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Practical Tips for Parents

By Meredith Staggers
Lifestyle Expert

ith National Parents Day around the Meredith Staggers provides parents with idea. Take advantage of the recent bento
Wcorner, it is the perfect time for people practical tips to help parents make their day lunch boxes trend by cutting fruits into
to celebrate the positive parental roles models easier: small pieces and adding cute tooth-
in their lives and acknowledge the special • Keep The Kids Busy. Sometimes you picks to show your love. Another great
bond between parents and their children. need alone time, but you can’t leave your alternative is to give the kids vitamins in
Meredith Staggers, Founder, and Owner of kids alone. Keep them entertained by gummy form like L’il Critters D3 gummy
Cake & Confetti shares some of her tried and allowing them to draw on a cardboard vitamins – perfect for any picky eater!
true “life hacks” to de-stress any parent, while box or play with interactive toys such • Set Aside Time to Tidy Up. Playtime
making sure the kids are still having fun. as Legos or Play-Dough. Another fun is necessary for kids, but the messy
“Oftentimes parents might not have an option is to coordinate a scavenger hunt aftermath can drive parents nuts! You
extra pair of hands and they resort to easy around the house for an in-depth and will be sure to thank yourself later if you
ways to maintain some peace and silence; like brain-stimulating adventure. schedule out time to clean during the
allowing the kids to spend time on an iPad, • Make Snack Time Fun. Make snack time day, even if it is just a few minutes. Keep
but this can be unhealthy for children down more enjoyable by arranging colorful the playroom tidy by placing a clear shoe
the line,” says Meredith Staggers. “Under- foods and fruits on a plate to resemble storage bag, installing a rod with buckets,
standing that time is of the essence, there are your child’s favorite TV character. Draw- or magnetic knife strips to hang up toys.
a variety of ways to optimize those tasks that ing funny faces on the shells of hard- • Wash Clothes Smarter, Not Harder.
just always seem to add up.” boiled eggs is another fun and creative Where do all those socks disappear to?
Make sure to never run into this problem
again and wash small children’s socks to-
gether in a laundry bag. As you’re coming
back from the park, pack an extra shirt
for yourself in case your baby vomits
on you in public, or your child gets dirt
on you. It’s best to throw all of the dirty
clothes straight into the laundry room
and use a laundry detergent that powers
out these pesky stains and emits a fresh
scent – I recommend these two laundry
detergents from Arm & Hammer: Odor
Blasters and Sensitive Skin, Free & Clear.
• Let The Kids Help You. If you are cook-
ing or cleaning, let your kids assist you
with a simple role like setting the table
or sorting the laundry. Involving them
in your household chores helps children
learn more about what they need to do to
care for themselves and provides a sense
of responsibility. It is a win, win situation
– just make sure you’re giving them a role
that they can handle!
• Thinking of growing the family? Al-
though kids can be a ton of work, they
can bring so much joy and light to a
parent’s life. When you think you might
be pregnant, the sooner you find out, the
better – keep First Response Early Result
pregnancy tests close by since they can
detect pregnancy six days sooner than
the first day of your missed period.
“A happy child is a happy parent! Ded-
icate time and attention in the activities and
food you’re providing your family, so they
grow up to be fit and strong.” adds Staggers.

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