While you might think a nutritionist would have kids who grow up choosing green beans over French fries, Jess Ferrari-Wells shared a reel lamenting how her toddler and big kid turn their noses up at all things veggie. So, taking a note from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the nutritionist instituted a brilliant new way to offer produce to her kids that seems to be working (this week, at least).

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A post shared by Nutritional Therapist | Women’s Health and Hormones | Mum Life (@jessicaferrariwells)

Instead of trying to trick her kiddos into eating them, Ferrari-Wells simply places a plate of carrot sticks, red bell pepper slices, and cucumber sticks on the table. She doesn’t mention them, and she doesn’t encourage her kids to eat them. They are just there when she’s serving the meal. The first day, neither of her kids touched the veggies. On the second day, one of her kids nibbled a carrot. But by the fifth day, both kids were eating them all.

“So I really think it shows that when you keep offering something and it becomes more and more familiar and there’s no pressure, well it seems to be working,” Ferrari-Wells explains of her experiment. “I know everything’s a phase with kids and I’m sure next week it will be back to ignoring, but I just wanted to share because I think it’s been really positive and it might be something you could try, too.”

This supports the idea that removing the pressure around food gets kids to try new foods on their own. It is also helpful to continue offering non-preferred foods even after kids reject them. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to unfamiliar foods increases their acceptability among toddlers, and this can take 10 or more tries.

Parents in the comments offered other ideas for getting kids to eat their greens. One said that the quickest way to get her toddlers to try something new is by putting it on her own plate rather than theirs—and any toddler parent knows that our meals are always more enticing to our tots and their grabby little hands. Another mom said that she grew up with this idea of having veggie sticks available while dinner was being cooked, and as an adult, she’s still conditioned to munch on a few pieces of veg before mealtime.

Toddlers can go from loving a food one day to despising it the next, so it’s a bit of a crapshoot whether this method will work with your little one. But it’s fairly low effort and definitely worth a shot. Besides, if no one touches their veggie sticks tonight, you can easily pack them up for tomorrow and try again!

1. Acknowledge (and Name) Their Feelings

The Situation: My daughter and I have spent a lot of time at the playground recently. If it were up to her, she’d play all day. Eventually, we have to go pick up a sibling from school or have lunch, or do something else. She’s disappointed we have to go and isn’t afraid to show it. Cue the toddler tantrum.

The Solution: Julietta Skoog, nationally certified school psychologist and co-founder of Sproutable, a company that supports parents in growing remarkable kids through classes, coaching, and video content, explains that tantrums are a form of communication—one that lets parents know their kids don’t feel understood. She suggests validating and acknowledging those feelings. Use simple phrases like “I can see you’re disappointed” or “I know you want to stay at the playground.” Neurologically speaking, when our kids are losing it, their feelings are on red alert. Naming their feeling triggers the amygdala (the part of our brain that processes emotions) and helps kids flip the switch to green. It reassures them, lets them regroup, and returns them to the rational side of their brain.

Bonus tip: If possible, let your kid have a situational do-over after they’ve recovered, like saying “bye-bye” to the playground.

2. Model Behavior

The Situation: I’ve had more than one night where I’m juggling making dinner while helping my big kids with homework when my toddler melts down. Whether she’s hungry, not getting enough attention, or just feels overwhelmed, she’s had enough and I’m feeling stretched.

The Strategy: Dr. Alison Scott, a Seattle-area pediatrician, offers a great reminder for situations like these. Toddlers don’t have the coping skills we do. Scott suggests parents show kids how it’s done by modeling appropriate behavior. Try saying something like, “I see you’re having a hard time. I’m having a hard time, too.” Then take a few deep breaths or find a quiet place to sit down. Basically, do what you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Your kids will notice and eventually follow suit.

Related: 6 Phrases to Avoid Saying to Your Toddler

3. Let Them Know What They Can Do

The Situation: If you know a toddler, you know how wildly stubborn they are. When my daughter wants to play with her sister’s off-limits toys or insists on going barefoot in the middle of winter, she’s not interested in being told “no.”

