Recently, Mott’s (the Applesauce Company) started a new campaign called the Good and Honest Campaign urging parents to share honest moments and good advice for fellow parents. It reminded me of the same goals when I first became a Mom. I was part of a new Mom group and class at a local parenting club. That group was invaluable as I learned a lot of tips and tricks of parenting, and help making life decisions like going back to work or not, and how to make time for yourself and your partner.
That was almost six years ago and a lot has changed since then. We all work hard to be the best parents we can be, but the frustration stems from when we feel like we are failing. It’s when I turn to social media to read funny quotes or inspiring messages to get me through the ups and downs of parenting.
Like this quote.
Or this quote!
Parenting Tips
Recently, I asked some fellow Moms on Facebook to share one parenting tip, and this is what they had to share.
Cindy V. – Spending quality time with kids is so important; it not only makes our days brighter but also gives them fond memories.
Margot M. – Wash little hands frequently to keep everyone as healthy as possible!
Jeannine D. – have them help you cook to get excited about trying new foods
Janette P. – patience
Karen D. – a surefire way to make sure your kids never listen to you… threaten but don’t act
Lisa B. – Give options! Then there’s less of a chance for an argument.
Kathleen P. – One parenting tip for school age children would be – Pack lunches and pick out clothing the night before so mornings are not so rushed.
Melissa H. – One parenting tip for me is to read to the kids everyday! Even if it is only one book, they absorb everything and reading is wonderful for them!
Rachel A. – Read at least 20 min a day with the kids it will help your kids succeed
Marcella W. – Grandma loves to read to my grandchildren.
Bernadette N. – Put the phone away and play with your kids! (Something I need to work on.)
Judy L. – Tell your kids that you love them every day.
Jeevon K. – Every kid is different. DO NOT compare!
Justin T. – Let the kids help with house chores like folding the clothes. They get to help and they get to exercise their brains too
Shannon S. – I never leave the house without some snacks, both for them and me, no one is happy when they’re hungry
Lindsay P. – Parenting tip for newborns– swaddle them for sleep!
Heather R. – Trust your gut… Whether it’s potty training, early intervention, and mom usually knows best!
Tracee A. – Don’t feed your one-year-old niece cheerios from the chex mix (even if it is homemade chex mix). Jackie Marilyn
Laura M. – spending time with our children and grandchildren teaching them to respect others
Suzanne C. – Always keep snacks in your purse! For the kids…. and mom!
Linda M. – Always sleep when you’re newborn sleeps!
Krysta S. – Always trust your instincts!
Lin N. – Don’t blink!
Marilyn O. – Playing with their food actually encourages eating
Krista O. – Make them think they are coming up with the idea!!
Asia B. – I let my granddaughter help me do little chores around the house
Bekka B. – Always follow through with what you say!
Julie A S. – My parenting tip – don’t sweat the small stuff; save the lectures, etc. for larger issues for more impact
My Snack Tip
As you can see, there were a few Moms that focused on snacks. It’s is my #1 tip too, that links back to the Mott’s new Good and Honest Campaign. Never leave the house without a snack even if you think you are making a quick run to the grocery store for “just a few things,” or if you are just making ‘one stop’ after picking up the kids from school.
Inevitability (and speaking from experience here), there are long lines in the grocery store or that one errand becomes five because that first place didn’t have what you are looking for. As the quickness turns into a quagmire, the kids start complaining they are hungry (while your stomach growls in response.) You either barter your way home, or cave in and buy a bar of goo in the checkout aisle.
Snack Serving Ideas
Skip the tantrums and the tummy terrors, and keep a stash of snacks in the car or in your purse. My favorite (good and honest truth) is Applesauce pouches. In the summer, I freeze them and they serve as ice packs and later snack packs. It’s also great for school lunches. The frozen pouch keeps food cold and thaws out by lunch time!
In the winter, applesauce pouches are quick picks for those hunger complaints. They are easy to tote. They have caps and a quick untwist and serve. Want to save it for later? Put the cap back on. It is also the one snack I like to have because if I need something to tide me over, it is something I like to nosh on as much as my kids.
It’s also a healthy option for the kiddos and me. When the kids want a snack before bed, it is a win-win scenario; they get the snack and full bellies, and I know it is a wise pre-bed choice.
Mott’s Applesauce
After getting free samples of their Applesauce Pouches, I was able to check out the Mott’s Applesauce ingredients. Mott’s actually has no artificial sugar or coloring in their applesauce packs. The only issue some parents might have, is that the applesauce is not made from organic apples, and I’m not sure of the company’s stance on GMAs (genetically modified applies.) So, it’s something to consider. However, I did check out Mott’s fruit punch as well. Generally, I’m not a fan of Fruit Punch, but this one was delish and I liked the sweetness from the Stevia. I like where the brand is going…
Mott’s has been around since the mid-1900s and as the times have changed, they have too – focusing on ingredients and convenience for modern parents. They have a few lines: Mott’s Original, Mott’s for Tots, Motts Naturals Mott’s Juice Drinks, Mott’s Healthy Harvest Sauce and Mott’s Snack & Go Applesauce Pouches.
Mott’s Easy Recipe Ideas
One idea for Mott’s Applesauce Pouches is to put them in the freezer an hour before dinner. After dinner, take it out and squeeze into a dish. It is a slushy consistency and a great alternative to ice cream.
