By Whitney from RookieMoms.com

For some, Grandma and Papa’s house is a home away from home. For most of us however, it is a bit of a foreign land. The refrigerator houses different foods, the sink doesn’t have a stool in front of it, and the dog is not used to children.  Here are some savvy parent survival tips I’ve taught myself.

 
Keep expectations in check. I am the parent, responsible for my kids’ comfort and well being. My parents are not obligated to provide any particular supplies. If I ask them to food shop for me, I must be polite, gracious and flexible. If I cannot do that, I should do the shopping for myself.

Protect my boundaries. If an activity or guests are planned during a nap, I can let them know that my daughter and my husband will stay behind for naptime. If the guests are intimidating to my anxious child, I can say that she’s not feeling social and we’ll try again later.

Facilitate bonding. Some grandparents are unable to sit down and focus in the way that playing with a toddler requires. (Yeah, I know, it can be boring!) As the parent who knows all parties best, I can suggest some activities that suit both temperaments. “I bet Scarlett would love to help you pick tomatoes.” “Can you help him get his clothes on?” or “Remember when you used to draw castles for me? Can you show Julian how to draw one?”

Make my requests reasonable. My grandfather likes to watch CNN on full volume for hours each day. My stepfather watches the local news every night. Sorry media folks, but these programs are full of violence that is too intense for young kids. Rather than expect my folks to DVR all programs until after bedtime, I use a trick and ask if they can watch after the kids go to bed or how about if I take them outside for an hour, and can we turn the TV off when we come back?

Embrace the disruption. While I can’t accept news stories of suicide bombings in the background during playtime, I can ease up on some other areas. Going to bed thirty minutes late after an adult-sized serving of ice cream is not going hurt anyone and it will probably give Grandma and Papa great pleasure.
If I can remember a few of my own savvy guidelines (AKA eat my own dog food), then these intergenerational visits can be a source of great memories and free childcare. If I become an uptight control freak, I’m ruining my own good time.

Heather Flett and Whitney Moss are authors of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to do With (and Without!) Your Baby. They also share crazy fun activities at Rookie Moms and 510Families. They each have two children and live in Berkeley, CA.

Before you have children, no one tells you about all of the stress that comes with be ing a parent.  It starts as soon as you find out you're pregnant.  You get all of those pregnancy books that soon open your eyes to all that can possibly go wrong with this new life that you're carrying.  Knowledge can be a dangerous thing and you soon become a huge worry wart.

That stress never really goes away.  The baby is born and as a first time parent, you want to try and make it where they don't cry.  That is not always so easy.  My son cried almost all the time because he had reflux and other craziness that we had to get under control.  

I remember sitting there and crying with him when he was a few days old.  I was a basket of nerves and as a mom, I wanted to be able to make my baby stop crying.  I didn't even want visitors because I felt they would think I was a huge failure.  It seemed like my mom could get him to stop crying easier than I could.

I had a huge "ah ha" moment when he was about a month old.  We were in a restaurant and he was crying-again.  I could feel my stress level rise and I was frantically trying to do everything I could to make him stop.  I just *knew* he was annoying everyone.  

Someone that I was sitting with(maybe my mom-I'm not sure because I was too busy freaking out) told me to calm down and look around.  What I saw is that no one was looking at us.  They were all enjoying their meal and no one was paying any attention to my baby crying.  As soon as I quit trying to make him stop crying-he did.

Someone once told me that babies can sense stress and this makes them even more upset.  I'm not really sure why I never listened to them(or believed them), but they were right.  Don't get me wrong, Evan still cried-a lot, but I learned to start laughing it off.  The reason my mom could get him to calm down easier than I could is that she didn't let the crying get to her or worry about how his crying was affecting other people.  At first, all I could think is that other people thought my baby was annoying.  That isn't the case-people know babies cry and are OK with it.  As soon as *I* learned to be OK with the fact that he cried, I could get him to calm down pretty quickly.  

I learned not to worry so much about my baby crying, but to just enjoy him and give him lots of love.  My daughter didn't cry as much as my son, but when she did, I was sure to not let it get to me and make her even more upset.

By guest blogger Dee of http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.com

Back to school is on everyone’s mind as all of the stores are promoting school supplies and clothing sales. As a parent maybe you have signed up to take a turn as snack time mom or I remember coming home from school I was always hungry. Thinking of my kids, I’m always looking for the healthier option for snack time. By cutting out sugar or finding tings low in sugar snack time remains a healthy time. Here are a few ideas on how to keep snack time creative and healthy.

Freeze your yogurt cups. Yogurt can be frozen for up to about a year. You’ll want to check on that and verify with specific brands websites. Pull them out of the freezer and serve them, the texture is a little different but it’s like eating ice cream to the kids.

Serve Popcorn on a string. Popcorn is a very healthy low-fat snack when you leave off all the butter and salt and what child can resist pulling off one piece at a time or eating it like a necklace.