The Strategy: For these moments, Skoog explains that framing the situation as a positive—one you can say yes to—is a way to be firm but kind. So when my toddler melts down because her sister won’t let her play with her doll, a simple re-frame is in order: “Yes, you want to play dolls. Let’s go get your dolls so you can.” Similarly, letting her know “we can go outside when you’ve put your shoes on,” helps her see what she can do, rather than what she can’t.

Bonus tip: Be selective about saying no and don’t give in to tantrums because it might reinforce unwanted behavior.

4. Remove Yourself or Your Audience

The Situation: If you haven’t had a toddler lose it in public, are you even a parent? For all the times I’ve been in the toy aisle at Target and my daughter spies a must-have toy I have no intention of buying, the tantrum potential is high. It’s hard not to give in when you know it would stop that toddler tantrum.

The Strategy: Scott recommends an “extract and distract” approach. Skoog expands, saying parents can remove themselves from the environment or ask those they’re with to give them a minute. Finding a more private place lets kids know that you’ve got time and space to deal with whatever is going on. Once you’re out of the situation, it’s time to redirect or offer comfort. The goal here is “connection before correction.” Try softening your approach and getting down on the same level as your kiddo for extra impact.

Bonus tip: It’s natural to view our tot’s tantrums as a reflection of our parenting. But tantrums are a natural part of development, and when we remove our feelings from the situation, we can be more responsive, attentive, and attuned to what’s really going on.

5. Be Consistent with Routines

The Situation: Like all kids, toddlers love routine. But with two much-older kids, there are days my two-year-old doesn’t get to follow hers. She misses naps or stays up past bedtime on the regular, thanks so the noisy tween and teen down the hall.

The Strategy: If you have to disrupt the routine, be prepared. Watch for your kid’s cues, Scott says, and try to prevent the outburst. Pack extra snacks, bring along a lovey, or try to distract toddlers on the verge. The bottom line is, there’s no “secret sauce” to prevention. In that case, ignoring the tantrum is an option. Make sure your tot is safe and let it take its course.

Mom Kelsey Pomeroy, who goes by @kelsewhatelse on TikTok, explained that her family does beach days differently—she called it the “backwards beach day,” and we think it’s pretty clever. The basics are that you switch up your day to maximize your toddler’s prime morning hours and visit the beach in the afternoon instead.

@kelsewhatelse

This might seem obvious to beach locals, but for those of us who did not grow up near the beach and also live very far away from the beach, “backwards beach days” is a new idea! I used to hate taking my small children to the beach. Taking a baby and a toddler to the beach might seem like an easy day out for many people, not for me. All of the gear, all of the sweat, all of the sand, the crowds, and then trying to go out to eat later when your kids are exhausted and overstimulated and all of the restaurants are crowded. There were just so many things that I didn’t like about it. Until one day when it occurred to me that I could just do the beach the way I want to do it and I came up with a plan that avoided all the things I didn’t like about going to the beach with small children while keeping all the things that I loved about it. This might seem silly to people who live near the beach, but for those of us who live 15 hours from it and have to dedicate an entire vacation to it, it almost seems sacrilegious to not wake up and immediately go to the beach. It feels like you’re missing out on the whole purpose of your vacation. So I had to remind myself that the purpose of my vacation, is to have a vacation! So I need to do it the way that is best for our family. And for small kids, it makes a lot of sense to just do the day backwards to what most people do for a beach day. I know depending on what beach you go to, a night time visit may not be the best idea. Tides and waves work differently in different places, but where we go in Florida it’s the perfect time to visit for us. Backwards Beach days have truly saved the beach vacation for us. . . . . . #kelsewhatelse #backwardsbeachdays

♬ original sound – KelseWhatElse

Here are the steps Pomeroy laid out:

1. Wake up slowly. No rushing out the door to beat the crowds. Watch TV or read books to ease into your day. Enjoy your coffee even!
2. Do something fun while everyone is well-rested. Capitalize on the fact that your child will likely wake up in a good mood to get some activities done in the morning, like going to the library, playing a game, or spending some time at the park. “Everything we would typically do in the afternoon on a beach vacation we do in the morning while our kids are still well rested and not overstimulated, but we capitalize on those great moods,” shares Pomeroy.
3. Eat lunch at home or go out to lunch to take advantage of the fact that lunch crowds are likely smaller, and the prices are cheaper at lunch than at dinner. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your kid dropping their sandwich in the sand or getting it snatched by a seagull.
4. Nap time. “Because my two-year-old wasn’t sandy or sweaty or lotion-y, I could put him down for a quick nap while I had work time,” Pomeroy explains. Plus, no fighting a toddler to head home for a nap when everyone is still having fun at the beach.
5. Head to the beach. “When my two-year-old wakes up from a nap he is in the worst mood, so that is when we head to the beach. Nothing cures a toddler’s mood like sand and water. We’re going to stay at the beach for a few hours until dinnertime. Three to 6 p.m. could be like the witching hours with small children. I don’t want to be in a restaurant right now; I want to be on the beach. ‘Backwards beach days’ mean less crowded beaches and less sun exposure you have to worry about.”
6. Head home. “And then like a visual representation that the beach is closing, we could say goodbye to the setting sun and head for home. Getting the sand off of them is easy because you have a bedtime bath anyway.”

We can’t believe we didn’t think of this brilliant switch earlier!

But beyond expressing our infinite appreciation for their unique take on, well…everything, what are some other important things to say to a toddler? Whether you want to build them up, set limits, or encourage their independence, make sure these phrases are part of your parenting vocabulary.

“Of course you can help!”

Want to know a really cool thing about toddlers? They are hard-wired to help. Really. And we should encourage them. While your first instinct might be to say “no thanks” to an eager beaver because you know it’ll only add time to simple household tasks, saying “yes” to a helping hand pays dividends in the long run. How? Because kids who are given the opportunity to help alongside a parent or caregiver continue to help voluntarily (yep) throughout childhood and into adulthood, according to studies.

So the next time your little shadow asks to help unload the dishwasher, don’t think about all those fragile glasses up top or the fact you’ve got ten other things to do waiting in the wings. Work alongside them to get the job done, and you’ll have a willing helper for a long time to come. Who knows, maybe you can even shelve the Clean Up song for good. Wouldn’t that be nice?

“Tell me more about…”

There’s a reason people tuned in to watch Oprah back in the day. The way she drew people out and got to the heart of the matter so easily was the definition of must-see TV. The next time your toddler shows you their artwork or starts dishing on the daycare drama, make like Oprah and ask them to tell you more. Whether it’s about that green blob on their painting or the fact that they are definitely not ever again eating Pirate’s Booty at snack time, following up their offering with a simple “tell me more about…” will lead to explanations that might surprise you. Plus, taking the time to listen and ask questions builds trust and reassures your little one you’ll be there when they need you.

“Want to try that again?”

Everyone makes mistakes. Toddlers make more than most. That’s the way it should be as they learn to navigate the world. But rather than stepping in and taking over or wagging a finger at their mishaps, lean back and give them a chance to do it again–even better.

The versatility of this phrase is endless. It can be cast as a gentle reminder or as authentic encouragement. Use it when your toddler makes a bad choice as a way to let them correct course. Or in those times when they forget their manners or can’t quite figure out what number comes after 14 (why is 15 always so tricky?). The best part of this one: it shows kids that practice improves performance, a total life skill.

“What’s your plan?”

While all parents want our kids to reach for new heights, sometimes it’s terrifying to watch them do it in real life, especially at the playground where climbing domes, big slides, and rope structures pose challenges we’re not sure they’re ready for yet. But they wouldn’t be toddlers if they didn’t try to bite off more than they could chew. The next time your adventurous kid takes on a task you’re not sure they’re ready for, check their plan. If they climb up the dome, how will they get down? If they’re at the top of the big slide can they back out if they need to?

