Why it’s soooo important to have a Mom and a Dad at home…

about your child’s daily intake of fruits, veggies, dairy, grains, protein etc.

I swear, if you read too much about parenting, you’ll end up going insane trying to keep up with what a supposed good parent should do.  Don’t sweat it. 

Trust your instincts and use your common sense.

When it comes to feeding your child, experts believe that there are so many things to take into consideration:

• portion size
• frequency of meals
• caloric intake
• how many of each food group should be consumed daily

As a new parent, you always fret.  Has she had enough greens today?  Oh no, I forgot to give her a grain yesterday…I’ll have to double the portion today.  Does pizza fulfill any of the food group requirements?  Why did she love broccoli last week and is spitting it out now?

Your child’s body will dictate the portion sizes of the necessary food groups that it needs.  I’ve watched it come in waves over my Beach Rose.  One week she’ll eat and crave everything dairy.  So, apparently her body needs more of that, and I listen.  She’ll still get her daily dose of veggie, but she might get 2x the amount of cheese or yogurt than I’d normally serve her.

Just don’t listen to your child if they say they just want pizza or chicken nuggets all the time.  That may be their body talking, but it’s just telling you what it wants not what it needs.  There is a difference!

or the same story a thousand times.

It makes no difference.

Before kindergarten.

No pressure.

Just kidding…don’t feel pressure.  Just enjoy every precious moment you read with them because it’s a precious moment where time is standing still with just you and your Baby.

When you have kids, one of the things that will shock you the most is that your parents and your husband’s parents aren’t as thrilled about babysitting as you thought they’d be. (Some are!  Very few.  Most have been there and done that and would rather you have babysitters lined up and them as a laaaaaast resort!)

Nobody is excited about the prospect of their lost time while trying to entertain, referee, and calm down a pack of kids, or 2, or even 1.

So, if someone, ANYONE, offers to babysit your kids for FREE?  “Anytime, we’d be happy to.  We love kids. I love kids. Go out.  You deserve it.  I’ll pick them up.  I’ll watch them while you go to do your groceries.  You need a break. ”  Something’s wrong. Be careful.  Let your gut direct you.

This is a red flag in the world of creepy people saying and doing shady things.

“Go with your instincts if anything bothers you about someone who spends time with your child,” Sax says. That includes the neighbor or person from church who is overly eager to help you out by babysitting or just taking your kid off your hands. Having a bad vibe is not necessarily enough to make a crime report, but it’s plenty to justify your not allowing that person access to your kid. “

The ones that moan and groan about watching your beloved angels for the night are the real thing.  Those that push for you to let them watch and are more than happy to do it…beware.