It takes a lot to top a day at Disney—but this Orange County Airbnb may have done it. The meticulously Disney-fied “Princess Palace” home—located 10 minutes from Disneyland—isn’t stopping at its princess-themed bedrooms and a killer backyard playground/pool setup that’ll keep the kids busy long enough for Mom and Dad to have an actual conversation. It’s also got a secret game room that’ll blow your minis’ minds… once they figure out how to get inside. (Hint: It’s not that hard!).
The Bedrooms
But first things first. Walking into the modest three-bedroom Anaheim-area home, your kids will first need to decide which of the three themed bedrooms they’ll want to claim as theirs. The Cinderella room has two bunk beds (one with a pull-out trundle) perfect for a brood of little princesses; the Aladdin room has a king-sized bed and a flying carpet suspended from the ceiling—plus loads of fun details like jewels over the doorways and hanging golden lanterns fit for Arabian nights; and the Beauty and the Beast room, which is far and away the coolest room in the house. Why? Because it’s MAGICAL. At least, your kids will think so.
The Magic
Before we get to that magical door inside Beauty’s room, let’s talk about the china cabinet. Push the button on its side, and the candelabra Lumiere, which you probably didn’t notice atop the cabinet, will (kind of) come to life—playing the music of “Be Our Guest” throughout the room. But that’s not all! We don’t want to give away all of the hutch’s secrets, but let’s just say all the items inside it are as enchanted as the beloved characters in the Beast’s castle. That, and this bedroom may have the only bonafide music & light show of any Airbnb ever. Your littles will want to press that button over and over again.
But wait! What about that magical bookshelf over there in the corner? There’s a button there, too. It says: “Looking to Enter?” Push it and you’ll get the lowdown. Once you learn the secret, you’ll be able to swing open the door to find…THE COOLEST GAME ROOM of any Airbnb we’ve ever been inside!
There’s air hockey! Shuffleboard! Motorcycle racers! Ms. Pac-Man! Deal or No Deal! And more! All set to free play. Suffice it to say, good luck getting your kids out of here.
The Back Yard
Of course, they will come out eventually. And when they do, lure them outside. This backyard has more toys and play features than a public playground, including a ping pong table, a corn hole game, a teeter-totter, two spring rockers, FIVE kiddie playhouses, a dome climber, a giant Connect Four game, a full swing set with a slide, a small mini golf course. Oh, and a pool (with all the rafts, kiddie floats, and pool toys you’d need for a proper pool day).
The Rest
Let’s be honest: With this ginormous a fun factor, it doesn’t really matter that the house also has a modern kitchen, dining room (with a huge Snow White mural across on one wall and a light-up Snow White Cottage on the mantle), living room, (with a fully loaded Xbox), three bathrooms, and a laundry room (with four huge laundry machines!). It doesn’t really matter that every nook and cranny of this home is filled with loving nods to Disney, with interactive “push me!” buttons spread out across the rooms, each holding their own musical or light surprises. We grown-up Disney fans will notice (and love) those things; but the kids? You had them at “Secret Game Room.”
Being naked in front of our little ones seems perfectly natural. At least, at first. After all, how else would we get our showers in if not for the baby bouncer propped in the middle of the bathroom during those first few months of parenthood? And anyway, we see them naked plenty when we bathe them, change them, or witness their glorious bare-butted happy dances just before bedtime. But at what point do our hanging bits start to become a little… awkward? Should we let it all out until the day our kids bark, “Cover up, Mom!” or “Put some clothes on, Dad!” Or should we opt for modesty before that?
“I think that the question is, ‘Will it harm a child to see a parent without their clothes on, partly or fully? My short answer is no,'” said developmental psychologist Ted Hutman, assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “The driving thought behind this for me is that nudity isn’t dirty; it isn’t bad; it isn’t obscene. Nudity isn’t the same as sex.”
What little research there has been on the topic seems to agree. An 18-year longitudinal study of 200 boys and girls who were exposed to parental nudity found that there was no harmful effect on any of the following areas: self-acceptance; relations with peers, parents, and other adults; antisocial and criminal behavior; substance use; suicidal ideation; quality of sexual relationships; and problems associated with sexual relations.
That said, whether or not you bare your bod in front of your kids has everything to do with your personal beliefs and comfort level, as well as how your kids feel about it. Here’s what experts say about when (if ever) you should stop changing in front of your kids, plus a few other things you should know about setting those body boundaries.
Stop Changing in Front of Your Child…
1. When Either Parent or Child is Uncomfortable
Let’s be frank: Going full-frontal in front of your self-aware eight-year-old just feels different than baring it all in front of your brand-new baby. But is it? That depends on who you ask. According to Hutman, parents’ feelings about nudity may hinge on cultural or religious beliefs, with some groups valuing modesty more than others. He stressed that feelings about nudity are valid no matter which way they swing (to bare, or not to bare).
“I don’t think that a parent should do anything that they’re uncomfortable with if it goes against the grain for them—and that might have to do with their upbringing,” Hutman said. “I don’t think that it’s going to harm the child, but I really don’t want to tell people to do something or not to do something. It’s about what they’re comfortable with.”
Same goes for the kids. If you’re walking around the house naked and your child screams, “Ew, mom, stop!” you should consider their discomfort and act accordingly. It’s also important to talk with your kids about what’s driving their discomfort. You don’t want kids to be ashamed of their bodies (or yours), but you also want to impart the message that their boundaries should be respected.
“I think it’s OK for a parent to say, ‘I’m not embarrassed, but if you are let me know,'” Hutman said. “If a kid says, ‘Mom that’s gross.’ It’s an interesting thing to say, ‘No it’s not gross.'”
