March 28, 2019

Endy Mattress Honest First Impressions & 30 Day Review


We received our Endy mattress at the end of January, which means it’s time to share our first impressions and 30-day review (plus a discount code so YOU too can enjoy a better nights’ sleep)!

And because this is an HONEST review, there’s no one more honest to give it than our 3 year old daughter. Because if we’re in the business of being honest here, she did spend the majority of those 30 nights sleeping on the new mattress.

Endy Mattress Honest First Impressions & 30 Day Review

I recently sat down with her to ask some questions about mommy and daddy’s new Endy mattress and pillows. This is what she said…

Mom: Were you excited when mommy and daddy’s mattress arrived at the door?
Morley: Ya. 

Mom: Was it easy to unpack? Did you help daddy?
Morley: Ya. No I didn’t.

Mom: What was the first thing you did when it was unpacked?
Morley: What?

Mom: Have you slept on it?
Morley: Uh huh. 

Mom: Is it comfortable?
Morley: Ya. 

Mom: Do you like to sleep on it, or do you like your own bed?
Morley: I like to sleep on it. I don’t like my bed because I like to sleep with you.

*Insert heart explosion here. Also, she’s one smart cookie and knows how to get to me.*

Mom: Where do you sleep when you sleep on the mattress?
Morley: I sleep in the corner. 

Mom: Oh, do you really.
Morley: Ya, because you guys sleep on the pillows. I use your pillow.

Mom: Do you use my pillow, or do you steal my pillow?
Morley: I use your pillow with you. 

Mom: Do you think you’ll ever go back to sleeping in your own room?
Morley: Nah, I don’t like my own bed.

*Insert palm to forehead here.*

Mom: Ok, we’ll see about that. Any final thoughts?
Morley: I like it. It’s great! Can I bounce on it one more time?

And there you have it, straight from our toddler’s mouth - our new Endy mattress and pillows were put to what we call the “no filter, brutally honest toddler test”. Now scroll down to read mommy and daddy’s (aka my husband and I’s) first impressions.

Endy Mattress Honest First Impressions & 30 Day Review

We had been talking about buying a new mattress for some time, but with recently taking on a mortgage, financially it wasn’t really a priority.

When Endy reached out and asked if we would like to join the Endy Partner family and try their Canadian-made and manufactured mattress, customizable pillows and sheet set, I knew this was our chance to start taking our sleep more seriously.

So 30 days in, what do we think?

I will admit, it took a few nights to get used to it. Definitely not a bad thing considering what we were feeling was the support that we needed, and that our old mattress clearly lacked.

During this time, I was still waking a few times a night to feed the babe. And by a few I mean every 3 hours. BUT, I noticed that those few hours at a time that I was having were getting better and better. I started falling asleep quicker AND feeling more rested when I woke. Yes, that combo is a parent’s dream. 

In all, we’re very happy with how the first 30 nights went and are looking forward to many more nights of good sleep. Stay tuned for my 100-night review and final thoughts later this spring!

Endy Mattress Honest First Impressions & 30 Day Review

Do you own an Endy mattress? Let me know your experience in the comments below. If you’re thinking of buying one, feel free to ask me any questions you have!

Are you looking for a better night’s sleep? Use code TOANDFRO50 for $50 OFF your own Endy mattress (of any size).




*Disclosure:  I received this ENDY sleep set in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% that of To & Fro.



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March 26, 2019

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl - Shrimp Buddha Bowl Recipe


What are some of your hacks for cleaning out your fridge, freezer or pantry? Lately, build your own buddha bowls have been mine, including this Shrimp Buddha Bowl recipe. And they’re something the WHOLE family enjoys - meaning I’m only prepping one meal, instead of three. Win!

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl - Shrimp Buddha Bowl Recipe

Want to hear a ridiculous story?

Up until last year, I thought I was allergic to shrimp. 

Since I was 18, I avoided shrimp like the plague. I told restaurants I was allergic. I refused to eat at hibachi restaurants or sushi restaurants.  I know, I know, I’ve heard it all - “You’re missing out on all of the fun”, “Poor you” and even “Wow, you must be a cheap date”.

And it was all because one night when I was 18, I got one single hive under my eye, after eating shrimp.

