toddler

Energize Your Days: 5 Essential Tips for Keeping Up with Your Toddler

Energize Your Days: 5 Essential Tips for Keeping Up with Your Toddler
Caring for a toddler is a joyful yet demanding task. As a young mom, maintaining your energy while keeping up with your little one can feel overwhelming. Here are five essential tips to help you boost your energy levels (without caffeine!) and effectively engage with your toddler throughout the day.

1. Create an Engaging Play Environment with Fun Activities

Design a safe, stimulating play area that encourages independent play while incorporating enjoyable activities:
  • Toddler-Friendly Zone: Set up a designated space filled with age-appropriate toys and activities that spark curiosity.
  • Rotate Toys: Regularly change out toys to keep your child interested and engaged for longer periods.
  • Low-Impact Activities: Engage in activities like reading stories or doing simple arts and crafts projects while seated comfortably. This fosters bonding and learning without exhausting you.

2. Focus on High-Protein Nutrition for Sustained Energy

A balanced, protein-rich diet is crucial for maintaining high energy levels:
  • Prioritize Protein: Incorporate high-protein snacks and meals throughout the day. Options like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and nut butter provide sustained energy.
  • Nutrient-Dense Drinks: Consider adding the red juice from the 11 Day Jumpstart to your routine. This drink is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Meal Prep: Prepare protein-packed meals in advance, such as chicken or egg or oat meals & snacks, ensuring you always have nutritious options ready.

3. Stay Hydrated for Optimal Performance

Proper hydration is essential for maintaining energy levels:
  • Keep Water Accessible: Always have a water bottle nearby to remind yourself to drink throughout the day.
  • Flavor Your Water: Add fruits like lemon or berries or cucumber to your water for taste and extra nutrients.
  • Protein Shakes: protein shakes can be a delicious way to increase protein intake while satisfying cravings. I personally like this one.

4. Involve Your Toddler in Daily Tasks

Transform routine chores into fun, engaging activities for your toddler:
  • Collaborative Cooking: Make meal preparation a joint effort by assigning simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring batter.
  • Cleaning Games: Turn cleaning into a game with timed pick-up challenges or sorting activities. This keeps your toddler occupied while teaching valuable life skills.
  • Check out this book for more ideas on how to involve your toddler in daily life tasks!

5. Prioritize Sleep for Better Energy Management

Getting enough rest is vital for maintaining energy levels:
  • Establish a Sleep Routine: Aim to go to bed at the same time each night and create a calming bedtime routine that helps you unwind.
  • Nap When Possible: If your toddler naps during the day, take advantage of that time to rest or catch up on sleep.
  • Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for babysitting help so you can enjoy some much-needed downtime.
  • Need more sleep ideas? Check out 11 Tips for Better Sleep without Side Effects
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your energy levels while keeping up with your toddler. Remember to listen to your body, take breaks when needed, and cherish this special time with your little one! These tips not only enhance your daily routine but also create memorable experiences that benefit both you and your child.

5 Easy Christian Songs for Parents to Sing with Young Kids: Building Faith Through Music

5 Easy Christian Songs for Parents to Sing with Young Kids: Building Faith Through Music
Singing together is a powerful way for Christian parents to bond with their children and instill important values. These five simple yet meaningful songs are perfect for family worship time, bedtime routines, or impromptu praise sessions. Let's explore how these tunes can help nurture your child's faith and create lasting memories.

1. Jesus Loves Me

This timeless classic is often one of the first songs children learn in Sunday school. Its simple lyrics convey a profound truth about God's love.
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Lyrics:
"Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me (x3)
The Bible tells me so."
Actions: Point to yourself when singing "me" and open your arms wide for "loves."

2. This Little Light of Mine

This upbeat song encourages children to share their faith boldly. Its catchy melody makes it easy for kids to remember and sing along
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.Lyrics:
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine"
Actions: Hold up a finger as your "light" and pretend to shine it around the room.

3. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

This traditional African-American spiritual teaches children about God's sovereignty over all creation. Its repetitive structure makes it easy for young ones to learn.
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Lyrics:
"He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole wide world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands"
Actions: Use hand gestures to mimic holding the world, pointing to different groups mentioned in the song.

4. I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart

This lively tune helps children express the happiness that comes from knowing Jesus. Its upbeat rhythm makes it fun to sing and dance to.
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Lyrics:
"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart, down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay"
Actions: Clap hands or stomp feet on each "joy" to add energy and excitement.

5. The Doxology

This short hymn of praise teaches children to express gratitude to God. Its brevity makes it easy to learn and perfect for ending family devotional times. You can find it in the Gospel Story Hymnal!

