things i LOVE about motherhood, how i'm teaching my kids character + healthy family snack prep! :)

[@EmilyPerrySLP]

My son is 3 and loves folding towels. I make sure to not redo them because he is always SO proud to go get a towel that he put away, and see it still there just as he left it. It’s been so good for me to remember not to go behind them and redo the work, and to involve them in the work! I have always said to my kids “This is our home that we’ve been given, and we should delight in taking care of it.” We discuss how we actually can enjoy something more when we’ve done the work to cultivate it well. How can I expect them to desire to steward what they’ve been given one day, if I don’t let them help me in these little years? It’s been a great learning curve for me as I’m so type A and would otherwise just rush to do it all myself. Your vlogs are so enjoyable for me! Your intentionality with your family is rare, and I’m glad you are using your ability to share it with other mamas in a positive light!

[@kristlwebb4757]

I’m enjoying your video. As a mom of five, I used the guide of “if they can, they will.” My kids were each doing their own laundry from beginning to end, including folding it and putting it away by at around 6 to 7 years old. I used stickers on the dials to show them where to turn it, and no liquid involved, only pods. As a result, now that they are teenagers, I keep hearing people telling them how mature, dependable and responsible they are. I love that they are reaping the rewards of their earlier training!

[@MonicaBernal_]

My daughters first words were please and thank you, I am very big on manners and everywhere we go people compliment her politeness!

[@debbiekotch6006]

I used to make my bed when I was little. It just gets you in the habit of making your bed. It is a great start to the day. It's always nice to go to bed and have a fresh bed to climb into. When I was about 8 I was baking cake. I would just measure and mix everything in a bowl and grease and flour the pan and pour the batter into the pan. Mom would put it into the oven. It made me feel so good.

[@beingkitschroeder2507]

I taught my teenage son how to cook, here's how I did it: After I came home from the hospital with cancer, I couldn't cook. I had been gutted like a fish, and needed to rest. From the family room, which is open to our kitchen, I would sit in my chair and give him verbal instructions. Most things were just everyday foods on our rotation that I knew from memory. Sometimes, it might be a cake, or Hamburger Helper, and I would have him follow the box instructions. Other times, it might have been a recipe I found online and wanted him to try it out. So I would give him the list of ingredients, one by one, while he gathered them. Then I would go over the order of assembly. I passed on tips along the way, like "spray the cooking spray while holding the pan over the sink", or "a capful is usually the same as a teaspoon" etc. It's been almost three years now, and he's become quite accomplished. His first meal was a Christmas beef tenderloin, and he did an excellent job. And that's why I rarely cook anymore.

[@CaraJane]

Oh wow! I hope you were able to recover well… that sounds like a lot! So great that your son learned to cook tho. I’m sure his future family will thank you for that!

[@awas123]

Can you make a batch of Waffles and freeze them? Pop them in the toaster when u need them

[@SassyFras7276]

Oh my goodness Cara! YES to Walmart toddler clothes. I love them and they fit ten times better than target clothes. They are so cute and so affordable. Love the ice cream Zara tank! That is just precious 🍦

[@Amandasimko]

Cara, you are such an amazing mom and I love hearing all of your advice ❤️ I truly look up to you from everything to motherhood, health, faith and so on. Thank you for being you and sharing everything that you do! 🥰

[@ilonaodeychuk5205]

Missed this !, please do some content on homeschooling/ what your plans are for Quinn this upcoming fall

[@lindscameron]

Hi! My 3 year old loves to set the table! She puts the silverware on our plates. She even puts her little brothers spoon on his highchair table. It is the cutest thing❤ i am a Christian mom vlogger with 2 little ones, 3 year old daughter & 1 year old son! Lovin the motherhood vlogs & raising disciples 🫶 so many view children as burdens when they are God's blessings & we are their rocks. They need us ❤

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Morning Cara happy Friday morning and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and I'm proud of you

[@lisataylor6075]

Hi cara I started following you back when you and Eric went on your cruise. I’ve been watching ever since. I’m kinda sad that your not showing the girls as much and I realize why. It was so fun seeing them grow and all the milestones. I hope you add them every once in awhile.

