn’t want you to keep them all. My mother-in-law gave us reams of my husband’s childhood scribbles. I wish she had kept it to a few—they would mean more.

2. The bad pictures
You have a million billion photos of your kid. In some of them, they’re making a weird face or scratching their butt or ducking under the table. You don’t need these pictures in your life. Do future you a favor: Narrow it down from 57 ever-so-slightly-different snaps to a handful of winners from every event—big or small—or day. (Psst, the Tinybeans app can help with that.) You’ll feel less overwhelmed, we swear.

3. The presents you feel guilty for hating
Someone gave you a thing. They put thought into the thing. You want to like the thing, but you don’t like the thing, and you feel really bad, you do, and it’s such a sweet thought, but it’s not your thing. Donating the thing is not disavowing the kind thoughts. It is passing on the kind thoughts. Just donate the thing and stop the guilt freight train. It’s just running you over every time you peek under your dresser.

4. That thing your kid loved but has ignored, and it’s now developmentally inappropriate, and they won’t notice if you chuck it
I don’t care how much they loved it. They don’t need it, and they don’t want it, and it’s taking up space in your house. Caveat: You can keep it if it’s a stuffie. You are allowed to keep a stuffie or six.

5. That iPhone box
The impulse to keep iPhone boxes remains a great American mystery.

6. Birthday cards
One day, you imagine, your child will want every birthday card they ever received. Pause. Think about your end game. Do you want to hoard every birthday card you’ve ever received? You wouldn’t look at them. You’d vaguely resent them. Don’t be that mother who saves all of her kid’s, then calls them in 20 years and attempts to pass the torch. Throw them out now and save the argument later.

7. Those clothes your kids refuse to wear
My oldest wouldn’t wear jeans. He had a drawerful. Instead, he favored ratty athletic pants or shorts. Why keep a literal drawer full of clothes (jeans take up a lot of space) when I could fill them with clothes he’d actually use? The same goes for your toddler who insists on wearing a dress every day and hasn’t touched her sweatsuits in ages. Let. Them. Go. Eventually, I purged all my kids’ closets—or rather, I let them do it because they’re old enough that I can’t force them to wear what I pick any longer (cue dramatic, tearful sniff). We traded with friends for clothes the kids liked. Then I bought my oldest cargo pants.

8. The fair/amusement park tickets of yore
Once, you visited a magical land of child slot machines. Yes, you said as you dragged your spawn from the blinking hellscape, wishing there was a matching version of Gamblers Anonymous. We will return one day to use the approximately three dollars and 25 cents worth of tickets that you can trade for a loud, plastic toy. Do not think about how much money you dropped to earn those tickets: They’re banking on that. The game was always rigged, and your kid had fun at the arcade. Ditch ‘em.

9. The mud-caked shoes
Sometimes, no matter how much you spray a pair of white sneakers, you can’t get the mud out of the cracks. Sometimes, you’re too icked out to scrub it with a toothbrush. This is not about the mud. This is about the sneakers: They’re ancient and they smell bad, and you can use the mud as a convenient excuse to toss them. Your children will not argue because mud is disgusting, and they think those shoes are hopelessly contaminated, anyway.

10. The old magazines
You will never look at that issue of Southern Living again. Admit it. You’re not going to cook the squash casserole, okay? Your kid would cheerfully choose cannibalism over zucchini. Pulp the magazines and back away slowly.

11. Tupperware without lids
Where do the lids go? That’s a trick question—you will never ever find out. Accept what you cannot change—the lids are gone—and even if they do appear at the bottom of a cabinet, they’ll be dusty and gross and you won’t want to use them anyway.

12. Sippy cups and bottles
To confront them is to confront mortality. Be brave. Remember—sippy cups come with grubby paws and sticky faces and diapers. Lots of diapers. Remember those diapers and the screaming nights and the times you never slept? Maybe you don’t: You didn’t sleep. You do not want to return there. Ditch the cups and bottles as soon as you’re able. You are not going back. And if you’re still in that season of life where you’re drowning in dozens of parts, keep the faith! Your day will come soon enough.

13. The idea of achieving a perfectly clean space
Throw this one away while you’re at it, too. It’s not going to happen. You have children and a life, and work’s never done. Get rid of the idea that you’re getting rid of everything. Nothing’s ever perfect. Your to-do list never ends, and you’ll drive yourself batty if you think it will. Sing the Frozen “Let it Go” song. You’re doing the best you can, and honestly, that’s plenty!