Related: 6 Better Phrases to Say Instead of ‘Be Careful’ When Kids Are Taking Risks

Encouraging executive functioning is at the heart of the phrase—helping kids think ahead and make a plan. Not only are you encouraging this ever-important developmental stage, but you’re also modeling risk-taking in a thoughtful way—always a win for this age group.

“Let me know if you need help.”

They don’t call them “threenagers” for nothing. Independence is every toddler’s ethos. It’s what drives them to push their own stroller rather than sit in it. Pair that with the abundance of new skills they’re trying to master, like zipping up a coat or figuring out which shoe goes on which foot, and you’ve got a lot of wait time on your hands as they figure things out. Pull this one out when they’re working on those life skills, and resist that urge to do it for them, especially if they’ve insisted that they can do it themselves. They may take you up on it. They may not. But at least they know you’re there when they need you, while still willing to give them the space they need to learn.

“Of course I want to watch you!”

If the resounding choruses of “Ma, watch me!” and “Hey, dad, look at this!” have you thinking not again, we’re right there with you. Toddlers give Hugh Jackman a run for the money when it comes to being the greatest showman. And although dinner needs to get made, dishes need to be washed, and— although we wish it would—the lawn isn’t going to mow itself, it’s important to take time to watch the (questionably) amazing things your toddler can do. The next time they want you to get a load of their ability to hop on one foot or complete a 180 in the middle of the kitchen (they’re still working on that 360), put down the dish, take a break from stirring, and say, “sure thing, kiddo!” Not only will it boost their confidence, but it’ll also help them feel seen, the way we all want to feel seen.

“No.”

As parents we may avoid this one, especially when a meltdown is the last thing we want to be dealing with. But there’s a reason “No, David” is so relatable—it has to be said. No need to overdo it, but when it comes to important things to say to a toddler, “no” is a biggie. It sets limits and provides the structure that all kids need to thrive. It’s weird to think of “no” as a reassuring phrase for kids, but when it really comes down to it, it is.

Our handy babyproofing checklist includes clever DIY tricks that make your home safer for your child and can save you some money too. Whether you need to babyproof your cabinets, your fireplace, or drawers, these ideas are a great place for any parent to start.

When to Start Babyproofing

As your little one gets close to crawling, it’s time to babyproof your house and other places they visit frequently, like grandparents’ homes. To start, get on the floor and look at the surroundings from a baby’s perspective. See what’s tempting to grab and pull on, what’s at eye level, and what could injure them. Then, put away fragile items, move cords, secure furniture that could fall over, and put padding on sharp edges. Every few months, and when your child reaches a new milestone, like walking, evaluate your home for additional babyproofing needs. As kids grow taller, the danger zones will change and likely increase.

Babyproofing Checklist for Your House

1. Secure stairway railings

The railings on staircases or landings on upper floors may look narrow, but they’re big enough for kids’ limbs (or heads) to get stuck in. Secure clear plastic or fabric to railings to deter kids from playing on them.

2. Hide cleaning products

Plastic bins with lids and latches that baby can’t open are a safer place for cleaning products than under your kitchen sink. If you can store them on a high shelf or out of sight in a tall cabinet, that’s even better.

3. Corral cords

Cut a slit down an empty paper towel roll or piece of pipe insulation and thread multiple wires through it to keep them from becoming tangled in your tot’s curious hands. You can also use zip ties to pull together cords and then tuck them far away from baby’s reach. Don’t forget your USB cords that still hold a charge when they’re plugged in.

4. Cover outlets

Plastic covers are the easiest way to cover outlets around the house (and safest too). But in a pinch, or when you’re visiting relatives or traveling, you can put adhesive bandages, duct tape, or painter’s tape over electrical outlets. Avoid cartoon varieties of bandages that will attract little ones’ attention.

5. Block off the fireplace

Babyproof a fireplace without sacrificing aesthetics too much by covering the opening with a piece of magnetic chalkboard (we love the one above from Sassy Wife/Classy Life). The chalkboard blocks off the fireplace and give little ones a surface on which to draw with chalk and play with magnets (choose large magnets that don’t pose a choking hazard).