[@erron95]

My daughter will be 2 at the end of Summer. I started giving her a small task to do every morning. Which she’s doing well at. I just started really asking her to help with toy clean up. We sing a Miss Rachel song and I give her a lot of praise. It seems to work. I love your videos Cara!

[@Hannah.B..]

This video really hits all the points as to why I love your content and have continued to follow along for years! We have such similar views on things! I also absolutely LOVE the fact that you talked about the little things in motherhood that are SO fulfilling! I also don’t mean this in a bad way at all, but it’s been so neat to see how refreshed and less overwhelmed you’ve been in your videos since you started spacing them out more, I think it’s so amazing that you’re doing what fills your cup best, even if we don’t get as much content!

[@michellehynson3224]

Please share recipes for protein waffles/pancakes ❤

[@beingkitschroeder2507]

Love Quinn's little voice. She's adorable! I made my bed for the first time when I was five. I remember I showed my mom and since then she never did it for me again.

[@CaraJane]

Aww such a cute memory to have! Just shows what a big deal the small things are for them at this age!

[@zvezdelinayordanova2504]

You are the best mom ever ☺️

[@loriyensho2053]

I enjoyed another of your videos. They are always so calming and yet intentional and challenge me to think more purposefully about the choices I’m making at home with my kids.

[@motherhoodthemartinis]

I love how encouraging you are Cara, and as always thanks for sharing the joys, the inspiration, the beauty in every day, and even those not so great moments we all have! I too am working on character building with all of my children, and in different ways because of their ages. A fun way of incorporating character building with toddlers, we have been learning about the fruit of the spirit, which our Church has renamed each of the infant, toddler and young children’s classes to reflect this and each class is called a different fruit. We sing the fruit of the spirit song, which they love, and talk more about love, joy, peace, gentleness and kindness and how we can incorporate those in our daily lives, and be a friend to others. I’ve noticed such a difference even with my 6 year old when it comes to this. She wakes up in the morning and says “Mommy, I’m going to have a good attitude today!”, and it just continues from there! She has really enjoyed helping others, making her and her sisters bed willingly and joyfully, and showing love to all. ❤

[@trishacarter8047]

Love it when you upload a video!

[@bridgetmonger8808]

Video came out at a perfect time. My family is at the funeral home planning my aunts funeral. I am alone. Thank you and I will see you all in your next one. Have a lovely rest of your sumemr.

[@user-le7lr9dj2f]

Love the video! What do you usually put in the sensory bins?? I have the same table and need some ideas. We did sand and water for a long time, but my 3 year old is kind of over it lol

[@CaraJane]

Hi! Sand and water is our go to, but I’ve also done soapy water in half/regular water in half… then they wash some small toys. Also you can make a “foam” in one side (Pinterest recipe) and just water in the other with small toys. Bria loves that one!

[@1mama402]

You can use rice, dried beans, shaving cream, feathers, dried pasta, add in some magnet letters or plastic letters and have them search for a letter. Can add Mr Potato head parts and have them search for body parts…eyes, ears, nose etc. Can do ice cubes and give them paint brushes with washable paint and paint the ice cubes. I had boys so we put sand in them with Monster trucks. Endless possibilities. ❤

[@samantharose7364]

Hey Cara! I try to get my two year old to help us around the house too. Not only does it teach them a good work ethic & how to do household tasks but I think it’s great for their self-esteem and confidence too. My daughter loves feeling independent and like a “big girl” so she really thrives off of helping. We try to get her to help with cooking/prepping easy meals at the counter, sweeping the floor, feeding the dogs, putting laundry in the hamper. She also helps get diapers/wipes for her baby sister, feed her and help burp her. Lately we’ve also been watering the garden together.

[@graceprice6351]

Hey Cara your hair looks so cute! It’s hard to make curly hair look nice sometimes but your routine is really working!

[@caitlin9823]

I love praying over my kids toys!

[@EmilyRyann]

We grew up making our beds every day. I’m so glad my parents set that standard, and I definitely want to have my kiddos do it as they get a little older. It was so sweet to see Quinn’s not-so-perfectly made bed.🥹 Also, your curly hair looks great in this video! I think you are perfecting the natural hair look!😍

[@sheripride428]

I always love seeing your videos♥️ When my kids were little, I taught them to clean the toilet with baking soda and vinegar! They loved watching it bubble and made a yucky chore more fun.