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4 Things Parents Need to Chill Out About (According to a Developmental Expert)

by Christina Marfice

If there’s anything parents are known for, it’s worrying. Worrying if the kids are safe, if they’re healthy, if they’re happy—and if their development is staying on track for them to keep up with their peers. But in a viral X (formerly Twitter) thread, a child development expert is urging parents to take a deep breath—and sharing the four things everyone should chill out about when it comes to their kids’ developmental milestones.

Dorsa Amir has been studying children’s growth across cultures for more than a decade. The basic gist of her thread? You can stop worrying so much about teaching your kids because if there’s anything kids do naturally on their own, it’s learn.

“Not everything has to be “educational,” Amir wrote. “It’s truly completely okay (& indeed, good) for kids to play for the sake of play. They don’t have to be learning the alphabet or animal noises. They can just do whatever silly thing they want to do. They are ALWAYS learning!”

On that note, Amir’s second piece of advice is that parents don’t need to teach their kids all the time.

“You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to constantly teach them things. In fact, active & direct instruction from an adult is the rarest form of teaching in human history. Kids know how to learn in other ways — like observation — & they’re extremely good at it,” she wrote. “For instance, I went to a little indoor gym class with my toddler & the teacher held up a ball & moved it around so the kids could “learn how to track objects with their eyes”. I cannot stress enough how completely & utterly unnecessary that is. You do not need to teach that!”

The third lesson Amir offered for parents? Don’t worry about entertaining your kids all the time.

“Kids should be allowed to experience boredom. It’s part of the human experience & it’s okay if they’re bored. You do not have to feel obligated to constantly entertain them or provide new activities for them. They should be allowed to generate their own activities & ideas,” she wrote. “You do not have to be your child’s zany, cartoonish friend. You can just be their boring parent, if you wish. This thing we do in the West, where we pretend to be kids to play with our kids? That’s super unusual, to be honest & you do not have to feel obligated to do it.”

And, side note, that also applies to buying your kids tons of toys. You’re welcome, parents.

Amir’s last piece of advice? Just like you shouldn’t protect your kids from boredom, you shouldn’t protect them from (developmentally appropriate) conflict, either.

“Kids should be allowed to experience social conflict. They can disagree or argue with their playmates; that’s completely fine & actually very good for them to practice. Let them resolve things if they can, you don’t have to get involved or prevent it from happening,” she wrote. “More generally, negative emotions are not bad & it’s good for kids to experience what they feel like & learn how to process them. A childhood that’s entirely carefree & completely devoid of emotional challenges is NOT the goal. It’s good to experience all of life’s nuances.”

In other words, parents, you’re doing just fine. Let this message from Amir be the one you take with you: “One thing that makes humans extra special is high levels of what we call “plasticity” or, the ability to calibrate to a million different ecological, cultural, & social environments. What this means is that there are a million different ways to be human & they’re all valid.”

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7 Things NOT to Say to Your Toddler When You Have a New Baby

by Kate Daley

The way you speak to your firstborn about their new sibling has a huge impact on how well they handle the transition.

“You’re so lucky to have a new baby sister!”

“You’re going to have to be a big boy now that you’re becoming a big brother.”

“Having a sibling is the best gift.”

These are just some of the things people might say to your toddler after a new baby brother or sister makes their debut. Heck, you’ve probably uttered more than a few of these common phrases to try and get your older child prepared for and excited about the new baby. But experts, like Dr. Michele Locke, a registered clinical psychologist specializing in child, adolescent, and parenting psychology in Toronto, say this kind of language can do more harm than good. So we asked the experts for more productive ways to speak to a toddler who’s suddenly becoming a big sibling, and these simple swaps can make all the difference in easing the transition.

1. Don’t Only Focus on Positives

It’s really important to prepare your toddler for what a new baby is actually like before their new sibling arrives. “We spend a lot of time talking about the exciting parts about having a baby, and we’re lying a little bit,” says Locke. “We say, ‘It’s going to be amazing, you’re going to have this playmate,’ and they picture a toddler coming out ready to run around. Instead, it’s a needy, crying baby that makes mama so tired that she has no patience.”

