Do you ever have trouble with your children and their electronics? Does it seem like headphones grow out of their ears? Do they listen more to the electronic voices than the people around them? You’re not alone. I think most parents have a love/hate relationship with electronics and their children. It is a way of communication when you’re apart, but it can also pull you apart. They have all these voices in their ears pulling them away from you. Voices that are sometimes more important than yours.
No Electronics at Meals
We now have in place a set of rules for electronics. I did not put meals on there because we already have a rule for no electronics at the table. There are very few exceptions. We even tell guests about our no electronic rules for meals. They have all been very gracious about it.
There are many things more important than checking up on social media. Children and even some adults need to learn to do the necessary things first in order to do the important things done for life. For children, it is chores, homework, as adults, we still have chores and work. I want them to develop habits of reading their Bible, prayer, exercise, reading and being helpful to others. Learning to prioritize is a lifelong skill that every person needs to know.
Enforcing Electronic Rules
Now that we have our checklist, we have to enforce it. Unless you have little robot children, they’ll try and push the rules. Children almost always push the rules. Have a plan in place so you know what you’ll do when you see them with their phones. We have an electronics home for them to stay in during off times. And the electronics may get taken away and left there for a day for the first offense and multiplied after that.
So what tips do you have for children and electronics? Do you have rules?
My kids love to eat fruits and vegetables. And I often get asked how I get my kids to eat more fruits and vegetables. Here’s how…
Let Them Help Make It
When they help make meals, let them help. If they are the ones making the salad, they’ll be more inclined to try it. Have them help make a veggie tray or fruit salad. Make dips with either. Kids love to dip fruits or vegetables. You can use a ranch dip or peanut butter with a variety of vegetables or even the peanut butter with apples is a favorite treat at my house. There’s great dips for fruit too.
Praise Them
Make sure everyone know what recipe was made and by who. “And we have these wonderful candies carrots made by Johnny. ” or “Susie made the salad tonight.” Also, when we make salads, we always put all the extras in different bowls and they can pick their own toppings.
When they try a new fruit or vegetable, praise them. “Good job eating your peas.”
Make them try it. We have a rule you have to try a little just to be polite. And a lot of foods thy need to try several times to like it.
Let Them Pick It Out
When you go to the store let them pick out a new fruit or vegetable. We’ve tried some very different ones we might not have ever tried by doing this. We only get one or a small bit if it comes in lbs and everybody tries it. Some are great and we add them in our menus and some are flops. But you don’t know unless you try.
Garden
We have almost always had a garden and the kids have always helped. They love picking them and showing me the vegetable that “they” grew. It’s much easier to get them to try something new that they helped with and they grew. The only thing you have to watch out for is they will eat everything and you won’t get any for dinner. Smile. We grew sugar snap peas and the kids ate every one before they even came in the house. And I have one daughter who even now will eat every cherry tomato she can.
Hide Them
You an sneak fruits and vegetables into a lot of different meals. I put a lot of shredded vegetables in my spaghetti sauce. Zucchini has very little taste and can be added to many things. Butternut squash can be added to any cheese sauce. I have also dried vegetables and added them thicken sauces.
What ways do you do to get your kids to eat more fruits and vegetables?
I know that there are times in life that you are not able to as active asyou would like whether due to sickness, pregnancy bed rest, chronic illness, surgery or accidents. There still are things that you can do to make the most of this time.
I had surgery a month ago and am still non-weight bearing. This eliminates a lot of things that I can do, but not all. Fortunately, there are now knee scooters that work better than crutches. B
Plan
First, if you can plan for this, such as surgery, pregnancy or any illness that you know you’ll have bad days. Plan as much as you can in advance.
Make Meals Ahead
I always try to have freezer meals made ahead. But, when I know I have surgery coming up or for pregnancy I stock up. I make as many freezer meals as I have room to store. If you don’t like to cook, you can pick them up in the store. Now you can even get your groceries delivered. Also, kids can cook. Have a list of easy recipes that they can make. They feel capable and love that they can help.
Kid Boxes
I like to keep some things that they’ve never seen to keep them occupied. Even dollar store play doh or new coloring books can keep them busy. Keep a new book you can read to them while you are lying down. Spend time with them. Kids value times one on one more than anything else. Talk to them, listen, play a game, just be with them.
Minimum Maintenence
You won’t get everything done. You’ll have to learn to be tolerant of that but things still need done. The main things are dishes and laundry. Everyone has to wear clothes and eat. But, you can make it easier. Use paper plates. Or eat finger food that you can use a napkin. Have a load of laundry done and have it brought to you to fold. Another child can sweep. It is amazing how much children can do to help but don’t hold them to your standards. Make them feel appreciated.
