Emma's Children

I’m allergic to whining! Is your family dinnertime similar...

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:44:23 -0400

I’m allergic to whining! Is your family dinnertime similar to this? Try my tips to put an end to whining at the table. It should not be an accepted behavior.

Cheers to a nice family meal time where you can have conversation and enjoy each other’s company!

lindamatarasso: What’s for dinner? Now THIS looks like a...

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:31 -0400

lindamatarasso:

What’s for dinner?

Now THIS looks like a healthy dinner. FRESH wholesome foods.. from scratch! Check out your local Farmer’s Market. I love this time of year!!

officialjamieoliver: Thank you to Whole Foods and there...

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:34:26 -0400

officialjamieoliver:

Thank you to Whole Foods and there customers for fund raising for the Food Revolution Day projects all money raised goes to children’s education projects…..Thank You !….this year was bigger and better than ever ill give you all the stats this week big love :):) #jamie xx #frd2013 (at Thank you)

CONGRATULATIONS!

11 Tips for Parents Joining the Food Revolution

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:59:56 -0400

Need some tips for getting your kids on board with healthy foods?

1. Serve vegetables as an appetizer. While you set out the rest of dinner, keep hungry kids occupied with veggies. (I love carrot sticks and fresh cut bell pepper.) When you serve veggies before dinner, they’re more likely to be eaten.

2. Offer control. Picky eating is often about control, not taste. Offer two options (“Shall we have peas or broccoli trees with lunch?”) and give your child the power to choose one.

3. Remember tiny tummies. I often hear from parents concerned that their toddlers aren’t eating enough. But when they describe all the child ate that day, it’s really plenty of food. Children’s tummies are quite small — about the size of their clenched fist. What looks like a reasonable snack to grown-up eyes might be an overwhelming portion for little ones.

4. Never underestimate the power of a silly face. At snack time, try arranging cucumber slice eyes with a ranch dip smile and carrot teeth, or peanut butter eyes and a celery mouth on an apple slice head.

To make it a meal, add a bit more protein. “When my kids were really young,” Mary remembered with a laugh, “one of the silliest things was to do low-fat cottage cheese on lettuce and make faces with veggies.”

5. Make it interactive. Who says you shouldn’t play with your food? Steamed artichokes with lemon butter for dipping, roasted asparagus with a little cup of grated parmesan, lettuce wraps for stuffing with seasoned chicken or beans and veg — kids love interacting with their food! For bonus points, give each component a cool name — “trees with snow” will add a dash of giggles to a dish of broccoli with parmesan.

6. Delegate sous chef duties. At the market, have everyone pick out one fruit or veggie they’d like to have that evening. (“Only one each, not two,” you say, ensuring they’ll want at least one.) Then, let them add their chosen food to the pizza, soup, or salsa. When children are involved in the cooking, they’re much more likely to try the result.

7. Be a veggie pragmatist. As a busy mum herself, Mary is the first to acknowledge that it’s not always possible to browse the market with your children. When that happens, reach for frozen vegetables. “The nutrient profile on vegetables that are flash frozen are just as good,” she says, and frozen veggies are more forgiving of busy schedules and fickle toddler tastes.

8. Zucchini bread is not a vegetable. Quite a few recent books suggest ways to “sneak” fruit and veg into children’s meals. Boosting nutrition is all well and good, but it’s also important to teach children what things look and taste like in their natural state. Don’t just sneak a cheeky puree into the pizza sauce — tell them it’s there, and let them see how it’s prepared.

9. Grown-up food is kid food. As a child, I ate what my parents ate, and so did all the other kids I knew. Giving children bland, nutrition-poor “kid food” like macaroni or chicken nuggets is a recent phenomenon, and it does no one any good. Unless there are allergies involved, serve one meal for the family.

10. Don’t give up. Studies show that children have to try a food 10-15 times to like it, and I’ve certainly found that to be true. Encourage children to play with a new food, touch it, smell it, and above all taste it, but keep things lighthearted. Remember your child isn’t just being contrary — being suspicious of new food is an entirely reasonable instinct, especially for children.

11. The no-thank-you bite. If your child refuses outright to try new things, introduce a “no-thank-you bite” rule. With this rule, if a child doesn’t want to eat something, that’s fine — so long as she takes a small bite and says “no thank you.” If she still doesn’t like it, chalk it up to one of those 10-15 necessary new food exposures and move on.

I made this video in support of Jamie Oliver’s Food...

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:15:01 -0400

I made this video in support of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day! Try this simple and nutritious meal with your family for supper tonight.

Cooking this healthy chicken stir fry is a great opportunity to teach your children where our food comes from, how to easily prepare a healthy meal, and why it’s important to put good food in our bodies.