While newborn life is obviously not all bad, the way you talk about it can set up unrealistic expectations. Kids, especially toddlers, are pretty literal. The more you reinforce that there will be challenges and open up the opportunity for them to express themselves, the more it frees up your kid to find the good parts for themself, explains Locke.

2. Don’t Always Choose the Baby First

Try to temper how often you say “no” to the bigger kid by picking them first when possible, recommends Locke. Saying common phrases like “the baby needs me right now” is a surefire way to enrage your toddler because they probably feel the same way. Babies can be held by anyone, so if you can give your firstborn attention when they ask for it, do it. “It’s a huge loss for your bigger kid,” stresses Locke. Before the baby, they could hug you anytime they wanted, and now there’s a newborn on you all the time and they may feel rejected if they don’t get that same level of affection.

Your toddler is also totally dependent on you, says Dajana Yoakley, a peaceful parenting coach in Little Rock. They trust that you will meet their needs and take care of them. “And all of a sudden, the resources are shared. They used to get 100 percent and now they’re getting 50 percent,” explains Yoakley. This can lead to the well-known dynamic called sibling rivalry.

Toddlers are looking for your physical presence. If you can show up more often than not when the new baby is there, your child will feel safe and that will be reflected in their behavior, says Yoakley. “That responsiveness is really important.” If you leave your toddler waiting for five or ten minutes after they ask for help, they may start to feel like they are not important and that their needs are not going to be met. For example, when your two or three-year-old needs help in the bathroom, try and put the baby down so you can help them, or just come into the bathroom so you are physically there for them. Talk them through what they’re doing with phrases like “I see you’re on the potty, good job!” says Yoakley.

3. Don’t Ignore Their Feelings

Having a new sibling totally changes the family dynamic, so letting your child express themselves is key. If your toddler is starting to share some big feelings through their words or behavior, telling them to “calm down” or saying things like “be a big girl/boy” can make them feel like they’re being dismissed. “Validate and empathize with the yucky parts that they’re feeling,” recommends Locke. When a grandparent says “You’re so lucky,” you can lean down and say “It’s also super hard to be a big sibling.”

Yoakley also recommends flipping the conversation completely by talking to the baby about the toddler. “Tell the baby, ‘You’re so lucky to have the best big sister. She has the best dolls and she makes the best cookies in her play kitchen. When you’re older you’re going to get to play with your big sister,’” she says. During the newborn stage, you want to do your best to cater what you say to the older child, the one who understands what you’re saying.

A mom holding a toddler while a dad, holding their new baby, kisses his head
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4. Don’t Blame the Baby

If your toddler is being demanding and you just need a minute, don’t say “I’m tired because the baby keeps me up all night,” says Locke. Your toddler will react by thinking who is this baby who is ruining my mom? Reframe it. You can say “I was awake a lot so I am feeling tired.”

Yoakley agrees. Try saying something like “My hands are busy right now” so your older child doesn’t see the baby as a threat. If you constantly blame your mood or inability to do things with your toddler on the baby, they may act out more towards their younger sibling, says Locke.

5. Don’t Assume the Worst in your Toddler

When your toddler tries a wrestling move on the newborn, don’t immediately assume they’re trying to murder them (even if it looks like it). In those heated moments, it’s important not to say things like “don’t hurt the baby,” because it can make your older child feel like they were doing something wrong and even more at odds with their new sibling. When they are too rough, make sure the baby is safe, and then talk to your toddler. Say something like “I know how much you love him and want to hug him, but he has a mushy brain,” recommends Locke. Be generous in your interpretation of their actions. When toddlers are too rough it usually comes from excitement and joy, and it’s not typically to harm them, says Locke.

If your toddler has been aggressive with the baby, talk to them to help them process their emotions and set limits on their reactions, says Yoakley. “Say, ‘I see you were upset with the baby. Can you tell me about that in words? We don’t hit the baby.’ And help them with their emotions.” Don’t just allow bad behavior because you feel guilty. It’s important to guide them through what’s appropriate and what’s not, she says, while understanding that their actions are the result of dealing with a major transition.