2. When the Child Starts Expressing a Need for Privacy
Most kids—no matter how body-positive their parents are—want privacy at some point, usually by the tween years, but sometimes much earlier than that. Dr. Beth Cowart, a Los Angeles-based adolescent and child psychiatrist said that when kids start to naturally seek out privacy, this is when parents should be a little more careful where and when they show their stuff. “Many times when kids reach 8, 9 or 10 they develop modesty themselves,” Cowart said. “We 100 percent want to respect that.”
3. If the Child is a Little Too Curious
Some kids are so curious about the body that their questions, interest, or incessant staring might make a parent feel uncomfortable. Questions are okay, but if a kid’s interest feels inappropriate to a parent, it’s probably time to move toward modesty. “There might be kids who really seem to be precociously or prematurely sexual,” Hutman said. “These are kids for whom I would say, ‘Let’s change the behavior.'”
The Pros of Nudity
Just ask blogger Rita Templeton why she wants her sons to see her naked. About a decade ago, the mom of four wrote a post about why she goes bare in front of her boys—who were 2, 5, 6, and 9 at the time. The post, which centered on the importance of her boys seeing “real” women’s bodies, went viral after being published on Huff Post.
“Before they’re exposed to boobs that are as round and firm as cantaloupes and pictures of taut, airbrushed, dimple-less butts—I’m exposing them to a different kind of female body. Mine,” Temptleton wrote on the blog. “I don’t lounge around in the buff like my boys do (and I spend more time saying, “Put on some pants!” than anything else)—but I’ve never refrained from changing clothes in front of them, or leaving the door open when I shower, or nursing babies without a cover. Because I want them to see what a real female body looks like.”
Seeing what real bodies look like—and kids being comfortable with theirs—matters. According to Cowart, parents should do what they can to make sure their kids don’t confuse modesty with embarrassment about their bodies. “Sometimes when parents start expressing the idea of modesty, it introduces shame—that they should cover up,” she said. “We want kids to feel comfortable with their bodies, and we can model that ourselves.”
While there’s no set age when parents should reach for the robe, there is a time when kids should learn that our “bodies are private” when it comes to touching. This should happen around age 3 or 4 when kids start to understand that nudity isn’t an anywhere/anytime phenomenon (before this, most kids are happy to run around the house naked without a second thought).
“Kids are really curious; they’ll touch,” Cowart said. “That’s a good opportunity to say, ‘This is my private area and I’m not comfortable with you touching me there.'” It’s also a good time to talk about consent, and who can and can’t touch their private parts. The answer: Only they can—and a doctor, if you’re in the room.
Does Age or Gender Matter?
Not really. Experts say as long as it’s 100 percent un-sexualized (with no touching involved) being naked in front of kids is not harmful, no matter the gender. “We have to separate nudity from sexuality,” Cowart emphasized. “There’s nothing inherently wrong with being nude.”
That said, it may be a non-issue—since many kids naturally start choosing their own gender in the household when it comes to which parent can help (or be around) at changing or bath time. And, stresses Hutman, it’s important to listen to both the parent and the child when it comes to comfort. “I know dads who say, ‘They’re not going to see me without my clothes on.’ That’s the father’s discomfort and I respect that,” he said.
When to Have “The Talk”
Whether or not you’re comfortable baring your bum in front of your fam, it’s important to talk to your kids about the issue to make sure they don’t confuse modesty with shame. This conversation can begin as early as 2 or 3, when kids might start “wanting to touch parts of the parents’ anatomy or staring or asking questions,” Cowart said.
Answer any questions matter-of-factly, keeping in mind that nudity is not, in itself, taboo. We’re all naked under those clothes, after all. Even if you’re not comfortable showing some skin, your kids should know that there is nothing wrong with their bodies (or yours). “Some people are not comfortable being nude around other people; it doesn’t mean that their child has to have the same experience,” Cowart said. “And covering up has nothing to do with the shape of their body; it just has to do with their comfort level and their desire for privacy.”
This is also a good time to tell kids that being naked around friends, classmates—or any grown-up besides the doctor (with a parent in the room)—is not OK. It’s also a good opportunity to talk about things like consent and privacy.
What Other Parents Say
Doctors can talk all they want about the potential positives of nude-friendly homes. But that doesn’t mean all parents will be okay with it. On Reddit, the opinions on the issue run the gamut:
“For me, it didn’t get weird until my 5yo made up a song that he’ll sing anytime he sees me naked: “I see your boobies! I see your nipples!” I figured that was the sign it was time to talk about privacy,” said one mom.
“My daughter is 3.5 and likes to hang out and talk to my husband when he is in the shower. We have a big glass box of a shower. I think it’s good for her to know factually about different body parts for boys and girls,” said another.
Said another: “Team naked fam! We have family bath/shower time with mom, dad, and daughter. Nudity does not mean sexuality. Agree with all the comments that the kid can decide when they want more privacy. But being comfortable with your own body helps kids be comfortable with theirs as well.”
“I stopped being naked around them around the age of 4. I prefer privacy and I am a part of my family too, and would like to get dressed without an audience,” said another.
The Takeaway
If your brood likes to skinnydip in the pool, or you prefer sleeping in the nude—go for it! There’s no research to suggest that parental nudity harms kids (as long as it’s not sexualized). Nakedness not your thing? That’s fine, too. And you definitely don’t need to worry if your kids accidentally walk in on you while you’re lathering up in the shower. Remember: That kid was probably rocking a bouncer in that same spot not so long ago.
“As long as they’re not dancing and gesticulating, I don’t think it’s harmful to see a parent nude,” Hutman said. “I think it’s a great message to say, ‘I’m not embarrassed and you shouldn’t be either.'”
Warm days are on the way, and there is an easy way to make sure the kids get enough fresh air and sunshine. Classic backyard games take almost no props or planning, many of them are well suited to siblings, and some even encourage parents to get in on the fun! These games to play outside are a perfect addition to your neighborhood gathering or summer birthday party.
