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- Let's talk about picky eating
TOP OF MIND
Plain plate of noodles
Picky eating is a battle every parent has to deal with, and quite often, it feels like a losing battle. For some kids, a piece of broccoli evokes more fear than a clown lurking in the shadows.
One recent study revealed that a whopping 83% of parents worry their kids aren't getting the nutrients they need because of their picky eating habits.
So how do we as parents win this battle?
The important bits
According to new research, picky eating starts early. Experts looked at the eating habits of children ages 4 to 9 and found that most of them remained picky eaters. They believe the key is to start picky eating prevention before your kid turns 3 and their "independent streak" kicks in.
So if your child is under the age of 3, your path to success is much easier. Start introducing new foods to your toddler now. Let your child eat what you eat and don't force them to finish everything on their plate. In fact, you see the photo at the top of this newsletter? Which serving do you think your child would be more likely to accept for the first time?
When introducing new foods, starting with small portions takes away the pressure your kids feel to eat huge piles of unfamiliar foods (and decreases the chances that they will reject the entire meal!)
Finally, make family mealtime a fun time! So often we bring stress to the dinner table, but when we do that, it makes our children associate negative memories and thoughts to certain foods. That's not fair to brussels sprouts!
But what if your child is already a picky eater? The road to success is harder, but certainly not impossible! Some of the same rules still apply!
Keep things positive
Start with small portions
Encourage, but don't force
Additionally, don't give up! Research has shown it can take 30 or more exposures to a food before someone likes it.
What's it all mean?
It means there is hope! You can win this battle. We believe in you. Just avoid making these 7 common mistakes and also try not to stress too much. Health experts say that most picky eaters are still getting the necessary nutrients needed to thrive.
DID YOU HEAR
Eat, pray, charge phone
Julia Roberts might be one of the most recognizable movie stars on the planet, but to her three kids, she's simply mom. And during a conversation with TODAY, she dished out some helpful parenting advice surrounding the use of cell phones. She revealed her household has a "charging station" where everybody's phone goes when they enter the home.
How much parents are spending this holiday season
A new survey revealed that 70% of American parents plan to spend $200 or less on each child this holiday season. 35% of parents plan to spend between $50 and $150 per child, while 9% say they'll be spending $25 or less.
But how much should you spend?
38 viral TikTok parenting products
TikTok can be a waste of time, but it can also be a treasure trove of knowledge. Two moms are sharing 38 parenting products they found on TikTok, and some of them are pretty stinkin' cool, including this bag sealer, and this "ingenious" dinner plate (it's super neat).
All I want for Christmas are... V-bucks? 😕
According to a survey by the Electronic Software Association, most kids are asking for video game subscriptions, video game consoles, in-game currency and video game gear for Christmas. Next on the list were clothes and actual real life money, but who needs that anymore? Pfft! The electric company accepts V-bucks as payment, right?
70
That's how old this woman was when she gave birth to twins last week!
A DOSE OF GOOD
JUST FOR YOU
Bites: Because there are so many sweets this time of year, give your snack boards a fighting chance. Check out this incredibly creative collection of winter and holiday themed board and snack ideas that are sure to capture everyone’s imagination!
Reads: Need a break from mundane parenting mysteries like, "Why was there a sock in the dishwasher?" We completely understand. Sometimes, it's nice to escape, and what better way than to get yourself hooked on the latest and greatest mystery novel. You'll surely be able to find the perfect book for you in this comprehensive list!
Hacks: If you're finding it difficult to settle into an exercise routine, perhaps you should try making your kids do it with you? Fitness coach Kelly Bryant says by looping your kids into your workout routine, you can let go of the toxic idea of a "perfect workout," which often prevents you from exercising in the first place. Get all the tips and tricks here.
PARENTING WIN/FAIL
This week, loyal reader Craig S. shares mixed feelings on his daughter uncovering the truth about Santa!
I'm not a smart man. I didn't learn to tie my own shoes until I was 10, and I didn't stop believing in Santa until I was 11. When I finally made the connection, my parents seemed more relieved than surprised. So when my wife and I welcomed our first kid five years ago, I worried she'd take after me. But that's not the case. She's so smart. Too smart. The day after Thanksgiving, when we brought up taking her to see Santa at our town's light parade, she said with a straight face, "He's not even real!" This led to a much bigger conversation. I remember feeling proud at first, but now a week later, I'm kinda sad. She's growing up too fast! I feel like she's missing out on some of the magic of childhood.
Aw, don't worry, Craig! There's still plenty of magic out there!
If you have a parenting win/fail you'd like to share, email us at [email protected] and your story might be featured in a future edition!
HERE’S A QUESTION
Well, now we gotta ask... when did you stop believing in Santa? |
Last week we asked you how your Thanksgiving turned out, and the results were mixed! 25% of you said "Surprisingly well" 22% said, "Could have been better" and 19% said, "Uh, um, the pie was good?"
RECALLS
Dodo Baby House is being forced to recall some of their pack and play mattresses because they violate federal safety standards and may pose a "suffocation hazard" for infants.
The recalled mattresses were sold exclusively on Amazon earlier this year for $34. They are light blue in color and feature white triangle designs on the front. The model number to look out for is YX-04.
If you happen to have one of these mattresses, you should stop using it immediately. In fact, in order to get a refund, you must cut the mattress in half. Once you've properly destroyed the product, reach out to DODO for a full refund.
You can contact them at [email protected].
Also, more fresh fruit is being recalled over salmonella concerns.