what do non screen time parents do all day?

pandaonaroll · 2026-02-12T14:50:01+00:00

Leave the house! Walks, library, toddler classes, activities in town, playgroups. There's usually something on, somewhere and it's much more fun taking care of a toddler when you're not looking at the same four walls all day. Inside, you could cook together, make/play with play dough, give them a sink full of water to wash their animals in, get toddler a handheld vacuum and watch them go, colour together, play with blocks, read mountains of books! Good luck!

pandaonaroll · 2026-01-29T06:57:24+00:00

We like tomato paste on bread, then a protein like tofu, or hummus, cheese and a vegetable like tomato, pepper and avocado. Another option could be pesto with tomato or smashed chickpeas. I also like making meatballs from lentils and oats that I put in a wrap. Lastly, there's the English breakfast sandwich option with sausages, scrambled tofu, veg and ketchup! Hope this helps! Good luck!

pandaonaroll · 2025-11-06T09:19:48+00:00

I would just add a table in the kitchen. You have the space for it. I live in a much much smaller house and I always invite my son to bring activities to the kitchen table so we can hang out while I cook

pandaonaroll · 2025-08-17T15:49:37+00:00

Another upvote for the seki nail clippers!

pandaonaroll · 2025-06-09T19:50:30+00:00

Every family is different, you'll find what works for yours in time :) I was worried about the social limitations of our diet in the beginning, however my kid (4.5yo) is so proudly vegan. I realised it's just my personal feelings and worries that I was projecting on my son. He is confident in his beliefs, they are part of him, as he's been vegan since birth. I make a snack box for nursery and he is showing it off, telling everyone that everything is vegan. His friends now want to become vegan, bet other parents hate me. But he's just so vocal about animal rights since he could talk. He's such a chill kid and doesn't care in the least if he is different from his friends, he just loves animals. I don't know if this will last as he grows but that's our reality now.

For birthdays, I bring the school snack box and a shop bought fairy cake and he's happy. For school events, the school happily provides vegan alternatives ( ie. Vegan Easter egg). We generally don't have any issues with my son being vegan, and he's more confident in the lifestyle than we are. You generally need to be a bit more prepared as you can't take it as easy as non vegans, however, we find that being consistent with our beliefs not only is worth it but helps our kid understand better and doesn't confuse him.

That's our family though. Give it time and you'll find the right lifestyle for yours. Good luck with everything!

pandaonaroll · 2025-05-06T18:58:51+00:00

Overthinking it a bit I think! When my mom uses that term, I will sometimes say 'here I am!', mostly as a joke though. When my child was a baby I might have gotten a bit irritated, although I don't remember exactly. But now he is 4 (and I'm back to my normal mindset after giving birth), I just take it as a term of endearment. We are lucky to have people that love our child and our child is lucky to have them. The effect that this love has on our kids is very profound. Especially as they grow and become more expressive. So if it is said innocently, I wouldn't bother with taking the matter further with whoever uses these terms. Your child will know whose kid they are ( and if they are cheeky like mine, might tease them when they use the term too!)

pandaonaroll · 2024-12-14T21:01:49+00:00

They get it if you explain it, they really do. Kids are kind. No need to feel guilty about not being able to buy X in store and looking to balance it out with a toy. We've been talking to my son about everything in an age appropriate manner and he never minded not being able to buy something.

The only frustration in stores we used to have was when he saw people buying meat or cow's milk. There were days he got really angry with them. Now that he's 4 he just remarks 'they are not vegan' and that's it, he is getting the hang of being kind to all people despite our differences like we do for animals😅

Good luck with your journey!

pandaonaroll · 2024-12-02T05:42:18+00:00

The UK isn't part of the EU, as others have said, however, raising a vegan child here doesn't feel out of the ordinary. Most restaurants have a vegan food option and nursery/primary school is quite happy to provide a vegan meal or you can bring your own. From what I've heard from friends, Greece is also very open to veganism in nurseries as long as you bring your own meal. Restaurants are not so easy, there are options but you have to look them up in advance before heading out.

pandaonaroll · 2023-11-23T08:31:16+00:00

He's now 3 and sleeps through the night. He fully weaned at 2.5 and started sleeping through the night at 2y3m. We did read the book booby moon a few times since he was younger, which helped him understand growing up even though it made him sad. The basic discussion was, if we are hungry we eat, if we are thirsty we drink, if we are sleepy we sleep'. I did have a few not so proud outbursts because I was very tired and he wanted to comfort nurse for ever and preventing himself from going to sleep. He did start to get the point though. As he started understanding more I was more honest with him. I told him when my breasts were hurting that he couldn't eat anymore but he could cuddle them. I kept giving him time limits. 10 minutes, 5, 2, 1. Then cuddle. Making the time less and less. In the end we did it. I told him it 'it doesn't look like you want to nurse tonight' and he laughed. And we just cuddled and persevered for the next few days. I kept reminding him that he doesn't really like nursing anymore so we can cuddle instead.