6. Don’t Compare Your Kids (Or Let Others)

It’s really easy to make your toddler feel like they’re not as cute and wonderful as the baby by the way you talk about them. When you run into other parents or friends, you might want to complain about your slightly deranged toddler but remember that they’re always listening. If they hear you say things like, “The baby is so much easier than my first,” or gush about some (obviously very cute) physical aspect of your newborn, your toddler can internalize the idea that they’re not as good as the baby and it can affect how they act going forward.

And it’s even more obvious when your friends and family gush over the new baby. It can be hard to manage those comments, like how different the baby is from their sibling.

Try Locke’s go-to statement when someone starts comparing your kids: “We have two different kids, and we’re so lucky! We would be bored if they were the same.”

7. Don’t Ignore Your Toddler Time

If your kid constantly hears “Not now,” “Hold on,” or “Wait a minute,” they won’t feel like they’re a priority anymore. When you can, spend some special one-on-one time with your toddler without the baby in the room. “Focus on how the relationship was before the baby,” recommends Yoakley.

It’s important to really pay attention to the new things your older child is doing to ensure you’re filling those attention and connection buckets, says Locke. Offer your toddler a compliment, noticing something they’re doing (or repeating what they said through active listening), and make it specific so they know they’re getting your attention.

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Genius Items You Can Find on Amazon for Around $5 or Less

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Some of the best Amazon products don’t cost an arm and leg

The only thing better than avoiding a shopping trip with kids in tow is scoring an amazing deal. Thanks to Amazon, you can have both. We discovered the best Amazon products and deals right now (most of them are $5 or less!) that will not only make your life easier but will save you money, too. Now that’s a win. And many of them aren’t even discounted for Prime Day, meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of these deals whenever you need to rebuy.

In the market for kitchen supplies? We’ve got them. Budget beauty goodies? Found those, too. Not sure what? Just scroll our list to find some of the best Amazon products that are so wallet-friendly, you won’t even feel guilty for filling your cart (not that you ever should. But just in case.). Plus, there are several products you can set up subscriptions for and they’ll automatically shipped at an even larger discount. Saving time? Check. Saving money? Check. Check out some of the best and most affordable Amazon items we’re filling our carts with.
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NYX Butter Lipgloss in Vanilla Cream Pie

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This viral lip color has a cult following (thanks to it's neutral-pink hue that's universally flattering and non-sticky formula). Get NYX's Vanilla Cream Pie Butter Gloss for less than $5.

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Whether it's hot out (hello, sandals) or cold (dry heel skin catching on your socks—shudder), keeping your feet soft and smooth with these pumice stones is really easy.

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Don't believe that this $6 foundation is worth it? Just check out the almost 30k Amazon reviewers who rave about it.

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How's this for a genius cleaning tool? You can use them on baseboards, and the little brush works wonders in door, window and shower tracks, in corners, and much more. Plus, check out the tiny dust pan.

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Are your rings too big? This set of silicon noodles will keep your baubles from swinging. They're easy to use and clean.

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These sweet, color-changing LED lights will bring a cozy glow to a bedroom. 

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Never suffer from ill-chopped onions again! This stainless steel onion slicer is worth every penny.

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Travel Flossers

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This handy tool makes cleaning baby bottles and sippy cups a snap.

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This handy stuff comes in seven colors and immediately bonds to nylon, mesh, vinyl, rubber and plastic, which is ideal for repairing items like tents, jackets, sleeping bags, water bottles and more. Be sure to pack a roll for your next camping trip. 

—Shahrzad Warkentin, Karly Wood, & Kate Cartia

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

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Here’s How Much Protein Kids Actually Need

by Dahlia Rimmon

If your kid’s protein intake is consuming your thoughts, I’m here to offer some much-needed relief

Society’s obsession with protein has skyrocketed, and it’s all over our grocery store shelves—from protein-fortified cereals, chips, and crackers to protein waters. For parents, protein is definitely top of mind as you try to get even a morsel into your buttered noodle-obsessed kid’s body. But are we stressing a little more than we need to be? When it comes to protein for kids, how much do they really need?

Simply put, children need protein but they don’t need a lot of it. I know, sounds hard to believe, but before you spit out your (microwaved) coffee in shock here’s what you need to know.

What makes protein so important anyway?

Protein offers kids sustained energy and satiety, which is helpful for both stay-at-home crawlers and active school-goers. It also slows carbohydrate digestion, preventing the blood sugar spikes that can make kids moody and tired. Protein is a powerful resource for children and an important part of a balanced diet.

