The Most Important Parenting Tip…

If you asked me my number one tip for parenting, you’d probably be surprised. Yes, I could tell you things about being gentle on yourself or about being consistent. We could talk about how unpredictable children are, how the moment you think you’ve got parenting sorted, they change and once again you’re on the back foot. How accepting that’s going to happen will save you weeks of torment. Or I could be honest with you and tell you the most important thing I’ve learnt is this…

Always carry snacks.

Insightful isn’t it? But whilst I sit back and wait for the publishing houses to ring with offers of parenting book deals, I’ll elaborate a little. As a parent, snacks are your best friend. Calling them a bribe sounds like such a dirty word for such an innocent ‘persuader’ of good behaviour. Got a bored toddler in the supermarket? Whip out snacks. Off on a long car journey? Whip out snacks. Trying to write a blog post when you should be parenting? Whip out snacks. *Disclaimer: this is definitely not something I’d do*. Best of all, it’s one of the few things that has the ability to stop a tantrum mid-flow. I mean, if a well-aimed snack doesn’t work then you know this is a proper meltdown and it’s time to call in reinforcements.

Organix Gingerbread Cookies

But aren’t snacks a bad thing?

I used to associate snacks with being unhealthy. For me, a snack was a chocolate bar or a bag of crisps. A meal was a full blown affair and a snack was a sweet treat in between. It’s no wonder that I struggled with my weight. But since joining the parenting world, I’ve learnt to re-embrace snacks as part of our daily routine. The truth is, at home, my son is a child that prefers to graze. I get glowing reports of his eating at nursery only to be met with rejection after rejection of meals at home. So for us, a picnic style, snack based lunchbox works wonders, it’s easy to take around in the baby bag with us. Plus it means I can whip out a bit here and there throughout the day – distraction techniques working to my full advantage.

What kind of snacks do we go for?

Our snacks and picnic lunches consist of a variety of items; from sausage rolls to yoghurts, grapes through to crackers. I aim to go for a mix of fruit with a couple of packets of ready-bought things such as items from the Organix ‘Goodies’ range. Whilst I used to try and make homemade oat bars, the reality of being a working parent means it just doesn’t happen. And when you work out the details, it takes a lot for me to rival the ingredients and care that goes into these foods. From soft oaty bars to cheese crackers, each one is made with organic ingredients with no unnecessary bits thrown in. I have to admit, they’re delicious – especially the Carrot Stix corn puffs – we may have ‘shared’ a packet or two of them mid-car ride in our time. What started as a small love for their Raspberry and Blueberry Rice Cakes during weaning has turned into a full blown love affair, marked only by a trail of crumbs and purple tinted lips. Fun fact: Did you know they’ve sold 1.6billion of them?! Oh and don’t get me started on the Gingerbread Men, I can credit them for preventing this morning’s meltdown when someone got out of bed on the wrong side.

Organix Goodies Range Shot

Twenty Five Years In The Making

The thing I like about Organix is that they’re genuinely committed to improving nutrition for children. They’ve worked on major campaigns that have resulted in big changes to how food is labelled and delivered to children, including Jamie’s school dinners campaign. All in all, we think they deserve a pretty big celebration this year as they turn 25 years old and so do they! To help celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Organix to offer a hamper of lovely bits from their range. With products suited for babies, toddlers and beyond, there’s something for everyone to enjoy with this wonderful prize! Why not have a go below? Remember, a snack is a parent’s best friend. You’re welcome.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize is a hamper of Organix baby and toddler snacks, there is no monetary exchange available. The prize will be distributed by Organix direct to the winner, Devon Mama cannot be held responsible for lost prizes. All winner decisions are final, the winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn. Contest closes at 12.00am on Monday 7th August. UK Entrants Only.

70 Comments

  • Laura 14th July 2017 at 2:19 pm

    I love goodies snacks for the kids. Some of them are even dairy and soya free so good for Katie as well! Nothing wrong with keeping fueled and or bribing kids! ????

