Questionable Choices in Parenting

Laughing at life as a parent so they don't commit me

Bungee Cord Hacks that Will Keep You Organized.

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If you are looking for a few hacks to keep your car more organized-all you need are a few bungee cords You probably have a few bungee cords floating around in your garage, so instead of letting them gather dust, it’s time to put them to work! From keeping your groceries from spilling everywhere to keeping your kid’s toys together, bungee cords are going to become the key to hacking car organization.

1.       Grocery Bag Hack- Keep all of your groceries organized and upright in the back of your car using a bungee cord. Start by stringing the bungee cord through all of your grocery bag handles. Then attach the bungee cord both sides of your trunk. Now your groceries won’t spill while you drive and will save you time when you are unloading your groceries at home.

2.       Stroller Storage Hack- Save space in your trunk by using a bungee cord to keep your stroller upright in your trunk. This way you will still have space for other large items. This also works great for suitcases too.

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All the Things You Need in Your Car for Fall Sports

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If you have a kid that plays a fall sport, then you can expect to spend some time outside for practices and games. So you need to be prepared! But what exactly do you need to have in your car? From being prepared for all types of weather, to a few items that will make practice and game time a little easier on your, here’s what every sports parent needs to keep in their car all season long.

 

1.       Picnic Blanket with a Waterproof Side – Never worry you won’t have a seat with your own blanket. Plus the waterproof side will make sure you and your family stay dry.

2.       Chairs – Folding chairs or stadium seats will make game watching a whole lot easier on everyone. Be sure grab the kind that come in their own storage bag. This way you can leave them in your car and not worry they are being damaged.

3.       Weather Gear – Don’t let a surprise rain or a few gusts of cold air ruin your day at the soccer field. Keep extra layers and clothes for wet and cold weather in your car all the time. Be sure to add a few pairs of sunglasses too! Make sure to pack enough for your player as well. You don’t want them riding home cold and wet!

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Carpooling Tips for Busy Moms

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When the school year starts, so do busy schedules. From drop off and pick up at school, to the endless trips to and from sports and after school activities-your weekly calendar quickly fills up. Since we haven’t figured out a way to be in two places at once, carpooling with friends is the easiest and best way to get your kids where they need to be and to save a little of your sanity. So how can you rock the carpool this year? Here’s five tips that every carpooling parent needs this school year.

1. To keep you and the other moms in the carpool on the same page, download a carpooling app like Cozi or Manage Carpool. These apps let you create calendars and schedules for everyone on your carpool list, and if there is an emergency, the apps will let you send a text message to everyone on the passenger list. So no more searching for numbers in your contacts.

2. Make sure you are never late for your carpool duty by setting alarms on your phone to remind you when you’ll need to leave each day. I set alarms for just about everything, and believe me, they have saved me more times than I can count. Even if you are busy or distracted, when the alarm on the phone goes off, you know it’s time to leave.

3. Grab a few hooks with suction cups on the back and attach them to the car windows. Just be sure to place the hooks low on the window so the driver’s view is not obstructed. This way kids can hang their book bags on the hooks and can keep them off the floor. This hack is perfect for a little extra room, especially if kids are carrying multiple backs or the weather outside is wet and messy. Now the kids’ bags will stay dry and clean.

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On-The-Go Dinner Ideas

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ou and your family are super busy! During the week, you need to plan a dinner that is delicious, your entire family loves, and often, one they can eat on the go. From after school activities, practices, and games, you still need to find time to give your family a delicious dinner. So, forget going to a drive thru restaurant and try making these two recipes. With a little prep earlier in the week, you can still offer up dinner to your family.

Taco Pop Tarts

Ingredients:

·         2 boxes refrigerated pie crusts (total of 4 pie crusts), at room temperature

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         1/2 onion, thinly sliced

·         1/2 pound ground beef

·         1 tablespoon taco seasoning

·         1 cup frozen corn, thawed

·         1 cup canned black beans, drained

·         1 cup shredded cheddar

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

·         Preheat oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

·         Working with one crust at a time, unroll onto your work surface and cut into six 3″ x 4″ rectangles. Repeat with the remaining crusts; cover with a towel to keep from drying out.

·         In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until completely cooked through (no pink remaining). Add the taco seasoning and stir to combine. Add the corn and beans and cook for 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat and let cool until warm.

