Stay Positive in Parenting with these Busted Cards

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Parenting is a massive undertaking.  It is a responsibility that we should and do take very seriously.  We are charged with raising these little people into strong, self-assured, and capable adults.  This is not always easy and often we get so caught up in teaching them the rules and keeping them safe that we forget deliberate praise.

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It is important, though, and can do wonders for the entire dynamic of a parent-child relationship.  When you use positive reinforcement it solidifies their desire to continue the desired behavior and also helps you to stay positive as a parent.  When you are seeking out the good in addition to it occurring more frequently, you will also notice it more often.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

This all makes sense in theory but imagine now that your kids have been fighting since breakfast, you were late getting the eldest to school, and nap time was an uphill battle in the afternoon with the babies.  You are stressed, cranky, and by dinner you are ready to snap.  It is a lot harder to remember the importance of positive reinforcement when you’re ready to tear your hair out.  At least it is for me.

I needed something to help me on those really tough days and you likely do too.  After a lot of brainstorming (and trial and error) I was finally able to come up with a solution that I hope will help you and your family as well:  Busted Cards.  These are a simple concept that you can utilize in your everyday life.

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Materials

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Step 1

Print out these free Busted cards on a sheet of cardstock and cut them out.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Step 2

Write each of your children’s names on a card.

[bctt tweet=”Stay #PositiveinParenting with these! “]

Step 3

When you “bust” them doing something good, punch out one of the holes.

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

Bonus Tips:

  1. Keep the cards and hole punch in a clear, re-sealable bag.  When at home, hold it to your fridge with a magnetic clip.  Toss the bag into your purse or diaper bag when on the go.
  2. Each card should last about a week if you try to “bust” your kids 2-4 times a day (which I recommend for it to effectively help you become more positive in your parenting).
  3. Stick with it.  If the end of the day is getting close and you still haven’t punched any holes, don’t give up.  Try to find even small praises for your kids:– Thank you for keeping your elbows off of the table during dinner.– You were so patient while I put your little sister to bed before we read our book.– I love that you came in right away when I told you it was time to stop playing outside.
  4. If you would like to provide extra incentive for your kids, get some small toys and tell them that they get to pick on when they fill up their card.  (You don’t have to tell them it should fill up weekly since that part is more to help you be a positive parent than it is for them to behave better.)

 

This simple idea can help you stay positive in parenting even on days when you're ready to scream.

How do you stay positive in parenting?  I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!

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Freezer Chicken Pot Pie Minis

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Freezer meals are a great way to save time at dinner!  In this house, they are absolutely a staple.  If you think that it takes a long time to prepare freezer meals, allow me to help convert you.  With easy recipes like these chicken pot pie minis, you’ll have a freezer full of quick meals in no time.

These chicken pot pie minis are delicious fresh out of the oven or as a quick freezer meal for later!

Ingredients

These chicken pot pie minis are delicious fresh out of the oven or as a quick freezer meal for later!

Step 1

In a large pot, melt butter and sauté onions over medium heat until onions are translucent.

Step 2

Stir in flour.

Tip:

  • The mixture should be very sticky and dough-like.

These chicken pot pie minis are delicious fresh out of the oven or as a quick freezer meal for later!

Step 3

Add in milk all at once.  Simmer over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken.

**In case you’re curious, steps 1-3 are considered making a roux.  Just a little fun jargon for you, but don’t worry, there won’t be a test.

Step 4

While sauce is cooking, chop up your chicken breasts into small pieces.

Step 5

Add chicken, corn, and edamame to sauce and reduce heat.  Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Prepare your pie crusts by cutting out circles and placing in your muffin tins.

Tip:

  • If you don’t have a circle cookie cutter (or just couldn’t find it, like me) a cup will also work. 
  • You want to be sure that your circles are slightly larger than the opening of your muffin tins.  Just think about the overlap on a regular sized pie pan.

Step 7

Fill each crust until it is just slightly below the rim with your chicken and sauce mixture.

Tip:

  • The mixture will bubble up when baking so be sure not to overfill your crusts.

Step 8

After each crust is filled, cut additional circles out of your remaining pie crust and place on top of each pie.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until crust is lightly browned.

Allow to cool before serving and then dig in.

These chicken pot pie minis are delicious fresh out of the oven or as a quick freezer meal for later!

To Freeze

Allow pot pies to cool completely.  Remove from tins and place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.  To reheat, remove desired amount of pies and place on a flat baking sheet.  Bake at 250 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

These chicken pot pie minis are delicious fresh out of the oven or as a quick freezer meal for later!

Check back next week for more incredible bagged chicken recipes!

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Easy DIY Curtains

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If you work from home or do a lot of DIY projects, you know how important an office can be.  If you don’t have one (been there, done that) then the importance is highlighted even more.  I have recently been working on creating a joint office and crafting space and I’m finally getting around to the fun stuff like decorating.  The most recent project?  These super easy DIY curtains.

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Materials (And Tools)

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Step 1

Measure your window to determine how much fabric you need.

Tips:

  • Hang your curtain rod first.  You want it to be placed above the window at least a few inches and you want it to extend past the window on either side.  When you measure, do so from the curtain rod.  Also remember that you will want them to hang past your window as well.
  • When measuring the width, don’t just divide the total in half and add in an inch or two for hems.  You want some overlap once they are hung.  Add at least 4-6 extra inches to each panel to facilitate this.
  • When measuring length remember to add enough extra length to not only create hems but also the channel for the rod to go through.

[bctt tweet=”Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy #DIYcurtains!”]

Step 2

Measure and cut out your fabric based on the above measurements.

Tips:

  • The old adage holds true for this to ‘measure twice, cut once.’
  • To achieve a semi-blackout curtain without the extra work, use a heavyweight outdoor fabric.  They come in a myriad of styles and patterns to fit your décor.

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Step 3

Create hems on the long edges of your panels and secure with pins.

Tip:

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Step 4

Sew each pinned hem.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the top and bottom of the panels.

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Step 5

Create the channel for your curtain rod to slide through by essentially creating a second, extra-large hem at the top of each panel.  When you set it, be sure there is at least a 3-inch gap, bigger if your curtain rod is especially large.

Brighten up your room in as little as 10 minutes with these easy DIY curtains!

Now just hang your panels and enjoy!  You can have stylish new curtains in as little as 10 minutes!

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