    • DevonMamaOnline 15th July 2017 at 1:18 pm

      Oooh that’s interesting to know. I know how hard it can be finding yummy treats when you’ve got allergies and intolerances to deal with. Oh god, gotta love a good bribe – I mean – persuader!

  • Kim M 14th July 2017 at 3:05 pm

    My daughter used to love pickled onions and carrot sticks x

  • Vicki @ tippytupps 14th July 2017 at 4:11 pm

    What a great giveaway!

  • Nicola | Mummy to Dex 14th July 2017 at 5:45 pm

    Snacks are life savers! We LOVE the Organix range, we always have one of their products on hand in case we have a toddler meltdown.

    • DevonMamaOnline 15th July 2017 at 1:34 pm

      I found some in my bag the other day when we went to the spa, it’s not even a bag I use that often! Snacks are taking over!

  • Mummy Times Two 14th July 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Love this so much. Now the little man has started eating, snacks are definitely our best friend x

    • DevonMamaOnline 15th July 2017 at 1:17 pm

      Aren’t they just? I find he’s far better at snacking when we’re busy than if I try and feed him quietly at home. I think distraction must work in our favour!

  • Richard Tyler 14th July 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Blueberries 🙂

  • lyn burgess 15th July 2017 at 12:04 am

    She loves peanut butter on oatcakes

    • DevonMamaOnline 15th July 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Oooh yummy, I really should give more peanut butter to him!

  • Heather Hibbert 15th July 2017 at 12:14 am

    Bananas

  • Nicola Johns 15th July 2017 at 8:04 am

    My little boy loves Organix cereal bars: carrot cake and the raspberry & apple are his favourite. He loves bananas too, he would eat 3 bananas a day if I let him!

    • DevonMamaOnline 15th July 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Great choice – we love the cereal bars as well, I keep finding the carrot cake ones in my husbands lunch bag!

  • Fiona King 15th July 2017 at 8:29 am

    bananas

  • Karen Barrett 15th July 2017 at 8:32 am

    Mango

  • Susan B 15th July 2017 at 9:24 am

    She is into fruit pieces at the moment, mainly satsumas and apples.

  • Suzanne Jackson 15th July 2017 at 12:06 pm

    blueberries

  • Katie Skeoch 15th July 2017 at 9:33 pm

    My boys love cucumber & apple slices

  • Anthony Harrington 15th July 2017 at 10:21 pm

    raisins and grapes

  • Tasha 16th July 2017 at 8:34 am

    Strawberries or cheese

  • jo liddement 16th July 2017 at 3:02 pm

    My son enjoys fruit as a snack especially grapes and bananas

  • Laura Pritchard 16th July 2017 at 3:29 pm

    My daughter loves strawberries & my son loves apples

  • Jodie A Green 16th July 2017 at 4:00 pm

    my girls love strawberries and grapes

  • Hali Kinson 16th July 2017 at 6:59 pm

    My son loves carrots

  • fiona waterworth 16th July 2017 at 7:18 pm

    bananas

  • Rachel Craig 17th July 2017 at 12:08 am

    Banana

  • Becky Yeomans 17th July 2017 at 7:00 am

    Not sure yet as my son is only 4 months old and still on milk! I don’t think he will have a problem with food he loves his milk and guzzles it down! Would love to win ready to put away for when all the fun begins! 🙂

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:44 am

      Good luck – when they start on food that’s when the fun REALLY begins!

  • Sarah Mackay 17th July 2017 at 7:20 am

    My daughter loves bananas

  • Katherine Cobley 17th July 2017 at 11:12 am

    My little boy loves the Organix carrot sticks and sweetcorn rings!

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:43 am

      We love the Carrot Stix too!

  • Kirsty Ward 17th July 2017 at 1:22 pm

    My Niece loves Raisins!

