This circuit breaker period is no easy feat for working mothers who are balancing working from home, your child's home-based learning and family bonding activities on top of managing nutritious meals for your kids. Every warrior mom deserves to be celebrated!
Now that it's been a few weeks into the circuit breaker, you're probably looking for more meal ideas to add to your arsenal of recipes for a convenient and nutritious meal for the family. This is indeed a good time to explore new recipe ideas or ingredients that delivers more nutrition and essential minerals to boost your kids' immunities.
Use this stay-home opportunity to get your kids involved in the kitchen, as cooking is a great way for them to learn through play. Whether it is measuring out ingredients, cracking an egg or mixing the batter, these tasks can boost their cognitive and fine motor skills. Your kids will also feel a great sense of accomplishment when they have successfully prepared a tasty dish, which does wonders for their confidence and self-esteem.
Apart from the usual proteins, fibres and minerals, we will be featuring a superfood that can be easily incorporated into your kid's diet - goat's milk. Bursting with vitamins and minerals, this protein-rich ingredient is very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from meals to snacks and even dessert! Here are some tasty ways you can incorporate this naturally nutritious ingredient into your kid's diet.
Breakfast: Banana Walnut Muffins
These healthy and easy-to-make muffins take only 30 minutes, and they can be kept up to a week in the fridge. Simply pop one in the microwave to warm it up. You can even get creative and include other toppings instead of banana and walnuts. Some kid-favourite flavours include chocolate chips or blueberries.
Ingredients for 12 muffins:
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 190°C and grease or line a 12-hole muffin tray.
Step 2: In a big mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients - flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Step 3: In a smaller bowl, mix all the wet ingredients - Karihome® Growing-Up Milk, butter and eggs.
Step 3: Pour the wet mixture into the dry batter and fold together until batter becomes lumpy. Be careful not to over mix.
Step 4: Gently mix in the mashed bananas and walnuts.
Step 5: Using a spoon, evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tray, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
Step 6: Bake for 10 minutes and take it out of the oven to check by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the muffin - if it comes out clean, it is cooked.
Step 7: Remove from oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack. Serve warm or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Lunch: Scrambled Eggs on Toast
The secret to creamy scrambled eggs is by adding a dash of milk, but you can make a healthier alternative by using goat's milk while maintaining that creamy and fluffy texture. Whip up this quick-and-easy dish in just 5 minutes and lunch is served!
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Step 1: Toast two slices of bread (1 minute on each side)
Step 2: Add Karihome® Growing-Up Milk, eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl and beat well until frothy.
Step 3: Heat the pan on medium heat and pour in the egg mixture. Gently fold eggs to create fluffy curds.
Step 4: Once the eggs are almost cooked, turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the pan for a while longer. Spoon eggs on toast and serve warm.
Dinner: Mac & Cheese
This dinner choice is a popular one with the kids. Replace cow's milk with goat's milk and you've got an easy-to-digest version of this delicious dish.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Step 1: Boil a large pot of water for the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and leave it aside.
Step 2: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour and stir until bubbles form and the mixture thickens.
Step 3: Add in Karihome® Growing-Up Milk, salt and pepper until the sauce starts to thicken.
Step 4: Add cheese in by the handful, and wait for it to melt before adding in another handful.
Step 5: Pour in cooked pasta and stir well until sauce coats the pasta. Serve warm.
Snack: Chocolate Banana Smoothie
While kids may not take to a plain glass of milk, this chocolate version makes for a delicious afternoon treat that will keep your kids full until the next meal! This homemade recipe serves up a calcium-rich chocolatey treat with none of the added sugars or artificial flavours.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Step 1: In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Serve immediately
Dessert: Old Fashioned Easy Chocolate Fudge
This easy fudge recipe only takes 5 minutes to make with just 5 ingredients! The best part is no baking is required as this dessert sets in the fridge. Use goat's milk for a healthier, guilt-free version of this yummy treat.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Step 1: Grease a square pan or tray to hold the fudge.
Step 2: Combine sugar and cocoa into a large microwavable bowl and create a well in the centre.
Step 3: Place butter and milk in the well - do not stir.