Chill out with this easy-to-play, simple-to-stage backyard game that kids of (almost) any age can play. To set it up, fill your kiddie pool with water and dump it in a bag of party ice. Yep, it’s that easy. Then divide the Littles into two teams, each with a bucket. Their goal is to fill the bucket with as many of the submerged ice cubes as they can, using only their feet to move those little rascals from one place to the next. Brrr-ing it!
2. Ninja Attack
In this game, ninjas-in-training test their skills by quietly sneaking up on a ninja master. Intrigued? Start by setting up a ninja course (think: paintball course) using oversized moving boxes, play tunnels, and other objects kids can quickly duck behind (or into). This is where the little ninjas will try to hide as the ninja master scans the yard for tiny foes. Then, have the master stand at one end of the yard opposite their attackers.
When you say go, the ninja master turns their back on her opponents while they stealthily walk toward them. When you say stop, little ninjas duck behind whatever’s closest so the master ninja won’t spot them. If they do, the little ninja is out. But if you’ve got the skill and can reach the ninja master first, you become the master!
3. Balloon Relay
This is one of the best games to play outside in the summer! Fill up a few water balloons and line up the kids Madeline-style (that’s two straight lines). Hand each line leader a balloon and have them place it securely between their knees. Players pass the balloon, knees-to-knees, down the row until it reaches the finish. It doesn’t get easier than that!
4. Bandana Tag
Transform the typical game of tag into a free-for-all (this one works best with older kiddos). The twist? They’re all “it.” To play, hand out bandanas to your crew to tuck in along their waistline, and let the great chase begin! Players tag each other by snagging bandanas, while simultaneously guarding their own until one player is left standing. It’s a wild romp they’ll want to play over and over again.
5. Bucket Toss
You can’t go wrong with carnival games, and the bucket toss is an all-time favorite. Line up the prize-filled buckets in a row. Each kid who power-slings a ball into a bucket is the proud owner of the goodie waiting to be plucked up. Opt for three turns each, otherwise, there could be a lot of standing (or wiggling) happening!
6. Squirt Gun Soccer
You should probably start stockpiling super soakers for this one. Little athletes will have a blast with this no-kick version of soccer that trades feet for squirt guns and traditional soccer balls for a lighter-than-air beach ball. To start this backyard game, break the party group into two teams, and arm each player with a fully loaded squirt gun. They’ll use the stream to move the ball around the field as they try to score (or block) a goal. Set up sports cones at either end of the field so they know where to aim, and then it’s time to play. Go, team!
7. Statue & Tourist
Perfect for when the light is fading (or in a dark room). One player is the “tourist” who is viewing the amazing statue garden. They get a flashlight. All the other players must stay as still as a statue: they are allowed to move when the light is off, but as soon as the tourist turns the flashlight on they must stay still. When the flashlight is on the statue, the tourist tries to make the statue giggle or wiggle. If they do, they join the tourist’s team and go tour for the next statue.
8. Run Through the Sprinkler
Turn your pool noodle into the best kiddie pool accessory in town, by converting it into an overhead sprinkler. Mommy’s Block Party can walk you through the process. It’s like a trip to the splash pad, without leaving the house. That sounds like the perfect summer pace for us! Check out these other amazing things you can do with a pool noodle (that don’t involve a pool).
Who says you have to have moves like Jagger to have fun with a hula hoop? Check outLearn Play Imagine‘s awesome hula hoop games—you’ll be amazed at the different and new ways you can play with one of the oldest toys imaginable.
10. Water Balloon Piñata
Bye-bye piñata loaded with sugary sweets and playful trinkets; hello suspended deluge! String up an array of colorful water balloons in the yard (over a tree, from the swing set) to serve as the party piñata. Line up the Littles, bursting with excitement to try this creative alternative, and let each one take a swing in turn, with a plastic bat, or even a wrapping paper tube, in the hopes of hitting the delicate target, and letting loose the wild waterfall. Blindfolded or not, this is one guaranteed way to get wet!
11. Monkey Around
Building on the “tag, you’re it!” theme, Monkey Tails is a silly variation that gets the whole crew involved in the chase. Simply tuck tails (socks or even dad’s ties make great ones) into the monkeys’ waistbands, then send everyone off, ducking, dodging, and running wild, to keep their tails from being nabbed by another player. The last player with a tail wins.
12. Superhero Showdown
Organize a meeting of the superheroes and watch the afternoon fly by. You might be ducking to avoid Batman’s (imaginary) gadgets and Spidey’s web all afternoon but the non-stop giggle-fest will be worth the effort.
13. 21 Questions, or “Who Am I?”
One person comes up with a person or thing; the other person has to ask “Yes” or “No” questions to try to figure out what or who it is. For younger kids, nix the Yes or No and just let any question do.
14. iSpy
This one’s another standby that’s great for nice afternoons outside. You can play it by “spying” something that is a certain color (“I spy something purple”) or by spying something that starts with a specific letter (“I spy something that starts with the letter B”). You can also up the game with binoculars and try to spot things at a certain distance away.
15. Give Up the Charade
Have your little monkey stay in character when you play a quick game of animal charades. No prep is necessary for this easy guessing game. Just pick your favorite animal and go for it! With each successful guess, trade places and start again. Ee-i-ee-i-o!
16. Rock, Paper, Scissors
Get your game hands on and “shoot!” Want to know how to be a Rock Paper Scissors star? Watch this fun video from Buzzfeed on “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors.” Or try the Japanese version, calledJanken. Start by saying “saisho wa guu.” Then “janken pon” as you pump, before throwing on “pon.” The winning combos are still the same in this timeless, quick game you can play outside at home or on the go.