Lyrics:
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen"
Actions: Encourage your kids to raise their hands in praise during "Amen" for an uplifting experience.


Incorporating these songs into your family's routine can help strengthen your children's faith and create joyful memories. Remember, the key is consistency and enthusiasm. Even if you're not a skilled singer, your children will appreciate the effort and love behind these musical moments.

For more ideas on Christian songs and activities for children, check out the Classical Collective Facebook group. This community of like-minded parents often shares valuable resources and ideas for nurturing faith in young ones through music, purposeful parenting, and more. By making praise and worship a regular part of your family life, you're laying a strong foundation for your children's spiritual growth. So gather your little ones, lift your voices, and let the melodies of faith fill your home!


This is my health story

 

I have always been sensitive. That's a word that has described me, my body in particular, my whole life. I have skin sensitivities to fabrics, bruise easily, I get cold easily, I tend to be on "alert" all of the time (no coffee needed here!), I'm a musician and very creative, and I don't even THINK about using any conventional personal care or other products that are scented... they bother my skin, and they bother my respiratory system too. I've never been able to use any scented products because of the discomfort and increased sensitivity they cause. I can't be around people who wear perfume or scented deodorant, because I can't breathe well and my head has discomfort. I can't go into a public bathroom that has been just cleaned because of the toxic chemicals they used to clean it. I can't enjoy candles or most lotions or makeup like most women I know because I'm sensitive to it.

During my first semester of college, I started to develop debilitating discomfort in my jaw, which I was later told is TMJD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, not just the kind of little twinge when you bite down on something too hard, but long-lasting aching, along with clicking and cracking. It was exacerbated by singing, gum-chewing, caffeine, and other things, and I was easily able to cut out all of the things listed on my doctor's list except for one -- singing. I was a vocal music education major, and singing was my livelihood (or at least soon-to-be), so I couldn't just not practice! I struggled so hard for 2.5 years through long choir rehearsals, voice lessons, practice sessions, and more. By the end of the day, it would be so bad that I'd almost be in tears. My roommates and boyfriend (and his roommates!), bless their servant hearts, would bring me freezing cold ice packs to numb my face enough so that I could fall asleep at least, though I would wake up in the night unable to fall back asleep due to other sleep issues I also was dealing with.

It seemed like a vicious cycle that I needed to stop. Maybe I needed to change majors and give up my dream of making music, of teaching others to make music too. Maybe I needed to pick something that didn't require so much singing and talking. Even smiling a lot bothered me, so maybe I needed to pick a major or job with less human interaction. But THAT idea broke my heart. I didn't enjoy any of the things I could think of! My boyfriend at the time (now husband!) and I had many conversations about what I should do... singing was part of the fabric of my BEING. I am MADE to sing. If you know me, you know that hardly an hour went by without me humming or singing some little tune. But my jaw bothered me so much most of the time that I needed to change SOMETHING. But what?

And that's when change came...

I found some natural and pretty simple solutions -- though simple doesn't always mean easy! It required a LOT of discipline and self-control on my part.

I'm blessed now to have so many versatile tools in my tool box for any emotion, body system, or issue I may be experiencing. So, where am I now? Healthier than I’ve EVER been. I have NO jaw issues anymore when I keep up my self-created protocol. I sleep through the night. I feel so much better now that I'm sleeping more and deeper. I've spent 4 years now working through the emotional issues I faced in early career, and I am so happy that I can now FEEL emotions without feeling completely run-over and frozen by emotions. I’m also happy to say that I have only had little illnesses since finding solutions, not the constant strep throat and other illnesses I was getting at least once per month before! And, that’s saying a lot as I was constantly around germs while working full time with 500+ elementary students. But once I started supporting my immune system, I stopped getting sick every couple of weeks. I can clean with the most amazing smelling cleaner without coughing. I can wear my own homemade "perfume" and get compliments, and not only does it smell good, it supports my body systems. I can use amazing smelling shampoo now! I can have twice as much energy for the day without drinking any coffee or sugary drink. When I started having these successes, I was at first in disbelief, and now in awe at all that God's created, I believe, and given us for our good. Now these are my first line of defense, my go-tos, the first thing I do when something is off, which is not very often anymore (usually just when the weather changes, ah MN life).


I look forward to living a beautiful life of freedom and feeling empowered every single day, enjoying the life I was meant to live. That life includes sharing my story of overcoming and helping you also find better, safer solutions to overcome your daily struggles.

Are you ready to live empowered to be your own best advocate? Let's chat.

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