Between hosting a toddler playdate, dropping an older child off at a ballet lesson, and catching up on some work, many moms have little time to put dinner on the table -- let alone sit down with their kids while they eat.

But the benefits of gathering for a meal together go beyond knowing whether your child ate her broccoli or snuck it to the dog. Regular family meals have been linked to a lower rate of obesity. Family mealtimes can also be a boon for child development, since your dinnertime conversation may boost your 3-year-old’s vocabulary and social skills.

Ready to chat and chew? Keep this parenting advice front and center to get the most out of your mealtimes.

Make family meals a regular event. Don’t stress if you can’t sit down for every meal together. Aim to eat as a family three to four times a week (you could even put the dates on a calendar to ensure that the whole family remembers).

Leave technology off the table. The television, cell phones, laptops, and even the radio can be a distraction and take away from the time you have together at the dinner table. Turn off technology (parents, too!) until the meal is over.

Engage your child. It’s easy to get lost in your lasagna and forget to talk. Make an effort to ask your tot questions about her day at preschool or what she did at the park. The more you talk, the more you’ll help build language and other child development skills. Feel free to use words she may not know yet (“Do you like how this eggplant tastes?”), as the dinner table is the perfect place to explain what things mean. Keep the conversation flowing by listening intently to your child and asking follow-up questions, as well as sharing information about your day, too.

Your regular family dinners will in time become a wonderful tradition that continues as your child gets older. Of course, life can get in the way of a planned pizza night. If that’s the case, simply reschedule for another night. Bon appétit!

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

You love everything about being a new mom -- well, with the exception of the post-pregnancy baby weight. If you’re like many moms, you’re probably wondering how you'll find time for fitness after having a baby.

Fortunately, losing baby weight doesn’t have to be time-consuming and you don’t need to miss precious moments with your baby in order to shape up. The key is to bring your new baby with you to your sweat sessions. Slimming down can actually be fun when you work out with your little one – and it’ll bring you two closer! Use these tips to get started.

Hit the pavement

Whether you’re a walker or a runner, taking your baby with you while you log miles is a great way to lose baby weight. Just wait until your baby is at least 6 months old before using a jogging stroller, since the upright position isn’t safe for a baby who lacks head support. While you’re walking or jogging, keep your baby engaged by talking to her, such as pointing out the scenery as you pass (“Did you see that dog?”). Walking or running together can be a fun and stimulating way for a mother to bond with her young baby – it’ll be a new environment and activity for your baby and it’ll be nice for you to have a little workout partner.

Take a class

From yoga to cardio, many gyms offer mommy-and-me classes. You get the benefit of having an instructor guide you through the best post-pregnancy workouts for losing baby weight, and your baby gets to watch the other moms and babies move about the room.

Take your baby to the mat

Incorporating your new baby into your toning exercises can be fun for both of you. Your baby loves being held by you. Just make sure you are able to maintain proper form while keeping a firm, safe grip on your baby. Start with these three moves:

·         Up-dog stretch: Lie on your stomach and keep your hips on the ground as you lift your chest up toward the sky. Lay your baby on the ground in front of you and shower her with kisses when you come back down.

·         Bench squats: Hold your new baby as you squat down and sit on a park bench or the couch. Engage your core (as if someone is about to hit you in the stomach) as you drive through your heels and stand back up.

·         Shoulder press: Stand up tall with your core engaged and hold your baby securely in your hands. Lift her up in the air and bring her back down for kisses.

On days when working out is the last thing you feel like doing, remind yourself that your new baby needs stimulation and fresh air, too. Knowing you’re doing something healthy for your baby while also losing the baby weight should help get you out the door. And you definitely won’t regret spending this quality bonding time together!

Stuck inside on a rainy day? Or are you just looking for some toddler play ideas that will keep your child entertained for ages? These toddler crafts are ideal -- they aren’t complicated and don’t require you to drop a bundle of cash. All you need are a few basic supplies.

