We are having the worst time right now getting our 3-year-old to eat vegetables. If he sees it, he automatically throws it to the side. So we have been looking for some recipes to sneak those veggies into his food so he can get the nutrients he needs. Here are some of our favorites: 

Healthy Pizza Bagels

Just like every other person on this planet, Walt LOVES pizza. Cauliflower crust pizzas have been an easy way for us to get some veggies in. But this recipe uses carrots for the sauce to get the veggies in. 

Healthy pizza bagels from Morgan Manages Mommyhood

Butternut Squash Muffins

Muffins are always a win in our house. Walt sees them and is immediately interested. Using butternut squash is a genius way to get him to eat veggies without realizing it. 

https://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/paleo-chocolate-butternut-muffins/

Cauliflower Tots

Now this can be hit or miss with us. Sometimes he accepts the cauliflower tots and other times he knows immediately what we are trying to give to him. The key is a recipe with good flavor and seasoning. 

https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/cauliflower-tater-tots/

Zucchini Bread

Once again, anything that is bread is a win for our household. Zucchini bread makes our little one think that he is getting a treat when in reality you’re really getting some veggies in there! 

https://lilluna.com/glazed-lemon-zucchini-bread/

Mac and Cheese Muffins

We couldn’t have a list of food for kids without some mac and cheese in there. This recipe has all the cheesy goodness your child loves plus some pumpkin puree, all in a nice bite sized form. Your kids will love it! 

https://amindfullmom.com/mac-cheese-muffins-hidden-veggies/​

What are your favorite veggie recipes you use to get your kids to eat healthy? 

We are starting the potty training with our now 3-year-old Walt. With his Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, he is a little behind and it’s going to take a lot more work. So a couple weeks ago I asked for some parent advice on KSON’s Facebook page. Here are some of the best tips I got. 

Underwear

“Underwear! Most kids don’t like the feeling of being wet. I tried pull-ups and it was a wait of time they treated them like diapers.” – Sarah

“Yes, underwear!! Plenty of them, and don’t put the wet ones in laundry basket, unless washing today!” – Nancy

“I decided not to try to control something that was not IN my control. I had a drawer with diapers, pull ups and colorful undies and simple gave them a choice each day as to which they wanted (two boys and a girl). We had very few accidents and no power plays, tears or revenge poops … Easy peasy!” – Wanda​

A lot of parents suggested letting their kids pick out their underwear. They’ll be encouraged to wear something they like versus something with plain colors you picked out. Plus, there was a lot of parents that said no to Pull-ups. Because they are absorbent like diapers kids tend to use them just like diapers. Using regular underwear will make your child more aware of when they are going. 

Incentives

“Potty training star chart. Have a reward system like a cookie after dinner or extra screen time.” – RJ

“We had incentives aka prizes every time our son successfully went to the restroom:) Our son got a hot wheels toy. Granted, potty training took a couple months, but he stopped requesting for a prize after a few weeks.” – Jennifer

This one was a little mixed. Some parents gave liked to give little treats when they went to the potty correctly, M&Ms, marshmallows, jelly beans, etc. Other parents warned against giving a treat that could be unhealthy and instead suggested using a small toy or something as simple as a star chart to encourage your kid to use the potty.

Make it a game

“’Sink the Cheerios’ that’s how I trained all 3 of my sons!” – Maria

I would say this is the BIGGEST tip I got and unfortunately its only for boys. A lot of parents put cheerios or fruit loops in the toilet that your son can use as target practice. It must work because a LOT of parents suggested it. 

The Naked Method

“My son went from diapers to underwear in 1 weekend. Over that weekend I let my son run around naked and when he would start to pee I’d tell him he was peeing and put him on the toilet. This way he was able to associate the feeling of having to pee and actually peeing. After that it was just making sure he went pee first thing when he’d wake up and before bed or leaving the house.” – Angelica

This was actually one of the first tips I got from a friend when it came to potty training. She would let her boys run around naked in the backyard so they could be more aware of when they were going. Apparently she isn’t alone because MANY parents said the same thing. Most for boys, but it may work for girls too. 