Step 4: Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and microwave for another minute.
Step 5: Remove bowl and mix well until smooth.
Step 6: Pour mixture into the greased pan.
Step 7: Refrigerate until firm and cut into squares to serve.
Creating a delicious yet nutritious meal can be simple and stress-free, and sometimes all it takes is substituting one ingredient to add more nutrients and minerals into your kids' diet. Goat's milk is more nutrient-dense than cow's milk, and a single glass contains 40% of daily calcium requirement for bone growth and strength.
To retain its natural nutrition, Karihome® Goat Milk formulas are made from 100% whole goat milk, supplied from 72 dedicated farms around New Zealand. This nutritional superfood is also naturally more digestible, making it a preferred choice for growing toddlers and young children.
Try Karihome® Growing-Up Milk for FREE today!
Click HERE for free samples.
Shopping for your children can be a fun yet daunting affair. The sheer number of children products that you are expected to buy in your baby’s first year alone can be overwhelming. On top of that, there are many purchasing considerations for each product - design, quality, functionality and affordability.
Despite the many considerations, one thing you should never lose sight of is the safety of the product. A seemingly harmless product can easily become a hidden danger if parents overlook the safety considerations before purchasing. To help create a happy and hazard-free environment for your kids, we’ve put together a guide on what to look out for before and after purchasing children products.
TIP #1: CHECK IF THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN TESTED FOR SAFETY
We must always take ownership of the safety of our children by first checking if the product has undergone safety testing. Safety testing subject products to a set of requirements that are meant to address hazards such as strangulation, choking, entrapment, laceration etc
Parents are advised to:
Too good to be true? Avoid it if you can.
More parents are turning to e-commerce to source for children products, given its convenience and attractive price point. But have you ever wondered if the deal is indeed too good to be true? Errant manufacturers may cut costs by skipping the safety test as additional costs are incurred when sending products for safety testing. Ensure that the cost-savings you have gotten from the deals do not compromise on safety of the product. Consult the seller if you are unsure if the product has gone through a safety test.
TIP #2: CHECK IF PRODUCT IS SUITABLE FOR CHILD
Buying products for your child requires plenty of decisions and planning before you find something suitable and we can say that it is never easy. Deciding on what is suitable for your children may be challenging, especially for first time parents.
We have come up with a list to note when buying children products to ensure that you got the right products for your children.
Read product information and labels for:
Check the label for the age recommendation of the product. Some products come with small detachable parts, which are not suitable for children under 3 years old as it could pose choking hazards. Avoid buying products with loose strings or cords attached to it as it may pose a strangulation risk.
When sourcing for children products, always check the guidelines on the recommended size and weight to ensure that the product is suitable for your children to protect against injuries.
For children products that requires self-assembly, always assemble it carefully by following the manufacturer’s instructions. When in doubt, call the manufacturer or retailers for clarifications.
Always adhere to the instructions stated and do not use the product for purposes that it is not intended for.
Products may show signs of deterioration overtime. Stop using products when signs of wear and tear such as cracks are observed on products.
You can play an active role in ensuring the safety of your children by always be on a look out and supervise your children during use.
Always assess if you need to keep a product out of the reach of young children
Unlike brick and mortar stores, parents purchasing from e-commerce platforms are unable to visually inspect the products and assess if it’s suitable for your children. Always check with the seller if such information is not provided in the product listing.
TIP #3: CHECK IF PRODUCT HAS BEEN RECALLED OVERSEAS
A product recall is a request by the manufacturer to return the product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects. Always check if there were any overseas recall or do a quick search online to see if there were any recent safety notices. Ensure the product you are buying is not a recalled item.
Before you get all excited about letting your children use the products you’ve bought, parents and caregivers should always refer to the user manual and follow these manuals to make sure that they are using products safely. User manuals provide important information on proper guidelines for installation, maintenance and safe usage of the product, which may save your children from unnecessary safety risks and prevent product damage.
We’ve put together a list of popular sleep, outdoor, toys and childcare articles products that most parents get and what they need to look out for before purchasing and when using the products.
