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Browsing posts in: Food

Just ask or make the call

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I order our milk from Amazon. We only drink 2 ingredient almond milk. And I know it’s expensive, but it makes a difference in our health and our options for healthy options in our tiny town are very limited. I’ve done it this way for several years now.

I get a case of 6 individual pints (I think that’s their size, about 1/2 a 1/2 gallon) or maybe it’s a quart. I don’t know. When I see we are down to the last two containers, I order more. (I used to have a subscription that came like clockwork, but we just don’t use it like that anymore.)

Elmhurst Almond Milk

When I went to eat some cereal a few weeks back, a brand new box, I had found on sale. A real treat for me. I spit out the first bite thinking my milk had gone back. It was terrible. Come to find out they had sent us Cashew milk instead of our normal Almond milk and I noticed too late after the return date. (In my defense the containers look exactly the same.)

2nd and 3rd milk order

Fast forward, I ordered a new case. And waited anxiously for it’s arrival. Because I wanted to eat my cereal! Then I got notice, on the day it was to be delivered, that it was undeliverable. Ugh!

So I ordered another case…third time has to be the charm, right?!?

It arrived. Packaged differently than any other case I’d ever gotten. I opened it to find at least one of the containers had busted. And not only that, but they knew that and just wrapped it in plastic and sent it. It smelled so disgusting.

So I immediately get on Amazon, well in my return window, and it says this item is not available for return. What!?!

The only me, would probably have sucked up the loss. And at this point stopped ordering almond milk from Amazon. But I’m broke and I don’t have anything to lose. I got on the phone expecting a fight to get my money back.

Nope, he returned my money immediately. And said that I didn’t need to repackage the contents to return them. Thank god, because it was gross.

But I got to thinking, I need this milk. I still wanted to eat my special cereal (special because I have stopped buying cereal because it’s not healthy and it’s so expensive.) I found this box on sale for $3. Which I know is still high and still unhealthy, but it was a treat.

I dug through the gross. Dealt with the sour smells. Washed each of the 5 containers that had not busted. And damn it, I have milk. I’m going to be cautious when I open them to use them, and make sure they haven’t soured per se. Does almond milk sour? I mean, the busted one was so gross, but in general?

The moral of the story is that sometimes you just need to pick up the phone and call. Even if at first, they say this “item is not eligible for return.”

5 Tips for Caring for a Toddler as a Single Parent

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Being a single parent is not easy, but you can be successful using the right resources. It’s important to do your best to balance child care and self-care. These are five tips that will help you along the way.

1. Foster a Positive Relationship With Your Ex

It’s crucial that your children spend as much time as possible with your ex-husband or ex-wife. Divorces sometimes make children feel at fault, and they need extra love, care, and reassurance because of this. Ensure that you don’t speak negatively about the other parent, even if the two of you had a rough separation. You’ll also need to agree on a visitation plan that offers your child enough time with your ex to bond. The average number of days children spend with a non-custodial spouse is about 88 days per year, according to field experts. Thus, the more days you can arrange in your agreement, the better a chance your child will have to connect with your ex healthily.

2. Shop Wisely

Finances are tight for many single parents. However, you can learn to get the most out of what you have by budgeting your money wisely, comparison shopping, and making things last. Ideas for getting clothes for your kids include visiting thrift shops, discount department stores, or private online sellers. You can still save money, even if you prefer to buy new brand-name clothing. You can take advantage of a sale, promotion, or credit card offer that gives you a percentage off the price of whatever items you purchase. Another thing you can do is apply for assistance such as food stamps or WIC to help get your children nutritional foods so they can grow.

3. Visit the Dentist Regularly

You can take your child to the dentist any time before his or her first baby tooth comes out. Some parents choose to take them at younger ages, and some visit the dentist when the children are still babies. The earlier you visit, the more likely the dentist will catch issues and incorporate treatment and preventive plans.

One thing you’ll want to have a tooth specialist check is your child’s alignment. He or she may need orthodontic treatment, and it’s vital that you get such treatment early rather than later. Currently, 3.9 million other parents have taken their children to an orthodontist, so finding a reputable professional shouldn’t be too difficult.

4. Address Illnesses Right Away

Do not hesitate to take your child to a doctor if he or she exhibits any symptoms of illness. Infections can spread quickly and put your little one in grave danger. C. sakazakii infection has a 40-80% mortality rate, for example. Meningitis, sepsis, and bacteremia are common symptoms of this illness.

Having a good health insurance policy is a great way to ensure you can take your kids to the doctor as often as possible. If you can’t get one from your employer, you can apply on the governmental website to see if you are eligible for Medicaid. Even if you are not eligible for Medicaid, you can still qualify for a healthcare plan subsidy. The healthcare subsidy will give you the ability to go to the doctor for a low payment so you can care for your child more effectively.

5. Be Kind To Your Child

One of the most important pieces of information you can have is always to be kind to your child. Your little one might experience emotional struggles during this difficult time. Divorce is a complex process for you as well. However, you must take special care not to be too harsh when disciplining your child. Ensure that you continue to build his or her self-esteem and be as uplifting as possible during this time.

Additionally, make sure you tell your child you love him or her every day. You need to communicate that so your little one won’t feel the divorce or estrangement is their fault.

Use these tips to navigate parenting your young child. You’ll successfully rebuild your life with your child’s emotional and physical health intact.