Let’s start with the cookies. For kids, baking is fun. It is a way for them to help out in the kitchen and learn love cooking. The freezer section of the grocery store has several flavors of cookies. Rolled dough is good to use and eliminates cleanup hassles after the cookies are made.

Take a roll of refrigerated dough and roll it out on a non-stick surface. Add a touch of flour to the rolling pin before you try to roll the dough or it will stick. Younger kids may find it easier to roll the dough out with a plastic rolling pin because they are not as heavy as the wooden ones.

Heart shaped cookie cutters will turn regular sugar, peanut butter, and chocolate chip cookies into creations of love. Kids don’t only like hearts. Let them experiment with other shapes in the cookie cutter arsenal if they want to. They can even design shapes of their own with the dough pieces that are too small to cut.

Cupcakes are much the same way but it takes a bit more preparation. To make it easy, use a box cake mix instead of mixing everything from scratch. Remind your kids that if you are adding egg that they can’t dip a finger in because of the possibility of salmonella poisoning.

The kids can choose to use cupcake cups that are decorated for the holiday or spoon them directly into the muffin pan. Mini muffin pans create bite size cupcakes for the family to enjoy after dinner. If you have a window in the oven, kids will camp out and watch the cupcakes bake just like a television show.

Decorate those cupcakes with creamy icing. White icing can be turned into pink with a bit of red food coloring. Kids will be amazed by this as the white icing changes colors. For an extra special touch, add candy sprinkles or cinnamon red hot candies. It will be hard to keep the kids from eating up all the ingredients as they bake. It may be hard to keep you from sneaking that spoonful of icing when you should be adding it to the cupcakes too so be warned.

Sweets are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Cookies and cupcakes get a nice makeover on Valentine’s Day to help reflect the good feelings of the holiday as well as create great family togetherness.

Children need our unconditional love, acceptance and respect, all the time. Negative reinforcement will only end up in negative behavior and results acted out through the child. When a child hears this type of labeling often, they can become emotionally damaged by the behavior of the parent. Children look up to their parents; thus, there is no justification, which motivates any parent in belittling a child. Giving the child negative attention in this manner can create many more problems then it will ever even begin to solve. The child may develop low self-esteem; increased erratic behavior; and affect their inter-relationship with siblings and peers.

It is nothing new that a parent can lose their calm and temper but it does not have to be focused on the child. A child may not understand why you are reacting this way and it can produce devastating effects. So many parents by-pass this part but it is imperative that they apologize immediately using phrasing and words that will make the child feel positive and have respect for your ability to be wrong. It is our duty as parents to be sure that our children know how much we love them, even when we are not happy, every day. The fear and disappointment the child feels must be addressed with an apology, and/or an explanation.

Disciplinary action of a child must never be accompanied by harsh words. If necessary, take a break and collect your thoughts. Think before you say anything further. Then have the child take a time out. Later, talk to the child about why the behavior was disciplined; then hug the child in a reassuring way. Let the child know you still love him or her. Words can impact a child’s life; positively and negatively. If you, as a parent, cannot control the emotional abuse; seek help. It is the very least you can do to ensure your child’s psychological state is not compromised in any way.

Additional Resources:
Sleepytime Secrets
Sleepytime Secrets is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide for learning how to get children to sleep. Put An End To The Stress And Frustration Of Sleepless
Nights For You and Your Child For Good!

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 8- 1 ounce squares of
* unsweetened chocolate
* 1 cup butter
* 5 eggs
* 3 cups sugar
* 1 tablespoon vanilla
* 1-1/2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon salt, optional
* 2-1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat; set aside. In a mixer, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla at high speed for 10 minutes . Blend in chocolate, flour and salt until just mixed. Stir in the nuts. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 inch pan.

Bake for 35-40 minutes. (Don’t over bake.)

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 1-ounce squares unsweetened baking chocolate
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

FILLING:
* 1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
* 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 2 to 3 tablespoons light cream or milk

GLAZE:
* 1 1-ounce square semisweet baking chocolate
* 1 tablespoon butter or margarine

DIRECTIONS:

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and pale colored. Add flour and melted chocolate; stir well. Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the brownies test done. Cool.

