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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Top 10 Toddler Fears

I thought this would be great for this time of year with Halloween just around the corner. A list of the top 10 toddler fears according to Parents online

1. Fear of the dark


                      Grandma used to always tell me it was not the dark but what is in the dark. Hurry up turn the light on so that you are not in the dark any more. #1 thing to remember to take on trick or treat night is a flashlight to light your path

2. Fear of Monsters
                         Toddlers take monsters very serious as we get older even if we retain this fear we try to laugh it off. If your child is scared of monsters perhaps a fun monster hunt would be the perfect before bed routine. Check under the bed, in the closer, and in any hiding place a monster may hide.



3. Fear of the Weather
                        This fear is one that children and many adults share. I have a brother who is very nervous about storms his children seemed to take this after them and become quite nervous when storms approach. Help your child to prepare for storms by creating a weather chart as well as a plan for bad storms. Having a storm prepared kit should help all feel less fearful.



4. Bad Dreams
                       While it is fears that may cause bad dreams It is the bad dreams often referred to as night terrors often become feared by parents. Parents often feel helpless unable to help their child. Talk to your childs doctor for helpful tips on night terrors.

5. Fear of Strangers
                          Many children have a fear of strangers. They feel safe with what they know. Often loving the lap of the one that knows them best. While this is not always bad  parents want to also guide them by visiting others.


6. Fear of Seperation
                          In the age of the working moms separation anxiety is often broke early. It is something that breaks the parents heart and seems to crush the little ones. A good bye routine and leaving the child with someone they trust are two practices that work well



7. Fear of being alone
                           The fear of being alone is something that children often deal with. When children are little they cling to each other but if they are home alone with no one to play with then mom has to learn to entertain.

8. Fear of Dress up masks, costumes and makeup
                                The fear of masks, custumes, and makeup places fear in children and adults alike. Many fear clowns and Halloween may place fear in them.

9. Fear of toilets and bathrooms
                               Some of you may remember the movie that features the child afraid of the toilet that wants to eat his pook. Ok maybe its just me but I do know that I had a nephew that was afraid of the toilet and would scream and shout. Allow your child to investigate the potty and perhaps supplying them with a stepstool will break the fear of it being so big.



10. Fear of the doctor or dentist
                                  Fear of the doctor or dentist is a fear that children do not always grow out of. Help your child by discussing with your child about the visit to the doctor before going and what to expect while there. Perhaps visit ahead of time to look at the waiting room, read a book while there, meet the doctor.



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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Halloween Treat : Popcorn Balls on Stick

One treat you could always rely on being made in our family was popcorn balls. I can remember my grandmother making popcorn balls on her kitchen table. The excitement of eating them built as the day of treat came to be. I found this recipe on Parents several years ago and have made them a tradition at our house. While popcorn balls are quite yummy you also must know that they are quite messy as well. The stick allows little ones a chance to not get so messy. While we know that every little one normally loves the stickiness of the situation the stick is fun to hold and eat the sweet treat as well.

10 cups fresh popcorn
 1-1/2 cups sugar
Lollipop sticks

Melt sugar, without stirring, in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, watching constantly to make sure it doesn't burn.  In a large bowl, pour melted sugar over top of popcorn. Mix popcorn with a spoon and cover thoroughly. Reserve some of the melted sugar for later.  While still warm, roll the popcorn into balls and place on wax paper. Its a little hot, so use plastic gloves if needed.  Dip lollipop sticks in the leftover melted sugar and push into the balls.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Autumn Snack Mix

I love enjoying the beauty of fall with a delicious snack. There are also those times that I love watching sports, movies and fall tv shows with my family. While at the grocery store today I also noticed that there was a bag of candy corn mixed with peanuts at first I thought what an awesome snack mix Now I realize after finding this great recipe that it is only a base of an even yummier autumn snack mix thanks to the great recipes at Taste of Home



6 cups caramel corn
 
 2 cups salted cashews or peanuts
1-1/2 cups candy corn
 1/3 cup raisins

Mix all


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beautiful southern Illinois sky over the water. I love spending time with our Heavenly Father enjoying the beauty that he provided for us.

A Glimpse of Our Week

This weeks menu includes some old fall favorites as well as a few nights of simple fun. On the menu are dishes such as tatertot casserole this one from Taste of Home is one of our favorites and when my nephews stayed here was a favorite of theirs as well
 
 


1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 can (8-3/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
 2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
 1/3 cup 2% milk
 2 tablespoons sour cream
 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
 1/4 teaspoon pepper
 2 cups frozen Tater Tots

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Stir in the corn, soup, 1/4 cup cheese, milk, sour cream, onion powder and pepper. Place 1 cup Tater Tots in a greased 3-cup baking dish. Layer with beef mixture and remaining Tater Tots; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 2 servings.

recipe source: Taste of Home

other dishes this week include
ham n beans, corn bread, fried potatoes, coleslaw
baseball food as we will watch my son play ball
bacon sandwiches and chips

what a yummy week with a busy weekend to follow

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