THE RECIPES

6 Delicious Recipe Swaps Your Kids Will Love

It can be challenging to find new things your kids will eat (and we know how boring it gets making the same meals week after week), but at ParentsCanada, we’ve all had at least some success with the “this instead of that” approach to meal planning.

The idea is to make a list of your kiddo’s tried-and-true faves, then find variations on a theme. Looking for similar flavour profiles or cooking methods means there’s something recognizable about the meal, but you also get to introduce something new—and hopefully shake up your meal rotation.

Here are a few ideas from our recipe archive to get you started (and we’ve got tons more at parentscanada.com, so check it out!).

If your kids like burgers, try…
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

If your kids like mac and cheese, try…
Basic Parmesan Risotto

If your kids like chicken fingers, try…
Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

If your kids like stir fry, try…
Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu

If your kids like tacos, try…
Fish Taco Bowls

If your kids like fruit salad, try…
Mediterranean Watermelon-Feta Salad

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THE RECOMMENDATION

Need It, Want It, Gotta Have It: Dapple Baby Foaming Bottle & Dish Spray

Tackle tough baby messes! Dapple Baby Foaming Bottle & Dish Spray takes care of milk film and odour using award-winning green technology and baking soda. Powered by plants and free from harsh chemicals, it’s safe for the whole family’s dishes. Available now on Amazon and at Walmart Canada locations.

THE POLL

Do You Stick to a Regular Schedule for Your Child’s Eye Exams?

It can be tempting to skip eye exams if nothing seems awry with your kiddo’s eyesight, but the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends babies get their first eye exam at six to nine months, with regular follow-ups as they grow. This helps to catch any issues before they really become a big deal (read more here!). May is Vision Health Month—the perfect reminder to check in on how well your kids are really seeing the world around them—so take this as a sign to book optometrist appointments for everyone in the fam. In the meantime, we’re curious to know…

TODAY’S POLL

Results From Our Last Poll

Do you consider yourself a natural consequences parent?

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yep. It’s the best way to learn. (27.16%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sometimes, when the stakes are low. (65.43%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Nope. I can’t handle when my kids are uncomfortable. (7.4%)

From our readers:

THE QUESTION BOX

I Was Never Taught Emotional Regulation as a Child—How Can I Help My Kids When I’m Still Learning Myself?

For our fourth instalment of The Heart of the Matter, our new relationship column this year, coaches Matt and Carina tackle an all-too-real topic for so many parents. So many of us were parented by moms and dads in the generation of “just get over it” or “pull yourself together,” so we learned to bury our emotions and avoid dealing with them.

If this is you, and you’re still learning to process your own emotions, you’re not alone—and the good news is, you don’t have to wait until you’ve got it all figured out to help your kids. In fact, learning together is a powerful way to build emotional literacy in your family. Emotional regulation lowers stress, strengthens relationships and helps us respond (instead of react) in challenging moments. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present. Here are a few simple ways to start:

• Name your own emotions out loud

• Gently label your child’s feelings

• Notice sensations in your body

• Model calming actions like taking a break

For more on this topic from Matt and Carina, hit the button below.