17. Simon Says
Simon says to try this backyard game with your kids instead of handing them your phone the next time you’re waiting for anything (i.e. at the doctor’s office, outside the classroom, etc.). If you didn’t grow up on Planet Earth and don’t know how to play, here are the rules.
Instead of playing pick-up sticks with the chopstick-sized sticks of our youth, why not spray paint the sticks in your yard and play with those, instead? Bonus: Guess who helps you gather the sticks out of your yard? And they say they’re too young for yard work. You can thankI Heart Naptimefor the great idea.
19. Let’s Race!
On your mark, get set, GO! Whether you’re staging a relay race or a full-tilt foot race, all you need for a memorable obstacle course is whatever you’ve got in your garage (think big wheels, basketballs, and jump ropes) and a little creativity. Want to up the ante? Add a stopwatch, and you’ll have them competing against their own PRs all afternoon long. Nothing gets the giggles going more than an obstacle that involves improv dancing!
20. Play Blind Man’s Bluff
Blind’s Man Bluff is one of the most classic games to play outside. Like a thinking man’s tag, all you need is a blindfold and a few players to start. Put the blindfold on the Seeker; then spin them around a few times while the other players scatter. Now it’s time to seek. Using their keen other senses, the Skeeker tries to tag the scattered players who are rooted in place. Sure, players can duck and dodge their outstretched arms, but they can’t move their feet. It’s a giggle-worthy backyard game everyone can play!
21. Food Truck
From the brilliant mind behind Tinker Lab comes another great way to pretend play outdoors. If you’ve got a big cardboard box, then you’ve got a restaurant, a vehicle, and a store! Yup, it’s a pretend food truck and it’s rolling right into your living room. They’ll be serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert— all in one afternoon.
22. Green Light, Go!
We love Red Light/Green Light because it’s one of the easiest games to play outside. Plus, it gives parents the option to take it easy as the caller or join in the game (hello daily workout!). Stop and go until they’re tuckered out from all that running.
23. Marco Polo (with a twist)
Modify a classic pool game with a few tweaks, and you’ve got a backyard game that’ll tire out your kids. Play a few rounds of Marco Polo outside—all that ducking, dodging and blind searching is more tiring than you’d expect, which makes it a great way to wear out wee ones pre-bedtime.
24. Have a Sponge Ball War
Better than a water balloon fight (sayonara, plastic balloons all over the yard!), DIY sponge balls (find them at It’s Overflowing) are reusable, versatile, and a total blast.
25. Look for Pictures in the Clouds
After all of these fun backyard games, the last, and best one on your bucket list is to lay back in the grass and hunt for pictures floating by in the clouds. See who can be the first to spot an animal, an imaginary being, a building, a car, and whatever other fun shapes you can think of.
Parents with elementary and teen kids know that conflict is unavoidable (to be fair, disagreements happen with all kids, but the older ones have figured out how to push boundaries and will keep at it for what feels like forever). These kids regularly assert their independence, trying to get more time on their phones, later bedtimes, and more opportunities to steer clear of their moms and dads. If you are in the thick of it with your son or daughter, it can feel like you are always on opposite sides of the fence, which can be exhausting, especially when your kid throws the “all my friends are doing it” line at you.
Sometimes all you need to do to flip the script is find something you and your child can agree on. “You want to find something in what they’re doing or saying that is ‘validateable,’ explains parenting expert Dr. Lucie Hemmen. “Usually, there is a positive intention underlying most bad behavior. So if you can find that little nugget and validate it, you’re going to start softening the conflict and getting yourself on the same side as your teen.”
This situation could play out like this: Your teen wants to go to the concert with her friends but you aren’t comfortable with that and you’ve said no. Your teen is arguing that all the other parents are letting their kids go without adult supervision, but this is simply a non-negotiable for you. Dr. Hemmen suggests that you say something like, “I totally get why you would want to do everything your friends are doing. And I totally understand that you want more freedom. The good news is that I want to give you more freedom, just not in this situation. I’ve already made up my mind.” You are standing firm in your decision but you’re agreeing that your child should get more freedom (maybe you’re fine with regulated social media, letting them stay home alone for a while, or walking home from school on their own). You might follow this up with examples of other ways you’ve given them more freedom (say, browsing the aisles of Target while you shop and letting them Trick or Treat with a group of friends alone).
This is a great way to teach kids the skill of thoughtful arguing. “The reality about human interaction is that our teens need to learn how to argue,” Dr. Hemmen explained in a prior TikTok. “They need to learn how to get in people’s faces, hopefully skillfully, so that they don’t get walked on [and] so that they have a voice in their adult lives.”
Chances are, you aren’t going to get your teen to see your side of an argument. But if they come out of the interaction feeling like you understood their point of view, you are one step closer to a lower-conflict relationship.
Dealing with bullies is one of the most challenging things that kids go through. They’re mean. They’re scary. They’re relentless. So how do you respond to them in a way that won’t escalate their behavior? Communications expert and professor Jaime Hamilton has the answer: It’s called the “bear tactic.” In a TikTok video, she explains how to do it, and it’s honestly one of our favorite responses yet. In the video, Hamilton responds to a question from a follower: “What should a 9th-grade boy do when several people call out his name in a mocking way?”
Enter the “bear tactic,” which gets its name because it’s the same thing you should do if you encounter a black bear in the wild.
“I want you to do this,” she says. “Have him put his arms out wide. Make himself big. Look right at them and say, ‘Do you feel better? I hope so.’ And then slow clap, turn around, and walk away.” She adds, “Chances are, they’ll never do it again.”
And we can totally see why: It would throw the bullies for such a loop. They would have no idea how to respond—the same way that black bears don’t know how to respond when they see you puffing up and challenging them instead of running away. Hamilton has explained in previous videos that “bullies have power when we say they have power” and “the second we challenge the bully, we say that they are powerful.”