How much protein do kids actually need?

Less than you think! Protein is essential for growth but their small bodies don’t need a ton of it just yet. Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 require 13 grams of protein per day and older kids between the ages of 4 and 8 only need 19 grams per day.

To put this in perspective, a single-serving container of Greek yogurt boasts 16 grams of protein—that’s more than a toddler’s daily requirement. Similarly, a peanut butter sandwich contains about 8-12 grams of protein, covering most of a child’s daily needs. So it’s safe to say that serving protein-rich foods once or twice a day should be sufficient. And if your child isn’t a big eater, don’t sweat it.

Tips and tricks for meeting your kid’s daily protein needs.

1. Beige foods for the win.

Even if your toddler refuses burgers at a BBQ or chicken fingers at grandma’s house, they can still get all the protein they need by eating beige foods—you know, the foods that toddler dreams and diets are made of. Think pasta, bread, and crackers. For example, you’ll find 7 g of protein in 3/4 cup of rigatoni. So when you feel guilty about serving pasta the third night this week, just remember that your kid’s protein needs for that day are half met. Mom win!

2. Explore out-of-the-box proteins.

Instead of loading your grocery cart with pricey protein bars and powders, you probably already have protein-rich food in your pantry. Did you know that carbohydrates are high in protein? Yup, that’s right. The next time your toddler grabs a second (or third) dinner roll, he’s likely eating protein too! Here are some other protein-filled carbs you may want to add to your pantry:

  • 1/3 cup of rolled oats contains 6 g of protein
  • 2 tbsp of hummus has 2 g of protein
  • 2 slices of whole wheat bread includes 8 g of protein
  • A couple handfuls of Cheerios contain 2-3 g of protein
  • 4 tbsp of black beans has 3 g of protein

3. A little protein goes a long way.

While you can knock out your protein requirements with a couple of servings a day, picky eaters may require a little more ingenuity. Instead of serving large portions of protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offer small amounts at meals and snacks. Consider adding ‘protein toppings’ such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, ground nuts, or seeds that can be sprinkled on oatmeal or yogurt or added to cereals, smoothies, and baked goods. It is much easier (and less overwhelming!) to meet protein needs by adding little bits throughout the day.

Putting it into practice.

Making sure your kids get enough protein doesn’t have to be a struggle. Including fan-favorite pantry staples (Hello Cheerios! Hi bread!) throughout the day will make meeting their needs more manageable for even the pickiest eaters. Here are a few examples of how to hit the mark each day using typical proteins and beloved beige foods:

Toddlers 1 to 3 years (13 g total):

  • 1/2 cup whole cow’s milk (4 g), 1 slice of bread (4 g), 1/2 hard-boiled egg (3 g), 4 crackers (2 g)
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter (4 g), 1/3 c oatmeal (6 g), 1 oz pasta (3 g)
  • 3 oz Greek yogurt (8 g), 1/2 pita bread (3 g), 1 whole grain freezer waffle (2 g)

Kids 4 to 8 years (19g total):

  • 1 cheese stick (7 g), 1/2 c of chickpeas (6 g), 1/2 peanut butter sandwich (6 g)
  • 2 scrambled eggs (12 g), 1 mini bagel (4 g), 1 slice of cheddar cheese (4 g)
  • 3 chicken nuggets (6 g), 1 oz cashews (5 g), 3oz Greek yogurt (8 g)
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27 Pumpkin Recipes to Spice Up Your Fall

by Cherie Gough

Find your favorite pumpkin recipes for the fall season

Pumpkin isn’t just for lattes—at this time of year, we love incorporating the humble fruit (yes, fruit!) into as many different recipes as we can, from savory pumpkin recipes like cheesy pasta dishes to indulgent desserts and even healthy pumpkin pie. As long as you’re in the holiday spirit, you may want to bookmark some Halloween-themed dinner ideas as well as easy Halloween treats. And on nights when you’re in the mood for some good eats but want to do minimal work, check out these killer CrockPot recipes or make a beeline for the pumpkin offerings at Trader Joe’s. 

Sweet Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Truffles

If you’re looking for something sweet and pumpkin-y, look no further! These pumpkin truffles are a delicious treat.

Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte

pumpkin recipes
Boulder Locavore

Make your own PSL at home this year! We love this simple recipe from Boulder Locavore. The trick to getting a good mix is to use cold brew.

Pumpkin Pudding Cakes

Warm Pumpkin Cake is a sweet pumpkin recipe
The View from Great Island

If you and your crew like pumpkin pie then you'll love these warm pumpkin pudding cakes from The View from Great Island. Topped with pecans and whipped cream, these mini soufflés are a great way to branch out from your go-to pumpkin pie this holiday season.

Pumpkin Butter

pumpkin recipes
Koti Beth

For the true pumpkin-heads out there, pumpkin butter is a dream come true. This version from Koti Beth is made with pumpkin puree, a little sweetener and spices, and tastes great spread on toast, swirled into yogurt or oatmeal, or dolloped on top of pancakes or ice cream. It also makes for a delicious edible gift around the holidays.

Related: Pumpkin It Up with These Baby-Friendly Recipes

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Erhardts Eat

Cheesecake meets pumpkin in this genius (and super easy) recipe from Erhardts Eat. Once the dip is whipped together, your whole crew can go to town dipping sliced apples, cookies, pretzels, and graham crackers.

Vegan Pumpkin Brownies

Rhian’s Recipes

For a little something different, try these delish vegan brownies from Rhian’s Recipes. They’re naturally sweetened with dates and are gluten-free for sensitive tummies.

No-Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

pumpkin recipes
Under the Willow Tree

Pumpkin bliss is just a few hours away, thanks to this recipe from Under the Willow Tree. It’s even vegan, so all you’ll need is a can of coconut milk, pumpkin puree, and a few spices from your pantry.

The Best Pumpkin Bars

Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts

Ring in the season by making these amazing pumpkin bars from Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts. The bars are topped with a sweetened cream cheese mixture—delish!

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

pumpkin bread
Kristine via Kristine's Kitchen

When you've had your fair share (and then some) of homemade banana bread, and you want to switch things up, check out Kristine's Kitchen for her awesome pumpkin bread recipe! The best part? It's sneakily healthy!

Related: Simple Pumpkin Crafts You Can Do with the Kids

Pumpkin-Spiced Oatmeal

pumpkin recipes
Damn Delicious

You can’t beat a bowl of old-fashioned oats to fill hungry tummies on a crisp fall morning. This recipe from Damn Delicious will remind you how quick and easy oatmeal can be. Set toppings out the night before on the kitchen countertop and watch the breakfast magic begin as your little ones fill up on healthy fiber with a pumpkin kick.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Dishing Delish

If you’ve got any leftover canned pumpkin on your hands, this smoothie recipe from Dishing Delish is the perfect way to use it. It’s the next best thing to having a slice of pumpkin pie for breakfast.

Pumpkin Nutella Cookie Bars

Crazy for Crust

Haven't tried the pumpkin and chocolate combo craze yet? Go! Get in the kitchen ... now! We promise you'll be stuck on these Pumpkin Nutella Cookie Bars from Crazy for Crust this fall. Serve 'em warm and ooey-gooey with a tall glass of milk. 

Pumpkin Blondies

Friday Is Cake Night

We can’t resist a blondie, and this pumpkin version from Friday Is Cake Night is sure to be an instant hit with your crew. The one-bowl recipe is a breeze to make, and you can round up the kids to do the mixing.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cups

pumpkin recipes
Anya’s Eats

This fun twist on the classic from Anya’s Eats is surprisingly easy to make. And with a mix of almond butter, pumpkin, and spices, it’s perfect for fall.

Pumpkin Pancakes

No. 2 Pencil

Everyone deserves dessert for breakfast sometimes! The yummy combo of pumpkin, cinnamon, and icing will transform Saturday morning into a celebration. Serve Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from Number 2 Pencil with warm maple syrup or drizzled cream cheese glaze. Yum!

Related: This Viral Pumpkin Carving Hack Might Just Change Your Life

Pumpkin Pie Pudding

My Life Cookbook

For an after-school snack that satisfies a sweet tooth without being unhealthy, you’ve got to try this pumpkin pie pudding from My Life Cookbook. It comes together in the blender in less than 10 minutes and tastes great topped with coconut cream or whipped cream.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin muffins are a sweet pumpkin recipe
Bitz N Giggles

These yummy muffins from Sara at Bitz N Giggles are pulling double duty: you can enjoy them for breakfast or dessert! (Or both, we won't tell.)