Or take the ‘Fruit Punch’ juice – pour into an ice cube tray. Cover with plastic wrap and poke toothpicks through the wrap and into the juice. Freeze. Then take out of the freezer, take off the wrap and enjoy delish homemade popsicles! Lastly, consider using applesauce when a baked good recipe calls for oil. It’s a great way to cut calories in those muffins and cookies!
Giveaway
What parenting tip do you have? Leave one in the comment section below and you’ll have a chance to win a $50 gift card and Mott’s product. Entries close on April 20th. Full giveaway rules can be found here. Then don’t forget to check out the other giveaways I have going on here!
This post is brought to you by Mott’s and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Check with your town on the recycling guidelines and recycle those caps and/or pouches!
When my kids were smaller they didn’t want to try fish so we used to tell them it was “special chicken”. It worked.
When they were small I used to be over-protective, but now I just let them enjoy themselves. I used to get in all sorts of mischief as a kid. I had a blast, created great memories, and I survived. I don’t want to rob my kids of a childhood because I worry about a broken arm or a few stitches. I want to let them have fun, and it is hard to let them out of the protective bubble and hope they turn out okay.
My parenting tip is to always have a lot of patience and not take yourself too seriously. It’s good to smile and laugh and a positive attitude rubs off on your child.
My parenting tip is to not be afraid to get messy. Some of the best memories are made making a mess whether it it be arts and crafts or baking as a family.
To get kids to eat broccoli, we tell them it is a must if they are going to run faster in the next soccer game. And there is always a next game, this works like a charm in our house.
My tip is to always have a backup plan!
My tip is to listen to use positive reinforcement and praise your kids for doing the right thing
My Good and Honest parenting moment comes when I accidentally forgot to pack a snack for my son (I had everything else in the diaper bag.) Thank goodness a Motts applesauce pouch was found in my purse! My son gobbled it down.
Another “honest” moment is when I always use applesauce to get my sons to take their medications. It has such a great flavor, they can hardly taste the medicine.
When my son does not want to take his medicine, I try to buy the medicine in blue for leonardo from tmnt and tell him to take his Leo medicine so he can be strong and save the world from bad guys.
One parenting hack that we learned a couple weeks ago….was when getting a cold icee or shake…and its always so cold for the little ones to hold. We ask for an extra cup and napkins. You wrap the cold cup with a couple napkins and put it in the empty cup! The napkins in between the two cups keep the outside cup from getting so cold!!!
Don’t overschedule! Kids need some free time to just play and be creative.
My parenting tip is to always let them be who they are, let them make mistakes so they can learn, and let them explore there creativity.
With all the busyness in our lives today, Be involved in your child’s life! “Being an involved parent takes time and is hard work, and it often means rethinking and rearranging your priorities. It frequently means sacrificing what you want to do for what your child needs to do. Be there mentally as well as physically.
Don’t let your kids walk all over you.. also sneak all sorts of veggies in the cooking, they will thank you later.
Spend time talking to the kids and explaining what is going on and why.
I’m not a parent but I’ve baby-sat many children (including my younger siblings) over the years. A few things I suggest is, be a good listener so they will feel comfortable talking to you about anything, encourage them to be creative and use their imaginations and teach them to share.
My parenting tip would be to find time at least once a week to have a Family Fun Night. We watch movies, let them pick a favorite restaurant or cook their favorite dinner or just play board games. It’s just our way of putting family first at the end of a busy week.
I think listening to their ideas from a young age and taking them seriously to help instill confidence.
My parenting tip is to make sure to have meals together as a family and discuss everyone’s day. Kids love to share and love that you are interested in what they are doing and how they are feeling. Make them feel important because they are.
My parenting tip is to embrace every moment with your kids (good & bad). Try to keep things in perspective…don’t yell at them for every little thing, save your battles for the important things.
Just hang in there it will be worth it.
I don’t have kids, but I am so happy that I was taught not to scream and yell in malls, restaurants and libraries when I was a kid. If I have kids, I will teach them to be calm because it will build a lifelong good habit that will be beneficial to their blood pressure and mental health. Not to mention that it makes the quality of life of the community at large when they aren’t screaming needlessly!
My tips is to let them get involved. Let them share their ideas and help out around the house.
If you ever accidentally fall asleep on tooth fairy night and your child has a mess underneath their bed. Tell them that I bet once they clean underneath they will find the money. I did some quick thinking on this when I realized I fell asleep before the tooth fairy delivered her $1.
My tip is to “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Give your kids vitamins.
We have a timer on the outlet where the TV is plugged in, we have it set up to be off until 11am. We tell our boys that the TV doesn’t work before 11 and then they aren’t able to watch it in the mornings before school so they don’t get distracted.
Have been adding shredded carrot to tomato based pasta sauces for years, a little extra veg goes a long way, & sweetens it to(less processed sugar).
Each child is different, what works for one might not work for another.
Mine is already listed above 😉
my tip is to always trust your instincts, mom intuition is powerful.
Sometimes if my son has to take medicine he won’t want to so I sneak it in ice cream and he has no idea its there.
My parenting tip is to add veggies to anything you can! I love to hid it in sauce.
My parenting tip for doing school work – When my daughter has school work to do, we do a snack and then get it out of the way so that then we have time to play games! She likes getting to have that to look forward to.
My tip is be patient and listen. It makes it easier to parent when you are also their friend.