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 ...
kids
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 ...
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 ...
10 life lessons I want our children to learn
Every day, we get the opportunity to shape our kids, to literally change their lives. Everything that we say to them sticks with them, our words become their inner voices, our expectations become their goals. If I had to pick just 10 life lessons I want our children to learn… I would use these ...
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 ...
Before you let your kids have an email or Facebook account (Read this)
I was sitting in church when I heard the best idea, during a sermon. It is really so brilliant because I have worried so many times about letting our kids have e-mail accounts or Instagram account or Facebook, etc... Now, our kids are still young (you can see them here), so it isn't a worry for ...
Mom, look at my eyes
Our 6 year old old brought in a new "invention" that he had made out of a box, with his big brother. They do this on an almost-daily basis and I love to see what they come up with (and they love to show me). When he walked into the kitchen, where I was sitting working on my computer, I was pretty ...
“Mommy will you lay with me?” – when your children want you to lie down with them at night
I have a new favorite phrase from our kids... Mommy will you lay with me ... why? Let me tell you. Do you hear this every night, as I do? Our children want me to lie down with them every night. This question is always on their minds, because they love to spend time with you. Ps- Yes, "Lie ...
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 the, 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 its only when ...
Helpful Phrases
We were already leaving the house 10 minutes behind schedule. My son was in the corner of the living room playing with his trains. I looked over to him and said, “Hey honey, it’s time to put on your shoes. We gotta go.” I didn’t know it yet, but we were diving deep into a major power ...
Family Movie Night
School isn't what it used to be. I can remember being in Kindergarten and just playing most of the day... I remember learning to hold scissors and having three-a-day recesses. I remember playing with my best friends, Sarah and Angie, on the playground that was padded in case we fell down (it was new ...
Kids Arguing? This NO TECHNOLOGY WEEK will change that (really! Give it a try!)
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 ...
When they need you less and less
I was talking to my mom on the phone last night and she said "Jack's needing us less & less". It's true - he even wanted to go out trick or treating with friends this year (but we worked it out that our families all went together). The truth of the matter is that he is getting older and ...
Kids waking up too early – Teaching your children to sleep later
When your kids are waking too early, it can make them tired, cranky and just not very happy kids. I put our kids to bed early, at 7:00 and I want them to sleep the full 12 hour, so I teach them to naturally sleep in a little later. Sleep is VERY important, so teaching our kids great ...
7 foods to soothe a sore throat
"Mommy? My throat hurts." Poor thing... I knew just what Allie meant. "It hurts when I talk and when I wake up." I felt exactly the same way, so I also knew just how much it hurt. Luckily, my mom was a nurse for many years, which has allowed me to be able to figure out when something is just a ...
Why I still carry my kids…
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 to tell you something: my 9-year-old doesn’t fit there anymore... and that is why I still carry my kids. It was last year that I carried him last. Last year that he was too tall to be ...
Never-before seen tips for Disney with kids
When we first went to Disney, we were given a lot of never before seen tips from friends & Disney natives. I love passing these things on to you because it can seem overwhelming when you are planning your trip, but it should be FUN, not overwhelming. We love going to Disney- we love the rides, ...
