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mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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Why Mom Needs to Play

Yum

June 1, 2018 By Autumn Rose Reo 9 Comments

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When’s the last time you played with your kids? Forget the sidelines because Mom Needs to Play! 

Thanks to The Crayola Experience and Dunkin Donuts for partnering with mamachallenge for some great giveaways. 

When is the last time you “played” with your kids?

Not just watched them but played with them?


Playing

Studies show that moms that play with their kids vs. just managed, monitor, or act as the organizer are happier as individuals. And a bonus: seeing mom at play (and happy doing it) also creates a stronger bond with the kids to see you be happy. 

Science also shows that the more productive and creative moms at play initiated the release of dopamine, the chemical that actually makes you happy. 

Happy Mama, Happier Family. 

Now this doesn’t mean you aren’t the parent, it’s more that you are involved in the process rather than administer it all the time. I remember as a kid, going swimming meant your parent watched you swim. And as a parent, I’ve done the same thing, but my kids have asked, can’t you go swimming with us? That’s parenting gold – simple request for such a simple thing to make them happy and it’s exercise! 

PlayingintheWater

Another poll asked kids what invention they hated most and the #1 answer was cell phones because their kids were always on them! That says a lot, right?

I actually asked my Facebook friends what’s something they loved as kids and quit doing as adults. The list filled up quick – with tons of things they loved doing and hadn’t done in years. But almost every one of them couldn’t be done with the kids. 

More Ideas on this Topic:

Well Played: The Ultimate Guide to Awakening Your Family’s Playful Spirit
 
Playful Parenting: An Exciting New Approach to Raising Children That Will Help You Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and Encourage Confidence
 
The Kidult Handbook: From Blanket Forts to Capture the Flag a Grownup’s Guide to Playing Like a Kid

So what are you waiting for?  

100 Ways to Get Out There and Play Printable 

Need some more starters? We have a list of 100 things you can do to play with your kids!
 
Download your free 100 Ways to Get Out There and Play Printable, then put it on the fridge and get ready for fun! 
 
DOWNLOAD HERE
 

Playful Giveaways – Enter to Win

It doesn’t have to be hard or work, just fun! Start off coloring with your kids (or head to The new Crayola Experience in Plano and don’t just watch, but color yourself), make a pillow fort, sleep under the stars, or today’s National Donut Day, so go to Dunkin Donuts and get a free donut! 

About the Crayola Experience

Explore the Crayola Experience at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas is where the magic of Crayola comes to life! Let your creativity run wild, color outside the lines, learn, explore and learn. This is an attraction the whole family can enjoy a colorful adventure for a child (and an adult’s) imagination! 

The Crayola Experience in Plano is giving away four passes to get you in the colorful mood!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Dunkin Donuts 

What do you not know about Dunkin Donuts? It’s What America runs on. From coffee, to donuts and everything in between Dunkin Donuts make is your one spot for sweets, treats, and breakfast eats!  

Dunkin Donuts is making it even easier to celebrate National Donut Day by sharing a $50 gift card with one special mamachallenge reader.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Autumn Rose Reo

Texas blogger, TV contributor, PR pro, and mother of two (including a son with a Congenital Heart Defect) , Autumn Rose Reo is always on the search for REAL SOLUTIONS for REAL PARENTS that REALLY WORK. From parenthood, things to do, reviews, style, recipes and more, she’s always cookin’ up something fun, resourceful and good to know! She’s frequently featured on TV sharing her solutions and in her spare time, she’s helping others promote their business with her own PR shop, The Reo Agency See what she’s burning, party she is planning, or what challenge she is taking on today.

Comments

  1. Toni says

    June 5, 2018 at 1:53 am

    My favorite summer memory as a kid is our week at the beach!
    We had so many memorable experiences while in Ocean City, we actually had a “to do list” of activities (b/c once we did one thing and enjoyed it, we’d want to do it again the following year. As you can imagine, that list grew over the years, so we neve had much down time (during a week whe you are truly supposed to relax! Ha)

    Reply
  2. Sarah Walsh says

    June 5, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    I loved going to the public pool with my mom and sister.

    Reply
  3. Rachel says

    June 5, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    I liked going to summer camp.

    Reply
  4. Kerri S says

    June 5, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    Riding bikes ALL day and summer travel with family!

    Reply
  5. Kerry says

    June 5, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Getting ice cream from the ice cream truck that came in the neighborhood in your bike with all your friends. Also going to the beach each summer with my famil and playing in the sand all day and ocean and going fishing with my dad.

    Reply
  6. Stephanie G says

    June 7, 2018 at 11:24 pm

    Going to the beach!

