ARTICLE: Working Mom - Setting Limits

If you are a Mom who works outside the house or if you have ever worked outside the house, you will agree that there always is a slight feeling of guilt of missing out of many of your children´s milestones. We sometimes don´t spend a lot of time with our children and therefore we feel that we must give in to all their wishes in the quick moments we can be with them during the week. However, we must keep in mind that our children need a mother, one who loves them, guides them and corrects them, even if this means that we have to leave for work in the morning leaving at home a very upset 5 year old who is not getting the toy-that-he-must-have-today until his birthday. Yes, it´s hard to be a working mother and still be firm at home, but your children will thank you in the future. Spend quality time with your children. If you only have a few hours or minutes with them each day, make the most of them. Bake cookies, play with play-doh, color together, read together, play their favorite board game, play with their favorite toys, talk about their day or about their likes and dislikes, tell each other jokes,etc. I am sure that in the long run, your will both find this much more rewarding than getting the greatest and latest toy that you will still need to "update" every couple of weeks.

DAILY RECIPE: "Mom, I don´t feel well" Soup

1 chicken breast
1 potato
2 carrots
2 zuchinnis
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove
salt, pepper

Fill a large pot with water, add salt, pepper, the onion and the garlic clove. Cover. When boiling, add the chicken breast. Meanwhile peel and chop potato, carrots and zuchinnis. Add to the soup and continue boiling for a total time of 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check for seasoning. When done, take out the chicken breast and cut into bite size pieces. Return to soup. Serve warm with crackers and a lemon wedge.

STORYTIME: The Giant´s Magic Words -- Final Part

... The boy walked alone to the Giant´s house. When he got to the door, he stretched out his hand and knocked softly on the door. Soon, the Giant´s footsteps could be heard and the boy held his breath as he waited for him to answer the door. A loud creak from the hinges revealed the Giant who simply stared at the boy. With a loud, but kind voice, the boy asked, "Excuse me, good afternoon Mr. Giant, could you PLEASE share some of your milk, fruit and wheat? You see, our kingdom does not have food at all and we are all starving." The Giant smiled a bit and answered, "Ah! You just said one of the MAGIC WORDS. I would be glad to share my food with you. Come, follow me and help me put it all in boxes to carry back to your kingdom." The boy quickly replied, "THANK YOU!" The Giant stopped and turned around, "The other MAGIC WORD! You shall get more food, in fact your people can come here any time they want and pick out some food." The boy ran back to the kingdom and told the king the great news. From that day on they started a great friendship with the Giant, sharing food and good times. And never again did the townspeople, messengers or king forget to say the magic words: PLEASE and THANK YOU.

THE END

TIP OF THE DAY

Keep posterboard, markers, extra pencils, glue, glue sticks, colors, tape, yarn and other supplies in stock in your house. This way a last minute school project can be done without having to run out to buy supplies!

STORYTIME: The Giant´s Magic Words --- Part 3

... The Giant quickly opened the door and waited for the king to speak. "I am the king, " the king said, "and I demand you to give us some of your food." The Giant stared at the king and firmly said, "No!". He closed the door and the king had to leave empty handed. As he was headed home, sad and worried that his kingdom would starve, a young boy came to his side. "What worries you my dear king?" the boy asked. The king told the boy what had happened. The boy listened carefully and replied, "I think I can do it, sir". "Do what?" the king asked. "I think I can get the Giant to give us the food we need," he explained. "But how? I´ve sent my messengers, my townspeople and the Giant won´t even give the food to me," the king argued. "Oh," said the boy, "but I know the secret magic words. I know I can do it."

(More tomorrow)

DAILY RECIPE: Ham and Cheese Oven Potatoes

3 large potatoes
3 slices of ham
butter
sour cream
grated Mozzarella cheese

Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Cut ham into tiny cubes. Coat a glass pan with butter. Fill with a layer of potatoes. Dot with butter and cream and sprinkle the ham and cheese. Follow with another layer of potatoes, butter, cream, ham and cheese. Continue, ending with the ham and cheese. Cover and place in hot oven until a toothpick inserted in center goes in easily. Slice to serve.

TIP OF THE DAY

Have your children listen to classical music every day. For babies and toddlers Mozart is highly recommended. Older children might enjoy Beethoven and Tchaikovsky (especially Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker ballets).

STORYTIME: The Giant´s Magic Words -- Part 2

...The King´s messengers got on their horses and swiftly rode to the far end of the kingdom. As they got near the Giant´s home they started to move slower, scared of the unknown. Finally they arrived and the most important messenger got off his horse and walked to the Giant´s door. He knocked three times and waited. Suddenly, loud footsteps were heard and slowly the door opened to reveal ... the Giant. The messenger cleared his throat and said, " Our kingdom is out of food. We need you to give us some of your fruit, milk and wheat." The Giant stared at the messengers and taking a deep breath screamed: "OUT OF MY PROPERTY!!!" The messengers were so scared they jumped on their horses and rode away, never looking back. Back in the kingdom the king said: "If the Giant won´t listen to my messengers then I shall send the townspeople." So, the townspeople got ready and walked to the Giant´s door. A man knocked three times and soon enough the Giant answered. The people started calling in loud voices: "Give us food! We need food! We want some of your food!" But the Giant again screamed for everybody to leave. When they told their story to the king, he was outraged! "I shall go myself", he said, "no one will say no to the king." So, he got his horse ready and rode to the Giant´s house. When he got there he firmly knocked on the door....

(More tomorrow)

Daily Recipe: Easy Mango Mousse

3 cups peeled and sliced mango
1 large can condensed milk
chopped pecans

Blend the mango and condensed milk until pureed. Pour into small bowls, jello cups or wine glasses (great for a fancy dinner dessert). Top with pecans and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

TIP OF THE DAY

In your baby´s nursery, place a basket with rattles and other small toys on top of the dresser or on a shelf. You can reach for one quickly during a diaper change, hair brushing or any other time you need to distract your child.