Like anyone who thinks they have a food allergy, I immediately went to the doctor to get it checked. They pricked my arm and it was determined that “your suspicions were confirmed, you’re allergic to shellfish.” Shrimp and lobster to be exact. 

So I avoided it, for over a decade.

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl - Shrimp Buddha Bowl Recipe

Those ten plus years passed and I thought, “Hey, why not get checked again”. And so I did. A different doctor pricked my arm and determined I wasn’t allergic. I didn’t believe her. So, I went for the official blood test just to confirm. Negative. “Chances are,” the doctor said, “You were never allergic in the first place. Shellfish is one you don’t really grow out of.”

A doctor confirmed that I was not allergic. I had the blood test done to further rule it out. Yet I was still hesitant to eat it.

I know, pretty ridiculous, right?

Well, that all changed this year. My three year old daughter became a “shrimp monster” (her words, not mine), and so I began eating it again. And now I can’t get enough. 

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl - Shrimp Buddha Bowl Recipe

Shrimp is such a great protein alternative. Not only is it high in protein, it is low in calories and fat (when cooked properly) and also provides heart-healthy EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. 

When buying shrimp, we also make sure that we are buying sustainably-harvested shrimp, meaning that the shrimp is either caught or farmed in a way that considers the long-term vitality of the harvested species and the well-being of the oceans.

One of my favourite ways to eat shrimp? In this Shrimp Buddha Bowl - a bowl packed so full with yummy goodness that it has a rounded “belly” appearance, just like a buddha’s belly. Not only is it delicious, but it's also fun!

Read on for the recipe, and to learn about alternative and/or additional ingredients that can be used.

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl - Shrimp Buddha Bowl Recipe

Shrimp Buddha Bowl

Ingredients

  • Cous cous
  • Cucumber
  • Red onion
  • Carrot
  • Slivered almonds
  • Avocado
  • shrimp (peeled, tails off)
  • edamame
  • sesame seeds
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sriracha
  • Soy sauce (optional)

Directions

  1. Cook the cous cows according to the directions on the package.
  2. Cut up the veggies (cucumber, red onion, carrot, avocado) to the size of your choosing. (*For a shortcut, we purchase carrots pre-cut into matchstick-sized pieces.)
  3. Cook the shrimp and edamame.
  4. Make the sriracha mayo by combining the mayo and sriracha, to your desired spicy-ness level. Add a small amount of soy sauce to thin the sauce and make it more of a dressing consistency (optional). 
  5. Assemble the bowl. Put a layer of cous cous on the bottom, add the veggies and protein, sprinkle with slivered almonds and sesame seeds and drizzle the sriracha mayo dressing on top. 
  6. Toss and enjoy!

Alternative/Additional Ingredients

The great thing about these bowls is that you can really add anything to them, the options are unlimited. What you add depends on what you have available and what you like, and can include green onions, cashews, zucchini, bean sprouts, waster chestnuts, sweet potato, beets, tofu, salmon, chicken, chickpeas, beans, corn, radish and more. If spicy isn’t your thing, you could sub in a peanut sauce in lieu of the sriracha mayo dressing. If you don’t like cous cous, you could use quinoa, rice, spiralized vegetables, noodles (rice, udon, glass, etc.) or even greens as your base. 

You may also like:
Crispy Garlic Tofu Rice Bowl
Teriyaki Salmon Bowl

Final Thoughts

Like I said before, this recipe is not only a good way to clean out your fridge, freezer and pantry, but I especially love it because it is eaten by the ENTIRE family. That means I’m only preparing 1 meal, and not the usual 3. Yes, even 7 month old little sister can eat a variation with couscous and avocado. And big sister eats it all, minus “the spicy”. WIN!

What are some creative ways you clean our your fridge, freezer and pantry? I’d love to know!


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March 20, 2019

A Hockey Themed 3rd Birthday



Happy first day of Spring! Let’s talk a step back in winter (for just a few minutes) and check out the hockey themed birthday party we recently threw for our newly 3 year old daughter.

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

Earlier this month, we celebrated our oldest’s 3rd birthday. Seriously, THREE YEARS OLD. Where does the time go?

When we asked what she wanted to do, the answer was simple - she wanted a hockey themed birthday. A skating party.

No surprise there, considering how much time we’ve spent “hockeying like daddy” (aka skating) at our favourite outdoor skating rink the past few months.

