Frugal Parenting Tips and Tricks

Here are some great ways I've learned to be a frugal parent over the years. Got more frugal parenting tips? Do share! :)

7+ Great Toddler Action Books

05/22/2015 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

In my continued effort to share good books to promote literacy, I have a list of cute little toddler action books that my kids have enjoyed over the years. By “action book”, I mean books that have flaps to lift, doors to open, pop-ups, etc – anything tactile to get a toddler engaged in the story at -ahem- hand. Do you have any favorite action books you’d add to this?

Toddler Action Books

Hop, Dance, Jump: Action Words and Fabulous Flaps by Maureen Roffey – This dandy little book is one of my son’s current favorites. It’s got flaps to lift up, and flaps to lift down, with action words and (near) opposites on every page. Each page depicts a character doing one action, you lift or lower a flap, and she’s doing the opposite, or near opposite: laugh/cry, sit/stand, walk/run, etc.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle – One of my all-time favorite children’s authors is at it again. This adorable story, with repetitive phrases tells the tale of a very busy spider spinning his web. On each page, your child can feel the spider web, and watch in wonder as the busy spider’s web grows.
What Makes a Rainbow: A Magic Ribbon Book by Betty Ann Schwartz – Your toddler will enjoy watching the rainbow grow, as they turn the pages of this colorful book!
Ten Chirpy Chicks and Ten Little Ladybugs by Debbie Tarbett – These delightful books, just two out of a whole collection, help a child count backwards from ten, and allow for counting, touching each chick or ladybug as you go, and watch each one disappear as you turn the page.
Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz – Well, you’ve got to lift the flaps to help baby. That belly button won’t find itself, in this delightful playful book. You can also check out Karen Katz‘s other interactive books for tots.
Spot the Dot by David A. Carter – The toddler book based on the popular app. Yep, a book based on an app – but your kids will LOVE it, and stay engaged!
The entire Bizzy Bear series by Nosy Crow – With chunky sliders to push and pull, this robust little board book is perfect for active toddlers. Rich in visual detail and with touches of humor, it is sure to become a classic in the family library.

Amazon.com Widgets

8 Tips to Naturally Treat Eczema (and Prevent it!)

01/11/2015 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

When my son was about six months old, he developed a rashy-looking patch of skin on his belly. When I took him in to the pediatrician, she misdiagnosed him with ring worm. Ring. Worm. Shudder. Long story short, we don’t go to that doctor anymore, and have since gotten the correct diagnosis: eczema. My son develops small patches of dry skin, typically on the back of his knees, near his elbows, and other areas on his body.

Thankfully, his has been a mild case these last few years, but I think that’s greatly in part to taking preventative measures. There’s a whole arsenal of ways to treat and prevent eczema, but some suggestions just seem a little …extreme. For instance, our pediatrician once mentioned that its feasible to treat a flare up with a bleach bath. She walked me through the specifics, and assured me of the science behind this idea (and also stated she didn’t think it was ever something she personally could do for her child), but ….the idea of giving my toddler son a bleach bath just didn’t sound appealing.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to treat and prevent eczema using natural methods.

8 Tips to Naturally Treat Eczema

While the exact cause of eczema in each person is a little different, studies show that stress, genetics, and even food allergens are the main culprits. Anything from gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts, to citrus and even cow’s milk can cause eczema to flare up if you’re even slightly allergic. Let’s get to the root of the issue instead of just relieving it temporarily.

1. Avoid using detergents or fabric softeners, unless they’re free of all dyes and fragrances. You can even make your own detergent, just to be safe. Use the rinse cycle twice to get rid of extra residue left behind from detergents.

2. Cook with coconut oil. Coconut milk contains lauric acid, which our bodies convert into monolaurin. Monolaurin is a compound that helps fight viruses, bacteria, and fungus. Coconut oil also moisturizes the skin, which can be helpful when dealing with eczema.

If you find that moisturizing doesn’t help, try this healthy skin sea spray.

3. Avoid fast food. Besides obvious reasons (like fast food just not being good for our bodies, and it being expensive), when you have eczema it’s important to maintain healthy immune and digestive systems. This means eating healthy foods, at least most of the time.

4. Get allergy tested. Many allergens in the air, such as dust and pollen, can increase eczema flare ups as well as asthma problems. Many folks that have eczema also have asthma.

5. Skip the topicals. While topical treatments provide immediate short-lasting relief, don’t use them in place of getting to the root of the issue. If you’re going to use something topically, try avocado or aloe vera. Mix into a paste and leave it on the skin for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

With eczema, you should look from the inside out. Like I mentioned above, the immune system and the digestive system are both important players in this game. Keep an eye on what you’re eating (or what you’re feeding the kiddos), and even keep a food log to show the doctor. This can help tremendously, and it will also save a lot of time when it comes to figuring out the cause of your eczema.

