It is almost time for another NO TECHNOLOGY WEEK - here is a quick look at why we do it, how it changes our kids & helps them to GET ALONG and stop sibling rivalry! Technology- its great, right? I use it for work. My kids use it to learn. Yep- its awesome, until its not. They are using ...
kids
60 Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids
These Screen-Free Summer Activities for Kids are perfect for summer! There is nothing quite like getting away from technology, even if it is just for a no-technology week! It is sad, but American children spend 5-8 hours in front of a screen per day and less than 1 hour (that is less than ...
Why having more kids is less stressful!
This post was originally written in 2014, but I wanted to bring it back around today & add some new details because I think that it still holds true. Why are moms of more kids often less stressed? I think we've figured it out. It boils down to a few things that help you to be a ...
When the kids are older, I’ll be able to…
It's funny. We think about all of the things that we will do when our children are born. Rock them, hold them, sing to them, enjoy every minute of them. Not much time passes before we begin looking to the future when we start thinking "When the kids are older, I'll be able to…" and it's only when ...
Popsicles for Breakfast: Strawberry Kiwi Yogurt Popsicles
These Strawberry Kiwi Yogurt Popsicles are the perfect mid-day pick me up or after dinner treat! Our kids love sweet frozen treats. As much as they want milkshake or bowl of ice cream, this is so much better and they really like it. It's just not good for the little ones to have too much sugar. ...
CONSEQUENCES FOR KIDS THAT WORK!
Coming up with consequences for kids is not always easy, especially when you're in the heat of the moment and you just need your kids to do what you ask! You need to find something that works and stick to it... if you want a behavior to change. How many times do we (myself included!) make up ...
Non Candy Valentines : Bubbles Valentines
If you are looking for adorable Non-Candy Valentines, you've come to the right place. These Bubbles Valentines are perfect! While candy Valentines are always fun, it's nice to mix it up a bit and give their friends something new to play with... I'm sure teachers & parents will appreciate not ...
Why I still carry my kids…
I wrote this post a few years ago, Why I Still Carry My Kids, but it still is close to my heart, so I wanted to share it again today. A good reminder for myself & hopefully others. :) I see you looking my way - when I hold my 7-year-old, my 5-year-old, my 3-year-old in my arms. I want ...
The day that I stopped using chore charts (and my life got easier!)
Chores without a chore Chart There came a day when I stopped using chore charts. Chores for kids are very important and I want our kids to do them, but I didn't want the stress of keeping up with a chore chart. With four kids, it was becoming just that- an extra cause of stress (that I did not ...
How to make each child feel important (in a large family)
How can you make each child feel important? Devote time to JUST THAT CHILD! It really is just that easy- spend time listening to your child and talking with your child… say yes when they ask you to lie down with them when you tuck them… all of those little things add up to a loved ...
Make a Snowman from Glue
Winter is here! Are you ready for the first snow day? Everyone gets to sleep in, kids can hang out in their pajamas and parents don't have to clean the snow off the windshield and head to the school drop off line! Most likely the kids will be begging to go outside and make a snowman, spray paint the ...
Easy and effective reward system for kids
This is, by far, the easiest and most effective reward system for kids that I have done. As an elementary teacher, I tried them all (here are 5 reward charts that I've tried)! This post contains affiliate links to products that I love! I had marbles, stickers, charts... and then I tried Cotton ...
Declutter my home: How clutter affects your family & what you can do about it.
Earlier in the week, I wrote about how clutter truly causes stress. It isn't just you... it is a scientific fact. Today I wanted to talk about how clutter affects your family and what you can do about it. I was listening to a re-run of The Oprah Show on the radio the other day and she was ...
Books to start deeper conversations with your kids
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine. 3:30 - Everyone comes rushing in the door. Snacks, homework, sports, chores, dinner... let the craziness begin. Do you know what's missing from that? Our downtime. Our connecting ...
DIY Candy Corn Tree
We loved making our Candy Corn Tree because it is FUN and FESTIVE and the kids loved having a few bites here and there (make it with some of these fall treats!) This craft is so easy and it has some really great lessons to teach your kids! (counting, dividing in the early stages, cause and ...
Why I put my kids to bed at 7
Why I put my kids to bed at 7:00 ... it is a hot topic, that's for sure! Yes, our kids are in bed around 7:00 every night and asleep by around 7:30 every night. Our older kids are in bed later (around 8:00 or 8:30, because they need less sleep, but that didn't start until they turned nine years ...
2 year old is still waking up at night? Advice from a Pediatrician
Several years ago, when our child was still waking up at night (two years old at the time), I went into our Doctor's office with this complaint… "My 2-year-old is still waking up at night ." Her advice changed our nights! I was recently talking to a friend having the same issues, so I decided ...
8 activities to keep kids entertained … for when kids have spare time that needs to be filled
Sometimes, you just need a "filler" for your day. You need something that is going to give you thirty minutes of quiet time (well- no kids under your feet time) while you cook, or fifteen minutes of quiet time while you are getting a quick shower. So, I wanted to share some ideas with you for a ...
Life is a Rollercoaster
Life is a rollercoaster... you can close your eyes and scream or you can throw your hands up and enjoy the ride. I truly think that this is the way that we should be living our lives... and teaching our kids to live their lives. Every day, we wake up with the chance to have a great day. I ...
The one word you should try to avoid when you discipline your kids
My brother and I often have chats about parenting our kids and teaching our students (I am a teacher/therapist and he is a principal). We both agree that there is one word you should try to avoid using when your discipline your kids... I heard it again today. I was in the car, driving to get ice ...