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I want you to look them straight in the eye and say, ‘Nope!’ Hold your eye contact for two seconds and then move on with your life,” she says. “If they come back at you with, ‘Yes, you are,’ then just ignore it. Do it every day until it stops.” She also recommends role-playing this interaction with your child, so they can build up their confidence before doing it with an actual bully.
Somewhere along the line, your child’s eating motto became “PB&J and pizza—or bust.” Or maybe their duo of choice is more like nuggets and buttered noodles, but absolutely nothing else. The truth is, it can be downright maddening when toddlers refuse to eat anything but their two favorite foods.
Despite seeing Instagram fams gleefully share a farmer’s market haul meal, that’s not the way things go down in many homes. Picky eating is extremely common in young children, according to pediatric dietitian and owner of Veggies & Virtue Ashley Smith, MPH, RD, LD. Typically, kids are considered picky if they’ll eat just 30 different foods, she says. More extreme picky eating is seen when a child will limit themselves to 20 or fewer foods.
In fact, some children will want not only the same food for every meal but also the same exact presentation every time, known as “food jagging,” says Ayelet Goldhaber, MS, RD, pediatric dietitian at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. Thankfully, there’s a lot that parents and caregivers can do to help move beyond this kind of mealtime rigidness.
Try to Relax
Just relax! Easier said than done, right? But it’s important not to pressure your child to eat, especially when they’re exhibiting some picky behaviors. “There are a lot of sensory systems at work for a child to tolerate, let alone accept or eat, a new food,” Smith says. “Forcing a child can exacerbate their anxiousness around new foods or apprehension to try it.”
Eating a meal as a family (rather than watching your children eat) might make for a more relaxed mood, says Bridget Kiernan, MD, nutrition physician specialist in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.
Keep Track of Snacks
It’s a good idea to create an eating schedule so kids know when to expect meals and snacks, and then keep those boundaries so all-day grazing doesn’t mean a well-balanced meal is met with a total lack of appetite. Smith recommends saying something like, “The kitchen is closed. We will eat again at (whatever time the next meal or snack will happen).”
Let the Kids Have Control
Sometimes a need for control is at play when young children are refusing to expand their meal repertoire. So it’s important to keep that in mind. Goldhaber says to allow kids to have some “No, thank you” foods that may be refused without question. An adult should honor that refusal and move on with the meal. Just always try to include at least one food that you know your child will enjoy on the same plate as those potentially rejected foods.
And if your kiddo is complaining about the food on their plate, you can gently remind them, “You don’t have to eat it,” Smith adds. Don’t worry that your child will take that as an invitation to refuse all meals. It actually reinforces both of your appropriate roles within the feeding relationship and means fewer power struggles.
Build Food Bridges
Rather than pushing for a big leap (from barely touching veggies to loving peas and carrots), focus on building some helpful bridges for your child to go from refusing foods to trying new things. Look at your kid’s favorites and identify some of the characteristics of each food, like the color, flavor, texture, temperature, packaging, preparations and so on, then begin offering variations of these foods, Smith says.
If your little one goes gaga for potato chips, try raw or baked carrot chips. If your tot loves spaghetti, then try spiralized zucchini noodles. Or, it might mean having pizza with a topping instead of plain cheese pizza—all with the goal of helping your child accept a wider variety of foods, Smith says.
Looking for new food ideas? Try lentil or bean pasta in fun shapes like alphabet letters, Goldhaber says. You can even mix these with your child’s regular pasta. Dips and spreads can be helpful, too. If your child will eat ranch dressing, hummus or guacamole, you can offer all kinds of dipping agents like veggies, fruits, multigrain crackers, nut-based crisps, and so on. Dr. Kiernan touts meat-alternative products, too, like nuggets made with tofu, seitan and other plant-based options.
Have Some Fun
Although it may go against traditional table manners, letting kids play with their food is a great way to get them more comfortable with eating it. Dr. Kiernan recommends as much exposure as your child is willing, whether it’s touching the food, smelling it, letting it get close to their face and mouth, licking it or giving it a kiss. This can be a relatively safe and gradual introduction to new or previously rejected foods. What’s more, talking about the food in a fun and lighthearted way can make a big impact. Instead of calling them carrots, you can tell your tot you’re serving up “x-ray vision wands,” Goldhaber says.
Keep Trying
While you’re waiting for your child to outgrow a picky eating phase, one of the best things you can do is to continue to offer a wide variety of foods, even those your child has refused to eat time and time again, Dr. Kiernan says. Things can change and your child’s tastes or willingness to try something may shift when you don’t expect it.
Following your child’s growth with the help of their pediatrician will help you determine whether or not the picky eating is a major problem. Dr. Kiernan says that if your little one isn’t gaining weight or growing taller, or has other symptoms along with the picky eating, then it’s probably time to see a pediatric gastroenterologist or dietitian or nutritionist. Some children have mechanical issues with swallowing or allergies they—and you—may be unaware of.
Additionally, if your child’s eating results in emotional outbursts (after basic feeding boundaries have been established) or impacts their physical, emotional or social development over time, then you should contact your pediatrician and request further support or a feeding therapist,” Smith says. And even if the child isn’t experiencing other symptoms, you can still speak with an expert to get some reassurance, especially if you’re having stress and anxiety about the situation, Kiernan adds.
Climbing trees, riding bikes, learning to skateboard: Childhood is a time for experimentation and pushing boundaries. And, like all ages and stages of raising kids, one person’s idea of good old-fashioned fun is another person’s worry. However, some things are never a good idea, so we asked ER pediatricians and other emergency and critical care physicians to set the record straight when it comes to activities that are simply unsafe. Here’s what they had to say:
1. Swim Alone
“Never allow a child to swim alone, no matter how old. This one is definitely at the top of my list of things I’d never let my child do. As a pediatric emergency medicine [doctor], I have seen drowning in children of all ages in all types of bodies of water—deep and shallow,” says Dr. Christina Johns, Senior Medical Advisor at PM Pediatric Care.