·         Place six pie crust rectangles on one of your prepared baking sheets.

·         Top with a spoonful of the beef filling, followed by a handful of shredded cheese.

·         Top with six more crusts and gently press around the edges. Use a fork to crimp and seal; make a few small incisions in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with some of the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat with remaining crusts and fillings.

·         Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately or let cool and freeze for longer storage.

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Quick and Yummy On-the-Go Snacks

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When my kids get home from school, they are starving. But we usually don’t have much time to sit around and have a few snacks. From rushing off to after school activities to making sure we aren’t late for a game or practice, snack time usually gets cut short. So, if you are running around with your kids and everyone in the car is hungry, here are three yummy snack options. You can pass them pack in the car or toss them in their bags. Just make these snacks early in the week and you’ll have happy snackers all week long.

Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Ingredients

·         3/4 cup Peanut Butter

·         1/2 cup Honey

·         3 cup Cheerios

Instructions

·         Line 8×8″ pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.

·         Cook peanut butter and honey over medium heat stirring constantly until completely melted and blended.

·         Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Mix until evenly coated.

·         Place mixture in prepared pan and press in place.

·         Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars.

·         Store any remaining in refrigerator.

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On-the-Go Breakfast Ideas

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Mornings are always busy in our house and sometimes getting everyone ready and at the breakfast table for a well-balanced meal doesn’t always happen. So for those super crazy mornings where everyone in your family is running out the door, here are three recipes for delicious and filling breakfasts. With these on the go breakfast ideas, you’ll know everyone has eaten a delicious breakfast, even if they have to take their meal in the car.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix together until well incorporated. Cover and chill in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Grab about a heaping tablespoon full of the mixture and press it into a ball with your palms. Repeat with the remaining oat mixture, making about 16 energy bites.

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

 

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On-The-Go Time Savers for Busy Parents

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As the new school year starts, parents everywhere are looking for ways to save time and energy before they have to race out the door and start their day. From getting kids to school, to running all over town for after school activities, and then trying to make a nice meal for your family every night, each day can be exhausting. But before you exhaust yourself just thinking about everything you have to do each day, here are four simple ways busy parents can save time every week.

Meal Plan for the Week- On Sunday night, plan your meals for the entire week. While this might seem a bit daunting, taking the time to plan dinner for each night of the week will save you time during the week because you won’t have to search for recipes or head to the grocery store over and over. Plus this gives you the option to prep meals earlier in the week. Try planning meals you can toss in the crock pot or meals you can double. This way you can cook once and eat twice because you can freeze half the portion.

Order Your Groceries Online and/or Have them Delivered- A trip to the grocery store can be relaxing if you have the time to walk up and down the aisles, but if you are a busy mom, finding time to make your grocery list, head to the store, shop, and then put the groceries away? It’s all too much. So instead, find the stores in your area that offer online ordering and delivery and make ordering your groceries a weekly event.

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Mom Hacks on HLN’s Weekend Express

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You know I love a good mom hack! So for my latest segment on HLN’s Weekend Express, I out together my favorites and shared them with Jennifer Westhoven. From the burrito roll for clothes to lasagna with it comes to bed sheets, here are my favorite mom hacks!

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Tips for Traveling with Your Dog

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When the weather heats up, we aren’t the only ones that feel the effects of the rising temperatures. So if you and your pup are hitting the road this summer for a quick trip to the park or maybe a dog-friendly vacation, here are five ways to keep your pooch cool in your car. Of course, you should never leave your dog in the car unattended, but these quick cool down ideas will help while you are driving and your dog is your co-pilot.

 

1.       Dog Cooling Mat- A cooling mat is a great option to quickly cool down your dog. The mats come in different sizes and can be laid out on a car seat or in the back of your car so that your dog can stretch out and cool off. Be sure to use the mat at home first so your dog knows that the mat will keep them cool in the car.

2.       Pack Plenty of Cold Water- The easiest way to keep your dog cool in the car is to keep your pup hydrated.  Pack a few extra bottles of water for you and your four legged friend every time you are in the car. Keep a travel bowl in your car and between stops, let your dog have a few drinks to cool himself off.

3.       Keep the Car Cool- Having a cool car will help you and your dog on short and long trips. So try parking in the shade or giving your car just a few minutes of cooling down time before your dog gets in. If you park outside, use sunshades to cover the front and back windows.

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