What’s your resolution for this year? Popular resolutions, according to USA.gov are drinking less alcohol, getting in shape and/or eating better, getting a better education, and saving money, to name a few. Most of you would agree, these aren’t appropriate …Read the Rest
Parenting
To grandma’s house we go…
The holidays can be crazy and hectic, and when you add kids and being away from home into the mix, crazy and hectic can be an understatement (at least in my experience – I’m sure your kids are perfect when …Read the Rest
Teaching Kids to be Thankful
A few weeks ago, my husband and I were babysitting some of our friends’ kids. Their 4 kids + our 2 kids = a beautiful night of chaos. In the midst of that chaos, I kept hearing their kids use expressions like, “excuse me”, …Read the Rest
Savvy Snacks
Everything around town screams back to school! The buses are out, the trees are thinking about giving up their leaves, parents have desperate looks on their faces, and the school supply aisles are pilfered and looking naked. Even the cracker boxes at Meijer …Read the Rest
Say “Yes!”
Do you ever feel like the soup Nazi? Well, maybe the fun Nazi? “No fun for you!” There are those days when I feel like all I say is “NO!”. “No candy.” “No jumping on the couch.” “No more …Read the Rest
Summer Job for Tweens! Neighborhood Kids Camp!
When I (Melody) was a kid I LOVED the Babysitter’s Club book series. I would save up my money until I had $2.50 and then tromp off to Walden Books to get my new read. And then I would devour …Read the Rest
Measure Summer with a Paper Chain, Family Activity
A few years ago, my(Jennifer) son asked me “How long is summer, Mommy?” The poor child was shocked to find out that, at the end of preschool, he had to wait an entire summer for kindergarten to start. These days, he’s thrilled to …Read the Rest
5 Tips for Traveling With Kids
The thought of getting to a vacation can be a nightmare! Hours stuck in the car or plane with little wiggle room makes for stress and just plain grumpiness. Just in time for your spring break trip, we have a …Read the Rest
Play: The Best Part of Being a Parent
What was your favorite game growing up? I’m not talking about Chutes and Ladders here. I’m talking about gathering a bunch of neighbor kids (and sometimes adults), creating a game, run, jump, laugh, make up new rules as you go …Read the Rest
Where Was That Again? Teaching Your Kids to Just Say No to Piles
I have a secret. I am a pile-maker. For years, to me cleaning up meant putting things into nice, neat stacks. Piles worked for me – that is – until my kids were born and a serious case of mommy …Read the Rest
Resurrecting Date Night
It’s almost Valentine’s day and already our heads have been pumped full of what we should buy and do for our loved ones, thanks to every jewelry, candy, and flower shop. But before you lump me into that category of …Read the Rest
Keeping Kids Healthy in Winter
I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist, just a mom relying on common sense and tried and true holistic approaches to health and wellness. If you’re looking to boost your family’s immune system to carry you through the rest of …Read the Rest
Make A Sunshine Day…Teaching Your Kids to be Givers
When I was little my grandma would ask me if I wanted to go to the “Blanket Show.” It took me a few times to figure out that this was just a fun way of saying “it’s bedtime,” but I …Read the Rest