The tween in your life might argue that they’ll wear a life jacket, but stand your ground. Life jackets (also called Personal Flotation Devices or PFDs) are (literal) lifesavers. However, if you’re alone, it’s still possible to drown while wearing one. According to CDR Kim Pickens, U. S. Coast Guard Reserve Operation BoatSmart Project Officer, in the article The Other 20%–When Wearing a Life Jacket Is Not Enough, “the more comfortable PFDs—those labeled as Type III or some Type V PFDs—will not turn an unconscious victim face up, at least not consistently. What most such PFDs will do (all but manually activated inflatables) is bring the person, whether unconscious or not, back up to the surface, enabling those nearby to quickly bring the victim to safety.” But that will only work if there’s someone around to get the tween’s face out of the water.
Bottom line: Supervise your crew when they swim, use life jackets in large bodies of water, and make sure the junior paddleboarders and canoers in your life always go out in a group.
2. Go Helmetless
“My child always wears a helmet when biking, roller skating, and skiing to protect her from head injury. As a pediatric EM physician and head injury researcher, I see the very serious consequences of unhelmeted head injuries and am vigilant in protecting my daughter (and her brain) from preventable injury,” says Angela Lumba-Brown, MD, pediatric emergency medicine physician at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
With more than 26,000 children visiting an ER yearly for head injuries, wearing a helmet is a no-brainer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Wearing a helmet can decrease the risk of head injuries by about 85% and facial injuries by about 65% among bicyclists.” Wearing a helmet is like using a seatbelt. You hope never to need it, but you’ll be grateful it’s there in an accident.
Children are less likely to complain if their caregivers are wearing helmets too. Adaira Landry, MD, MEd, emergency medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, gets the whole family involved in safety. “We always ride bikes and scooters with helmets. This risk of head and face injury is nonzero for young kids who are still learning balance and speed,” she says.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends using specialized helmets. Buying multiple helmets might sound like overkill, but activity-specific head gear “protect[s] your head from the kind of impacts typically associated with a particular activity or sport.” In other words, a bike helmet won’t protect your little hockey hero from a puck to the head. So get the right tool for the job.
Bottom line: As Dr. Landry says, “When it comes to raising adventurous children, there is a balance between excitement and risk. I want my kids to be daring and face challenges—and that can be done safely.” Helmets keep kids safe and are cheaper than reconstructive surgery.
3. Ride Forward Facing in a Car Before Age 3
“I would never let my two-year-old toddler ride in a forward-facing car seat–all babies and young toddlers should be in a rear-facing car seat up until they’re three years old or until they reach the weight and height max of their seat. Despite their cries and protest, keeping them rear-facing may mean the difference between life and death in an accident,” says Alok Patel, MD, a pediatric hospitalist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Car accidents are the second leading cause of death in children aged 1-4, after drowning. National Safety Counsel advises drivers to keep “…3-year-olds in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. Once children outgrow the height or weight limit for their rear-facing car seat, they should ride in forward-facing car seats with a harness and tether.”
Bottom Line: Don’t switch to a forward-facing car seat too soon.
4. Get within Reach of Hot Liquids
“When my children were toddlers, I was pretty vigilant about scald burns from hot coffee and soup. I had my antennae up all the time, with my eyes constantly darting back and forth between the child and the hot beverage,” says Alan Schroeder, MD, pediatric critical care physician at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
According to the American Burn Association, “In children under five years of age, approximately 27-60% of scalds occur from cups/mugs/tableware containing hot liquids; most commonly from a pull-down (48%) or spill (32%) mechanism.”
Small children lack the lived experience and impulse control to prevent a scalding injury. Add in immature motor skills, and you have an accident just waiting to happen. Young children also have thinner dermal layers than adults and will sustain a more severe burn at a lower temperature. Scald burns make up 35% of overall burn injuries admitted to U.S. burn centers; of that number, 61% are in children under five years old.
Most of us would never leave hot food or drinks within reach of an unsupervised toddler. But if you have a tablecloth or table runner, Daddy’s coffee is just one pull away. Consider packing these items away until the kiddos are a little older.
Bottom line:The U.S. Fire Administration advises parents and caregivers to keep children three feet away from anything that can get hot.
5. Drive (or Ride on) an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
“I’d never let my child ride an ATV (especially without a helmet and full body protective padding, which I see all too often). Unfortunately, very young children, even under 10, operate these vehicles, which can cause major traumatic injury in the blink of an eye,” says Dr. Johns.
We get it; there’s nothing quite as thrilling as racing across a field in an ATV. And it can seem like harmless fun if you keep your little speedster on a deserted stretch of road. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 not be allowed to operate them. ATVs have killed thousands of kids and seriously injured at least a million more. Adult ATVs can weigh almost 600 lbs; the lightest youth-sized ATVs clock in at a little over two 200 lbs. That’s too much machine for your average nine-year-old to control.
Driving an ATV safely requires the same skill level and quick thinking as any other motor vehicle. If you wouldn’t let your tween drive the family car, don’t let them get behind the wheel of an ATV.
Bottom line: Dr. Johns’ verdict is that ATVs are “Too much of a risk for too little a reward, says the pediatric emergency medicine physician, me!”
Ahhh. The sweet sound of satisfying silence when the pacifier does its job soothing a fussy baby. But there’s a moment in many parents’ lives when they go from praising the pacifier for the peace and comfort it brings their child (and everyone else in the house) to nonstop worrying over their aging toddler’s attachment to the nuk. So we chatted with a pediatrician, a psychologist, and a child behavior specialist for their insights and tips on the right time and age to call it quits with the paci, and exactly how to do it. For all the parents out there who have ever wondered when to take the pacifier away, these pacifier-weaning tricks are for you.