6. Place dishtowels out of reach

Nix the dishtowel hanging off your oven door handle. Kids can pull down on it and open a hot oven or bonk themselves with the heavy door. Move towels to a higher shelf or put them on command hooks out of baby’s reach.

7. Test choking hazards with a toilet paper tube

There’s no need to purchase a choke tester. Anything that can fit into an empty toilet paper tube is small enough for your baby to choke on. Keep all those wee things out of reach.

Related: 8 Summer Safety Tips for Baby Parents

8. Create a TP protector

Babies love to unroll toilet paper as much as pets do. Keep your TP intact and out of baby’s hands and mouth with a two-liter soda bottle! Cut off the top and bottom of the bottle and cut a slit down the remaining center piece. Use tape to cover sharp, raw edges and slide the container over your toilet roll to cover it. See the tutorial at My Frugal Baby Tips.

9. Protect with pool noodles

These summertime staples can be used for everything from door stoppers to crib-rail covers that prevent tots from rolling out of bed. They’re also good for wrapping around sharp edges, like around the fireplace, to minimize bumps and scrapes.

10. Pad corners with tennis balls

Tennis balls can soften sharp corners where a pool noodle doesn’t fit. Cut a few small slices into the ball’s core so you can wedge it over items like table corners. It may not look pretty, but this hack is pretty temporary. Before you know it, your toddler will be steady enough on their feet that you no longer feel the need to protect every corner of your home.

11. Shorten pull cords

Use clothespins or twist ties to shorten and hold up pull cords on curtains and blinds to remove this strangulation risk from your home. Command hooks are also handy for keeping cords out of reach.

12. Sock it to knobs

To keep little hands from turning door knobs, cover them with a spare sock and wrap a hair tie or rubber band around the base to hold the sock in place. An adult can still squeeze and turn the handle, but a child won’t be able to.

13. Band together on horizontal cabinets

Attach hair ties or rubber bands to keep paired cabinet doors closed. Just loop the tie around the handles and your baby will only be able to open the doors a little bit, not wide enough to slip a hand through.

14. Get a handle on vertical drawers

Slide a yardstick or tension rod (or another long, thin object) through the handles of horizontally stacked drawers, rather than spending time and money on individual locks.

Make sure to capture photos of your baby crawling around their newly babyproofed pad—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

As part of my ongoing journey to save time and manage the daily grind, I’m excited to say I’ve found a stress-free way to stock my fridge and pantry, freeing up some hours to tackle all the other things on my to-do list. From amazing prices to thousands of responsibly sourced, healthy food and snack options, here’s why Thrive Market fits perfectly into my family’s busy life.

Ordering online is a major time-saver.

This year my kids’ schools are on opposite ends of our town (why though!?). Between the morning commute and our after-school activity schedule, I won’t have much time to spare during the week. Since the last thing I want to do is spend my weekends in a grocery store, the fact that I can order a lot of what my family eats right from Thrive Market’s app or website means I can spend the few precious extra minutes I do have on something else—like myself!

I don’t have to wander the aisles or clip coupons to find deals.

I’m always interested in saving money, but more often than not, I’m rushing through the grocery store loading up on good-enough options as fast as humanly possible—rather than trying to figure out which brand offers the best value or if it’s better to buy in bulk. With Thrive Market, I don’t have to worry. Their low prices save you up to 30% on everyday items. Plus, they’ll match the price of a product if you find it for less somewhere else.

They even have weekly deals and Thrive Cash, which you can earn by referring friends to the website, writing reviews, or buying specific brands and products featured on their deals page.

I can get great products for lunches and family dinners, which is a huge relief.

Providing healthy meals for my family is important, but sometimes the need for quick options takes precedence over finding the best. With Thrive Market, I don’t have to worry about it. Everything on their website goes through a vetting process to include healthy, great-tasting options free from GMOs and other harmful ingredients like artificial flavors, nitrates, and antibiotics.

Their reoccurring-order option means we’ll never run out of family favorites.

