"She who has a why to live can bear almost any how."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Morning Mama! Is it just me or did Monday and Tuesday sprint by like a toddler that heard a wrapper crinkle. 🍬 Well, it's Wednesday and I’ve got your daily dose of Mommy wisdom on deck.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
🚽 Toddler-proofing toilet paper
🥑 Creamy avocado pesto
🐙 Craft stick octopus
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Mom Hack
Save the toilet paper roll
Source: ckandnate
Mom Hack
If your toddler has discovered the joy of unrolling an entire roll of toilet paper, slip a hair tie or thick rubber band around it.
It keeps the roll from spinning freely, but it’s still easy for you to move when you actually need the paper.
Simple, cheap, and surprisingly effective.
Together with Hiya
A Kid's Brain Is 90% Grown by Five
So the early years are when what they eat matters most. Sugar included.
The part I didn't know: gummy vitamins can't skip the sugar. Sugar and pectin are what hold a gummy together.
Hiya is a chewable instead. Zero sugar, no dyes, sweetened with monk fruit. Fifteen vitamins and minerals, and twelve real fruits and veggies doing the coloring.
It's for ages two and up, and the bottle is the fun part. Your kid decorates it with stickers.
Right now, first orders come with their melatonin-free bedtime chewable too. Morning covered, bedtime covered, fifteen dollars for the first month.
It's an end-of-summer run.
Mom’s Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
Poll Results From 8/17
What is your biggest parenting challenge?
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Lack of sleep (33%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Keeping patience (42%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Balancing work and family (21%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Managing sibling rivalry (4%)
Featured Response 💬
“I think my biggest parenting challenge is keeping my patience, especially with having a newborn and already having two other kids who need my attention. I’m constantly balancing feedings, diapers, bedtime, meals, cleaning, and everyone’s emotions, while also trying to make sure each of my kids feels loved and cared for. It can be really overwhelming when I feel like most of the mental and physical load falls on me and my husband doesn’t always help lighten that load. By the time I’m already exhausted and overstimulated, even small things can feel like a lot. I love my kids more than anything, and I don’t want my frustration to come out on them. I’m trying to learn how to manage my stress, give myself more grace, and find ways to stay patient even when I feel like I’m carrying more than I can handle.”
Oh mama, I feel this. It’s so hard to stay patient when you’re running on empty, and I can tell how much you care about your kids just from this, so keep giving yourself that grace. - Danielle 😊
Mom’s Menu
Fast & Creamy Avocado Pesto 🍝🥑
yummytoddlerfood
It's time to retire that old spaghetti marinara and bring in the new champ of pasta nights… Easy Avocado Pesto.
It's not just a winner in terms of taste, but it's also a sneaky way to smuggle some extra greens into your kiddos' diet.
📝 Ingredients
1 Small Avocado: Adds creaminess and beneficial fats.
4 Cups of Baby Spinach: For a nutrient-rich punch of iron and fiber.
½ Cup Fresh Basil or Parsley: Works well with either, according to what's in your pantry.
½ Cup Grated Parmesan: Adds a dash of flavor and saltiness.
¼-⅓ Cup Olive Oil: A drizzle to blend the sauce smoothly.
¼ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice: For that zesty, fresh flavor.
1 Pound of Pasta: Whatever type tickles your family's fancy!
½ Cup Roasted Unsalted Sunflower Seeds (Optional): To give a pesto vibe.
👩🍳 Instructions
Toss your spinach, basil, Parmesan, avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, and sunflower seeds (if you're feeling a bit nutty) into a blender or food processor.
Blend until you've got a creamy, dreamy sauce. Add a pinch of salt to taste.
As your sauce is spinning, cook your pasta according to the package directions.
Once done, mix your pasta with as much sauce as you like (we recommend starting with ½ cup), and voila! Your nutritious and delicious dinner is served. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan if desired.
yummytoddlerfood
📌 Note
This pesto sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
If you want to make this dish dairy-free, simply omit the Parmesan and sprinkle a little nutritional yeast on top.
And guess what? This isn't just for pasta, you can slather this on your pizza or mix it with quinoa.
Happy cooking!
Full recipe here.
Together with Coterie
When the Diaper Is the Problem
If you're changing wet pajamas or a rash keeps coming back, it may be the diaper.
They created Coterie for that reason.
It absorbs fast and holds a lot, which keeps wetness off their skin all night.
And no fragrance, no dyes, no chlorine bleaching. Less on the diaper means less on their skin.
They aren't cheap though. About two to three times the price of Kirkland.
So if Kirkland is working for you, stick with it. Easy call.
But if you've already tried everything, these may be worth a box to find out.
Daily DIY (Kids Edition)
Craft Stick Octopus
craftprojectideas
Kids will love making this adorable octopus craft, perfect for under-the-sea adventures at home.
Paint a canvas blue to create the ocean background.
Cut colorful foam circles to form the octopus bodies.
Glue craft sticks in a star shape to create the octopus arms.
Attach the foam circles, add wiggly eyes, and draw on a smile.
Decorate the arms with white beads for the suckers.
Glue the octopuses onto the canvas and add waves and bubbles with paint.
It’s sure to spark some creativity and imagination. 😊
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
This kit is perfect for new moms navigating the postpartum period.
Takes the guesswork out of recovery by providing all the essentials in one convenient package.
Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Kit
Comfort: The disposable underwear is soft, durable, and fits comfortably.
Relief: The cooling medicated pad liners and perineal foam provide soothing relief to the perineal area after childbirth.
Convenience: One-stop solution for postpartum recovery.
Game
Parenting Pop Quiz
When should a child know their full name? (Answer below)
A) By 2 years
B) By 3 years
C) By 4 years
D) By 5 years
E) When they start accepting mail
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Answer
C) By 4 years