Featured
- Gift-Giving Etiquette: How to put more ‘thought’ into thoughtfulness – Part 1 of 2
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I invite you — nay, challenge you! — to help your child step back for a moment . . . realize what’s really important . . . and focus on the true spirit of the holiday season: giving to others in a genuinely thoughtful way.
- Sibling “Iron Chef” Showdown
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In thinking of male chef role models, the television show “Iron Chef” gave me a fun idea for my boys to emulate. What we got out of the sibling “Iron Chef” challenge was a surprisingly tasty afterschool snack and a very fun activity! Here’s how our showdown played out.
- The Spirit of Generosity
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We’ve all heard the statement “it’s far better to give than receive,” but how can we make this relevant to our children? How can we help our children experience the rewards of giving, as well as understand that helping others is a priceless emotional gift we give to ourselves?
- Cooking With Your Boys Measures Up!
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Typically, cooking is stereotyped as a “woman’s job,” but I disagree. The kitchen is one room in the house that definitely shouldn’t be labeled “no boys allowed.” In fact, Santa delivered my boys their first play kitchen before they even had a baby sister!
- Gratitude: Teaching kids to appreciate what they have!
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Teaching gratitude to children is not easy. Depending on what stage they’re going through, your child may feel very entitled and self-centered at the moment. (If not, you’re lucky.) But if so, no need to fret. There are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years that will show you just how to teach kids to be grateful.
- A Gem of an Idea! Playing Creatively with Toys
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When our puppy developed a sweet tooth for plastic and destroyed several of the play foods that came with my kids’ Step2 play kitchen, my kids were disappointed. How were they going to play in their kitchen without any food
- Explaining Halloween to Kids (or How to De-spook the Spookiest Holiday of the Year!)
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“Mommy, why is everyone dressed up so funny?” “Daddy, what does ‘trick or treat’ mean?” “Grandma, why are people giving away free candy?” “Grandpa, how come those pumpkins have such funny faces?” Halloween-related questions like these — and more, to …
- Give “Peas” a Chance
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Where do you come from? Not the whole biology lesson, your ancestors! Your child’s lineage most likely extends beyond the oceans. October 24th is United Nations Day. Starting with your heritage and then picking other countries, let’s create a week-long …
- United Nations Day
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Hope, love, friendship, sharing, understanding, tolerance, equality, peace, caring. United Nations Day is October 24th, so why not center your child’s creative play on this idea? Perhaps your children are too young to understand the diversity among the nations. That’s …
- Fall & Winter Nature Lessons for Kids (or Snooping Around the Woods on a Chilly Day!)
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There are nature lessons for kids that are taught in the classroom…and then there are nature lessons for kids that are taught exactly where they should be: in the beautiful outdoors. Even though we are now quickly getting into the …