Savory Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Beef Bolognese

Beef Bolognese is usually a crowd-pleasure, and the addition of fall’s favorite squash gives it something special. Get the recipe from Serving Dumplings.

Pumpkin Bolani

If you’re familiar with Afghan food (and if you’re not, we recommend trying it ASAP), then you’re probably a fan of Bolani, a flatbread stuffed with yummy combinations usually served as an appetizer. This version comes with a savory pumpkin spread on the inside, and it’s recommended you serve it with a dipping yogurt. Get the recipe from Herat Kitchen, and be on the lookout for shortcuts!

Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Chicken Bacon Pasta Bake, a savory pumpkin recipe
Pinch of Yum

Sunday dinner, here we come! This pasta bake from Pinch of Yum is filled with caramelized onions, plenty of pumpkin, and a healthy sprinkling of cheese. It’s sure to have everyone asking for seconds.

An Autumnal Pasta

Cooktoria

This awesome pasta dish from Cooktoria is sure to be an instant hit with your crew, thanks to its delicious sauce made with pumpkin, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. If your kids aren’t into mushrooms, you can sub in Italian sausage.

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

pumpkin mac and cheese is savory pumpkin recipe
Life Made Sweeter

We’ve discovered the ultimate in comfort food, thanks to Life Made Sweeter. This pumpkin macaroni and cheese is perfect for chilly fall nights, and it comes together in less than 30 minutes. 

Related: 22 Things To Do with Pumpkins After Halloween

Pumpkin Coconut Soup

pumpkin recipes
Jade Aucamp on Unsplash

Let the kids help make this tasty Caribbean-inspired soup from Stir It Up by Ramin Ganeshram. It’s easy to throw together using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

pumpkin recipes
Anshu A on Unsplash

After you carve your pumpkins, don’t throw out the seeds! It’s so easy to make roasted pumpkin seeds, and they’re sure to be a family favorite, whether they’re sprinkled on a salad or packed in lunches.

Pumpkin Chili

slow cooker pumpkin chili is a savory pumpkin recipe
Tatertots & Jello

This award-winning chili from Tatertots & Jello has a hint of pumpkin sweetness that sings in your mouth. Just brown the meat and onions, dump the ingredients in the slow cooker, and voila! Dinner is done! Try milder spices to please budding taste buds, or make this one when hosting. Football and chili anyone?

Pumpkin Alfredo Ravioli

Pumpkin Alfredo Ravioli is a savory pumpkin recipe
Taste and Tell

Start with a package of frozen ravioli. Stir together a few simple ingredients to make a decadent sauce. The smooth, rich flavors of this ravioli with pumpkin alfredo from Taste and Tell come together so quickly that you'll wish you'd invited company over for dinner.

 

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You Don’t Have to Like Your Friend’s Kids

by Elizabeth Broadbent

Maybe it’s the kid who whines for lunch and then smears crackers on the dog. Maybe it’s that toddler who shrieks like a siren and touches every single surface with their sticky paws. Or maybe it’s that girl who just smacked your daughter, stole her binky, popped it in her mouth, and smirked. You didn’t know two-year-olds could smirk.

You dislike that child.

You feel very guilty.

You don’t want to admit it. People should like kids. As a parent, you believe this, partly because you want everyone to like your kid. But you can’t help it: one of your friends has a kid you can’t stand. You hate it. It’s an ugly little feeling, and you shove it down. You smile through your cringe. You fake a nice-nicey voice.

You would never admit to anyone that you dislike a child, especially your friend’s child. Disliking children is bad, right? It seems especially mean when you can’t stand your friend’s kid. Liking the friend seems to include liking their kids. It’s a transitive property of friendship, right?

Wrong.

It’s okay to dislike other people’s kids, whether or not they belong to your friend. We’re used to our own kids’ obnoxiousness, and we’ll freely admit (at least to ourselves) that they can annoy us. We don’t have to put up with other kids, and their bad behavior comes in new and irritating flavors—even their whines sound worse. They annoy us more. Therefore, we dislike them. This is totally normal.

