Ice Cream

Nothing says summer quite like ice cream. It can be licked, bitten, slurped through a straw, spooned and shoveled. It comes in many flavors. It is cold and refreshing on a hot day.

But there is something about ice cream and young children that can be confounding. How can a child eat only two bites and be done?

Researchers at Penn State University have a line of research I call the Mac-n-Cheese Study where they experimented with how young children clean their plates. They found that preschoolers typically eat about 1/3 of their food, or 186 calories, when given a one cup portion of macaroni and cheese. But, when given a two cup portion of the "comfort" food the kids ate about 1/2 of their food, or 258 calories.

The more food the adults put on the plate, the more the preschoolers ate.

Larger portions encourage overeating. Avoid portion distortion by placing too much food on their plates. Youngsters do not need membership in the clean-your-plate club. Kids may be done after a couple of bites.

Instead of encouraging eating all of their ice cream the next time I hear a child say they are full after a couple of licks… I will celebrate with song by singing my Dad’s favorite tune for the occasion:

I scream!

You scream!

We all scream for ICE CREAM!

The leftover ice cream can be saved in the freezer for another day.

Minions v. Woodstock

Summer movies are a fun way to beat the heat. Stealing the hearts of many this summer are the Minions. I could not help compare the jaundice colored creatures from the mastermind Pierre Coffin to the feathered one created by Charles M. Shultz.

Woodstock, Snoopy’s shrewd sidekick, warms my heart like no other. The Peanuts television specials of my childhood were my first introduction to Woodstock, his Beagle buddy, and the band of children. I loved reading the comic strip if I had any extra copies of the Seattle Times laying around after delivering the newspaper to customers on my paper route.

The Minions have many things in common with Woodstock. They are both petite and yellow. They both have a secret language that only their friends can understand. Both have a physical, slapstick humor. The Minions and Woodstock are indestructible. We want to root for these underdogs.

Although they are similar in many ways, their characteristics diverge in their pursuit of leadership. The denim overall clad creatures, with eyewear envy, are looking for a leader who is malicious. They find Scarlett Overkill. She fits the bill with her speech about how it feels good to be bad. She is the opposite of a positive role model for children. Sorry Sandra Bullock.

Then there is Woodstock who basically just wants a capable manager (birdager). Woodstock has a complicated relationship with Snoopy. But one thing is for sure. Woodstock and Snoopy are friends who are able to overlook shortcomings.

The Minions and Woodstock have a lot to teach our children about qualities we want in ourselves, friends, and leaders. The other thing I know for sure is that HAPPINESS IS… an air-conditioned movie theater, popcorn (half salt/half butter – thank you “Best in Show”), and a great story with interesting characters.

Moving with Little Ones

Many people would rather scrub toilets at their local gas station than move. It is no picnic moving with little ones. I moved households when my daughter was 3 months old, 29 months old, and again at 38 months old. Here are some things I learned to keep me from cleaning toilets at Shell.

1. Have FUN!

Depending on the child’s age, they might have a hard time watching you place their cherished belongings in a box. My toddler was confused when she saw me placing her toys in a box. It was helpful to explain in words/concepts the she could understand that her belongings would be meeting us at the new house. Talk to your child about where, why and when you are moving. Answer questions and facilitate communication about the move. Make moving fun by incorporating your child’s interests into the move. My child was really interested in stickers. She placed “her” stickers (e.g., stars, smiley faces, etc.) on the boxes. 

2. Be flexible with packing.

Finding the time, energy, resources, and conditions to pack all your belongings is extra challenging when you are also caring for children. It is not always possible to pack when your children are away, but ideal. I found it much easier to pack when my child was asleep or away from the house.

3. Help your child with saying “Good Bye.”

Closure is important not only for adults, but children too. Acknowledge your child’s feelings about moving. Is she scared, excited, nervous, happy, and or mad about the move? Having a closure activity or ceremony can help children say good bye. A going away picnic with her favorite treats is how my toddler spent her last day with friends.

4. Unpack treasured things.

Let your child unpack some of his or her boxes when you get to the new location. It will feel like a birthday or Christmastime when they unpack their familiar objects at their new home.

5. Resume familiar routines when you get to the new location.

Keep sleep and meal routines the same or similar when you move. Go to bed at the same time at night, and keep nap times predictable. Maintaining your child’s sleeping and eating routines can help with their ability to self-regulate. 

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