Snack Hacks: Healthy snacking to save you time and money

From growth spurts to picky eaters to busy schedules, it’s hard to raise children without a stockpile of ready-to-go snacks. Here are a few snack hacks that will save you time, money, and most important, give those growing bodies the right kind of fuel.

Homemade snack packs: Start by making a grocery list before you get to the store, and try not to go shopping on an empty stomach. Don’t be afraid to grab the big bags of snacks, they are usually cheaper and you can divide them later. Don’t forget to make a run down the Tupperware section and grab some snack baggies, sandwich zip-lock bags, and very small Tupperware (for dipping sauces).

Fostering Healthy Sibling Relationships

In the United States, 80% of children grow up with at least one sibling. For many people, sibling relationships are the relationships in life that last the longest. Conflict can make up a big portion of a sibling relationship, but they can also be the closest relationship within a family. What causes some to be positive and others negative? How can we foster good relationships between siblings? Alison Pike, Tina Kretschmer, and Judith F. Dunn wrote an article, based on their research in The Brother - Sister Study, about how parents can help achieve harmony within the home.

School's out for the Summer!

With a full summer ahead, I’m sure you’re wondering “How do I keep my kids entertained?!” In a child’s eyes, summer is full of freedom and fun. The last thing you want your kids to do is spend all this free time glued to the TV.

Summer can be an amazing time to encourage kids to explore, try new things, build relationships, continue learning, and so much more. It’s important to utilize this time with you children.

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” ― George R.R. Martin

Team Member Spotlight: Kammy

I was born in Kanab Utah. After my twin brother was born, at some point they realized I was also coming to be the 3^rd of 7 children to this wonderful family.  No one knew I was coming. Not my mother, father or even the doctor.  Looking back, my parents tell me that my grandfather gave my mother a blessing before the 26 mile trip to the Kanab Hospital. While giving the blessing he said. “Bless him”, then he paused and said, “Bless her”, then went on the finish the blessing. They thought, “…that’s funny”, but off to the hospital they went. To everyone’s surprise grandpa was right. My twin brother was born, and then the doctor thought he was finished, but my mom said, “I think there is another one.” He checked, and sure enough, I did not want to be left out. 

Guest Post: 3 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Kindergartner for Handwriting Success

Tera Robinson, OTR/L is a Utah wife, mom and pediatric occupational therapist who loves working as hard as she plays with all the kids in her life! You can visit her blog, yumstheraplay.com, or follow Yums Theraplay on Facebook or Instagram to learn more!


Summer break is just beginning and it always flies by too fast! It pains me to say it, but school will be starting again before we know it. Take advantage of summer time to brush up and prepare your child for the next school year!
As an occupational therapist, I often work with children to develop fine motor skills for activities such as handwriting and cutting. Even in our digital age, paper, pencils, crayons, scissors and glue will be used daily in your student's school day. Current research indicates that good, old-fashioned handwriting improves learning of letters, reading and helps retain information better than typing. Parents can implement some very simple, yet very effective strategies at home to prepare their child for handwriting success in kindergarten and beyond!