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Canning - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/canning.html
Canning has turned into one of my more recent endeavors. I learned from a friend last fall, and have been preserving like crazy ever since! Canning gives me a sense of fulfillment. There's just something about your kitchen smelling amazing, looking at the pretty jars on your shelf (my laundry room is pictured above), and knowing that you "made" everything that your family will be eating. So if you're still thinking, "wow! How do I get started? Happy Canning, folks. The internet is abound with information...
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aFIRSTmom Toddler - Recipes
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/recipes.html
Enchilada Sauce for Canning. Enchiladas are one of my husband's favorite dishes that I make. These pseudo-homemade Mexican-inspired delicious babes have made their way into my regular dinner rotation. See my recipe for Clinton's Favorite Chinchillas here. From Around the House. Immersion Blender, Food Processor, Blender or Potato Masher. Large sauce pot or stock pot. Sieve or fine strainer. From the Store or Garden. Enough Tomatoes to fill your pot about 2/3 full. (I used Early Girl). 1/2 Cup Lime Juice.
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Education - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/education.html
A Choice to Teach. Some trending parenting techniques claim that the role of parents of babies and toddlers should not focus on education, but allow their children to freely explore the world without the pressures of any sort of schooling. Let me make it very clear: I am not one of these people. Photo Credit: Basel Alghanem. Educational Shows and DVDs. To say that we don't watch TV in our house would be a lie. But truth be told, it's not much or often. To that end, I'm not one of those moms who l...Ameri...
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Discipline - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/discipline.html
In our house, discipline is more than just punishing Lucas when he does something "wrong". To us, it's about teaching him to be responsible for his actions, and understanding that there are consequences AND rewards for the choices that we make. After years of daycare employment, and a lifetime of observation, I've found several things that worked for us, and many that didn't. The most important thing for a parent to remember during discipline is this: DON'T GIVE UP. Be consistent, be caring, set.
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aFIRSTmom Toddler - Blog
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/blog.html
The End of Your Rope. Two days ago, I took Lucas to preschool wearing dirty jeans (already worn twice! Before he was there, at my classroom door, holding the hand of his rather discouraged-looking Teacher. It was then I realized,. Today, I lost hold of that one tiny string at the end of my rope, when my son's Tuesday/Thursday pre-school teacher said, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Bolinger, can you stay after today to discuss Lucas' behavior? Why I Look so Tired. Wow, you look REALLY tired.". Give Give. Give.
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Diapers & Potties - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/diapers--potties.html
My husband, Clinton and I definitely took the road less traveled when it comes to diapering. When Lucas was 3 weeks old, we began using an awesome cloth and disposable hybrid system, gDiapers. Ever since, I have been a proud and faithful gMum. If you want to know more about getting started with gDiapers, you can head over to my aFIRSTmom Baby. Site and read what I have to say. About this awesome product. Add to your troubles a squirming, in dependent baby that just keeps yelling, "No, Momma! Working in t...
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To Go! - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/to-go.html
My husband, Clinton, and I aren't the kind of parents who send our kid to a sitter for every occasion. Granted, there are some times when either my parents or his parents will watch him for a few hours, but even after 16 months, I've never spent the night away from Lucas. I've found a way to streamline the amount of "stuff" we take when traveling, (this time out of necessity, not choice! I'm sure that this goes without saying, but kids need something to do when they travel. I'm not a huge fan of the ...
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Entertainment - aFIRSTmom Toddler
http://toddler.afirstmom.com/entertainment.html
Since I went the first 15 months of Lucas' life as a stay-at-home mom with no car (yes, you read that right, NO CAR), I learned (or made up! Quite a few creative ways to hold Lucas' interest within the confines of our tiny apartment. Very few of which involved television, spending money, or fancy things. Toys with a Purpose. Very few of Lucas' toys have batteries, flashing lights, or play music on their own. The bulk are made by Melissa and Doug. What's better than FREE? There's not a lot to do in and ar...