So, it was settled. A hockey-themed birthday party at the City of Toronto’s Greenwood Park it would be.

You can read all about her first birthday here and second birthday here and here. 

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

Decor

What is a hockey themed birthday without hockey themed birthday party decorations and favours?

The community room that we rented from the City wasn't anything special, so it needed a little sprucing up.

After scouring Pinterest for a little inspiration, we started at the local dollar stores (Dollar Tree and Dollarama here in Ontario).

They didn’t have a ton of hockey-specific decor, so I had to think a little out of the box. For the colours, I chose blue and white (with a bit of silver) for our home team, Toronto Maple Leafs. Table cloths were also blue and white.

We added some packs of hockey trading cards to the table, for both the kids and the adults. 

I found hockey-specific plate, napkins and table confetti at Party City Canada. This is also where I purchased the large helium balloon arrangement, with silver “3” and white and blue balloons. 

My favourite Dollarama find was the letter boards (which came in three different colours). At only $4 a pop, they were a great steal and I will be able to use them again int he future for the blog.

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party
Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

Food

In terms of food, we ordered pizza from Pizzaville, and also had pop, juice, chips, veggies and fruit. The boxes for popcorn and chips were also from Dollarama, they reminded me of a concessions stand which was the look I was going for.

For the candy bar, I purchased candy at the Bulk Barn. I found black and white striped bags at Dollarama, and they reminded me of referees. 

The hockey-themed cake was ordered from Loblaws. 

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party
Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

A tradition we started for Morley’s first birthday was a photo book, ordered through Shutterfly. We compile all of our favourite photos from the year and organize them by month. We then get everyone at the party to write a fun message for her. I always have fun building them, and its a great keepsake for her to look back on when she’s older.

Instead of a traditional goodie bag, we gave each of the kids that came a hockey-related story book, specifically Over at the Rink: A Hockey Counting Book (by Stella Partheniou Grasso) and Just One Goal! (by Robert Munsch).

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party
Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

Ok, so I was pretty proud of myself for the theme and decor. But all Morley cared about was the skating and the people. And that was fine with me.

The day was absolutely perfect, even with the massive amount of snow falling from the sky. We really couldn't have asked for a better day and better celebration. 

She had such a great time celebrating #3, and seeing a smile on her face made me one happy mama. 

Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party
Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party
Hockey Themed Kids Birthday Party

You know how I know she had fun? She has asked me every day since to “go back to her skating party”. So if anyone has any suggestions on how to creatively tell a toddler that she won’t have another birthday party until next year, please send them my way.

How do you celebrate your kids’ birthdays? Any favourite themes you’ve done? I’d love to hear!




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Hockey Theme Kids Birthday Party


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March 18, 2019

A Family Trip to Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls


Looking for the perfect family adventure in southern Ontario? Whether it’s minus twenty or pouring rain outside, it’s always warm and sunny at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Read on to learn why Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect indoor vacation destination for families in southern Ontario.

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Last month, we escaped the big city and spent a night at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

With a water lover at home, we had talked about a visit for about a year. We went back and forth for some time, hesitant to book not knowing if it would be too old for our almost 3 year old. We were a bit afraid that it would be a waste of money, and that there would be nothing there for her to do.

Boy, were we wrong.

After receiving a gift certificate for Christmas, we were given the push we needed to book a stay. And, after talking with friends that had also visited with young children, we realized it would be the perfect time to take the girls.

And, we’re so glad that we did.

Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Located along the Niagara Gorge, just five kilometres from Niagara Falls, Great Wolf Lodge is one of North America’s largest indoor waterpark resorts, and the perfect family-friendly indoor vacation destination.

We arrived at 4:00pm, check in time. Walking in, I was in awe - the grand lobby was filled with kids in their bathing suits running around and parents trailing after them. With a massive fireplace, antler chandeliers and a fishing cabin-theme, I knew we were no longer in the big city. With two little ones in tow, vacations are no longer what they used to be. Stepping foot in the lobby for the first time, I instantly realized what we were in for - from here on out, it’s all about the girls. 

lobby at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
lobby at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
lobby at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Let’s get straight to the point. The highlight of Great Wolf Lodge?

That would be the humongous 103,000 square foot indoor waterpark, featuring 2.5 million litres of water, 13 water slides, 6 pools and a four-storey tree house water fort. The best way to describe it? Wow. Just wow.