What to look out for:
Before purchase:
While in use:
What to look out for:
Before purchase:
While in use:
What to look out for:
Before purchase:
While in use:
Buying children products is never easy and although many parents would find it tedious to choose the right products for your kids – it will all be worth it in the end. To make things easy before buying any children product, you may start by simply do a quick check with these three safety tips:
Aside from these three safety tips, taking specific safety measures around popular sleep, outdoor, toy and childcare articles can be useful in every household. it is always good to go the extra mile for your child’s safety by ensuring that they are always under proper supervision when handling products.
Visit https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/quality-standards/consumer-protection#for-consumers to stay current on product safety alerts and consumer safety tips.
References:
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/#gs.4ir1zk
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/infant_milestones/article_em.htm#what_are_the_milestones_in_a_babys_first_month
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/2_0.pdf
CGSR:
https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/-/media/esg/files/quality-and-standards/consumer-protection/for-suppliers/cgsr/cgsr_infobooklet-revised.pdf
Pacifiers:
https://www.jpma.org/
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pacifiers
https://www.babymed.com/baby-gear/baby-gear-and-safety-choosing-safe-rattle
https://www.smartnoggintoys.com/page58/choosing-a-baby-rattle-what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-rattle-for-baby
Guess what? Here’s one thing that we all love – freebies! But the best thing about these freebies is that they’re exactly what we parents need.
In partnership with the Embracing PArenthood Movement, which brings together grassroots organisations, community partners and families to embrace parenthood, NTUC and its Social Enterprises are giving love to parents of newborns with their NTUC Good Start Bundle. It contains essentials and perks that’ll benefit you, and it’s worth more than $300!
They understand that parents need as much support as they can get, especially so for new parents, due to the daunting nature of parenthood in Singapore. Having a baby isn’t easy on your wallet, so any help that we can get will be extremely appreciated.
What’s in the NTUC Good Start Bundle?
1. FairPrice FairMily Kit (worth up to $100): this kit includes a tin of milk powder, grocery essentials such as brown rice, rolled oats, skim milk powder for the mummies, diapers, baby wipes, a hand sanitiser, lotion and bath soap for baby, and an exclusive FairPrice Online deal!
2. Complimentary Entry to The Little Skool-House Early Literacy Centre (worth $180): located at Downtown East, they provide interactive learning zones designed for children to discover the wonders of languages and literacy!
3. Complimentary one-year health insurance coverage for your newborn, for Enhanced IncomeShield or IncomeShield Standard Plan (excluding MediShield Life premium). Insurance premiums for those two plans are fully paid during baby’s first year!
4. Early Experiences Matter: Parent-Child Activity Book (worth $15): this book offers parents tips on how to build stronger bonds with their infants or toddlers! It also comes with a sock puppet and hoop streamers to help engage your child in interactive activities.
This goodie can only be redeemed at PA Embracing PArenthood Movement events – you’ll be invited by your respective constituencies down for their events, so keep an eye out for them!
To find out how you can maximise usage of your Parent-Child Activity Book, you can view NTUC’s video guide over on their Facebook page!
5. Complimentary Plus! card (worth $10 per card): with the Plus! card, you can earn LinkPoints at over 1,100 locations in Singapore. Your accumulated LinkPoints can be redeemed for exciting rewards such as dining and lifestyle vouchers.
Who’s eligible for this amazing bundle? Families with babies who are Singapore citizens and are born between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019 can grab this.
If you didn’t know about the Good Start Bundle until now, but your little one’s birthday is after 1 Jan 2016, you’re still eligible for it – just visit their NTUC Good Start Bundle site and sign up today!
When it comes to talking to kids, there are some definite "dos" and "don'ts" to consider. To make parent-child communication a regular, easy, and effective experience in your home, avoid these common mistakes.
What you should avoid doing
1. Not giving your full attention
This is particularly important if you are discussing something important or serious and not simply catching up on your day.
Turn off mobile phones, TV, and other devices. (Recent research shows that kids are aware that parents often ignore them and focus on their phones and other devices.) Don't talk to siblings at the same time, eliminate background noise, and find a quiet and peaceful place to talk.
