Ten Fun Things to do with Leftover Halloween Candy (Besides eat it)

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1. Sort it – Very young children love to sort things- by color, by shape, by size, or by type. Candy even adds sorting dimensions (chocolates versus non-chocolates, different flavors, etc.). Make it a race seeing who can sort the quickest, or just have a leisurely time sorting at your own pace. Either way, sorting can provide you hours of fun.

2. Make Jewelry – I heard that candy jewelry made by preschoolers is really in this season and now you can have yours for free! Grab some yarn and tie together the bajillions of bubble gums and lollipops your children raked in for some candy chic necklaces and bracelets. Then create your own catwalk and have a fashion show!

3. Donate it – Many local area Meals on Wheels, nursing homes, and foster homes graciously accept leftover Halloween candy. Leftover candy (especially candy that isn’t specifically decorated for Halloween) is given to those in need and used for Thanksgiving and holiday get-togethers. Check with your local agencies for special guidelines. BONUS: This is a great opportunity to teach your child about giving back and having a giving heart.

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4. Bake it in a recipe – Okay, so this one doesn’t qualify as a ‘not eating it’ idea, but there are so many great recipes that involve candy and cooking with your kids is a great way to bond and create special memories. Here’s a great blog post from Sugar Mama with 15 delicious recipes for leftover Halloween candy.

5. Make sentences – Candy seems to always have fun names, so what better way to work on your child’s reading and sentence skills than helping him make sentences out of the candy names? Here’s an example: ‘I used to think Mom and Dad were two big nerds, but now I know they are smarties!’ And here’s a simpler one for younger kids: ‘Parker is the cutest boy in the entire Milky Way!’

6. Use it as a currency lesson – Don’t want your kids that entire pillowcase-full of candy they brought home on Halloween? Have them exchange it either for money that they can use to buy toys (older children) or for the toys themselves (younger children).

7. Play Hide-and-Seek with it – Kids love hide-and-seek, so give the game a twist by hiding the candy instead. One person hides the candy (hide it in groups- chocolates, suckers, etc- so you won’t be searching for so many little pieces) and the other person finds it. If you have more than one ‘seeker,’ put each person in charge of a candy group (one person find the suckers, one person finds the bubble gums, etc.)

8. Weigh it – Do you know which weighs more, a Blow Pop or a Tootsie Pop? What about a dry piece of gum or a chewed piece? Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? I sure don’t.

9. Make it art – Got glue and paper? Make a candy collage! Your child can leave candy in its wrapper or take it out- either way her art will be beautiful and a great addition to your refrigerator.

10. Make it a science lesson – Which candies float? Which candies dissolve in cold water the quickest? Hot water? Which chocolates melt the fastest in the microwave? Your kitchen has all the tools you need to set up a candy science lab and have hours of fun and learning.

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HUH? Helping Kids Listen

Do you ever feel like a broken record? Do you ever feel like a broken record? It’s frustrating when you feel like you are constantly repeating yourself and everything you say falls on deaf ears. So what’s the solution?

Well friends, first I say to you: look inward. Before you apply any quick fixes to your kiddos to get them to listen, evaluate when it is you are asking them to listen to you. Is it when they are in the middle of an art project? A future Tony award winning Broadway production? On the brink of discovering a new periodic element right in your very own backyard? Then you are interrupting them. Young children haven’t mastered the fine art of multitasking yet. It's difficult for them to listen to you and work on whatever project they are engaged in. In such situations, my advice to you is to wait for a good stopping place before expecting to have your child’s full attention.

Let your child know that you have something important to say that requires their full attention. Get on her level (e.g., on your knees, on the floor)

“I need you to stop for a few seconds while I tell you something.”

Wait while your child finds a stopping place. If your child doesn’t or won’t stop what she is doing in a reasonable amount of time, help her to do so. Tell her what you needed to say, then end the conversation with

“Thanks for stopping to listen. That was so kind of you.”