The waterpark is an ideal escape for everyone, offering an environment that provides for family bonding time as well as safe, supervised, yet independent kid-friendly fun. It is open from 9:00am to 8:00pm daily, and on the day of arrival, guests have access starting at 1:00pm (3 hours prior to check in).

We were a bit worried Morley would be restricted to the wave pool and lazy river, so we were happy to see that there really is something for everyone at the waterpark, from toddlers all the way to adults. (See also FAQ below regarding appropriate age.)

water park at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Upon walking in, children are measured and given a different coloured wristband depending on their height. The colour corresponds to which slides they can go on. We spent the majority of our time in Chipmunk Cove - a shallow water area with a fountain forest - and on the kiddie slides (located in the same area), perfectly sized water slides with gentle slopes and tiny dips and turns. It was so fun to watch Morley break out of her shell and go down the slides all by herself. We also explored Fort Mackenzie, a multi-level water fort tree house and took a dip in Rainbow Lake (the wave pool) and Crystal River (the lazy river).

While we brought our own, we were happy to see that life jackets are available for use. They have a few different sizes and can be found first come, first serve at the entrance to the waterpark.

Kiddie Water slides at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

After some time spent in the pool and watching Morley brave the kiddie slides, it was time to head back to the room to warm up and fill our bellies. Instead of enjoying one of the many sit-down restaurants, we opted for room service, ordering a pizza to the room from Northwoods Pizza. (See also FAQ below regarding food.)

One thing that I appreciated about the resort was that there was never a need to carry a wallet or purse. A good thing when you’re around 2.5 million litres of water! Instead, it’s all in the RFID waterproof wristband, which acts as your room key, credit card for purchases in all retail shops, bars and restaurants and for all services, and even identification, say if you get separated from your children.

After a quick bite, it was back to the lobby for nightly story time - a chance for the kiddos to put on their pjs, grab their favourite stuffy and sit down to hear the forest friends and a very lively staff member read a few favourite storybooks.

Throughout the day, the lobby is fun (and dry) source of entertainment for the kids. Aside from story time, there are performances featuring animated friends of the forest who come to life and sing, dance parties, character meet and greets and more.

Lobby at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Lobby at Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

In total, the resort has 406 guest rooms made up of 10 different configurations, all designed with the rustic charm of a Northwoods cabin. We opted to stay in a Family Fireplace Suite which included two queen-sized beds, a full-size sleeper sofa in the semi-private living space and a fireplace. If we are to visit again when the girls are a bit older, we would definitely book a KidKamp Suite which features a tent-themed sleeping area with bunk beds.

The majority of the resort’s suites open onto a large deck or patio (perfect for a summer visit) and also include a semi-private living area, full-size bath, one or more TVs, in-room safe, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, free WIFI and more. Pack and play cribs are also available upon request.

After a much needed sleep and a quick bite to eat, we put our bathing suits back on and headed down to the watermark one more time before saying goodbye to our forest friends and making the 1.5 hour drive back to Toronto. It’s safe to day, both girls slept the entire way.

A Family Trip to Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions, as asked by YOU the readers on social media. (If you have any more, feel free to include them in the comments below and I will answer and update the post. Remember, if you have the question, chances are someone else is wondering the same thing, so don’t hesitate to ask!)

What age is appropriate?
This is a BIG one, and one of the reasons we almost didn’t book a stay.

At just shy of 3 years, our oldest had a blast! For that age, I recommend only one night. They can take part in all of the free activities (story time, character meet and greets, etc.) while still enjoying the waterpark for a good length of time.  Between the wave pool, lazy river and kiddy area (with four slides), there was enough for Morley to do that she didn’t even notice the bigger slides. 

In order to ride the kiddy slides in Chipmunk Cove, I strongly recommend they be comfortable and confident enough in the water as they have to ride the slides by themselves (parents can wait at the bottom). 

Our 6 month old also loved sitting in the water watching all of the kids in the pool. She had a grin from ear to ear as she splashed and watched her sister.

As kids get older, the pricier the trip gets (like anywhere, I guess). For kids 6 years plus, I recommend 2 nights. They can ride more slides in the waterpark (ability to ride goes by height) and take part in more of the paid activities at the resort (arcade, MagiQuest, etc.).

