The 'dinner candle' trick for picky eaters

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

The best and worst states for working moms — plus what the top three are doing right. You might be surprised.

If this mom’s “dinner candle” hack for picky eaters is worth the try. Easy and cheap? We’re in. 

Why Amazon and Target will stop selling weighted swaddles and sleep sacks. Took ’em long enough.

How one mom’s plea for judgy parents to shut up about “my kid’s screen time” may be the freedom call we’ve been looking for. 

Teaching our sons and daughters to give to others — and stand up for themselves. We could use a refresher too.

PS: Read this if you’ve got soon-to-be preschoolers and are wondering where they’ll go, and this article on the possible shift to four-day school weeks.

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

How can I occupy my toddler without a screen during our next road trip? 

FEATURED EXPERT:

Karen Magee

President of Valerie Wilson Travel, Chase Travel Group

“There are a variety of ways to keep little ones distracted on the road and limit screen time,” says Magee. The key lies in some pre-trip prep: 

• Plan snack stops. “One of my favorite ways to keep the whole car motivated and excited is planning ahead for snack time and picnic stops,” Magee says. To help, map out some ideas before hitting the road — or if you’re using a travel agent, ask for their recommendations.

• Introduce nostalgic road trip games. “Whether it’s a classic game of I Spy or trying to find a license plate from all 50 states, there are so many interactive car games that make driving the distance fun. I recently picked up a ‘road trip bingo’ game that my [toddler] daughter loves,” she says. Pro-tip: Make a list of games in advance so you can turn to them in moments of frustration, she says.

• Create an activity kit — and distribute it slowly. “Whether it’s interactive, coloring books or puzzles, these games help spark your toddler's imagination — but don’t take them out all at once. Have something new you can surprise them with every few hours,” says Magee.

We have thoughts. This week, we ranked our thoughts on baby gear, from 0–10. No science, just snark.

Hard pass 

1/10: Pee-pee teepees. Boy moms, we can’t promise you won’t get peed on, but we know this won’t save you. (What can: Using a diaper as a cover instead.) 

2/10: Shopping cart covers. Taking a baby anywhere is hard enough — struggling with these tough-to-put-on covers doesn't have to be part of the journey. Instead, use a wipe to cut down on germs.

Ehh

5/10: Baby food makers. While these are great for making baby-sized portions, once you pass the puree stage they serve no purpose. Now, if it converted to a margarita maker… 

More of this 

10/10: Gear that grows with your baby, like Aden & Anais swaddles, Skip Hop’s Explore & More 3-Stage Activity Center, and the BabyBjörn bouncer. You’ll use them — and love them — through the toddler years. 

10/10: Cash funds for your registry. Whether you earmark it for diapers, meals, or even future college costs, these can be helpful long after your kiddo starts sleeping through the night.

Like a Fancy Hot Cocoa 

Once the kids are finally (finally) asleep, you could reach for a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or… this Cacao Turmeric Latte Blend. Its benefits go way beyond helping you relax. Made with ingredients like cacao, turmeric, and coconut, it can help you reduce stress and cut down on bloat and inflammation. There’s also less caffeine in it than in coffee (just 2 mg per serving), so it’s great for the afternoon too.

“I drank a lot of tumeric-based drinks during my postpartum period. They helped me reduce my inflammation. This one is tasty, gives me a hot cocoa vibe, and also does my body some good,” says Kamini Ramdeen-Chowdhury, Managing Editor of theSkimm.

Bonus: It’s easy to make. All you have to do is stir it in warm water or milk. Cheers.