Make Ants on a log. Cut up celery about four inches in length and then slater on some peanut butter, soy butter or apple butter depending on preferences and allergies, then top with a few raisins.

Homemade/semi-homemade granola is easier than you think. Of course you can mix up some rolled oats, nuts and whatever else you like in your granola use a little butter and syrup to make it sticky and bake it until it is golden brown, or just put the pieces together of pre-made items like I do. I like to buy a few flavors of dried fruit, pre-made granola, cheerios, and add a few chocolate chips.

Cut and create Fresh Fruit Cones. Serve up some fresh fruit in an ice cream cone. Cut up pieces of fruit, or if you’re like me just buy a container of already cut up fruit from the grocery store. You might have to make some of the pieces smaller to fit in the ice cream cone but the smile on your kids face will make it all worth it.

By guest blogger, Louise Bishop, 

We live in the South, and in the South summer is HOT. These past few weeks it seems summer’s been hot all over the entire east coast. Hot weather changes the way you feel and makes you want to eat lighter meals. One meal that our family really enjoys all year round but especially in the summer is an alternative to the heavy and carb loaded spaghetti.

The alternative meal is spaghetti squash. It’s extremely easy to make and you can take a few alternatives when preparing it.

The first thing you need is a spaghetti squash which you will bake at 375. I’m a pretty strong guy so I like to cut and scrape the squash before baking it but you can alternatively bake it first and then cut and scrape but make sure you use a fork to poke some holes in the Squash first if you bake it before cutting it.  An it will take about 45 - 50 minutes to get soft.

If your a little less creative or short on time you can buy some sauce from the store pour it on top and your ready to go. But if you have a bit more time, want to prep a healthier meal, and are a truly savvy parent then I have great sauce recipe for you.

Get an onion, clove of garlic, Mushrooms, box of stewed Tomato, Pepper, Salt and oregano. If you want you can also add ground turkey, chicken, beef or soy grounds. I personally like the soy grounds and they add protein. Spray a frying pan with Pam add the onion, garlic and mushrooms. Put the stewed tomato in a  sauce pan and begin to heat on low.  Make sure you have cut the onion, garlic and mushrooms and saute them. After they have begun to caramelize add your protein of choice and saute until cooked. Now drain and add to the sauce. Add oregano, pepper and salt to taste. I will also add parmesan and a little bit of honey to take out some of the acidity and add a touch of sweetness to the sauce. Cook in the sauce pan on low heat for about 20 minutes and then pour over the spaghetti squash. You now have a savvy and delicious meal the kids will love and they will eat their vegetables too.

By guestblogger Kevin Metzger www.TheDadvocateproject.com

I am the type of person who loves schedules, routines and for everything to fall into place. When summertime arrives, those comforts can easily be thrown out the window! Keeping the kids entertained and my household running smoothly is my number one priority.

As a parent, I know that summertime can be a great time to reconnect with you kids. However, with the daily obstacles of life, this summer vacation can easily become a havoc of disorganization instead!
 
As the years go by, it seems summers get warmer and we are more and more concerned with the hazards of the outdoors (sun protection, bug bites, chemicals, and more (how did we ever survive?). Finding a balance that is fitting for your family can make summers much easier for everyone in the household.
 
Finding a summertime routine has worked tremendously for my family, as well as others that we know. Sitting down once a week to make a plan works like a charm. Everyone gets to voice their opinions and we all get to do what we love.

For example, at my house, Mondays and Wednesdays are swimming days. We have a BBQ every other weekend. Arts and crafts are on Tuesdays. Church is on Sundays, followed by a family picnic. The schedule changes from week to week, depending on everyone's input. If someone wants to visit the zoo or go see a new movie, we find a way to  make it fit on the schedule. Just making sure not to get overloaded- it is still summer!
 
Using a system like this has worked great in my house. Everyone always has something to look forward to, I get to stay organized, and everyone is less stressed and happier for the summer!
 
If you are looking for things to do, try searching for local activities. You would be amazed by how much fun my family has had at the local farmers market, museums, craft fairs, and parades. Most local events are free or cost next to nothing. Something as small as starting your own garden, putting together a soccer team or just holding a garage sale as a family can open up a huge window of opportunities!
 
By guest blogger Jennifer Isaacks, http://onefrugallady.blogspot.com

Ok moms, let’s face it, kids are always on the go, especially in the summer. Sometimes it can be difficult to get them to stop every now and then to take a sip of something cool. Small children can get dehydrated pretty quickly on those hot summer days, and it’s not always easy to get them to drink their water. I just want to give you five tips and tricks to keep your kids hydrated and ready for all those fun summer activities. And by the way, these aren’t just for the kids, moms need to take care of themselves, too! 