But First: Why We Love Pacifiers
“Babies are born with an inherent need to suck—the sucking reflex,” says Lauren Crosby, MD, FAAP, of La Peer Pediatrics. Pacifiers do a great job of satisfying that need (and can even give a breastfeeding mom’s nipples a break) while also soothing a baby, especially during times when they’re upset or falling asleep. It has also been shown that using a pacifier can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Crosby adds. Not all babies take to pacis, but those who do can really benefit from their simple magic.
Pacifier Weaning Tips
1. Time It Well
Saying goodbye to the binky can be done at almost any time, depending on what works for the baby and the parents or caregivers. But there are some key guidelines that experts recommend. According to Sari Broda, a certified child sleep consultant and certified lactation counselor, a baby’s strong desire to suck drops between 4 and 6 months. At that point, the pacifier becomes more of a soothing object and sleep cue than an actual need, so this is one window of opportunity where you may want to stop offering it. If you don’t ditch the paci in the first year though, Broda recommends waiting until the child is 3 years old; otherwise, taking it away can really disrupt your tot’s sleep. That being said, she has seen some families successfully drop the paci between 1 and 3 years without any major issues.
Crosby notes that using the paci past age 1 can delay speech and inhibit proper word articulation, and past age 3 may result in tooth alignment issues. If your child is getting frequent ear infections (studies have shown a correlation between the two), then you may want to get rid of it sooner. What’s more, some little ones wake throughout the night crying for the paci to be put back in. If that’s not working for your family, then you should feel empowered to stop using the pacifier. Just be sure to avoid the transition right before a major life event, like moving homes.
Licensed clinical psychologist Sarah Bren, Ph.D., urges parents to help their children prepare in advance for any kind of transition, whether it’s saying goodbye to a pacifier, starting a new daycare program, welcoming a new sibling into the family, or moving into a big kid bed. Talk about the feelings they might have and what they can do. “You might feel frustrated if you’re upset and want your pacifier. What can you do instead?” Involving children in the process helps them feel more in control and will tap into their early problem-solving skills.
This advice not only applies to older toddlers but to babies as well. “We need to talk to our kids about everything,” Broda says. “Even if it’s a 6-month-old… explain it to them.” Tell your baby that they’ll no longer be using the pacifier and that you know they’ll still be okay. Your baby may cry for a few nights or struggle to sleep, in which case you might want to do some sleep training, Broda says. But it shouldn’t drag on for weeks because it’s typically an easier transition to drop the paci before 12 months.
With older toddlers, you can have more of a dialogue, of course. Maybe tell a silly story about the pacifier and why it’s leaving your home, or give your kiddo a lovey blanket or stuffed animal for comfort, Broda suggests. Keep the conversation positive and upbeat.
2. Limit Use
If your child is using the pacifier all the time, you can start to limit it to sleep or stressful situations like doctor’s visits, Crosby says. Then you can either go cold turkey by cutting off the tip or acting as the binky fairy and taking the pacifier at night while leaving a gift for your child. If you prefer a more gradual approach, you can help your kid hold a favorite lovey and take deep “magic breaths” together, Crosby says. Or praise your child for their patience as you stretch out the time (first just seconds, then work up to minutes) before you hand over the pacifier. And be sure to do something supportive to help your child manage the waiting, like read together or play hand games.
3. Don’t Link the Pacifier to Being a Baby
As tempting as it may be to tell your child that pacifiers are for babies, don’t do it. They are going to want it sometimes, says Bren, and saying “You’re a big girl/boy now,” will just confuse them or make them feel ambivalent about it all. Normalize the fact that it’s a tricky process and you’ll remove the shame from the experience. And rest assured that this type of development can fluctuate. Your child will feel like a big kid one day and more like a baby the next. And that’s okay!
4. Allow Kids to Be Upset
As with any big change, you can expect your child to feel sad or mad about their pacifier not being readily available. Allow them to be upset, validate their feelings, and reflect it back to them before you plug them with a pacifier, Bren says. Try saying: “You’re feeling frustrated. I understand. We’re not going to have pacis right now. But we can [do another activity, like read a book, cuddle on the couch, hug your Teddy bear].” The idea is to move more slowly and mindfully and to give your child the time and space to feel a range of emotions rather than turn off their distress like a light switch.
And if your child is having a hard time, try to muster as much patience and empathy as you can, Crosby adds. Try to be consistent and calm, even as they’re upset. Then just keep yourselves busy with plenty of distracting activities.
5. Gather Your Support System
This is one of those times when it’s important to reach out to friends and family for support. You could let them know the transition you’re about to make and ask for advice or their help, whether that’s dropping off dinners for the week you’re pulling the paci or babysitting for a few hours while you catch a break.
6. Stick with the Plan
Consistency is very important, especially for older kids, so once you come up with a plan that works for your family, you should stick to it, Broda says. Provide your little one with a routine and predictable expectations to help ensure that saying goodbye to the paci is as quick of a process as possible.
Opening your baby’s diaper to find an angry rash staring back at you just plain sucks. Not only is their poor skin going to be tender and painful for a few days, but you’re also going to have sticky white diaper cream under your nails for the foreseeable future—a crucial, protective barrier that your diaper will promptly absorb no matter how much you apply. But not anymore! Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician on Instagram, is here to share the best diaper rash treatment (bookmark this for winter virus season, when babies are particularly prone to getting those seriously gnarly rashes that are so miserable and hard to treat).
Burgert says there are two big mistakes parents tend to make when treating serious diaper rashes: They don’t use enough cream and they wipe too much of it off during diaper changes. Here’s what she says to do instead.
1. Pile on the diaper cream.
First, you’ll need the right diaper cream. “For the worst diaper rashes, you need a protective layer that’s going to be able to withstand multiple diaper changes,” she explains. “So this is when you reach for a diaper cream that has the highest percentage of zinc oxide you can buy.”