Is it clean?
With the volume of people they see, I was surprised how clean the resort was, both in and out of the waterpark. 

The water is obviously heavily chlorinated, and you will be smelling it for days after your visit. For example, I took a few showers to get the smell out of my hair and two washing cycles to get the smell out of our clothes. That being said, I would rather it be heavily chlorinated than not enough chlorine.

For the amount of chlorine, you would expect the decor to look “aged”. This is what I experienced at a previous indoor waterpark I had visited. However, there didn’t seem to be any wear and tear to the decor and structures, which means it is well cleaned and maintained. 

Isn’t it expensive?
Yes, it does come with a bit larger of a price tag than other hotels, but remember that with the room cost, you are also receiving admission to the waterpark on both days. 

There are ways to make your visit more cost effective. When choosing when to visit, select an off-peak time of the year, such as a week day, have your kids ask for gift certificates as gifts (like we received for Christmas), avoid areas with paid programming and services (as much as possible, I know easier said than done with kids) and even take advantage of the fridge and microwave in the room and bring your own food. (See also FAQ below regarding food.)

Be sure check out the “Special Offers” section on their website to learn more ways to save. 

How is the food?
Before visiting, I asked friends this same question. Their advice was that it is expensive and that we should bring our own food in terms of snack, lunch and breakfast. And so, we did. I loaded our cooler bag and to be honest, we didn’t end up eating half of it. A few reasons why - we were only there one night (total 22 hours) and we are a small family with young kids. 

For dinner, we ordered a pizza (and two beers) delivered to the room. A large Hawaiian was $22.99 and beers were $7.99 each, which we thought was comparable to if we went out to a restaurant. For our two adults and one child eating, this was a reasonable cost. However, if you have a larger family, or kids that eat more, I could see it being more expensive.

If you are going to bring your own food, there is a mini fridge and microwave located in the room. Keep in mind, outside food is not allowed in the waterpark. There are two restaurants in the waterpark area to order from.

By the way, the pizza was delicious.

Have you been to Great Wolf Lodge? Where is your favourite family-friendly vacation destination? I’d love to hear!





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A Family Vacation to Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

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March 14, 2019

Winner, Winner, Pizza Dinner



*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CAULIPOWER, but the content and opinions expressed here are 100% that of To & Fro's.

Toddlers. I would love to know what goes on in that little brain of theirs.

For example, when it comes to food, one day Morley can’t get enough of something, and the next she can’t stand the sight of it. Some days she’s a ravenous animal, and others it seems like she’s staging a hunger strike.

Bottom line - toddlers are creatures of habit, they like what they like. And they’ll be quick to tell you otherwise.


From an early age, we have tried to get Morley interested in what we were eating. We tried hard to avoid making two entirely separate meals. Because of that, she is not afraid to try something new - she’ll even dive head first into a plate of sushi. Girlfriend gets her money’s worth at an all you can eat. 

But even though she's up for try something new, it doesn’t always mean she’ll like it. She’ll be pretty quick to let you know of that. 

In our house, when it comes to the question, “What would you like to eat?”, there are two standard answers. Without fail, it’s all pizza and pasta, all the time. Not the healthiest of choices, right? But like I said, she likes what she likes. 

As parents, our job is to provide them with food that they like and we know they will eat, but food that is also healthy. So even if they want pizza and pasta all the time, we CAN steer them toward healthy eating. Even if we have to do it in a crafty way.

When it comes to pizza, there are clever ways of making it better for you. And believe it or not, it doesn’t just involve adding veggies on top. It also has to do with the crust.

Veggie CAULIPOWER pizza with cauliflower crust

When we were out grocery shopping earlier this week, I decided to switch things up and took a walk down the Natural Foods aisle where I grabbed a CAULIPOWER pizza from the freezer section. With my toddler’s help, we opted for a Veggie and a Three Cheese.

Instead of your typical dough crust, CAULIPOWER’s crust contains cauliflower as the #1 ingredient. There’s nothing synthetic in there, creating a vitamin-rich and naturally gluten-free option that is lower in calories, sugar, fat and sodium that a traditional crust.

Now I know what you’re thinking -“Healthy takes like cardboard.” That is where you’re wrong my friend. And to prove just that, I gave it the ultimate test - the no filter, brutally honest “toddler test”.


