As a parent, I've found that there are a bazillion resources for information. Some are so vast it's impossible to find what you want. Some are so message board intensive it's all chatter with little content. And some have great content but are only focused on one small aspect of our lives.
I am hoping to start a new project with Parent Scout, which is to put together a place to find what parents are looking for that is broad enough to be a single resource you use while focused enough to provide answers to questions you have.
As a parent, it's not just about child development or just about where to go about town. You're a whole person who has little time to be combing the Internet looking for answers your family needs like ages & stages, managing work/life balance, quick recipes, how to travel with your kids, networking, crafts with your child that don't require hours of brain damage on your part, and more.
Over the years I have amassed a wealth of little tidbits, useful Internet links and great information from every corner of parenting and household management resources that I'd love to share with you!
Until I can pull something meaningful together, here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order, that other parents have found helpful recently...
- Hiding nutrition:
Toddlers are a peculiar bunch, with strange eating habits. My oldest loved mashed potatoes, so I hid all kinds of things in there (powdered milk for protein, shredded cheese, shredded carrots). Her younger brother won't eat mashed potatoes, but loves breads, pancakes and yogurt. Baking in the fruits and veggies helps. Think zucchini bread with part whole-wheat flower and a few tbsp ground flaxseeds for omega-3, hide some finely chopped spinach, add flaxseeds and bananas to pancakes. For more stealth nutrition, try peanut butter playdough! - Real Simple's Time-Saving Tips
- Great NYC Mom resources from Big City Moms
- 5 Simple Ways to Make Your Toddler's Day from BabyCenter
- Though your first though when you hear eating disorder is teenage girls, anyone can have an eating disorder, and most start early. Learn more from KidsHealth on Kids and Eating Disorders
- Someone has finally brought manners back en vogue! Learn more about Etiquette Workshops for Kids from Socialskilz and NewYorkFamily.com
- My favorite designer discounter for kids! The Mini Social
- We bought a ton of stuff for our little one recently from KidSurplus, a discount website for all things kid
Til next time,
It's a BusyLife,
Danielle
