Provident Parenting

Experts agree that a weekly date night is essential for a strong, happy marriage. However, the reality is that hiring a babysitter can be expensive for most young families. It is also difficult to find someone willing to watch a batch of small children.

A way to solve this problem is to have a babysitting swap with another family with young children. Every other week you can have date nights. You watch your friend's kids one week and have your friend watch your kids the next week. That way you get free babysitting, your kids have a playdate once every two weeks, and you have more money to spend on your date.

Hint, hint, I hope I can find someone to swap with soon!!

Has anyone successfully done this? I think it is a great idea.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 3:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

For older toddlers, Target brand diapers aren't too bad. They are much cheaper, and my son has not had any accidents through them. I don't how well they hold up with younger babies, because my son does feel a little wet in them. At his age, that is great because he is now more interested in getting potty trained. He'd wants the diaper off quickly. I don't know if he has just finally reached that level of development, or if it is the diaper. I will say that over all we were happy with the Target diaper and saved a lot of money in the meantime. Does anyone have any other opinions on Target brand baby products?

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 1:26 AM | Permalink | Comments

This is a story from BBC News. Tummy Time

Now doctors say that babies need to be on their tummies sometimes, that being on their backs too much slows their development!

I always laid my babies on their backs while they slept and had them on their stomachs during the day. I was always taught to give your baby time on their tummy to try to strengthen their neck and back. I think my pediatrician told me that.

Well, now it is official. First doctors say tummy only, then back only, now you have to combine the two. Doctors seem to change their minds a lot.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

I used to make this for my son. (He was 1 year old) He loved it. It was easy and cheap to make.

1 head cauliflower (about 3 pounds), cored and separated into florets
1 to 1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled (2 to 3 large potatoes) I used baking potatoes
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (if needed) (I usually did not put milk in it)
3 Tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (optional)

Boil the vegetables until tender, about 15 minutes for the cauliflower and 30 minutes for the potatoes.

You can either put it into a food processor or mash it. I always mashed it.

An easy tip for cauliflower that I learned from a Punjabi cooking show- instead of dividing the cauliflower into little floret, just chop the head of cauliflower into chunk and boil it. It tastes the same, especially since you are mashing it anyways.

Another tip (unrelated) from the Punjabi show- to make tomato puree, grate the tomato on a cheese grater into whatever dish (usually aloo gobi or a curry) you are making.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

I found this link that has recipes for Indian baby food. I really want to try these out since I doubt Gerber makes them. They are recommended for babies over 6 months old or as "weaning" food.

This one especially looks useful for diarrhea. (Can be used by adults too)

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

I didn't know that you can freeze banana. I don't know why you would honestly, but this was posted on wholesomebabyfood.com:

Freezing Banana & Avocado

Myth: You can't freeze Bananas and/or Avocados

Truth: We are unsure where this myth originated however we suspect it may
be perpetuated by parents who have had their banana and/or avocado turn
brown when frozen. There is no health/nutritional reason for not freezing
bananas and/or avocados.

True, they may turn brown however this browning is natural and unless you began with brown and rotting fruit, the browning is not indicative of rot. Browning is the natural process that occurs as many fruits oxidize and ripen.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

I looked for homemade infant formula but read that it is not recommended to make your own infant formula as it is not guaranteed that the baby will receive all of the nutrients he or she needs. SO I guess for food storage purposes it is best to buy an extra can of formula here or there for your infant rather than trying to make it on your own.

I did, however, find many recipes for making your own cereal. For storage purposes, you can freeze the cereal in cubes for up to 3 months.

Wholesome Baby Food.com is a great resource for making infant food and has information on infant nutrition. Of course you can get a lot of information from the Department of Health and the WIC program.

Here are some cereal recipes: (from wholesomebabyfood.com)
Rice Cereal

1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.

Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 c. of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor
3/4 c. water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.


Baked Apple Cereal

1. Peel, core and cut a small apple into small dices
2. Place in a pan with 1/4 c ground oats and 3/4 c water
3. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Simmer covered, checking frequently, until apples are soft and oatmeal is cooked.
4. Be sure to stir and mash while cooking
5. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice to thin if needed - puree if necessary
(sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the cereal if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)

Please share some of your favorite infant recipes. Notice that these recipes can be made from your food storage so if there is a disaster, you don't need to worry about feeding your baby.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Buy a pot roast and cook in the crockpot all day. Use the meat for roast, burritos, and sandwiches. Freeze the extra. That 7 or 8 dollars go a long way. I also bake a whole chicken and use it for several meals like soups and salads. You can buy a whole chicken for less than $3. Freeze the extra to put in different recipes like enchiladas and tetrazini. Another thing to do is buy a chicken cut up in pieces and marinate in barbeque sauce. Put in the freezer and when ready to eat thaw and bake. Instant barbeque chicken.

How long can you keep meat in the freezer? I like to use it within 3 months, but I heard you can freeze meat and chicken up to four months. Pork is only good (based on my experience) after 2 months. So if there is a big sale on meat, stock up on it and FREEZE!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

Your favorite baby tips, advice, etc. Ways to save money (please help me out with this one!!).

Share sewing patterns, baby food recipes, and how to keep food storage for a baby and nursing mother.

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

I thought it interesting to point out that part of the relief society message this month was about being a provident wife.

"How Does Wise Home Management Strengthen Our Families?

D&C 93:43, 50: "Set in order your own house. . . . See that [you] are more diligent and concerned at home."

Proverbs 31:10, 13, 25, 27: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. . . .

"She . . . worketh willingly with her hands. . . .

"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. . . .

"She looketh well to the ways of her household."

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.

" . . . If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter . . . and peace in your hearts" ("To the Boys and to the Men," Liahona, Jan. 1999, 66; Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54). (From the Relief Society message July 2006 on lds.org)

What great advice for everyone!

Posted by Duchess of Purple at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments