It’s been really warm here lately, signaling that summer is on the way. This means it’s time to change things a bit. There won’t be as many soups and stews on the menu but there will more grilling options and lighter fare.
So, I’m declaring Thursday night “grill night” and Friday will be kept kind of open with easy options. That’s because we might decide to have a picnic at a nearby park or bring food to the community pool. I need to leave room for spontaneity if you know what I mean. But I will keep Monday Mexican and Tuesday Italian.
Don’t forget to check out Org Junkie for more meal planning ideas.
Monthly Meal Plan
Monday: Fish Tacos with toppings (Tacos, Chicken Taquitos and Quesadillas)
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna (Spaghetti, Pasta with Roasted Veggies and Baked Ziti)
Wednesday: Kids Choice
Thursday: Grill — Teriyaki Chicken with Stir Fry Vegetables (Grilled Salmon, Turkey Burgers and Black Bean Burgers)
Friday: Homemade Pizzas using new bread machine! (Greek chicken pitas, Salmon Cakes and Frittatas)
More From Cooking Light
What I found Bubbling Beneath My Son’s Technology Fixation
A few months ago, as a gift, my mom installed a Wii on our TV. Little D loved it, to say the least. At first, he wanted it all the time but his interest eventually waned. But in April, he got a Cars 2 game and the intensity of his requests grew, as did the tantrums when he couldn’t get it. I knew we had to change things when halfway through a play date, Little D came to me begging for Wii or to use my phone. I told him not now and to go play. Luckily I was at my friend Kelly’s house and she knows a thing or two about parenting.
Her: Can I tell you something you probably can’t see right now?
Me: Yes (I think).
Her: He’s feeling out of control and looking for you for help.
Me: Well, I’m telling him no.
Her: How long has it been since he started at his new school? About two months?
Me: Yeah, about that (Little D started a new preschool in March).
Her: That’s about the time it takes for change to really set in. He’s probably having a hard time dealing with it and needs to get his emotions out. He could be using games as a way not to deal with it and that’s why you need to be firm with your limits.
We talked a bit more and what she said made an impression on me. When I got home I told him we were taking a break from technology for the weekend. We went back in his room and he started to cry, rambling on that it wasn’t fair. I was firm and made sure he knew he would get it again but we needed a break. I held him and he cried more. When it settled down, I left to do something and he came back crying more. I asked him how he’s doing with his new school, with a cracked voice from crying he said: “I miss my old friends.”
My heart ached and I held him while he cried some more.
The same way some kids find food more rewarding than others, my son probably is drawn to technology more than the average kid (I could write another post on his advanced techniques). And in the same way structured meals helps kids manage food and hunger, structure with technology use should help too. It keeps kids from using it in ways that aren’t helpful to their health and well being.
When Monday came, my husband and I decided to let him have “tech time” of his choice for one hour after he gets home from school. So far, this has worked very well and I know staying consistent will be the key to our success.
For a while there, I was feeling like technology controlled us and now I feel like we are in control of the technology. That’s because, with help from a friend, I asked the question that I will keep asking from now on.
Is it really about X (insert problematic behavior), or is there something else going on?
Links
On WebMD, I discuss why if something is good for us, more isn’t necessarily better.
With help from some dietetic colleagues, I list out 10 salad dressing recipes with 5 ingredients or less. Lots of great ideas to try.
I love this post from Katie Morford, dispelling myths of the perfect mother when it comes to food.
This wonderful post over at the Kitchen shows that most of us get feeding right even when we feel like we fall short. An inspirational read for those of us with young children.
KJ Antonia over at NY Times Motherlode defends chocolate milk in this post.
Not sure you should sneak veggies? Here’s perspective from Elisa Zied and various nutrition experts over at parents.com and Jill Castle provides her take over at Bundoo.com.
Don’t miss this Open Letter to Dr. Oz on Intuitive Mama.
Well, that’s it for now, have a great rest of the week!
For more easy recipes and tips on how to meal plan for a family, check out Maryann’s book The Family Dinner Solution: How to Create a Rotation of Dinner Meals Your Family Will Love
Wow great post, really fascinating and insightful on so many levels! My 5 year old got shots yesterday and it’s made her super grouchy- it’s amazing how one thing can translate into so many other problems. Obviously in this case I know what’s bugging her but I only wish the “thing it’s really about” was always so obvious! Interesting too how kids all instinctually have their own go-to things that make them feel better. Sometimes it’s healthy, sometimes not so much. Like you said, setting limits and expectations are a great way to manage some of them, from food to technology.
Thanks Megan. I’m pretty good at figuring it out with my daughter but it hadn’t occurred to me that this was going on with Little D. Each kids handles themselves differently and he’s also less verbal. He’s been handling the new routines pretty well but yesterday started to meltdown in the morning. This time I let him cry and sat with him again. And once he started talking school came up. So I guess I’m approaching it differently now — letting him get it out and be there to talk to him.
Awesome article Maryann!!! xoxo
Thanks girl!!