Enjoy! Xx Emma

I support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day - today May...

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:51:00 -0400

I support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day - today May 17th! - because I believe food education and cooking skills can help save lives!

I just love this. By Janice Gaspar, graphic designer...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:36:50 -0400

I just love this. By Janice Gaspar, graphic designer extraordinaire.

#PrayforBoston

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:23:16 -0400

mammalingo:

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston. If you should need it, Galley Cat put together a list of books to help discuss traumatic events with children.

You can find that list here.

I wrote an article for the Huffington Post and here I give you...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:51:00 -0400

I wrote an article for the Huffington Post and here I give you the scoop on point #3 - Being afraid of ‘No’! There are times you’ll need to say it and there are certainly times your kid will need to hear it. So let’s get busy, here are my top tips for an effective “No” !

Happy parenting!

I absolutely LOVE this! So funny. Nothing better than when a...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:46:00 -0400

I absolutely LOVE this! So funny. Nothing better than when a baby sleeps and all the crazy positions they get themselves into :)

I’ve been reading to children for years and have a few...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:26:30 -0400

I’ve been reading to children for years and have a few favorite authors. Topping my list is Todd Parr! He has published over 40 books, all of which are absolutely brilliant.

His books are simple yet empowering and kids love them. They will certainly remain a favorite on my book shelf.
Em x

Bugaboo teams with Andy Warhol

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:58:12 -0400

Bugaboo launched their Andy Warhol Collection today! This is one of Bugaboo’s special collections, like they’ve done in the past with Missoni and Viktor and Rolf.

Bugaboo is already known for being a celebrity must-have. Prams, strollers, and accessories cater to the elite and ultra chic mum. They come with a hefty price tag but the product you purchase really does live up to its expectations.

This new partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation is definitely one-of-a-kind when it comes to outfitting your baby with only the stylish of accessories.

The line hits the stores today, after the launch in NYC, and there will be a second installment coming out in fall. These specialty Warhol items can be added to an existing Bugaboo for about $100, depending on what wheels you own.

Overall: Authentically Warhol and totally modern for the hip parent. Love the mix of modern art with a classic style, like the pram.

Would you add this to your collection?

In my latest YouTube video, I discuss the negativity that...

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:57:00 -0400

In my latest YouTube video, I discuss the negativity that tabloids and entertainment magazines can bring upon pregnant celebrities. It’s so awful and cruel.

Kim Kardashian is getting slammed by media and body experts about her pregnancy weight gain. It’s a wonderful time in Kim’s life. She should just be able to enjoy her pregnancy. All that matters is that Kim and her baby are healthy.

All these people with nothing better to do than comment on Kim’s weight gain need to back off and leave her be! As my mum always said, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”!

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Congratulations Kim!!! Keep your head up, stay healthy & enjoy your journey!

Emma x

I was watching ABC’s ‘Nightline’ Wednesday...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:20:00 -0400

I was watching ABC’s ‘Nightline’ Wednesday evening and they did a segment on bulletproof clothing and backpacks for children.

Does this seem like a precaution we should be taking? Read more on my blog about this new trend.

My top tips for a fun and stress free playdate. You can find the...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:30:42 -0400

My top tips for a fun and stress free playdate. You can find the full article in the M magazine, but I wanted to give you the 6 main points. Follow my simple steps and your kids will be playing in no time and you’ll be sipping a nice cuppa tea!

Enjoy & happy playing, Emma x

Emma Jenner: A Letter to William & Kate

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:35:00 -0500

Emma Jenner: A Letter to William & Kate:

I contribute to the Huff Post ‘Parents’ blog and this is one of my articles.

Facts About Sleep

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:16:00 -0500

parentsmagazine: Find the answer.

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:02:04 -0400

parentsmagazine:

Find the answer.

Mompreneur to Entrepreneur

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:00:14 -0400

Mompreneur to Entrepreneur:

For all the moms working to fulfill their dreams, this article is a great way to put it all into perspective.

No doubt it’s tough balancing home life (chores, carpools, etc.) and a formal business but the rewards that come from this are infinite. Sure it’s intimidating, but think of the benefits.

Are you a mom with countless sleepless nights? Of course you are! Keep moving forward with your passions and your business will flourish.. with the right people and a motivated team to back you up.

Yoga Is Beneficial For Children Too!

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:33:13 -0400

Yoga Is Beneficial For Children Too!:

Bring your tot along to enjoy a calming, structured, strength-building yoga class. You’ll both find inner peace together!

If you’re a yoga veteran, why not try some poses at home with your child?

Did you know a practice like yoga can help your child build confidence and improve issues like ADD?