Distractions

“Make sure he’s on board and is excited about doing this. With boys there are a lot of phases of potty training… since there are more options… and the one thing I wish id known… no tv. My boy oldest missed the mind body connection… which lead to more accidents. Second boy was faster because I didn’t park him in front of the tv.” -Rebekah

This is a great reminder not only for kids, but for parents too. Try to limit distractions for everyone. The less distractions the better! 

The Big #2

“They also think they are “losing ” a part of themselves when they do bigboy #2, so we would have a big “goodbye” sendoff as we flushed. hiphip hooray and all.” – Becky

This is one thing I wasn’t expecting. I have a friend whose son would only go #2 in a diaper, but I never heard of kids thinking they were losing a part of themselves. Although it does make a lot of sense it you think about it. Love that Becky made it into a ritual to help her kids get through it. 

Planning for Travel

“Take a portable seat – bucket with you everywhere. I’ve pulled over several times to encourage and support the “not in your pants” mentality when we just couldn’t get to a proper toilet in time.” – Marette

When potty training, make sure you have a plan what to do when traveling. One really great tip from a parent was to stop at the bathroom immediately when you get somewhere. I’ve had a couple friends recommend portable seats as well so you are always prepared. 

What is the #1 tip you have for potty training? 

It’s getting hot outside and the pool has never looked more inviting. But there are some very important things to remember when it comes to keeping your family safe in the water. Here are some great guides and resources to help out: 

American Red Cross – Water Safety for Kids 

The Red Cross has put together a great tool for your kids to learn how to stay safe in the pool. Hosted by Longfellow the Whale, these entertaining series of videos will engage your kids and have corresponding activities for them to enjoy. 

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/water-safety-for-kids.html

California Department of Water Resources – Water Safety 

We’re not just going to the pool to cool off this summer since California has plenty of spots with water to enjoy. This guide for parents and kids hosted by Albert and Einstein will keep you safe no matter where you are will a range of videos, workbooks and posters. 

https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Water-Safety

Safety.com – The 2020 Kids Water Safety Guide

Beyond tips and rules to keep your family safe in the water, there are also a range of products that can really help. This guide from Safety.com has some great stuff you can find on Amazon for your pool, boat or when you visit the beach! 

https://www.safety.com/kids-water-safety/​

Swim Schools in San Diego

Of course, the first step to water safety is getting your child in some swim lessons. Here are the top five swim schools in San Diego according to Yelp! reviews: 

Sunsational Swim School – Private Swim Lessons

https://www.sunsationalswimschool.com/swimming-lessons/San-Diego-CA

Noonan Family Swim School
https://noonanfamilyswim.com/

Alli Jo’s Swim School
https://www.allijosswimschool.com/

AquaSafe Swimming – San Diego
http://aquasafeswimming.com/wordpress1/

Swim2John
https://swim2john.com/

Let’s face it, summer at home last year sucked. It’s time to make up for lost time and get out there! Nothing gets you out like an awesome summer road trip with the whole family. For us, the best part of a road trip are the unique roadside attractions that you’ll see along the way. Here are a few of our favorites: 

Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, Ca

Is this the most haunted spot in the United States? Some think so. The Winchester Mystery House was all built under the guidance of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester. She believed that the ghosts of those killed by the guns her husband made were haunting her. So to confuse those ghosts she built this house with stairs to nowhere and doors that opened to a brick wall. Even if ghosts aren’t your thing, you’ll be fascinated by the architecture of this unique home. 

Welcome to the Winchester Mystery House®

Peggy Sue’s Diner – Yermo, Ca

We’re all familiar with the road to Las Vegas, so of course we must start there. Since I was a kid we always made sure to stop at Peggy Sue’s for some food and to wander their amazing gift shop. It’s your basic diner food but the staff really ads the magic to this place. I’ve spent hours playing the triangle peg game that is at every table. 

Peggy Sue’s Diner

Terrible’s Roadhouse – Jean, Nevada

One more Last Vegas attraction because we can’t not talk about this. Everyone talks about Eddie’s World on the 15 (which is great), but for us Terrible’s is the best gas station beats it. It’s MASSIVE with a ton of food perfect for the car including a White Castle! Plus, the bathrooms there might be the cleanest ones you will ever be in. Last time I was there I spent an hour just exploring all it has to offer. Once you are done there, don’t head back on the freeway! Take Las Vegas BLVD from there so you can visit the Seven Magic Mountains. 