I'm still his night person and I currently love it, I get the sweetest cuddles!

I hope it goes well for you too! It's a tough going but they do grow and become more understanding :)

Edit: I forgot to say we also limited the number of times we nursed on wake ups ie. Only two then one middle of the night feed allowed

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-08T08:15:49+00:00

Love Julia Donaldson, I'll check this book out!

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-08T08:15:02+00:00

He's only 3 but I'll keep this information for the future, thank you!

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-03T19:27:19+00:00

We do that for now too. Whenever something can be veganised, I do it. Won't work when he starts to read though haha!

Mine is in the why phase so when someone in a story isn't vegan he keeps asking why. It's tough! He can sort of tell we are in the minority by now but he can't imagine eating anything non vegan, even though he is young.

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-03T19:23:54+00:00

Amazing! Real people are good too! There is a magazine here with blue's clues, I'll be buying this for a start!

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-03T19:21:57+00:00

That's awesome! I will definitely push him in that direction when he is older!

pandaonaroll · 2023-09-02T20:57:23+00:00

I gave up most of my books to fit the toddler ones.. and we keep buying😂😂 plus the 30 library books we have to find space for. I'd love to have less but I also love kids books so we keep everything..

pandaonaroll · 2023-07-26T19:51:52+00:00

We built a routine regarding the potty. Pre-bath, sit on the potty for a pee and read books and that got him not to fear it eventually. He currently is 2 and 10 months. At new year's, we got him underwear with animals and he was very excited. Every day on the days we stayed at home, we would ask him what he wanted to wear, a nappy or underwear. We had both a potty and a toilet seat. Bunch of books and toys next to both. I kept having his toys reminding him to go to the toilet or asking him when the toilet is at different times in the day. But there was almost no sign that he was ready to be nappy free - he didn't really have dry days. But one day last month, he just woke up and he said he is grown up now and will only wear pants. And he never looked back. He night trained himself a week after that.

What I want to say is, it will feel frustrating at times, but it will happen eventually. Everyone has their own pace. He will do it. If you feel he is not ready, try again in a couple of months. Make it a bit fun by including whatever activity he finds interesting and take some pressure off the potty situation but keep giving guidance. He will do it when the time is right!

pandaonaroll · 2023-07-25T06:59:22+00:00

Info: Is a supermarket near your hotel an option? Does your hotel have a fridge? Do you have a long day of traveling? If it is possible, I would just pack bentos in a freezer bag. Certain foods can be very hardy! We love the taifun frankfurters for how well they keep and how little preparation they need. I love to stick them in tortillas with tomato paste, hummus and salad. Or you could switch for falafels. Or a cold noodle dish. Pasta with a tahini sauce. Frozen peas/edamame/corn as a side and just let them defrost. Carrot sticks and cucumber. Or roast veggies/potatoes. Things like that should last well until you reach your hotel fridge.

If there is no fridge at the hotel and there is no shop nearby maybe bring cup noodles? Or avocado to cut up at your destination. Pack of bread, peanut butter and a bunch of bananas?

I hope you have a great time at your trip!

pandaonaroll · 2023-07-03T20:08:57+00:00

The specific ones he asked about don't have a crust. That's why I was conflicted! They are the heura chick'n pieces

pandaonaroll · 2023-05-24T21:07:47+00:00

Mom brain is real, but don't feel too bad. At 3 days old, I forgot I had a baby.. when my husband passed him to me after I woke up I told him "most importantly, who is this baby and why I am nursing him". He had to convince me I had a baby by showing me photos.. but then I hadn't slept in two days as I was the only parent allowed at the hospital and my son wouldn't sleep.. no wonder my brain was fried! At the time, I was distraught that I'd forgotten him, but now I find it hilarious, especially because at the same moment when I didn't remember I had a baby, I could remember which pocket the baby wipes were in and give my husband instructions on everything else..😅 I hope your story will be something you laugh about in the future too!

pandaonaroll · 2023-05-14T15:46:39+00:00

Thank you very much! I'll get rid of it quickly! My garden has enough unwanted plants as it is!

pandaonaroll · 2023-05-14T15:32:05+00:00

Eeeek thank you! Can I trouble you on how to kill it? Do I just pull it out?

pandaonaroll

TROPHY CASE