Tip # 1: Either mostly or completely cut out soda from your child’s diet. There is no nutritional value in it, and all it does is dehydrate their body even more than it already is. If your child is going to miss the soda, try giving them water with some fruit slices that will naturally add some flavor and sweetness.

Tip #2: Provide your children with snacks that will not only fill them up, but hydrate them. For example, cucumbers are almost completely made up of water, which makes them a light, refreshing snack. Other good choices are watermelon, citrus fruits, grape tomatoes, and colorful bell peppers. If your child gets turned off by the veggies, try cutting them into fun shapes or providing a healthy dip like yogurt or hummus, which also gives them a protein punch.

Tip #3: This one helps when you have kids who are too “busy” playing to stop to munch a snack, is to make it fun. My daughter almost always comes running when I make fruit caterpillars for her. All you need are toothpicks and fruit (just be careful if you give these to small children). Kids can even help make these, which can be a fun learning activity as well. Your child can make patterns with the fruit alternating grapes, blueberries, strawberries, or kiwi pieces. You can also make veggie caterpillars, which when you add some small pieces of cheese, adds some protein as well. The munching possibilities are endless!

Tip #4: Here’s a simple one, if you know you’re heading outside to be in the sun, try to get your kids to drink some extra liquids before you leave, so you won’t have to worry quite as much once you get to your sunny destination.

Tip #5: When your kids have their hydrating snacks and drinks, make sure you join them! It’s just as important that mommies take care of themselves as well. You set the example for your kids, so if they see you taking care of yourself, chances are they’ll follow!

By guest blogger Marina Hentz, http://betterinbulk.net/2010/06/lollis-guide-to-savvy-parenting.html

I’ve been a mother now for over 13 years. If you count the time that I was pregnant with KitKat, my darling teenager, then we could just round up to 14. Fourteen years. Motherhood is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week job. If I’ve done my math correctly, I’ve clocked approximately 122,640 hours of parenting. No wonder I’m tired.

During those 122,640 hours, I’ve learned a thing or two about raising well adjusted, independent, happy kids. I’m far from perfect. Most days, I I don’t even know if I could consider myself “good” at this. Let’s just say that it’s easier to have brilliant ideas than to put them all into practice.

   1. Read together regularly, even when they get “big.”
   2. Teach your kids how to cook basic meals and treats as soon as they start school. Cooking is great practice for math, science, and reading.
   3. Learn how to cut kids’ hair (and then start taking them in to the salon once they hit middle school)
   4. Cut loose and act silly around your kids. They’ll respect you all the more for it (although they will most certainly give you funny looks in the mean time)

   5. Volunteer in their classrooms whenever possible. Chaperone field trips.
   6. Talk to other parents with kids your family’s age. You will be shocked (and comforted) to find that other people are dealing with the same issues.
   7. Bribery is perfectly fine.
   8. So is time out. There must be consequences.
   9. There are certain things that are not negotiable–like wearing seat belts or using the big scissors. Be clear on those non-negotiables and don’t make exceptions. In other words, be consistent.
  10. Tell your kids you love them and have some kind of physical contact everyday.

What have you learned in your years as a parent?

As I was making this “serious” list, I was totally imagining the things that would make it on to my “don’t do this” list. What would YOU add to that one?

Evenflo just launched a witty & humorous video series called the “SavvyParents Guide” on the Juice Bo

Reposted from BetterInBulk

I'm not sure about you but for me the last thing I want to be doing in the summer is spending the hot afternoon in the kitchen coming up with a great meal for my family. But they still have to eat. And I would still like them to have nutritious meals, not just peanut butter and jelly.

For all of those reasons and many more, I long ago decided to prepare our meals for the entire month on one day. One day? Are you crazy? Perhaps, but I find that it saves me so much time and energy each and every day. And it gives me so much more time to be enjoying my family at the pool instead of at the stove.

I make a plan for the meals that we will be having, shop for the groceries, and bunker down for a day (perferably a cool day) to prepare a months worth of breakfasts, lunches and dinners for our family of four. This summer I came up with a menu that doesn't even require me to turn my oven on during my cooking day! There are healthy summer meal ideas like fruity breakfast burritos, frozen fruit cups, and buffalo chicken wraps that my family loves to eat.

And it saves me time each and every day so that I can spend more time with my children. I simply defrost the meals and throw them on the grill or in the slow cooker on the day that they are needed. We return home and have a meal waiting for us or only have to take the short time to grill the items. It is a win-win situation for everyone!

Making meals this way not only saves me time it also saves us a lot of money. And the only thing better than having more time in the summer to play is having more money available to play with!

We all want summer to be fun and relaxing, but let's face it, our jobs as moms still keep us very busy. Do yourself a favor and take some time to prepare some meals and freeze them so that you and your family can spend more time together enjoying the sun, the pool, the park, the beach or whatever it is that you love to do!

By guest blogger Tricia Callahan
http://onceamonthmom.com

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