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So what about times when your child isn’t busy becoming the next Nobel Laureate? Try saying, “Let me see eyes, please,” or placing one hand gently on his shoulder and waiting for eye contact before starting to speak. Ever heard the phrase ‘The eyes are the window to the sole’? There’s some truth to it. Make sure your child is looking at you when you’re talking to him. That way, you know he’s hearing what you’re saying.

In the same vein, show similar respect when your child is speaking to you. Give your child eye contact and your full attention when she’s talking to you. Make your child believe that what she’s saying to you is the most important piece of information you will receive all day. Guess what? She’ll likely do the same for you.

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Avant Garde Parent of the Week: Julie

Happy day after Halloween! I hope everyone had a safe, spooky, and candy filled day/night/weekend! What did your kiddos dress as? What did you dress as?

Did you know that Avant Garde Parenting was the Saturday Spotlight over at Just Another Mom of 2 this weekend?! Go check it out here!

I’m so excited to feature Julie of 3 Moms in One as this week’s Avant Garde Parent of the Week. Julie describes herself as always striving to be the perfect mommy, the happy mommy, and the working mommy. But you know what? Julie is WAY more than three types of mom. She’s also funny mom, creative mom, loving mom, always looking out for her sweet girl mom- the list could go on forever. Okay, I’ll let Julie tell you about herself!

Tell us about you. 

I am Julie. Mommy first, with everything else fighting for glorious second place. I was a lifelong over-achiever until a nine-pound bundle of joy threw me into a tailspin 2-1/2 years ago. Who was this little person? And who was I to protect her, teach her, and care for her? I knew nothing about babies. I didn't even babysit as a teenager. This kid took her power position in the world immediately. I am the mommy of a 32-pound diva.

I am married to my super smart, kind-hearted, cute best friend. We married in January 2003. He works his booty off at his job while I work my booty off at home. I work part-time in advertising/media. I work mostly from home, somehow typing one-handed emails while rolling out Play-Doh snakes with the other. Polishing PowerPoint presentations while fulfilling urgent snack requests. Thank goodness video phone never really took off, or I'd have to dress a lot better during "office" hours.

Hobbies?

Blogging is my hobby. It sometimes feels like a job, but I do enjoy it. I like pulling my thoughts & feelings out of my head and placing them on my blog. I like having a virtual escape from my life. I like being able to say whatever I want to say. I like having something that is mine - ALL mine. 

Do you dance in the car?

My car speakers are almost always playing kiddie tunes. Little People are a favorite. Not so easy to dance to, perhaps, but I can do a mean hand-clapping, foot-stomping "Happy & You Know It" - while driving! And my "Itsy Bitsy Spider"? World class.

Tell us about your child.

Did I say diva? She knows what she wants and she wants it now. But she's also hilarious. She has an artistic streak, loves music and dancing, and can captivate half of a restaurant by standing up in the booth and shaking her stuff. She can frustrate me to the point of breakdown, but can wipe it all away instantly with a witty comment or a sweet hug. She has a lot of love to give. She just happens to have a ton of opinions to dish out too.

What surprised you most about parenting?

I knew from the start that I had zero baby/child experience on which to lean. But I had no idea how hard it was going to be! I had no idea what a toll it would take on my self-confidence. I still don't always believe that I'm doing a good job. But I am doing my best. She's learning, she's fed, she's healthy, she's happy. What more can we ask for?

What one tip would you give other parents or parents-to-be?

Those "rules"? Really just guidelines. Just because the parenting book says one thing, doesn't mean it'll apply to your kid. Or work with your style of parenting. All kids are different and you have to learn and adapt along the way. Friends and family (sometimes even strangers) will try to tell you how they did it, but sometimes their way is just not possible in your life. And that is okay.  

How have you had to be Avant Garde as a parent?

See above. I've finally learned that I'm allowed to figure it out my way. It seems that my daughter never responds like the books say she will. She has an iron will and some serious determination. So we adapt.

If you would like to be featured as an Avant Garde Parent of the Week or have someone you would like to nominate, please email me at deluna.jamie@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!  

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