I was so impressed when I saw this! I’ve been asking Sweet Pea to help me clean up for what feels like forever. It started with her watching me, then doing one thing and wandering off, and slowly getting more and more helpful. But, it’s something we’ve been working on […]
What did she learn that afternoon? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. But, I know that she received a powerful message. And it’s a great one. She learned that doing “manual labor” with Grandpa is fun. She learned that outside stuff is not just “for boys”. She saw that she […]
A sneak peek into our set up… As my business takes off and I get busier with working from home, without childcare, preschool, or other regular support, we decided it was time to rearrange again, so that we use our space more efficiently. This meant swapping the office, which […]
Technology is great, isn’t it? It’s what has advanced our society over time. A long time. But, what if technology is actually doing more harm than good when it comes to our children? I recently read an article written by Sue Palmer, who has been studying the impacts of […]
How we made the best of a rainy day, learned about gutters, storm drains, made comparisons, and used our 5 senses. Did anyone else grow up hearing that playing outside was “good for you”? We LOVED to be outside as kids. It was the one time we consistently didn’t listen […]
Marble runs are great for open-ended building. They’re an example of a STEM toy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). And, they’re a lot of fun, both for the kids and the adults. But, what are the benefits to marble runs, besides fun the whole family can enjoy? […]
Planning a party doesn’t need to be pricey or complicated! It doesn’t need to be fancy to be fun. Here are 4 easy games you can set up for your next kid party! Tic-Tac-Toe. These games are a lot of fun and involve throwing accurately (or spinning). While […]
It’s a real challenge when our little ones have a tough time paying attention! Sometimes, it’s due to an actual diagnosis, such as ADD or ADHD. I recently received a question from a reader whose son started kindergarten this year, was recently diagnosed by his doctor with ADHD, and is struggling […]
No, I’m not having a party for my 3 year old. We’re not getting a face painter, fancy cake, putting up elaborate decorations, hiring a princess or two to come by, renting a bounce house, or anything like it. I’m not taking the “easy” route and having it at a […]
Lessons Learned in the Classroom: How what I learned as a classroom teacher has helped me as a mother I recently received a question from a reader who had read one of my posts. She said, “Yeah, but how did you get there? Where did you start and what did […]
I’m not a music person. I can’t carry a tune to save my life. Can’t read music. Have no rhythm. I don’t enjoy it (unless it involves pushing “play” on something). To say it’s not my forte is putting it mildly. I have no desire to teach it, and I […]
Getting cabin fever? Need something active, but easy for your kiddos to get some energy out? Try a game! If you don’t have craft sticks, use paper. It need to be usable, not fancy. Kids don’t care about fancy or “Pinterest Perfect.” They are happy that it’s done and they […]