My kids have certain things they will eat at any time (did someone say Pirate’s Booty?). With Thrive Market’s auto-order plan, I can set up a regular delivery of all their must-haves.

If I’m searching for a specialty product to fit my family’s dietary needs, Thrive Market makes it easy, with 90+ diet and lifestyle filters that allow me to find low-sugar, high-protein, and organic products perfect for school lunches. I especially love the “snack packs,” which is Thrive Market’s grab-and-go section filled with things I feel good sending in my kids’ lunches or having on hand when we’re rushing from dance to soccer.

They’ve got meal plans and shortcuts available.

Even when I manage to buy all the groceries my kids go through every week, finding time to figure out what I’m making for dinner is a struggle. Luckily, the Thrive Market website has a dedicated section for healthy dinner ideas, quick shortcuts, and other handy tips when I need inspiration.

The shipping is fast and free over $49.

With today’s prices, it’s pretty easy to spend $49 on one shopping trip, and it’s worth it to get fast and free deliveries so we always have the food we need. And honestly, if it means I don’t have to wait in a check-out line or bag my groceries, I’m definitely on board.

Sign up for a Thrive Market membership today and get 30% off your order, along with a free gift up to $60! Your offer will be automatically applied at checkout.

1. Head Outside

If the sun is shining in your neck of the woods, Vitamin D is a natural energy boost. All you have to do is play with the kids outside, walk the dog, or roll back the sunroof. As always, if you plan on being outside for an extended period, be sure to put on a fresh coat of SPF. Foods like fish, egg yolks, fortified milk, and cereals are also delicious D sources.

2. Drink (Lots of) Water

Water helps make the world—and our bodies—go round. And fatigue is a sure sign that we aren’t getting enough of it. Keep reusable bottles in your bag, at your desk, and in the car. You’ll get in the habit of hydrating throughout the day for sustained energy levels and all sorts of other body benefits (radiant skin sound good to anyone?).

3. Meditate for a Pick-Me-Up

Parenthood can feel like an endless circuit of activities, homework, appointments, and the daily surprises that keep us on our toes. Sometimes all the caffeine we drink to keep up backfires, leaving us wired and unable to focus. Step off the hamster wheel and cue up a mom-friendly meditation app rather than another cup of joe. Just 5-, 10-, or 15-minute increments of measured breathing and meditation will leave you relaxed and refreshed.

4. Diffuse Essential Oils

Essential oils have taken the wellness world by storm—and with good reason. Naturally free of chemicals, they can help with stress, mood, and yes, energy. Oil aficionados recommend peppermint and grapefruit to boost energy and nutmeg for focus.

5. Reduce Sugar

High-sugar food can cause your blood sugar to spike, which can feel good for a short time. But it’s the after-effects that leave you in a slump. Instead of heading for that piece of chocolate, try one of these low-sugar snacks to keep a more even blood sugar level throughout the day.

6. Play That Funky Music

Think of your favorite song. If it’s got a beat, you may already be tapping your foot. Music is a mood elevator, so put on tunes while you cook dinner, pause the podcasts and pump up the jams in the car for the commute, or take a spin around the living room with the kids.

7. Step Away From Screens

Be it our phones, tablets, or work computers, turning on those blue lights at night can keep us up past our bedtimes, leading to even more sleep deprivation. Ana Homayoun, author of Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World, offers great advice specifically for moms: “Be intentional about screen use. Many times we use our smartphones and screens from morning to night (and late into the night, especially for new moms on a feeding schedule). The incremental creep of usage can actually leave us far more exhausted than we realize. Shutting down social media access and phone access for certain hours in the day can create time and space for re-energizing.”

8. Fuel Up to Fight Fatigue

When you reach for that next cup of green tea, did you know a bowl of protein-rich edamame can also pack a pick-me-up punch? Nutrition expert Joy Bauer, the author of From Junk Food To Joy Food, includes it in her list of energy-boosting foods. So sprinkle them on a lunch salad, add them to one of your favorite (and easy) pasta recipes, or save them for an afternoon energy snack. For something sweet, watermelon is in season from May to September and is a great source of B6 and citrulline, an amino acid that aids in cell division and benefits heart and immune system function.