Depression
It’s very common for anyone to become depressed after enforced bed rest, injury, surgery, chronic illness or any time you are laid up for a while no matter the reason. It is easy to have a poor me attitude. No ones likes being laid up and a lot of time you’re in pain. I allow myself 5 minutes. to feel sorry for myself. Then I pick myself up, put on a smile and try and be optimistic. Read uplifting books, pray and talk to others. Lean on God. Don’t isolate yourself, that makes it worse. You have more to give than you think you do.
Although I am still recovering from surgery, I am trying to use the time wisely. Since I can’t put weight on my foot, I am doing a lot of seated work. Intentional is the way I want to live my life. Too often, we are going through life reacting to our circumstances instead of working toward the goals we want to achieve. So, Intentional is my word of the year and intentionally plan my goals for this year.
This post contains affiliate link in which I receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Intentional Personal Goals
I am desperately trying to give up soda. Having been a soda addict for years and knowing how bad it is for me, it is still a struggle to give it up. I have a blog post coming up with my plan on how to do it.
Every year I read the Bible all the way through and I still learn something new every time. I am looking for a new yearly devotional if anyone has one they love. Last year, I used Savor and loved it
.Intentional Health
Tacking healthy habits onto something I already do or exchange an unhealthy habit for a healthier one I’ve read is a great way to make them stick. I am drinking more water, each time I feel hungry I reach for the water first. Exercising at least 3 days per week even while healing. I have found a great many videos on Youtube to exercise with an injured foot including exercises in bed. and Sit and Be Fit were all great. Just because one part of my body is injured is no excuse for not exercising. It just has to be modified.
Intentional Marriage
It is so easy as the years go by to take your spouse for granted. I plan to be intentional in praying for my husband, showing him respect and love. We made plans for date nights bimonthly, taking time to talk beyond the surface stuff, go away for our anniversary and read/ listen to ways to improve our marriage.
Intentional Parenting
I’ve been reading Parenting Teens with Love and Logic. There is some great stuff in there. It is parenting from the offensive instead of the defensive position. Our youngest will be a teenager in 2 months. And what worked with one child might not work at all with the next child. You need to find their “hot spot.” I am working on being firmer, sometimes I can be to soft and need to be more logical.
Intentional Homemaking
I have been watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix lately. When we moved it was horrible. We have too much stuff! I plan on eliminating a lot of things in our home. I’m working on a plan to teach my children to cook more. and that’s something I enjoy. I’d love to try making some of the bakery items from The British Baking Show Masterclass.
Intentional with my Blog
I plan to be more intentional about posting on a regular schedule of Mondays and Thursdays. I would love to answer more questions for you for the struggles in your life. And soon there will be a free subscribers area. Freebies!
Do you have a word of the year? What is your plan to make it happen?
Mom life is hard. Getting everyone fed, with healthy foods, and on a budget is even harder. So I’m sharing my favorite products to make your life and dinners a little easier.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
Instant Pot
As you know from my last post, that I love my Instant Pot. I can cook cheaper cuts of meat that fall apart that when you pick them up, they’re that tender. And if I forget to thaw it, you can put your meat in and still have dinner, only a little bit later.
Accessories
This accessory pack has the basics you will use. I love making the sou-vide egg bites and trying different flavors. The springform pan makes cheesecake a breeze. Making rich flavorful stock with the steamer basket is a cinch since all you do is pull out the basket. Yum, Stock ready and waiting for you.B
Stack N’ Cook Pans
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these Stack N’ Cook pans. I make custard in them almost every week. All kinds of casseroles, quiches, puddings and reheating leftovers go in these pans. It has 2 lids, 1 has holes to let the steam out. And they stack so you can have different foods in each pan.
Food Sealer
I use my food sealer to save money. When I buy meat by the case, I repackage it in meal-sized portions. You can also cook directly in the bags. I have a marinade container that quickly infuses meats.
Slow Cooker
I use my slow cooker to start supper after breakfast. I make up a lot of freezer meals and then, it’s just dumping and cook. And coming in after being out of your home; the smells are incredible.
Stand Mixer
Having a stand mixer makes cooking faster, easier and uses more variety. Cakes, breads, pies, muffins and you can even shred your cooked chicken in your mixer. I can leave it mixing and work on another part of dinner while it’s kneading my bread.
Freezer Meals
Mega Cooking is my all time favorite for freezer cooking.
Both of these cookbooks not only have the main dishes but sides, desserts, and sauces. I use them all the time. Not Your Mother’s Freezer Book also has meal plans done for you.
Imersion Blender
I use my Immersion Blender to use in a hurry or for small jobs in the kitchen. But my favorite way to use this is in pureeing soups. I puree part of the vegetables to thicken the soup instead of using a thickener. More veggies in for healthier eating.
Vitamix
I have had a Vitamix for over 20 years. They make quick healthy smoothies, pulverizing the ice so it’s just nice and creamy. Fruit ice cream, soups, sauces, mayo just to name a few of the many dishes that can be made in your Vitamix.
What are your favorite products for getting meals on the table?
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