Veggie CAULIPOWER pizza with cauliflower crust
toddler sitting in front of oven waiting for pizza

It won.

You know how I know it won? She went back for a second slice. And then a third. All without noticing anything different about what she was eating. The words, “I like this pizza” even came out of her mouth.

Toddler tested, toddler approved. 

And for mom? I was pleasantly surprised. The crust was thin, but had flavour. It also had the consistency of real dough, so you didn't know you were eating cauliflower. And, my picky toddler ate it, which is good enough for me.

Winner, winner, pizza dinner!

Veggie CAULIPOWER pizza with cauliflower crust

CAULIPOWER is the #1 better-for-you pizza, #1 cauliflower crust pizza, #1 gluten-free pizza and fastest growing pizza brand in the U.S – and now we’re bringing the healthy pizza party to our friends up North! Get ready for crispier, tastier, easier, healthier pizza – proudly made in Canada.

We found the pizza in the freezer aisle of the Natural Foods area of our local Real Canadian Superstore, however, it is also available at Loblaws, select Sobeys, Metro, Longo's, Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods, and many independent retailers. It comes in four different varieties - Three Cheese, Margherita, Veggie or Plain Crust to make your own.

sister grocery shopping in Natural Foods aisle of Real Canadian Superstore

Click *here* to get your hands on CAULIPOWER in the freezer aisle at your favorite Canadian retailers!

How do you make eating fun AND healthy for your little ones? I’d love to hear!





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March 12, 2019

Never Say Never: Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent and Why It's Ok to Change Your Mind



Last week, as I was putting on one of Morley’s (many) Princess Elsa shirts, I found myself reflecting on a time when I said I would never watch Disney’s Frozen. 

Fast forward 4 or 5 years, and Frozen now consumes my life - some days, it looks (and sounds) like Frozen threw up in our living room. And 4 or 5 years later, I’m ok with that. Most days, I’m singing and dancing right along. 

At the end of the day, it’s what make my daughter happy and putting (and keeping) a smile on her face is my #1 goal. 

Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent

Before having kids, I had a handful of things I said I’d never do as parent - let them watch Frozen, be able to handle puke, be bound by routine, or let them roll around on the floor in the middle of the grocery store, to name a few.

But as I've learned over the past 3 years, things change. Never say never.

As a parent, some days it’s full on survival mode. At the expense of your sanity, you do what you have to to get by. Even if that means changing your mind and giving into those things you said you would NEVER EVER do. 

We all have ideas about how we are going to parent our kids. But the truth is, there is no rule book. You have no way to predict what your future children will be like. It’s on the job training, and you learn as you go. And sometimes, that means abandoning your prior beliefs and going with what works for YOU.

Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent

Are there things you said you would NEVER do as a parent? But now that you are a parent, you’ve thrown those things right out the window?

Maybe it’s screen time. Maybe it’s giving into your two year old. Maybe it’s feeding them Kraft Dinner. Or maybe, like me, it’s watching Frozen.

I knew I wasn’t alone, so I put the question out to YOU on my Instagram Stories. Turns out, I was right. 

Here are your responses:

“Never thought I’d be so caught up in his sleep routine but here I am, crazy about sleep.”

“Lose my cool during a tantrum… who was I kidding.”

“Screen time to get through dinner at a restaurant.”

“Let my kid sleep with me.”

“Put licensed clothes on my kids.”

“Eating trashy.”

“Take them on a long haul flight at a very young age.”

“Co-sleep!”

“Suck the snot.”

“Yell. I swore I’d never yell. But sometimes I do and it makes me feel terrible.”

Things I Said I'd Never Do as a Parent

So, why am I sharing these responses? Because you are not alone. Chances are, you fit somewhere on this list as well. In fact, you may even be able to check off a few of the above list. I know I can.

And that’s ok.

Even if there was a point when you said it would NEVER EVER happen, things change. You do what works for YOU. The important thing is to understand why these choices work for YOU, rather than giving in to the guilt and the fear of judgement. 

It’s ok for things to change. It's ok to change your mind. Your kid is going to be fine if you let them hog the bed, wear a Princess dress out in public, eat marshmallows for dinner, and so on. They will be just fine.

And you know what? At the end of the day, you will be too.

So, morale of the story? Never say never.

Are there things you said you would NEVER do as a parent, but find yourself changing your mind? I’d love to hear!

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