2. Not having their full attention when you speak
Make sure your eyes are connected with your child's and that you are both fully paying attention to each other before you have your talk.
3. Not asking specific questions
Asking a child, "How was school?" will likely give you a response like, "Fine." But if you ask him, "What was the most interesting thing that happened in school today?" or "What was the silliest thing you saw today?" you're likely to get more detailed responses.
4. Avoid, ignore, and then unleash
We've all done it--let something go that's bothering us or push a problem aside because we have too much going on.
The problem is that avoiding something can often make something worse. And because we parents are only human, we may blow up at a child in frustration. To avoid that unpleasant scenario, be sure to address a problem early when you are calm and collected and can discuss possible solutions in a thoughtful and pleasant manner.
Continue on the next page...
5. Lecture, talk too much or over explain
Keep things simple and short, especially when talking with younger children.
6. Towering over kids
When you physically stand over your child, you create a great physical imbalance that's intimidating, especially if you're upset, annoyed, or angry with him. Get down to his level and talk to him in a calm and even manner, even if you are unhappy about something he did and disciplining your child.
7. Being confrontational
Kids are much more likely to listen and be receptive if you are discussing an issue or a problem in a "let's figure it out together" type of approach and tone rather than in an aggressive or threatening manner.
8. Criticise or insult
Keep your language positive. If you show anger or insult your child, she will not want to share anything with you the next time, whether it's a problem or something happy. Remember that it's important for you to express your opinion in a respectful manner, even if you disagree, even if your child has an idea or opinion that you think is silly or something that you do not agree with.
9. Yell and lose your cool
Get your emotions under control before having your talk. If you're angry about something, be sure to calm down fully before engaging in a conversation with your child.
Yelling is not only disrespectful and teaches your child that aggression is okay, but it loses its effectiveness over time.
10. Not letting kids explain or finish what they're saying
You wouldn't want someone to interrupt you if you were trying to explain something or express your opinion. Show your child the same courtesy and respect that you would like for yourself. Teach her how to be a good listener by giving her the time she needs to tell you what she's thinking and feeling.
11. Not thanking kids for sharing
It's important for kids to feel like opening up is a good thing. Remember to thank them for talking to you about something, especially if it was difficult for them to discuss.
Article adapted from Beenke
Pregnancy and Baby Singapore provides you with the latest news and practical tips to help you in your parenting journey. For more tips on your pregnancy and baby in Singapore, subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook, to receive new articles for mummies like you every week!
Disagreements and quarrels are imminent in any relationship. We could say they are a little more between partners, maybe because the relationship is between two equals, who could be different from each other, unlike in a parent-child relationship where one is much older than the other.
It is natural to lose your cool and yell at your partner, sometimes even for petty issues such as leaving the toilet unflushed. But after you have kids, you need to be careful in these matters as well, lest it may pollute the environment at home, leaving your children helpless.
Here are a few ways in which your children can get affected if you fight in front of them:
Here are some of the most direct effects that your fighting can have on your children:
With stressful lifestyles and the constant demands of parenting, it is but natural that you may sometimes lose your cool and end up fighting in front of your children. While it should not be a habit, there are certain ways in which you can reduce the damage you do to your children. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when you are in a conflicting situation with your partner:
When your partner is already worked up about something, try and avoid getting into a fight. Even if you try to discuss something at this stage, it may only result in shouting and yelling, instead of a normal talk. Let your partner cool down before you discuss the matter with him.
Instead of letting the situation take control, discuss the issues with your partner before the matter snowballs into a fight.
Respect each other’s point of view and try to understand what your partner has to say. You may not agree, but you can still try to listen.
If you cannot reach a clear decision, try to find a solution that will work best for both of you.
Sometimes, when you have tried everything but nothing worked, the best way to deal with the issue is to take outside help. You may seek the help of your parents or family, or go for professional or marriage counselling.
It is necessary for you to keep your emotions under control and find the best way to discuss them with your partner.
Pregnancy and Baby Singapore provides you with the latest news and practical tips to help you in your parenting journey. For more tips on your pregnancy and baby in Singapore, subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook, to receive new articles for mummies like you every week!
