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Somedays, we have the feeling that there is just not enough time to get anything done in our homes or for ourselves. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom with children to care for or a parent that works out of the home, maintaining a balance of home, family, and personal time is not easy. Opportunities […]
As our kids finish up the last days of school before the holiday break, we may find ourselves wondering how we will make it through the next 2 weeks with such lively, wound-up children. It is winter so in many places in the U.S., it is cold. Sure, the kids may go outside for an […]
Pets don’t ask for much – a little food, a little water, a little exercise, and a lot of love. However, they are members of the family, and while everyone is opening presents, it can be fun to show your pet(s) how much you love and appreciate them with something special. Here are some ideas […]
This morning, I had a revelation. I have always told myself that when the children get a little older that I would add responsibilities. I have always believed in working hard and being efficient and getting things done for yourself. For some reason, I have not allowed my children to experience those things as much […]
I have always loved making and receiving clever cards or letters for Christmas. My hope is that when people open a card from me, the $.44 that I spent on that stamp will not have been in vain. I love bookmarking creative cards I find on the web and clipping card ideas out of […]
Many families use the festive holiday season as a reminder to take pictures together. It is fun to document the stages and growth of a family. Sending a photo in a Christmas card is a great way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. Whether you use your own camera for family photos […]
My 8-year-old daughter has been on a number of sleepovers and on almost every one of them, she has forgotten to pack a pretty important item. I think part of the problem is that I have just made packing her responsibility. I tell her to pack a bag with a change of clothes and then […]
Money is a constant. It is ever-present in our lives. We work for it, save it, spend it, debate it, argue over it, bargain with it. It is a powerful tool and an absolute necessity in today’s world. You’ve heard them before. You may have even used them on your spouse or children. Clever sayings […]
Today is the first day of the new school year for my community and family. It is an exciting time filled with enthusiasm and change. Kids have met their new teachers and now it is time to begin settling in to a new routine. Though I am now considered a “working mom” (translation: I now […]
My daughter just turned 8 this month. She is entering the 3rd grade in less than 1 week. And although my mom didn’t sit down to give me “the talk” until I had my first crush in the 5th grade, I have found the pull leading to this conversation very strong throughout the summer. One […]
When children get home from school, you can bet that they’ve had an exhilarating yet exhausting day of concentrating, summoning their courage, cooperating, and playing, but their day doesn’t end there. If a routine is established, there will be much less need for questions such as “What do I do? I’m bored.” or “How much […]
Back to school presents many exciting steps and transitions. It usually means earlier bedtimes, earlier waketimes, and hurried mornings where parents and children rush to prepare lunches and make it to the bus on time. Establishing a morning routine for your child provides the confidence he or she needs to independently prepare for school so […]
Packing for a trip with your family can feel a bit like moving – you gather what seems like the entire contents of your life and you figure out how to get it all from point A to point B. People often operate under the idea that it is better to have packed too much […]
Aaahh, the days of summer. Just the word “summer” brings back so many memories. Those were the days when a girl from small-town Kansas could ride her bike around town all summer long. I had lots of family in town so we gathered together in the hot summer evenings for homemade banana nut ice cream […]
We decided earlier in the week that we would go camping for the Memorial Day weekend. We have been on a couple of camping trips with the family, but this is the first time I felt like the children were old enough to make camping pleasant for all of us. In the past, I was […]
Yesterday was the first day that all my children were healthy and back to their normal bodily functions. Ten days! That is how many days we had a very yucky bug running through my children. This bug tried its best on me, but my immune system must be a little tougher because I was only […]
Being a mom myself has truly opened my eyes to the parent/child dynamic, particularly my role as the child. Although my parents told me they loved me on a daily basis, it wasn’t until I became a parent that I truly understood the unconditional, heart-wrenching love that parents have for their children. By the time […]
So bear with me, this is not only a useful post for anyone who has children, but it is also a chance for me to think through the presentation that I am giving tomorrow morning to my daughter’s 2nd grade class. While I was away last week at the NAPO Conference, Campbell gave her “Share” […]
My eldest is 7 and has now lost 6 teeth, so I would consider myself a bit of an expert about the tooth fairy. We’ve experienced the wonder of a lost tooth, the eagerness to put it under the pillow at bedtime, the joy of discovering “the exchange” in the morning, and once, the confusion […]
Some of you may have already begun the transition of winter to spring clothing. Others will not break out the short sleeves until possibly May. Either way, if you haven’t paid attention to what your family has for clothes for the spring/summer season and what they may yet need, now is the time to do […]
It was 51 degrees on Saturday here in Maine and it made everyone flock to the outdoors. We visited one of many favorite spots on the ocean near Freeport, home of L.L. Bean. It is a state park called Wolfe’s Neck. We always take the short trail right to the rocky shore, where there are […]
There are a few phrases that I have used over the years that make me stop and think. They are the ones that my parents said to me or that I heard from teachers, but take on a deeper meaning now with my own children. They seemed to make a strong impression the first time […]
Home should be a safe environment. Children and parents should be allowed to let down their guard and be themselves. However, there are still behaviors that should be encouraged and even expected while in the confines of the family home. Never expect someone to clean up after you. This is a hard one for both […]
Whether it is a trip to the grocery store, school, or even a playground, it is important that while children are allowed to be children, that they have an understanding of what it takes to be polite in public. One thing I have learned as a parent, children pick up a behavior or a guideline […]
I am not from the South. The manners and etiquette there seem to come second nature to many people. I am from Kansas, where people are polite, but no-nonsense. I had the pleasure recently of conversing with someone from Alabama and she gave me some wonderful advice about how she taught and emphasized good manners […]