It’s been called the toughest job on earth. A short little moniker that comes with a mound of responsibility.

MOM

Sometimes we get so caught up in this wonderful role that we forget we have to make time for ourselves. Even when we don’t have the time (ESPECIALLY when we don’t have the time!)

So come to terms with the fact that you will always be busy and that your life is hectic then you’ll have no choice but to make the time.  Maybe it won’t be a whole day (although that’s great if you can manage it) but even if it’s 30 minutes or an hour here and there.

Take a little time to have a nice bath and read your favorite book or magazine.  Go for a walk or to the gym or even treat yourself to a little pampering at the spa.  Or even just sit back with a hot cup of coffee, some of your favorite treat and think. The possibilities are endless!

By taking a little time for yourself you will recharge your batteries and come back to your family refreshed. You will not be the only one to benefit.  Your partner and kids will benefit as well because you’ll feel better and just generally be more relaxed and happy.

A great tip to get that “mom time” is to schedule a few sessions on your calendar like you would any other important appointment. And when they come up, be sure you take them and do something just for you. No excuses.

The bottom line is that by making time for yourself you are not only ensuring you are happier and more satisfied with your life, but you’ll also be teaching your children the importance of taking care and valuing themselves.

And that’s a really important lesson.

Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to receive your free report, 51 Time Saving Tips for Moms.

Brushing your child’s teeth before bedtime is a good routine to get into. Most toddlers will think brushing their teeth is exciting if you use toothpaste and a toothbrush made specially for kids. My daughter loves to brush her teeth with her pink toothbrush and her Cinderella toothpaste.

Even though a toddler can’t brush their teeth properly on their own, it’s good to let them try anyway. What I do is brush my teeth and let my daughter brush hers at the same time. Then when I’m finished my own teeth, I brush hers to make sure we clean every tooth.

You can start the oral hygiene habits early by cleaning your baby’s gums, even before they cut their first tooth. Use a clean, wet washcloth and gently massage their gums every day. This is usually an enjoyable experience for your baby, especially if they are teething.

Once teeth start coming in, you can switch to a soft bristled toothbrush for babies and use a small amount of flouride toothpaste. Once baby gets older and back teeth start to appear, you can increase the toothpaste amount to a pea-sized drop. Always be careful that your child doesn’t swallow any toothpaste, even though it may taste like bubblegum!

Brushing your baby’s teeth is one way to prevent tooth decay. Another way to avoid tooth decay is to limit sweetened drinks like juice and soda and give your child water instead. Breast milk, formula and cow’s milk can also cause tooth decay if it is left in contact with teeth for a prolonged period of time. By not allowing your child to go to bed with a “night-time” bottle you’ll help prevent the milk from pooling in your child’s mouth and causing damage.

Once your child has reached 2 1/2 to 3 years of age, they can have their first visit to the dentist. Usually, the dentist will have a look at your child’s mouth and then provide you with additional information on how to care for your child’s teeth. After that, you can expect to help your child brush their teeth until they are around 6 years old when they can properly brush on their own. So you might as well get into the habit now!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas mashed
2/3 cups plain yogurt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate bowl mix butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and mashed bananas to butter mixture. Add to flour mixture along with the yogurt and mix together well (until smooth). Spoon batter into lightly greased baking pan and top with walnuts (if using). Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or until baked through.