[@CaraJane]

Oh fun! I’ll have to start that one soon, too! She’d probably love that!

[@clarissardehling]

Hi Cara, I hope you and your family are doing well and enjoying summer. The Little Co. brand by Lauren Conrad at Kohl's is definitely the cutest! I love that you have Quinn make her bed! Leo doesn't do that quite yet, but he does pick up his toys, and he already has some chores to help around the house, and he loves the responsibility! Leo can also wirte his name too! It's so exciting to watch these kiddos learn new things! Those banana muffins looks delicious and we will have to make those sometime! Hope all is good and well. All the best, -Clarissa 😊❤️🥰

[@CaraJane]

Hello! Yesss it really is the cutest!! And so true… they love doing “chores” at this age! Aww I bet you love watChing him write. It’s so rewarding🥰

[@clarissardehling]

@@CaraJane Definitely is! 🥰

[@FitnessGirl20]

Good morning!! Love seeing your vlogs .

[@CaraJane]

Good morning! Thank you, Ashley!!!❤️

[@mikelmelton]

I like your hair curly! I can't say that I enjoy cleaning up after my kiddos, even when they were young, lol. I love a neat house, but hate the constant cleaning it requires 🤷🏼‍♀️ Serena (Louisiana)

[@mamazori5557]

Hi Cara! I was so happy to see your video today, always love the tips that you have to share about kids stuff. I have a son who is 4 almost 5 and loves to make a mess but he loves to help so I try my best to let him clean it up instead of myself. Like if my son spills milk on the table a little, I would hand him a rag and ask if he could clean it up and is always willing because like you said they feel like a big kid 😊. Although sometimes I like to do it myself. Or when my son finishes his bowl of cereal he likes to put it in the sink himself.

[@CaraJane]

I love those ideas… definitely things that they love at this age! And yes, it’s fun to clean up their things sometimes for sure!🥰

[@alexandrawinston9120]

Quinn is so stinking smart! You’re killing it, mama. Where is your deck rug from? Obsessed

[@Reading_With_Tabs]

With my toddler I turn everything into a race to get her to do it 😂 “let’s see who can clean up the stuffed animals the fastest” and she loves it. Probably making her extra competitive but right now it works for us

[@rauldeleonnancy3199]

Hi Cara! What brand is the sensory table and the board you showed here?

[@CaraJane]

Hello! The sensory table and chalkboard are both from ikea! :)

[@rauldeleonnancy3199]

@@CaraJane ok thank you! Will look them up asap 🤗

[@kelseyspencer1139]

Where’d you get Quinn’s comforter?! I’ve been looking forever for toddler bed size that isn’t cartoon-y

[@allisonmarie365]

Hi Cara! I was just thinking about you the other day. Glad to see you! 😊 Your natural hair looks great!! Are you kidding me with Quinn writing her own name?! She's so smart!! And I know you've been working with her writing for a long time - great job, mama! Yes! Teaching to do "chores" at a young age is what I plan to do as well! I plan to use a check list that they're able to check off themselves once the task is done. I think I saw Milena Ciciotti use something like that. Hahah, I am the same way!! I think it's therapeutic to clean up after my kids. 😅 Looks like you're enjoying your summer! Loved this video - can't wait for the next one! Have a great day! 😊💛

[@beingkitschroeder2507]

Quinn's the smartest three year old in the history of three year olds.

[@dominiquefrazier00]

I enjoyed this video

[@clarissardehling]

Good morning, Cara!

[@midwesternmusings]

Wait! Your pants say indiana… are you from indiana??? 😀 I am! Represent haha. I love your videos and I’m not a mom yet, but I am learning a lot from you. Thank you so much for the encouraging content.

[@CaraJane]

Aww I'm glad you like the videos! Also good to know I'm sharing things you can learn from! :)

[@carolb148]

Wow awesome job Quinn you can write your name so good 🩷

[@inesvalelima]

love your videos. I have a 2 year old girl. kisses from Portugal

[@rubywilfong3314]

Never see the girls playing with dolls or other toys.

[@genezavala4896]

The girls are getting so big