6. Take a probiotic. Dairy-free is best, especially if you have any type of dairy allergy. Probiotics help build up healthy bacteria in your gut, which can help improve eczema symptoms.

7. Avoid caffeine. Drink water, green smoothies, and (fresh-squeezed) juices instead.

8. Bathe sparingly. I don’t mean that you should go around smelling awful, but taking a bath or shower every day isn’t usually necessary. Keep baths lukewarm and short, to prevent drying of the skin.

These tips are not for instant relief, they’re for long-lasting relief because you’ll get to the root of your eczema issues instead of just covering them up for a bit. Many factors contribute to eczema flare ups, so don’t give up if you can’t find the cause right away.

So, do you have any favorite tips to naturally treat eczema? Please comment below with any additional tips, or suggestions you might have for naturally treatment or prevention of eczema.

Spinach pancakes {Picky Tot Pleasers}

06/25/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

This post originally appeared as a guest post on another site about two years ago, but that site is no longer around. :/ SO, I’m re-claiming it and adding it to my Picky-Tot Pleasers series. Lemme know what’cha think!

Call me Popeye. What can I say? I love to cook with spinach. Up until recently, it’s been in just about any dish I made with chicken or ground turkey. However, I crossed the line the other morning when I (deliberately) baked spinach in to my pancakes. That’s right, my daughter and I made spinach pancakes. On purpose. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Frugal Parenting, health and fitness, parenting, picky tot pleasers, recipes

5+ Other Ways To Play with a Water Table

06/13/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

The holy grail of outdoor kids’ toys these days comes in the form of a water table. There are many great ways for kids to enjoy the water table with …water. And sand. I think we all know that, right?

But if you’d like to REALLY get more bang for your buck with these tables, consider alternate uses for the water table.

5+ Ways to Play with a Water Table

CARS! Most water tables have slanted surfaces, with ramps and other road-like twists and turns. Also, try trains, or any other wheeled hand-held toy.
Make it a sensory table. Fill it with a few cups of rice and beans one day, along with scoopers and small cups. Cotton balls and colored pom-poms the next day with kid-friendly tweezers, as well as big cups to transfer them in to. For preschoolers ready for scissors, toss in some straws, scrap paper, and kid scissors and let them practice.
Play dough. Seriously, what a great surface to create and mold with little hands. Toss in the play dough rollers, molders, and other fun toys, and let them go at it! For a fun textural change, mix the play dough with a little sand and/or glitter.
Noodles and rice make for another great sensory experience. (Dried, of course!) Grab scoopers, cups, and other toys you might use with your Play dough (see above) for a new sensation.
PAINT it! Water colors, some butcher paper or cardboard or just regular ol’ paper, some brushes, and -boom!- you’ve got a nice little, change-of-pace easel. Or kids can paint right on the water table, especially if you have washable paints on hand.
Mix it up: Fill it up with sand, or make your own “moon sand”, and toss in some cars, dinosaurs, scoopers.
Water Gun Station. Melissa from Stockpiling Moms suggested using the table as a water-gun filling station.
Shaving Cream – My kids frequently get “shaving cream baths” or showers – but you can also let them use shaving cream on a water table too. Bonus: the shaving cream acts as a cleaner!
Ice, Ice, Baby – Yeah, I just went there. Fill up some ice cube trays with small trinkets and freeze them. Toss a few small toys in small to mid-size tupperware containers, cover with water, and freeze them, too. Fill your table with the ice, and arm the kids with squirt bottles, and let them “rescue” the treasures inside!

Also, check out other ways to keep your kids cool this summer, free and frugal ways to beat the heat around Atlanta (splash pads around Atlanta, local water parks and aquatic centers, or indoor venues around Atlanta), great outdoor toys for tots, and outdoor toys for kids of all ages!

Filed Under: Frugal Parenting, Summer

Fun & Frugal Ways to Keep Your Kids Cool This Summer

05/28/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Welcome to summertime in the A-T-L, known specifically for its stifling hot, humid temps – and we’re already getting a good dose of this just within the past few days, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s. Sheesh. For me, that means, I’ve got to get a bit creative in how I not only keep my 5- and 2-year-old entertained this summer, but also keep my fair-skinned gingers cool and protected from the sun.

Here’s a handful of fun and frugal ways to keep YOUR kids cool this summer – all kid-tested, and mother (mostly) approved. Just don’t be afraid to get a little messy in the process. 😉 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Frugal Parenting, parenting

Explaining Death to Young Children

04/09/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Explaining death to young children is never a particularly desirable subject, I find, as we wish to preserve their innocence and shield them from anything that may burst their fragile bubble, believing all is always well in their world. However, death is inevitable. Some folks lose loved ones later in life, while others experience death of a loved one at a tender, young age. Following is my story, explaining death to my five-year-old daughter, Carol.