    Reply
  7. Jamie Lacy says

    June 8, 2018 at 1:18 am

    Playing after the sun goes down in front of my grandmas house woth all the neighborhood out doing something! It was so much fun!

    Reply
  8. Amy Daza says

    June 8, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    I liked camping at Lake Texoma with my cousins! Somehow it always managed to rain on us though, but we still had a blast!

    Reply
  9. Sarah S says

    June 10, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    My favorite thing was when my parents let us have a slip and slide for our hill in the back yard when I was little.

    Reply

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Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

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A 🌹 for a rose! Can’t get over this gorgeous A 🌹 for a rose!

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🍹 Swift n ‘Swigs @arlingtonmuseum 

#taylorswift #august #arlingtontx #dfw #dallas
Back to School doesn’t mean summer’s over YET! Back to School doesn’t mean summer’s over YET! 

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🍿August 18 - Parent Trap
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Even if you aren’t a golfer, there’s not of fun for everyone including: 
⛳️ Putting green called the Dance Floor for just $5 (they have the putters and you get to take home your ball!) 
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🍕Tons of food (and drinks🍷) 
🍦Don’t miss Margaret’s Cones & Cups for the best ice cream (and people!) 

And don’t miss: 
⛳️ Omni PGA Frisco Resort - In addition to premiere golf, the resort includes one pools, spas or one of resort’s restaurants.
⛳️ The Swing - Gil Hanse and Beau Welling designed this lighted, 10-hole, par-3 course with holes ranging from 45 to 100 yards.
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Get the deets: https://pgafrisco.com/events

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A few of my favorites included: 
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📍 Homeology (@homeology_interiors)
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AND SO MANY MORE I HAVEN’T VISITED!

With so much to offer from a huge farmers market, local art, cool spots to eat and drink and so many unique spots to shop, I was already creating my itinerary for “next time” before I left. (So I am open to recommendations for places to stay if you have them!) 

Thank you, @VisitMcKinneyTX & @downtownmckinney for inviting me. 

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Make sure to head to my highlights for the links to these deals.

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Comment SHOP and we will send you links to all these deals!

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These are so easy you don’t need a recipe - but if you do send us a DM and I can help you out!)

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And for you #keto fans, you better write this one down!

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Three cars in line must mean it’s good, so I rolled up and low and behold they have #keto taco - chicken, pick, avocado, cheese and even a southwest sauce - all wrapped up with a lettuce leaf! While it wasn’t the prettiest taco it definitely was one of my faves! And since I was there, I grabbed a few others for the family to try. So. Freaking. Good.

I would say I have a new favorite especially with all its fresh ingredients, but the Keto Taco is only here until March 15. So get yours while you can 🌮 

Thanks, Jimboy for nudging me in the right direction for tacos!

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12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm

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Flips, jumps, lights, audience interaction, and Santa Claus! It's a beautiful bridge of a classic done in a whole new interactive way! 

🎪 Get your tickets now (try for section 200!) Now - Dec. 11, 2022!

🎪 Snacks + drinks are available, but you should eat dinner before or be ready for a late dinner! 

🎪 Attire is business casual, but make it fun for a festive, fun night out! 

🎪 Pair it with a trip to @Prairie Lights for 
the ultimate fun in #GrandPrairie! 

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October has definitely flown by and I couldn’t believe how many of my favorite experiences we didn’t get to attend, but an afternoon at @sixflagsovertexas took care of a lot of my fall bucket list! Halloween fun, seeing the leaves start to change, one of the best strudels + a true Oktoberfest bier, and picture moments galore - we’re all checked off! 

With three festivals - including Fright Fest, Boo Fest and a new Oktoberfest Food Festival, the whole family had a great day at @sixflagsovertexas. And paired with a flash pass and an All day cup (thank you, Six Flags) you can’t go wrong enjoying Texas fall in #DFW.

🤩 Plus make sure to stop and read the gravestones- they name all the rides that have gone out of rotation. 

#sixflags #sixflagsmemories #arlingtontx #aworldofwonderful #dfw #dfwevents #dallasblogger
Just in time for the 70th Birthday of #BigTex, we Just in time for the 70th Birthday of #BigTex, we celebrated with a family trip to the @statefairoftx. 

There’s always so much to see and do, but for us it’s the FOOD! So many people asked us what’s the best thing thing to eat, so here’s our short list of #musteats at the State Fair of Texas!

✔️Every good Texan knows your first stop (and also your last) is @fletcherscornydogs. But did you know there’s more than the original to try? Go for the Dallas Hot Bird Dog dippes in spicy batter, deep-fried, split open and then piled high max and cheese, @cholulahotsauce and crispy jalapeños. #Daymade and you just started!

✔️ Pay homage to the to who @texasmonthly calls the “high priest of frying, @chef_abel, and order up his newest creation, the Doh-Muf: part fluffy donut, part muffin and all goodness with Bavarian cream and coated in banana nut muffin batter. Want to up the ante? Then while you’re there, snag the fried PBJ. (Ask for the Priscilla, just like the King.)

✔️ Don’t fly off too far…get another new dish - the Texas Ranch Hog Wings from @nevinsconcessions. Grab lots of napkins and The Fried Charcuterie Board from this dynamic duo.

✔️ I hope you’re not full because we aren’t finished yet - it’s time to get your greens on from @chefcassy. Deep fried collard greens of course served with a honey-glazed chicken wing! 🐔 

✔️ Quite possibly the fastest thing we ate - was the Ultimate Brookie Monster from @smokeyjohnsbbq. It may not be pretty, but with chocolate chip cookie + brownie, @oreo, marshmallow, all deep fried and served with @bluebellicecream, cheesecake crumbles and strawberry sauce…it’s the ultimate dessert (because everything is in it!)

✔️ Like a corn dog, no trip to the fair is complete without a funnel cake from @ferniesfunnelcakes. It’s the perfect nibble as you people watch your way through the fair (and burn off a few calories before you eat again.)

✔️ So you done yet? You might be for now, so make sure to grab your @stifflersmomscookiefactory to go and wash it down with a dirty soda (ask and they’ll show you!)

HBD, #BigTex - we enjoyed it!

🎡 🌮 🌯🍗🍩

#Texas #statefairoftexas #statefair #deepfrieddynasty #dfw #dallas #statefairfood
If only every #tacotuesday was like this. 🌮 I If only every #tacotuesday was like this. 🌮 

I can’t help but take up on a good challenge, so when @visit_arlington asked what was my vote favorite taco during their #SavetheTacos campaign, I couldn’t let them down. ✔️ 

With 12 restaurants ready to face off for the title of “Arlington’s Favorite Taco,” anyone can vote and then win prizes for making their vote. 

Wanna play? You have 12 tacos and 10 days to make your 🗳.

My favorite? I’ll never tell, but I sure did have a good time doing the research.

This is what #TacoTuesday was made for.

#ArlingtonTexas #ArlingtonTx #aworldofwonderful #arlington #dfw #tacos #taco #dallasblogger #dfwinfluencer
BBQ leftovers? 

If you happen to have any, what’s your favorite way to put them to work in the kitchen?

I’m talking ways to use that sausage, brisket or smoked chicken from July 4th on @wfaagmtthis!
🇺🇸 Green Sauce for Brisket Breakfast Tacos
🇺🇸 Smoked Chicken Salad
🇺🇸 One-Pan Sausage, Potato and Green Bean Dinner

#july4 #independenceday #gmt #goodmorningtexas #bbq #brisket #dallas #dfwinfluencer #dallasblogger
When mom is away, the minions will play. 👀 I w When mom is away, the minions will play. 👀

I was away for work and a special box from @universalpictures @theslyfoxclub showed up! 

My miniboss (and her accomplice) busted it open and made their own unboxing video to send to mom (check my Instastories). 

As much fun as they had making the unboxing video, we had to go see @Minions The Rise of Gru opening night. We both loved it (and the soundtrack is winning especially when your kiddo sings The Rolling Stones on the way home!)

➡️ See #Minions #TheRiseOfGru only in theaters TODAY! 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

#minions #TheRiseofGru #Ad
DFW: It’s Good Friday - so do something good! S DFW: It’s Good Friday - so do something good!

Sign up for the The Heroes for Children 5K & Family Fun Run happening tomorrow, April 23 at Hall Park in #FriscoTx!

This is family-friendly race and party to raise awareness and funds for families affected by pediatric cancer in Texas presented by @heroesforchildren! This Dallas-based org advocates for and provides financial and social assistance to families with children battling cancer throughout Texas. 

🥇 5K runners receive an event T-shirt and the first 300 finishers receive a special Heroes for Gold Ribbon medal. 

Also enjoy:
🏃‍♀️ family fun zone
🏃‍♂️ community sponsored events
🏃‍♀️ Gold Go Gold Art exhibit
 
🏃‍♀️ Register now: https://www.heroesforchildren.org/5k-funrun-frisco and save $5 with promo code HEROESRUN5!

###
#dfw #heroesforchildren #run #easter #dallas #frisco #pediatriccancer
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