I Quit Being a Short-Order Cook - Here's What Happened to My Picky Eater

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For every parent who's ever made mac and cheese at 6 AM because it was the only 'safe' breakfast option. You know that moment when you've lovingly prepared what you thought was a "safe" meal or maybe even their favorite from last week, and your child takes one look and declares, "Eww, I don't want this"? Yeah, that moment where your heart sinks a little and you wonder if you're failing at this whole parenting thing. We've all been there. Standing in the kitchen, looking at yet another rejected plate, while everyone around us says, "It's just a phase" or "Kids won't starve themselves." And while they're technically right about picky eating being normal, here's what I've learned:   Just because something is developmentally typical doesn't mean it's not    incredibly challenging to live through as a parent. If you're the parent feeling like a short-order cook, questioning your food ch...

Creative Repurposing of Outgrown Children's Items


As parents, it’s astonishing how quickly our children grow out of their clothes, toys, and gear. While 
Hello BUBS provides an excellent platform for selling these items, there are also numerous creative ways to repurpose them. Here’s how you can extend the life of children’s gear, reducing waste and perhaps even sparking a bit of joy along the way.

Community Connections: More Than Just Transactions

Hello BUBS is more than a marketplace for buying and selling; it's a launching pad for forming a supportive community of parents. While transactions are at the heart of what we do, they often spark ongoing relationships and community engagement.

Beyond Selling: Creative Ways to Repurpose Children’s Gear

1. Transform Clothing into Quilts or Pillowcases
Children’s clothes often come in fun, vibrant patterns. Rather than discarding them, cut the fabric to create a patchwork quilt or pillowcases. This can serve as a wonderful keepsake that holds memories of your child’s early years.

2. Turn Baby Cribs into Desks or Craft Tables
An outgrown crib can be transformed into a child’s desk or craft table with some adjustments. Remove one side rail and adjust the mattress base to a suitable height for your child to sit at. It’s perfect for reading, drawing, or homework!

3. Repurpose Baby Bottles into Art Supply Holders
Clean and remove the labels from old baby bottles. These can become excellent holders for crayons, beads, or paintbrushes. Their small size and transparency make it easy to organize and see the contents at a glance.

4. Old Bath Tubs as Outdoor Planters
If you have an old baby bathtub, don’t throw it out. Instead, drill a few drainage holes, fill it with potting soil, and use it as a quirky planter for flowers or herbs. It’s a fun addition to any garden or balcony.

5. Convert Outgrown Boots into Birdhouses
Old rubber boots can be repurposed into charming birdhouses. Simply clean them, decorate as desired, and hang them in your garden. Not only do they look adorable, but they also provide shelter for birds.

6. Make Costumes or Dress-up Clothes
Old clothes can be sewn together or modified to create costumes for dress-up games. Transform a shirt into a superhero cape, or turn old skirts into princess dresses. It’s an inexpensive way to replenish the dress-up box and foster imaginative play.

7. Create Art from Old Toys
Use broken or incomplete toys as art materials. Glue small toy figures to a frame to make a themed picture frame, or use various toys to create a 3D collage on a canvas. This can be a fun project to do together with your child.



Conclusion

Whether through Hello BUBS or in your craft corner, repurposing outgrown children's items can reduce waste and foster creativity. By transforming these items, you’re not only decluttering your home but also giving them a second life in a meaningful way. Let’s embrace sustainability and creativity for a happier, healthier planet!

What creative ways have you reworked your child's gear? We would love to hear it 😀


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