My grandmother was fortunate enough to raise her five children, not only to see all eight of her grandchildren grow up, but also see her eight great-grandchildren, AND meet three great-great-grandchildren. She lived for almost 18 years after my grandaddy passed away, and was the last of her twelve siblings to survive. She lived through the great depression, and lost her own mother at a very young age. She was, in every sense of the word, a good Southern woman. She had the greenest thumb I’ve ever seen, able to revive even the limpest plant, and made the world’s best cornbread, biscuits, green beans, and fried apple pies. Fond memories of sitting on the front porch, eating watermelon after a big Sunday lunch sit firmly in my memory, holding a very special place in my heart.

She was four days shy of her 95th birthday when she went Home. [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, Frugal Parenting, parenting

Alpha-Bits Snack Mix

04/03/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from Post Alpha-Bits cereal and the Little Free Library. I was given a form of compensation in exchange for this post.

Ever have one of those moments when you realize YOU are in charge of snack for your child’s class, and you only have an hour to throw something together? Yeah, I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. And the idea of plying my child and her classmates with junk food just because it was easier simply doesn’t sit well with me.

So when I found myself in this quandary about a week ago, I was lucky to have a good supply of pantry items I could mix together to make a snack mix. Thanks to the good folks at Alpha-Bits, it was something the kids seemed to really enjoy, too! Bonus: it’s so easy, even my five year old can make it, but not without sampling it as she goes.

This really is simple. Like not even really recipe-worthy. But I’m going to recipe it up for y’all anyway.

Alpha-Bits Snack Mix

1-2 part raisins
2 parts pretzels of choice
1-2 parts marshmallows (I used the very same ones I used for Peppermint Chocolate Popcorn)
2 parts Alpha-Bits cereal

Alpha-Bits Spelling – Encouraging Emerging Readers

04/03/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from Post Alpha-bits cereal and the Little Free Library. I was given a form of compensation in exchange for this post.

My freshly-five-year-old daughter is becoming an emerging reader, and thus an emerging speller these days. (Yep, I’m gonna pat myself on the back just a little bit for that!) We’ve practiced sight words to no end, but now that she’s interested in spelling, I decided it was time to start seeing what she could do with her writing/spelling skills.

Yesterday we had the perfect opportunity to play around with her spelling skills. And snack a little too. We used a little glue, cardstock, markers, sight word cards (for reference), and assorted Post Alpha-bits cereal pieces. We dubbed it “Alpha-Bits Spelling”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Frugal Parenting, literacy, sponsored post

A Dozen Reasons to Read with Your Child

03/14/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

Do you really need reasons to read with your child??? Parents are told constantly to read to their children, or with their children – but perhaps having a little further explanation would help you understand WHY reading with your children is as essential as brushing your teeth twice a day. This list is from the Georgia Preschool Association Newsletter.

Reasons to Read with Your Child

Build a lifelong interest in reading. “Getting children actively involved in the process of reading and having them interact with adults is key in a lifelong interest in reading,” said BeAnn Younker, principal at Battle Ground Middle School in Indiana.
Children whose parents read to them tend to become better readers and perform better in school, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Reading to children helps them with language and speech development.
Reading expands vocabulary and teachers pronunciation.
Reading to toddlers prepares them for school, when they will need to listen to what is being said to them, similar to what is being read to.
Reading to older children helps them understand grammar and sentence structure.
Children and parents can use reading time as bonding time. It’s an excellent opportunity for one-on-one communication, and it gives children the attention they crave.
Being read to helps children learn how to express themselves clearly and confidently.
Curiosity, creativity, and imagination are all developed while being read to.
Being read to builds children’s attention spans and helps them hone their listening skills.
Children learn appropriate behavior when they’re read to and are exposed to new situations, making them more prepared when they encounter these situations in real life.
When read to, children are able to experience the rhythm and melody of language, even before they can understand the spoken or printed word.

Now that your motivation to continue reading with your child is renewed, check out these top 10 board books to read to your infant, as well as other great books picks in my “Whatcha Reading” series.

Filed Under: books, Frugal Parenting, literacy, parenting, Whatcha Reading

Peas and the Sauce – An Unlikely Combination

02/05/2014 by Barbara

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links, which I"ll totally blow on waffle fries and sweet tea, y'all!**

So my kids are a little weird. First, my son -who just turned two- didn’t initially seem to be a fan of sweet peas. He would literally rather shove them up his nose than eat them. Yeah….

But a friend mentioned a trick to me, and my kids have been eating it up ever since. Frozen peas. Yep. Frozen. Peas. I serve them in fancy little ramekins, and they gobble them up like candy.

One day, I happened to serve frozen peas at the same meal with applesauce, and -wouldn’t you know it!- a new, weird marriage was formed. My 4 year old daughter got the genius idea to dunk her peas in her applesauce. It’s been a strange hit ever since.

[Read more…]