Response to: “looking for ideas for a *complicated* Halloween handout 🎃”I followed a tradition my dad started when I was a kid. He would pull the grill out to the front yard and do hot dogs! Yes it took more work and sitting outside. It became a great tradition that all the neighbors would look forward to. We always had a huge group of parents hanging at our house while the kids trick or treated the houses on the street. Lots of friendships were created from this tradition. We also had friends that played Halloween movies projected on their garage and served hot chocolate! That was so fun!
Response to: “How do you get slime off the carpet?!”Oil will work on slime once you’ve got it all out you can use a spray can stain remover like shout to make sure all the oil is out of the carpet.
Response to: “How do make/find time for friendships while being a busy parent?”The best answer and hardest thing for me, is just putting yourself out there! When there’s a play date go up to the door and start a conversation. Volenteer for school and sports needs. Go to events in your neighborhood or be brave and throw one of your own with your own interests! As someone else here said I think it’s also important to show up for others! Try your hardest to support others. I know someone is going to be a supportive friend when I see them always showing up for others. Take your kids in tow if you have to or involve yourself mostly in your kids activities. Good luck Mama it can be so hard but good friends are worth the effort!
Response to: “Is there anything you've given up minimized or banned from your home to make the house run smoother?”It’s not for everyone but, video games! It has made a huge difference. I also had so much overwhelm when I went back to work full time and changed up our laundry system. I don’t fold anymore! It hangs up or has specific baskets. That was a game changer!
Response to: “What are some of your favorite birthday party favors?”I had a friend ask each child their favorite superhero when they delivered invitations. When they got to the party she had made them each a simple cape of the superhero they picked that they wore the whole party. We had that cape for a long time! A fun girl party idea we’ve done is a spa party. We gave them the gift bags when they got there and used everything in them for the activities. They had a fluffy headband. That everyone used after. A cute sheet face mask, peppermint foot soak and nail polish.
Response to: “Please share your favorite recipe to make with kids.”My kids are teenagers and their favorites are still make your own pizzas, and sheet pan nachos, where they each put their own toppings on a different section of the nachos on a sheet pan. I love that it’s also a sneaky family activity as well as making dinner on their own. Those things are kind of hard to orchestrate with teenagers these days!
Response to: “What’s your go-to dinner recipe when you need a quick, healthy meal?”Sheet pan meals! Their are so many options and you really can use whatever you have on hand. Our fave is chicken breasts in the middle. Frozen green beans one one side and baby red potatoes on the other. Put olive oil and ranch dry mix over the top and bake.