  • Ray Dodds 17th July 2017 at 5:30 pm

    Pineapple chunks

  • Lisa Wilkinson 19th July 2017 at 10:26 am

    Watermelon

  • Jo Carroll 19th July 2017 at 11:11 am

    My little man loves his Jaffa cakes. x

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:42 am

      Jealous- I love a jaffa cake (or three!!)

  • Solange 20th July 2017 at 8:45 am

    Bananas, raisins and carrot sticks.

  • MARK HOPKINS 22nd July 2017 at 7:52 pm

    She love cheese spread sandwiches.

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:41 am

      I’ve had to give up with cheese spread because it was SO messy! He used to use it like some form of cement!!

  • Sharon Lou Johnson 23rd July 2017 at 7:41 am

    my little one loves carrot sticks x

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:41 am

      Great choice!

  • Jeanette Leighton 23rd July 2017 at 9:07 pm

    My baby Charlie who has just turned 1 loves organix carrot puff stix my daughter loves their goodie carrot bars

    • DevonMamaOnline 25th July 2017 at 8:41 am

      We love both of those. The carrot bars are so yummy!!

  • Louisa 23rd July 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Breadsticks

  • Ruth Harwood 24th July 2017 at 9:58 am

    Cherry tomatoes x

  • Kim Styles 25th July 2017 at 5:55 pm

    Bananas are a great favourite

  • Jules page 30th July 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Olives

  • Heather Cain 1st August 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Quavers

  • Natalie Newham 2nd August 2017 at 12:39 am

    Raisins 🙂

  • emma walters 2nd August 2017 at 8:59 pm

    my little girl is cheese obsessed!!!

  • Edward Guerreiro 3rd August 2017 at 3:05 am

    It’s a fight between raisins, and pom bears.

  • Emma Whittaker 3rd August 2017 at 5:59 pm

    My daughter loves olives 🙂

  • sarah fielding 4th August 2017 at 12:58 pm

    Apple slices for sure!

  • Jo Hutchinson 5th August 2017 at 12:41 am

    carrot sticks

  • Simone Griffin 5th August 2017 at 2:27 pm

    My little one loves blueberries and strawberries x

  • paula cheadle 5th August 2017 at 11:19 pm

    granddaughter loves banana’s

  • Tracy Gladman 6th August 2017 at 7:58 am

    Rice Cakes

  • Debs Johnson 6th August 2017 at 9:51 am

    Raisins and popcorn

  • olivia Kirby 6th August 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Probably bananas and biscuits!

  • Sophie Foulds 6th August 2017 at 4:12 pm

    I loved cubed cheese as a kid! Still love it now 🙂

  • Jo Hutchings 6th August 2017 at 4:14 pm

    He really likes cubed cheese and raisins.

  • Kim Neville 6th August 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Mini cheddars and strawberries

  • ADEINNE TONNER 6th August 2017 at 4:58 pm

    At the moment they love apples but it has to be sliced up into pieces.

  • Jenna Parrington 6th August 2017 at 5:14 pm

    CHEESE 😀

  • Hayley Todd 6th August 2017 at 5:58 pm

    My daughter loves rice cakes, carrot sticks and cucumbers!

  • Hannah Scudder 6th August 2017 at 8:30 pm

    My son likes apples.

  • Katy Malkin 6th August 2017 at 8:40 pm

    She loves little cubes of violife cheese, strawberries and bananas

  • Fiona jk42 6th August 2017 at 9:19 pm

    my granddaughter likes both sweet and savoury snacks but her favourite is chocolate. I buy her little bags of non-dairy chocolate drops and she is only allowed a few drops per day.

  • Natalie Crossan 6th August 2017 at 10:55 pm

    Bananas xxx

  • Leave a Reply

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    I'm Hayley and this is us; working parents to three tiny wild ones. Whether it's travel, food, lifestyle or just a healthy dose of parenting reality, there's something for everyone here. So sit back, get comfy and start scrolling!

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