"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children."
-Elaine Heffner
Top of the morning to you, Mom! Wednesday has rolled around faster than a baby with a mission. Fear not, we've got your back (and you’ve got the coffee)!
Today’s Mommy scoop:
🎨 Frame-worthy toddler art hacks
🧀 Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
🐸 Toilet Paper Frog
Mom Hack
Turn Toddler Art into a Masterpiece
Source: momlovesbest
Mom Hack
Transform your little one’s artwork into something extra special with just a roll of masking tape.
Before your child starts painting, place strips of tape in a fun pattern across the canvas or paper.
Once the masterpiece is dry, carefully peel off the tape to reveal crisp, white lines that create a contrast against their colorful creation.
This easy trick adds a professional touch to their art, and the results make for beautiful, frame-worthy pieces to proudly display at home!
Together with Little Spoon
Most formula starts with skim milk
Then the fat gets added back with vegetable oils.
Little Spoon skips all that. It starts with whole milk from grass-fed cows in New Zealand, so the fat is just... milk. The way it's supposed to be.
No corn syrup. No palm oil. No soy.
And every can is lab tested, with results you can actually look up (including heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers).
Right now, new customers get a full two-can trial for the cost of shipping.
No idea how long they'll run this, so if you've been curious, this is the one to try.
Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
How often does your family eat at a restaurant?
Poll Results From 8/10
Where do you go first when you have a parenting question?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Google it (48%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Social media (3%)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Ask AI (20%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Ask a friend or family member (28%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ My pediatrician (1%)
Featured Response 💬
“I thought my pediatrician would play a much bigger role in my child’s life but she doesn’t. This is fine though, because from some of the specific things I’ve asked about she either didn’t know or recommended against what I’d already researched. She doesn’t offer up much unless I have questions for her.”
I love this. Sometimes you need the pediatrician, and sometimes you just need to call your mom 😂 - Danielle 😊
Mom’s Menu
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese 🧀
healthylittlefoodies
Ever dreamt of feeding your little ones something that's both deliciously cheesy and sneakily nutritious?
I’ve got the perfect recipe: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese!
Ingredients 📝
1/2 Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and chopped (approx. 580g after prep)
265g (2 cups) Macaroni Pasta
28g (2 tbsp) Butter
18g (2 tbsp) Flour
250ml (1 cup) Milk
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
145g (1 ¼ cup) Mature cheddar cheese, grated
25g (¼ cup) Panko Breadcrumbs
Instructions👩🍳
Preheat your oven to 200C/400F. Place the prepped butternut squash on a baking sheet and bake for around 20 mins, or until soft.
While your squash is getting all soft and squishy, cook the pasta as per package instructions, drain it, and set it aside.
Next, in a saucepan, melt your butter and add flour, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes to make a roux.
Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to ensure a lump-free, glossy sauce.
Take your sauce off the heat and stir in the mustard and 1 cup (115g) of cheese. Keep the rest for a crispy topping.
Blend your cooked squash and cheese sauce together until smooth, then mix it all through your cooked pasta.
Transfer this cheesy goodness into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle it with the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake for about 15-20 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the top is bubbling and golden.
healthylittlefoodies
healthylittlefoodies
📌 Note
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for the sauce, but mature cheddar tends to give the best flavor.
If you're prepping this dish ahead of time, just cover it and store it in the refrigerator, adding the breadcrumbs and cheese topping right before baking.
And hey, this recipe is flexible!
To reduce sodium for your baby or young toddler, simply use less cheese.
How about adding some herbs or spices?
Oregano or rosemary can really make the dish sing.
Final thoughts: Mom, you just snuck half a butternut squash into a creamy, cheesy sauce that your kiddos will adore. Let's call it a win!
Keep reading here.
Daily DIY
Toilet Paper Frog
thebestideasforkids
Turn something as simple as a discarded toilet paper roll into a charming painted frog, complete with its very own paper plate lily pad.
You'll need two toilet paper rolls, green paint, cardstock, and some glue.
Paint the rolls green.
Make and attach eyes using cardstock.
Draw on a mouth and add a red cardstock tongue.
Cut and glue legs and feet from the leftover roll.
This cute frog craft is a great way to recycle and keep the kids entertained.
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
These cookies are made specifically for moms who are breastfeeding.
They're delicious and designed to help boost your milk supply. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good cookie?
Soft Baked Lactation Cookies
Tasty: These cookies are a delicious treat for nursing moms.
Supportive: They're designed to help boost your milk supply.
Natural: Made with all-natural, GMO-free ingredients for your peace of mind.
Game
Parenting Quiz
What's the recommended age to transition a child from crib to bed? (Answer below)
A) When they turn 1
B) When they turn 2
C) When they start climbing out of the crib
D) When they turn 3
E) When they start asking for a king-size
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Answer
C) When they start climbing out of the crib