The Many Little Joys

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Parenthood

What you DON’T see when you look at my picture-perfect photos

Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.We just got our family portraits back and I couldn’t be more thrilled! My kids look adorable, and I’m so excited to finally have a beautiful photo of the people I love to put on the wall above my fireplace.

And yet, when I look at these photos, I also have to laugh a little and shake my head. Why? Because getting those perfect shots and precious smiles was actually a pretty awful experience….

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Safety Skills: Critical fire safety tips for families (+ a FUN scavenger hunt)

Teach your kids critical fire safety tips with this free printable fire safety scavenger hunt. Have fun with your kids and get peace of mind, too!Teach your kids essential fire safety tips with this free printable fire safety scavenger hunt. Have fun with your kids and get peace of mind, too!

NOTE: THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED AND LOVED, BUT AS ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEALS. SEE MY DISCLOSURE TO LEARN MORE.

Does your family have a clear plan of what to do if your house were ever to catch fire?

It’s been just over a year since we moved into a new house. All the boxes were unpacked ages ago, and we’re slowly working through the process of furnishing and decorating the space. However, one thing we hadn’t done until this week was to make a fire safety plan.

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How to encourage creativity in kids

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.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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Mom’s Summer Adventure Kit: 10 essential things to keep in your car

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. 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.

NOTE: THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED AND LOVED, BUT AS ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEALS. SEE MY DISCLOSURE TO LEARN MORE.

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….

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Playful ways to get kids to cooperate and avoid becoming “monster mom”

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.Does trying to get your kids to comply with simple requests result in power struggles and tantrums? These playful strategies will help you win over your child and make parenting much more fun.

NOTE: THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS. AS ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEALS. SEE MY DISCLOSURE TO LEARN MORE.

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….

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A simple chore system for kids that really works! {+ free printable chore chart}

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.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….

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Dear Moms, You don’t have to enjoy every moment… (overcoming mom guilt)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the popular phrase, “enjoy every moment”? If so, try these mantras to overcome mom guilt…Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the popular phrase, "enjoy every moment"? If so, try these mantras instead...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….

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The Warm Fuzzy Jar: a positive parenting strategy to encourage good behavior

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.

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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I am THAT mom…

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.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….

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8 simple habits that keep my marriage strong after having kids

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.Here are a few of the simple habits that have helped my marriage stay 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!…

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