Everyone’s Talking
About a new study that shows poor eating habits prior to, and during pregnancy, can harm at least three generations of children.
Why do I care?
The thought of harming several generations of your family because of our own habits or due to indulging too much while pregnant is a bit overwhelming. We were curious too.
Tell me more.
According to a study coming out of Washington University in St. Louis, a woman’s health prior to pregnancy can have a lasting effect on her offspring for generations. If a woman is obese prior to getting pregnant, her future children can be affected because the mitochondrial DNA, which is said to control metabolic activity and other biochemical processes, is directly affected by her health and diet.
In the study, mice were fed an unhealthy diet prior to becoming pregnant and throughout pregnancy. The offspring were then fed a healthier diet but the pups, grand-pups and great grand-pups all struggled with their metabolism. As a result, the team conducting the study believes that human offspring of obese mothers will suffer the same predisposition.
That’s What She Said
Do you ever worry your kids are becoming materialistic? Are they consumed with possessions or unhappy with what they already have? It’s an easy trap to fall into because as parents we all love to make our kids happy, but at what cost?
Nina, of Sleeping Should Be Easy talks of how to avoid raising materialistic kids on her blog. She cites some great sources which talk of external factors that can play a role in a child’s life and lead to materialistic behaviors and unhappy behaviors, while also giving some useful suggestions for walking our kids through those emotions into more appreciative places. She suggests limiting the number of things we give our kids, filling their life with experiences rather than things, requiring our kids to earn their treats or wait for them, limit advertising, and encourage giving to balance out the receiving. We dig it.
Hack It Up
We’ve talked about road trippin’ before and how to keep your car organized. We’re at it again because going on the road with kids is a right of passage for the summer months, but, that also means a need for sanity savers so the kids don’t kill each other in the back seat while you’re on that desolate stretch of highway or stuck in a traffic jam. Here’s what we found for you:
- Kid Travel Binder – Create a travel binder for each kid if you’re going on an extra long road trip. This mom has a supply list, organization system and 150+ printables to choose from. Done deal.
- License Plate Game – classic game that can be played every time you get in the car. Print off multiple copies and play it whenever the kids get itchy for something to do and need to interact with the world around them.
- Road Trip Scavenger Hunt – Another great game for interacting as a family while on the road.
If you have a long road trip planned to Grandma’s house, find the scenic route using Alamo’s guides and make those stops educational or more fun.
Budget Lockdown
If you’re anything like us, you love all things Target. If you’re anything like us, you had no idea that one of their biggest toy sales was coming up in July. Well friends, get some of your early holiday shopping done, because according to one blogger, Kayla Aimee, this toy sale is an annual thing. Follow her advice and watch the website and ‘like’ the ‘All Things Target’ page on FB to get dates and of course, arrive early to the store to ensure the best selection. Happy shopping!
Act Like a Kid
Outdoor games are the best for this time of year. Take them with you to the beach, the park, or have them at the ready for your next barbecue. Passion for Savings has several featured in this post with giant jenga, a large kerplunk game, and hula hoop bubbles. Personally, we don’t want to forget the Corn hole game – what barbecue is complete without that? If you have a handy person with a saw, you can construct one of your own by using this tutorial. Or, just buy one that’s cool too. But, don’t forget the beanbags! That would be a party fail.
Parting Thought for the Day
“Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” – Mahatma Ghandi
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