Toddlers and Popsicles

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

18 Jun 2009 07:24 AM

With summer on its way, no doubt that you will be faced with the issue of popsicles (or other frozen treats) and toddlers. These two things seem made for each other. You can almost hear the groans of mothers all over, though, when they contemplate the mess and the extra sugar involved when toddlers and popsicles get together.

Here are some tips to help parents and kids alike enjoy this little staple of summer. To help contain the mess, you can fashion your own drip tray. Use plastic lids from formula, small oatmeal containers or other packaging. Cut a slit in the lid to allow the stick to push through. This little homemade device should catch most of the drips.

No homemade drip tray handy? Who carries something like that at the Fourth of July parade, right? In an emergency situation, strip off your toddler's shirt before handing over the popsicle. Most if not all of the drips will land on your child's chest and can be quickly wiped away with a baby wipe. It beats him having to walk around with a ruined shirt all day.

If you don't want to try the shirt trick, be prepared with a bib, extra clothes, and of course that wipe (my kids associated wearing a bib with a fate worse than time out).

Save the popsicles for outside use, preferably when they are already in bathing suits. A quick rinse off with the sprinkler is usually all it takes to get the stains and the sticky mess out.

Make your own popsicles to control the sugar and artificial flavors. It is one of the easiest treats to make. Simply freeze fruit juice in a popsicle mold (or make a mold out of an ice cube tray). Consider watering down the juice first, if you want to reduce the sugar even further. You can even add little bits of real fruit for extra nutrition.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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