Sensory activity
Let your toddler engage in experiencing different textures and colors. Cook up some spaghetti and place a handful into four or five bowls. Drip a few drops of food coloring to change the pasta’s color. Then let her have at it! She will love the uniqueness of the colored pasta, the slipperiness of the noodles, and the squishy sound they make when squeezed. 

Motor skills activity
Encourage fine motor development with this easy and fun toddler activity. Set out a muffin tin and some different colored pom-poms -- most craft stores carry these inexpensive colored puffs. Let your child sort her poms into the individual muffin holes.  She’ll have fun grabbing at the soft balls, and eventually the game can help her learn colors.

Creative activity
Another toddler play staple is finger painting -- just be prepared for a little mess! Simply squeeze some paint onto a plate or tray and let your toddler use her fingers or hands to draw designs on blank pieces of paper. Be sure to protect the surface where you’re working with a washable cover or old newspapers. You can use a clipboard to keep the paper from shifting around. If you’re looking for new ways to decorate your toddler’s room, consider framing and hanging some of her favorite finger paint masterpieces.

No matter which craft you pick, keep toddler safety in mind. All activities should be highly supervised, especially when you’re working with smaller pieces.

Another developmental milestone is here! Your baby is walking around like she owns the place. She’s so confident that she already wants to take the stairs -- two at a time!

If your baby is new to walking, though, she’s probably not quite ready for stairs yet. So put the brakes on and take a few precautions. Here’s what you need to know.

• Continue to keep the stairs in your home gated -- at the top and bottom -- and don't let your walking baby out of sight. Even though she's getting good at walking, she still won't be able to mount stairs for a while.
• She's going to push for her independence, but let your baby know that if she wants to use the stairs, she needs to hold Mommy’s or Daddy's hand.
• When descending stairs, teach your baby how to slide down on her belly. Not only is this the safest way for now, you can also treat it as a game she’ll enjoy.

Before you know it, your baby will be mobile enough to walk up and down stairs on her own. Just teach her to always hold on to the railing so she stays safe. Next up? She’ll be running -- cover your eyes!

Photo by Jordan Christian on Unsplash

If you watch your toddler play by himself or interact with his friends, you’ll quickly realize that play takes many wonderful forms. Your child might spend all day building block towers or feeding his favorite stuffed animal while his cousin races around the backyard for hours. Trying out different ways to play can help your toddler develop new skills -- and have fun at the same time.

Active play helps your child’s body control and movement
As your toddler gains more control over his body, he’ll test the ways he can move. The result: a child who is jumping, climbing, swinging, and bouncing all over the place. The nonstop movement may tire you out, but it’s actually an important part of his development. Active play not only helps build a healthy body, it also strengthens critical thinking skills as he learns about size and shape (“Can I fit through this tunnel?”) and direction (“I can jump up and down!”).

Create a safe environment for active play by removing sharp or dangerous objects and providing toys to encourage movement, such as pillows to jump on or boxes to crawl through.

Creative, imaginative play is key to cognitive development
As your toddler’s imagination develops, you’ll notice that his play becomes more creative. His favorite blankie is also a cape, his blocks turn into zooming cars, and a cardboard box transforms into a castle. This imaginary play isn’t just cute to watch, it’s also key to your child’s development: It helps build problem-solving skills and language development.

Encourage your toddler to engage in imaginary play by supplying him with plenty of toys that will spark creative scenarios. These could include dress-up clothing, soft animals, and everyday objects, such as a wooden spoon (a wand!) or plastic cups (a row of little houses!).

Playing with others means learning valuable social skills
While solo play is a key part of your toddler’s development, play that involves peers or siblings is also crucial. Playing with other kids helps foster the social skills he'll need to navigate preschool and kindergarten in the years ahead. These skills may include sharing, resolving conflicts, and empathizing. Try to arrange playdates each week to give your toddler the opportunity to engage with other children his age.

While active, creative, and social games are all important, any and all playtime will be beneficial to your toddler. Just be sure not to skimp on the fun!