"Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later."
- Bob Goff
Top of the morning, Mommy! Another terrific Wednesday has graced us with its presence. Let's ride this wave of midweek momentum with some exciting reads tailored just for you.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
🧹 Tricks to Get Kids to Clean
🍌 No-Sugar Banana Muffins
🎯 Pool Noodle Launcher
Mom Hack
Get your kids to help with chores at an early age.
paisleyandsparrow
Mom Hack
Getting little ones involved is great, but here is how to make it actually useful for your day and fun for them too.
Try these easy kid jobs:
• Sock Matcher: Toss clean socks in a pile and have them find pairs.
• Table Captain: They carry napkins, spoons, and unbreakable dishes to set the table.
• Trash Patrol: They collect bedroom and bathroom trash cans and bring them to you.
Pro Tip:
Use a three to five minute timer. Kids work faster when the clock is ticking, and it keeps them focused.
Big Picture Trick:
Match chores to their height level. Anything they can reach without help becomes their job. It builds confidence and takes real work off your plate.
Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
What's your preferred method of self-care?
Poll Results From 12/8
What's your biggest challenge when it comes to family budgeting?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Grocery spending (28%)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Childcare expenses (6%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Saving for the future (22%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Managing unexpected expenses (16%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Cutting down on non-essentials (28%)
Featured Response 💬
“When your standard for quality in groceries is high, things can cost 3x the price, which makes it super hard to do much else. We spend a lot on groceries, but I often think about hard times back in the day, putting food on the table is the most important thing, over subscriptions or extras. It is disheartening though not being able to save up much. With grocery prices eating our budget, our dreams of home and land ownership seems unattainable.”
Oh mama, I totally get this. Our grocery bill has shot up like crazy too, and even when we try to bulk-buy at Costco, it still feels like the food budget just gobbles everything else up… so you’re definitely not alone in juggling feeding everyone well while still dreaming about saving for the big stuff. -Danielle 😊
Mom’s Menu
Sugar-Free Banana Muffins for Your Little Munchkins
ymmytoddlerfood
Put on your baking hats and let's introduce our kiddos to the delights of healthy snacking with these super-moist, flavor-filled Sugar-Free Banana Muffins.
A bonus - there's a vegan alternative too!
📝 Ingredients
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 large egg
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (slightly cooled)
1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
A pinch of salt
👩🍳 Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease your 24-cup mini muffin pan.
Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly. If you see any oil streaking through the batter, mix a bit more. It should look like one consistent color.
Divide the batter equally among the muffin cups in the pan.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool for a few minutes in the pan, then move them to a wire rack to cool fully.
📌 Note
And don't worry, there's an option for everyone!
To make them dairy-free, swap in non-dairy milk.
If you need them egg-free, just skip the egg and add a little more oil.
And for a gluten-free version, just use a gluten-free flour blend.
Oh, and a quick tip: If your baby has a hard time with bready textures, just top each bite with a little applesauce or plain yogurt.
Lastly, don't forget to store these yummy muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours, or in the fridge for 3-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Full recipe here.
Daily DIY
Pool Noodle Pom-Pom Launcher
kidfriendlythingstodo
Combine a slice of pool noodle with a latex balloon, and you've got yourself a magical contraption that launches pom-poms into the sky!
Don't fret about any accidents because these soft poms are safe for kids to send soaring in all directions.
Get ready for a playful pom-pom extravaganza. 😊
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
This suction tool provides immediate relief from bug bites, reducing itching and swelling.
It's my favorite because it's portable and easy to use, making outdoor trips with kids less stressful.
Bug Bite Suction Tool
Relief: Instantly soothes bug bites
Prevention: Discourages scratching, preventing potential skin infections
Portable: Small enough to carry in your purse or diaper bag
Game
Parenting Pop Quiz
What's the world record for the most children a woman has had?
(Answer below)
A. 37
B. 45
C. 69
D. 92
E. Too many to ever find the TV remote again
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Answer
C. 69 children