When my kids were two, other toddlers seemed drippy, germy, and rude. I wanted someone to wipe their faces, scrub their hands, and make them stop hogging Thomas the Tank Engine. Meanwhile, in the corner, my precious, jam-covered baby was probably pulling books off a shelf, smacking his friend, and giggling.

But you still feel guilty. Disliking your friend’s kid seems disloyal. It seems wrong. But it’s still okay. Newsflash: your friend and your friend’s kid are separate human beings. They have different personalities and different behaviors—unless your friend is screaming and stealing your kid’s Mr. Blanky, in which case you should reevaluate your friendship. There is no transitive property of parenthood. Liking an adult doesn’t automatically mean you like their kid.

That dislike doesn’t mean you disapprove of your friend’s parenting, either. Kids can be jerks regardless of parenting skill. Look at your own kids. You’d consider yourself at least a semi-decent parent, and your kids have pulled screaming meltdowns in Target’s grocery section. Your kid has at least one maddening habit, like nose-picking or jam-smearing or shrieking. This is not a sign of poor parenting. It’s a kid thing. Some kids compulsively run in the house; some kids won’t shut up about Pokemon. You can secretly roll your eyes at a kid without secretly rolling your eyes about how they’re being raised.

Note the word “secretly.” Remember: feelings aren’t behavior. You can absolutely despise your friend’s child. But you can’t treat them differently because of it—full stop. You can’t actually roll your eyes; you can’t glare. You can’t gossip about them. You can’t complain about them behind your friend’s back (sorry, but if you value your friendship, you won’t). You can’t say or do anything you wouldn’t do to a child you enjoyed. Ask yourself: would I want a friend to treat my kid this way?

You are, however, allowed to stop that kid from bothering your own. If they hit, hurt, tease, or otherwise disturb your child, you have the right to step in. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include telling off the kid you dislike—as much as you want to. And if your friend’s rugrat is a bad influence on yours, you’ve gone beyond “I don’t like this kid” and into “I need to decide if I want my child to socialize with my friend’s child.”

A bratty toddler’s very different from a six-year-old whose creative cursing might spread like a bad cold. Some kids might annoy you. Some kids might put your child in dangerous or uncomfortable situations. You have to learn the difference—even if their parent is your buddy and you feel super guilty. (Fun times!)

Remember: you don’t have to like every kid on the playground. That includes your BFF’s. Ditch the guilt—you don’t have to love them. You just have to deal with them.

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Survey: Dads Have (Slightly) More Control When it Comes to Dealing with Tantrums

by Christina Marfice

A new survey of parents showed that dads have a (very slight) edge over moms when it comes to controlling toddler tantrums

Moms, here’s the sign you’ve been looking for. A new survey showed that dads have an edge over moms when it comes to taking care of child meltdowns, so next time your toddler has a tantrum, just call on your partner to take care of it.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Baby Magic, asked a series of questions of 1,000 moms and 1,000 dads with kids ages four and under. Their findings will make you feel a lot better about dealing with tantrums—including the fact that 45 percent of respondents said dads are better at tantrum control than moms (compared to 42 percent who said moms are best).

The survey also showed that the average parent compromises with their toddler four times per week, with the most common reasons for bargaining being bedtime, bathtime, and morning routines. And before you feel bad about your toddler having a meltdown (especially if it happens somewhere public), know that you’re far from alone—74 percent of the parents surveyed said their kid had had at least one tantrum in the last month.

Even more relatable are the reasons the parents shared for their kids’ meltdowns: “Because he couldn’t fit a toy in his toy car,” “his shirt wasn’t pants,” “I wouldn’t let them play in the toilet,” and “I gave her spaghetti and she doesn’t like the color red so she refused to eat it,” just to name a few. It just goes to show there truly is no such thing as a logical, rational toddler—something that can be helpful to keep in mind next time they start screaming.

And in case you needed even more news to make you feel better about whatever your child’s latest tantrum was over, know that the survey showed that 76 percent of parents admit they’ve made mistakes with their kids. Moms are more likely to feel guilty when they’ve made a mistake than dads (of course), at 59 percent versus 44 percent. But dads can teach us all a lesson in keeping a cool head—30 percent of them say they’re able to step back and return feeling refocused, compared to just 18 percent of moms.

“Parenting is messy, but oftentimes the beauty is found in the imperfections, especially when you have a village to help,” said Hazel Smith, Senior Marketing Manager at Baby Magic.

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