"Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together."
Hey Mama 🤍 It’s Christmas Eve. Today’s agenda includes gift-wrapping in secret, answering “Is Santa coming yet?” 400 times, and pretending you’re totally not tired. Let’s do this.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
🎨 Playdough Storage Hack
🍪 Soft & Chewy Iced Oatmeal Cookies
🧸 DIY Finger Puppets
Mom Hack
Playdough Holder Hack
hellowonderful.co
Mom Hack
For those mini playdough tubs we end up collecting from birthday parties, try using a rotating coffee pod holder for storage.
It’s a super fun and accessible way for the kids to pick their colors and keep them organized.
Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
Which holiday is most cherished in your family?
Poll Results From 12/22
What is your biggest parenting challenge?
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Lack of sleep (28%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Keeping patience (47%)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Balancing work and family (19%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Managing sibling rivalry (6%)
Featured Response 💬
“Kiddo doesn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time, even at nearly 8 months. I can't and won't do the cry it out method and don't know how to help him sleep longer. It can be done, he's done 6, 7, 8 hour stretches previously”
Oh mama, I so get this — baby sleep is not one-size-fits-all, and with two little ones under three at home I totally understand the “wait, I thought I figured this out?” phase; every kid is so different, and sometimes you fix one thing and accidentally create another habit that makes sleep worse, which is exhausting and confusing, but you’re not wrong for doing what feels right for you and your baby. -Danielle 😊
Mom’s Menu
Soft and Chewy Iced Oatmeal Cookies
superhealthykids.com
Remember those store-bought iced oatmeal cookies you loved as a kid?
Guess what! I've found a recipe that makes them healthier, yummier, and just as comforting as you remember.
📝 Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoon molasses
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup oat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats
For the Icing:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and get those baking sheets ready with some parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Mixing: In your trusty stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, whip up your softened butter, and brown sugar till it's light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and keep beating. Then comes applesauce, molasses and vanilla. Mix until you've got it nice and smooth.
Whisking: In a separate bowl, whisk your all-purpose flour, oat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Blending: Add your whisked flour mix to the wet goodies and mix on low until combined. Add in the oats and give it another low mix. You'll have a sticky dough that needs a little chill time, so let it rest for 30-60 minutes.
Baking: Using a 2 tablespoon size cookie scoop, drop your cookie dough onto the prepped baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. You're looking for golden brown edges but still soft in the middle.
Icing: While your cookies cool, whisk up that powdered sugar and milk for the icing. Drizzle this sweet goodness on top of your cookies once they've cooled.
superhealthykids.com
📌 Notes
If your cookies spread more than you'd like, no worries! You can reshape them while they're still warm.
To keep these beauties fresh, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for 2-3 months.
Feel free to get creative and throw in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even make a sandwich cookie!
Say hello to guilt-free indulgence, ladies!
Keep reading here.
Daily DIY (Kids Edition)
Finger Puppets
scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com
Create adorable no-sew finger puppets with the kids.
They'll enjoy crafting their characters and staging a puppet show.
Remember, they might need help with the hot glue gun.
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
This teether is a lifesaver for moms with teething babies.
It's a favorite of mine because it provides relief for the baby and peace of mind for the mom, plus its stay-on design means less work for moms constantly picking up dropped teethers.
Smily Mia Penguin Buddy
Teething Relief: Designed to soothe your baby's gums during the teething phase.
Stay-On Design: Stays on your baby's hand, saving you from constant pick-ups.
Safe Chewing: Prevents your baby from chewing on their hand.
Game
Parenting Pop Quiz
At what age should a child start brushing their teeth? (Answer below)
A) As soon as the first tooth appears
B) At 1 year old
C) At 2 years old
D) At 3 years old
E) When they start eating spinach
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Answer
A) As soon as the first tooth appears