Terrible’s Roadhouse

The World’s Only Corn Palace – Mitchell, South Dakota 

This is probably my favorite roadside attraction on this list because it is so random. Built in 1892, this building is completely covered in REAL corn. Inside, you can find themed murals made entirely out of corn that are changed out every year. The best part – it is totally FREE! That’s right, you can take a guided tour of this attraction all for free. If you are headed across the country this is a must see. 

The World’s Only Corn Palace

Wall Drug Store – Wall, South Dakota 

​It’s hard to miss Wall Drug in South Dakota as the signs for this attraction are everywhere. Seriously. There are signs for Wall Drug in Morocco, London and more places across the globe. The spot gained popularity in the 30s as a place you could get free ice water, which really came in handy on a long dusty road. Now the spot is so big it includes a massive gift shop, restaurant and even some animatronics. 

Wall Drug Store

The Hole N” The Rock – Moah, Utah

Sometimes the name says it all. This is literally a whole in the rock along US Highway 191. This started as a home that was built into a massive red rock and expanded to a gift shop, petting zoo and much more! 

The Hole “N The Rock

Marsh’s Free Museum – Long Beach, Washington

If you are into oddities and unique collections, than Marsh’s Free Museum is a must-see for you. They have everything from seashells, two-headed calves, tapeworms and antique baseball games. But their claim to fame is being the final resting place of Jake the Alligator Man. This creature was a big feature of Weekly World News as a half-man/half-alligator. You can learn all about Jake’s strange history and see his mummified body at the museum… if you dare! 

Marsh’s Free Museum

The Leaning Tower of Niles – Niles, Illinois

So you might not make it to Italy this year, how about the next best thing? The Leaning Tower of Niles is a half-scale replica of the famous tower in Pisa. Just like it’s famous counterpart, you can also take a cheesy picture of yourself holding up the tower here. 

https://www.vniles.com/883/Leaning-Tower-of-Niles 

World’s Largest Collection of Smallest Versions of Largest Things – Lucas, Kansas

Once again, the name of this museum tells you exactly what to expect and might be the ultimate roadside attraction. The museums creator, Erika Nelson, travels the country and takes pictures of unique attractions she sees along the way. She then uses those pictures to re-create tiny versions of those attractions. So if you can’t make it to the biggest ball of twine or the largest tea kettle, visit the World’s Largest Collection of Smallest Versions of Largest Things and it will be like you visited them all! 

worldslargestthings.com

By MySDMom Jessica

It’s summer time, which is the perfect time for road trips and family vacations. This would be the perfect time to recharge after a stressful pandemic. So am I refusing to schedule vacation time? Because vacations are not what they used to be anymore once you have kids.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, vacations were a time to rest and recharge from a stressful 40-60 hour work week. My job has me working very early hours and very long hours. While I love what I do, after months and months on end it gets very taxing. I loved vacation time because that was when I could finally catch up on sleep and reset so I could go back to work with a fresh mind. 

What I quickly have learned since having a kid that it is no longer the case. 

Let me start by saying that I love my child more than anything and treasure every single moment we have together. But he is also a LOT of work. That is okay, he is 2 (almost 3) and was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That means we spend most of our time with him running around trying to keep him somewhat settled and entertained. My amazing husband stays at home with him during the date while I’m at work and once I get home I takeover. Sometimes I can get a quick nap in while Walt is napping, but it is usually short and when you only get 5 hours of sleep at night it’s never enough. 

So what happens on vacation? More of the same thing. I might get a little more sleep but when Walt is awake I spend most of my time running around after him which ends up being even more exhausting. Between that organizing, packing and making everything goes smoothly while on vacation I end up even more tired than when I started. Add in the fact that I have one of those jobs (again not complaining) that take a lot of work to prepare to take a day off, makes it almost not worth it. 

I’ve talked to a couple other parents about this and they had the same feelings, especially when the child is younger. Now, we could leave Walt with someone for a couple nights, but we aren’t ready to do that yet. 

This is why I’m not in a rush to plan a vacation for this summer. I can’t be alone here right? 

Parents, do you dread vacations because they are a ton of work?