9. Exercise

Okay, you knew this was coming. As hard as it can be to muster up the will to work out, the endorphin boost from exercising makes the muster well worth it. If you need an inspiring reset, try something new like a Hip Hop dance class. There are loads of indoor exercise programs you can do with little to no equipment.

10. Delegate a To-Do or Two

We run ourselves ragged doing it all—parenting, working, shuttling, and keeping the meals coming. While we can’t outsource the big or fulfilling responsibilities, how about daring to say “no” to the over-the-top birthday party next time around? Give yourself permission to pass on that extra something that’s overwhelming the week. Better yet, farm out your chores to your family and teach the kids some life skills!

11. Be Social

Isolation can lead to fatigue and depression, so it’s important to engage with friends and family when your busy schedule allows. Plan a mom’s night out, have another couple over for a takeout dinner, or plan a park date with another family. You’ll be laughing in no time!

12. Turn in Early

We all love the idea of crawling into bed “early,” but who else ends up binge-watching one or two hours of the show that’s been stockpiling because the kids are finally asleep? We may want to take a tip from the kids instead. While 7 p.m. zzz’s aren’t realistic—parents need some evening solitude to decompress or finally get things done uninterrupted—try really turning in an hour (or two) early one night a week. Before bed, reach for a book instead and notice how many pages you get through before those eyelids get heavy. For a tired mom, we’ll put money on about … five!

13. Sneak a Snack

Whip up a tasty snack that packs a punch of energy in every bite.

14. Self-Care is for Everyone

Make standing appointments for your manicures and get those haircuts in the calendar! You deserve a little self-care, something that probably tends to fall to the bottom of your priority list. There are lots of ways to give yourself some much-needed self-care without even leaving the house. Try out one of these beauty hacks on your next night off the clock.

15. Don’t Skip Breakfast

Yes, we’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But how many of us skip it on those busy mornings? Try out one of these make-ahead breakfasts to get you going for the day with a healthy start.

16. Just Keep Truckin’

We know how awesome you are—and that no matter how sluggish you may feel, you’re doing your best to show up and be great for your kids, your job, and your partner. You’ll catch a break soon, even if it’s just to read that book you’ve had on your nightstand for ages. Before too long the kids will be grown and you’ll have all the time to sleep in on a weekend again. And you may just find yourself missing these hectic, joyful days when you’re sleep-deprived and the kids are still young.

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A post shared by Dr. Natasha Burgert – Pediatrician (@kckidsdoc)

Burgert says there are two big mistakes parents tend to make when treating serious diaper rashes: They don’t use enough cream and they wipe too much of it off during diaper changes. Here’s what she says to do instead.

1. Pile on the diaper cream.

First, you’ll need the right diaper cream. “For the worst diaper rashes, you need a protective layer that’s going to be able to withstand multiple diaper changes,” she explains. “So this is when you reach for a diaper cream that has the highest percentage of zinc oxide you can buy.”

But you’ll also need the right amount of cream. On a butternut squash, she demonstrates how to apply the paste: by using cotton rounds and slathering it on in a thick layer “like cake frosting.”

2. Cover the cream with cotton pads.

“Then leave the cotton on the sticky cream to help it stay on the skin and not be absorbed by the diaper,” she says. “At the next diaper change, remove the layer of dirty cream and cotton,” but don’t remove all of the cream. You actually want to leave a thin layer of it behind—the thinnest layer that was touching your baby’s skin. Then you add a new layer of cream (and cotton rounds) on top.

“This leaves the skin continually protected through the diaper change, allowing the skin to heal,” Burgert says.

In the caption, she notes that before a bath, you should remove all of the diaper cream with cotton rounds soaked in mineral oil, then clean the diaper rash area using gentle soap and water. And, of course, if things aren’t getting better, give your baby’s doctor a call.

You never know when your next raging diaper rash will strike, but armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to face it head-on.