For filling, beat confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl. Stir in cream or milk until mixture reaches desired spreading consistency. Spread over cooled brownies; cover and chill until firm.

For glaze, melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over the filling. Chill before cutting. Store in the refrigerator.

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup sugar
* 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
* 1/4 cup margarine
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
* 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal, uncooked
* 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, cocoa, margarine and milk; stir constantly until sugar is melted.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter; stir until peanut butter is melted. Add oatmeal and wheat germ; combine until oatmeal is well coated.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper and cool in refrigerator.

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 2/3 cup butter or margarine
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
* 2 eggs large
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup flour
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup nuts chopped
* Powdered sugar or frosting of your choice

DIRECTIONS:

Coat an 8- or 9-inch square microwavable dish or 9-inch microwavable pie plate with non-stick spray.

Place butter in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave, uncovered, at 100% power (700 watts) 20 to 30 seconds until softened. Stir in sugar and brown sugar until blended. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well blended. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and stir just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in dish.

Place dish on an inverted small microwavable plate in microwave oven. Microwave, uncovered, at 100% power for 5 1/2 to 7 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center and in corners comes out clean, rotating dish one-fourth turn every 2 minutes (after 5 1/2 minutes of total cooking, check every 30 seconds).

Cover dish with wax paper and cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove wax paper and cool brownies completely.

To serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost. Cut into bars.

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/4 cup powdered sugar
* 2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
* 3/4 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup Irish cream liqueur
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream
* Chocolate sprinkles, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.

Mix 3/4 cup flour, butter, powdered sugar and cocoa into a soft dough. Press it in an ungreased 8X 8 pan. Bake 10 minutes.

In medium bowl, beat remaining ingredients minus the whipping cream and chocolate sprinkles with wire whisk until blended. Pour over baked layer. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is set. Cool slightly; refrigerate at least 2 hours before cutting.

In chilled small bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream onto each bar. Top with chocolate sprinkles. Store covered in refrigerator up to 2 days.

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup butter
* 1 cup sugar
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 2 teaspoons cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon nutmeg
* 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together. When light and fluffy add the beaten eggs and beat until well blended. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, all the nutmeg, flour and vanilla extract. Stir until mixed through. Shape into a log shape and wrap with cling film. Place in refrigerator for approximately 4 hours until chilled.

Preheat oven to 350F and grease two cookie sheets.

Unwrap the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Cut into ¼ inch slices and place an inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and baked through. Mix the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon and a little sugar and sprinkle over the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Ready for some more fun foods for kids? Kid-approved meals make breakfast, lunch and snack time easy and fun for your little ones. Give them a try today.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 3/4 cup peanut butter
* 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup flour

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet.

Add brown sugar to beaten egg, mix.

Add peanut butter and cream cheese to sugar/egg mixture, mix.

Add flour – stir until well mixed.

Drop small lumps onto cookie sheet.

Pour a bit of white sugar onto a small plate, dip a glass into the sugar and then flatten a cookie. Dip into sugar, press next cookie, continue until all cookies are pressed flat.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes, then remove from cookie sheet.

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INGREDIENTS:

* 1 package white cake mix
* 1 package strawberry gelatin
* 4 eggs
* ¾ cup vegetable oil
* ½ cup water
* 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
* Powdered sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Butter two 8-inch square baking pans, then dust them with flour to prevent the cake from sticking. Pour the cake mix into a large bowl. Add the gelatin and stir to combine the two well. Add the eggs, oil and water and mix for a few minutes until all the ingredients are well combined. Fold in half of the strawberries.

Divide the batter evenly among the two baking pans. Put both pans on the middle oven rack and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the cake is golden brown. Use a toothpick or skewer to make sure the cake is done in the middle.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. When they are cooled completely, top each cake with the remaining strawberry slices and dust with some powdered sugar.

You can also easily turn this into a layered cake by whipping up some whipped cream. Fold the strawberries in and layer this cream mixture between the two layers of cake. Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, or drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the top.