So, in the past I was totally that mom who went all out, whether it was Christmas parties, decorations, even presents. I wanted to give my kids everything they asked for. Now when it came down to it not a very realistic plan on my part. Would always spend way too much on things that would be played with or worn for about five minutes. When it comes to presents you have to ask yourself, do they really need it? Are they going to use it? Are they going to clean it up or will that be the billionth Lego you’ve stepped on in?

This is where the mindset comes in, if the answer is yes, to any of those then chances are they probably don’t need it. This Christmas we are going simple all the way, no more crazy toys that interest them for five minutes then just get thrown into the toy box. We are taking on the “snowman” approach. With this kept in mind everyone will get the same items and it will be stuff that they need and will use. Bottom half of his body is ONE big present of choice, toy, bike, whatever you choose. Middle half is going to be clothes, lets be real they always need clothes. The head is snacks and Christmas treats, and a card that can be hung around the neck will hold either money or a gift card of choice.

Going off of the snowman mindset, we are also setting a budget per child to kind of help us stay on track as well. This is about giving to them but also about keeping us on track as far as our budget goes. Go with what works for you, I have set a limit of $100 per child. Now that doesn’t mean I will spend the full amount; however, it leaves options open. We are looking to make memories this year instead of counting gifts.

When all else fails with gift giving, just remember to try and get them something they to want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, something to share, something for hair, something sweet and something for their feet.

You could choose to go all out, but I promise it’s the little things that matter always. So, when it comes down to it, don’t think so hard about giving presents. Just be present!

-Ms. Brittani
Lead Preschool Teacher
Wellness Coordinator

I know there are lots of women out there like me who do not have the means (or the want) to stay home for long periods of time with their new baby. It’s not to say that your baby isn’t your world, but you still want an identity outside of being “mom” 24/7. You have a career that you love and that is okay!

Now the question is where will your little prized possession be going while you are at work? You decide that a childcare setting will be best for your family, so now you must find the right fit.

So, you found the place and you have your list of questions and you have toured infant rooms. How comfortable are you feeling at this point? Even though your logical brain is telling you that this is a safe environment, your heart may still be having loud whispers of “NO”. It doesn’t mean that the place is bad at all. But since you have become a mom all your spidey-senses are tingling all the time, and about things you never thought twice about before. I personally have become more of a germaphobe. I get the “stranger germ danger” feelings when we are outside of our own home. For me cleanliness was at the top of my list besides safety for finding the right childcare.

I work in childcare, and I am comfortable with how things are run in our building and what to expect in each classroom. Now as a parent I have that “uggghh” feeling of leaving my baby in the care of others (and I know these women, and I know most of them pretty well). I can only imagine how strangers off the street feel about leaving their new baby. It’s less about a trust issue for me, and more about my baby just not being in MY arms. I even get this overwhelming feeling to take my daughter out of family members hands if they have been holding her for too long in my opinion. I just want to be touching her and be able to smell her good baby smell. Having a baby really brings out your primal instincts that you did not know you had.

Over the last few months you and your baby have created a routine with one another from scratch. Because in the beginning neither one of you had a clue what you were doing. Now you have come to expect certain things and giving up that power to others is going to be an adjustment for the both of you. No one is going to do things the way that you do it. And it is going to drive you crazy in the beginning; giving up that control.

I personally was having anxiety over just coming back to work myself and how things were going to never be the same as before. And the fact that since my daughter was born, I had never been away from her for more than like an hour at a time. We have basically been fused together since conception until now. Getting ready for work is a whole new ball game. I am someone who has always favored sleep over getting up early. I now have no choice; I have to get another human being ready for “work” too. Again, changing my routines permanently.

The first day my daughter came to work with me I thought I would feel better having her so close. In all I honesty I ended up feeling more anxious because she was now so close, but I couldn’t go see her whenever I wanted. Everyone else was spending time with her and giving me updates. I know they had good intentions, but it stings a mommy’s heart a little. If you are not as fortunate to work where your baby will be, then you’re going to have to have some tough skin to keep going.

You’re never going to love giving your baby up to others each day, but it does get easier. With each day you and baby are learning another new routine, and it works out. Finding the right childcare setting for you is the most important, or you are not going to stay. You have to be willing to get to know the teachers and let the teachers get to know your family. With a baby it is more than a drop off. More information needs to be shared more frequently. So, find the best fit for you and everything else will fall into place.

-Ms. Brooke
New Mama
Curriculum & Literacy Coordinator
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Kindness is the greatest gift any parent can teach their child(ren). One way to teach kindness is by volunteering. It is hard to find ways for kids volunteer because many places require background checks or work that is hard for a child to participate. Below are some ways in which your family can get involved.

In light of the holiday season, donating toys to children in need is a wonderful way for children to learn about charity. Toys for Tots is a Christmas project dedicated to making sure every child in our community receives a toy on Christmas morning. Last year alone over 18,000 children in the Pikes Peak Region were served. Explain to your child about the need then take them shopping so they can experience the joy of picking out a toy for someone less fortunate. If you know of a family in need you can request a toy a toy through their website. Toys can be donated at one of many donation sites. For a list of donation sites or to apply to become an official donation site, please visit Marine Toys

There are many people in our city without homes. The homeless need food and goods all year round, not just during the holidays. Many food pantries and shelters collect non-perishable goods such as canned goods (tuna, salmon, chicken, vegetables, fruit), boxed /bagged goods (potatoes, rice, pasta, oatmeal, cream of wheat), and seasonings, hygiene products (razors, tooth brushes, toothpaste, pads, tampons, deodorant), blankets, clothing, and so much more. Food and monetary donations, while always accepted, are not the only ways to give back. You can volunteer your time by sorting/organizing, preparing, or serving food. For a comprehensive list of food assistance programs and how you and your family can get involved, please visit https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/co-colorado\_springs

Did you know that the children’s hospital accepts donations of books, toys, crafts, games, and electronics? They are always in need of items, especially for adolescents, toddlers, and infants. Due to risk of infection, the hospital only accepts new products in original packaging. They also cannot accept plants, latex balloons, and food products including candy. Your family can organize a drive to collect items in which to donate. The link provided gives a complete wishlist and most needed items for four Colorado Springs Children’s Hospital locations. https://www.childrenscolorado.org/…/donate-vo…/wish-list.pdf

Your family can also give back to your friends. A fun and exciting way is to host a slumber party or game night for your child’s friends. The kids get a night of fun while their parents receive a much needed date night. While it is not the same as volunteering/donating to local charities, it is still a great way to give back.

