You go green, girl!
Bag it!

Next time you go grocery shopping, BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag! The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly 380 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. each year. Since they don’t biodegrade, most of them end up as litter, filling landfills and posing a toxic threat to animals and the environment. While most grocery chains offer their own reusable bags, here are some stylish options. Who wouldn’t want to carry home cantaloupes in a zebra-print bag?

> Envirosax “Flora 1” Reusable Bag, $8.50.
> Get Hip Get Green Reusable Shopping Bag, $6.
Both at thegreenloop.com
> Happy Bags “Wilma” – a black-and-white zebra-print reusable bag, $24. Available in fun polka dot and plaid prints, too. bhappybags.com


Solution of the month
Be Polite – It’s Sunday Night!

Ahhhh, dinnertime with the kids … quiet conversation and positive vibes are flowing, right? Not likely! If your dinner table resembles most households, meals are never-ending battles, with you as ring leader, saying, “Sit in your chair!” and “Use your utensils, not your hands!”
   
Try this trick, and smooth sailing may not be far out of reach: Give each family member (mom and dad included) one “token” at the beginning of dinner – quarters, bingo chips or paper cutouts. Place them in the middle of the table. Each time someone is reminded about their table manners, one of the tokens gets removed. If there are tokens left after dinner, everyone can have dessert. If you work up to having ALL the tokens on the table … head out for ice cream to celebrate!


Pester power
Don’t cave in to it!

Sometimes there are things in life we’re just not prepared for … like when you’re sitting at the table with your very well-behaved straight-A almost-7-year-old having a snack, and she hits you with, “Mom, can we go get some of that glitter eye stuff today?” Your head is spinning, your mouth is agape ... you didn’t expect to have this conversation for another four years!
   
Our children find these newfangled things irresistible, and we must not underestimate pester power. When they start wanting things that are outside your bounds of decency, here are a few points to consider:

> Teach your kids morals and values important to your family. We assume that our children will sort of “inherit” our value system. But because morals and values are such intangibles, we need to make it a point to actually teach children what they are and, more importantly, why we value them.

> Know your role in the parent-child relationship. Young children are still developing a sense of self-control. They are looking to us, as parents, to rein in these inappropriate impulses. They are testing us and asking if we know where the limits are, and, believe it or not, they feel much more secure when the rules are enforced.

> Set a good example. From an early age, our kids watch, listen and observe our every move. They process it into what becomes part of their perceptions and realities. It’s important for mothers to recognize that we are our daughter’s first and most potent role model. We must be aware of how we dress, and what we watch, read and listen to, as well as what we think is important.

> Know what your kids are into and why. Parents are so busy that we don’t take time to understand our children’s worlds. They want a toy, we buy it – sometimes not knowing who the character is or what it does. When junior really wants something, find out what the motivation is.

> Be very aware of your child’s media consumption. Keep TVs, computers and video games out of bedrooms. Make it a rule for all screen time to take place in family areas. While it’s tempting to use the TV as a sitter, make sure you know what’s on.

> Let kids be kids. Our children are bombarded with media images of who they’re supposed to be. But if they’re given ample time to be kids and encouraged to have a childhood full of wonder, they’ll enjoy being a child and prolong the experience.

> Allow your kids to make choices at an early age. Making everyday decisions, such as what to have for breakfast or what book to read at bedtime, is a powerful way for your child to build confidence and self-esteem. Making decisions in small doses and having a little control over their lives helps children to not feel overwhelmed when faced with bigger choices.

> Ensure that the power of family life outweighs the power of peers. It’s critical to make family time a priority to show that family always comes first. Create traditions, such as family game night, once a month to bolster your child’s self-esteem. As kids get older, the influence of peer groups gets stronger. A confident child will be less likely to cave under peer pressure. n


Allergy-free cupcakes

Moms, rejoice! Now there’s a cupcake that packs all the freshness of homemade treats and is safe enough to serve all children at your next birthday or classroom party!
  
Located in Santa Ana, Green Cupcakes and More is owned and operated by Georgina Seek, a mother whose child developed multiple food allergies as an infant. Birthday parties, celebrations, school functions and playdates became worrisome events, due to the dangerous allergens, especially in cupcakes, cookies and cakes.
   
Georgina set out to bake an allergen-free cupcake that was beautiful, delicious and healthy. Her passion bloomed, and Green Cupcakes and More was born for every child – young and old – who wants to have his or her cupcake and eat it, too!
   
The cupcakes are free of gluten and made without many common foods associated with allergies: no peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, soy or wheat. And, true to their name, Green Cupcakes are baked in 100 percent unbleached baking cups and presented in recycled packaging.
   
Classic Golden Vanilla or S’More? You decide! Check out the entire yummy menu at greencupcakes.com. n

Maria Bailey is a contributing writer and author of the best-selling book “Trillion-Dollar Moms.”