Disclosure: I was compensated by Campbell's Soup but all opinions are strictly my own.

The amazing thing about kids is how their tastebuds tell them that they love a certain food at lunch, but by dinnertime that same food is assumed to be laced with poison. There's not much more aggravating than a kid that won't eat. Unless you count a child who has a meltdown because they are exhausted and hungry, and then still refuses to eat. The other night one of my kids got up from bed crying, begged to eat, was offered some fruit, refused, then starting laughing...for no reason whatsoever! He is one of my picky eaters so I can relate to your frustrations. However, there is hope. 

The good news is that kids have so many awesome things that make up for this one thing. I also have some great hacks to help you get over your picky eater problems. So if you have a picky eater, or just had a nightmare that your next child will be, read through my #RealRealLife parenting tips and let me know if you have some of your own!

1. Don't Serve Separate Meals.
This is called playing the long game. Serving them a separate meal sounds like a terrific idea until they are fifteen and still eating off the kids meals at restaurants. You think I'm joking? I have worked with teenagers for fifteen years and many still do this. We are firm believers that once kids are old enough everyone gets the same food. Except for the wine. And coffee. Ok, the good chocolates belong to the adults as well. 

How to Be a Dad at a Distance

Being a parent is hard. In fact being a dad is one of the most difficult things that I have ever done in my life. If you're a parent, you can probably relate and this comes as no surprise. If you can't relate you aren't doing this parenting thing right. Recently I have discovered something that takes the parenting difficulty level up to 11. It's something I have never had to deal with before. It's being a dad while living a great distance away. My wife and I didn't get a divorce, but I did take a job halfway across the country. My family is living back in California while I get life ready for all of us here in Oklahoma.

This distance is only temporary, but I am smack in the middle of being separated from my family for five out of six weeks. For some of you that might not be a big deal, but for me it is heart wrenching. I feel like half of me is still in California with them. Some of these feelings might come from my parents divorce when I was twelve. My dad moved out and all of a sudden my world was turned upside down. There are some lessons that I am learning though. Some of these come from my current experience and some I learned through my parents' divorce. Here is what I am discovering while being a dad from a distance.

Top 20 Valentine's Day Lunch and Snack Ideas

Spending Valentine's Day with your family doesn't have to include the same boring celebration every year. Why not mix it up and try something a little more personal for your kids? Valentine's themed bento lunches can be fun, healthy, and a different way to show your kids that you love them. So here, in no particular order, are a parent's 20 Valentine's Day bento lunch and snack ideas!

Heart Dog and a Cutie from Lunchbox Dad

Panda Love from Bunches O Lunches

Spread the Love from Monkey Munchables

Rilakkuma Bee Mine from Bento Days

How to Make Amazing Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches For Your Family

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post partnering with Hungry Jack. I received compensation but all opinions expressed are solely my own.

Families are busier than ever before and it is so hard to find time to make meals when you are constantly on the go. One of my family's favorite breakfast creations are these make ahead freezable breakfast sandwiches! They are easy to make in bulk with Hungry Jack's NEW Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix With Protein and Hungry Jack Original Microwaveable Syrup is a great finishing touch. Once you have these delicious meals in your freezer, they can be heated up in a matter of minutes and eaten on the way to school, work, sporting events, or wherever else your busy life takes your clan. Read below to find out how to start making your family's breakfast life a whole lot easier!

Not only that but I am also giving away a Hungry Jack Prize Pack to two lucky readers! Read through my easy directions for these sandwiches and then enter the contest using the Rafflecopter widget below. 

How to Make a Rockin' Space Rocket Lunch

If your kids are anything like mine they would love to go into space some day soon. Although one of them could be an astronaut, I'd personally prefer them learn to clean their rooms and be graduated from car seats first. Until that time, a space themed lunch can be pretty fun instead. This one is way easier to create than you think. I bet you can make this in 10 minutes.

Ingredients: Whole wheat bread, meat for sandwich, cheddar cheese, nori, white cheese,