But you’ll also need the right amount of cream. On a butternut squash, she demonstrates how to apply the paste: by using cotton rounds and slathering it on in a thick layer “like cake frosting.”
2. Cover the cream with cotton pads.
“Then leave the cotton on the sticky cream to help it stay on the skin and not be absorbed by the diaper,” she says. “At the next diaper change, remove the layer of dirty cream and cotton,” but don’t remove all of the cream. You actually want to leave a thin layer of it behind—the thinnest layer that was touching your baby’s skin. Then you add a new layer of cream (and cotton rounds) on top.
“This leaves the skin continually protected through the diaper change, allowing the skin to heal,” Burgert says.
In the caption, she notes that before a bath, you should remove all of the diaper cream with cotton rounds soaked in mineral oil, then clean the diaper rash area using gentle soap and water. And, of course, if things aren’t getting better, give your baby’s doctor a call.
You never know when your next raging diaper rash will strike, but armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to face it head-on.
We’ve got easy-prep picnic snacks so you can spend more time on the blanket and less time in the kitchen
It’s prime picnic party season, so make sure you’re prepared with a full lineup of crowd-pleasing picnic snacks. From no-cook s’mores to deviled eggs, we’ve got you covered with easy picnic snacks and picnic food ideas for kids that you can tote to the park, beach, or wherever your summertime adventures take you.
The best part about adding shrimp spring rolls to your list of favorite picnic snacks is that you can add whatever you want to the rice paper. So, if you have a picky kid who loves cucumber but hates cilantro, skip that spice when rolling theirs up. Use pre-cooked shrimp to cut down on time, and don’t forget the peanut sauce! Get the recipe from Jessica Gavin.
Fruit is always a good picnic snack, so take it to the next level with this easy dip from Chelsea's Messy Apron. It only has four ingredients, so it's an easy addition to your al fresco menu.
Fluffy and salty, air fryer pretzels are a super easy snack to pack for your upcoming picnic. Enjoy a la carte or pack a special dipping sauce to them to the next level. Head to Bitz & Giggles for the full recipe.
No one wants a messy meal when it comes to a picnic! These fried lemon hand pies pack all the sweet punch, can be made in advance and keep the mess to a minimum. Head to Food Fanatic for the full recipe.
A sandwich is just a sandwich until you make it look like sushi! We love this tuna fish version from Weelicious, but you can swap in turkey or cream cheese for something different.
Who wants regular muffins when you can bring corn dog muffins on your picnic? Made with cornbread and hot dogs, these fun snacks make mealtime fun. Don't forget the ketchup! Head to Karen's Kitchen Stories to snag the recipe.
What's a picnic without deviled eggs? With this super simple recipe, it's easy to ensure that your al fresco meal includes this delicious staple. Older kids can even make their own version! Grab the how-to here.
Ready for mac and cheese, picnic-style? These awesome bites from Damn Delicious are an easy way to make your picnic menu even more kid-friendly. They're portable, the perfect serving size, and tasty, too! Get the recipe here.
Since picnic season usually collides with the strawberry season, we can't think of a better sweet treat for your outing than these oatmeal bars from Well Plated. They're easy to make, about 100 calories each, and sure to become a family favorite! For the recipe, click here.
Love Mexican corn on the cob, but hate the mess? Whip up a batch of this dip from Damn Delicious, which has the same tasty flavors but no cob cleanup! Pack it into a Tupperware for easy dipping or spoon individual portions into mason jars—voila!
It's easy to get your picnic cookie fix thanks to this idea from Love to Be in the Kitchen. They're packed full of peanut butter, chia seeds, honey, and mini M&Ms, which makes them excellent fuel for all that post-picnic playtime. Discover more energy bites here!
The best way to keep cool during your picnic? With a batch of this fresh ginger lemonade by Daphne Brogdon! Make it the night before and portion it into mason jars or water bottles to stay hydrated all afternoon. To get the recipe, click here.
This idea from Super Healthy Kids gives sandwiches a fun new twist! Get the kids involved with cookie cutters; they'll love stacking their favorite sandwich ingredients.
Part of Hello Wonderful’s Cooking with Kids series, this unique take on salad features colorful ingredients the kids will be excited to prep and eat (Psst! And cleanup couldn't be easier!).
The Merry Thought’s sweet twist on sandwiches is better than sliced bread! Load up the apple slices with your fave nut butter, Nutella, granola, or any other creative ingredient. Click here to get the recipe.
Even the littlest chef can help mash and mix avocado! We like this "cheaters" guacamole recipe from Averie Cooks, which makes it easy to make a delicious dip ASAP.
Need a meat-free option for your next picnic? This healthy hummus sandwich from HowDoesShe is super easy to assemble and packed with protein and a little crunch. Yum!
These ultra-colorful fruit cups are easy to assemble and packed with healthy Vitamin C. Older chefs can even help cut the fruit! Head to My Frugal Adventures for advice on choosing the best stackable fruits.
You won't have to build a fire to enjoy a campfire staple. This tasty twist on the classic s’mores dessert makes it great for daytime picnics, too! Find the recipe at 5 Minutes for Mom.
This fab picnic snack is easy to customize with everything from pretzels to nuts, dried fruit, or bite-sized chocolate chips. It’s the perfect portable treat for a day at the park! Get more info (including recommended ingredients!) at The Chirping Moms.
Summer is strawberry season, and we’re pretty sure these mini strawberry shortcakes are one of the most perfect picnic ideas for kids. Made with just four ingredients, you can make the shortbread in advance and add your dollop of whipped cream and strawberries right before you pack up the rest of your picnic snacks. Don’t want to go vegan? No problem. Justine Snacks has substitutions that work perfectly.
