If you’re a parent, you know the question is coming. It’s just a matter of time. In fact, it might just be the new dreaded parenting question, right next to “How are babies made?” This one is: "When can I get a cell phone?" It's not surprising that kids start asking about phones (and being handed them) at earlier and earlier ages. For most kids, screens, from household … [Read more...]
Families are Falling Apart, So Why Don’t We Fix It?
We study children who fall behind in school to assess what caused their decline. We investigate households where abuse is suspected because the signs point to negative situations. But, why do investigators or psychologists not study families that raise solid citizens? Given the rate of school shootings, crazy school board decisions, or truth being skewed by lies, to be … [Read more...]
Toddler Go-Bag Essentials and the Best Full Coverage Bib
Outings with toddlers in tow are always interesting. My husband and I would have a strategic toddler go-bag to help make our family outings successful. Planning for tantrums, hunger, and messes is all part of the process. Putting together a go-bag for your toddler requires some key items. Keeping your toddler clean, keeping your toddler occupied, and helping them stay … [Read more...]
Teaching Children about Bullies: Back off Buzz!
Even at my age I still remember the moment the bully made fun of me. It was on a field trip. It took me a long time to move past that feeling of humiliation. Bullies can effect our view of ourselves in deep ways. Teaching children about bullies is a life skill they need to learn. It prepares them to handle bullies. It also teaches them how to not be a bully! Back off Buzz! … [Read more...]
How to Prepare for a Teen Driver
Learning to drive is one of the major milestones of becoming an adult. Almost every teenager looks forward to the freedom and thrill that comes with being able to drive instead of riding along with parents or older friends. But at the same time, these years can be particularly scary to parents, who may find themselves envisioning fender benders, wrecked cars, or, worst of … [Read more...]
Teaching Positive Behavior in Preschoolers
Watching my daughter clean up her room, I noticed she was having trouble. It is always my goal to be teaching positive behavior, so I kept watching for a minute. I wanted to learn what was challenging her. She would pick up an item from a pile of clutter. Then she would set it to her other side. She did this repeatedly with one pile of clutter. She picked up each item to her … [Read more...]
ZoomTutor Online Math Tutor
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZoomTutor. ZoomTutor is not affiliated with Zoom. All opinions are my own. Please view my disclosure for more info. We all gained a lot of insights about what our children were learning, their weaknesses and strengths, back when school went virtual. With all the virtual public school kids home, their school day was … [Read more...]
6 Web Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know
{Guest Post} We live in a world that’s more connected than ever before. It’s incredible to think that just 20 years ago Google had only just been founded. Facebook and YouTube were still just ideas. The smartphones we can’t live without today didn’t even exist. Statistics on Tech and Kids Technology has brought some incredible advances and wonders into our world. But … [Read more...]
Kids Who Wet the Bed: Bedwetting Tips
If your child was potty trained before the age of 2, I am not the mom to talk to. It was a sore spot for me for a while. Some of us have kids who wet the bed. Potty training at night was not my mom strength. If you have kids who wet the bed, these bedwetting tips can help you navigate this challenging time. I had to learn to be patient. Each mom has their “tough” thing when … [Read more...]
When Will I Be an Expert Mom?
After sharing that there were indeed two babies in my pregnant belly, I was offered advice about how to manage twins plus the two I already had at home. I was asked fairly frequently, “Do you think you can handle four kids?” Unwanted or unsolicited advice can be hard to deal with. This stumped me a bit and made me initially feel that I knew … [Read more...]
Teach Kids How to Make Friends
Two lessons all children need to learn are how to make friends and how to navigate through the challenges of friendships. As parents we all want to teach kids how to make friends. Often our children learn hard lessons when they have to move to a new state or school. My kids have become all too familiar with this through military life. Every three years they have to make new … [Read more...]
Everyone Can Help at Home: Kids, Dads + Tips for Balance
Our household felt out of balance during my first year homeschooling. Dishes, cleaning, floors, bathrooms, the clutter piled up and stressed me out. I had to shift my thinking to realize just how everyone can help at home-this includes chores for the kids, ideas for dads to spend time with the kids and a focus on the tasks that were most important to complete. I did not … [Read more...]