Clean Up Bingo

Healthier PB & J

Peanut butter and jelly or PB&J are a great food for kids. Problem is peanut butter and jelly are loaded with sugar. Although peanut butter is a great way of getting protein, many parents are trying to curb the sugar content in their children’s' diets.

So how does a parent improve the nutritious value of a PB&J? By following three simple steps.

First, look into natural peanut butter made with only peanuts (some will have salt). Some of the brands out there will also include Omega-3 Fatty Acids (the fatty acid that is heart healthy). These are usually located along with the standard peanut butter.

Second, have the child choose a favorite fruit such as apples, cherries, blueberries, bananas, mangos, kiwi, or strawberries. Use this in lieu of jelly or jam. Not only does the child get no processed sugar, but also gets a bit more fiber than they would if jelly or jam was used.

Third, visit the bread aisle and find bread with a fiber content of 3 grams or more. If the child has a whole sandwich, along with the fruit, the meal could include as much as ten grams of fiber per sandwich.

Delegating Responsibility

Understand that children can't read minds. They can only do "exactly" what you ask them to and this is only in small amounts.



When delegating chores, make sure it's age appropriate and start small.

Examples are: a three year old can take his plate to the sink when done with a meal, pick up his toys, and/or choose their clothes for the next day. 



                         --a five year old can make her bed, feed the dog, and/or collect the trash from the different bathrooms.



                         --a seven year old can sort his clothes to be washed, take them to the laundry room, and take out the trash.



Also understand with younger and sometimes older children, it may require you to stand their and tell them each thing they need to do.

Walking into a three year old's room and tell her to "clean it up" isn't going to cut it. Honestly, she may not know what that even means, so don't assume she does.

Go through the process with her, explain why it's important to have responsibilities, and how this is a reward, not a punishment (Because you're a big girl, you get to .....) .

If a child shows that they understand and start taking on their chores without prodding,  increase their responsibilities and reward as such. This can be as an increase in allowance to earning extra TV time, reading time, playing time, or earning a new coloring book, stickers, or a trip to the park.

Be warned DO NOT belitted if they do a chore incorrectly. This is a learning process and not one that kids instinctively know how to do. Telling them they're wrong for putting their plate on the right side of the sink instead of the left doesn't help them understand the reasons for it. Explain to them why it goes on one side and not the other (This side is where the dirty plates go, this side is where the clean plates are dried.)

A home is a group effort. It's only as clean or organized as the least clean or organized person, but it also takes work, a lot of work. It also is an opportunity to lessen the responsibility factor on the parent(s). To make such a thing work, understand you have to allow your kids to help without you being worried they are doing it "wrong". Don't allow your own way of doing things cloud your decision to give your children chores. They need to be responsible for their toys, their clothes, their home just as the parent it. Parents will find that when everyone has a hand in making a house a home, it makes the home much more inviting.

Baby Milestones: Rolling Over

Just like any milestone, when a child should reach it is an estimate. Most infants will start rolling from tummy to back around 2-3 months. This is an easier task since they are able to use their arms to push themselves over.

When it comes to turning from back to belly, this proves to be a harder process since their abdomen and back muscles have to do a lot of the work. Most babies won't roll back to belly until 5-6 months.

There are those babies who go from not moving straight to scooting and/or crawling, Each child is different on their milestone timeline, but understand when the child does start moving around in their crib, decorative bumper pads need to be removed. Although these are usually part of the linen bed-in-a-bag kits that are sold everywhere, they can be dangerous for babies who snuggle up next to the soft

pads and mash their faces into them.

If there are any worries or concerns on when your child should be turning over, either front to back or back to front, consult your health care practitioner. There is never any harm in asking and it can help you better understand your babies development.