*This post is promoted by Mott’s. Opinions are my own.
Being a parent is tough; it is not an easy job. My kids are still young, but that does not matter because there will always be a different stage in my kids lives, that will bring on different lessons to be learned and experienced. I love being my kids’ mommy, and would not change my life for anything, but parenting IS tough! Or I should say ‘can be’ tough.
With that said, I try to take each life lesson with a grain of salt. I know that childhood is only but for a moment and I certainly want to make the best of it for my sweet babies. I also want to capture every moment and remember those sweet times!
My Parenting Confession…
I do have some confessions! What parent doesn’t? One confession is, if one of my kids does not eat their meal and there is enough left over and one of my other kids has not eaten yet, I will add it to their plates in hopes that they will gobble it all up. That way, I do not have anything wasted (hey, my cooking IS good!) and I know that other child will not be hungry later on. Of course the child who did not eat all of his/her food will be hungry later on, but they usually get a banana, orange or some grapes. See, not so bad, right? I have to be sneaky sometimes; all parents have to!
Do I Take Any Shortcuts to Make My Life Easier?
You bet I do! I try to make food before the kids get home from school, so that they are not starving and standing at my heels saying how hungry they are, as soon as they come in the door. I also make sure they eat healthy snacks right after school or in between meals, like Mott’s Snack & Go, because it is a convenient on-the-go snack for anytime!
At mealtimes, I will go ahead and put food on the kids’ plates as soon as the food is made. Whatever is done goes on the plate so that when I am completely done cooking, all the kids’ plates are made up and ready for them. That way all I have to do is dish myself up and that makes meal times SO much easier and stress free for ME.
What about you? Are you a parent or caregiver? What confessions do you have to share? Do you take any harmless shortcuts to make your life easier? Do tell!
Mott’s® Snack & Go is the nutritious applesauce kids love in a squeezable pouch they can take with them wherever they go. Mott’s is also the only applesauce brand with Box Tops for Education®, helping to support kids’ schools. Visit us on motts.com to learn more.
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My Parenting Confession #Mott’sGood&Honest http://t.co/7lcAsgWIGZ @Motts #ad
— Kim Delatorre (@shopwithmemama) April 13, 2015
Lily Kwan says
These shortcuts are very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
John Herman says
Snacks are necessary and apple related ones are great!
Jennifer Herman says
We love apple sauce and apples! I think that they are great snacks!
Melissa Shirley says
I have a son that is special needs and a very picky eater. One thing is every morning he wants a breakfast burrito and so I make that for him. I have found a way that while he is in the shower and getting ready for school I have the breakfast made and ready as soon as he is done getting ready. It works for us and I know that he has eaten breakfast.
Natalie Brown says
Yes, parenting can be tough but it’s so rewarding. I don’t know if their short-cuts or not but, before my grandson comes over, I make or have healthy snacks on hand and have a drawer full of fun artsy type activities to have fun with. 🙂
Sarah L says
No kids, but my major shortcut is to get as much as possible done the night before.
Sandy Klocinski says
If your kids are like most, they probably prefer sugary cereals like Fruit Loops and Smacks over healthier varieties like shredded wheat and bran flakes. Give the kids healthy cereal, but sweeten it with white sugar, brown sugar or honey.
Lula Ruger says
We all have a few tricky short cuts i put some peanut butter into the apple sauce for some added protien my grandson is such a picky eater i have even added it to veggies which sounds gross but hey if he eats it ? right ?
Maria C says
I am a parent and always take precaution in doing things or making decisions whenever my child is involve
Sandra Watts says
My son is pretty picky about what he eats. He might like it one day and hate it the next. 🙂
Rachel says
Being a parent is tough!
ellen beck says
Youre right life and childhood is short. When it comes to some things picking your battles is an important thing. Shortcuts are a way of life you learn to cope and to adapt.
Carolyn Massey says
Do not have any small children but do have a 2 year old great granddaughter. When she comes over and is hungry I try to give her food that is good for her. Usually she heads for the cabinet with cereal and cookies.
Cynthia R says
I don’t have kids but I do a lot of babysitting. My confession is if another small treat means the kid will go to bed or clean or whatever needs to be done, I give in.
Marcie W. says
I take a ton of shortcuts to make life easier since being a parent is the toughest job in the world. I often divide the cleaning duties between myself and the kids so no one has to do too much.
Rita Corey says
I got my daughter to eat more veggies by letting her dip them in ranch dressing. She’d eat all kinds that way.
HilLesha says
There is definitely nothing wrong with that. I don’t believe in wasting food either! 🙂
hedgehogi says
I like to give my two kids yogurt as a healthy snack and they enjoy it.
hedgehogi says
My son doesn’t like eating veggies so I am trying to hide them in different foods. Anything that helps.
Barbara Montag says
We all have some confessions.
Sometimes that is the best solution.
Maryann D. says
Anything to make life easier and less stressful is great to me. Especially when it comes to food and prep, we need all the shortcuts we can get.
Pamela Gurganus says
My kids don’t like any veggies, so I’m constantly hiding them in dishes so they get them into their diet!
Penni says
Fortunately, I love to cook and am in the habit of making extra of whatever I’m cooking at any point in time! I make a pot of soup about once a week and always have all sorts of fruits, veggies, nuts, and homemade hummus and granola on hand for my kids to snack on.
Lori says
anything that is healthy and quick to make
Cynthia C says
Healthy dips like hummus and yogurt always helped my kids eat lots of veggies.
Janet W. says
My grandsons love Mott’s applesauce! So thankful for a healthy product they can eat for snack in the afternoons!
Karen Glatt says
I am sneaky! I can not get my Dad or nephew to eat vegetables! Every time they bring back their plates the veges are on it, or I have gone and found the vegetables in the garbage! So I have a Blendtec blender and I add the vegetables to make a smoothie and they will drink this! I add fruit, yogurt and veges, and they can not tell they are in their! HA HA-I think I tricked them!
vickie couturier says
we all have our mommy moments where we take a short cut,,nothing wrong with that,,believe me all moms do it whether they admit it or not
Jeannette says
These are great shortcuts! I make snacks ahead of time and keep them in little baggies so I’m not tempted to give the kids a whole huge bag of something. I think being a parent is all about finding ways to make things easier!
Liz Mays says
I made their lunches the night before to speed things up on school days. I like Mott’s in their lunches too, by the way.
Alicia says
Very cool! We love Mott’s drinks and applesauce
rachel says
Love this confession! I can totally relate!:)
Jennifer H says
I hate wasting food too! I will usually pile it on another child or Dad’s plate to get the food eaten. 🙂
Patty says
I do not have any children but have cared for my nieces and nephews. I know how challenging it can be to get them to eat.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
Oh of COURSE I have shortcuts! We do as much as possible the night before, have healthy & pre-made snacks on hand and everyone has a set of chores so we can get things done and have FUN before bed.
Allison says
I totally take short cuts in the kitchen, too! I beat myself up about it sometimes, but cooking will never be my thing!
jasmine says
I blend veggies and put them into their bean sauce 🙂
Elena says
My child doesn’t like spinach, but I add it to his fruit smoothies
andrea says
I do the same thing with the food and the kids!! 😉