Looking for ways to get your little one’s vocabulary off on the right track? These activities give toddlers and preschoolers a start on developing good speaking, reading, and writing skills. Developing strong reading and writing skills is an important step in preparing your child to begin school. You can play these fun vocabulary-building games with … Read more about 8 Ways to Get Your Toddler Talking
Feeling a little unsure of your parenting skills? Here are eight basic rules to help you navigate the most fulfilling, and challenging, job you’ll ever tackle. Parenting sure would be a piece of cake if kids waltzed out of the womb knowing how to behave. But since we’re not that lucky, teaching them the rules … Read more about 8 Fundamental Parenting Rules
Well, hello there, Puberty. It’s been a while. What’s new, you ask? Let’s see, I have an 11-year-old son — oh, wait. That’s right. You know him. You know all about Boy Wonder — the kid who grew nearly five inches last year who’s now suddenly sprouting pimples and hair in all the … places. … Read more about 12 Things only Parents of pubescent Kids understand
My daughter’s room looked like a tornado had whipped through it. Every single one of her bureau drawers was open, with clothes spilling out. Clothes and laundry were all over the floor, to the extent that I could no longer see the floor. I couldn’t see her desk, either, because of the piles of papers, … Read more about 7 Ways Moms get their Kids to clean their Rooms
If there’s one phrase that parents dread hearing from kids, it is “I’m bored.” (Coming in a close second: “I think I’m gonna throw up.”) Sometimes, boredom can actually benefit kids — I’ve found that unstructured time gives my children a chance to come up with creative ways to entertain themselves. Then again, there are … Read more about 15 Genius Ways to deal with bored Kids
I just realized both of my posts this week are about gardening. Can you tell I’m itching to get out there and play in the dirt? Here we don’t plant most stuff until Mother’s Day and I’m dying. Most years, I get suckered into planting something sooner than that, and then one last ugly snowstorm hits … Read more about How to set up a spring fairy Garden with Pictures
Parents are often riddled with guilt wondering whether they’re providing their children with unconditional love and support. As a mom of two, I’ve learned that there are simple things parents can do to have a positive impact on their kids. Speak up Some people think that saying how you really feel can get you into … Read more about 5 Easy Ways Parents can have a positive Impact on Kids
I’m haunted by memories of art projects gone awry. Glue soaked hair, glitter ingrained carpet, paint splattered new pants, and tiny shreds of colorful paper … so much paper. That’s why preschools exist isn’t it? So the teachers with Prozac-infused coffee can deal with the mess. Can you imagine 20 toddlers doing crafts? The horror! Because I don’t … Read more about 7 Crafts that won’t give you glitter Nightmares
When I’m daydreaming, I dream of sleep. It’s that sweet elixir that evades most homes with children between the ages of 0 to around 7. Beyond sleep, parents struggle to offer their children tools for stressful situations at school and other anxiety-producing activities. The first seven years of life is when the foundation of the subconscious … Read more about How to teach your child self-hypnosis in 8 steps
Dear Parent, As much as you like to think you make the rules, you’re just fooling yourself — at least when it comes to the playroom. When I come to town, it’s “game over” organized bins, clean walls, and fully dressed dolls. A new sheriff has arrived and I have a fresh set of laws. … Read more about 8 Rules of the playroom, according to a toddler