Another way that your family can give back to the community is by picking up trash. Take an hour or two on a weekend once a month, or more often depending on your family’s schedule to clean as a family. This is some quality time with the kids as well as a way to help keep our beautiful city clean. Please take precautions though. Wear gloves, weather appropriate attire, sunscreen, and keep your kids at a safe distance from you.

While there are many more ways for you and your family to give back to your community, these are some great ways to spend time as a family. Enjoy your time together.

-Ms. Blair
Wellness Coordinator
Lead Preschool Teacher

Can you imagine cooking with your children in the kitchen? Flour everywhere, multiple dirty dishes and bumping into each other making a twenty-minute recipe take forty-five minutes or more. Is it worth it? Simply put…YES.

Having your children help in the kitchen builds amazing memories and helps build on multiple skills your child needs. Cooking is an adventure of the senses that explores math, science and self- help skills. I loved having my son help me in the kitchen. When he grew up and was on his own, he called me from the dorms of the military to express his surprise at how many in the dorms couldn’t make a simple meal for themselves. Being able to rely on yourself is s huge self-esteem boost. Being able to cook is huge opportunity for independence.

Academic skills play a big part of cooking. Introducing measuring tools such as measuring cups and spoons encourage learning about cups, ounces, teaspoons and tablespoons. Children can learn about fractions when halving or doubling recipes. Yes, even preschoolers. Mixing water with flour and seeing two different substances change is science. Discovering what happens to an egg when you whisk it can be absolutely fascinating to a child. No funnier way to then science! Working with a recipe and following the directions is a great literacy activity. Even if they can’t read the recipe, they are learning to associate actions to the written word. They learn that reading is meaningful beyond bedtime stories. One thing I have learned about cooking with children is how much better the eat (including your picky eaters) when they have spent time preparing the food. They get to see it, smell it and have ownership in what they are eating.

Cooking with children can be a very rewarding experience. Check out this web site to help you get started https://kidshealth.org › parents › cooking-preschool.
Try this simple recipe of an all-time favorite.

Three-Cheese Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 8 slices sourdough bread
• 4 slices cheddar cheese (about 3 ounces)
• 4 slices Swiss cheese (about 3 ounces)
• 4 slices American cheese (about 3 ounces)

Directions

Spread the butter on one side of each bread slice. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Put 2 bread slices in the skillet, buttered side down. Layer a slice each of cheddar, Swiss and American cheese on each piece of bread, then cover with another bread slice, buttered side up.
Cook, pressing the sandwiches occasionally with a spatula, until the cheese melts and the bread is golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat to make 2 more sandwiches. Slice each sandwich diagonally in half, then return to the hot pan, cut side down, to create a crust on the cheese.
Check for more recipes at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking-with-kids

Happy cooking!
-Ms. Dotty
NAEYC Coordinator
Lead Pre-Kindergarten teacher

As parents we always want to do for our children and others, holding their needs above our own at times. Making time for that parent teacher conference and PTO meeting. Meeting the requirement for volunteer hours at your child’s school. Going grocery shopping, making sure the laundry gets done and the house stays clean. Doing everything in your power to be the best mom or dad, sometimes both for your child. Yes, making sure their needs are met is what should be done. But what about your needs, lets walk through this and ask yourself some questions.

• Are your needs being met?
• Do you feel tired and run down?
• Do you feel like you never have enough time to complete tasks or feel that it is not being met to full potential?
• Do you wish you had just five minutes to yourself?

If you find yourself answering yes to any of the above, chances are you are not taking time for yourself. Though our may goal will always be our children and work first. You still need time to yourself, otherwise you will become rundown, have loss of energy and often times may come down with a cold.

Setting time aside for yourself should be a weekly goal, sit back with a book and a glass of wine, take a weekly exercise class, watch your favorite show or even just take a nap. Start out small and build it up, make it twice a week instead of once. Start by planning your week out, list any activities that you would normally do in a weeks’ time. Set aside two days for work, two days for children’s activities, two days for family time and a day for yourself. Now even the best laid plans can need to be changed so no worries, switch a family day for a workday if it works better during that particular week, the main goal is to meet your emotional and mental needs.

Now that you have the schedule part figured out find ways to fill your time. It does not have to be the same activity weekly maybe one week you go to get nails down, while another you go shopping by yourself. You may not think it but going shopping without little people throwing everything in sight into the cart can be mentally fulfilling, you may even stick to your shopping list. Take a bubble bath, start a hobby, journal, writing down your thoughts can help in so many ways, even clear your brain fog.

Taking just twenty minutes for yourself a week can help you de-stress, sleep better, and all around just feel better. The day to day things will still be there the next day that will never change. Taking care of yourself so that your there for the people that matter the most to you, now that’s priority. Attached you will find a 30 day self-care challenge, I challenge each of you to do this for yourself , the results at the end of the month will be worth it!

-Ms. Brittani
Lead Preschool Teacher
Health & Wellness Coordinator