Author: Mindy Wulliger

The beauty of positive affirmations is that they’re short statements you can quickly remind yourself of at any point in the day. They help both to help boost your confidence and calm your frustrations.

Parenting affirmations to use daily

• “I am the best mom/dad for my child.”
• “Today is a new day for our family.”
• “I live a life rich with love.”
• “I’m doing the best I can for my family, and it’s enough.”
• “Despite the challenges, my children feel loved and safe.”
• “Not only is it okay to ask for help, but I deserve help.”
• “I am grateful for my kids, my partner and my family.”
• “I believe in myself and accept that I am enough.”
• “I learn and become a better parent with each passing day.”
• “In taking care of myself, I’m teaching my kids the value of self-care.”

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Parenting affirmations to use in challenging moments

• “My child is not giving me a hard time, they are having a hard time, and I can help.”
• “I will breathe and respond calmly in this moment.”
• “Parenting has ups and downs, and I can handle them.”
• “I don’t love these struggles but I love my kids.”
• “My child and I are learning as we go.”
• “I will choose to model what I want to see in my children.”
• “Even in the tough moments, my kids and my family still love me.”
• “It’s okay that I had a bad moment or day. This too shall pass.”

1/2 cup milk mixed with 2 tbsp sugar

In a diff bowl mix 2 1/4 tbsp of cornstarch with half cup milk

Mix well so there’s no chunks

Add the milk with the cornstarch to the milk with the sugar

Mix it on medium fire until it gets thick, make sure there are no chunks

Add a few drops or rose water

Once it’s thick remove it from the fire and serve

Thank you Rachel Shiro @taste.the.flavor for the recipe

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Be Iron Chefs for the Day
Issue a challenge to your kids with the ingredients in your pantry and see who will win the title of Iron Chef. If your children are too young to do this by themselves, you and your husband can team up with them. Bonus: You’ll be cleaning out those never-used and almost-expired items in your pantry, and actually putting them to good use!

Have a campout in your house.
Set up a tent (or a kid-constructed one made of blankets) and get out the sleeping bags—you’re about to get rustic. Or as rustic as you can be in your living room or backyard and with access to a bathroom. Tell stories with flashlights, make s’mores and do a ton of imaginative play. Keep up your campsite all day long—and maybe even for a sleepover at night, too.

Burn off some energy at a local bounce house.
This is particularly great for those days when it’s raining!

Compete in the at-home Olympics.
Set up easy challenges in your house and your backyard, and keep the kids busy, active and competitive all day. Ward off potential arguments with a judge/referee (um, that would be you), scorecards and lots of cheering.

Turn your kids into mini CEOs.
Remember the lemonade stands of your childhood? Let them come up with an idea for their own business and develop it however they see fit. This is a chance to create something sweet and, potentially, to get them thinking in a whole new way. Have them save up the money they make and put it toward something they want, or donate to tzedakah.

Write a book.
Have each family member tell part of a story, then write it down and have your children create illustrations for it. They can even turn their newly written story into a play later in the day.

Send the kids on a scavenger hunt.
Make your own clues for around the house, your neighborhood, or large supermarket.

Host an international day at your house.
Pick a country and immerse yourselves in its culture—with food, music, language, books and cool facts. The kids really love the food part of it too! Enlist some friends and have them each bring a dish so that all of the cooking and other work doesn’t fall solely on you.

Perform random acts of Chessed.
Bake cupcakes for a neighbor. Buy a stranger a cup of hot chocolate. Sing for an older woman. Make cards for a children’s hospital. This is a great way to teach your children that a little kindness can go a long way—and to have a ton of fun with them in the process!

“LOVE” Kids Handprint Coat Rack
Add a personalized touch to your home decor! (Plus it’s functional!)

Click here for instructions

Morning Yoga Routine for Kids

Wake up and “get the blood flowing.” Who knew it could have such an awesome effect on kids too!

Click here for the routine

1. FAMILY SLEEPOVER

A wild night of family fun and laughter where Chanukkah Matching Pajamas are the dress code! Bring out cozy blankets and have some pillow fight fun!

Camp out in the family room on sleeping bags or everyone pile into one bedroom for a magical night!

Wake up in the morning and make pancakes or waffles for breakfast!

2. MAKE YOUR OWN DONUTS!

For just $25 on Amazon, buy the donut maker that makes 7 Donuts at a time! Choose your favorite batter and place it the donut maker, they will be ready in minutes! It’s so simple, even your kids can use it!

BUY HERE

3. DANCE PARTY

Turn up the music and dance! Everyone!

Turn your home into a makeshift dance floor. Add some disco colorful lights and let loose!

4. TZEDAKAH DREIDEL NIGHT

Each player chooses a tzedakah organization. All the dreidel winnings are donated to the tzedakah cause of the winner’s choice! All you need is dreidels and coins! 

5. GAME NIGHT

Pictionary? Poker? Rummikub? Hullaballoo?

Uninterrupted play time is rare, and treasured!

Play games you have in the closet or order a new game in advance that your family never played with before.

6. VIDEO NIGHT 

Get some popcorn and watch something Jewish with friends or family. Don’t know where to start? Head over to YouTube to watch some Hanukkah themed movies.

Check out The Maccabeats’ Perfect Latke Recipe or their other Hanukkah videos.

7. BAKING NIGHT

As long as everyone’s in the kitchen together whisking, measuring and stirring, it doesn’t matter what you make.

We vote for Chex Muddy Buddies, Brownies, Dreidel shaped cookies, Rice Krispie treats, mini donuts… yum!

Take out those aprons and kids recipe books. Make a mess and have fun!

8. MITZVAH NIGHT

Join with another family to visit a nearby nursing home or read a story to elderly neighbors.

Consider making a Berachot Party! Spread out a variety of foods with all the Berachot and have each child make Beracha out loud.

Have your children go through toy closets to pull out toys to donate to those that can use it or for the refugees and displaced families in Israel.

The point is to spend quality time together! (And eat latkes :))

Gave any of these a try? Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @CareForSpecial for a chance to be featured!

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