Creativity is one of the most important qualities for our children to develop. The good news is that you can encourage creativity without adding MORE to your plate. In fact, the practical ideas shared below often mean doing LESS.
“A creative mess is better than tidy idleness.” –Albert Einstein
My older brother had this quote posted on his bedroom door during his teenage years, and although I’m pretty sure it was at least partly an excuse to NOT clean his room, I’ve always loved the message.
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You’ve got a summer bucket list, but are you REALLY ready for summer? Be prepared for whatever summer brings by creating a simple “summer adventure kit”…nine essential things every parent should keep in the car during summertime. 
Truth: I’m giddy about summertime. I loathe being cooped up indoors, so once the good weather strikes, I’m all about heading for the hills in pursuit of adventure. We’ve got a great bucket list to keep us inspired, and I’m SOO looking forward to the extra time to spend together as a family now that school is out….
Does trying to get your kids to comply with simple requests result in power struggles and tantrums? These playful strategies will help get your child to cooperate and make parenting much more fun.
It’s four o’clock in the afternoon. You’ve already been on mom duty for ten hours, many of which have been spent putting out fire after emotional fire, and bouncing around like a ping-pong ball trying to remember who’s had lunch, when the three-year-old last went to the bathroom, and trying to remember what you were doing two seconds ago before you got interrupted for the 526th time….
Want a simple chore system for kids that really works…even for young kids? Here is the {free} printable chore chart we use and how we encourage everybody to pitch in around the house.
When I was a kid, I would wake up on Saturday mornings and head to the kitchen for breakfast. Without fail, I would find a little “gift” sitting next to the cereal bowls on the table–a stack of index cards, one for each child, with a list of our chores for the day….
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the popular phrase, “enjoy every moment”? If so, try these mantras to overcome mom guilt…
From time to time, when I’m wandering through the home decor aisles of a craft store, I’ll see a lovely little sign that says in beautiful, scripty lettering, “Enjoy Every Moment.”
It’s a lovely sentiment, really.
But whenever I read that phrase, I am suddenly filled with a strong desire to gently take the sign off the shelf and THROW those lovely, artistically-rendered words across the store….
With just an empty jar and a pile of pom poms, this positive parenting strategy will help you encourage a culture of kindness in your family and create a happier, more peaceful home.
I have three boys who LOVE to create chaos in my house. They are loud, dirty, and sometimes destructive.
They are also creative, helpful, and big-hearted.
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If you ever feel discouraged that you are “that” mom you always said you’d never be, take heart and remember that you are doing more good than you think you are.
I am that mom. You know, the one you used to look at before you had kids and say, “I will NEVER do that when I’m parent.” Yep, I used to think that, too.
Well, now I’m her….
Kids require a LOT of time and energy, which sometimes makes it easy to neglect our marriages. Here are a few of the simple habits that keep my marriage strong…even during these crazy years of parenting young kids.
Some people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest.
For me, the first year of marriage was like a long, care-free honeymoon. I got to live with my best friend and hang out all the time (at least when he wasn’t working CRAZY hours for the public accounting firm he worked for at the time). It was fabulous!…
If you love listening to music with your kids, but you can’t stand the thought of hearing Wheels on the Bus one more time, this playlist is for you. It’s packed with kid-friendly songs that won’t drive adults crazy…perfect for your next family dance party.
Music is powerful. When I’m having a rough day, cranking up the tunes is one of my key strategies for beating a bad mood. As the mama in the house, I know my mood sets the tone for everyone else at home, and I’ve learned that playing music keeps everyone happier.
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Technology is a blessing for stay-at-home-moms…but it can also be a curse. If you’re feeling the need to disconnect from your phone, here are five simple changes I made to take back control and connect more with the beautiful family in front of me.
I got my first smart phone in 2012, just after the birth of my oldest son. At the time, I didn’t even really want a smart phone. I didn’t need it, I told my husband. I was fine with my super simple, electric blue flip phone….